Patent DE1237002B successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0565166A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Sample tube tray and magnetic conveyor
Assignee: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc
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Filing: 1993-03-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-03-27
Abstract
Abstract In clinical analyzers, patient samples need to be conveyed to an aspiration station for application to a test element. The samples are normally stored in test tubes which are mounted on a tray from which the sample is aspirated and dispensed on to the test element. However, such trays are designed to accommodate test tubes of a standard length but will accept shorter tubes after a second support member has been inserted. These support members are not permanently fixed to the tray and can easily be detached therefrom. Described herein is an improved tray (50) and conveyor arrangement (10) for moving patient samples in an analyzer. The tray (50) comprises a base (30) having a magnetic member (36) for responding to a magnetic field, a frame (52) freely rotatably mounted on the base (30)and comprising a plurality of receptacles (60) constructed to receive either sample tubes (T, T') or aspirating tips (t) useful to aspirate sample from a tube, the receptacles (60) including a fixed bottom support (54). The conveyor comprises a support (18), conveying members (26) under the support (18) comprising a plurality of magnets (22) and means for generating a moving magnetic field with the magnets (22), the conveying members (26) being mounted in a continuous loop (31) under the support (18) with a respective tray (50) mounted above the support (18) on its base (30).
Inventors
- 👤 James Daniel C/O Eastman Kodak Company Riall
- 👤 David Angelo C/O Eastman Kodak Company Tomasso
- 👤 Johannes Jacobus C/O Eastman Kodak Company Porte
- 👤 William David C/O Eastman Kodak Comp. Vanarsdale
- 👤 Raymondfrancis C/O Eastman Kodak Comp Jakubowicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0401; G01N2035/0406; G01N2035/0408; G01N2035/0474; G01N2035/0477; G01N35/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A sample tube tray (30, 34, 36, 38, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 84, 90, 92, 93, 94; 50A, 52A, 54A, 60A, 66A, 70A, 72A, 84A, 90A, 92A, 93A, 94A; 50B, 54B, 60B; 30C, 36C) for use in a clinical analyzer, the tray (30, 34, 36, 38, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 84, 90, 92, 93, 94; 30A, 50A, 52A, 54A, 60A, 66A, 70A, 72A, 84A, 90A, 92A, 93A, 94A; 50B, 54B, 60B; 30C, 36C) comprising:- a base (30, 36; 30A; 30C, 36C) including magnet means (36; 36C) for responding to a magnetic field; a frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) comprising a fixed bottom support portion (54; 54A; 54B) and a plurality of receptacles (60, 62; 60A; 60B) constructed to receive either sample tubes (T; T') or aspirating tips (t) for aspirating a sample from a tube (T; T'); and mounting means (34, 38, 56, 58) for freely rotatably mounting the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) on the base (30, 36; 30A; 30C, 36C).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tube tray according to claim 1, further including gear means (122) on the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) for engaging a driving gear (124; 124B) at an aspirating station (12, 120; 12C), and a signalling means (128) for signalling the position on the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) which is engaged by the driving gear (124; 124B).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tube tray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receptacles (60, 62; 60A; 60B) are disposed in a first concentric ring on the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tube tray according to claim 3, further including a second concentric ring of receptacles (62) in the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) positioned inside the first concentric ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tube tray according to claim 4, wherein the receptacles (62) of the second concentric ring are constructed with a shape effective to receive aspirating tips (t) and the receptacles (60; 60A; 60B) of the first concentric ring with a shape effective to receive cylindrical sample tubes (T, T').
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A tube tray according to claim 5, wherein the receptacles (60; 60A; 60B) of the first ring each comprises means (70, 72; 70A, 72A) defining a circular aperture located near one end of the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) and a fixed socket (66; 66A; 66B) near the other end of the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B), the aperture (70, 72; 70A, 72A) and the socket (66; 66A; 66B) being axially aligned so as to receive a sample tube (T, T').
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tube tray according to claim 6, wherein the fixed socket (66; 66A; 66B) is formed in the bottom support portion (54; 54A; 54B).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A tube tray according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (70, 72; 70A, 72A) defining a circular aperture located near one end of the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) comprises an upper fixed support portion spaced away from the fixed bottom support portion (54; 54A; 54B).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A tube tray according to claim 8, further including a movable bottom support portion (90, 92, 93; 90A, 92A, 93A) pivotally mounted on the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) between the fixed bottom support portion (54; 54A; 54B) and the upper support portion (70, 72; 70A, 72A) to pivot into or out of alignment with the fixed bottom support (54; 54A; 54B) so that tubes of two alternative lengths (L₁, L₂) can be mounted in the same receptacles (60; 60A; 60B).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tube tray according to claim 9, wherein the movable support portion (90, 92, 93; 90A, 92A, 93A) is pivotally mounted about a generally horizontal axis for pivotal movement from a generally horizontal plane to a generally vertical plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tube tray according to claim 9, wherein the movable support portion (90, 92, 93; 90A, 92A, 93A) is pivotally mounted about a generally vertical axis for pivotal movement in a generally horizontal plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tube tray according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a recess (94; 94A) is provided in the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) adjacent to where the movable bottom support portion (90, 92, 93; 90A, 92A, 93A) is pivotally mounted, the movable bottom support portion (90, 92, 93; 90A, 92A, 93A) being folded into the recess (94; 94A) when it is not in use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A tube tray according to claim 12, further including fixed vertical ribs (100) projecting outwardly between the receptacles (60A; 60B), the recesses (94; 94A) being positioned within the ribs (100).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
115 words
A recirculating conveyor (10) for continuously supplying tube trays (30, 34, 36, 38, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 84, 90, 92, 93, 94; 50A, 52A, 54A, 60A, 66A, 70A, 72A, 84A, 90A, 92A, 93A, 94A; 50B, 54B, 60B; 30C, 36C) according to any one of the preceding claims to a clinical analyzer, the conveyor (10) comprising:- a support (18) permeable to magnetic fields and impermeable to liquids; and conveying means (14, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31; 14C, 24C) mounted along a path (31; 31B) under the support (18) and comprising a plurality of magnets (22; 22C) and means for generating a moving magnetic field with the magnets (22; 22C).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A conveyor according to claim 14, wherein the path (31; 31B) forms a continuous loop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
83 words
A conveyor according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the magnet (36; 36C) in the base (30; 30C) of the tray (30, 34, 36, 38, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 84, 90, 92, 93, 94; 30A, 50A, 52A, 54A, 60A, 66A, 70A, 72A, 84A, 90A, 92A, 93A, 94A; 50B, 54B, 60B; 30C, 36C) cooperates with the moving magnetic field produced by the magnets (22; 22C) of the conveying means (14, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31; 14C, 24C).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
A conveyor according to claim 14 or 15, further including rotating means (122, 124, 126; 124B) at the aspirating station (12; 12C) for rotating the tray (30, 34, 36, 38, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 84, 90, 92, 93, 94; 30A, 50A, 52A, 54A, 60A, 66A, 70A, 72A, 84A, 90A, 92A, 93A, 94A; 50B, 54B, 60B; 30C, 36C) on its base (30, 36; 30A; 30C, 36C).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
A conveyor according to claim 17, wherein the rotating means comprise gear means (122) on the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) and an engaging driving gear (124; 124B) at the aspirating station (12; 12C), the conveying means being constructed to hold the gear (124; 124B) and the gear means (122) in engagement at the aspirating station (12; 12C).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A conveyor according to claim 18, further including signalling means (128, 130, 132, 134) for signalling the position on the frame (52, 54, 60, 62, 70, 72; 52A, 54A, 60A, 70A, 72A; 54B, 60B) which is engaged by the driving gear (124; 124B).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
69 words
A conveyor according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the magnets (36) of the tray (30, 34, 36, 38, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 84, 90, 92, 93, 94; 50A, 52A, 54A, 60A, 66A, 70A, 72A, 84A, 90A, 92A, 93A, 94A; 50B, 54B, 60B) are attracted by the magnets (22) of the conveying means (14, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A conveyor according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the magnets (36C) of the tray (30C, 36C) are repelled by the magnets (22C) of the conveying means (14C, 24C).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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