US3740157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow cuvette
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-06
•
Granted: 1973-06-19
•
Expires: 1991-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A flow cuvette which is designed for use with photometric, fluorometric, turbidimetric, and nephelometric instruments. The cuvette holds the sample of liquid which is to be analyzed. A sample chamber is attached at the bottom to an upwardly directed U-shaped feed tube and at the top to a downwardly directed Ushaped drain tube. The feed tube extends above the highest edge of the drain tube and the lower end of the drain tube is positioned at a point above the lowest edge of the feed tube. A funnel is attached to the end of the drain tube to aid in the introduction of the sample. A means can be included in the funnel to prevent eddying or vortexing of the liquid sample and thus prevent entrainment of air bubbles in the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 V Kasparek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/05; G01N2021/054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A flow cuvette for retaining a liquid sample for photometrictype investigations comprising: a. a measuring chamber to receive the liquid sample; b. an upwardly directed inlet conduit means with one end connected to the bottom of said measuring chamber and there being an inlet at the opposite end thereof; and c. a downwardly directed outlet conduit means with one end connected to the top of said measuring chamber and there being an open outlet at the opposite end thereof; d. said inlet of the inlet conduit means being positioned above the highest level of the outlet conduit means and said outlet of the outlet conduit means being positioned at a level that is higher than the lowest level of the inlet conduit means; e. the maximum permissible radius of the drain conduit means being an amount effective to establish a hydrostatic equilibrium so that liquid may be maintained within the measuring chamber and the open ended drain conduit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A flow cuvette for retaining a liquid sample for photometrictype investigations comprising: a. a measuring chamber to receive the liquid sample; b. an upwardly directed inlet conduit means with one end connected to the bottom of said measuring chamber and there being an inlet at the opposite end thereof; and c. a downwardly directed outlet conduit means with one end connected to the top of said measuring chamber and there being an open outlet at the opposite end thereof; d. said inlet of the inlet conduit means being positioned above the highest level of the outlet conduit means and said outlet of the outlet conduit means being positioned at a level that is higher than the lowest level of the inlet conduit means; e. the maximum permissible radius of the drain conduit means being an amount effective to establish a hydrostatic equilibrium so that liquid may be maintained within the measuring chamber and the open ended drain conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 1 wherein said inlet conduit means includes a funnel means located at said inlet of said inlet conduit means to facilitate the introduction of the liquid sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 2 wherein the funnel means includes a vortex preventing means so that the entrainment of air bubbles in the liquid sample will be prevented.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 3 wherein the vortex preventing means comprises an elliptical cross-section configuration on the linear surface of the funnel means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A flow cuvette as claimed in claim 3 wherein the vortex preventing means comprises one or more ribs located on the inner surface of said funnel means and which extend radially inwardly towards the center axis of the funnel means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 5 wherein each guide rib includes a bead and the inner surface of the funnel means includes a longitudinal groove which mates with said bead of the rib, said bead thereby constitutes an attachment means for said rib when it is located in said groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 1 wherein the inlet conduit means is comprised of an elongated tube means including a U-shaped bottom end portion which is attached to the measuring chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 7 wherein the inlet conduit means is provided with an offset section which allows the inlet to be positioned generally above the measuring chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 1 wherein the outlet conduit means is comprised of an elongated tube means having a U-shaped bend which is attached to the measuring chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A cuvette as defined in claim 9 wherein the maximum permissible radius of tHe outlet conduit means is defined by the formula: r m g/2 pi F where r is the maximum permissible radius of the outlet conduit means; m is the mass of a drop of the liquid detaching from the outlet conduit means; g is the acceleration of gravity; and F is the surface tension of the liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A flow cuvette as defined in claim 1 wherein the measuring chamber and the inlet conduit means lie in a common plane and the outlet conduit means is positioned at an angle from said common plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
A flow cuvette for retaining a liquid sample to be measured comprising: a. a measuring chamber to receive the liquid sample, b. an upwardly directed feed conduit means having one bottom end portion connected to the bottom of said measuring chamber, and c. a downwardly directed, tubular drain conduit means having an upper end portion connected to the top of said measuring chamber and a lower end thereof being open, d. said feed conduit means extending upwardly at least to the level of the upper edge of said upper end portion, e. said drain conduit means extending downwardly a distance which does not extend beyond the level of the lower most portion of the feed conduit means, f. the maximum permissible radius of the tubular drain conduit means being an amount effective to establish a hydrostatic equilibrium so that liquid may be maintained within the measuring chamber and the open ended tubular drain conduit means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
A flow cuvette for retaining a liquid sample to be measured comprising: a. a measuring chamber to receive the liquid sample, b. an upwardly directed feed conduit means having one bottom end portion connected to the bottom of said measuring chamber, and c. a downwardly directed, tubular drain conduit means having an upper end portion connected to the top of said measuring chamber and a lower end thereof being open, d. said feed conduit means extending upwardly at least to the level of the upper edge of said upper end portion, e. said drain conduit means extending downwardly a distance which does not extend beyond the level of the lower most portion of the feed conduit means, f. the maximum permissible radius of the tubular drain conduit means being an amount effective to establish a hydrostatic equilibrium so that liquid may be maintained within the measuring chamber and the open ended tubular drain conduit means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
A cuvette as defined in claim 12 wherein the maximum permissible radius of the drain conduit means is defined by the formula: r m g/2 pi F where r is the maximum permissible radius of the drain conduit means; m is the mass of a drop of the liquid detaching from the drain conduit means; g is the acceleration of gravity; and F is the surface tension of the liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cuvette as defined in claim 12 wherein the bottom end portion of the feed conduit means is a U-shaped bend and the upper end portion of the drain conduit means is a U-shaped bend.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cuvette as defined in claim 12 wherein said feed conduit means includes a funnel means forming an inlet and having a vortex preventing means to prevent the entrainment of air bubbles in liquid placed in the cuvette.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cuvette as defined in claim 15 wherein the vortex preventing means comprises an elliptical cross-section configuration on the inner surface of the funnel means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cuvette as defined in claim 15 wherein the vortex preventing means comprises one or more ribs located on the inner surface of said funnel means and which extend radially toward the center axis of the funnel means.
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) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |