Patent US3714445A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3714445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for optical measurements of microbial cultures
Assignee: Gourdon Ets
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Filing: 1970-11-09
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1990-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A combined sampling and measuring apparatus for optical density measurements of the growth of microbial cultures in large capacity vessel, said apparatus comprising a cylindrical vertical transparent tube mounted in shunt with a closed circuit tubular system in which circulates a fraction of the microbial culture from the vessel, a piston able to slide in the transparent tube, a toric seal on the piston performing the additional function of cleaning the inner wall of the transparent tube when the piston is moved up and down in the transparent tube, a light source and a photo-cell in diametrical opposition; the piston has a diametrical port from side to side to allow the light beam from the source to get the photo-cell when the piston is between the source and the cell, and the piston is provided with means in order that the axis of the port be maintained parallel to the path of the light rays. The whole is completed by a control block performing a succession of operations including: cleaning of the transparent tube, optical calibration, filling of the tube, and optical density measurement of the culture.
Inventors
- 👤 H Blachere
- 👤 G Jamart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:45
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M41/00; C12M41/30; C12M41/36; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/021; B01L3/0217; B01L3/0227; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/14; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/15; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/27; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A turbidimetric apparatus for optically measuring the density of a microbial culture sample comprising in combination: a transparent measurement chamber; a piston mounted for reciprocation in said chamber; pneumatic means for moving said piston in one direction; mechanical means for moving said piston in the opposite direction; a flexible membrane separating said pneumatic means from said mechanical means whereby there is provided a safe circulation of the potentially dangerous microbial culture in a closed circuit in a total biological isolation; radiation sensitive means to simultaneously read the degree of advancement of the biological fermentation process of the fluid and means of simultaneously cleaning the walls for said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A turbidimetric apparatus for optically measuring the density of a microbial culture sample comprising in combination: a transparent measurement chamber; a piston mounted for reciprocation in said chamber; pneumatic means for moving said piston in one direction; mechanical means for moving said piston in the opposite direction; a flexible membrane separating said pneumatic means from said mechanical means whereby there is provided a safe circulation of the potentially dangerous microbial culture in a closed circuit in a total biological isolation; radiation sensitive means to simultaneously read the degree of advancement of the biological fermentation process of the fluid and means of simultaneously cleaning the walls for said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A turbidimetric apparatus for optically measuring the density of a microbial culture sample comprising in combination: a transparent measurement chamber; a piston mounted for reciprocation in said chamber; pneumatic means for moving said piston in one direction; mechanical means for moving said piston in the opposite direction; a flexible membrane separating said pneumatic means from said mechanical means whereby there is provided a safe circulation of the potentially dangerous microbial culture in a closed circuit in a total biological isolation; radiation sensitive means to simultaneously read the degree of advancement of the biological fermentation process of the fluid and means of simultaneously cleaning the walls for said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A turbidimetric apparatus for optically measuring the density of a microbial culture sample comprising in combination: a transparent measurement chamber; a piston mounted for reciprocation in said chamber; pneumatic means for moving said piston in one direction; mechanical means for moving said piston in the opposite direction; a flexible membrane separating said pneumatic means from said mechanical means whereby there is provided a safe circulation of the potentially dangerous microbial culture in a closed circuit in a total biological isolation; radiation sensitive means to simultaneously read the degree of advancement of the biological fermentation process of the fluid and means of simultaneously cleaning the walls for said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A turbidimetric apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said piston being provided with a toric seal; and a variable fluid pressure source connected with said pneumatic means, whereby the inner walls of said chamber are cleaned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A turbidimetric apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said radiation sensitive means comprises; a light source; and a photocell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said movable piston is provided with a diametrically crossing port allowing the passage of the beam from said light source to said photocell when the piston has been pneumatically driven, whereby a calibration density measurement is obtained.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said light source and said photocell are detachable whereby said apparatus may be easily sterilized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |