Abstract: An input module includes a carrier shelf for supporting a receptacle carrier, a retrieval dock configured to receive one receptacle from a carrier supported on the carrier shelf and present the receptacle for removal by a receptacle transport apparatus, and a pusher configured to push receptacles on the carrier to one end of the carrier and to push one receptacle at a time off the end of the carrier and onto the retrieval dock. A method for determining a number of receptacles on a carrier includes placing the carrier on a carrier shelf, pushing receptacles on the carrier to one end of the carrier with a packer, detecting a position of the packer the receptacles have been pushed to the end of the carrier, and determining the number of receptacles on the carrier from the position of the packer.

Abstract: A puck for removably supporting a receptacle. The puck includes a plurality of fingers arranged about a vertical axis, where each finger has a contact surface configured to be in contact with a receptacle seated in the puck. One or more springs couple the plurality of fingers, thereby biasing the fingers toward the vertical axis. The puck further includes a supporting disc having (i) a disc sidewall projecting from a base to define a pocket for seating a receptacle, (ii) a plurality of first cavities formed in the base and extending in a direction of the vertical axis, and (iii) a puck passageway extending through opposed portions of the disc sidewall in a direction transverse to and offset from the vertical axis, where each of the fingers is rotatably coupled to the supporting disc at a corresponding first cavity of the plurality of first cavities.

Abstract: A receptacle delivery system that includes a rail extending between first and second locations of an instrument and a carriage configured to move on the rail between the first and second locations of the instrument. The carriage includes a bracket having opposed first and second sidewalls and a base extending between the first and second sidewalls, where the carriage is configured to support a receptacle. The carriage further includes a pair of opposed support pads, where the pair of support pads are configured to (a) move toward a receptacle supported by the carriage as the carriage moves from the first location toward the second location, and (b) move away from a receptacle supported by the carriage as the carriage moves from the second location toward the first location. The carriage also includes a pair of meshed cam gears rotatably coupled to the first sidewall, where each cam gear is coupled to a different one of the support pads.

Abstract: An apparatus including a thermally-conductive receptacle holder having a row of receptacle wells. Each receptacle well has an inner surface defined to receive a receptacle, and each receptacle well has a through-hole extending between the inner and outer surfaces thereof. The apparatus further includes one or more thermal elements for altering a temperature(s) of the receptacle holder, where the one or more thermal element are in contact with a side surface of the receptacle holder. There are two or more thermistors disposed in contact with the receptacle holder and a channel disposed within the side surface and containing wires and/or electrical connections for the two or more thermistors.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus is configured to grasp a closed receptacle having a closure affixed to an open top end of a receptacle. Opposed jaw members capable of lateral movement between an open position, a first closed position, and a second closed position are configured to grasp the closed receptacle when the closed receptacle is situated between the jaw members at the first closed position and to release the closed receptacle at the open position. The gripper apparatus further includes a plurality of fingers configured to grasp a sidewall of the closure beneath a top surface of the closure when the closure is situated between the plurality of fingers and beneath a base of each of the jaw members as the jaw members move laterally toward each other from the open position to the second closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting groups of consumables between vertically spaced holding shelves that includes a support chassis laterally spaced from the holding shelves, a transport elevator coupled to the support chassis, a lift platform, and a scissors actuator connecting the lift platform to the support chassis and configured to laterally translate the lift platform between a first position laterally aligned with the support chassis and a second position laterally aligned with one of the holding shelves.

Abstract: A system and method provides a supply of consumables to a processing instrument that uses one or more of the consumables for each of a plurality of processes performed by the instrument. The system includes a loading drawer holding a carrier for receiving a plurality of consumables and an input module for holding a carrier supporting a plurality of consumables thereon and presenting the consumables for access by the instrument. A transporter includes a vertical elevator and a lateral actuator for moving a lift platform vertically and laterally and for transporting carriers on the lift platform with or without consumables supported thereon between the loading drawer and the input module, between the loading drawer and one or more holding shelves, or between the input module and one or more holding shelves. A carrier includes parallel support rails for holding multiple receptacle units and retainer tabs for retaining the units on the support rails.

Abstract: A receptacle delivery system includes a carriage configured to move from a first to a second location of an instrument. The carriage may be configured to removably support a receptacle and may include a receptacle clamping mechanism. The receptacle mechanism may be configured to apply a clamping force to the receptacle as the carriage moves from the first to the second location and release the clamping force as the carriage moves from the second to the first location.

Abstract: A system for managing liquid waste includes a first liquid container that receives waste liquid, a liquid transfer pump fluidly connected to the first liquid container; and a second liquid container fluidly connectable to the liquid transfer pump. The liquid transfer pump is can be selectively activated to transfer liquid waste from the first liquid container to the second liquid container when the second liquid container is fluidly connected to the liquid transfer pump.

Abstract: After disposable pipette tips are used by an automated pipettor, they are released by the pipettor and fall into a waste container. When the waste container is removed to be emptied, the pipette tips are temporarily sequestered in a pipette tip holding station so that the automated pipettor may operate uninterrupted. After the waste container is replaced, the sequestered pipette tips are released by the holding station into the waste container.

Abstract: A system and method provides a supply of consumables to a processing instrument that uses one or more of the consumables for each of a plurality of processes performed by the instrument. The system includes a loading drawer holding a carrier for receiving a plurality of consumables and an input module for holding a carrier supporting a plurality of consumables thereon and presenting the consumables for access by the instrument. A transporter includes a vertical elevator and a lateral actuator for moving a lift platform vertically and laterally and for transporting carriers on the lift platform with or without consumables supported thereon between the loading drawer and the input module, between the loading drawer and one or more holding shelves, or between the input module and one or more holding shelves. A carrier includes parallel support rails for holding multiple receptacle units and retainer tabs for retaining the units on the support rails.