TRANSPORT APPARATUS AND TRANSPORT METHOD

摘要

A transport apparatus transports sample holder racks. The apparatus employs a first transport unit that moves the rack in a path between two ends of the transport apparatus, a rack sender unit that extends in a first direction that intersects the path, a second transport unit dimensioned parallel to the first transport unit and with the rack sender unit interposed therebetween, which locates the sample container held in the rack at a sample loading position of a measurement device, and a first movable member capable of moving in the first direction between the first and the second transport units. The apparatus has movable portions that alternately stop the rack movement, and push the rack such that optimal movement is achieved whereby the rack moves beyond the rack sender unit to the second transport unit as the first movable member moves in the first direction.

主权项

1. A transport apparatus that transports a rack that holds a sample container, comprising:
a first transport unit that transports the rack in a first path between two ends of the transport apparatus; a rack sender unit that extends in a first direction that intersects the first path; a second transport unit having a second path that extends parallel to the first path of the first transport unit with the rack sender unit interposed therebetween and locates the sample container held in the rack at a sample loading position of a measurement device; and a first movable member capable of moving in the first direction between the first path and the second path, wherein the first movable member comprises
a first portion that stops, at a rack stop position, the rack transported by the first transport unit, anda second portion that pushes, in the first direction, a side surface of the rack located at the rack stop position, and wherein the second portion moves the rack at the rack stop position beyond the rack sender unit to the second transport unit as the first movable member moves in the first direction.