Patent ID: 8703492

Claim:
A continuous-loading sample processing system comprising: a sample input adapted to receive at least one sample container rack manually provided by a user; a consumable input adapted to receive one or more unused consumable supplies manually provided by a user; a waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies; an automated processing center comprising: a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container provided in the at least one sample container rack, the at least one sample container having contents comprising a specimen, at least one shaker adapted to shake the at least one sample container and homogenize the contents, a pipettor adapted to remove the specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to at least one output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container; and a sample output adapted to receive the at least one output vessel and present the at least one output vessel to a user for manual removal.