Patent ID: 9011773
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: B05C,B05D,B60T,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A smearing subsystem for use in an automated slide preparation apparatus, the smearing subsystem comprising: a smear cartridge including an input reel; a take-up reel; a smearing tape having a plurality of perforations formed therein, wherein the smearing tape is initially wound within the input reel and coupled to the take-up reel such that the smearing tape can be drawn from the input reel into the take-up reel, and a deflection component configured to deflect each of the plurality of smearing tape perforations to create a blade that extends from the smearing tape to expose a smear surface as the smearing tape is drawn into the take-up reel; and a slide transport surface configured to move a slide across the exposed smear surface.