Abstract: A method and apparatus for unlatching a stationary cassette having a latching mechanism for allowing removal of a photographic element disposed within the cassette. The cassette having a removable end cap, the end cap having a alignment opening and at least one access opening for allowing access to the latching mechanism. The apparatus having a stage, a mechanism for moving the stage in a first direction with respect to the cassette, an extractor bar assembly moveably mounted to the stage for movement in a second direction with respect to the cassette, the extractor bar assembly having unlatching member for unlatching the latching mechanism of the cassette and for removing the removable photographic element disposed in the cassette, a mechanism for moving the extractor bar assembly in the second direction, and a locating member for locating the extractor bar assembly in a first relative position with respect to the latching mechanism of the cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting an overhead projector to use photographic slides includes a fresnel disk that shortens the illumination convergence point to match the focal length of a typical slide projector. The apparatus includes a base that covers the platen of the overhead projector to prevent illumination spillover, and supports projection optics over an aperture that admits illumination for projecting magnified images of slides onto a vertical viewing surface.

Abstract: In an apparatus for storing and automatically delivering cassettes and/or pallets containing cassettes to a reader. The apparatus includes a plurality of cassette retaining sites. A door assembly is provided adjacent the portal for allowing access to the plurality of cassette retaining sites. The door assembly has at least one panel slideably mounted to the apparatus for movement between a closed position and an open position. Sensors are provided for determining if a foreign object is in the closure path of the at least one panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a cassette containing a photosensitive element. The apparatus includes a frame and a stop bar movably mounted to the frame for movement between an operative position and a non operative position. The stop bar has a registration surface for registering the forward end of cassette. A first jaw member is secured to the frame and has a second registration surface for engagement with a first side of the cassette. A second movable jaw member is provided movable between a clamping position and a non clamping position. The second jaw member having a clamping surface for engaging a second side of the cassette opposite the first side of the cassette so as to clamp the cassette between the first and second jaw members when the second jaw member is in the clamping position. A mechanism is provided for moving the second jaw member between the clamping and non clamping positions.

Abstract: An improved thru-wall structure useful for apparatus for processing photosensitive material for separating adjacent chambers filled with processing fluids. The wall structure having first and second wall portions and a pair of sidewall portions which define a passage opening. A pair of parallel contacting rollers are placed into the opening. The rollers have a compliant sublayer which elastically deforms in an radial direction and a outer layer made from a material having a low coefficient of friction to allow the rollers to be easily rotatably driven and providing a fluid seal between the rollers. The rollers are placed within the sidewalls by engaging the roller ends into an opening provided in each sidewall which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the combined rollers so as to provide a tight liquid seal at the roller end-sidewall interface.

Abstract: Process and device for the feeding of fluid additives and, in particular, of replenishers to a photographic processing fluid. Fluid additives are supplied to the processing fluid contained in a photographic processing tank by a feeding duct. The feeding duct is filled with processing fluid before different fluid additives are introduced into the feeding duct. The volume of the fluid additive supplied is measured by a flow meter which is arranged in an area of the feeding duct which during the measuring operation carries only processing fluid and not the fluid additive being fed into the feeding duct.

Abstract: An analyzer is disclosed having a device for removing and inserting a stopper from and into the opening of a container for liquids arranged in a tray, particularly test tubes filled with body fluids, a gripper which performs rotary movements frictionally interacting with stopper and a lifting means feeding the container to the gripper and fixing it.The gripper features three radially arranged clamping elements with rollers on an inner carrier member, said clamping elements being radially movable by control elements associated therewith and mounted on an outer hollow-cylindrical housing portion. The control elements are coaxially arranged in the form of a ring and each consists of a cam section having a small radius and a cam section having a larger radius, said sections being interconnected via a ramp and having a threshold.

Abstract: An analyzer is described which includes an input station for trays carrying containers filled with body fluids. It consists of a plurality of tray tracks arranged side by side and whose central axes intersect in a point which is vertically aligned with the pivot point of a pivotally arranged transporter. The transporter can be aligned with any of the tray tracks. By means of a tray movement member the tray can be transported from the input station to the processing stations and back. The exits of the tray tracks are associated with retaining means which are controlled in the same way as the stepper motors in response to sensors and a microprocessor.

Abstract: Reflective type radiation sensor mounted on one side of the path of sheet film moving from one apparatus to another apparatus cooperates with a reflector mounted on the opposite side of the film path, preferably on a shaft of roller transport for moving the film sheet, to detect film sheet position, the radiation travel being other than at right angles to the film path.

Abstract: An analyzer is described including a mechanism for scanning containers having variable diameters arranged in a tray and filled with body fluids, and for fixing the container and tray relative to an aspiration station for purposes of centering the aspiration probe to the containers. The scanning and positional centering mechanism include two movable scanning elements and a sensor which is associated with both elements and can be activated by them. The scanning elements are arranged normal to a pivotable transporter providing a transport path for the containers and preferably by means of two spring elements, retained in initial positions towards the transport path. By pivoting the transporter from a tray track to a scanning station for the containers, the scanning elements are moved to end positions and the sensor produces a signal which will depend upon the diameter of the container as positioned at the scanning station.