Analyzer featuring loading and unloading means for a storage chamber, and common drive means

Claim 2

In an analyzer for the chemical analysis of a liquid contained in a test element, the analyzer comprising metering station means at which liquid is deposited onto such a test element; storage station means comprising a storage chamber constructed to store more than one such test element, said chamber having one end disposed for loading such elements and an opposite end disposed for unloading said stored elements from said chamber; detection station means for detecting a change in said unloaded test elements; and means for sequentially moving each of such test elements into said metering station means, from said metering station means into said chamber, and from said chamber into said detection station means; the improvement wherein said moving means include: (a) a first member movable along a first path between: (1) an idle position upstream of said metering station means, (2) an element-engaging position at said metering station means, and (3) an element loading position at said one end of said storage chamber; (b) a second member movable along a second path spaced from said first path, between: (1) an idle position upstream of said storage chamber, (2) an element-engaging position at said opposite end of said storage chamber, and (3) an element loading position at said detection station means; and reversible drive means coupled to said first member and said second member for sequentially moving said first member to its (1), (2) and (3) positions while synchronously moving said second member respectively to its (3), (2) and (1) positions, and vice versa; whereby said drive means is effective to operate both said movable members without disengagements and without simultaneous loading and unloading of said storage chamber.

Claim 3

An analyzer as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second members are reversely coupled to said drive means so that actuation of said drive means effects opposite relative simultaneous movement of said members.

Claim 4

An analyzer as defined in claim 2, wherein said members are constrained to move along parallel paths.

Claim 5

An analyzer as defined in claim 3, wherein said paths lie in a common plane, one generally above the other.

Claim 6

An analyzer as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said drive means includes a rotatable gear and each of said members includes a rack gear engaged by said rotatable gear.

Claim 7

In an analyzer for the chemical analysis of a liquid contained in a test element, the analyzer comprising metering station means permitting liquid to be deposited onto such a test element; an incubator constructed to incubate more than one such test element, said incubator having one end disposed for loading such elements and an opposite end disposed for unloading said stored elements from said incubator; detection station means comprising a detector for detecting a change in said unloaded test elements; and means for sequentially moving each of such test elements into said metering station means, from said metering station means into said incubator, and from said incubator into and out of said detection station means; the improvement wherein said moving means include: (a) a first member movable along a first path between: (1) an idle position upstream of said metering station, (2) an element-engaging position at said metering station, and (3) an element loading position at said incubator; (b) a second member movable along a second path spaced from said first path, between: (1) an idle position upstream of said incubator, (2) an element-engaging position at said incubator, and (3) an element loading position at said detector; and reversible drive means continuously coupled to both said first member and said second member to simultaneously move said members relative to said incubator and between said positions (1), (2), and (3); said first and second members being disposed relative to said incubator and said drive means such that said drive means moves one of said members between its positions (1) and (2) while it moves the other of said members between its positions (2) and (3).

Claim 8

In an analyzer for the chemical analysis of a liquid contained in a test element, the analyzer comprising metering station means permitting liquid to be deposited onto such a test element; an incubator constructed to incubate more than one such test element, said incubator having one end disposed for loading such elements and an opposite end disposed for unloading said stored elements from said incubator; detection station means comprising a detector for detecting a change in said unloaded test elements; and means for sequentially moving each of such test elements into said metering station means, from said metering station means into said incubator, and from said incubator into and out of said detection station means; the improvement wherein said moving means include: (a) a first member movable along a first path between: (1) an idle position upstream of said metering station, (2) an element-engaging position at said metering station, and (3) an element loading position at said incubator; (b) a second member movable along a second path spaced from said first path, between: (1) an idle position upstream of said incubator, (2) an element-engaging position at said incubator, and (3) an element loading position at said detector; and reversible drive means continuously coupled to both said first member and said second member to simultaneously move said members relative to said incubator and between said positions (1), (2), and (3); said first and second members being disposed relative to said incubator and said drive means such that said drive means moves one of said members between its positions (1) and (2) while it moves the other of said members between its positions (2) and (3).

Claim 9

An analyzer as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second members are reversely coupled to said drive means so that actuation of said drive means effects opposite relative simultaneous movement of said members.

Claim 10

An analyzer as defined in claim 7, wherein said members are constrained to move along parallel paths.

Claim 11

An analyzer as defined in claim 6, 7, or 8, wherein said drive means includes a rotatable gear and each of said members includes a rack gear engaged by said rotatable gear.

Claim 12

In an analyzer for the chemical analysis of a liquid contained in a test element, the analyzer comprising metering station means permitting liquid to be deposited onto such a test element; storage station means comprising a storage chamber constructed to store more than one such test element, said chamber having one end disposed for loading such elements and an opposite end disposed for unloading said stored elements from said chamber; detection station means comprising a detector for detecting a change in said unloaded test element; and means for sequentially transporting each of such test elements into said metering station means, from said metering station means into said chamber, and from said chamber into and out of said detection station means; the improvement wherein said moving means include: (a) a first member movable along a first path between: (1) an idle position upstream of said metering station, (2) an element-engaging position at said metering station, and (3) an element loading position at said storage chamber; (b) a second member movable along a second path spaced from said first path, between: (1) an idle position upstream of said storage chamber, (2) an element-engaging position at said storage chamber, and (3) an element loading position at said detector; and means for moving (a) said first member from its position (2) to position (3) while moving said second member from its position (2) to position (1), and (b) said first member from its position (3) to position (2) and then position (1) while moving said second member from its position (1) to position (2) and then position (3); said moving means including reversible drive means continuously coupled to both said first and said second members so that only one of said members at a time is capable of moving from its position (2) to position (3).

Claim 13

In an analyzer for the chemical analysis of a liquid contained in a test element, the analyzer comprising metering station means permitting liquid to be deposited onto such a test element; storage station means comprising a storage chamber constructed to store more than one such test element, said chamber having one end disposed for loading such elements and an opposite end disposed for unloading said stored elements from said chamber; detection station means comprising a detector for detecting a change in said unloaded test element; and means for sequentially transporting each of such test elements into said metering station means, from said metering station means into said chamber, and from said chamber into and out of said detection station means; the improvement wherein said moving means include: (a) a first member movable along a first path between: (1) an idle position upstream of said metering station, (2) an element-engaging position at said metering station, and (3) an element loading position at said storage chamber; (b) a second member movable along a second path spaced from said first path, between: (1) an idle position upstream of said storage chamber, (2) an element-engaging position at said storage chamber, and (3) an element loading position at said detector; and means for moving (a) said first member from its position (2) to position (3) while moving said second member from its position (2) to position (1), and (b) said first member from its position (3) to position (2) and then position (1) while moving said second member from its position (1) to position (2) and then position (3); said moving means including reversible drive means continuously coupled to both said first and said second members so that only one of said members at a time is capable of moving from its position (2) to position (3).