Patent ID: 6379565
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for simultaneously processing a plural number of samples in a plural number of containers corresponding to said plural number of samples, each of the samples being held in a respective container and including a respective fluid containing particulate matter, the method comprising the steps of:closing each of the containers with a respective cover assembly, each cover assembly comprising a pump, a filter interposed between the container and the pump and adapted for collecting its respective particulate matter, and an agitator projecting into its respective sample and adapted for dispersing the respective particulate matter in its respective fluid; supporting said containers on a container engagement, said container engagement having a plural number of container receivers corresponding to said plural number of samples, each of the containers being engaged by a respective container receiver; retaining said pumps in a pump engagement, said pump engagement having a plural number of pump receivers corresponding to said plural number of container receivers, each of said pump receivers being associated with a respective container receiver and engaging the pump associated with the container engaged by its respective container receiver; and simultaneously moving said container receivers relative to their respective pump receivers to effect relative movement of said agitators in their respective samples and disperse the particulate matter in the fluid in each sample.