US3818188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for positioning a data carrier in a reading apparatus
Assignee: US Philips Corp
•
Filing: 1972-05-04
•
Granted: 1974-06-18
•
Expires: 1992-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A device for positioning a data carrier in a reading apparatus, the data carrier being attached, for example, to a test tube by means of a coupling element. The coupling element can be positioned in a holder in the form of a sleeve provided with inner guides.
Inventors
- 👤 G Hertel
- 👤 R Ehrke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:11
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/54; B01L3/545; B01L3/5453; G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
Test tube handling apparatus, comprising: a test tube holder for receiving a test tube, said holder having an identifiable outside surface region for carrying test tube identification indicia; a sleeve for receiving said holder, said sleeve having a window for viewing said surface region of said holder; and means inside said sleeve for engaging said holder to automatically rotate and guide said holder as said holder is being received by said sleeve into a predetermined and fixed rest position at which position said surface region of said holder faces said window, whereby identification indicia carried on said surface region of said holder may be viewed from outside said sleeve through said window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
Test tube handling apparatus, comprising: a test tube holder for receiving a test tube, said holder having an identifiable outside surface region for carrying test tube identification indicia; a sleeve for receiving said holder, said sleeve having a window for viewing said surface region of said holder; and means inside said sleeve for engaging said holder to automatically rotate and guide said holder as said holder is being received by said sleeve into a predetermined and fixed rest position at which position said surface region of said holder faces said window, whereby identification indicia carried on said surface region of said holder may be viewed from outside said sleeve through said window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve for guiding said holder comprises a cam and a cam guide groove, one being fixed to said holder and the other being fixed to said sleeve for cooperation with each other to guide said holder when inserted within said sleeve to said predetermined rest position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interior surface of said sleeve over the most part and the exterior surface of said holder over the most part are cylindrically shaped with the inside diameter of said sleeve being slightly larger than the outside diameter of said holder, such that said holder fits within said sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the interior surface of said sleeve is further characterized by at least one cam guide groove and the exterior surface of said holder is further characterized by at least one protruding cam which fits within said at least one groove when said holder is inserted within said sleeve to guide said holder to a predetermined rotary position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the exterior surface of said holder contacting the interior surface of said sleeve comprises two spaced cylindrical guide rings, said identifiable outside surface region for carrying test tube identification indicia being located between said rings, and said cam protruding from one of said rings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said at least one cam guide groove comprises at least one cam receiving channel which is open and wide at one end of said sleeve for receiving said cam from virtually any radial position and which narrows in the direction of the other end of said sleeve to guide said cam toward a predetermined rotary position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one cam receiving channel comprises at least two such channels which receive said cam from different radial sectors, each channel narrowing in the direction of said other end of said sleeve and joining into one channel, thereby guiding said cam toward said predetermined rotary position from any of said radial sectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said one channel is open at said other end of said sleeve and said sleeve further includes a detachable end member to stop said holder in said sleeve at a predetermined axial position and to permit said holder to be removed from said other end of said sleeve by first detaching said end member therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
Test tube handling apparatus as claimed in claim 8 further characterized by at least one tapered bearing point and at least one bearing point receiving recess of greater taper, one of which being fixed to the inside surface of said detachable end member and the other being fixed to the end of said holder, whereby said at least one bearing point fits into said at least one bearing point receiving recess to stop said holder in said sleeve at a predetermined axial position, the tapering of said at least one bearing point and bearing point receiving recess urging said holder to a precise radial position as well.
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) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |