An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

A method of sequencing loads in an automated distribution system having sources, at least one destination, a collector having successive nodes, and a control system to process customer orders. The method includes, for an analyzed node, injection including, to decide whether a load C having a sequential order number of destination for a given destination can be injected into the collector: creating, among the loads to be collected by at least one node downstream to the analyzed node, a list LI1 of loads having an order number of destination lower than the given order number of destination and a list LI2 of loads that are interposed between a load of the list LI1 and the collector; determining whether “the list LI1 is empty” and/or “the list LI1 is not empty and the list LI2 is empty”; if one of the two conditions is verified, then injection of the load C.

A method of sequencing loads in an automated distribution system having sources, at least one destination, a collector having successive nodes, and a control system to process customer orders. The method includes, for an analyzed node, injection including, to decide whether a load C having a sequential order number of destination for a given destination can be injected into the collector: creating, among the loads to be collected by at least one node downstream to the analyzed node, a list LI1 of loads having an order number of destination lower than the given order number of destination and a list LI2 of loads that are interposed between a load of the list LI1 and the collector; determining whether “the list LI1 is empty” and/or “the list LI1 is not empty and the list LI2 is empty”; if one of the two conditions is verified, then injection of the load C.

The present disclosure provides a consumable box automatic transmission device. The consumable box automatic transmission device includes a consumable box storage mechanism, configured to load and store consumable boxes, and a consumable box lifting mechanism, located above the consumable box storage mechanism; the consumable box lifting mechanism is able to lift the consumable boxes; the consumable box storage mechanism and the consumable box lifting mechanism is able to respectively store and transmit the consumable boxes; the consumable box storage mechanism is able to transmit the consumable boxes to the bottom of the consumable box lifting mechanism; and the consumable box lifting mechanism receives the consumable boxes at a bottom and lifts the consumable boxes to a top layer of the consumable box lifting mechanism. In this way, parallel consumable box transmission can be achieved, and continuous consumable box conveyance is achieved, thereby reducing manual care or frequent manual operation.

The present disclosure provides a consumable box automatic transmission device. The consumable box automatic transmission device includes a consumable box storage mechanism, configured to load and store consumable boxes, and a consumable box lifting mechanism, located above the consumable box storage mechanism; the consumable box lifting mechanism is able to lift the consumable boxes; the consumable box storage mechanism and the consumable box lifting mechanism is able to respectively store and transmit the consumable boxes; the consumable box storage mechanism is able to transmit the consumable boxes to the bottom of the consumable box lifting mechanism; and the consumable box lifting mechanism receives the consumable boxes at a bottom and lifts the consumable boxes to a top layer of the consumable box lifting mechanism. In this way, parallel consumable box transmission can be achieved, and continuous consumable box conveyance is achieved, thereby reducing manual care or frequent manual operation.

Provided herein is a methods, apparatus, and system for the configuration of customizable trays for the storage and dispensing of articles. Methods may include: receiving an indication of a plurality of articles to be stored in a tray; determining a plurality of bins corresponding to the plurality of articles; generating a layout of the bins on the tray; identifying locations of the plurality of articles within the bins on the tray; and causing the tray to be configured according to the layout of the plurality of bins on the tray. Methods may include: receiving an indication of an article to be loaded into a bin of the plurality of bins; receiving a unique identifier of the bin of the plurality of bins into which the article is loaded; and storing, in a memory, a correlation between the unique identifier of the bin and the article loaded into the bin.

Provided herein is a methods, apparatus, and system for the configuration of customizable trays for the storage and dispensing of articles. Methods may include: receiving an indication of a plurality of articles to be stored in a tray; determining a plurality of bins corresponding to the plurality of articles; generating a layout of the bins on the tray; identifying locations of the plurality of articles within the bins on the tray; and causing the tray to be configured according to the layout of the plurality of bins on the tray. Methods may include: receiving an indication of an article to be loaded into a bin of the plurality of bins; receiving a unique identifier of the bin of the plurality of bins into which the article is loaded; and storing, in a memory, a correlation between the unique identifier of the bin and the article loaded into the bin.

An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.