Abstract: A container positioning device includes a stop mechanism for stopping a carrier moving along a conveyor, the carrier supporting a container thereon. A pair of arms are pivotally mounted to move between an open position permitting the container to pass along the conveyor track, and a centering position with forward ends in contact with the container and positioning the container in a centering location. A forward end of the downstream arm is operable to move upstream and contact the container to move the container upstream to the centering location, where the second arm will contact the container to retain it in place.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a pair of operable scanners which project scan beams along beam paths that reflect off of a back mirror. Each beam path has an initial portion prior to reflection off the back mirror, and a reflected portion after reflection. A passageway is created which crosses through both the initial and reflected portions of both beam paths such that the scan beams cover the entire perimeter side wall of the object.

Abstract: A specimen tube storage rack includes a hollow housing having a plurality of wells formed in the top wall and extending into the interior of the housing. An assembly of three parallel plates is mounted in an upper portion of the housing, with the top plate forming the top wall of the housing. Each plate has a plurality of openings formed therein which are vertically coaxial to form the wells. A pair of sheets of resilient flexible material are compressed between pairs of plates, and include a plurality of apertures coaxial with the openings in the plates. The apertures in the sheets have cuts extending radially outwardly into the sheet, to form flaps surrounding each aperture. The compression of each sheet between a pair of plates urges the flaps to a generally coplanar position.

Abstract: A specimen carrier is designed for transporting specimen tubes throughout an automatic laboratory conveyance system. The specimen carrier includes a generally rectilinear carrier body with a forward face having an identification zone delimited thereon. An identification code is marked in the identification zone so as to permit mechanical sensing and identification of the carrier on a conveyor system. A plurality of holes of various diameters and depths are provided in the top surface of the carrier to receive specimen tubes of various types. The deepest holes are located centrally, so that the carrier is stable while retaining specimens therein. A groove is formed in the top surface of the carrier body which extends between the specimen tube holes, so as to communicate any fluid spilling from a test tube to the other empty holes in the specimen carrier, thereby retaining the fluid within the body of the carrier.

Abstract: A conveyor track has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a conveyor operably mounted within the track to transport specimen carriers along the track length. A pair of "J-shaped" legs depend from the lower end of the track and are spaced apart a distance to receive a horizontal support rail therebetween. A fastener apparatus, for fastening the track to the support rail, includes a retainer plate positioned under the support rail and a pair of clip plates connected between the track depending legs and the retainer plate. The support rail has a generally "I-shaped" cross-section with an upper plate, lower plate and vertical web, and extends the length of the track. End caps are provided for the ends of the support rail and for the ends of the conveyor track to retain the fluids within the conveyor track and within the upper and lower channels of the support rail. The conveyor track includes upper and lower channels formed on the outer surfaces of the forward and rearward legs.

Abstract: A conveyor track support system includes an elongated support rail with an upper horizontal planar support surface removably connected to a plurality of hangers, and preferably suspended from a ceiling above the ground. Each hanger includes a bar projecting outwardly from the lower end and a sleeve slidably journaled on the bar with set screws to adjustably retain the sleeve on the bar. A pair of ears on the top of the sleeve are spaced apart and have set screws which will selectively retain the support rail on the sleeve. The rail itself has a generally "l" shaped cross-section with an upper plate, lower plate and vertical web. A pair of vertical forward and rearward walls along the forward and rearward edges of the upper plate have inwardly directed lips along an upper edge thereof to form an upper channel above the upper plate. An upper surface of the lips forms the support surface on the top of the rail.