A method and an array filling system for loading a plurality of disparate sample containers, the sample containers comprising an integral structure. Each receptacle is characterized by a hydrophilic surface, and the receptacles are separated by a hydrophobic surface. The system has a liquid transfer device capable of holding liquid and adapted for motion to cause sequential communication of liquid held in the liquid transfer device with successive receptacles of the array by dragging the liquid across the hydrophobic surface.
The present application is a divisional of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/820,679, filed Apr. 8, 2004, itself a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09/850,123, filed May 7, 2001, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,877, claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/239,538, filed Oct. 10, 2000, and also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/225,583, filed Jan. 5,1999, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,331 which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/071 ,179, filed Jan. 12, 1998, from all of which applications the present application claims priority. Each of the above-referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference.
