EP0243915A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for distributing liquid samples among test tubes and for dividing the test tubes into groups
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-04-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A sample-transporting path (11) is provided which includes holders (14a-14o) for holding containers (12a-12o), either empty or filled with liquid samples, a conveyor (11) for conveying the holders, and guide plates. The guide plates guide the holders holding filled containers to a first position where liquid samples will be sucked from some of the filled containers. Each of the holders (14a-14e) has first and second annular grooves (52a, 52b) cut in the outer periphery. The guide plates are guide edges horizontally protruding from two parallel walls forming the path (11). These guide edges are inserted in the first annular groove of the holder. A stopper is provided at the first position. The stopper has a stopper pin (50a) which thrusts into the gap between the second annular grooves (52b) of any two adjacent holders, thereby stopping the holders (14a-14e) located downstream of the path (11) with respect to the stopper pin (50a).
Inventors
- 👤 Teruaki Itoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1065; G01N35/00584; G01N35/00722; G01N35/00732; G01N35/02; G01N35/021; G01N2035/00742; G01N2035/00752; G01N2035/00782; G01N2035/00861; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0401; G01N2035/0403; G01N2035/0405; G01N2035/0406; G01N2035/046; G01N2035/0467; G01N2035/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A liquid-distributing apparatus characterized by comprising: a sample-transporting means (11) including holders (14a-14o) for holding containers (12a-12o), a conveyor (58) for conveying the holders, and guide means (54a, 55a) for guiding the holders to a first position where liquid samples will be sucked from some of the containers held by some of the holders, each holder being a hollow cylinder having at least two annular grooves (52a, 52b) cut in its outer periphery, said guide means having guide edges (54a, 55a) insertable in the first annular groove (52a) of the holder; data-reading means (18) for reading, from each of the containers containing a liquid sample, data showing items for which the sample will be analyzed and data showing the identity of the sample; means (31) for transporting the holders (33a-33j) holding empty containers in the same number as the items of analysis to a second position where each liquid sample will be distributed among the empty containers; means (39, 40) for distributing the liquid sample in small quantities from each of the containers (12a-12e) located in said first position, among the containers (32a-32e) located in said second position, in accordance with the data read by the data-reading means (18); and means (26, 74a-74f) for dividing the containers containing the small quantities of the liquid samples into groups in accordance with the data read by the data-reading means (18).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A liquid-distributing apparatus characterized by comprising: a sample-transporting means (11) including holders (14a-14o) for holding containers (12a-12o), a conveyor (58) for conveying the holders, and guide means (54a, 55a) for guiding the holders to a first position where liquid samples will be sucked from some of the containers held by some of the holders, each holder being a hollow cylinder having at least two annular grooves (52a, 52b) cut in its outer periphery, said guide means having guide edges (54a, 55a) insertable in the first annular groove (52a) of the holder; data-reading means (18) for reading, from each of the containers containing a liquid sample, data showing items for which the sample will be analyzed and data showing the identity of the sample; means (31) for transporting the holders (33a-33j) holding empty containers in the same number as the items of analysis to a second position where each liquid sample will be distributed among the empty containers; means (39, 40) for distributing the liquid sample in small quantities from each of the containers (12a-12e) located in said first position, among the containers (32a-32e) located in said second position, in accordance with the data read by the data-reading means (18); and means (26, 74a-74f) for dividing the containers containing the small quantities of the liquid samples into groups in accordance with the data read by the data-reading means (18).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (74a-74f) for dividing the containers has a main plate (74a-2) projecting into said sample-transporting path (31), and an auxiliary plate (74a-4) connected to one side of the main plate, said main plate and said auxiliary plate cooperating to push one container (33a), while the main plate is stopping the next container (33b).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (11) for transporting the holders. holding. containers includes a stopper (24a) having a stopper pin (50a) capable of thrusting into the gap between the second annular grooves (52b) of two adjacent holders (14a, 14b).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said conveyor (58) is continuously driven, and any container can be stopped at a predetermined position on said conveyor when said stopper pin (50a) thrusts into the gap between the second annular groove (52b) of the holder (14b) holding this container (12b) and the second annular groove (52b) of the holder (14a) holding the preceding container (12a).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (39, 40) for distributing the liquid samples has disposable nozzles (62a-62e) which are inserted into said containers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said data is represented by a bar code (17).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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