Abstract: A reaction vessel for use in a clinical analyzer includes a frame having a plurality of vertically disposed reaction chambers in spaced relation, each of the reaction chambers being sized for retaining a volume of at least one fluid. The vessel further includes at least one gap region defined between at least one adjacent pair of reaction chambers for thermally affecting the fluid contents therein.

Abstract: An analyzer and an elevator therein for moving a slide element from a distributor operating preferably in a single horizontal plane, to one of plural incubators disposed at different vertical levels. A drive mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the elevator, and a pusher is provided, such as a pusher blade within the elevator, to push a slide element from the distributor to a support in the elevator, and then into one of the incubators.

Abstract: A film cassette has a bi-directional film transport capable of being driven externally of the cassette and having both extremities of the film enclosed within the cassette. In the cassette a pair of film reels are rotatably supported in symmetrical relation to a diagonal plane, defining an axis of symmetry for the cassette, and extending between the reels and bisecting a corner of the cassette. The two exposure windows are adjacent the corner at respective opposite sides thereof and in symmetrical relation to the plane. Guide means adjacent the exposure windows in the cassette establish a film path between the film reels. The cassette can be selectively inserted into a cassette chamber in a camera in either of two modes of orientation to present a selected one of the exposure windows to the optical path in the camera.

Abstract: A cassette has semiconductor memory circuits in a microcontroller and display means which are capable of presenting information from the memory about both the cassette and the web material contained therein. A power source is provided in the housing to operate both the memory and the display when the cassette is not associated with a host photographic device. When the cassette is operatively positioned in the host photographic device, interfacing means are provided for establishing a two-way communications path between the memory in the cassette and the photographic device. Recording means associated with the photographic device are provided for renewing or updating a portion of the data recorded in the memory within the cassette via the interface. In addition, reproducing means associated with the photographic device reproduces a portion of the data previously stored in the memory in the cassette for use by the photographic device.

Abstract: A web transport apparatus including a simplified mount for a web-supporting roller, providing the axis of such roller with two degrees of freedom of movement. The simplified roller mount comprises an elongated, substantially planar, flexure member having a stiffening rib located along its longitudinal axis to limit flex of the member to movement about its longitudinal axis. A pin is supported by the flexure member. The pin lies substantially in the plane of the flexure member with the longitudinal axis of the pin perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexure member. The web-supporting roller is carried, for example by a yoke supported on the pin for movement with a first degree of freedom about the longitudinal axis of the pin and with a second degree of freedom about the longitudinal axis of the flexure member.