US3611403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Test sample container identification method and apparatus
Assignee: Gilford Instrument Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-13
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A test sample rack or carrier for supporting a plurality of sample containers and transporting the same to a testing station for the testing of each sample. The carrier has an upstanding coding flange adapted to receive projecting coding buttons at predetermined locations thereon so that the same will activate a two-digit binary counting device as the carrier passes the testing station. The binary counting device supplies data identifying the carrier in connection with the test results for each sample so that the identifying data will be recorded together with the test results.
Inventors
- 👤 Saul R Gilford
- 👤 Robert J Emary
- 👤 Robert L Gorgone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:04
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L9/00; B01L9/06; B01L3/00; B01L3/54; B01L3/545; B01L3/5453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of correlating, for automatic recording purposes, the test results obtained from the testing of the contents of sample containers, residing in particular positions in particular container carriers, with an identification of each sample container position and its container carrier, said method comprising the steps of: affixing to each said container carrier mechanically oriented machine readable indicia identifying each said carrier, indexing each said carrier for incremental movement past a testing station in such manner that the position of each said container corresponds to a particular increment of movement, sensing electromechanically the mechanically oriented indicia, sensing electromechanically said carrier indexing to form carrier position data, and correlating said sensed indicia and position data whereby said correlated indicia and data form carrier identification data which can be recorded with test results, such that the tests results are positively associated with carrier identification.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of correlating, for automatic recording purposes, the test results obtained from the testing of the contents of sample containers, residing in particular positions in particular container carriers, with an identification of each sample container position and its container carrier, said method comprising the steps of: affixing to each said container carrier mechanically oriented machine readable indicia identifying each said carrier, indexing each said carrier for incremental movement past a testing station in such manner that the position of each said container corresponds to a particular increment of movement, sensing electromechanically the mechanically oriented indicia, sensing electromechanically said carrier indexing to form carrier position data, and correlating said sensed indicia and position data whereby said correlated indicia and data form carrier identification data which can be recorded with test results, such that the tests results are positively associated with carrier identification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which said indicia sensing is accomplished in a binary mode and said correlating is accomplished by clocking a shift registered store for the binary bits of the sensed indicia data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the said step of sensing the carrier indexing container position data is employed for producing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 3 including the step of recording, at the same time for each container, said container position data and its associated container test result data, and recording said carrier identification data coterminously with said data recording for the containers of said carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for identification of a carrier for supporting sample containers, said carrier moving past a test station for testing the contents of the containers for producing testing data, said apparatus correlating identification of said carrier, identification of said containers and said testing data said carrier having thereon indexing means for selectively stopping the carrier at the test station relative to a sample container, said apparatus comprising: a coding member mounted on said carrier, the coding member having machine readable identification means for identification of said carrier, programming means including switch closure structure arranged to be selectively operated by said identification means and said indexing means for sensing the identification of said carrier as the carrier moves past the testing station and for programming the transmission of the carrier identification in correlation with the producing of the testing data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for identification of a carrier for supporting sample containers, said carrier moving past a test station for testing the contents of the containers for producing testing data, said apparatus correlating identification of said carrier, identification of said containers and said testing data said carrier having thereon indexing means for selectively stopping the carrier at the test station relative to a sample container, said apparatus comprising: a coding member mounted on said carrier, the coding member having machine readable identification means for identification of said carrier, programming means including switch closure structure arranged to be selectively operated by said identification means and said indexing means for sensing the identification of said carrier as the carrier moves past the testing station and for programming the transmission of the carrier identification in correlation with the producing of the testing data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said identification means comprise coding detents spaced along said coding member at predetermined locations, said detents being adapted to activate said switch closure structure to transmit identification data to said programming means, said indexing means also being coupled to said programming means to cause said programming means to be responsive to said selective stopping of said carrier at said test station for programming transmission of each sample container identity for correlation with the test value of its contents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said programming means comprise a buffer memory and a binary-to-decimal converter adapted to receive the carrier identification data in binary format from said switch closure structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which an input to said buffer memory also is coupled to said indexing means for causing the buffer to empty into the binary-to-decimal converter in time relation to the selective stopping movement of the carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said programming means further includes a decade counter having an input coupled to said indexing means which causes said decade counter to be responsive to the selective stopping of the carrier to identify for recording purposes the container then in the test position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 which further comprises recording means coupled to receive the outputs of said decade counter, said binary-to-decimal converter and the testing station for providing a record format for positive association between sample test result, container position and carrier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which said carrier is of elongate generally rectangular configuration, said coding member comprising an upstanding flange along one long edge of said carrier, and said carrier identification means includes at least one coding button secured to said flange at a data transferable position along said flange.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said carrier is of elongate generally rectangular configuration and said coding member comprises an upstanding flange along one long edge of said carrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which said carrier identification means comprise at least one coding button secured to said flange at a data translatable position along said coding member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which said coding buttons each comprise an enlarged portion protruding from the surface of said flange, and said flange has apertures spaced therealong elective receipt of said portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which said apertures define a pair of binary data fields, in which the presence and absence of a coding button therein defines a characteristic binary bit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |