Abstract: A spectrum analyzing system measures or analyzes the colorimetric properties of a test sample at a preselected wavelength or range of wavelengths within the ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared regions. The system includes a spectrophotometer provided with a wideband light source, optical devices providing a sample light path and a reference light path, a chopper wheel allowing light to be directed alternately along the sample and reference paths interspersed with dark periods during which no light travels along either path, a dispersion grating for dispersing the light from both paths, a series of neutral density filters for limiting to various degrees the amount of light traversing each path, and a linear array of photodiodes for detecting the dispersed light at different wavelengths.

Abstract: In a textile color analyzer, a sample of textile is supported on the pad of an elevator mechanism that holds the sample against an instrument head. The head has an opaque housing provided with a chamber having an opening therein. A glass plate is mounted in the head and covers the opening and presses against the textile sample to provide a stable reference plane. The head includes an illuminating fiber optic bundle that directs light substantially perpendicular to the textile sample. A plurality of additional fiber optic bundles are mounted to receive diffuse light reflected from the sample. The elevator includes a pad of translucent polyethylene material that backs up the textile sample and takes on the color of the sample so that there are no adverse effects due to light showing through the sample and reflecting from the plate.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer is operative to measure or analyze the colors of materials such as textiles. A test sample is held by a holder and is illuminated by polychromatic light. Diffuse light reflected from the sample is collected and converted to variable monochromatic light and detected. The system is calibrated by using a secondary white standard calibrated against a primary white standard, by using a black standard to compensate for dark current and internal reflectance from a pressure plate, and by using a mirror to obtain internal wall reflectance used in a correction factor.

Abstract: In a textile color analyzer, a sample of textile is supported on the pad of an elevator mechanism that holds the sample against an instrument head. The head has an opaque housing provided with a chamber having an opening therein. A glass plate is mounted in the head and covers the opening and presses against the textile sample to provide a stable reference plane. The head includes an illuminating fiber optic bundle that directs light substantially perpendicular to the textile sample. A plurality of additional fiber optic bundles are mounted to receive diffuse light reflected from the sample. The elevator includes a pad of translucent polyethelene material that backs up the textile sample and takes on the color of the sample so that there are no adverse effects due to light showing through the sample and reflecting from the plate.

Abstract: An automatic handling system selectively conveys test samples to a test probe for analysis by an instrument. The test samples are contained in sample containers. A magazine contains sampler holders each of which contains sample containers. A transport system conveys the magazine so that the holders successively pass through an extraction station from where the holders can be taken from the magazine and placed back therein. The holders upon extraction are then conveyed past a test probe so that individual samples can be selectively presented to the probe.