Abstract: An automatic infinitesimal liquid reactor equipped with a pipetter for dispensing reagents employs two stages which are capable of sliding horizontally. A microplate which has a plurality of recesses in rows is placed in one stage and reagent bottles are placed on the other stage. The pipetter is supported on a horizontal guide rail operating slidably horizontally and along an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the two stages slide. The horizontal guide rail is supported on a vertical guide rail so as to operate slidably in a vertical direction. Thus the pipetter can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the two stages slide. When reagents are sucked from reagent bottles, the second stage is slid so that a reagent bottle is superposed below the pipetter and the pipetter is moved downwardly into the reagent bottle to draw in a reagent.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conveyor system for conveying tubes, having respective self-sealing closure members, sequentially to a station whereupon the conveyor system is temporarily halted. At the station, a clamping device having a clamp lowers to prevent movement of the tube. An arm moves in the direction of the tube to enable a hollow needle to penetrate the closure member of the tube. A metering pump enables a predetermined volume of a fluid, preferably liquid agar, to be introduced into the tube. Following release of the needle from the closure member, the conveyor systems moves to enable another tube to arrive at the station.

Abstract: An automated immunoassay analyzser comprising a transfer route on which test plates each having a plurality of chambers for immunological reaction opened upwards are transferred continually with a constant interval of time, and devices of at least A, B, C and D described below which are arranged on the transfer route from upstream to downstream in the order referred to in which the device A is for injecting the sample comprising a vertically and horizonally driven support, a pipet fixed to the support, and a nozzle tip usable for a single sample and removably attached to the lower end of the pipet, the device B is for B/F separation and the device C is for injecting the substrate solution and both devices are integratedly combined and comprise a vertically and horizontally driven support, a washing tube supported by the support, a temperature controllable solution reservoir block fixed to the support, a substrate injection tube provided to the lower side of the reservoir block, the washing tube and the substr

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system comprises a first linearly translatable plate and a second linearly translatable plate mounted below the first plate at 90 degrees relative thereto, the first plate being displaceable in one direction and the second plate being displaceable in another direction, said dispenser including an overhead fluid dispenser for dispensing calibrated amounts of fluid into each well of a multi-welled dish wherein the wells are spaced apart in rows and columns.

Abstract: A device for injecting a fixed quantity of sample liquid is provided with a unit for aspirating and injecting sample liquid. The sample aspirating and injection unit has a nozzle connecting portion. The liquid injection device is provided with an injection nozzle attached to and detachable from the nozzle connecting portion of the sample aspirating and injecting unit and electrodes are attached to the injection nozzle. Conductive members which are electrically connected to the electrodes of the injection nozzle are attached to the nozzle connecting portion of the sample aspirating and injecting unit, and a detecting unit which cooperates with the electrodes to detect the surface level of sample liquid is connected to the conductive members.

Abstract: The apparatus is fitted with a transfer turntable (1) suitable for conveying dishes in the open state from a station for dispensing open dishes to a filling station, and then from the filling station to a station for receiving filled dishes. The turntable comprises a top plate (10) whose openings retain the lids of the dishes and a bottom plate (11) whose openings receive the bottoms of the dishes, said bottoms resting constantly against a fixed refrigerated sole plate (55) while they are being transferred. The turntable (1) is driven by means of a drive disk (6) placed beneath the sole plate (55) and magnetically coupled to the turntable by means of two series of facing magnets (61-12). The apparatus is suitable for constituting laboratory equipment.

Abstract: An automatic fluid injector, useful for the injection of preselected small, accurately measured quantities of fluid specimens into, e.g., an analytical instrument, particularly a purge and trap analyzer. The injector includes generally a syringe, or syringe assembly, inclusive of a barrel into which a fluid specimen can be loaded, a plunger for the displacement of the fluid specimen from said barrel via the dispensing end thereof into the analyzer, and a probe integral therewith for the pick up of the fluid specimen for filling the barrel of the syringe. The combination further includes a magazine for transporting one or more fluid specimen-containing septum sealed vials for pick up of a fluid specimen therefrom by the probe portion of the syringe assembly for delivery to the barrel of the syringe.

Abstract: Dosage equipment, which includes a peristaltic pump for the dosage of liquid. The set of hoses (17) of the peristaltic pump includes an upper piece (18) and a lower piece (19). The body of the pump includes an attaching piece (13), to which the upper piece and the lower piece can be attached.

Abstract: A sanitary packaging system and method of using the same for the packaging of a sanitary product comprising a sanitary housing portion, a product bag, a sliding adjustment tube and a product tube. The product tube extends inside the sanitary housing portion and is flexibly attached to the sliding adjustment tube to which the product bag is attached. The sanitary product under pressure passes through the product tube, sliding adjustment tube and into the product bag to complete packaging. Sanitized air is blown through the sanitary housing enclosure to create a positive pressure therein, whereby in the case of a leak within the product bag, sliding adjustment tube or product entry tube, sanitary product leaks outwardly therefrom rather than allowing contaminates to be pulled inwardly and contaminate said sanitized product.

Abstract: A system of modular analyzers each adapted for independent operation and each possessing different operational characteristics adapted for particular applications. Such modular analyzers may be joined together with precise indexing means such that a single sample carousel may be accessed by fluid transfer probes from both of the analyzers to thus form a system which operates as a single analyzer of increased capacity and versatility.

Abstract: An improved system (10) is provided for providing access to a sealed container (14) which temporarily provides an opening in the closures of the containers, and either removes contents, senses properties of the contents, or dispenses material into the container. In one embodiment, this system includes a carousel assembly (12) which receives sample containers and moves them to a first location. There, a lift assembly (31) moves each sample container upward against a puncture tube (55) of a penetrating assembly (32). This puncture tube provides an opening in the closure of the container. The system takes a sample through this opening or inserts a probe (65) through the opening to measure the properties of the sample. After the system has performed the sampling, sensing, or dispensing function, a stripper assembly (67) strips the container from the puncture tube, allowing the opening to close.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically pipetting reagents which avoid contamination of the reagents. The reagents are withdrawn from a reagent bottle via a pipette tip which is unique to a particular reagent. The pipette tip is moved to a cuvette where the reagent is dispensed and then returned to rest in the cap of the reagent bottle. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a pump, pipette pick-up device, reagent bottle cap and bottle rack.

Abstract: A fraction collector includes a base unit and a turntable rotatably mounted on the base unit for supporting a plurality of collection tubes. The upper horizontal surface of the base unit includes a receptacle which is disposed to collect fluids discharged onto the base unit. The turntable is enclosed and includes a discharge port which is aligned over the receptacle when the turntable is mounted on the base unit. In this way, fluids which are intentionally or unintentionally discharged into the turntable will be collected in the receptacle 46. Receptacle 46 also includes a discharge port which may be connected to a disposal site, typically by flexible tubing.

Abstract: A conductive liquid is dosed with a vessel having an upper rim and with a dip tube having a lower end projecting down into the vessel below the rim thereof. The vessel is periodically overfilled with the liquid such that periodically the liquid overflows the rim. Immediately after each overfilling of the vessel, the liquid is aspirated from the vessel through the dip tube until the lower end of the dip tube is above the surface of the liquid in the vessel. The resistance between the dip tube and the liquid in the vessel is continuously monitored and an error signal is generated either when the detected resistance falls below a predetermined threshold corresponding generally to that of the liquid after the overfilling but before the aspirating or when the detected resistance is substantially above the threshold after the aspirating and before the next overfilling. The flow of liquid out of the vessel is impeded except over the rim and through the dip tube at least during the aspirating step.

Abstract: For passing stepwise bottles (F, F') in front of different stations, in order to more particularly take liquid samples, the bottles are placed in receptacles formed on a plate (24). The rotation of the plate is ensured by a lifting support action using compressed air delivered by injectors (18). Immediate rotation stoppage is obtained when a hole (38) formed in plate (24) faces the end of an optical fiber, whereof the opposite end issues onto an optical detector. Associated with an automatic sampling and dilution system, the assembly can be advantageously installed in a glove box or shielded enclosure in the nuclear industry.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pipette and a method of using the pipette in which an active element of the pressurizing system is a bellows within a piston chamber, operated by a motor. To achieve the advantages of the invention, including ease in manufacturing and the ability to actuate a tip ejector, the bellows is mounted so that the outside surface of the sidewall of the bellows, together with the piston chamber, defines the air volume operative on a fluid passageway leading to a disposable tip.

Abstract: A liquid depositing tip is removably mounted on a tip mounting portion formed on one end of a tip support arm mounted for up-and-down movement. A suction-and-discharge mechanism is operatively connected to the liquid depositing tip by way of the tip support arm to suck sample liquid into the depositing tip and to discharge the sucked sample liquid from the depositing tip onto a chemical assay slide. The quantity of the sample liquid to be sucked into the tip and to be discharged therefrom is controlled by a quantity control mechanism which controls the operation of the suction-and-discharge mechanism.

Abstract: A sealed reagent container structure that contains reagent material, has a body portion with length and width dimensions each greater than its height dimension and port defining neck structure upstanding from the upper wall of the body portion and asymmetrically located so that it is close to one endwall of the body portion. Coupling structure on the bottom wall of the body portion is provided for interengagement with a transport mechanism so that a series of reagent containers may be disposed on the transport mechanism for movement past a reagent station where the reagent material is transferred from the reagent container to the analysis cuvettes for mixing with sample material and analysis.

Abstract: A process for performing sample analyses wherein reagents are filled portionwise into closed containers that comprise cells and carry codes identifying the reagent contained therein. Cells required for different analyses are placed in a rack together with a sample container containing the sample. A code identifying the sample is applied to the rack. The codes on the cells and the code on the rack are read with the same reading unit.

Abstract: A process for the purpose of the thermostatic control of a sample fluid to be analyzed, as well as reagents and optionally the solvents necessary for performing analyses in an automatically functioning analyzer, wherein the sample container containing the sample fluid as well as the cells containing the reagents are placed in a rack made from good thermally conducting material. The rack is fixed in the analyzer at the individual processing stations between two side walls. At least one of the side walls is heated, so that the rack is thermostatically controlled and, consequently, so is the sample fluid and the reagents.

Abstract: Low cost medical micro pipette tips for difficult to reach places, and related methods. The leading or distal portion of the micro pipette tips are materially elongated and ultra thin. This accommodates placement of the distal influent port, for receiving expensive biological extracts, in hard to reach places.

Abstract: In its initial position an input opening of a sample input device provides a seal against a funnel element which is directly connected to a feed pipe delivering standard media and to a valve-controlled air supply, and which has a feed opening cooperating with the input opening. Thus, in the initial position of the sample input device, the input opening and the feed opening at the funnel element together are part of a closed path for the additional media required for measurement and cleaning purposes, which will simplify the overall design of the apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid transfer apparatus for use in an automatic analyzer successively transfers a number of liquid vessels in a continuous manner to a liquid pick up station where a probe of a liquid distributor is used to perform a liquid analysis and inserts by interruption a specified liquid vessel holding specified liquid such as an emergent test sample into the liquid pick up station when necessary to perform an analysis in an emergency by interruption during a normal operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking samples of a toxic or radioactive substance by inducing such substance into sample vessels, comprising a rotatable cylinder containing a recess movable between two positions for receiving a sample vessel; a needle head filling assembly disposed at the first position; a stripper located between the cylinder and the filling assembly for causing the filling assembly to disengage from the sample vessel during downward axial movement of the cylinder after filling; a housing which is open at the top, and a cover closing the top of the housing, with the cylinder, filling assembly and stripper being disposed in the housing, and the cover being provided with an opening above the needle filling assembly and dimensioned to permit passage of the filling assembly through the opening; a supply conduit for supplying substance to the filling assembly; and a support disc located in the housing and provided with a receiving bore for supporting the filling assembly while permitting the assembly to be rem

Abstract: An apparatus for taking a sample of a toxic and/or radioactive substance by ntroducing such substance into a sample vessel. The apparatus includes a rotatable cylinder containing a recess for receiving a sample vessel. A drive shaft is connected to the cylinder for imparting rotary and axial movements to the cylinder for moving the recess of the cylinder between first and second positions. A needle head filling system is arranged above the cylinder at the first position for filling a sample vessel with toxic and/or radioactive substances. The cylinder is lifted by the shaft for engagement with the needle head filling system when being filled and lowered by the shaft after being filled. An inlet and outlet conduit is provided having one end for receiving from and discharging into the recess of the cylinder a sample vessel, the one end being located above the cylinder at the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for recovering beverages from cases of defective aseptic packages such as caused by mismarking. The apparatus comprises a plurality of hollow needle pairs which both puncture the packages. One needle of the needle pair supplies air to the package forcing the beverage to exit through the other needle. The apparatus further includes means for advancing and retracting the needle pairs. The apparatus is pneumatically controlled and powered.

Abstract: A plurality of sealed blood sample tubes are housed in a rack and a plurality of these racks are vertically stacked, with the sample tubes lying horizontally. The racks are successively deposited onto a horizontal conveyor belt which is housed in and moves longitudinally on a table that rocks around its longitudinal axis to mix the samples in a semi-inverting mode as a rack is stepped from the stack to a sample aspiration station and/or thereat. The aspiration station preferably includes a sample segmenting and diluting valve and a sample identification reader. Aspiration is accomplished by pushing a sample tube partially out from the carrier rack and onto a seal piercing tip of the aspiration probe. The tube then is returned to the rack. The other tubes in that rack similarly are aspirated after the rack is stepped to align each tube with the aspiration probe, with table rocking and sampling mixing accompanying each advancing step of the rack.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for injecting a sample of a fluid into a sealed pouch. The apparatus includes a framework and an injection needle for coupling to a source of the fluid to supply the fluid to the pouch. A drive mechanism is attached to the framework and is coupled to the injection needle for operation to move the needle between a withdrawn position and an engagement position with the needle moving along a first line of travel. A hopper is attached to the framework for containing a plurality of pouches in a stack, and a transport mechanism is attached to the framework and has a shuttle moveable along a second line of travel at right angles to the first line of travel. The shuttle moves pouches one at a time from the hopper to a position in line with the needle to receive the sample from the needle with the needle in the engagement position.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing liquid samples and the like into an analytical testing machine, which includes a vertically extending guide rail fixed to a base, a movable support member slidably mounted on the guide rail for movement between an upper position and a lower position, a stopper for blocking movement of the movable support member above the upper position, an arm holding a probe at an end thereof and pivotally mounted to the movable support member at the other end, an arciform guide projecting from a pivot member so as to engage the upper surface of a fixed support member when the movable support member in its upper position and the arm is pivoted upward, and a detent mechanism fixed to the movable support member and elastically engageable with the pivot member for releasably holding the arm in a first predetermined inclination.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for transferring liquid out of a container covered by a pierceable cap using a storage unit. The apparatus includes means for moving the storage unit into an aspirating position within the capped container, means for aspirating the liquid into the storage unit, means for moving the storage unit away from such aspirating position, and means for dispensing at least a fraction of the liquid out of the storage unit. The apparatus further includes means for holding such container during all movement of the storage unit away from its aspirating position.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for simultaneously providing predetermined equal volumes of liquid to each of a plurality of wells. The apparatus includes a disposable multiple chamber dispenser module having a top surface and a plurality of dependent walls each defining a lower chamber for alignment with a corresponding well. Each chamber has an open lower nozzle end and extends upwardly to an opening in the top surface. A die plate having a plurality of concavities is provided with each concavity having an equal volume and a mouth. Each concavity is defined by an inner surface and corresponds to one of the chambers. The apparatus further comprises diaphragm means having a portion extending across the mouth of each concavity. Each diaphragm portion is movable from a first position across the mouth of its concavity to a second position in surface contact with the inner surface defining that concavity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for locating a vial in a predetermined location with respect to a needle which is used to penetrate a septum in the vial. The system includes a vial carrier having a well for receiving a vial. A penetrable septum is disposed in an opening in the vial. At least one needle penetrates the septum at periodic intervals. Locating means are provided within the vial carrier for establishing a predetermined location of the vial in relation to the needle. The locating means includes a plurality of contact points and urging means for establishing contact between the contact points and the locating surface. The urging means presses substantially on one side of the vial, which side is substantially opposite the locating means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid sampling device of the type having at least one hollow needle mounted on an end fitting, which is itself disposed on a support having a supply pipe and a discharge pipe of the liquid to be sampled and between which there is an intermediate tank. The device has a drainage duct connecting the lower part of the intermediate tank to the supply pipe, whilst the lower part of the end fitting is in the form of a sleeve, immersed in the intermediate tank and open at its lower end. The invention is useful for the sampling of radioactive liquids in the nuclear industry.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analyzing apparatus for applying samples and reagents to the surface of a reaction carrier and for optically analyzing each component contained in the various samples. The dispensing of the samples and reagents and the optical detection operation are performed by an optics/dispensing mechanism moved relative to the reaction carrier in two dimensions. The optics/dispensing mechanism is combined with a cleaning apparatus for cleansing reagents and samples from a dispensing needle by means of a rinsing agent and air ejected toward the needle. The apparatus further includes an automatic lifting mechanism for lifting and replacing a cover disposed on the reaction carrier, and is adapted to move the dispensing needle to a position over a nearby reagent/sample holder so that the needle may take up a desired reagent or sample from the holder and transfer it to the surface of the reaction carrier.

Abstract: A process of delivering a given amount of a sample and one or more reagents into a reaction vessel by means of a common delivery device which includes a single aspiration-discharge pump and a single probe, without contamination between samples and reagents, wherein a washing step of clearing an outer surface of the probe chip by immersing it into a wash-water, preferably a diluent, is introduced between an aspiration step and a discharge step or between the discharge step and the aspiration step.

Abstract: A liquid handling apparatus capable of being used as a fraction collector, sampler, dispenser, diluter or the like utilizes a microprocessor and three stepping motors to move a liquid handling tube suitable for dispensing, sampling or the like in two horizontal directions and in a vertical direction with respect to an array of test tubes or similar containers. The apparatus is capable of operating in several modes of dispensing and withdrawal operations, including modes based on the number of drops dispensed or the time spent over each container. The pattern of the movement of the liquid handling tube or dispensing head is selectable to suit the mode of operation of the liquid handling apparatus as well as the type of container and the number of containers being used at a particular time.

Abstract: A sample feeding arrangement which receives sealed sample tubes, moves them one at at time to a seal piercing and sample aspiration station, and then discharges the used tubes. This sample feeding arrangement is mounted inside a sample analyzer of the type which previously had operated semiautomatically. Receipt of a sample tube at the infeed station of this feeding arrangement initiates the repositioning of the tube to an aspiration station, which thereat enables all other handling steps of the tube, sample aspiration, and the full system cycle of the analyzer.

Abstract: A discrete type automated chemical analytic apparatus wherein two reagent nozzles and specimen nozzle supported by the corresponding carrier members in a vertically movable state are so arranged that said nozzles can be intermittently carried lengthwise of the reaction line formed on the endless conveyor belt and also crosswise of said reaction line; and a sample cassette holding a large number of specimens is made movable lengthwise of the conveyor belt independently of the specimen nozzle.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for rapidly transferring samples for analysis by thin layer chromatography from a sample container to the chromatography plate and in which a chromatography plate is supported in a housing through which drying air, preferably heated, passes over the working surface of the chromatography plate. A plurality of sample applicators are precisely positioned above the plate by means of a transverse mounting plate having a transverse array of holes through which the applicators are passed to engage the working surface of the plate, the applicators taking the form of an imperforate sleeve surrounding a porous core projecting from the end of the sleeve and sharpened to a point to minimize exposure, with the other end of the sleeve projecting beyond the inner end of the porous core to define a solvent reservoir which if desired can be packed with fiber wadding to control fluid flow and with the reservoir adapted to be closed by a sealing cover member.

Abstract: An analyzer for biological fluids includes a sample fluid metering device that is movable to a first metering position located directly over a generally planar test element supported in a metering station, and a reference fluid metering apparatus that is movable to a second metering position closely adjacent the first metering position. The reference fluid metering apparatus comprises a reference fluid supply reservoir supported in a location spaced from the metering station, an aspirator operable to aspirate reference fluid from the reservoir and to deposit the fluid on the test element positioned at the metering station and a cam and gear arrangement driven by a single drive motor for moving the aspirator linearly toward and away from the supply reservoir and toward and away from the metering station and for pivotally moving the aspirator between a position spaced from the supply reservoir and a position spaced from the metering station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for repeatedly and accurately depositing predetermined amounts of fluid, especially biological fluids, onto generally planar analysis slides. The apparatus comprises a dispenser which is adapted to pick up a disposable metering tip, aspirate fluid into the tip, meter a predetermined amount of fluid from the tip onto an analysis slide, and eject the tip after the metering operation.

Abstract: A liquid handling system that is particularly useful in a clinical analysis system and includes first and second storage chambers, each with a port through which liquid may be flowed into and from the storage chamber. The storage chambers and their ports are arranged to permit concurrent flowing of liquids from both storage chambers into a processing chamber. The system also includes two liquid metering means and a diluent reservoir. A valve arrangement enables connection of one of the metering means to the diluent reservoir and to either of the storage chambers; and each metering means, when connected to a storage chamber, controls flow of liquid into and out of the storage chamber through its port. The two metering means and the valve arrangement provide flexibility in selecting dilution ratios and delivering raw and diluted sample as required to an array of chambers for analysis or other processing.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a delivering device including a probe and operative to suck at least one kind of liquids such as a plurality of reagents, samples or the like from respective vessels into the probe and deliver the liquid thus sucked from the probe into a reaction vessel. In such kind of delivering apparatus, provision is made of the improvement in which the probe is movable along a given moving path, the vessels containing the liquids to be delivered being provided with suction openings arranged at a plurality of fixed positions along the moving path of the probe, and in which the reaction vessel is movable along a path adjacent to and crossed with the moving path of the probe, and in which provision is made of means for locating the probe at any sucking position or at a delivering position with respect to the reaction vessel where the moving path of the probe is adjacent to or crossed with the moving path of the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A tray is adapted to be rotatably mounted on chemical analysis apparatus and to receive a plurality of cups of fluid samples for chemical analysis. The tray is formed of a plurality of discrete arcuate segments independently removable from, and replaceable onto the analysis apparatus to form a circular composite tray when all the segments are present. The tray is provided with a plurality of replaceable metering tips, one per fluid sample cup, which may be radially aligned with the cups. The tray segments are mounted on a carrier which can be removed from the chemical analysis apparatus with all the tray segments as a unit.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to repeatedly and accurately dispense predetermined amounts of fluid, especially biological fluids, onto generally planar test elements. The apparatus comprises a metering pump actuated by an escapement mechanism which moves the pump in precise increments. The fluids are dispensed through a pair of metering tips which are spaced a given distance from the test element.

Abstract: A fluid transfer mechanism for rapidly and accurately picking up or aspirating a fluid quantity or aliquot in one position, moving it to a second position and dispensing the aspirated aliquot. The mechanism includes an arm mounted on a high helix shaft on one end and driven up and down the shaft by a first motor and rotated around the shaft by a second motor. The arm includes at a second end a fluid transfer probe which is moved into and out of the fluids to aspirate and dispense the fluids in precise angular locations. The arm may be accelerated and deaccelerated as it is rotated to avoid vibrations and spilling of the fluid from the probe. The probe may include a level sensing structure for sensing when the probe has contacted a fluid surface. The probe also may be coupled to an oscillator to oscillate the probe in a vessel into which the fluid has been dispensed to mix the fluids therein.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to repeatedly and accurately dispense predetermined amounts of fluid, especially biological fluids, onto generally planar test elements. The apparatus comprises a movable carriage for supporting and locating a dispensing device at a plurality of metering stations in an analyzer. A pair of locating means are operable in sequence to precisely locate the dispensing device relative to a test element in each of the stations.

Abstract: Samples of blood from hundreds of patients are held in test tubes mounted in twenty endless chains of the same number of links, each chain being mounted on a chain-holder keyed so as to be insertable for mounting on only one sector of a rotary disk. A locking member by which the chain is closed must occupy the inside position when the chain is mounted. Since each sample then has a distinctive machine address, program control can then drive the machine so that all the individual samples requiring transfer of a portion for a particular analytical procedure are successively presented to a pipette transfer device, chain by chain, with rotation of all chains so that the chain presented to the pipette apparatus will present in succession only those individual samples requiring the particular analysis samples for the next analytical procedure.

Abstract: A system for automatically processing liquids in open-ended containers. The containers are moved past a plurality of operating stations that carry out the following operations: washing, reagent-adding, incubation, detection, and storage. The operating stations for washing and reagent-addition include vertically and horizontally movable assemblies for operating upon the containers. The containers are carried in groups in individual carrying blocks which are moved throughout the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multichannel system for the handling of immobilized biologically active substance, in which several test tubes are filled with at least one reaction liquid. The automated handling of a large number of samples in the shortest possible time is made possible by this system.