Abstract: A slide pocket includes a first shell portion having a slide well with a depth suitable for accepting a sample-containing portion of a slide thereby positioning a sample affixed to the sample-containing portion of the slide within the slide well. The slide well has a plurality of beveled interior walls, the beveled portions functioning to prevent the sample affixed to the sample-containing portion of the slide from contacting any surface of the slide well during insertion. The slide pocket has a second shell portion, mateable in fluid tight engagement with the first shell portion. The second shell portion has a slide well. The first and second shell portions engage to define a single continuous slide chamber, a fluid input channel and fluid input port in communication with the single continuous slide chamber, and a fluid output channel and fluid output port in communication with the single continuous slide chamber.

Abstract: A reagent bottle includes a reservoir adapted to contain a reagent, a pipette tip defining a fluid channel extending into the reservoir and a resilient seal fixedly disposed within the reservoir and surrounding the pipette tip, the seal functioning to reduce reagent loss when the pipette tip is withdrawn from the reagent bottle. The fluid channel of the pipette tip is defined by the pipette tip being in direct fluid communication, or interrupted fluid communication, with the exterior of the reagent bottle, the pipette tip being directly or indirectly engageable through a fluid-tight fitting with a pipette. A base member of the reagent bottle is adapted for selective engagement with one or more rotation pin and has an indexing feature for properly aligning the reagent bottle within an automated system. The base member adapted for selective engagement with one or more spring pins for raising and lowering the reagent bottle.