Waste ramp for reagent cards

摘要

An automated analyzer for reagent cards having a leading end, a trailing end and a length between the leading end and the trailing end comprises a travel surface assembly having a card travel surface and an edge. A test analyzing mechanism is adjacent to the travel surface, and a waste receptacle is adjacent to the edge below the travel surface. The waste receptacle has a side and a waste cavity. A ramp member positioned below the travel surface has an end and a sloped surface, and is movable between an extended position where the sloped surface extends into the waste cavity, and a retracted position where the end is spaced from the side a distance greater than the length of the reagent card. A moving mechanism operably coupled with the ramp member is configured to move the ramp member between the extended position and the retracted position.

主权项

1. An automated analyzer for a reagent card having a leading end, a trailing end and a length between the leading end and the trailing end, the analyzer comprising:
a travel surface assembly having a card travel surface and an edge; a test analyzing mechanism adjacent to the card travel surface; a waste receptacle positioned adjacent to the edge of the travel surface assembly and below the card travel surface, the waste receptacle having a side spaced a distance away from the edge of the travel surface assembly greater than the length of the reagent card, and a waste cavity; a ramp member positioned below the card travel surface, the ramp member having an end and a sloped surface, and the ramp member being movable between an extended position where the sloped surface extends beyond the edge of the card travel surface assembly and into the waste cavity such that the end of the ramp member is spaced from the side of the waste receptacle a distance less than the length of the reagent card, and a retracted position where the end of the ramp member is spaced from the side of the waste receptacle a distance greater than the length of the reagent card; a comb positioned below the edge of the travel surface assembly, the comb being biased to extend a distance from the edge and at least partially above the sloped surface of the ramp member when the ramp member is in the extended position to prevent the reagent card from sliding up the sloped surface of the ramp member as the ramp member is moved toward the retracted position, wherein the ramp member comprises a comb-retracting protrusion and wherein the comb comprises a corresponding tab configured to engage the comb-retracting protrusion when the ramp member approaches the retracted position; and a moving mechanism operably coupled with the ramp member and configured to move the ramp member between the extended position and the retracted position.