Abstract: An apparatus for automatically loading one or more kinds of nuclear fuel pellets in fuel cladding tubes for producing nuclear fuel rods comprises at least one pellet transporting tray transferred from a tray stacking unit and provided with a plurality of grooves on which the fuel pellets are mounted, at least one pellet aligning tray provided with a groove selectively connected with one of the grooves of the pellet transporting tray at one end of the aligning tray, and a fuel cladding tube supporting device located in the vicinity of the other end of the aligning tray and adapted to support a number of fuel cladding tubes so that a selected one fuel cladding tube is operatively connected to the aligning tray. The fuel pellets are transferred from the transporting tray into the aligning tray by means of a pushing device and the row of the pellets transferred on the groove of the aligning tray is moved forwardly until it abuts against a stopping mechanism located in association with the aligning tray.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a constant temperature for chemical analysis performed with slides having at least one layer adapted to absorb a substance to be analyzed. The slides are conveyed upon a lower conveying belt which may have projections or recesses formed therein for receiving the slides. The upper portions of the slides are sealed by a sealing guide belt which has a surface disposed parallel to and adjacent the conveying belt with the slides passing therebetween. A heater may be provided within the conveying belt and the guide member provided within the sealing guide belt which may itself perform a heating function.