Slide feeder with air bearing conveyor
US6905300B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/0479
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A slide loading mechanism utilizes compressed air as the transport medium to move the slides from a magazine to the stage of a microscope. The stage is provided with a carriage moving horizontally along a direct path between the stage and the magazine. A conveyor coupled to the carriage includes a tongue suitable for positioning under the slide of interest in the magazine when the carriage is at one end of its travel path, so that the slide may be picked up for translation to the stage of the microscope. When the carriage is moved to the opposite end of its travel path, the tongue is completely removed from the magazine, which may be freely moved vertically by an elevator to align another slide for processing. Directional air flow is used to suspend and transport the slide back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.