초록 ▼

A magazine is disclosed for dispensing generally cylindrical and elongated articles in a pre-determined order. The magazine comprises a series of shelves with a reciprocating ratcheting plate arranged perpendicular to the shelves. The ratching plate has surface configurations which allow the article

A magazine is disclosed for dispensing generally cylindrical and elongated articles in a pre-determined order. The magazine comprises a series of shelves with a reciprocating ratcheting plate arranged perpendicular to the shelves. The ratching plate has surface configurations which allow the articles to be advanced in one direction of movement, and remain stationary relative to the shelves in a second opposite direction. The magazine is removable and may be pre-loaded to dispense in a pre-determined order. The magazine finds particular application in the dispensing of samples to an automated analyzer.

대표청구항 ▼

A magazine for controllably dispensing generally cylindrical objects, the magazine comprising: a plurality of shelves positioned parallel to each other, each of the shelves being configured so as to allow a plurality of the objects to move along its surface, each of the shelves being spaced from ano

A magazine for controllably dispensing generally cylindrical objects, the magazine comprising: a plurality of shelves positioned parallel to each other, each of the shelves being configured so as to allow a plurality of the objects to move along its surface, each of the shelves being spaced from another of the shelves at a first distance greater than the greatest diameter of the objects, each of the shelves having a substantially linear edge, and all of said linear edges being generally aligned in a first plane; a ratcheting plate with a major surface arranged such that the major surface faces the first plane, is generally parallel to the first plane, and is at a second distance from the first plane which is greater than the greatest diameter of the objects, said major surface comprising a plurality of surface features configured and arranged such that the objects can move along the major surface with less resistance in a first direction which is perpendicular to the shelves than in a second opposite direction; means for reciprocally moving the ratcheting plate in said first and second directions a third distance greater than the greatest diameter of the objects; and means for moving the objects along the shelves toward the ratcheting plate; wherein the surface features of the major surface of the ratcheting plate comprise a series of parallel adjacent grooves running in a direction parallel to the linear edges of the shelves, each of said grooves being comprised of a first and second wall, each of said first walls being oriented generally at a first internal angle relative to the first plane, and each of said second walls being oriented generally at a second internal angle relative to the first plane, said second angle being greater than said first angle whereby one of said objects may pass over said first wall in said first direction with less resistance than it may pass over said second wall in said second direction.