US3770027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manifold liquid distributor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-07
•
Granted: 1973-11-06
•
Expires: 1992-01-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides apparatus for removing a measured quantity of liquid by a series of capillary tubes with the subsequent introduction of the liquid into respective work tubes for the performance of, for example, chemical reactions. The liquid is introduced into the capillary tubes by a piston action and then subsequently forced passed a restrictive orifice under the influence of a centrifugal action. Various forms of creating the piston action are provided.
Inventors
- 👤 J Guigan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N31/00; G01N31/22; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/18; G01N1/14; G01N2001/1445; G01N2001/1454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for distributing liquid in discrete measured quantities comprising: a collection tube for holding the liquid to be distributed; a plurality of capillary conduits having a size relative to the type of liquid to be distributed to permit a capillary action between the liquid and the conduits connected to the collection tube; throttling means in each of the conduits; means for forcing and passing the liquid from the collection tube into the conduits at least as far as the throttling means; means for venting the collection tube thereby permitting the liquid to be retained in the conduits to the extent of said throttling means; work tubes connected to each conduit for receiving its respective retained quantity of liquid, and means for forcing the liquid retained in the conduits into the working tubes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
An apparatus for distributing liquid in discrete measured quantities comprising: a collection tube for holding the liquid to be distributed; a plurality of capillary conduits having a size relative to the type of liquid to be distributed to permit a capillary action between the liquid and the conduits connected to the collection tube; throttling means in each of the conduits; means for forcing and passing the liquid from the collection tube into the conduits at least as far as the throttling means; means for venting the collection tube thereby permitting the liquid to be retained in the conduits to the extent of said throttling means; work tubes connected to each conduit for receiving its respective retained quantity of liquid, and means for forcing the liquid retained in the conduits into the working tubes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: the means for forcing the liquid from the collection tube comprising means for moving the collection tube relative to the conduits to produce a piston action on the liquid in the collection tube thereby forcing the liquid into the conduits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for forcing the liquid into the work tubes includes means for rotation of the conduits to produce a centrifugal action.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for forcing the liquid from the collection tube includes a plunger conduit connected to each of the conduits that receive a measured quantity of liquid and wherein, at least a portion of the outside diameter of the plunger conduit corresponds approximately to at least a portion of the inside diameter of the collection tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein guide flanges are attached to the plunger conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the plunGer conduit and the collection tube are respectively threaded to permit a screw action between each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein: the collection tube has a central narrow position of the same inside diameter as the outside diameter of the plunger conduit with the upper and lower portions of the collection tube having larger diameters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the conduits extend to the bottom of the plunger conduit, the plunger conduit having a vent conduit sealed with a diaphragm and the collection tube having a piercing stud located on its inside surface for piercing the diaphragm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein: the radially outer ends of said conduits terminate in a sharp puncturing tip and the work tubes having a sealing diaphragm across their surface designed to be punctured by the conduit tips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 where the throttling means includes a restricted orifice.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein an overflow tube is connected to the conduits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conduits are conically arranged about the collection tube and the work tubes are arranged approximately perpendicular to the plane of the cone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: the conduits terminate at their radially outer ends, in a sharp puncturing tip and the work tubes have a sealing diaphragm acros their surface designated to be punctured by the conduit tips.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein: the means for venting includes a groove adjacent the puncturing tip of each conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conduits are bent approximately 90* before connection with the work tubes but after the throttling means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a ring portion for holding the work tubes at circumferentially spaced positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conduits are arranged in a conical plane and spiral outward fro the collection tube.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as in claim wherein: the work tubes are divided into two liquid retaining portions by a diaphragm, the top portion adapted to hold one reactant while the bottom is adapted to hold another reactant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
71 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein; the conduits terminate at their radial outer ends in a sharp tip, the work tubes have an outer and inner sealing diaphragm spaced axially from each other and a spacer is provided between said conduits and said tubes for limiting the respective tip of each conduit to pierce only the outer diaphragm when the outer ends of the tubes are connected to the conduits.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the conduits have an adjacent bearing shoulder for receiving the spacer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3683973A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |