Abstract: A combination is provided of a reaction vessel and apparatus for processing it. Preferably, the latter features a temperature control device comprising two surfaces to contact a reaction vessel sandwiched between them, a heater element being disposed on one side of one of the surfaces, a cavity being provided at the heater element, and pressure means for delivering cooling gas to the cavity and the heater element and for removing the air after it has cooled the heater element. Most preferably, there is further included means for providing relative movement between the control device and a reaction vessel so sandwiched between the two surfaces.

Abstract: A processor for light sensitive material includes a processing device which is immersed in processing liquid in a processing chamber and defines a processing channel through which a web is transported by transport rollers for contact with a treatment liquid. Liquid is injected into the channel at one or more injection sites and evacuated from the channel at one or more evacuation sites. A pump which is totally immersed in the liquid circulates liquid from within the chamber to the evacuation sites and through the processing channel to the evacuation sites.In one embodiment of the pump comprises an elongated cylindrical element having a plurality of peripheral blades and positioned in close proximity to manifold elements which define high pressure zones adjacent the injection sites. In another embodiment the pump comprises an elongated gear pump.The processor may include a plurality of such chambers and a plurality of such processing devices and pumps.

Abstract: A processor for processing a photosensitive material. The processor having a housing chamber. At least one modular wall structure is provided for dividing the housing chamber into a plurality of fluid processing chambers. A modular processing device is placed may be placed in at least one of the plurality of fluid processing chambers for circulating a processing fluid placed in said fluid processing chamber.

Abstract: A processor for processing photosensitive material having a first processing tank containing a first processing fluid containing at least one component of a first concentration and a second processing tank containing processing fluid having the same component to that of the first processing fluid, however, the concentration of the component being different than the first concentration. A weir is provided for causing fluid to flow from the first tank to the second tank resulting from the hydrostatic pressure of the first fluid in the first tank. The weir has a configuration such that concentration difference between processing fluid in said tanks does not change significantly over a predetermined period of time.

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: Apparatus for treating a web with treatment fluid comprises a two part housing defining a recess for receiving the web and a fluid distribution system for supplying treatment fluid to the recess. The fluid distribution system comprises a series of passages connected in a whiffletree configuration for dividing and subdividing the treatment fluid to supply treatment fluid to the recess at a plurality of locations across the recess to uniformly treat the web with the treatment fluid. In another embodiment the processor comprises a pair of plates defining a recess for receiving a web. The plates have at least one pair of elongated liquid injection openings extending transversely of the recess on opposite sides of the web respectively in juxtaposed relationship for injecting liquid into the recess.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying a web comprises a pair of spaced parallel plates defining a channel there between of predetermined thickness and length for receiving the web. The plates are provided with juxtaposed elongated openings respectively for injecting drying air into the channel on opposite sides of the web. Air under pressure is supplied to the openings to establish a high velocity laminar flow of air from the openings in opposite directions along the surface of the web. Air is evacuated from the channel on opposite sides of the web at a predetermined distance from said openings to maintain the heat transfer rate in the air higher than the heat transfer rate in the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying webs of light sensitive material comprises means defining a channel for receiving a web, a plurality of elongated spaced injection slits for applying drying fluid to opposite sides of the web, and a plurality of elongated spaced evacuation slits for evacuating drying fluid from opposite sides of the web. The injection and evacuation slits are substantially parallel and angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the web.

Abstract: A lockable valve mechanism for introducing a liquid sample into an associated reaction vessel includes a valve body, and a valve member rotatably mounted thereon. The valve member is movable from an open position, wherein inlet and outlet passages of the valve mechanism are aligned for introduction of a sample into the reaction vessel, to a closed and sealed position, wherein the outlet passage of the valve body is sealed. The valve member includes a locking arrangement to prevent movement of the valve member out of the closed and sealed position after movement from the open position into the sealed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a test liquid between chambers of a chemical reaction pack. The apparatus includes a series of actuation modules arranged in adjacent relationship to each other to define chemical reaction pack receiving stations therebetween. Each actuation module includes pressure applicators for applying external pressure to the chambers of the reaction pack and temperature control elements for heating and cooling the test liquid within the chemical reaction pack.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring liquid from one chamber to another in successive chambers of a chemical reaction pack comprising a support surface and pressure applicators. Temperature control elements are also provided to heat and cool the liquid contained within the chemical reaction pack.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting exposed radiation sensitive film strips (102) through process liquids (38) for development includes an essentially vertical, porous serpentine wall (18) formed in oppositely opening loops (32, 34), alternate ones of which partially surround hollow porous partial cylinders (42), thus defining a sinuous path along which a transport web (70) is driven while carrying film strips which are supported treated by process liquids flowing through the porous wall and partial cylinders.

Abstract: An improved test device, useful in conducting reactions, which comprises (a) a well lconfigured to confine temporarily a liquid patient sample admixed with at least one reagent, such as an immunoreagent, to conduct such a reaction, (b) a filter at the bottom of the well with pores effective to pass free, unreacted reagent but not reacted or complexed reagent, and (c) an absorbent material underneath the filter effective to draw off liquid in the well after the reaction. The device further includes (d) a non-absorbent pad underneath the filter, adjacent to the absorbent material, and (e) means for moving the filter and the absorbent material relative to each other, and the filter and the pad relative to each other, between two positions, one in which the filter contacts the non-absorbent pad and the other in which the filter contacts the absorbent material.

Abstract: There is described a device used with a swab to extract biological material collected on the absorbent end of the swab. The device comprises a container having an internal surface defining a major cavity for confining an extracting liquid medium, and means in said container defining a notch extending into a portion of said internal surface, said notch being configured to receive a swab-like collector and to hold such a collector in said major cavity, said notch having one end that is deeper within said cavity than the rest of said notch, said end being configured to hold the absorbent end of such a collector, and centering means in said container for centering a pipette for aspiration of such extracting medium, said centering means being disposed generally about a line that intersects said notch at a point generally adjacent said one end.

Abstract: There is disclosed a test element advancing mechanism for use in an analyzer to move such test element from station to station, and a method of doing the same. The mechanism features a support surface over which the test elements move in a predetermined direction, a test element mover for engaging and moving the test elements, means for reciprocating the mover along a surface disposed to one side of the support surface, a portion of said mover being constructed to engage the reciprocating means, and means for pivoting the mover about an axis that extends parallel to the movement direction so that the engaging means are moved into or out of contact with such test elements. The test element mover includes a lever arm emanating from one side of the reciprocating means engaging portion, constructed to interact with the pivoting means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening expendable film cartridges of the type having film supply and take-up chambers joined by a hollow intermediate part having an exposure aperture. The cartridge opening apparatus has a support head for supporting a cartridge, film sensing means for sensing the type of film in the cartridge, and a movable spindle and chisel responsive to the sensing means if the film is the correct type for substantially simultaneously positioning and opening the film take-up chamber.