Abstract: A robotic system for processing a plurality of products, the system including a plurality of units arranged to sequentially receive the products and each having a work station for effecting a specific operation on the products; and a robotic device associated with each unit and operable to sequentially obtain the products from a preceding unit, to transport the products to the work station of its associated unit and to transport the products from the associated work station to a position accessible to a robotic device of a succeeding unit.

Abstract: A processing system for processing a plurality of products, the system including a plurality of interchangeable units arranged to receive the products and each having a work station for effecting a specific operation, and a canopy covering said work station, the units being interconnected to form an enclosed chamber encompassing the work stations and covered by the interconnected canopies; an environmental control system for controlling environmental conditions within the chamber; and a transport system for transporting the products within the chamber and between the work stations.

Abstract: A processing system for processing a plurality of products, the system including a plurality of interchangeable units arranged to sequentially receive the products and each having a work station for effecting a specific operation on each of the products, the operation requiring a given time period; and wherein each work station accommodates simultaneously a predetermined number of the products, and the given time period and predetermined number associated with each unit are different than the given time periods and predetermined numbers of other said units. A transport system transports the products through the processing system so as to provide for each product a common occupancy time therein.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling including a drive shaft reciprocable on an axis; an actuator shaft mounted for reciprocating rectilinear motion on the axis; and a coupling mechanism for transmitting reciprocating motion of the drive shaft to the actuator shaft; the coupling mechanism including a pivot joint allowing relative pivotal movement between the drive shaft and the actuator shaft, and a translational joint allowing relative translational movement between the drive shaft and the actuator shaft in directions transverse to the axis, the translational joint having a flexible link connecting the pivot joint and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system including a liquid pump having a pumping chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a purge port, all communicating with the pumping chamber; a separation column; an outlet valve connected between the outlet port and the separation column and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; a source of mobile phase; an inlet valve connected between the inlet port and the source and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; and a purge valve connected to the purge port.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system including a liquid pump having a pumping chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a purge port, all communicating with the pumping chamber; a separation column; an outlet valve connected between the outlet port and the separation column and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; a source of mobile phase; an inlet valve connected between the inlet port and the source and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; and a purge valve connected to the purge port.