Abstract: A reactor for plating a metal onto a surface of a workpiece is set forth. The reactor comprises a reactor bowl including an electroplating solution disposed therein and an anode disposed in the reactor bowl in contact with the electroplating solution. A contact assembly is spaced from the anode within the reactor bowl. The contact assembly includes a plurality of contacts disposed to contact a peripheral edge of the surface of the workpiece to provide electroplating power to the surface of the workpiece. The contacts execute a wiping action against the surface of the workpiece as the workpiece is brought into engagement therewith The contact assembly also including a barrier disposed interior of the plurality of contacts. The barrier includes a member disposed to engage the surface of the workpiece to assist in isolating the plurality of contacts from the electroplating solution.

Abstract: Self-aligning bearings are used for supporting a roll in molten zinc or zinc/aluminum, to permit the roll's shaft to align with the bearing axis between the pair of holding arms supporting the roll, and a pump for delivering metal under pressure to the bearing surfaces interface force a hydrodynamic film to lubricate the bearing components.

Abstract: Procedure for the preparation of organic tissue samples for the further examination and clinic or scientific study thereof and the corresponding machine of the type having a plurality of circularly arranged beakers (3) turntable containing different processing liquid compositions (2) and a basket (1) containing the samples, consisting said procedure in the addition of the agitation phase of the stratified composition of the processing liquid, which is performed through a clockwise self-rotating rotary movement of the basket (1) immediately followed by a further movement in the opposite direction; the gravity draining phase is replaced by the centrifugal phase and the further optional translation thereof to eventually be received in the next beaker carrying a different composition.

Abstract: A plating apparatus and a plating liquid removing method removes a plating liquid remaining on a substrate-contacting portion, or portions in its vicinity, of a substrate holding member. The plating apparatus comprises a head having a rotatable housing provided with a substrate holding member for holding a substrate, a plating process container, disposed below the head, for holding a plating liquid therein, and a plating liquid removing mechanism for removing plating liquid remaining on the substrate-contacting portion, or the portions in its vicinity, at an inner circumferential edge of the substrate holding member.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemically treating a metal part which includes an immersion tank containing a liquid chemical treatment solution, a conveyor conveying parts over the immersion tank, immersing and removing the part and at least one spray nozzle assembly located above the immersion tank which is supported on a track extending to a side wall of the tank and permitting maintenance of the spray nozzle assembly without draining the tank.

Abstract: Objects, (4) especially vehicle bodies (4), are guided through a painting installation comprising at least one bath (2) in a continuous translation movement, by means of a transport device (5). Immersion devices carry the objects using a carrier structure (61) which is connected to the transport device (5) in such a way that it can be pivoted by a pivoting arm (50, 51). A first drive device (54, 55, 56, 57) causes a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm (50, 51) about a first axis. A second drive device (78, 79, 80, 81) is used to pivot the carrier structure (61) about the second axis, in relation to the pivoting arm (50, 51). One such immersion device enables very different kinematics of the immersing and emerging movement to be carried out.

Abstract: A continuous galvanizing system includes a feed system for providing a continuous supply of material to be galvanized. A furnace receives the material from the feed system for heating the material. A continuous flux line applies liquid flux to the heated material at an exit end of the furnace prior to exposing the material to atmosphere. A zinc furnace galvanizes the heated material.

Abstract: An installation for painting objects, in particular vehicle bodies, has at least one bath containing a treatment fluid in which the objects are to be immersed. The objects are guided through the installation in a continuous or intermittent translatory movement with the aid of a conveyor device. A plurality of immersion devices is provided, which support the objects with the aid of a supporting structure. The latter is connected to the conveyor device by way of a connecting structure. Each connecting structure has at least one steering linkage which in turn comprises two steering components arranged at a distance from one another. The steering components are each rotatably connected to the conveyor device at one end and rotatably connected to the supporting structure at the other end. At least one device ensures that at least one of the two steering components of the steering linkage can be rotated about the axis produced by its articulated connection to the conveyor device.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a loop in a filament comprising a first wall having a first guide slot formed therein and a second wall having a second guide slot formed therein coplanar and parallel to the first guide slot. The first wall is opposite the second wall and each of the guide slots has opposing ends. A first gripper holds a filament at a first location. The first gripper is mounted from the first wall to the second wall at an end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot. The apparatus also includes a movable gripper to hold the filament at a second location. The movable gripper has a separation from the first gripper and is mounted from the first wall to the second wall adjacent to the other end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot for movement towards the first gripper to reduce the separation between them. This produces a loop of filament between the first gripper and the moveable gripper.

Abstract: A filament bundle is rewound from a reel, and passes through various sorts of liquid in processing vessels to be used for plating. The filament bundle passes through a fixed guide roller and a movable guide roller while it travels within the liquid in the processing vessel. The movable guide roller is moved periodically, the filament bundle is stretched and slackened by turns, whenever the filament bundle is slackened or untied, the bundle is loosened. The filament bundle with each filament subjected to the plating is taken up to a take-up reel.

Abstract: During the deposition of a catalytic component on a carrier, the position of the liquid level of a slurry containing the catalytic component is controlled with high accuracy and the adhesion of the slurry to the lateral face of the carrier is prevented. In the deposition of the liquid substance on the carrier by the introduction of the liquid substance into the carrier from the bottom face thereof, the liquid level near the top face of the carrier is detected by an image-processing sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus, to be used when an open end of a hollow substrate contacts a coating solution to define a solution free interior portion of the substrate, for controlling the level of the coating solution relative to the substrate interior, the apparatus including: a gas container capable of changing in volume; a channel connecting the gas container to the solution free interior portion of the substrate to allow gas flow in either direction between the gas container and the solution free interior portion; and pressure means for exerting a changeable, continuous pressure on the gas container that automatically exerts an increasingly greater pressure on the gas container as the gas container expands in volume and that automatically exerts a decreasingly lesser pressure on the gas container as the gas container decreases in volume.

Abstract: A painting apparatus includes a conveyor having incrementally spaced attachment structures configured to secure objects thereon for painting and being movable to move the attachment structures between consecutive incremental positions in a downstream direction. The distance between consecutive incremental positions is generally equal to an incremental spacing between consecutive attachment structures. A washing station is disposed beneath the conveyor and is operable to clean objects disposed therein. A painting station downstream of the washing station includes a paint reservoir disposed beneath the conveyor and which contains a volume of paint. The reservoir can be raised to dispose the object within the volume of paint and lowered to thereby allow the object to be conveyed downstream from the painting incremental position. A heating station downstream of the paint reservoir applies heat to objects in a heating incremental position.

Abstract: An automatic stainer for staining objects, arranged on slides for microscopic examination is described. The automatic stainer has multiple reagent containers arranged one behind another for treating the objects. The slides pass through the reagent containers in succession, a transport basket for receiving multiple slides being provided. Multiple transport baskets can be received simultaneously in respective different reagent containers, and are simultaneously lifted out of the respective reagent container by way of a motorized transport mechanism having a lifting device and are respectively transported on into an adjacent reagent container. A removal station that has a collecting reagent container for the simultaneous reception of multiple transport baskets is arranged at the end of the row of reagent containers.

Abstract: An overhead traveling crane system, wherein at least two locking members (25a) are mounted vertically slidably on a lifting device (15), a stopper (25b) and a contact member are fixed to the upper and lower end parts of each locking member (25a), respectively. A non-contact sensing device is fixed to the underside of the lifting device (15), and a sensor element (27) is fixed to the locking members (25a). The lowering of the locking members (25a) is stopped when the contact means is brought into contact with a reference position, and the lowering of the lifting device (15) is stopped when the lifting device (15) is lowered further so as to move the sensing device on the lifting device (15) side closely to the sensor element on the locking members (25a). Even though a general-purpose overhead traveling crane is used, the vertical positioning accuracy of the lifting device installed on the overhead traveling crane is increased.

Abstract: After a thin liquid agent film is formed by supplying a liquid agent onto a plate-like developer holder, this liquid agent film and the surface of a substrate are opposed. The liquid agent film and the substrate are brought into contact with each other at a point by declining the substrate and moving it close to the liquid agent film, or by curving the substrate toward the liquid agent film. Then, the substrate is made parallel to the liquid agent film, and the liquid agent is supplied such that the contact area of the liquid agent film spreads over the entire surface by the interfacial tension between the liquid agent film and the substrate. Since a thin liquid agent film can be uniformly formed below the substrate, processing can be performed with a small consumption amount. Additionally, the liquid agent can be supplied to the substrate without holding air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing composite materials. In a first embodiment, a binding material is placed on a heat-resistant filter that is placed on hollow particles in a pressurizable container. Under pressure and heat, the binding material flows through the filter and infiltrates the spaces between the hollow particles. In a further embodiment, composite material wire is produced by coating the surfaces of inorganic fiber bundles with a metal oxide by dipping in a solution of a hydrolyzable organic metal compound and hydrolyzing and heat-treating prior to continuous infiltration under pressure. In a further embodiment, the apparatus includes orifices with enlarged diameter sections. In a still further embodiment, an apparatus is provided with ultrasonic vibration.

Abstract: The device for surface coating of small parts is comprised essentially of a device (10) with sequentially arranged processing stations, namely a dip station (11), a drip station (12), a centrifuge station (13) and an emptying station (14). The drums (1) filled with small parts are conveyed from station to station via a longitudinal conveyor (27). Each station has its individual drive, with which the drums (1) can be brought into rotation. The drums are comprised of half shells (2) and (3), which are axially slideable relative to each other, which are opened for filling and closed during processing.

Abstract: Denture baths comprise an outer container for containing an aqueous composition; means for supporting a denture in the container, which means allow the denture to be immersed in the aqueous composition; and an aqueous composition. The aqueous composition comprises a polymeric coating agent having a surface tension in 0.1% aqueous solution of less than 37 mNm−1 and a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 or greater. In addition, the denture baths comprise a means for passing the denture through an interface of the aqueous composition with the surrounding air, the means being selected from means for draining the composition from a position beneath the denture and means for lifting the denture through the interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for applying a coating to an implantable device. The implantable device can include depots formed in the outer surface thereof to receive the coating. The coating can include a polymer and a solvent applicable to the surface of the implantable device including the depots. The application of the composition is performed under a pressure, which can reduce the surface tension and/or molecular adhesion force of the composition. The reduced surface tension and/or adhesion force allows gas bubbles within the depots to be removed while the composition is being driven into the depots.

Abstract: During the deposition of a catalytic component on a carrier, the position of the liquid level of a slurry containing the catalytic component is controlled with high accuracy and the adhesion of the slurry to the lateral face of the carrier is prevented. In the deposition of the liquid substance on the carrier by the introduction of the liquid substance into the carrier from the bottom face thereof, a water-detecting sensor detects the liquid level near the top face of the carrier.

Abstract: A system for applying a thin coat of a material on one side only of a substrate is disclosed together with a process for applying the thin coat. Coatings of less than one thousand angstroms are attainable on a single surface of the substrate by controlling the speed at which a meniscus of a mix containing a predetermined concentration of the to coating material travels across the single surface being coated. Various pressure, temperature and humidity controls are implemented in the process and by the apparatus as needed to obtain the desired coating characteristics.

Abstract: A system for processing a disk includes an end-effector having a plurality of fingers. The end-effector is mounted to a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator is mounted to a linear stage. The linear stage is positioned adjacent to an air track and a tank. The rotary actuator and the linear stage place the fingers into the inner diameter of a disk on the air track. The fingers grip the inner diameter of the disk. The rotary actuator and the liner stage then place the fingers holding the disk into the tank. The tank is filled with a processing liquid such as a lubrication solution to lubricate the disk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for applying a plaster-like coating material to the decorative exposed surface of a preform workpiece. The apparatus comprises; means for mechanically advancing a workpiece along the apparatus along a straight horizontal axis over a non-continuous surface; means for engaging the bottom portion of a workpiece to constrain lateral and vertical movement as the workpiece passes along the apparatus; and means for applying a desired thickness of plaster-like coating material to a decorative surface of an advancing workpiece. Both the method and apparatus provide on a consistent basis, a smooth coating with a controlled thickness tightly bonded to the entire exposed decorative surface of a workpiece. The method and apparatus provide a simple, efficient, cost effective and reliable means for applying a plaster-like coating to the exposed decorative surface of a workpiece for use on a commercial scale in the construction industry.

Abstract: An automated slide stainer with fluid flow control. The fluid flow control controls the flow rate of fluid, e.g., water, applied to at least one slide by the slide stainer. In an automated slide stainer that applies reagents to slides to stain biological specimens on the slides, the flow rate controlled fluid can be used to adequately rinse the slides without damaging the biological specimens contained on the slides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving a level exposed surface of a viscous material pool for applying viscous material to at least one semiconductor component by contacting at least a portion of the semiconductor component with viscous material within a reservoir. A level viscous material exposed surface is achieved by using at least one mechanism in association with the reservoir. The mechanism is configured to level the exposed surface of viscous material and maintain the exposed surface at a substantially constant level. The reservoir may be shaped such that the exposed surface of viscous material is supplied to a precise location.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemically treating a metal part which includes an immersion tank containing a liquid chemical treatment solution, a conveyor conveying parts over the immersion tank, immersing and removing the part and at least one spray nozzle assembly located above the immersion tank which is supported on a track extending to a side wall of the tank and permitting maintenance of the spray nozzle assembly without draining the tank.

Abstract: A zinc-coating pot for galvanizing steel strip has two levels along its bottom surface. The first, shallower level is located under a coating roll, thereby creating an area where the molten zinc-coating metal flow rate is relatively high. Dross particles remain suspended and do not accumulate on the bottom of the zinc-coating pot in this region. A second, deeper level is located to one side of the first level. This second level creates a space wherein the molten metal flow rate is less than the terminal velocity of the dross particles. This encourages sedimentation of the dross particles in this region. It provides an accumulation area for any bottom dross to be later removed by a dross removal mechanism, such as mechanical scoops or by pumping, without interruption to the coating process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for treating wafers made of materials serving as microelectronics substrates including a tank for containing a treatment bath, a wafer support device capable of receiving at least one wafer of a first size, and an element for grasping and placing each wafer of the first size in the bath and for removing it therefrom. The installation further includes a support for receiving at least one wafer of a second size that is smaller than the first size, the shape of the support allowing it to be grasped by the grasping element and received by the wafer support device in the tank.

Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.

Abstract: An installation for treating, in particular coating, articles (4), especially vehicle bodies, comprises at least one bath (2, 3), in which a treatment liquid, in particular a paint, is located. The articles (4) are intended to be immersed therein. The conveying means with which the articles (4) are conveyed through the installation in a continuous or intermittent translational movement comprises a plurality of transport carriages (5), which run in guided manner on running surfaces (13, 14). Each transport carriage (5) comprises a separate drive (28, 29) for translational movement and a drive (19, 20, 24, 25) operating independently thereof for the immersion movement. The installation thus constructed is extraordinarily flexible, since the immersion movement does not have to correlate with the translational movement.

Abstract: A method for producing coated strands of metal includes guiding a metal strand through the bottom of a vessel filled with a molten mass of the same or different composition as the metal strip, wherein the residence time of the metal strand is selected as a function of at least one of the molten bath level, the casting speed, the metal strand thickness, and the preheating temperature of the metal strand such that the deposited molten mass on the metal strand has a desired thickness of several times the initial thickness of the metal strand. After exiting from the molten bath, the metal strand with a layer crystallized thereon is subjected to a smoothing path carried out when the surface temperature of the strand crystallized thereon is smaller than the solidus temperature of the molten bath, so that at least the surface of the layer crystallized thereon is solidified. The crystallized layer is applied with a thickness which exceeds the desired final thickness of the coated strand.

Abstract: An installation for painting objects, in particular vehicle bodies (4), has at least one bath (2, 3) containing a treatment fluid in which the objects (4) are to be immersed. The objects (4) are guided through the installation in a continuous or intermittent translatory movement with the aid of a conveyor device (5). A plurality of immersion devices is provided, which support the objects with the aid of a supporting structure (44). The latter is connected to the conveyor device (5) by way of a connecting structure. Each connecting structure has at least one steering linkage which in turn comprises two steering means (40, 41, 42, 43) arranged at a distance from one another. The steering means (40, 41, 42, 43) are each rotatably connected to the conveyor device (5) at one end and rotatably connected to the supporting structure (44) at the other end.

Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns a roller arrangement for a product to be coated in a molten metal bath, having a roller (1) which rotates in the metal bath and is retained at the ends rotatably on support arms (2) by way of rolling bearings (4), the rolling bearings (4) each being arranged in a bearing housing (5) sealed with respect to the metal bath (M), which is characterized in that in order to seal the bearing housing (5) with respect to the roller (1), sealing surfaces (15, 16) extending transversely to the roller axis (X) are configured [on a radially projecting shoulder (14) of the roller (1)] and on the bearing housing (5), and are retained under pressure against one another or against an interposed seal element (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hot-dip plated metal strip comprising the steps of: introducing a metal strip into a molten metal bath of plating metal to adhere the molten metal onto the surface of the metal strip; taking out the metal strip, after turning the running direction of the metal strip, from the molten metal bath without applying external force from outside the surface of the metal strip; adjusting the plating weight of the molten metal adhered onto the metal strip; and controlling the shape of the metal strip using magnetic force in non-contact state directly before or after the step of adjusting the coating weight. The invention prevents adhesion of dross to the metal strip without degrading the productivity, and thus manufactures a high quality hot-dip plated metal strip.

Abstract: The coating device for coating a metal band (12) in a melt (14) of a non-magnetic metal comprises a shaft (16) rotatable in the melt (14) for guiding the metal band (12). The shaft (16) is supported in a shaft bearing (261) that is a magnetic bearing whose stationary portion (281) is encapsulated. Thus, a contactless shaft support in a metal melt is obtained, whereby the bearing wear is largely reduced and the service life of the bearing is prolonged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paper dispenser, especially to a paper dispenser for moistening reel paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a loop in a filament comprising a first wall having a first guide slot formed therein and a second wall having a second guide slot formed therein coplanar and parallel to the first guide slot. The first wall is opposite the second wall and each of the guide slots has opposing ends. A first gripper holds a filament at a first location. The first gripper is mounted from the first wall to the second wall at an end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot. The apparatus also includes a movable gripper to hold the filament at a second location. The movable gripper has a separation from the first gripper and is mounted from the first wall to the second wall adjacent to the other end of each of the first guide slot and the second guide slot for movement towards the first gripper to reduce the separation between them. This produces a loop of filament between the first gripper and the moveable gripper.

Abstract: Objects, (4) especially vehicle bodies (4), are guided through a painting installation comprising at least one bath (2) in a continuous translation movement, by means of a transport device (5). Immersion devices carry the objects using a carrier structure (61) which is connected to the transport device (5) in such a way that it can be pivoted by a pivoting arm (50, 51). A first drive device (54, 55, 56, 57) causes a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm (50, 51) about a first axis. A second drive device (78, 79, 80, 81) is used to pivot the carrier structure (61) about the second axis, in relation to the pivoting arm (50, 51). One such immersion device enables very different kinematics of the immersing and emerging movement to be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an apparatus for treating continuous materials. In one embodiment of the invention, a mounting bar is supported between mounting brackets. Tubing is mounted for rotation to the mounting bar. A first rod extends radially from the tubing and is adapted to rotate with the tubing. A second rod is supported by the first rod. A contact supported by an end of the second rod is adapted to orbit around the mounting bar upon rotating the first rod. In another embodiment of the invention, an application pan is provided. A guide is provided at a front end of the pan and a stripper die is provided at a rear end of the pan. A hold-down bar located between the front and rear ends of the pan is adapted to be rotated about an axis that extends laterally relative to the application pan. A strand rod is located between the hold-down bar and the stripper die.

Abstract: The method relates to a disposable device for the application of a coating (2) on a tablet, a capsule or a pill. The coating (2) is applied enclosing the tablet, capsule or pill (3) during its passage through a bowl formation (4) with a coating mass (5) and through an elastic diaphragm (12) located in the bottom (11) and provided with a centrally disposed, conveniently penetrable opening (13). During the passage of the tablet, capsule of pill (3) the opening (13) encloses the tablet, capsule or pill and simultaneously shapes a film of coating mass (5) thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricant coat forming apparatus for forming a dry coat of water dry type lubricant on the surface of each of cold plastic working materials. The apparatus includes a heating unit for heating the cold plastic working materials to a predetermined temperature, a lubricant applicator for applying the lubricant on the surfaces of the cold plastic working materials heated at the heating unit, and a drying unit for drying the lubricant applied on the surfaces of the cold plastic working materials by applying cooling air stream to them. The cooling air stream has a temperature lower than that of the cold plastic working materials heated by the heating unit.

Abstract: A hygienic toilet pack includes a roll of toilet tissue and a roll of flexible sheet material disposed end to end and of a size to fit in a conventional toilet tissue roll holder. The sheets forming the rolls are doubled over to provide inner and outer sheet segments in registry with one another. The sheets of the flexible sheet material are moistened with a hygienic agent.

Abstract: Glass containers are taken to a high temperature in an annealing furnace and removed from the annealing furnace belt by grips of a gripping device. The gripping device is then moved by a handling device first vertically upwards, then horizontally above a fluidized bed and then downwards into the fluidized bed in order to coat the glass containers with a powder, it is then taken upwards out of the fluidized bed and finally moved horizontally over a conveyor belt. There, the glass containers are released from the gripping device and set down on the conveyor belt which takes the powder-coated glass containers through a second curing region in which the powder coating is cured to form a substantially duroplastic layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for introducing and removing workpieces, especially vehicle bodies, into or from a treatment area (20) by rotational movements, whereby the treatment area serves for treating surfaces of the workpieces (1). A workpiece (1) is detachably fixed at a holding frame (2) which is moved together with at least one workpiece that is situated thereon at an essentially constant speed and by a continuous translation. The workpiece (1) is rotated around a rotational axle (6) at least at the beginning and end of the treatment area (20) and simultaneously with the translation movement. The rotational axle (6) is orientated vertically in relation to the moving direction of the holding frame (2) and is lifted and lowered during rotation.

Abstract: A holder for electroless plating to hold a plurality of ceramic elements for ceramic electronic parts during electroless plating treatment, each surface of said ceramic elements being to be electroless plated, said holder comprising a plurality of cells to house each of said plurality of ceramic elements separately, and each of said cells having such a structure as to permit the flow communication of a plating solution into the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring wafers between wafer holders such as wafer cassettes, etching drums and the like includes a tank for containing a liquid transfer medium in which the wafers can be transferred. The apparatus includes a wafer transfer unit that can transfer a plurality of wafers such as semiconductor wafers between wafer holders, and maintain the wafers in a desired relative orientation during transfer. For example, the wafers can be maintained in a parallel relationship. The apparatus can be used to automatically transfer wafers to etching drums without cross-indexing of the wafers and without manual handling of the wafers.

Abstract: A system for processing a disk includes an end-effector having a plurality of fingers. The end-effector is mounted to a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator is mounted to a linear stage. The linear stage is positioned adjacent to an air track and a tank. The rotary actuator and the linear stage place the fingers into the inner diameter of a disk on the air track. The fingers grip the inner diameter of the disk. The rotary actuator and the liner stage then place the fingers holding the disk into the tank. The tank is filled with a processing liquid such as a lubrication solution to lubricate the disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating cytological or histological specimens has numerous treatment stations in the form of containers, and a transport device by which the specimens to be treated are transported and deposited in the treatment stations. The transport device has a pivotable unit that can be brought under the specimens while the specimens are being transported. This pivotable unit is provided with a suction underlay on which the specimens or specimen holders are deposited, and by which treatment fluids that run out of the specimens or the specimen holders are received. Carryover of liquid residues from one treatment container to the next is thereby greatly reduced. The individual treatment containers are provided with covers, and the pivotable unit is designed to remove covers. Since the treatment containers are covered for most of the time, evaporation of the treatment liquids and release of fumes is greatly reduced.