Abstract: A manually operated apparatus for attaching one or more pump mechanisms to a like number of sealed test tubes, each test tube sealed by a resilient, puncturable closure. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a support attached to the frame for releasably supporting one or more pump mechanisms, a test tube holder for releasably holding one or more test tubes, the holder movably engaging and being displaceable on the base of the frame into position in alignment with the support, and a manually operated insertion mechanism, attached to the frame, for displacing the support towards the holder (with test tubes therein), to puncture the closure of a test tube with a pump mechanism. Using the apparatus includes placing one or more test tubes having closures into the holder, displacing the holder into position, placing one or more pump mechanisms in the support, and manually activating the insertion mechanism to puncture the one or more closures with the one or more pump mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing pump mechanisms to test tubes sealed by a closure such that the contents of the test tubes may be discharged without removing the closure. The apparatus includes a rack for holding a plurality of pump mechanisms, each of the pump mechanisms including a downwardly extending needle or the like for penetrating the closure of the test tube. The test tubes are arranged within a tray in a plurality of rows, and each row is sequentially advanced into position. As each row is in position, the pump mechanism is moved toward the row of test tubes to penetrate the test tube closures. The pump mechanisms thereafter released, the rack filled with a next series of pump mechanisms, the test tube array indexed, and the cycle of steps is repeated. The pump mechanism needles are initially imbedded in a protective packaging. The apparatus strips away the protective packaging to expose the sharpened points or tips of the pump mechanism.