APPARATUS FOR DELIVERY OF LABORATORY CONSUMABLES
The invention provides a laboratory apparatus for the storage and delivery of samples or labware wherein the apparatus can have a plurality of beams for holding one or more containers of samples or labware consumables in a first set position; a conveyor for motional translation of the one or more supports from a first set position to a second set position where the conveyor has a first pulley in a first set of pulleys translationally connected by a first timing belt to a second pulley in the first set of pulleys, and a first pulley in a second set of pulleys translationally connected by a second timing belt to a second pulley in the second set of pulleys.
1 . A laboratory apparatus for the storage and delivery of samples or labware comprising:
a plurality of supports 110 for holding one or more containers of samples or labware consumables in a first set position;
a conveyor for motional translation of the plurality of supports from a first set position to a second set position, wherein the conveyor comprises a first pulley 201 in a first set of pulleys translationally connected by a first timing belt 204 to a second pulley in the first set of pulleys 601 , and a first pulley in a second set of pulleys translationally connected by a second timing belt to a second pulley in the second set of pulleys;
wherein the first pulley 201 of the first set and the first pulley of the second set 601 are connected by a first axle 314 , and the second pulley in the first set and the second pulley in the second set are connected by a second axle;
wherein the plurality of supports 110 is affixed to the first and/or second timing belts and move translationally with the first and/or second timing belts;
a power source 104 for translationally advancing the conveyor from a first set position to a second set position or work access position.
2 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one frame side 411 for guiding the plurality of supports 110 from a first set position to a second set position or work access position, wherein a distal end of at least one beam is mated with a groove comprised in the at least one frame side 411 .
3 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a lead out groove 407 permitting the free movement of the plurality of supports around the exterior diameter of the pulley 201 and permitting the plurality of beams to pass from the top portion of the timing belt to the bottom portion of the timing belt.
4 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 3 wherein the plurality of supports is configured to hold a labware container or sample container in between two rows of beams.
5 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first and second axles are positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second set of at least two pulleys.
6 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of supports is reversibly affixed to the timing belt.
7 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a work deck 301 .
8 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 7 wherein the work deck 301 is a generally flat surface and the apparatus is provided in a drawer 305 underneath the work deck.
9 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 8 wherein the drawer 305 is configured to be opened thereby providing access to the apparatus.
10 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 9 wherein the work access position presents at least one support for labware at an opening 308 in the work deck, thereby permitting access of a gantry or robotic arm to at least one support in a second set position or work access position.
11 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 10 further comprising that the plurality of supports is affixed to and spaced along the first and second timing belts or chains so that one or more of the containers fit in a holding space between two supports and are held securely thereby.
12 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 11 wherein the supports are affixed to the timing belts via cleats 311 , and the cleats comprise a slot or protrusion that engages with the timing belts.
13 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 12 wherein the labware comprises pipette tips and the one or more labware containers each comprise 96 or 384 pipette tips.
14 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 13 wherein the apparatus has a capacity of at least 960 pipette tips or ten labware containers.
15 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 14 wherein a guide rail 401 is situated on the internal side of at least one frame bar 411 .
16 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 15 wherein at least one axle 314 is translationally connected to the power source.
17 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 16 wherein the labware consumables comprise pipette tips and/or samples.
18 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 17 wherein the plurality of beams provide at least two holding spaces.
19 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 16 wherein the power source is a motor 104 .
20 . The laboratory apparatus of claim 10 wherein the opening 308 in the work deck 301 comprises an interface with an associated laboratory instrument.
21 . A method of storing and delivering samples or labware comprising:
providing a laboratory apparatus of claim 19 comprising at least one container of labware consumables in at least one of the plurality of supports; optionally utilizing at least a portion of the labware consumables in the at least one container;
advancing the conveyor from the first set position to the second set position, so that new labware consumables are presented at the opening in the work deck.
22 . The method of claim 21 wherein the labware consumables comprise pipette tips.
23 . The method of claim 21 further comprising that the apparatus is comprised in a drawer.
24 . The method of claim 21 further comprising a step of refilling the plurality of supports with containers of new labware consumables.
25 . The method of claim 21 wherein the apparatus comprises at least one guide rail 401 for guiding the plurality of supports 110 from a first set position to a second set position or work access position, and further comprises a lead out groove 407 for disconnecting the plurality of supports from the conveyor when they positionally advance from the work access position; and wherein the advancing comprises disconnecting at least one support from the conveyor and disposing of at least one container of labware via the lead out groove.