Abstract: A printed circuit board loader and unloader in which a printed circuit board carrier is horizontally translationally moved in a straight line along a first axis and a pick and place head unit is horizontally translationally moved above the carrier in a straight horizontal line along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A device stager holds a tube containing integrated circuit devices fed to it by a tube transporter. In a straight path from the opening of the tube facing the carrier is a slideway operatively connected with the tube holder. The slideway has gating and device fixing vacuum ports. The device stager is pivotable to (i) a pivot down position to slide devices from the tube onto the slideway and vacuum arrest and gate them, (ii) a pivot level position in which the devices are picked up from over the forward ports on the slideway, and (iii) a pivot up position which devices slide from the forward portion of the slideway into a tube in the tube holder of the device stager.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting IC packages into sockets on a burn-in board and for extracting IC packages therefrom includes a plurality of loader/unloader mechanisms affixed to a rotatable platform, the platform being adapted to support one or more burn-in boards and to position sockets mounted on the burn-in boards beneath the loader/unloader mechanisms one row at a time. The loader/unloader mechanisms include a vacuum means for lifting IC packages and pneumatic cylinders for transporting the packages to and from the burn-in boards. IC packages are gravity fed along a delivery channel both to and from the loader/unloader mechanisms by rotation of the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a blood droplet of a controlled, generally uniform size from a finger which has been pricked to draw blood includes a "funnel" member providing an upper edge across which the finger is drawn to deposit blood on a surface down which the blood flows under the influence of gravity to a lower edge terminating at a point. The blood flows toward the point, forms into the droplet at the point, and, owing to gravity and the surface tension of the blood, forms into the substantially uniformly sized droplet which falls onto a test strip positioned beneath the point.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a blood droplet of a controlled, generally uniform size from a finger which has been pricked to draw blood includes a "funnel" member providing an upper edge across which the finger is drawn to deposit blood on a surface down which the blood flows under the influence of gravity to a lower edge terminating at a point. The blood flows toward the point, forms into the droplet at the point, and, owing to gravity and the surface tension of the blood, forms into the substantially uniformly sized droplet which falls onto a test strip positioned beneath the point.

Abstract: In a flame photometer in a chemical analyzer, an electrical spark is used to ignite gas. An improved construction is provided in which an electrode is provided at the center of a nozzle screen, and the nozzle screen is utilized as a ground terminal. An improved electrode assembly facilitating ease of connection of a power source to the electrode is also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a liquid sample which includes a storage cylinder within which is included a freely moving solid cylinder. Attached to the storage cylinder is an aspirating cylinder or needle, which is inserted into the sample. Both the storage cylinder and needle are initially filled with water. Before aspirating the sample, a slight amount of water is removed from the storage cylinder resulting in air being aspirated through the needle. Then, the needle is inserted in the sample and water continues to be removed from the storage cylinder, resulting in the sample being aspirated through the needle. The aspirated sample and water are separated by the previously aspirated air, which creates a bubble in the storage cylinder. This bubble lifts the movable solid cylinder in the storage cylinder as the sample is aspirated.