docs: def combine_values(parent_plate_value, plate_value):
          """
          Combine the plate value(s) with the parent plate value(s)
          :param parent_plate_value: The parent plate value(s)
          :param plate_value: The plate value(s)
          :return: The combined plate values
          """
          if parent_plate_value:
              if isinstance(plate_value[0], string_types):
                  combined_plate_value = parent_plate_value + (plate_value,)
              elif isinstance(plate_value[0], tuple):
                  combined_plate_value = parent_plate_value + plate_value
              else:
                  raise TypeError("Unknown plate value type")
          else:
              combined_plate_value = plate_value
  
          return tuple(sorted(combined_plate_value))