Automated streaking device for isolating micro-organisms on an agar surface

Claim 2

The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said ball comprises a metal ball, and said means for driving said magnet means includes means for driving the magnet means in a straight line under said rotating plate for driving said ball in a spiral pattern.

Claim 3

The combination recited in claim 3 including means for rotating said rotating plate in both directions, means for determining when the ball has reached the end of its spiral pattern, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said rotating plate, and a second magnet means connected for moving with the first magnet, means said second magnet means having a spacing relative to the first recited magnet means which always results in one magnet means being adjacent to one edge of said rotating plate at the end of a travel pattern.

Claim 4

A process for streaking micro-organisms on an agar plate to isolate micro-organisms on an agar plate, said process comprising the steps of, placing a magnetically responsive rolling object on the surface of an agar plate, rotating the agar plate, controlling the displacement of said rolling object on the surface of the agar plate in a nonoverlapping pattern by moving a magnet simultaneous with the rotation of the plate depositing micro-organisms on the rolling object or at least within the path of the rolling object so that the surface of the rolling object contacts said micro-organisms and thereafter deposits micro-organisms in decreasing amounts whereby near the end of said pattern the micro-organisms are isolated.