Apparatus comprising a magazine retaining multiple flexible test strips and means for removing a single test strip, and method of dispensing such strips using this apparatus

摘要

Apparatus and a process are disclosed for removing a single flexible member from a magazine capable of holding multiple flexible members. The magazine is designed to contain multiple elongated flexible members such that the bottommost flexible member is retained in the magazine by means of detents positioned on both sides of an opening located at one end of the magazine. The apparatus also comprises a pick-up head or vacuum transport member which is capable of passing through the opening of the magazine and contacting a portion of the bottommost flexible member inside the magazine. By supplying a vacuum through the pick-up head or vacuum transport member the bottommost flexible member can be made to .flex or bend sufficiently as the pick-up head is removed from the opening in the lower end of the magazine to effect the withdrawal of one flexible member (the bottommost flexible member) at a time from said magazine. The invention has particular applicability to the handling of test devices used in the determination of a particular constituent in a liquid sample.