Marvin N Trieb

US Patent:

48615536, Aug 29, 1989

Filed:

Jun 11, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/061249

Inventors:

James A. Mawhirt - Brooklyn NY
Luigi Cantatore - White Plains NY
Joseph E. DiFlora - Eastchester NY
William J. C. McCandless - Ringwood NJ
Marvin Trieb - Irvington NY

Assignee:

Technicon Instruments Corporation - Tarrytown NY

International Classification:

G01N 3504

US Classification:

422 65

Abstract:

The automatic sampling system includes a test apparatus for testing specific characteristics of a fluid withdrawn from a closed test tube. Stoppered test tubes are continuously and automatically delivered to the test apparatus by a conveyor system that includes a continuous linkage of test tube holders. The test tube holders have the capability of pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis of the test tube holders, and tilting movement wherein a longitudinal axis of one test tube holder tilts with respect to the longitudinal axis of another test tube holder in the linkage. The compound pivotal and tilting movement capability of the test tube holders in the linkage enable the linkage to be stacked in a fan-fold or Z-fold arrangement because of the flexible characteristics of the linkage. The linkage also has the capability of having one or more test tube holders tilted together at a group with respect to other test tube holders. Thus, the basis for a mixing operation of specific test tube holders is achieved.