AUTOMATIC CHEMISTRY ANALYZER WITH SAMPLE CUP STOPPER PIERCING ASSEMBLY

摘要

The invention provides an apparatus for piercing the cap of a container. The apparatus includes a blade support arm slidably attached to one or mare vertical posts, a blade attached vertically below the blade support arm, and a cap retainer arm slidably attached to the vertical post such that the cap retainer arm is capable of travel along the posts between an upper position wherein the cap contacting surface is located above the elevation of the container cap and a lower position wherein the cap contacting surface is located at the elevation of the container cap. The cap retainer arm has an opening through which the blade can pass. A biasing member biases the cap retainer arm towards its lower position. The cap retainer arm is positioned below the blade but above the blade support arm contact surface. Thus, when the blade support arm slides upwardly, the blade support arm contacts the cap retainer arm and pushes the cap retainer arm upwardly from its lower position to its upper position.