Abstract: An automated seal applicator for applying a sealing cover to a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells for receiving an assay. The automated seal applicator can comprise a housing and a sealing cover cartridge containing a sealing cover releasably carried on a carrier liner. The sealing cover can be at least partially contained within the sealing cover cartridge. A sealing cover drive system can engage the sealing cover and/or the carrier liner and maintain a predetermined alignment of the sealing cover relative to the microplate.

Abstract: A microplate comprising a main body portion having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A plurality of wells are formed in the first surface, each of the plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein. A cap portion, formed separate from the main body portion and comprising an integrated identification feature, is connectable with the main body portion.

Abstract: An seal applicator for applying a sealing cover to a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells for receiving an assay. The seal applicator can comprise a housing containing a sealing cover roll. The sealing cover roll can comprise an elongated carrier liner and a plurality of individual sealing covers releasably carried on the elongated carrier liner. The seal applicator can further comprise a plane assembly supporting the elongated carrier liner and a drive roller assembly engaging the elongated carrier liner. The drive roller assembly can selectively drive the carrier liner.

Abstract: a worklight assembly having a base that is formed for holding a portable collapsible support stand (commonly referred to as a tripod) so that the stand may readily be carried, transported and stored with the worklight as a unit. Briefly, the base is formed to include a cradle that is sized and disposed to receive the support stand in its collapsed configuration. In one embodiment a continuous member such as a continuous length of tubing is bent into a framework for providing the cradle. The ends of the continuous tubing may also be formed to provide feet and the worklight head or heads may be mounted on the framework, for example, on a cross bar stretching across the feet.

Abstract: A heater module is described that includes a heat distribution plate including a bottom portion having first and second sides and a plurality of projections extending away from one of the sides. A heat source is provided for heating the heat distribution plate, and, optionally, a heating tray can be used to receive the heat source and heat distribution plate. The heater module is adapted to engage a sample purification tray having a plurality of purification and/or discharge columns which can extend through openings in the heater module and direct a sample into a sample receiving tray. Methods of heating samples using the heater module are also described.

Abstract: A portable worklight providing a high level of substantially omni-directional illumination. Briefly, the worklight includes an elongate lamp section including one or more lamp sockets for receiving one or more small fluorescent lamps such as compact fluorescent lamps of the screw-in variety. The lamp section includes a substantially transparent shield about the lamps and is structured and arranged to provide illumination substantially in a full circle about the lamp section. The lamp section is retractable into an elongate base section that is shaped and structured to receive the lamp section snugly in its interior. In the retracted configuration the worklight forms a compact unit for carrying, transporting and storing the worklight. The worklight may also include legs that may be retracted along the base section and deployed for supporting the worklight during use.

Abstract: A motion-activated light fixture having an aimable motion detector with a zonal configuration providing improved monitoring of the region behind the motion detector. In one embodiment the motion detector defines a first plurality of generally forward-looking detection zones for monitoring the region in front of and to the sides of the motion detector, the forward-looking detection zones having a side-to-side coverage angle of at most 180 degrees and having forward zones for monitoring the far region in front of the motion detector. A second plurality of detection zones for monitoring the region behind the motion detector forms a zonal pattern angulated with respect to the zones of the first plurality monitoring the far region. At least some of the detection zones of the second plurality extend generally in the backward direction although in some embodiments the motion detector head must be tilted down through a pre-established offset angle before the angulated zonal pattern begins to look backward.

Abstract: A worklight with a detent mechanism for aiming the worklight head in a direction of the user's choice. The detent mechanism is operatively associated with an individual worklight head and defines a plurality of fixed detent positions disposed to maintain the head in a plurality of angular dispositions corresponding to different angles of rotation about an axis. The head is movable between the fixed detent positions for aiming in a desired direction, the detent mechanism being biased to maintain the head in the fixed detent positions at the desired angular disposition against the weight of the head itself, the pull of the electrical cord, and in those cases where the head gets hot, against the tendency of the head to droop under the action of heat and thereby to prevent unintentional shifting of the head during use.

Abstract: A battery container is of a size to accommodate two "AA" batteries situated side by side, or one "transistor" size battery. The container has two independent electrical contacts located at one end to make electrical contacts with the terminals of the "transistor" battery or with one of the ends of both "AA" size batteries. A retainer is located at another end of the container. The retainer provides electrical contact with the other ends of both "AA" size batteries. In addition, the retainer exerts pressure in the length direction to accommodate the smaller length of the "AA" or the "transistor" battery and exerts pressure in the width direction to accommodate the smaller width of the two "AA" or the "transistor" battery.

Abstract: A segmented focusing mirror having a plurality of segments with each segment having a different focal length is made by constructing a plurality of mirrors with each mirror having a different focal length. The plurality of mirrors are sliced or are cut up into a plurality of segments. One or more segments of one mirror are combined with one or more segments of another mirror to form a master mirror. The master mirror has a common focal point with the segments having different focal lengths. A segmented focusing mirror is replicated from this master mirror by forming a mold of this master mirror and replicating therefrom.