Patent ID: 6881579

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: (a) an input element, the input element comprising a plurality of shelves, the input element being adapted to move the shelves vertically in a predetermined manner to receive packages into the apparatus and move the packages to a holding device therefor, (b) a movably mounted holding device for holding a plurality of support housings, said device being adapted to receive a support housing from said input element and adapted to index each support housing for a predetermined operation, each of said support housings comprising a cover and containing a support having attached thereto a plurality of biopolymer features, (c) an element for removing the cover from the support housing to expose an opening in the support housing, (d) one or more processing stations, and (e) an output element adapted to receive a support housing from said holding device, the output element comprising a plurality of shelves, the output element being adapted to move the shelves vertically in a predetermined manner to receive a package from the holding device.