Abstract: A metering apparatus including a metering pump having a vertical, elongate pump cylinder tapered at one end to a point, and a piston arranged for axial movement in said cylinder, facilitates transfer of an accurately determined volume of liquid from a first vessel to a second vessel. A method of transfer involves lowering the pump into the first vessel; with the point extending into the liquid contained therein; withdrawing the piston through a first distance such that a volume of liquid substantially exceeding the volume to be transferred is drawn into the pump cylinder; raising the pump slowly, until the pointed part of the pump cylinder occupies a position above the surface of the liquid; advancing the piston through a distance which corresponds exactly to the first and second distances so that the desired amount of liquid is dispensed to the second vessel.

Abstract: An automatic clinical analysis apparatus for liquid samples includes a stepwise rotatable circular plate which carries a plurality of reaction tubes on the periphery thereof; and at least one, and preferably several, reagent supply stations arranged at mutually different locations around said plate. The stations are operative to supply reagent liquid to the reaction tubes carried by said plate; a sample supply station is operative to supply sample liquid to said tubes carried by said plate; and a measuring station in which liquid can be withdrawn from said tubes by suction and analytically measured. The sample supply station is able to supply sample liquid selectively from any one of a large number of sample containers to that reaction tube in the plate which has been advanced to a given position. Each reagent supply station is able to supply any one of a plurality of mutually different reagent liquids to any one of two different reaction tubes in said rotary plate located at different given positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for oscillating a test tube so as to agitate the content thereof, comprises an annular holder from which the test tube can be hung by means of a flange located on the upper end of the test tube, in a manner such that the test tube is restricted swingable outwardly in all directions from its vertical rest position. Mounted externally of the test tube bottom is a plate of soft-magnetic material or a plate-shaped permanent magnet with its magnetic axis coinciding with the axis of the test tube. A plurality of electromagnets for example four in number, are stationarily arranged with their respective first poles located in a common horizontal plane at a distance beneath the lower end of the test tube, in a manner such that the poles lie on a circle concentrical about the vertical rest position of the test tube.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying metered quantities of reagent liquid to a test-tube in a clinical analyzing apparatus, includes a cup for reagent liquid and a pipetting pump which is movable between the reagent cup and the test-tube and which is able to withdraw by suction a given volume of reagent liquid from the reagent cup and dispense said volume of liquid into the test tube. The reagent liquid can be supplied to the cup from a storage vessel, by connecting a source of sub-pressure to the reagent cup and by withdrawing reagent liquid from the storage vessel by suction up into said cup through a line connecting the storage vessel with the cup. The sub-pressure is applied to the reagent cup by means of a bellow structure mounted on the pump so as to be moved into sealing abutment with the rim of the reagent cup when the pump is lowered thereinto. The bellow structure is connected to a source of sub-pressure.