Cuvette rail

In order to provide a cuvet bar (100) for accommodating substances to be optically examined, preferably for use in automated analysis operations, which possesses serially disposed measuring cuvets (11) that are open on one side and interconnected with the aperture area, which guarantees a safe and perfect handling and analysis, it is proposed that the cuvet bar (100) is to possess a handling and mounting member (10) which possesses an essentially cubic basic configuration and in which at least one asymmetrically disposed recess is provided.

What is claimed is:

1. A cuvet bar (100) for the accommodation of substances to be optically examined, preferably for use in automated analysis apparatus, which possesses measuring cuvets disposed in series that are open at one end and interconnected within an aperture region, characterized in that

a) the cuvet bar (100) is provided with a handling and mounting member (10), which possesses an essentially cubic basic configuration, wherein at least one asymmetrically disposed indentation is to be found, into which indentation a corresponding part of the analysis apparatus engages, the cuvet aperture region jutting above the mounting member and

b) a metal foil or plastic film covering each cuvet aperture, the foil or film protected on all sides from accidental removal by the handling and mounting member.

2. Cuvet bar according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

in the handling and mounting member (10), measuring cuvets (11) are disposed at uniform intervals and in symmetrical arrangement, in which case the measuring cuvets (11) project with their closed side (16) from the handling and mounting member (10) and in that the measuring cuvets (11) project with the rim (15) of their aperture (14) above the handling and mounting member (10).

3. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the asymmetrically disposed indentation is comprised of a semicircular indentation (23) on one of the front ends (18,19) of the handling and mounting member (10).

4. Cuvet bar according to claim 1, characterized in that the asymmetrically disposed indentation is comprised of a window (24) disposed within a marginal area of a side wall (21,22) of the handling and mounting member (10).

5. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that several asymmetrically disposed recesses are provided in the cuvet bar (100).

6. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the handling and mounting member (10) is constructed so as to be hollow and open on an underside (12).

7. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring cuvets (11), with a closed side (16), project with approximately one third their total length from an underside (12) of the handling and mounting member (10).

8. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that, between measuring cuvets (11) and externally located measuring cuvets (11) and front ends (18,19), a web (20) is disposed in each case.

9. Cuvet bar according to claim 8, characterized in that the web (20) proceeds parallel to the front ends (18,19) and so as to take up cross-sectional area or a part of the cross-sectional area of the handling and mounting member (10).

10. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring cuvets (11) possess a cylindrical cross section.

11. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring cuvets (11) possess an angular cross section.

12. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring cuvets (11) possess areas having different cross-sectional profiles.

13. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring cuvets (11), in the direction of closed side (16), taper slightly conically.

14. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that a closed side (16) of the measuring cuvets (11) possesses a flat bottom.

15. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that a closed side (16) of the measuring cuvets (11) possesses a three-dimensionally configured bottom.

16. The cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the cuvet bar (100) including the handling and mounting member (10) is comprised of one piece.

17. The cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the cuvet bar is comprised of the handling and mounting member (10) which, on its top side (13), is provided with apertures wherein the measuring cuvets (11) are clampingly retained in their rim area.

18. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the cuvet bar (100) possesses an even number of measuring cuvets (11).

19. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the cuvet bar (100) possesses an odd number of measuring cuvets (11).

20. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that side wall (21,22) are provided with optical characters and/or machine-readable lettering, such as a bar code.

21. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the cuvet bar (100) is comprised of plastic selected from the class comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene or suchlike.

22. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the cuvet bar is comprised of glass.

23. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that a cuvet part (100) is an injection-molded part.

24. Cuvet bar according to claim 23,

characterized in that

the bottom of the measuring cuvets (11), on their exterior, carry one sprayed-on point each.

25. Cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring cuvets (11), in the side of their rims, are closed by means of a sealing foil.

26. Cuvet bar according to claim 25,

characterized in that

the sealing foil is comprised of alumimium.

27. Cuvet bar according to claim 25,

characterized in that

the sealing foil is comprised of plastic.

28. Cuvet bar according to claim 25,

characterized in that

the sealing foil is comprised of a composite material of aluminium and plastic foil.

29. A cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that the measuring cuvets (11) are provided with reagent fluid.

30. A cuvet bar according to claim 1 characterized in that a stirring member is incorporated into the measuring cuvets (11).