Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipette tips are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

Abstract: A pin support assembly includes a pin support frame having a plurality of apertures for supporting an array of pins for dispensing fluids. The pins are supported for longitudinal or “floating” movement to prevent damage to the pins. An actuation assembly engages an end of each of the pins to ensure that the pins are properly seated in the support frame in a planar fashion. The actuation assembly engages the pins as the pins move relatively toward a head block and disengages the pins as the pins move relatively away from the head block.

Abstract: A pin support assembly includes a pin support frame having a plurality of apertures for supporting an array of pins for dispensing fluids. The pins are supported for longitudinal or “floating” movement to prevent damage to the pins. An actuation assembly engages an end of each of the pins to ensure that the pins are properly seated in the support frame in a planar fashion. The actuation assembly engages the pins as the pins move relatively toward a head block and disengages the pins as the pins move relatively away from the head block.

Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipette tips are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipette tips are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

Abstract: A pin support assembly includes a pin support frame having a plurality of apertures for supporting an array of pins for dispensing fluids. The pins are supported for longitudinal or “floating” movement to prevent damage to the pins. An actuation assembly engages an end of each of the pins to ensure that the pins are properly seated in the support frame in a planar fashion. The actuation assembly engages the pins as the pins move relatively toward a head block and disengages the pins as the pins move relatively away from the head block.

Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipette tips are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipettes are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipettes are modified from the conventional design in that a disk shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

Abstract: A self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipettes are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

Abstract: A pipette tip box assembly having a universal format capable of accommodating a wide variety of different pipette tip arrays. The footprint of the pipette tip box portion of the assembly is fixed to a standard (SBS) specification for microplates making the tip box compatible with the wide variety of hardware that is currently being used in automated microplate processes. The tip box portion of the pipette tip box incorporates an asymmetrical distribution of deck plate locking pins on the upper surface to retain pipette receiving deck plates having various arrays of openings thereon. The pipette tip box cover of the assembly utilizes an interlocking feature for mating pipette tip boxes within a stack of such boxes. This feature provides enhanced stability of large stacks of pipette tip boxes that are frequently required for automated processes.

Abstract: Fluid dispensing apparatus having a loading/stripping plate movable by vertical shafts connected thereto and having a pair of pins on its interior surface for engagement with slots formed on the upper edges of a pipette tray carrier. A standard pipette tip box, with pipette tips therein, is positioned within the tray carrier. When the dispensing apparatus is moved into position on a table about the tray carrier, the loading/stripping plate moves downwardly to engage the tray carrier. The loading/stripping plate is then moved upwardly causing the pipette tips to engage corresponding dispenser cylinders supported in a cylinder plate connected to the shafts. After the pipette tips are loaded to the cylinders, the stripping plate moves downwardly, stripping the pipette tips from the pipette box and returning the tray carrier to the table.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring liquid from a first microplate having x wells to a second microplate having y wells. A dispense head aspirates fluid from the first microplate and then dispenses fluid into the y wells corresponding to the wells from the first microplate by moving the second microplate in a predetermined sequence. Preferably, dual air cylinders are used to move the microplate and are operatively coupled to first and second motion plates to provide the proper dispensing movement sequence. X may be less than, greater or equal to Y.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight apparatus for introducing a measured amount of liquid into receptacles positioned in a microtiter plate through disposable pipettes loaded in a sealed manner on the front end of dispensing air cylinders positioned in the apparatus. The pipettes, corresponding in number to the number of cylinders, are positioned in a carrier tray below the cylinders. The carrier tray is moved in an upward direction by another air cylinder with a sufficient loading force such that the pipettes are sealed to the front end of the adjacent cylinder. The loading force is maintained during the entire operating sequence of the apparatus ensuring that the pipette tips always have an effective seal with its cylinder. O-rings positioned in the carrier tray act as individual springs for each of the individual pipette tips to provide a cushioning effect between the pipette and the adjacent cylinder to compensate for molding variations and other dimensional variations in the pipette tips.

Abstract: Introducing a measured amount of a liquid into receptacles in a microtiter plate includes locating receptacles in register with the liquid supply. The liquid supply includes pistons and cylinders operated by a stepper motor for adjustable measured and controllable incremental delivery of amounts of liquid simultaneously to the receptacles. A liquid source is located below the support for the receptacles and the receptacles are transversely moveable on a conveyor away from a filling station so that the liquid can be obtained from the liquid source. Pneumatic means moves both the cylinders and the pistons in the liquid supply upwardly and downwardly relative to the receptacles and the liquid source. The stepper motor moves the pistons upwardly and downwardly relative to the receptacles and liquid source.