Patent ID: 8221697

Claim:
An apparatus for lidding or delidding a microplate, the apparatus comprising: a platform configured to hold a microplate, wherein the microplate comprises a sample area shaped to define a plurality of individual wells, and an outer frame surrounding the sample area, wherein the outer frame includes at least one opening; a lidding assembly positioned above the platform, the lidding assembly including a coupling device configured to couple the lidding assembly to a lid for the microplate, wherein the lidding assembly is configured to move the lid between a first position proximate to the microplate and a second position away from the microplate, wherein the lid includes at least one projection projecting substantially orthogonally towards the microplate, the at least one projection dimensioned to project at least partially through the at least one opening in the outer frame of the microplate in response to the lid being mounted on the microplate in the first position; and a base positioned below the platform, the base having at least one delidding post projecting substantially orthogonally towards the microplate, wherein the base is configured to move between a third position proximate to the microplate and a fourth position away from the microplate, wherein the at least one delidding post is configured to extend into the at least one opening in the outer frame of the microplate to engage and release the at least one projection from the microplate in response to the base being in the third position.