A method of attaching a tip to a pipette, which is executed in a robot system, includes: making an end effector of a robot hold a pipette; bringing a vicinity portion of a distal end of the pipette into contact with or close to an edge of an opening formed in a base of a tip while tilting an axis direction of the pipette by a predetermined angle with respect to an axis direction of the tip; attaching the tip to the pipette by inserting the distal end of the pipette and the vicinity portion of the distal end of the pipette into the tip while raising the pipette such that the axis direction of the pipette is aligned with the axis direction of the tip; and separating the pipette and the tip attached to the pipette from the predetermined spot.

The invention is concerned with improvements in the technical field of pipettes. For this purpose, a pipette (1) with a base body (2) and a handle (3) is proposed, wherein a thermal insulation (5) is formed or arranged between the handle (3) and the base body (2) of the pipette (1) (see FIG. 1).

Techniques for antenna positioning system having a drive element shared by multiple antennas for positioning about a positioning degree of freedom are described. In some examples, each antenna can be coupled with a rotating spindle, with each antenna spindle being coupled with the shared drive element. By driving a shared drive element, each of the antenna spindles in the system can be rotated via the associated coupling. In some examples, such a coupling may include link arms with an adjustable length to reduce backlash or to apply a preload to the system. In some examples, such a coupling may be configured to position multiple antennas over different orientation ranges in response to the drive element driving over an actuation range, which may include one antenna being idled or otherwise maintained at an orientation while another antenna is driven, or may include different antennas being driven according to different actuation ratios.

A computer-implemented control device for controlling an automated pipetting system. The control device is designed to control at least one actuator for moving a pipetting apparatus between receptacle devices for liquids that are to be pipetted. The control device is designed, so as, before the execution of multiple specified transfer steps by the pipetting apparatus and the actuator, to analyze the specified order of execution of these transfer steps and the liquid to be pipetted in these transfer steps and, after the analysis, to alter the order of execution of these transfer steps and/or to combine multiple instances of these transfer steps automatically. Additionally, an automated pipetting system has such a control device, and a method for controlling the automated pipetting system are provided.

In order to improve the ergonomics of a sampling pipette, the invention provides a control member intended to occupy a nominal central position in which a spring brings a locking member into the locking position thereof of the system for adjustment of the volume to be sampled, the member being able to be axially displaced towards each of the two following positions: a low position for ejecting a cone, in which the control member presses on the cone ejector, the movement from the nominal central position to the low position being carried out against the springs; and a high position for unlocking the braking ring, the movement of the control member from the nominal central position to the high position driving a disengagement element to move the locking member against the spring, until release of the braking ring.

A control button (12) for a manually actuated sampling pipette, the button including lower and upper parts (24a, 24b), one of which is equipped with a force sensor (31) and the other with an actuating member (30). In the vertical position of the button, in a state not subjected to a force, not only does the member (30) ensure that the upper part is retained axially on the lower part (24a), but these parts also define a circular axially retaining connection (42) therebetween, the circular connection exhibiting an axial clearance (47) configured such that, when a pressure is exerted on an off-centre action zone (102a) by the thumb of an operator, the axial clearance (47) is taken up in this zone (102a), while the connection (42) retains a reaction zone (102b), arranged diametrically opposite the action zone (102a), axially and locally relative to the lower part (24a).

A multiple-antenna positioning system with a single drive element, providing reduced weight and complexity over systems that have a drive element for each antenna. In certain examples, each antenna can be coupled with a rotating spindle, with each antenna spindle being coupled with a pair of link arms. By driving a single drive spindle, each of the antenna spindles in the system can be rotated by the associated pair of link arms. The link arms can have an adjustable length, such as through a turnbuckle mechanism, to reduce backlash in the system, and in some examples can apply a preload to the system. By reducing backlash, the multiple antenna positioning system can have improved responsiveness to a rotation of the single drive element, as well as improved stability of the positioning of each antenna when the drive element is held in a fixed position.

A pipette comprises a pipette housing comprising an upper end and a lower end, a nipple configured to contact and retain a pipette tip, a drive apparatus configured to aspirate a liquid specimen into the pipette tip and expel the liquid specimen from the pipette tip, and an ejection apparatus. The ejection apparatus comprises a curved support rotatably mounted within the pipette housing, an ejection rod, a first sensing element positioned on the ejection rod and configured to be guided on a first curve on a perimeter of the curved support, and an operating element coupled to the curved support and configured to rotate relative to the pipette housing. The ejection apparatus is configured to rotate the curved support out of a start position by rotating the operating element. The first curve displaces the first sensing element downward a the ejection rod moves the pipette tip off of the nipple.

A pipette for use with a pipette tip includes a housing, a pin on the bottom end of the housing holding a pipette tip having first means for form-fit connection and a second means for form-fit connection which can be shoved onto the pin, constricting the pin, and/or expanding the tip before form-fit connection with the pin, a drive apparatus, at least one locking sleeve arranged concentric to the pin which is guided toward the pin in the housing, wherein the locking sleeve has a locked position having a pin in the inside constricted by shoving on a pipette tip, and/or is bordered on the outside by a tip shoved onto the pin, preventing a release from the pin, and the locking sleeve is upwardly displaceable out of the locked position so that the pin, and/or the tip is released, and the tip is removable from the pin.

A liquid handling system and method includes a liquid handling device with a plurality of pipetting heads and a tip box having a plurality of tips for removable attachment to the pipetting heads. A lever mechanism engages the liquid handling device and tip box during insertion of the pipetting heads into the tips to lesser the required insertion force.