Abstract: When a dry analysis element contained in an element cartridge to be loaded in a sample tray of an automatic analysis apparatus projects from a take out port, the element is returned to its proper position, thereby preventing conveyance failure and information readout failure, with the result that higher operation reliability is ensured. An element mounting portion is equipped with a correcting means, such as a restricting projection. The correcting means contacts and pushes a dry analysis element which projects from an element cartridge back to its predetermined position therein, in association with a loading operation of the element cartridge.

Abstract: A slide pack container housing a plurality of piled slide packs has a cut-off portion. The cut-off portion has a width slightly larger than the width of a slide contained in each slide pack. As a sucker of a package take-out apparatus draws one of the slide packs from the slide pack container through the cut-off portion, a sealed portion of the slide pack interfering with the edge of the cut-off portion is folded inward so that the slide pack is successfully taken out. The sucker transfers the slide pack to a separated unwrapping apparatus. The sucker releases the slide pack when the front edge of the slide pack is caught between paired rollers of the unwrapping apparatus. After a cutter makes a slit on the slide pack, the paired rollers transfer only a wrapping sheet to separate the wrapping sheet from the slide wrapped therewith.

Abstract: An analysis element cartridge is provided which simplifies the operations of unpacking a dry analysis element from its package and loading the element into the cartridge. The cartridge houses dry analysis elements for measurement and supplies them to an analysis apparatus. The cartridge includes an element housing chamber, which has an open top that serves as an element charging port. Downwardly extending cutouts are formed it at least two adjacent, and preferably three sides of the element charging port. The cutouts serve as paths for fingers that hold the elements as they are being loaded into the cartridge. The cutouts enable loading of elements which have been held while unpacking it from its package, without re-orienting it between the fingers.

Abstract: When a dry analysis element contained in an element cartridge to be loaded in a sample tray of an automatic analysis apparatus projects from a take out port, the element is returned to its proper position, thereby preventing conveyance failure and information readout failure, with the result that higher operation reliability is ensured. An element mounting portion is equipped with a correcting means, such as a restricting projection. The correcting means contacts and pushes a dry analysis element which projects from an element cartridge back to its predetermined position therein, in association with a loading operation of the element cartridge.

Abstract: An incubator is provided which is capable of quickly heating a dry analysis element to a predetermined temperature by efficient heat supply. An incubator for accommodating and holding at a predetermined constant temperature a dry analysis element spotted with a sample includes: upper and lower blocks, one of which is movable towards and away from the other, for sandwiching therebetween the dry analysis element from above; and a heater provided in one of the blocks. The block provided with the heater and the other block are brought into contact with each other to preheat the other block before introducing the dry analysis element therebetween. The introduced dry analysis element is then sandwiched between the blocks and quickly heated from above and below by both blocks.

Abstract: A slide pack container housing a plurality of piled slide packs has a cut-off portion. The cut-off portion has a width slightly larger than the width of a slide contained in each slide pack. As a sucker of a package take-out apparatus draws one of the slide packs from the slide pack container through the cut-off portion, a sealed portion of the slide pack interfering with the edge of the cut-off portion is folded inward so that the slide pack is successfully taken out. The sucker transfers the slide pack to a separated unwrapping apparatus. The sucker releases the slide pack when the front edge of the slide pack is caught between paired rollers of the unwrapping apparatus. After a cutter makes a slit on the slide pack, the paired rollers transfer only a wrapping sheet to separate the wrapping sheet from the slide wrapped therewith.

Abstract: A slide pack container housing a plurality of piled slide packs has a cut-off portion. The cut-off portion has a width slightly larger than the width of a slide contained in each slide pack. As a sucker of a package take-out apparatus draws one of the slide packs from the slide pack container through the cut-off portion, a sealed portion of the slide pack interfering with the edge of the cut-off portion is folded inward so that the slide pack is successfully taken out. The sucker transfers the slide pack to a separated unwrapping apparatus. The sucker releases the slide pack when the front edge of the slide pack is caught between paired rollers of the unwrapping apparatus. After a cutter makes a slit on the slide pack, the paired rollers transfer only a wrapping sheet to separate the wrapping sheet from the slide wrapped therewith.

Abstract: An unwrapping apparatus unwraps a slide pack wrapped with a wrapping sheet to obtain a slide contained therein. As paired rollers forward the slide pack, a squeezing member squeezes the slide backward within an unsealed space in the slide pack to form a wide cut allowance at the front edge of the slide pack. After the slide reaches the rear end of the unsealed space, nip pressure applied to the slide pack by the paired rollers is reduced to further forward the slide pack to a predetermined position. At the predetermined position, a cutter partially cuts the cut allowance to form a slit thereon. Then, the slide pack is transferred back by the paired rollers under a raised nip pressure which is sufficient to squeeze the slide out from the slit. Accordingly, the slide will be gradually separated from the wrapping sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a biochemical analysis apparatus for measuring the optical density and ionic activity of a biochemical substance. The biochemical analysis apparatus is equipped with first and second dry analysis chips, different in method of measurement, which have inspection matter dropped thereon, a first incubator for housing the first dry analysis chip and incubating the first dry analysis chip at a first predetermined temperature, and a first measurement section provided in the first incubator. The biochemical analysis apparatus is further equipped with a second incubator for housing the second dry analysis chip and incubating the second dry analysis chip at a second predetermined temperature, a second measurement section provided in the second incubator, and a conveyance section for conveying the first and second dry analysis chips to the first and second incubators through first and second conveying paths.

Abstract: An unwrapping apparatus unwraps a slide pack wrapped with a wrapping sheet to obtain a slide contained therein. As paired rollers forward the slide pack, a squeezing member squeezes the slide backward within an unsealed space in the slide pack to form a wide cut allowance at the front edge of the slide pack. After the slide reaches the rear end of the unsealed space, nip pressure applied to the slide pack by the paired rollers is reduced to further forward the slide pack to a predetermined position. At the predetermined position, a cutter partially cuts the cut allowance to form a slit thereon. Then, the slide pack is transferred back by the paired rollers under a raised nip pressure which is sufficient to squeeze the slide out from the slit. Accordingly, the slide will be gradually separated from the wrapping sheet.

Abstract: A slide pack container housing a plurality of piled slide packs has a cut-off portion. The cut-off portion has a width slightly larger than the width of a slide contained in each slide pack. As a sucker of a package take-out apparatus draws one of the slide packs from the slide pack container through the cut-off portion, a sealed portion of the slide pack interfering with the edge of the cut-off portion is folded inward so that the slide pack is successfully taken out. The sucker transfers the slide pack to a separated unwrapping apparatus. The sucker releases the slide pack when the front edge of the slide pack is caught between paired rollers of the unwrapping apparatus. After a cutter makes a slit on the slide pack, the paired rollers transfer only a wrapping sheet to separate the wrapping sheet from the slide wrapped therewith.

Abstract: A box-shaped shielding cover is disposed at the surface of a developing solution contained in a developing tank and the bottom wall of the cover ensures that contact between the developing solution and the air is kept to a minimum and that deterioration of the processing solution due to carbon dioxide and evaporation of the water are controlled. Moreover, the close contact between the top portion of the peripheral wall of the shielding cover and the top cover covering the top portion of the PS plate processor cuts off the flow of air over the developing tank (the air flowing from the insertion aperture to the discharge aperture). Accordingly, the airtightness of the seal in the developing section is enhanced, there is minimal deterioration of the developing solution due to carbon dioxide, and the rate of replenishment of the developing solution is reduced.

Abstract: In a method of drying a photoraphic light-sensitive material by use of drying air, the amount of light-sensitive material which can be processed within a predetermined time at a set temperature of the drying air is compared with the totalized amount of the light-sensitive material to be actually processed within the predetermined time, and, on the basis of the result of this comparison, the set temperature of the drying air can be adjusted. An apparatus for drying photographic light-sensitive material by use of drying air is arranged so that the amount of light-sensitive material to be actually processsed within a predetermined time, is detected by a detecting sensor and the thus-detected amount is compared with the amount of light-sensitive material which can be dried.

Abstract: In a method of drying a photographic light-sensitive material by use of drying air, the amount of light-sensitive material which can be processed within a predetermined time at a set temperature of the drying air is compared with the totalized amount of the light-sensitive material to be actually processed within the predetermined time, and, on the basis of the result of this comparison, the set temperature of the drying air can be adjusted. An apparatus for drying photographic light-sensitive material by use of drying air is arranged so that the amount of light-sensitive material to be actually processed within a predetermined time is detected by a detecting sensor and the thus-detected amount is compared with the amount of light-sensitive material which can be dried.