Patent ID: 8540476

Claim:
A system for transporting platforms having pipette tips, the system comprising: a packaging in which the platforms and pipette tips are stacked, the packaging including first and second partial enclosures attached to each other and defining a generally vertically oriented opening between the first and second partial enclosures, the first and second partial enclosures capable of moving between an open position where the platforms are exposed from within the packaging and a closed position where the first and second partial enclosures engage each other to enclose the platforms and pipette tips; and a loader configured to transfer an uppermost platform from the packaging, the loader having a support structure including: an upper surface, a plurality of sides extending from the upper surface, the plurality of sides each having an inner surface and an outer surface, at least a portion of a pair of opposed sides of the plurality of sides flaring outward from the upper surface, a shelf on the inner surface of each of a pair of opposed sides that flare inward toward a center of the loader, a distance between the shelves in the opposed sides being less than a distance between the pair of opposed edges of the platform when the support structure is in an unbiased position, the shelves in the opposed sides capable of being biased away from each other to a distance greater than the distance between the pair of opposed edges of the platform.