Automated smear generator

An automated smear generator comprising:

• a conveyor means for delivering at least one slide to said conveyor;
• means, at a first stopping position along said conveyor, for depositing a drop of blood on said at least one slide;
• said means for depositing including means for varying a volume of said drop of blood;
• a smearing device located downstream of said means for depositing;
• said smearing device including means for smearing said drop of blood to produce a smeared blood sample;
• said means for smearing including a smearing glass;
• said means for smearing further including means for varying an angle of said smearing glass relative to a surface of said at least one slide;
• said means for smearing further including means for varying a rate of which said smearing glass is drawn across said at least one slide;
• said means for depositing, said means for varying an angle, and said means for varying a rate cooperating to make said smeared blood sample uniform;
• means for cleaning said smearing glass after said smeared blood sample is produced;
• said means for cleaning being operative when said smearing glass is in a vertical position after smearing;
• means for unloading said at least one slide from said conveyor;
• said smearing device further including:
• an arm having a rotary shaft;
• a holder connected to said arm for holding said smearing glass;
• means for moving said holder into a vertical position by rotating said arm;
• said means for moving including a stationary member disposed adjacent to said smearing device;
• and
• stationary member rotating said arm by abutting thereagainst when said smearing device moves toward said means for cleaning.