Abstract: A tube capper and decapper and method of using the same. The tube capper includes a handheld housing that supports a one-dimensional array of spindles. Each spindle is shaped to receive a cap. A drive mechanism rotates each spindle of the one-dimensional array in unison for capping or decapping a corresponding one-dimensional array of tubes.

Abstract: A tube capper and decapper and method of using the same. The tube capper includes a handheld housing that supports a one-dimensional array of spindles. Each spindle is shaped to receive a cap. A drive mechanism rotates each spindle of the one-dimensional array in unison for capping or decapping a corresponding one-dimensional array of tubes.

Abstract: A pipettor includes a frame, a syringe carriage coupled to the frame and carrying at least one syringe therein, and an actuator assembly coupled to the frame and to the syringe having a first contact surface coupled to a first drive mechanism and a second contact surface coupled to a second drive mechanism, wherein the first and second contact surfaces cooperate to provide non-contact dispensing of a liquid sample from the syringe. A method of dispensing a liquid sample includes moving a first contact surface disposed beneath a head of a syringe to define a first gap therebetween, moving a second contact surface above the head into contact with the head, and using the second contact surface to drive the head into forceful contact with the first contact surface to dispense the liquid sample from the syringe in a non-contact operation.

Abstract: A tube rack comprises a base having an array of vertical openings extending therebetween, the openings being configured and dimensioned to receive a plurality of tubes, with the upper ends of the tubes being accessible at the top surface. The base includes base sidewalls that each include a co-axial trunnion extending from the associated sidewall.

Abstract: A test tube comprises a tube body of unitary construction including an enclosed sidewall and an integral bottom surface that together define a tubular container having an open top. The bottom surface has a concave interior surface and a planar exterior surface upon which machine readable data is encoded within a multi-layered opaque coating that is deposited onto the planar exterior surface to uniquely identify the test tube. The machine readable data is preferably an open (i.e., non-proprietary) data matrix code. This code is applied to the test tube by depositing a multi-layer coating onto the planar exterior of the tube bottom surface. The multi-layer coating may include a first layer of opaque material that is deposited onto the planar exterior surface, and a second layer of opaque material that is deposited onto the first layer. The machine readable code is formed in the multi-layered coating by removing portions of the second layer.

Abstract: A pipette tip magazine used in an automated pipetting system which has a pipetting chamber with a generally U-shaped ledge. The pipette tip magazine is adapted for insertion into and removal from an operative position contained in the chamber and supported on the ledge. The magazine includes a generally rectangular plate having an undercut edge bordering an inner region. The edge is configured to be supported on the ledge, an the inner region has an array of through openings for vertically receiving and retaining pipette tips. The plate is molded from a polymeric resin reinforced with a fibrous material.

Abstract: A test tube comprises a tube body of unitary construction including an enclosed sidewall and an integral bottom that together define a tubular container having an open top. The bottom has a concave interior surface and a planar exterior surface upon which machine readable data is encoded within a multi-layered opaque coating that is deposited onto the planar exterior surface to uniquely identify the test tube. The machine readable data is preferably an open (i.e., non-proprietary) data matrix code. This code is applied to the test tube by depositing a multi-layer coating onto the planar exterior of the tube bottom. The multi-layer coating may include a first layer of opaque material that is deposited onto the planar exterior surface, and a second layer of opaque material that is deposited onto the first layer. The machine readable code is formed in the multi-layered coating by removing portions of the second layer.

Abstract: A closure device is provided which includes a flexible cover with an array of protruding hollow caps which are formed integrally with and depend from the cover. The caps have cup shaped noses with cylindrical side walls joined to the cover by inwardly tapered intermediate wall sections. The caps form a friction fit with an array of mutually spaced receptacles, for example test tubes, deep well blocks or microwell plates.