ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 18 -- United States Patent no. 12,474,360, issued on Nov. 18, was assigned to Beckman Coulter Inc. (Brea, Calif.).
"Sample tube decapper" was invented by Richard L. Situ (Placentia, Calif.) and Michael Calabrese (Brea, Calif.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A decapping device may be integrated with an automated biochemical analyzer or biological testing system to aid in sample testing. The exemplary decapper, includes a motor that is operable to lower a latch mechanism to engage with a cap of a sample tube and then raise the latch mechanism to remove the engaged cap. As the latch mechanism is lowered, a retractor portion also descends and causes a set of grippers to exten...