Patent EP0289946A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0289946A2
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Apparatus for distributing sample liquid
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-04-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes. It has distribution tips (3) and air-supply devices (23) for supplying air to the tips (3) at a low rate. The tips (3) are lowered into the source tubes (10), while air is flowing from the devices (23) and through the tips (3). The moment the tips (3) reach the surface levels of the liquids (12) contained in the source tubes (10), the air pressure changes. When this change is detected, the tips (3) start sucking the liquids (12) from the source tubes (10). An apparatus similar to the above-mentioned one. It has distribution units (31 ∼ 35) each having a tip (3), a lever (60) having a slit (61), and pins (51 ∼ 54) projecting from the units (31 ∼ 35) and inserted in the slit (61). The lever (60) is rotated, changing the interval between the distribution units (31 ∼ 35) to the interval between the source or the destination tubes held in a rack. A similar apparatus which has distribution tips (3) and a tray (81). The tray (81) is kept away from below the tips (3) while the sample liquids (12) are being sucked into the tips (3) from the source tubes (10) or being distributed from the tips (3) into the destination tubes, and is placed below the tips (3) while the tips (3) are being moved. A similar apparatus which has distribution units (31 ∼ 35) each having a tip (3), and a jig (100) having cut-outs (101 ∼ 105). The jig (100) holds tips (3) in the cut-outs (101 ∼ 105) as the distribution units (31 ∼ 35) are moved upward from the jig (100), whereby the tips (3) are detached from the units (31 ∼ 35).
Inventors
- 👤 Teruaki Itoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/14; G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1065; G01N35/1067; A61B5/145; A61B5/1468; G01N35/1009; G01N35/1016; G01N2035/1018; G01N2035/1025; G01N2035/1027; G01N2035/103; G01N2035/1069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of distribution tips (3) each having a distal end capable of being inserted into the source test tubes (10) and the destination test tubes; a plurality of air pipes (20) having two ends each, and connected at the first end to said distribution tips (3); a plurality of changeover valves (21) connected to the second ends of said air pipes (20) and having two air-inlet ports (21a, 21b) each; a plurality of air-supplying devices (23) connected to the first air-inlet ports (21a) of said changeover valves; a plurality of pressure detectors (24) connected to said air-supplying devices (23), for detecting changes in the pressure of the air being supplied from said air-supplying devices (23) and generating a signal upon detecting a change in the air pressure; a plurality of air cylinders (26) connected to said changeover valves (21), for causing said distribution tips (3) to suck the sample liquid (12) from the source test tubes (10) and distribute the sample liquid (12) into the destination test tubes; and means electrically connected to said pressure detectors (24), for disconnecting the first air-inlet port (21a) of any one of said changeover valves (21) from the air-supplying device (23) and connecting the second air-inlet port (21b) of the changeover valve (21) to said air cylinder (26), in response to the signal generated by said pressure detector (24) electrically connected to the changeover valve (21).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of distribution tips (3) each having a distal end capable of being inserted into the source test tubes (10) and the destination test tubes; a plurality of air pipes (20) having two ends each, and connected at the first end to said distribution tips (3); a plurality of changeover valves (21) connected to the second ends of said air pipes (20) and having two air-inlet ports (21a, 21b) each; a plurality of air-supplying devices (23) connected to the first air-inlet ports (21a) of said changeover valves; a plurality of pressure detectors (24) connected to said air-supplying devices (23), for detecting changes in the pressure of the air being supplied from said air-supplying devices (23) and generating a signal upon detecting a change in the air pressure; a plurality of air cylinders (26) connected to said changeover valves (21), for causing said distribution tips (3) to suck the sample liquid (12) from the source test tubes (10) and distribute the sample liquid (12) into the destination test tubes; and means electrically connected to said pressure detectors (24), for disconnecting the first air-inlet port (21a) of any one of said changeover valves (21) from the air-supplying device (23) and connecting the second air-inlet port (21b) of the changeover valve (21) to said air cylinder (26), in response to the signal generated by said pressure detector (24) electrically connected to the changeover valve (21).
Claim 3
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a sample-distributing section (30) including a plurality of distribution units (31 ∼ 35) spaced apart at regular intervals and each having a distribution tip (3); a mechanism for moving said distribution units (31 ∼ 35) in one direction, thereby to change the regular interval among said distribution units (31 ∼ 35), said mechanism including a plurality of pins (51 ∼ 54) fastened either directly or indirectly to said distribution units (31 ∼ 35) and arranged in a line inclined to the direction in which to move said distribution units (31 ∼ 35), a lever (60) having a slit (61) receiving said pins (51 ∼ 54) and pivotally coupled at one end to a fixed member (35), and drive means (71 ∼ 73) for rotating said lever (60) around said end.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a sample-distributing section (30) including a plurality of distribution units (31 ∼ 35) spaced apart at regular intervals and each having a distribution tip (3); a mechanism for moving said distribution units (31 ∼ 35) in one direction, thereby to change the regular interval among said distribution units (31 ∼ 35), said mechanism including a plurality of pins (51 ∼ 54) fastened either directly or indirectly to said distribution units (31 ∼ 35) and arranged in a line inclined to the direction in which to move said distribution units (31 ∼ 35), a lever (60) having a slit (61) receiving said pins (51 ∼ 54) and pivotally coupled at one end to a fixed member (35), and drive means (71 ∼ 73) for rotating said lever (60) around said end.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a sample-distributing section (30) including a plurality of distribution units (31 ∼ 35) each having a distribution tip (3); a drive mechanism for moving said sample-distributing section (30) with a predetermined space; and a tray mechanism (80) including a tray (81) and a drive cylinder (83) coupled to said tray (81), for placing said tray (81) out of a position below said distribution tips (3) while said sample liquids (12) are being sucked into said tips (3) from the source test tubes (10) or being distributed into the destination test tubes from said distribution tips (3), and placing said tray (81) below said distribution tips (3) while said sample-distributing section (30) is being moved.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a sample-distributing section (30) including a plurality of distribution units (31 ∼ 35) each having a distribution tip (3); a drive mechanism for moving said sample-distributing section (30) with a predetermined space; and a tray mechanism (80) including a tray (81) and a drive cylinder (83) coupled to said tray (81), for placing said tray (81) out of a position below said distribution tips (3) while said sample liquids (12) are being sucked into said tips (3) from the source test tubes (10) or being distributed into the destination test tubes from said distribution tips (3), and placing said tray (81) below said distribution tips (3) while said sample-distributing section (30) is being moved.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a sample-distributing section (30) including a plurality of distribution units (31 ∼ 35) each having a distribution having a proximal end, a plug (93) capable of being inserted into the proximal end of the tip (3), and an O-ring (95) mounted on the periphery of the plug (93); a jig (100) having a plurality of semicircular cut-outs (101 ∼ 105) which have such a radius that plugs (93) can be inserted into cut-outs (101 ∼ 105), but the proximal ends of the tips (3) cannot be inserted into the cut-outs (101 ∼ 105); and means for moving said sample-distributing section (30) relative to said jig (100) such that said plugs (93) are pulled out of said tips (3), thereby to detach said tips (3) from said distribution units (31 ∼ 35).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
150 words
An apparatus for distributing sample liquids (12) from source test tubes (10) into destination test tubes, said apparatus comprising: a sample-distributing section (30) including a plurality of distribution units (31 ∼ 35) each having a distribution having a proximal end, a plug (93) capable of being inserted into the proximal end of the tip (3), and an O-ring (95) mounted on the periphery of the plug (93); a jig (100) having a plurality of semicircular cut-outs (101 ∼ 105) which have such a radius that plugs (93) can be inserted into cut-outs (101 ∼ 105), but the proximal ends of the tips (3) cannot be inserted into the cut-outs (101 ∼ 105); and means for moving said sample-distributing section (30) relative to said jig (100) such that said plugs (93) are pulled out of said tips (3), thereby to detach said tips (3) from said distribution units (31 ∼ 35).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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