Abstract: A bowl for use in a centrifuge instrument wherein the bowl has a predetermined line of weakness formed therein. The line of weakness, which may be disposed on either the inside or the outside surface of the bowl, subdivides the bowl into an upper and a lower region.

Abstract: A rotor adapted for use in a nonevacuated chamber has a liquid containment annulus having a capacity V.sub.C. The rotor also has a predetermined number N of liquid-capturing holes, each hole being sized and inclined such that it is able to capture therein a predetermined volume V.sub.H of liquid that may escape from a container while the rotor is rotating. At least some portion of the mouth of each hole lies radially outboard of a circular locus defined by corresponding points on each of a plurality M of container-receiving cavities in the rotor. The number N of holes and the volume V.sub.H of each hole satisfies the relationship:N.multidot.V.sub.H +V.sub.C .gtoreq.n.multidot.V.sub.Rwhere n is an integer less than or equal to M and V.sub.R is the volume of liquid which is liberated in the event of rupture of the container received in a cavity.

Abstract: A top loading swinging bucket centrifuge rotor is characterized by the provision of a sample container pivot support member having a knife edge thereon which engages a surface of a sample container along an uninterrupted line of contact as the container pivots from an initial to a second position.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor is formed from an arm having a base portion with enlarged load distributing end regions. The arm and each end region are formed from a plurality of laminae themselves formed of fibers. Each lamina has a direction associated therewith, with the directions of the laminae in each end region defining a predetermined angle with a reference direction defined within the base portion.

Abstract: A rotor for a centrifuge is provided with a peripheral groove having confronting slots communicating therewith. A retaining member is disposed so as to overlie each of the slots by a predetermined radial distance. The radial dimension of each slot is greater than the sum of the radial distance by which the retaining member overlies the slot and the radial thickness dimension of a tube carrier receivable within the slots. Thus, the tube carrier is movable within the slots from a first, radially inner, position to a second radially outer, position in response to centrifugal force such that when in the second position movement of the tube carrier in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation is prohibited.