Patent ID: 7622079

Claim:
A fluid distribution system comprising: a table adapted to engage at least two microplates in a side-by-side arrangement, the table being movable in an X-Y plane and in a Z direction toward and away from the X-Y plane; a dispensing head adapted to dispense fluids to at least one microplate while the at least one microplate is on the table; a plate-handling device adapted to selectively pick up a microplate from the table and deposit a microplate on the table, wherein the plate-handling device comprises at least two sets of jaws positioned one over the other, each set of jaws being adapted to grip a respective microplate; and a plate gripper associated with the table and adapted to grip a microplate when the microplate is engaged by the table and adapted to lift a microplate to enable a first set of jaws of the plate-handling device to deposit a second microplate underneath a lifted microplate, and to enable a second set of jaws of the plate-handling device to remove a lifted microplate from the plate gripper.