SEQUENTIAL PROCESSING APPARATUS

• US 3,674,040 A
• Filed: 03/09/1971
• Issued: 07/04/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony Grenfell Ashe, Francis Thomas Howells
• Original Assignee: Anthony Grenfell Ashe, Francis Thomas Howells
• Inventors: Howells, Francis Thomas, Ashe, Anthony Grenfell
• Primary Examiner(s): Bleutge, Robert I.
• Application Number:
  US05/122,335
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 134/58R,61,76,85,117 118/421,425
• US Class Current: 134/58.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/315 Basket-type carriers for tissues

Abstract

A sequential processing apparatus, particularly for use in pathology especially histology, comprises support means for supporting at least one row of baths above another row and mechanism for stepping said rows of baths in opposite directions. A transfer device at one end of the rows of baths transfers baths, one at a time, from the upper row to the lower row and a transfer device at the other end of the rows transfers baths, one at a time, from the lower row to the upper row. A specimen or slide carrier is positioned so as to be above the path of movement of at least one of the rows of baths, mechanism being provided for lowering and raising said carrier so as to immerse a specimen or slide in or withdraw it from a bath. In one preferred embodiment of the invention there are two side-by-side groups of baths, each group comprising upper and lower rows of baths and the specimen or slide carrier is moved periodically across the apparatus from a position over a row of baths of one group to a position over a row of baths of the other group.

Claims

1. A sequential processing apparatus comprising a support means for supporting at least one row of baths or the like above another row, a mechanism for moving baths or the like of one row and baths or the like of the other row in opposite directions, a transfer device at one end of the support means for transferring a bath from the upper row ro the lower row, a transfer device at the other end of the support means for transferring a bath from the lower row to the upper row and a carrier for a specimen, slide or the like positioned so as to lie above the path of movement of at least one of the rows of baths and mechanism for lowering and raising said carrier so as to immerse a specimen, slide or the like, or withdraw it from, a bath.

2. A sequential processing apparatus comprising means for supporting two side-by-side groups of baths or the like, each group comprising two superimposed rows of baths, mechanism for moving the superimposed rows of baths in opposite direction, a transfer device at one end of the support means for transferring baths from the upper rows to the lower rows, a transfer device at the other end of the support means for transferring baths from the lower rows to the upper rows, a carrier for a specimen, slide or the like positioned so as to lie above the path of movement of the upper and/or lower rows of baths, mechanism for lowering and raising said carrier so as to immerse a specimen, slide or the like in or withdraw it from a bath and mechanism for moving the carrier laterally to transfer a specimen from a position over a bath of one group to a position over a bath of the other group.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement of the rows of baths is linear.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having an additional bath alongside one of said rows of baths, and wherein means is provided whereby the specimen or the like carrier can be moved laterally for immersion or draining of a specimen or the like into said additional bath.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for moving the rows of baths comprises pallets, one for each bath, linked together, to form upper and lower chains, by means of coupling devices which permit pallets, as they reach an end of the machine, to be readily detached from the chain so that they can be raised or lowered and re-connected in a chain of pallets.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein movement of the pallets is effected by reciprocating pawl devices which engage the pallets.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for transferring a bath from an upper row to a lower row, or vice-versa, comprises a transfer platform which is raised and lowered by screw-and-nut or rock-and-pinion mechanism.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the weight of the transfer platform and its load is supported by spring means.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the specimen or slide carrier is supported on a transfer mechanism casing or frame for movement between the baths of one group and the baths of the other group, and means is provided for raisIng and lowering said casing or frame so as to immerse the specimen in or withdraw it from a bath, raising and lowering of said casing or frame being effected by a rack-and-pinion or screw-and-nut mechanism, and the weight of said casing or frame being taken by spring means.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein timing and programming devices for the apparatus are housed between the groups of baths.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein means is provided for stirring or agitating the contents of a bath, said stirring or agitating means being driven through a magnetic coupling having one of its magnetic elements positioned so as to be external to a bath, the other magnetic element being positioned so as to be within a bath.