Micromedic Systems, Inc.

Manuel C Sanz

Georges Revillet

Andre Nicole

A guide rail or track system for guiding test tube holders or racks from one station to another, e.g., in a mono-channel analyzer, for presenting test tubes in such holders in sequence to one or more servicing operations at a plurality of stations. The rail system may comprise a main linear guide rail along which a holder having a row of test tubes supported therein is adapted to be moved longitudinally stepwise to present each test tube in the holder in sequence to a given station, or a given position therein, where an operation is to be carried out with respect to each test tube as it is presented in the station. Arranged at right angles to the main rail, one or more branch rails leading to or from other service stations are provided at spaced intervals and the main rail at each juncture or intersection of these rails is constructed to allow a lateral shift of the holder (also specially constructed to allow such shift) to or from the main rail respectively from or to the branch rail along which the holder moves laterally, i.e., the lengthwise dimension of the holder extends across the branch rail at right angles to it as the test tube holder moves along the branch rail, which may terminate at a junction or intersection with another or subsidiary rail or guideway along which the holder moves longitudinally in a direction parallel to the main rail. Means is provided for moving the holder along the main rail and means is provided at the junction of a branch rail with an intersecting rail such as the main rail, for laterally shifting the holder from the junction.

Transport system for analytical equipment

The present invention is concerned wit analytical equipment comprising a centrifuge and means for introducing and/or withdrawing from the centrifuge, a carrier for liquid materials to be centrifuged in preparation for testing. The centrifuge comprises a plurality of swing supports, such as buckets or baskets, for holders or carriers of the liquids to be centrifuged, and counterweight or balancing means for assuring balanced operation even though one or more of the swing supports is or are empty while others are loaded with carriers. Provision is also made to avoid the necessity to lower a carrier for the material to be centrifuged into the centrifuge and later lifting it out. Instead, the material is supplied and discharged in a horizontal path, avoiding the lowering and lifting. When a protective cover or casing is provided, 'windows' may be made adjacent the swing supports therein to permit such transfer into and out of the centrifuge, and in a preferred embodiment, the swing supports carry curtains for closing the windows automatically during operation.

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Grand-Lancy, Switzerland

Manuel C Sanz