Patent ID: 8012767

Claim:
A method for loading a plurality of pipette tips on a plurality of mandrels of a pipetter, the plurality of pipette tips oriented with respect to each other by a plate, the method comprising: providing a pipettor and a loading assembly comprising an insertion surface including a plurality of receptacles configured to accept the plurality of pipette tips, a receptacle of the plurality of receptacles including a beveled surface extending from at least a portion of the insertion surface; and a plate supporting the plurality of pipette tips; inserting the plurality of pipette tips in the plurality of receptacles of the insertion surface; attaching the plurality of pipette tips to a plurality of mandrels of the pipettor; applying a retention force to the plate by a retainer clip mounted in the tip loading assembly to maintain the plate on the insertion surface; and separating the plurality of pipette tips attached to the plurality of mandrels from the plate; wherein the retainer clip comprises: a post; an arm extending from the post in a first direction; a first hook extending from the arm over a first portion of the plate, the first hook including a first edge; and a second hook extending from the arm over a second portion of the plate, the second hook including a second edge; wherein L a is a distance between the first edge and the second edge, wherein L i is a dimension of the plate along an axis extending between the first edge and the second edge, and further wherein the ratio of L a over L i is approximately greater than or equal to 0.33.