Multiple object capturing and processing device

Claim 1

In a testing apparatus employing a plurality of test tubes with at least one solid object insertable into each test tube, said apparatus including a rack for maintaining said test tubes in vertical alignment and a means for retaining said test tubes in said rack when said rack is inverted, the improvement comprising: said retaining means including means defining a first plurality of holes in alignment with said test tubes, said first holes sized to allow said objects to pass through said retaining means; a capture slide movably mounted adjacent said retaining means, said capture slide including means defining a second plurality of holes to allow said object to pass therethrough, said capture slide movable to a first position in which said second holes in said capture slide are not in alignment with said first holes in said retaining means and a second position in which said second holes in said capture slide are in alignment with said first holes in said retaining means; a containing slide, movably mounted adjacent said capture slide, said containing slide including means defining a first plurality of spaces to allow said object to pass therethrough, said containing slide movable to a first position in which said first spaces in said containing slide are not in alignment with said first holes in said retaining means and a second position in which said first spaces in said containing slide are in alignment with said first holes in said retaining means; and whereby, when said capture slide is in said first position and said containing slide is in said second position, then said object is contained in said retaining means by the cooperation of said containing slide and said retaining means.