Abstract: An apparatus for uncapping and capping a vial while maintaining a relationship between a cap and a particular vial includes rotatable members, the rotation of which is coordinated so that the first and second members assume at least two common positions, and a capped vial is loaded into the first member and a cap is removed from the vial and held by the second member while the rotatable members are in a common position. The cap is applied to the vial by the second member while in the members are in a second common position. An apparatus for storing and dispensing slides includes a cartridge that holds slides that are horizontally stacked on a bottom surface of the cartridge. The slides stand up at least partially on one side and are dispensed from the cartridge through a recess in the bottom of the cartridge. An apparatus for storing and presenting slides includes a cartridge having a slot, a shaft with trays extending there from, a motor for rotating the shaft and an actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a slide in a substantially horizontal orientation while moving the slide between different elevations. A dual-hinge arrangement is utilized to maintain the slide in a horizontal orientation. A distal end of a second linking member is rotatably or pivotably coupled to a proximal end of a support member or finger. A distal end of the first linking member is also rotatably or pivotably coupled to the support member at a location between the distal and proximal ends of the support member. The proximal ends of the first and second linking members are connected to the base. The linking members are rotated, thereby resulting in movement of the slide between different elevations and remaining substantially horizontal as a result of the dual-hinge configuration. Linking members can also be coupled to a carrier member, the support members being coupled to the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing slides in an angular, offset or fanning arrangement. The apparatus includes a base member and two support members. At least one of the base member, the first support member, and the second support member is arranged at an angle. With this configuration, the plurality of slides are angularly stacked on the base member and between the first and second support members. A bottom slide of the plurality of slides is dispensed through a slot defined between one of the lateral support members and the base member. The fanning arrangement can be a vertical fanning arrangement, a horizontal fanning arrangement, or a combination thereof.