EP0403905A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apparatus for liquid sample aliquot distribution
Assignee: F Hoffmann La Roche AG
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Filing: 1990-06-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-06-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically distributing on a continuous basis aliquot portions of a liquid sample (10) to a plurality of test tubes (11) and preferably dividing the tubes containing said aliquot portions of the sample into testing categories (a-p). The apparatus includes tube conveying means (1a,1b), labeling means, data reading means (3), external pressure sample distributing means (7) and tube sorting means (300).
Inventors
- 👤 David Vaughan Fansler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1009; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0401; G01N2035/0406; G01N2035/0412; G01N2035/0415; G01N2035/046; G01N2035/0467; G01N2035/047; G01N2035/1025; G01N2035/1027; G01N2035/1048; G01N2035/1051; G01N35/1081; G01N35/1083; G01N2035/1086; G01N35/00584; G01N35/00722; G01N35/00732
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for automatically distributing aliquot portions of a liquid sample to a pluraliry of test tubes on a continuous basis comprising: (a) a first test tube conveying means capable of carrying a plurality of original sample test tubes containing each an original liquid sample to be tested, said sample test tubes being labeled and identified according to identity and analytical tests to be performed on the original samples; (b) a second test tube conveying means capable of carrying a plurality of empty receiving test tubes for receiving aliquot portions of each original liquid sample; (c) data reading means for reading from each of the original sample test tubes containing an original sample, data showing the identity of the sample and analytical tests to be performed on said aliquot portions; and (d) means for continuously distributing aliquot portions of an original liquid sample from each of the original sample test tubes to receiving test tubes in amounts sufficient for predetermined analytical testing in accordance with the data read by the data-reading means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for automatically distributing aliquot portions of a liquid sample to a pluraliry of test tubes on a continuous basis comprising: (a) a first test tube conveying means capable of carrying a plurality of original sample test tubes containing each an original liquid sample to be tested, said sample test tubes being labeled and identified according to identity and analytical tests to be performed on the original samples; (b) a second test tube conveying means capable of carrying a plurality of empty receiving test tubes for receiving aliquot portions of each original liquid sample; (c) data reading means for reading from each of the original sample test tubes containing an original sample, data showing the identity of the sample and analytical tests to be performed on said aliquot portions; and (d) means for continuously distributing aliquot portions of an original liquid sample from each of the original sample test tubes to receiving test tubes in amounts sufficient for predetermined analytical testing in accordance with the data read by the data-reading means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, which additionally comprises (e) means for sorting said receiving test tubes containing said aliquot portions into predetermined categories according to the nature of the analytical testing to be performed as determined by said data-reading means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means described in (d) comprises external pressure means and means for inserting a dispensing device responsive to said pressure means into each of said original sample test tubes, said device being responsive to a predetermined volume of air for dispensing said aliquot portions to said receiving test tubes by means of positive air displacement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said dispensing device comprises A. a hollow shaft including a side wall defining an interior, said hollow shaft having an upper and end and a lower end; B. a piston fit filter means located in and closing the bottom end of the hollow shaft; C. a transfer tube means having a first end located within the interior of the hollow shaft and a second and located outside the hollow shaft; and D. closure means located in the upper end of the hollow shaft for closing the hollow shaft, said closure means including a fitting for receiving the external air pressure source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 4, which additionally comprises (f) means for positioning each of said original sample test tube, on a continuous basis, in close proximity to one or more of said empty receiving test tubes, whereby said transfer tube means of said dispensing device can be positioned over the open ends of said empty receiving test tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 5, which additionally comprises (e) means for sorting said receiving test tubes containing said aliquot portions into predetermined categories according to the nature of the analytical testing to be performed as determined by said data-reading means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said sorting means comprises means for removing said receiving test tubes containing said aliquot portions from said second test tube conveying means, and means for placing said test tubes into predetermined positions according to the analytical tests to be performed thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for removing said receiving test tubes comprise elevator rods located beneath each of said test tubes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for placing said test tubes into said predetermined positions comprise trap door means capable ot allowing said test tubes to rest and ride on said elevator rods, wherein said elevator rods guide said test tubes into said predetermined positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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