Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A storage and indexing mechanism for a plurality of sample containers, said mechanism comprising the combination of (a) a portable tray for supporting and guiding a plurality of said sample containers along preselected indexing paths on the tray, (b) a stationary stage for receiving and holding said tray and including (1) means for indexing said sample containers along said indexing paths on said tray when the tray is mounted on said stage, and (2) means for automatically registering said tray and the sample containers thereon with said indexing means when said tray is mounted on said stage, and means for locking said sample containers against sliding movement on said tray when the tray is removed from said stage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A storage and indexing mechanism for a plurality of sample containers, said mechanism comprising the combination of (a) a portable tray for supporting and guiding a plurality of said sample containers along preselected indexing paths on the tray, (b) a stationary stage for receiving and holding said tray and including (1) means for indexing said sample containers along said indexing paths on said tray when the tray is mounted on said stage, and (2) means for automatically registering said tray and the sample containers thereon with said indexing means when said tray is mounted on said stage, and means for locking said sample containers against sliding movement on said tray when the tray is removed from said stage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A storage and indexing mechanism as set forth in claim 1 which includes means for releasably latching said tray to said stage in register with said indexing means, and said locking means is responsive to the release of said latching means for automatically locking the sample containers whenever the tray is released from the stage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
A storage and indexing mechanism for a plurality of sample containers, said mechanism comprising the combination of (a) a portable tray for supporting and guiding a plurality of said sample containers along preselected indexing paths on the tray, (b) a stationary indexing stage for receiving and holding said tray and including: (1) means for releasably latching said tray in a predetermined position on said stage, (2) means for indexing successive groups of said sample containers in the y direction on said tray so as to bring successive containers into register with an x-direction indexing station, (3) and means for indexing individual sample containers in the x direction on said tray at said indexing station, and means for locking said sample containers against sliding movement on said tray in the x direction when the tray is removed from said stage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
A storage and indexing mechanism for a plurality of sample containers, said mechanism comprising the combination of (a) a portable tray for supporting and guiding a plurality of said sample containers along preselected indexing paths on the tray, (b) a stationary indexing stage for receiving and holding said tray and including: (1) means for releasably latching said tray in a predetermined position on said stage, (2) means for indexing successive groups of said sample containers in the y direction on said tray so as to bring successive containers into register with an x-direction indexing station, (3) and means for indexing individual sample containers in the x direction on said tray at said indexing station, and means for locking said sample containers against sliding movement on said tray in the x direction when the tray is removed from said stage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A storage and indexing mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking means is responsive to the release of said latching means for automatically locking the sample containers whenever the tray is released from the stage.