Coverslip pick-up apparatus and method

A coverslip pick-up and transfer head (10) comprises a pair of spaced suction cups (26) which are angled downwardly and outwardly. A spring loaded plunger (13) in an extended condition extends below the suction cups such that when a coverslip (16) is held by the suction cups it is flexed in a concave shape. A solenoid (15), when energised, retracts the plunger against the spring force. In use a coverslip magazine containing a stack of coverslips is raised under the head causing the plunger to retract until the suction cups contact the coverslips. Vacuum is applied to the suction cups and the magazine lowered whereby the coverslip is held by the suction cups and flexed into a concave shape. The solenoid is energised momentarily causing the plunger to retract and extend thereby delivering a gentle flexural pulse to the coverslip causing any further coverslip adhered to the underside of the top coverslip to be released and returned to the magazine. A coverslip laydown head includes a pivotal lever which is spring biased to provide a progressive force along the coverlip as it is layed on a slide at an ever decreasing angle to thereby cause mountant on the slide to spread evenly over the slide with a uniform wavefront.