Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A filter for a centrifuge tube, the centrifuge tube being a cylindrical tube of a first length which is closed at a lower end and open at an upper end and including an upper portion adjacent the upper end and a lower portion adjacent the lower end, the centrifuge tube further including a flexible connecting member of a predetermined length and a cap, the connecting member being attached at one end to the centrifuge tube and at the other end to the cap, the filter comprising: a cylindrical filter tube of a second length less than the first length adapted to be fit in axial alignment within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube and to seal the open upper end of the centrifuge tube, the filter tube having an opening at its upper end; means for positioning the filter tube in a predetermined position within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube; the opening at the upper end of the filter tube being adapted to be sealed by the cap with the connecting member securing the filter tube in the predetermined position within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube; filter support means disposed at a lower end of the filter tube; a pressure filter retained in the lower end of the filter tube by the filter support means for separating permeable materials from non-permeable materials; and vent means for allowing air to escape from the centrifuge tube as the permeable material passes through the filter, wherein a predetermined amount of a mixture of permeable and non-permeable materials placed in the filter tube will be separated when the composite centrifuge tube and filter tube are spun in a centrifuge such that the non-permeable materials are retained in the filter tube and the permeable materials which pass through the pressure filter are collected in the lower portion of the centrifuge tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
311 words
A filter for a centrifuge tube, the centrifuge tube being a cylindrical tube of a first length which is closed at a lower end and open at an upper end and including an upper portion adjacent the upper end and a lower portion adjacent the lower end, the centrifuge tube further including a flexible connecting member of a predetermined length and a cap, the connecting member being attached at one end to the centrifuge tube and at the other end to the cap, the filter comprising: a cylindrical filter tube of a second length less than the first length adapted to be fit in axial alignment within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube and to seal the open upper end of the centrifuge tube, the filter tube having an opening at its upper end; means for positioning the filter tube in a predetermined position within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube; the opening at the upper end of the filter tube being adapted to be sealed by the cap with the connecting member securing the filter tube in the predetermined position within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube; filter support means disposed at a lower end of the filter tube; a pressure filter retained in the lower end of the filter tube by the filter support means for separating permeable materials from non-permeable materials; and vent means for allowing air to escape from the centrifuge tube as the permeable material passes through the filter, wherein a predetermined amount of a mixture of permeable and non-permeable materials placed in the filter tube will be separated when the composite centrifuge tube and filter tube are spun in a centrifuge such that the non-permeable materials are retained in the filter tube and the permeable materials which pass through the pressure filter are collected in the lower portion of the centrifuge tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The filter of claim l, wherein the means for positioning the filter tube comprises a cylindrical flange on the upper end of the filter tube having a diameter larger than the internal diameter of the centrifuge tube so that the flange sits on the upper end of the centrifuge tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The filter of claim 2, wherein the filter tube includes a pair of projecting ears extending from the flange for grasping the filter tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The filter of claim l, wherein the vent means comprises a groove on the outer surface of the filter tube connecting the interior of the centrifuge tube with the atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The filter of claim l, wherein the filter support means comprises an array of spaced perpendicularly disposed bars.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The filter of claim 5, wherein the filter support means includes two arrays of parallel spaced bars which are perpendicularly disposed one above the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The filter of claim l, wherein the pressure filter is disposed within the filter tube on the filter support means, and the bottom of the filter tube includes a peripheral shoulder to which the periphery of the pressure filter is sealed to prevent liquid from escaping around the edges of the pressure filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The filter of claim 7, wherein both the filter tube and the pressure filter are made of plastic and the periphery of the pressure filter is heat sealed to the filter tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The filter of claim l, wherein the bottom of the filter tube has a shallow conical shape to promote flow of the permeable material through the filter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
252 words
l0. A filter for a centrifuge tube, the centrifuge tube being a cylindrical tube of a first length which is closed at a lower end and open at an upper end and including an upper portion adjacent the upper end and a lower portion adjacent the lower end, the filter comprising: a cylindrical filter tube of a second length less than the first length adapted to be fit in axial alignment within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube and to seal the open upper end of the centrifuge tube, the filter tube having an opening at its upper end; means for positioning the filter tube in a predetermined position within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube; filter support means disposed at a lower end of the filter tube; a pressure filter retained in the lower end of the filter tube by the filter support means for separating permeable materials from non-permeable materials; vent means for allowing air to escape from the centrifuge tube as the permeable material passes through the filter; and a cap for sealing the opening at the upper end of the filter tube, wherein a predetermined amount of a mixture of permeable and non-permeable materials placed in the filter tube will be separated when the composite centrifuge tube and filter tube are spun in a centrifuge such that the non-permeable materials are retained in the filter tube and the permeable materials which pass through the pressure filter are collected in the lower portion of the centrifuge tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
252 words
l0. A filter for a centrifuge tube, the centrifuge tube being a cylindrical tube of a first length which is closed at a lower end and open at an upper end and including an upper portion adjacent the upper end and a lower portion adjacent the lower end, the filter comprising: a cylindrical filter tube of a second length less than the first length adapted to be fit in axial alignment within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube and to seal the open upper end of the centrifuge tube, the filter tube having an opening at its upper end; means for positioning the filter tube in a predetermined position within the upper portion of the centrifuge tube; filter support means disposed at a lower end of the filter tube; a pressure filter retained in the lower end of the filter tube by the filter support means for separating permeable materials from non-permeable materials; vent means for allowing air to escape from the centrifuge tube as the permeable material passes through the filter; and a cap for sealing the opening at the upper end of the filter tube, wherein a predetermined amount of a mixture of permeable and non-permeable materials placed in the filter tube will be separated when the composite centrifuge tube and filter tube are spun in a centrifuge such that the non-permeable materials are retained in the filter tube and the permeable materials which pass through the pressure filter are collected in the lower portion of the centrifuge tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The filter of claim l0, wherein the diameter of the filter tube is selected to provide a friction fit within the centrifuge tube.