Device for the positionally correct feeding of test strips to an analysis unit
First Claim
1. In an apparatus for the positionally correct feeding of test strips to an analysis unit, wherein said test strips include a base layer with at least one test field disposed on one side of the base layer and a plurality of regions on said one side of said base layer where no test field is present, said test field being raised with respect to the plurality of regions where no test field is present, said test strips being disordered with respect to their longitudinal axis rotation position in a storage container, said apparatus having a separation and position correcting device provided for feeding the test strips individually in a defined position to the analysis unit, the improvement wherein said separation and position correcting device comprises:
- rotation position correcting means for correcting a rotation position of test strips with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, said rotation position correcting mans having two rolls disposed adjacent each other with a gap therebetween, said rolls being disposed to rotate in a same direction of rotation wherein an outer peripheral surface of a first of said rolls adjacent said gap moves downward with respect to said gap, and an outer peripheral surface of a second of said rolls moves upward at said gap, said outer peripheral surfaces of said rolls forming a funnel shaped space above said gap, said space for receiving said test strips into said gap in an essentially parallel orientation of said gap and said test strips,wherein said first roll includes a plurality of peripheral raised webs on the outer peripheral surface thereof, said plurality of webs being disposed to be in alignment with at least a part of said regions of the test strips where no test field is present, andwherein said second roll is different form said first roll and includes a plurality of running driver portions, said running driver portions being parallel to said gap,wherein a width of the gap is reduced in a region of the plurality of raised webs such that a thickness of the test strips, including a test field, is greater than the width of the gap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Device for the positionally correct feeding of test strips to an analysis unit. The test strips 10 include a base layer and at least one raised test field fixed to one side of the base layer. The test strips are contained disordered with respect to their longitudinal axis rotation position in a storage container. A separation and position correcting device 1 serves to feed the test strips 10 individually one after the other in a defined position to the analysis unit. Simplicity of construction and reliable operation are achieved due to the fact that the separation and position correcting device 1 includes a position correcting stage 30 with two rolls, between which a narrow gap 35 exists. The rolls rotate so that the surface 31a of the first roll 31 moves in the region of the gap 35 from top to bottom, while the surface 32a of the second roll 32 moves from bottom to top. The first roll 31 includes peripheral raised webs 37 which are in alignment with test field-free regions of the test strips 10. The second roll 32 is provided with axially parallel running drivers 38. The width of the gap 35 in the region of the raised webs 37 is smaller than the thickness of the test strips including the test field.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In an apparatus for the positionally correct feeding of test strips to an analysis unit, wherein said test strips include a base layer with at least one test field disposed on one side of the base layer and a plurality of regions on said one side of said base layer where no test field is present, said test field being raised with respect to the plurality of regions where no test field is present, said test strips being disordered with respect to their longitudinal axis rotation position in a storage container, said apparatus having a separation and position correcting device provided for feeding the test strips individually in a defined position to the analysis unit, the improvement wherein said separation and position correcting device comprises:
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rotation position correcting means for correcting a rotation position of test strips with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, said rotation position correcting mans having two rolls disposed adjacent each other with a gap therebetween, said rolls being disposed to rotate in a same direction of rotation wherein an outer peripheral surface of a first of said rolls adjacent said gap moves downward with respect to said gap, and an outer peripheral surface of a second of said rolls moves upward at said gap, said outer peripheral surfaces of said rolls forming a funnel shaped space above said gap, said space for receiving said test strips into said gap in an essentially parallel orientation of said gap and said test strips, wherein said first roll includes a plurality of peripheral raised webs on the outer peripheral surface thereof, said plurality of webs being disposed to be in alignment with at least a part of said regions of the test strips where no test field is present, and wherein said second roll is different form said first roll and includes a plurality of running driver portions, said running driver portions being parallel to said gap, wherein a width of the gap is reduced in a region of the plurality of raised webs such that a thickness of the test strips, including a test field, is greater than the width of the gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for the positionally correct feeding of test strips to an analysis unit, comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of test strips which include a base layer and at least one test field disposed on one side of the base layer, said at least one test field being raised with respect to the one side of the base layer, said test strips being disordered with respect to their longitudinal axis rotation position in a storage container; providing a separation and position correcting device for feeding the test strips individually in a defined position with respect to a longitudinal axis rotation position of the analysis unit; providing a first roll having a plurality of peripheral raised webs on a surface thereof, said webs being disposed to be in alignment with regions of the test strips which are free of test fields, and also providing a second roll which is disposed adjacent to said first roll wherein said first and second rolls rotate next to each other with a gap therebetween, and wherein said second roll includes a plurality of running driver portions, said running driver portions being substantially parallel to said gap; rotating said first roll and said second roll in a same direction of rotation wherein an outer peripheral surface of said first roll adjacent said gap moves downward with respect to said gap, and an outer peripheral surface of said second roll adjacent said gap moves upward; and feeding at least one of said plurality of test strips toward said gap, whereby said first and second rolls having said peripheral raised webs and said running driver portions, respectively, cooperate to correct a position of each of the test strips such that said test fields face the outer peripheral surface of said first roll.
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Specification