Spectra-physics Gmbh

Thermo Separation Products, Inc.

Richard F Johnson

Samuel Ascher Marquiss

Leslie A Miller

Thomas J McCall, Jr

Douglas H Smith

A vial transport apparatus which is capable of storing and retrieving samples and then transporting them from one location in a sampling system to another without the complexity and expense of robotic arms or gripper elements is provided. A passive hook arrangement is utilized to engage the vials for transport and can be operated using a standard three motor system for transport in the X, Y, and Z directions. The hook supports the vial from beneath and at least partially surrounds the vial to entrap it during transport thereof.

Transport apparatus

A Z-fold paper elongated guide having a width approximately the with of Z-fold computer paper is positioned at the exit of a platen/printer carriage interface in a keyboard-operated computer printer or integrator. The guide not only guides printed-on paper sheets to a printed-on paper storage bin or surface but allows Z-fold paper sheets to be hand directed forwardly toward the computer keyboard for floor storage of the paper in front of the printer. A pair of hump-like rails extend on the top surface of the guide to open up the angle of repose between adjacent Z-fold sheets when the sheets are being reversed in driven direction so as to be transported back through the platen/printer carriage interface. The rails are sloped upwardly in a rearward direction at about 13.degree. and extend to a position juxtaposed to but not touching a transverse rear tear edge of the guide. The rails open up the angle between the folded sheets as they approach the tear bar edge so that a sharp acute angle crease is not formed which would otherwise would tend to hand-up on the guide tear edge causing jamming or unwanted tearing of the Z-fold sheets.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Richard F Johnson