초록 ▼

A test tube orienting system consisting of a test tube hopper, and a test tube transport system for directing test tubes out of the test tube hopper with a consistent orientation. The test tube hopper has an open mouth, an internal cavity communicating with the mouth, and a side wall enclosing the c

A test tube orienting system consisting of a test tube hopper, and a test tube transport system for directing test tubes out of the test tube hopper with a consistent orientation. The test tube hopper has an open mouth, an internal cavity communicating with the mouth, and a side wall enclosing the cavity. The side wall has a downwardly inwards sloping channel extending along the side wall from the mouth. The transport system directs the test tubes axially upwards along the channel, and includes an endless chain and a series of pins affixed to the endless chain, extending through the channel into the internal cavity. The endless chain is coupled to a motor for moving the pins upwards along the channel, and is inclined at an acute angle to the channel for progressively retracting the tube supports from the internal cavity as the pins move upwards along the channel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A test tube orienting system comprising:a vessel for receiving a plurality of test tubes, the vessel including an open mouth, an internal cavity communicating with the mouth, and a side wall enclosing the cavity, the side wall including a downwardly inwards sloping channel extend

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A test tube orienting system comprising:a vessel for receiving a plurality of test tubes, the vessel including an open mouth, an internal cavity communicating with the mouth, and a side wall enclosing the cavity, the side wall including a downwardly inwards sloping channel extending along the side wall from the mouth and being dimensioned for receiving the test tubes therein; anda transport system for directing the test tubes axially upwards along the channel, the transport system including a plurality of tube supports extending through the channel into the cavity, and drive means coupled to the tube supports for directing the tube supports upwards along the channel while progressively retracting the tube supports from the cavity.