Apparatus for testing a liquid sample

Apparatus for testing at least one liquid sample, by immersion therein of a probe for coaction between said probe and sample, having a reloadable sample carrier for at least one sample container;

• a reloadable probe carrier for at least one probe;
• a frame having a plurality of locations each for a set of probe and sample carriers and including locating means for relatively locating a set of sample carrier and probe carrier laterally in the frame;
• parallel motion means for guiding the probe longitudinally into the sample container and stop means for locating the probe at a predetermined distance into the sample container;
• locking means preventing the probe from being withdrawn more than a predetermined distance in the outward direction from the sample container;
• timing and control means for releasing said locking means after a predetermined time;
• and self acting withdrawal means for withdrawing the probe and probe carrier to a position clear of the sample container;
• and wherein each set of probe carrier and sample carrier are all formed with characteristic mutually associable portions whereby a given one of the plurality of locations in the frame can be occupied only by an individual probe carrier and an individual corresponding sample carrier.