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Automatic cuvette loading apparatus

  • US 5,055,262 A
  • Filed: 02/16/1989
  • Issued: 10/08/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An automatic cuvette loading apparatus for use in an automatic chemical analyzer having a reaction line comprising:

  • a container containing a plurality of magazines, each magazine containing a plurality of cuvettes in a matrix manner and plate means for feeding cuvette rows in a first direction, said container having a base plate and first and second openings through which each magazine can pass;

    means for feeding a magazine situated above said first opening in said first direction into a cuvette loading position above said second opening;

    means for supporting cuvettes situated at said cuvette loading position in said magazine, said cuvette supporting means having a front plate movable in a second direction, substantially opposite to said first direction, to a first position at which said front plate is aligned with or spaced inside of a front inner side wall of said magazine and movable in said first direction to a second position at which said front plate is spaced outside of said front inner side wall of said magazine;

    means movably arranged in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction for successively loading cuvettes situated at said cuvette loading position in said magazine into the reaction line of the chemical analyzer; and

    means for removing an empty magazine from the cuvette loading position through said second opening;

    wherein said cuvette supporting means is arranged in said first position when cuvette rows are urged toward said cuvette loading position by said plate, and is arranged in said second position when cuvettes are loaded into the reaction line by said cuvette loading means.

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