Drive arrangement for a strip of cuvettes in an analytical device

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive arrangement for a series of cuvettes (C) forming a strip ( 2 ) fixed by means of a film ( 3 ) in an automatic analytical device ( 1 ), comprising at least one toothed belt ( 12 ), the teeth of which engage with the corresponding forms of the cuvettes. The above finds application in an automatic analytical device, particularly for the determination of the rate of change of the physical state of a medium.

1 . Device for driving a series of bowls joined together by a film so as to form a strip in an automatic analysis instrument, this device comprising at least one notched belt whose notches act on the bowls so as to ensure driving of the strip, 
 wherein said bowls have an opening at the level of which two opposing shoulders extend projecting towards the outside of the bowl, said shoulders having configurations which cooperate with the notched belt to ensure at the same time said drive, a centering and an indexing of the bowls.    
     
     
         2 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein said film is fixed to said shoulders and is able to be removed.  
     
     
         3 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein said shoulders each have two oblique edges with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip so that the strip/bowls unit has a rack function.  
     
     
         4 . Device according to  claim 3 , wherein said shoulders have the shape of an isosceles trapezium whose major base is integral with the bowl.  
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral borders of the film each have a serrated profile whose teeth are accentuated by the presence of the shoulders of the bowls.  
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein said belt is an endless belt guided at each extremity by rollers.  
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 6 , wherein at lest one of the rollers is driven in rotation by a motor.  
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the notches of said belt are spaced by a distance equal to a multiple of the width of the bowls.  
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 8 , wherein said notches have an involute to a circle profile corresponding to a rack with a normal teeth shape.  
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein said bowls are fixed and are able to be removed.  
     
     
         11 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein said bowls are guided by a rail.  
     
     
         12 . Device according to  claim 11 , wherein said rail has a U-shaped cross section whose two vertical wings are extended at a right angle by two shoulders.  
     
     
         13 . Device according to  claim 11 , wherein the shoulders of the bowl rest on the shoulders of the rail.