Slide basket processing apparatus

Slide basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion on which a plurality of slide storage baskets 4 can be stored and basket moving means for moving baskets along the basket storage portion in the same direction as slides may be unloaded from the baskets 4 through apertures (29 fig 2) therein. The basket storage portion may be a horizontal load rail 2 along which the moving means may move the baskets 4 simultaneously. The moving means may be a pusher driven by a belt 8 and motor 10. The baskets 4 may include various different means (53, 54 fig 3, 56 fig 5, 58 fig 7) to connect to the rail 2. The baskets 4 may include slide retaining members (30 fig 2) for selectively covering at least part of the unloading aperture (29 fig 2). A slide detector may be provided for generating and processing an image of a slide and identifying a property of the slide such as its position or its edge. Also disclosed is a slide transfer mechanism, a sample processing system and a hopper for storing coverslips.