Abstract: An automated cartridge library (2230) has a cartridge transport system (2240) which transports cartridges of information storage media between a cartridge storage section (2234) and a drive section (2238). The cartridge storage section includes a plurality of stacked magazine-bearing drums (2235) and a entry/exit magazine carrier (2236). The entry/exit magazine carrier linearly reciprocates from a docking position to an entry/exit port position, thereby carrying an entry/exit magazine (70) carried thereby between the docking position and the entry/exit position. The entry/exit magazine is accessible by the cartridge transport system when in the docking position, and manually accessible through a entry/exit door (2310) when at the entry/exit position. At the entry/exit position the entry/exit magazine carrier facilitates removal of the entry/exit magazine or cartridges therefrom through the entry/exit door but precludes manual penetration into the interior of the cabinet beyond the magazine carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting racks of sealed sample tubes, mixing a sample material contained within the tubes, and aspirating samples from the tubes. The apparatus includes a car which runs along a rail. The car drives racks containing the sample tubes into a mixer channel disposed above and running parallel to the rail. The mixer channel is mounted to rotate about an axis parallel to the rail to mix samples and position the tubes to be aspirated. A push pin mounted adjacent to the mixer channel extends into the mixer channel and urges individual tubes against an aspirator assembly mounted on the opposite side of the mixer channel. An input queue is disposed proximate the input side of the rail and an output queue disposed proximate the output side of rail. The input queue supports the racks and feeds them into position to be driven by the car mechanism into the mixer channel.