Abstract: An evaporation reduction apparatus for open mouth liquid containers and a method for substantially reducing liquid to air evaporation surface exposure wherein an elongated tube having an upper end portion of such outside dimension in relationship to the inside container mouth dimension to form a press fit upon insertion of the tube into the container. The tube having a bottom end and bottom end portion with at least one elongated slot open at the tube bottom end extending upwardly from the tube bottom, the tube having at least one bore passage in an upper end portion wall for fill venting purposes. The tube or evaporation chimney providing a method for reducing liquid evaporation from the open mouth container by reducing the actual liquid surface area exposed to ambient air.

Abstract: A vial seal is provided for sealing a plurality of reagent-containing vials seated in a reagent pack. The vial seal comprises a pliable cover having attached thereto a plurality of vial inserts for sealing a corresponding plurality of such vials. The pliable cover contains a corresponding plurality of openings which fit around the necks of the vials to allow the vial seal to remain with the vials at all times. The pliable cover contains a fastener which allows the vial seal to be held in a non-interfering position with respect to the vial openings when the inserts are disengaged from the vials.

Abstract: A snap cap apparatus is provided for sealing individual or a plurality of containers having necked openings. The snap cap apparatus comprises one or more caps, each cap having a pliable cover, the cover supporting one or a plurality of caps for sealing corresponding containers having necked openings. The snap caps providing a chamber and concentrically positioned within the chamber are stopper elements with a base connected to the thin pliable cover. The stopper elements terminating in an exposed end portion which is tapered to a smaller dimension than the base, the exposed end portion being positioned proximal to the open end of the chamber of the cap, the cap and stopper element combining to define an open ring portion for receiving container opening neck portions.

Abstract: A multiple dose reagent pack and corresponding carousel for an automated analyzer are disclosed. The reagent pack contains a plurality of vial-receiving wells which receive and hold a plurality of reagent-containing vials to form a unitary reagent pack. The carousel contains a plurality of radially spaced compartments which are adapted to receive and hold either a reagent pack or a sample container. A corresponding plurality of reaction container openings are provided on the carousel. Reagent packs for specific assays can be selectively interspersed with sample containers in the compartments to provide a wide variety of test combinations.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system (10) is provided for delivering at least one chemical (26) onto a field in a desired concentration. A carrier fluid (67) is provided for diluting the farm chemical (26). The mixture is pumped through a spray boom (18) onto the field by a main fluid pump (74). The chemical (26) is delivered to the inlet port (76) of the main fluid pump (74) by a chemical pump (54). The chemical pump (54) is operated by a variable speed stepping motor (56). The speed of the stepping motor (56) is controlled by a speed sensing wheel (88) to provide a uniform concentration of chemical on the field independent of vehicle speed. The motor speed is also controlled by a thumbwheel switch (116) to deliver a desired concentration on the field compensating for drive vehicle wheel slippage. The motor speed is also adjusted to calibrate the delivery concentration to the nozzle pattern through calibration switches.

Abstract: Rectilinear drive apparatus for rapidly and accurately moving a driven component to a desired location with settling of vibration to be achieved immediately after reaching said location; including a frame, a stepping motor drive coupled to the driven component and bearing members slidably mounting the component to the frame. One of the bearing members includes a pair of rails with elongated bearing tracks, one rail mounted to the component and the other to the frame and with the tracks aligned along the direction of component movement. An elongated metal bar, preferably of brass or oil impregnated bronze is slidably mounted in the bearing tracks to slidably support the driven component. A ball nut assembly having a pair of high durometer rubber pads drivingly connects the stepping motor shaft to the driven component.An X-Y rectilinear drive apparatus includes an upper X and a lower Y drive stage.