A system for loading pipette tips. A system for accommodating pipette tips is provided, comprising a tray having openings for accommodating pipette tips in a plate, wherein the openings have at their upper end a surrounding contour which has curved surface area corresponding to a section of a spherical washer, and pipette tips having at their upper end an offset forming a contact surface for the surrounding contour of the tray's opening, wherein the shape of the contact surface corresponds to the section of a spherical washer so that the centers of both spheres of surrounding contour and contact surface are congruent

A system for loading pipette tips. A system for accommodating pipette tips is provided, comprising a tray having openings for accommodating pipette tips in a plate, wherein the openings have at their upper end a surrounding contour which has curved surface area corresponding to a section of a spherical washer, and pipette tips having at their upper end an offset forming a contact surface for the surrounding contour of the tray's opening, wherein the shape of the contact surface corresponds to the section of a spherical washer so that the centers of both spheres of surrounding contour and contact surface are congruent

In examples, a method of controlling customer access to an assay system comprises (a) receiving a system identifier; (b) identifying said system identifier; and (c) utilizing information obtained from the system identifier to perform one or more operations selected from: (i) enabling full access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; (ii) enabling partial access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; or (iii) denying access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system.

In examples, a method of controlling customer access to an assay system comprises (a) receiving a system identifier; (b) identifying said system identifier; and (c) utilizing information obtained from the system identifier to perform one or more operations selected from: (i) enabling full access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; (ii) enabling partial access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system; or (iii) denying access to said system and/or a consumable used in said system.

There is described a method of operating a distribution system. The distribution system comprises a number of carriers wherein the carriers are adapted to carry one or more goods. A transport plane of the distribution system supports the carriers. A control device controls the drive means. During an initialization of the distribution system the control device pre-defines a pattern of safe points on the transport plane, wherein on the safe points a carrier can be placed. After the initialization of the distribution system the control device calculates partial routes for the carriers so that the end position of each partial route is either one of the safe points or has a free path to one of the safe points to be reachable in the next partial route.

A biological analysis system for performing a performing an assay or experiment includes one or more of a carrier, base, or tray. The carrier, base, or tray is/are configured to interchangeably receive (1) a first block and a corresponding first cover placed over the first block or (2) a second block and a corresponding second cover placed over the second block; The system also includes a computer readable memory comprising instructions for detecting when the second cover is placed over the first block and/or for detecting when the first cover is placed over the second block based on lack of electrical continuity along an electrical path comprising one of the blocks and one of the covers.

A biological analysis system for performing a performing an assay or experiment includes one or more of a carrier, base, or tray. The carrier, base, or tray is/are configured to interchangeably receive (1) a first block and a corresponding first cover placed over the first block or (2) a second block and a corresponding second cover placed over the second block; The system also includes a computer readable memory comprising instructions for detecting when the second cover is placed over the first block and/or for detecting when the first cover is placed over the second block based on lack of electrical continuity along an electrical path comprising one of the blocks and one of the covers.

A seed sampling system is provided comprising an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds or enable loading of individually stored seeds and an automated seed sampling assembly comprising at least one sampling module operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds. The system also includes an automated seed transport assembly comprising at least one retention member operable to transfer the singulated seeds from at least one elevator unit of the seed loading assembly to the at least one sampling module of the seed sampling assembly. In connection therewith, the at least one sampling module includes multiple sampling locations, each associated with a sampler, where the at least one sampling module is operable to remove tissue samples from seeds at one of sampling locations while another one of the sampling locations is cleaned to remove residual seed tissue therefrom.

A seed sampling system is provided comprising an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds or enable loading of individually stored seeds and an automated seed sampling assembly comprising at least one sampling module operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds. The system also includes an automated seed transport assembly comprising at least one retention member operable to transfer the singulated seeds from at least one elevator unit of the seed loading assembly to the at least one sampling module of the seed sampling assembly. In connection therewith, the at least one sampling module includes multiple sampling locations, each associated with a sampler, where the at least one sampling module is operable to remove tissue samples from seeds at one of sampling locations while another one of the sampling locations is cleaned to remove residual seed tissue therefrom.

A sample feed device is provided, including: a body; a sample tray provided on the body; a moving part provided on the body and capable of reciprocating on the body, and the moving part provided with a transfer chamber, the transfer chamber capable of receiving a sample from the sample tray and transferring the sample to an analyzer with the movement of the moving part; a processing system provided on the body, and capable of performing helium gas purging and vacuum processing to the sample. The sample feed device may feed the sample automatically through relay transfer of the sample by the sample tray and the moving part. The processing system may perform the helium gas purging and vacuuming to the sample, which strips adsorbate on the surface of the sample by the helium gas purging, and removes the stripped adsorbate on the surface of the sample by vacuuming.