초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system which includes a nestable sample cup for holding sample mixtures, a cup dispenser mechanism for holding and dispensing a supply of the cups into a sample shuttle for transporting them, and a

The present invention relates to a cup handling subsystem for an automated clinical chemistry analyzer system which includes a nestable sample cup for holding sample mixtures, a cup dispenser mechanism for holding and dispensing a supply of the cups into a sample shuttle for transporting them, and an incubator for controlling the temperature of the cup and its contents. In one embodiment, the cups include a conical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion having a top flange, a bottom flange and a groove formed therebetween. An apparatus is provided for holding and dispensing a plurality of such cups including a supply tube for holding the cups in a stack wherein the stack has a bottom-most cup and a next-bottom-most cup located above the bottom-most cup. The apparatus also includes an escapement located at a lower end of the supply tube which includes a disk having an aperture formed therein, a first leaf attached to a top side of the disk and a second leaf attached to a bottom side of the disk. The disk is movable between a first position in which the second leaf engages the bottom flange of the bottom-most cup and a second position in which the first leaf is inserted into the groove of the next-bottom-most cup and engages the top flange of the next-bottom-most cup and in which the second leaf no longer engages the bottom flange of the bottom-most cup. In the second position, the bottom-most cup is free to fall through the aperture formed in the disk.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for holding and dispensing one at a time a plurality of cups, comprising:a supply tube having a lower end and an interior suitable for holding said cups in a stack, each of said cups having a conical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion having a top flange, a

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for holding and dispensing one at a time a plurality of cups, comprising:a supply tube having a lower end and an interior suitable for holding said cups in a stack, each of said cups having a conical lower portion and a cylindrical upper portion having a top flange, a bottom flange, and a groove formed therebetween said stack having at least a bottom-most cup and a next-bottom-most cup located above said bottom-most cup; andan escapement located adjacent the lower end of said supply tube, said escapement including a disk having a top side, a bottom side and an aperture formed therein, a first leaf attached to the top side of said disk and a second leaf attached to the bottom side of said disk;wherein said escapement is moveable between a first position in which said second leaf engages the bottom flange of said bottom-most cup and a second position in which said second leaf no longer engages the bottom flange of said bottom-most cup such that said bottom-most cup falls through said aperture formed in said disk and in which said first leaf is inserted into the groove of said next-bottom-most cup and engages the top flange of said next-bottom-most cup before said second leaf no longer engages the bottom flange of said bottom most cup.