Patent · US Expired

Article dispenser apparatus for use in an automated chemical analyzer

US4151931A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
4References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 1978
Grant dateMay 1, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 5, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2035/00089
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A container is disclosed for receiving a stack of articles to be sequentially removed from a dispensing station of the container. A stack positioning element in the container has an anti-backup member including a pair of pawls resiliently urged into engagement with cooperating ratchet teeth on opposed inner wall surfaces of the container to inhibit movement of received articles away from the container's dispensing station. The container is adapted to receive a plunger which provides the required force to sequentially move the stack positioning element and article stack toward the dispensing station as articles are removed therefrom. The element is configured so that pressure from the plunger causes a reduction in the force of engagement of the pawls with the ratchet teeth in order to minimize the force required of the plunger to move the element and article stack toward the dispensing station.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.