RECEPTACLE TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR AN ANALYTICAL SYSTEM

1 . A receptacle delivery system for an instrument, comprising:

a carriage configured to move from a first location of the instrument to a second location of the instrument;

a puck supported by the carriage, wherein the puck is configured to removably support a receptacle such that a longitudinal axis of the receptacle is substantially coincident with a vertical axis of the puck; and

a first shelf positioned at the second location of the instrument, wherein the shelf comprises (a) a base extending substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the puck and (b) a first opening defined by the base, and wherein when the carriage is positioned at the second location, the longitudinal axis of a receptacle seated in the puck extends through the first opening.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the shelf is removably coupled to a housing of the instrument.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein shelf is removably coupled to the housing of the instrument using one or more magnets.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more magnets comprises a pair of corresponding magnets, and wherein the shelf comprises a first projection extending upward from the base, and the housing of the instrument comprises a second projection, the first projection containing a first magnet of the pair of magnets and the second projection containing a second magnet of the pair of magnets.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the base comprises a passageway defined by an interior projection extending upward from the top surface the base and a sidewall circumscribing the base.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the sidewall comprises a second opening, the second opening being sized to permit the lateral passage of a distal end of a pipette tip.

7 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the shelf and the housing include mated registration elements configured to correctly align the shelf on the instrument.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the mated registration elements include a third opening on the shelf and third projection coupled to the housing, and wherein the third projection extends through the third opening when the second shelf is coupled to the housing.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein a shape of an outer surface of the third projection generally conforms to a shape of the third opening.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the third projection of the housing comprises a first recess located at an end of the third projection, and the shelf comprises a fourth projection positioned proximate the third opening, and wherein when the second shelf is coupled to the housing, the fourth projection is positioned in the first recess.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the shelf comprises a recessed thumb grip.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the carriage comprises a second shelf coupled to a top surface of the carriage.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the second shelf comprises a recessed region configured to contain a fluid.

14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the second shelf is removably coupled to the top surface of the carriage.

15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein when the carriage is positioned at the second location, a vertical clearance between the first shelf and the second shelf is from about 1 mm to about 6 mm.