Abstract: Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.

Abstract: Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.

Abstract: Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.

Abstract: Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.

Abstract: Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.

Abstract: Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.

Abstract: An apparatus for transfer of a liquid using a diaphragm that separates a working fluid volume from a working air volume and can controllably induce a change pressure to draw or expel a target fluid into a tube. The apparatus is particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier under the diaphraghm, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device.

Abstract: An apparatus for transfer of a liquid using a diaphragm that separates a working fluid volume from a working air volume and can controllably induce a change pressure to draw or expel a target fluid into a tube. The apparatus is particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier under the diaphraghm, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device. The barrier can be flexible, and allow the robotic arm to move the pipette head throughout the work area of the tray. All samples, reagents, pipette tips and other tools or devices for processing nucleic acid samples may remain within the closed compartment provided by the container during processing.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device. The barrier can be flexible, and allow the robotic arm to move the pipette head throughout the work area of the tray. All samples, reagents, pipette tips and other tools or devices for processing nucleic acid samples may remain within the closed compartment provided by the container during processing.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device. The barrier can be flexible, and allow the robotic arm to move the pipette head throughout the work area of the tray. All samples, reagents, pipette tips and other tools or devices for processing nucleic acid samples may remain within the closed compartment provided by the container during processing.

Abstract: A system and method for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device. The barrier can be flexible, and allow the robotic arm to move the pipette head throughout the work area of the tray. All samples, reagents, pipette tips and other tools or devices for processing nucleic acid samples may remain within the closed compartment provided by the container during processing.

Abstract: A point of sale printer is provided with a large paper supply roll mounted externally from the printer. The printer includes a paper drive which rapidly accelerates and decelerates a paper web extending from the paper supply roll. A tensioning roll is moved in one direction to feed the web into the printer during the relatively slow acceleration of the paper supply roll and in an opposite direction to prevent a tangle of paper as the paper supply roll is decelerated after the printer stops moving the paper web. A cable assembly is provided to facilitate loading the large paper supply roll. A braking spring helps to decelerate the paper supply roll and further engages a flap formed in an outer end of the paper web to thread this end of the web into the printer.

Abstract: A point of sale printer is provided with a large paper supply roll mounted externally from the printer. The printer includes a paper drive which rapidly accelerates and decelerates a paper web extending from the paper supply roll. A tensioning roll is moved in one direction to feed the web into the printer during the relatively slow acceleration of the paper supply roll and in an opposite direction to prevent a tangle of paper as the paper supply roll is decelerated after the printer stops moving the paper web. A cable assembly is provided to facilitate loading the large paper supply roll. A braking spring helps to decelerate the paper supply roll and further engages a flap formed in an outer end of the paper web to thread this end of the web into the printer.