Harold D Steelman

US Patent:

53638859, Nov 15, 1994

Filed:

Jun 2, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/071145

Inventors:

Bain C. McConnell - Winston-Salem NC
Robert J. Fix - Kernersville NC
Philip A. Deal - Winston-Salem NC
Timothy A. Hobbs - Greensboro NC
Larry S. Jordan - Lexington NC
Harold L. Steelman - Yadkinville NC

Assignee:

R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

B65B 104
B65B 304

US Classification:

141 1

Abstract:

A method of and a robotic system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time has a plurality of processing stations in different locations. Each station performs a different function of a process for preparing a product sample for later chemical analysis. A robot moves a first container between a container storage area and a prepared sample area for storing in a second container a product sample which has been prepared for analysis and in which the robot moves the first container from the container storage area to each of the processing stations in a predetermined sequence and then removes some of the prepared product sample from the first container and dispenses it into the second container which is located in the prepared sample area. A specific application of such a robotic sample preparation system is disclosed for use in preparing tobacco samples for analysis of nicotine and sugar content.