Reagent strip handling mechanism
First Claim
1. A reagent strip handling mechanism for reflectrance photometers and the like, comprising:
- a housing,means for quantitative measurement of a reagent area on a reagent strip,a slide mechanism on said housing,means for allowing said slide mechanism to be moved between an open, reagent strip receiving position and a closed, reagent area measuring position; and
a toggle assembly on said slide assembly providing positive snap action of said slide mechanism between said open and closed positions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A quantitative measuring instrument includes a casing with a cavity for a reagent strip handling mechanism. The mechanism includes a slide with a resiliently biased toggle member for providing snap action of the slide between an open, reagent strip loading position and a closed, quantitative measuring position. A light seal is mounted on the toggle member that engages each reagent strip in the closed position of the slide. In a first, alternative embodiment of the instrument, the slide mechanism includes a cam arm that engages cam surfaces on the instrument raising the cam arm to an open, reagent strip loading position from a closed, reagent strip holding position. In this embodiment the slide can be removed from the instrument and cleaned. In a second alternative embodiment the slide includes a first detent corresponding to a closed position of the slide and a second detent corresponding to an open position. A pair of spring fingers are mounted in the cavity of the instrument casing. One of the spring fingers engages the first detent in the closed position and the second spring finger engages the second detent in the open position providing resistance that defines the two positions. The slide in this embodiment can also be removed and cleaned.
37 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A reagent strip handling mechanism for reflectrance photometers and the like, comprising:
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a housing, means for quantitative measurement of a reagent area on a reagent strip, a slide mechanism on said housing, means for allowing said slide mechanism to be moved between an open, reagent strip receiving position and a closed, reagent area measuring position; and a toggle assembly on said slide assembly providing positive snap action of said slide mechanism between said open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An innovative slide mechanism integral with a portable spectrophotometer, said mechanism providing a transporting means for moving a reagent test strip into an optics chamber of said spectrophotometer to obtain a spectrophotometric reading of said test strip and to thereafter transport said strip away from said chamber for removal and disposal of said reagent test strip, said mechanism consisting essentially of:
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a housing defining a slot, said slot having a forward position and a rearward position; a reagent test strip receiving member slideably position within said slot between the slot'"'"'s forward and rearward position, whereby a reagent test strip can be placed into or removed from said receiving member when said member is in said forward position and whereby said reagent test strip is placed in proper alignment within said spectrophotometer optics chamber such that a reflectance measurement can be taken when said test strip and receiving member are slid into said rearward position; a biasing means for providing said reagent test strip receiving member a snap action movement between said forward and rearward position; whereby said receiving member has an opening, said opening including a first stop, a second stop and a third stop; a position means comprising a toggle member mounted in said slide opening for selected engagement with said first stop, said second stop and said third stop, whereby said biasing means biases said toggle post into engagement with one of said first stop, said second stop and said third stop; a first cam means for engaging said toggle post upon movement of such slide and moving said toggle post into engagement with one of said first stop and said second stop; and a second cam means for engaging said toggle post and moving said toggle post into engagement with said third stop upon sliding said receiving member into said forward position.
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8. An innovative slide mechanism integral with a portable spectrophotometer, said mechanism providing a transporting means for moving a reagent test strip into an optics chamber of said spectrophotometer to obtain a spectrophotometric reading of said test strip and to thereafter transport said strip away from said chamber for removal and disposal of said reagent test strip, said mechanism consisting essentially of:
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a housing defining a slot, said slot having a forward position and a rearward position; a reagent test strip receiving member slideably position within said slot between the slot'"'"'s forward and rearward position, whereby a reagent test strip can be placed into or removed from said receiving member when said member is in said forward position and whereby said reagent test strip is placed in proper alignment within said spectrophotometer optics chamber such that a reflectance measurement can be taken when said test strip and receiving member are slid into said rearward position; a biasing means for providing said reagent test strip receiving member a snap action movement between said forward and rearward position; a cam arm pivotally mounted on said test strip receiving member, said cam arm including a first cam surface and a second cam surface; a first cam means for engaging said first cam surface and pivoting said cam arm to a first position corresponding to said forward position; and a second cam means for engaging said second cam surface and pivoting said cam arm to a second position corresponding to said rearward position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification