The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for handling slides. The apparatus includes a carrier comprising a retention hole and a cartridge having a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier. At least one of the separators comprises a guide hole, with all guide holes are disposed on a first axis. The retention hole of the carrier is aligned with the first axis when the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments. The cartridge also comprises a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.

A conveying device includes a carrier which includes a holder side member; a conveying passage which guides conveyance of the carrier; a spirally-shaped spiral member which is arranged below the carrier and extends along the conveying passage, the spiral member causing between the spiral member and the holder side member a first force which acts in a direction away from the holder side member or a second force which acts to draw in the holder side member; a partition wall portion which is provided between the carrier and the spiral member and partitions the carrier and the spiral member; and a rotary unit which rotates the spiral member axis-wise thereof.

The invention relates to a device, a system and a method for transportation, separation and orientation in a head up position of cuvettes. The invention also relates to using the device or the system for transportation, separation and orientation in head up position of the cuvettes. The device comprises a pipe, a rotating auger, a motor, a guiding plate and a slide rail. The system further comprises at least one cuvette.

A carrying apparatus includes a holder which houses an object to be carried and which comprises a holder side member; a carrying path which guides the movement of the holder; a helical member which generates, between the holder side member and the helical member, a first force in a direction to depart from the holder side member or a second force to attract the holder side member and which is disposed along the carrying path; and a rotation unit which rotates the helical member.

A system for positioning a cartridge is disclosed. The system has a drive rod with a body having a first axis and a groove formed in the body. The groove has a first portion that is not perpendicular to the first axis and a second portion that is perpendicular to the first axis. The system also includes a collar that coupled to the drive rod. The collar has an element configured to engage the groove. Rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged in the first portion of the thread causes the collar to move with respect to the first axis. Rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged with the second portion of the thread causes the collar to remain stationary with respect to the first axis.

The present disclosure provides a system for handling slides. The system includes a carrier having a linear engagement feature and a notch, a cartridge having a compartment configured to accept the carrier, and a cartridge positioning system with a platform configured to accept the cartridge and an actuator. The actuator has a rotary engagement feature configured to engage the linear engagement feature and a tab configured to interact with the notch when the carrier is accepted into the compartment and the cartridge is accepted onto the platform.

A slide handling system is disclosed. The system has a carrier comprising a retention hole, a compartment configured to accept the carrier, and a spacer disposed so as to engage the retention hole when the carrier is fully seated in the compartment.

A spindle drive comprising a threaded spindle with an external thread, a spindle nut with an internal thread that is in engagement with the external thread of the threaded spindle, characterized in that the external thread of the threaded spindle has multiple threaded areas that are separated from each other by first flattenings on their circumference extending in the longitudinal direction, and the first flattenings have guide areas that abut the core diameter of the internal thread of the spindle nut.

The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for handling slides. The apparatus includes a carrier comprising a retention hole and a cartridge having a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier. At least one of the separators comprises a guide hole, with all guide holes are disposed on a first axis. The retention hole of the carrier is aligned with the first axis when the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments. The cartridge also comprises a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.

A spindle drive comprising a threaded spindle with an external thread, a spindle nut with an internal thread that is in engagement with the external thread of the threaded spindle, characterized in that the external thread of the threaded spindle has multiple threaded areas that are separated from each other by first flattenings on their circumference extending in the longitudinal direction, and the first flattenings have guide areas that abut the core diameter of the internal thread of the spindle nut.