发明名称 |
Transfer and positioning apparatus for automated conveyor system |
摘要 |
A transfer and positioning apparatus includes a positioning assembly located between the tracks of a dual lane conveyor and upstream of a lane changer. The positioning assembly includes a retractable shaft for stopping a carrier along a first conveyor adjacent the assembly. A pair of gripper arms are pivotally mounted to move between an open position permitting the carrier to pass along the conveyor track, and a closed position with forward ends in contact with a specimen container on the carrier to position the container in a reference location for direct processing. The lane changer includes a shuttle depending from an overhead support with a pair of arms for receiving and shifting a specimen carrier from one conveyor to a second conveyor 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 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 queue is positioned upstream of the positioning assembly and 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. |
申请公布号 |
US7233838(B2) |
申请公布日期 |
2007.06.19 |
申请号 |
US20030627342 |
申请日期 |
2003.07.25 |
申请人 |
ABBOTT LABORATORIES |
发明人 |
BARRY DOUGLAS;BYBEE THOMAS L.;CHAN ADRIAN;FULLER JOHN;PUSEMAN RAY;ROTHMAN GREG;SIMMS DON R.;TURNER MICHAEL;WOODS JAY;ZEVAKINA INNA M. |
分类号 |
G06F7/00;B25J18/04;B65G13/06;B65G21/22;B65G23/08;B65G23/12;B65G23/30;B65G37/00;B65G37/02;B65G47/52;B65G47/76;B65G47/90;G01N35/00;G01N35/04 |
主分类号 |
G06F7/00 |
代理机构 |
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代理人 |
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主权项 |
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地址 |
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