US 12,235,281 B2
Automated capper for automated blood sample processing systems
Joseph Eugene Rose, Grand Blanc, MI (US); Joseph Matthew Rudy, Overland Park, KS (US); and Daniel Mark Kowalchuk, Port Hope (CA)
Assigned to CERNER INNOVATION, INC, Kansas City, KS (US)
Filed by CERNER INNOVATION, INC., Kansas City, KS (US)
Filed on Nov. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/685,451.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/767,788, filed on Nov. 15, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0158746 A1, May 21, 2020
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B65B 7/28 (2006.01); B65G 47/00 (2006.01); B67B 1/04 (2006.01); B67B 3/064 (2006.01); B67B 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) [B01L 3/50825 (2013.01); B01L 2300/04 (2013.01); B65B 7/28 (2013.01); B65G 47/00 (2013.01); B67B 1/04 (2013.01); B67B 3/064 (2013.01); B67B 7/00 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0405 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sample tube capping device comprising:
a cap comprising a cap cavity having a cylindrical inner surface along an inner diameter in a top of the cap, and a cap surface between the inner diameter and an outer diameter on the top of the cap;
a cap retaining mechanism that includes two discrete, gripper fingers that are mounted on separate axes and held closed by a spring;
a sensor configured to detect the cap retained within the cap retaining mechanism;
a vertically-oriented capper portion;
a capper rod comprising a capper tip having a cylindrical outer surface aligned with the cap retaining mechanism, wherein in an engage mode the capper rod is configured to engage the cylindrical outer surface of the capper tip snugly against the cylindrical inner surface of the cap cavity of the cap retained within the cap retaining mechanism and push the cap with the cap cavity engaged to the capper tip into an open end of a sample tube, and wherein the spring is configured with a tension that holds the cap in place between the gripper fingers until the cap cavity and capper tip are engaged, and that allows the gripper fingers to be pivoted open by passage of the engaged cap;
a moveable capper sleeve enveloping the capper rod;
an air cylinder comprising a pneumatic piston rod; and
a bracket securing the pneumatic piston rod and the moveable capper sleeve in a fixed position relative to one another,
wherein the air cylinder and the capper rod are affixed to and stationary with respect to the vertically-oriented capper portion, and
wherein the pneumatic piston rod is configured to push the moveable capper sleeve downward against the cap surface to disengage the cap cavity of the cap from the capper tip of the capper rod and maintain a seal of the cap on the open end of the sample tube when a disengage mode is actuated.