Abstract: A tape winding method and apparatus for facilitating the escape of air from between layers of a tape during a tape winding operation. A tape winding apparatus has a tape reel onto which a tape is adapted to be wound during a tape winding operation. A plurality of generally radial slots are provided in at least one of first and second flanges of the tape reel to create a fan-like action that generates a negative air pressure in the vicinity of the tape as the tape is being wound onto the tape reel to facilitate the escape of air from between layers of the tape during the tape winding operation.

Abstract: A device useful in the performance of a variety of immunologic and biochemical assays which comprises a container enclosing a solid phase reagent with an adsorbent and a retaining means for prohibiting the removal of said solid phase reagent is disclosed. The device is particularly well adapted to perform heterogeneous immunoassays and to permit processing large numbers of said immunoassays by facilitating the separation of assay medium from the solid phase reagents.