Abstract: A sample sorting apparatus includes a first conveying means for conveying a parent sample vessel along a first convey path, a means for taking up a parent sample from the parent sample vessel conveyed by the first conveying means, a sample recognition information reading means for reading sample recognition information attached to the parent sample vessel, a second conveying means for conveying child sample vessels along a second convey path, and a means, provided to the second convey path, for distributing the parent sample took up by the taking up means into a number of child sample vessels in accordance with the read sample recognition information.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing sample liquids from source test tubes into destination test tubes. It has distribution tips and air-supply devices for supplying air to the tips at a low rate. The tips are lowered into the source tubes, while air is flowing from the devices and through the tips. The moment the tips reach the surface levels of the liquids contained in the source tubes, the air pressure changes. When this change is detected, the tips start sucking the liquids from the source tubes. An apparatus similar to the above-mentioned one. It has distribution units each having a tip, a lever having a slit, and pins projecting from the units and inserted in the slit. The lever is rotated, changing the interval between the distribution units to the interval between the source or the destination tubes held in a rack. A similar apparatus which has distribution tips and a tray.

Abstract: A rack, with a plurality of test tubes arranged on it, in m columns and n rows, is transported into a main housing by a rack-inlet mechanism. In the main housing, tube-extracting mechanism extracts the tubes from rack, row by row, while the rack is being transported by a rack-transporting mechanism. The tubes are then conveyed, one by one, by a tube-conveying mechanism. A plug-extracting mechanism pulls each test tube conveyed by the mechanism and the plug closing this tube, away from each other, while holding the tube and the plug, thereby extracting the plug from the test tube. The test tubes are further conveyed by the tube-conveying mechanism after the plugs have been extracted from them. The tubes are then inserted by a tube-inserting mechanism row by row, into a vacant rack transported by the rack-transporting mechanism. After a predetermined number of rows of test tubes have been inserted into this rack, a rack-outlet mechanism transports the rack from said main housing.

Abstract: A sample-transporting path is provided which includes holders for holding containers, either empty or filled with liquid samples, a conveyor for conveying the holders, and guide plates. The guide plates guide the holders holding filled containers to a first position where liquid samples will be sucked from some of the filled containers. Each of the holders has first and second annular grooves cut in the outer periphery. The guide plates are guide edges horizontally protruding from two parallel walls forming the path. These guide edges are inserted in the first annular groove of the holder. A stopper is provided at the first position. The stopper has a stopper pin which thrusts into the gap between the second annular grooves of any two adjacent holders, thereby stopping the holders located downstream of the path with respect to the stopper pin.