Abstract: The apparatus is fitted with a transfer turntable (1) suitable for conveying dishes in the open state from a station for dispensing open dishes to a filling station, and then from the filling station to a station for receiving filled dishes. The turntable comprises a top plate (10) whose openings retain the lids of the dishes and a bottom plate (11) whose openings receive the bottoms of the dishes, said bottoms resting constantly against a fixed refrigerated sole plate (55) while they are being transferred. The turntable (1) is driven by means of a drive disk (6) placed beneath the sole plate (55) and magnetically coupled to the turntable by means of two series of facing magnets (61-12). The apparatus is suitable for constituting laboratory equipment.