US3628682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighttight sample introduction system
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-29
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1990-06-29
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for introducing a sample into a housing while preventing the introduction of light thereinto, the housing having an access opening therein, wherein a cylinder is mounted in the opening in the housing, the cylinder partially extending into the housing and being open at both ends thereof. A shutter is mounted for movement between a first position blocking the opening at the inner end of the cylinder and a second position providing access to the housing. A piston is mounted for movement through the cylinder, the piston lightsealing the opening through the cylinder. The piston has a passageway therethrough which is adapted to receive, in lighttight relationship, a sample introduction device, such as a pipette. The piston further includes means for engaging and actuating the shutter, such actuating means moving the shutter from the first position to the second position as the piston is depressed into the cylinder.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald L Paulson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N31/00; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/645; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for introducing a sample into a housing while preventing the introduction of light thereinto, said housing having an opening therein, comprising: means forming a chamber extending through said opening in said housing, said chamber having first and second openings at the opposite ends thereof, said first opening being inside of said housiNg and said second opening being outside of said housing; shutter means being movable between a first position blocking said first opening and a second position providing access through said first opening into said housing; and piston means mounted for movement through said chamber for lightsealing said chamber, said piston means including: a passageway therethrough adapted to receive, in lighttight relationship, a sample introduction device, said passageway registering with said first opening in said chamber; and actuating means for engaging and actuating said shutter means, said actuating means moving said shutter means from said first position to said second position as said piston means is depressed into said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for introducing a sample into a housing while preventing the introduction of light thereinto, said housing having an opening therein, comprising: means forming a chamber extending through said opening in said housing, said chamber having first and second openings at the opposite ends thereof, said first opening being inside of said housiNg and said second opening being outside of said housing; shutter means being movable between a first position blocking said first opening and a second position providing access through said first opening into said housing; and piston means mounted for movement through said chamber for lightsealing said chamber, said piston means including: a passageway therethrough adapted to receive, in lighttight relationship, a sample introduction device, said passageway registering with said first opening in said chamber; and actuating means for engaging and actuating said shutter means, said actuating means moving said shutter means from said first position to said second position as said piston means is depressed into said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: means for biasing said shutter means in said first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising: means for biasing said piston means in a position adjacent said second opening in said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said passageway through said piston is tapered and wherein said sample introduction device comprises an elongated member adapted to extend through said passageway, said member being tapered at the same angle as said passageway whereby said member engages and lightseals said passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein depression of said tapered elongated member depresses said piston means into said chamber, said member extending through said first opening in said chamber into said housing when said piston means is depressed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said piston biasing means raises said piston means when said elongated member is released and wherein said shutter-biasing means simultaneously returns said shutter means to said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shutter means comprises: a fixed member secured adjacent said second opening in said chamber; an elongated member connected at one end thereof to said fixed member, said elongated member extending through said chamber; and a movable member connected to the other end of said elongated member, said movable member being held adjacent and blocking said first opening in said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the dimensions of said first opening are small compared to the cross section of said chamber; wherein said first opening is positioned in the center of the cross section of said chamber; wherein said one end of said elongated member is connected adjacent the periphery of said chamber; wherein said movable member is positioned in the center of said chamber blocking said first opening; and wherein said elongated member extends from the periphery of said chamber towards the center of said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said piston means has a slot therein adjacent the periphery thereof, said elongated member extending through said slot in said piston means, said elongated member bearing against the inner wall of said slot, said inner wall shifting the position of said other end of said elongated member toward said periphery thereby moving said movable member from said first position to said second position as said piston means is depressed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said elongated member resiliently holds said movable member adjacent said first opening, and further comprising: means for biasing said piston means in a position adjacent said second opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said biasing means raises said piston means when said piston means is released and wherein said elongated member simultaneously returns said movable member to said first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shutter means comprises: first and second members being pivotably mounted on opposite sides of said means forming a chamber, said members overlapping to block said first opening in said cHamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising: means for biasing said members in a substantially parallel, overlapping, horizontal position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said actuating means comprises: first and second arms extending from said piston means into said chamber, said first and second arms being operative to engage said first and second members, respectively, when said piston means is depressed into said chamber, said arms causing said members to pivot away from said first opening providing access through said chamber into said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising: means for biasing said piston means in a position adjacent said second opening in said chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said piston biasing means raises said piston means when said piston means is released and wherein said means for biasing said members simultaneously returns said members to said overlapping position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2813649A
Cited
US3438263A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |