(19)
(11) EP 1 450 162 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
10.11.2004 Bulletin 2004/46

(88) Date of publication A3:
15.09.2004 Bulletin 2004/38

(43) Date of publication:
25.08.2004 Bulletin 2004/35

(21) Application number: 04010903.5

(22) Date of filing: 24.03.1993
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 35/04, B65G 47/14, B65G 47/256
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI

(30) Priority: 27.03.1992 US 859218
20.07.1992 US 916556
20.07.1992 US 917253
20.07.1992 US 915168
20.07.1992 US 915166
20.07.1992 US 917634
20.07.1992 US 916425
20.07.1992 US 916551
20.07.1992 US 915164
20.07.1992 US 915167
18.03.1993 US 27269
18.03.1993 US 27482

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
93908571.8 / 0746769

(71) Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Abbott Park, IL 60064-6008 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Clark, Frederic L.
    Plano TX 75023 (US)
  • Clift, Gilbert
    Mesquite TX 75150 (US)
  • Hendrick, Kendall B.
    Southlake TX 76092 (US)
  • Kanewske, William J. III.
    Dallas TX 75208 (US)
  • Lagocki, Peter A.
    Park Ridge IL 60068 (US)
  • Martin, Richard R.
    Dallas, TX 75208 (US)
  • Mitchell, James E.
    Lake Barrington, IL 60010 (US)
  • Moore, Larry W.
    Plano TX 75075 (US)
  • Pennington, Charles D.
    Blacksburg VA 24022 (US)
  • Walker, Edna S.
    Chicago IL 60618 (US)
  • Smith, Jane B.
    Vernon Hills IL 60061 (US)
  • Tayi, Apparao
    Grayslake IL 60030 (US)
  • Vaught, James A.
    Bedford, TX 76021 (US)
  • Yost, David A.
    Poolesville MD 20837 (US)
  • Rumbaugh, William
    Carollton TX 75006 (US)
  • Winter, Gary E.
    Hanover Park IL 60103 (US)
  • Hance, Robert B.
    Evanston IL 60202 (US)
  • Stanton, Alyn K.
    Barrington IL 60010 (US)
  • Oleksak, Carl M.
    Fort Worth TX 76118 (US)
  • Watkins, William E. III.
    Cedar Hill TX 75104 (US)
  • Vickstrom, Richard L.
    Algonquin IL 60102 (US)
  • Cloonan, Kevin M.
    Round Lake IL 60088 (US)
  • Wohlford Robert A.
    Irving TX 75062 (US)
  • Hills, David B. Jr.
    Plano TX 75025 (US)
  • Schrier, Paul R.
    Carrollton TX 75007 (US)

(74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing. et al
Modiano, Josif, Pisanty & Staub, Baaderstrasse 3
80469 München
80469 München (DE)

 
Remarks:
This application was filed on 07 - 05 - 2004 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 62.
 


(54) Cartridge feeder apparatus


(57) A cartridge feeder apparatus for automated diagnostic systems is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a cartridge hopper means for receiving, storing and feeding cartridges (68) to a cartridge orientation mechanism, the cartridge orientation mechanism comprised of two opposed engageable orientation means (239) for engaging and disengaging a cartridge at each end of the cartridge. The cartridge has a funnel opening at a first end and a generally flat bottom at a second end.