Abstract:
A passive guide (50) positioned in a section of tangency between a first continuous lop conveyor (12) and a second continuous loop conveyor (14) for directing a specimen carrier (24) from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and from the second conveyor to the first conveyor. The guide has a horizontally oriented “H” shape with the upper legs (50a, 50b) and an upper portion of the cross-member (50e) forming one specimen carrier directing lane and the lower legs (50c, 50d) and lower portion of the cross member forming the second specimen carrier directing lane.
Abstract:
A transfer and positioning apparatus (10) includes a positioning assembly (100) located between the tracks (12 and 14) of a dual lane conveyor (16) and upstream of a lane changer (22).
Abstract:
A conveyor (26) includes a first segment (26a) extending in a drive plane (P), then wraps around a portion of a drive sprocket (40), extends back upstreman and around a portion of an idler sprocket (46) and then includes a second segment (26b) transversly adjacent the first segment within the drive plane. A guide (42) positioned over the drive plane for directing the specimen carriers (20) from the first segment to the second segment.
Abstract:
The passive transfer guide of the present invention is positioned in a section of tangency between a first continuous loop conveyor and a second continuous loop conveyor, with a first guide lane for directing a specimen carrier from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, and a second guide lane for directing a specimen carrier from the second conveyor to the first conveyor. The guide includes a horizontally oriented "H"- shaped central member having a pair of upper legs, a pair of lower legs, and a cross-member connecting the upper and lower legs. The upper legs and an upper portion of the cross-member form one specimen carrier-directing lane, and the lower legs and a lower portion of the cross-member form the second carrier-directing lane.
Abstract:
A conveyor track drive includes a housing with a first continuous loop conveyor having a portion extending through the housing within a generally horizontal drive plane. The conveyor includes a first segment extending through the housing in the drive plane, then wraps around a portion of a drive sprocket, extends back upstream and around a portion of an idler sprocket and then includes a second segment transversely adjacent the first segment within the drive plane. A guide plate on the housing is positioned over the drive plane with a slot located to guide a specimen carrier from the first segment to the second segment at the point where the two segments are adjacent one another. A motor in the housing drives the drive sprocket to move the conveyor.
Abstract:
A two-axis robot (10) includes a vertical tubular post (66) mounted for rotation about its vertical axis, with a vertically slidable shaft (78) extending through the post.
Abstract:
A transfer apparatus (10) includes a shuttle (60) depending from an overhead (58) support with a pair of arms (68, 70) for receiving and shifting a specimen carrier (18) from one conveyor (12) to a second conveyor (14) of a dual-conveyor track. The shuttle is operable to retain a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor and to release a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor. Sensors (40, 42, 48, 50) are located to detect the presence of a specimen carrier at each of the retention locations, and to confirm the release of a specimen carrier from the shuttle along each of the conveyors. A drive motor (78) for moving the shuttle between the retention and release positions is electrically connected to a command module with a processor, for receiving instructions as to the position of the shuttle. The sensors are also connected to the processor to transmit detection data to the processor. A queue is positioned upstream of the shuttle and is electrically connected to the processor. The queue includes retractable shafts, sensors and scanners for selectively retaining, detecting and scanning identification data from a specimen carrier on either conveyor upstream of the shuttle, and transmitting the information to the processor.
Abstract:
A passive guide (50) positioned in a section of tangency between a first continuous lop conveyor (12) and a second continuous loop conveyor (14) for directing a specimen carrier (24) from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and from the second conveyor to the first conveyor. The guide has a horizontally oriented “H” shape with the upper legs (50a, 50b) and an upper portion of the cross-member (50e) forming one specimen carrier directing lane and the lower legs (50c, 50d) and lower portion of the cross member forming the second specimen carrier directing lane.
Abstract:
A passive guide (50) positioned in a section of tangency between a first continuous lop conveyor (12) and a second continuous loop conveyor (14) for directing a specimen carrier (24) from the first conveyor to the second conveyor and from the second conveyor to the first conveyor. The guide has a horizontally oriented “H” shape with the upper legs (50a, 50b) and an upper portion of the cross-member (50e) forming one specimen carrier directing lane and the lower legs (50c, 50d) and lower portion of the cross member forming the second specimen carrier directing lane.