SAMPLE TUBE ENTRY PORT FOR A CHEMICAL ANALYZER

摘要

A sample tube entry port (20) for an automatic chemical analyzer supports individual draw tubes (27) that are manually delivered to the analyzer at a sample access station (B). The entry port (20) facilitates removal of samples by a pipette (18) without exposing operating personnel to accidental contact with liquid materials in the draw tube (27). To accommodate draw tubes (27) of differing heights, the apparatus includes a stripper (167) that is selectively locked onto an elevationally movable ram (140) carrying a receptacle (141) for receiving a draw tube (27). A spring-biased tube clamp (146) urges each draw tube (27) against guides (142) within the receptacle (141) to center draw tubes of differing diameters. During operation of the apparatus, the receptacle (141) is first lowered to a predetermined elevation, then raised to an intermediate elevation at which a draw tube closure (162) is properly positioned for placement of the stripper (167) immediately adjacent to its upper surface. The stripper (167) is locked relative to the ram (140) in this elevational relationship, which is maintained as the closure (162) is impaled on the puncture tube (161) and/or the pipette (18) that accesses the contents of the draw tube (27).