Pipetting device

Claim 2

A pipetting device for use with a pipette having a hollow configuration and a flange extending outwardly from one end thereof, comprising: a tubular member having first and second ends; evacuation means engaging the tubular member to withdraw air therefrom and form a partial vacuum therein; elastomeric means extending outwardly of the tubular member and adapted to engage the flange of the pipette on one side thereof; retaining means extending in proximity to the elastomeric means for engaging the flange of the pipette on the side thereof opposite the one side; means for resiliently biasing the retaining means against the flange of the pipette to form a seal between the flange and the elastomeric means; whereby, the evacuation of the tubular member by the evacuation means reduces the pressure in the pipette so that a column of fluid can be supported in the pipette,

Claim 3

The pipetting device recited in claim 1 further comprising: supporting means having a fixed relationship with the tubular member and extending outwardly therefrom; and the biasing means being disposed between the supporting means and the retaining means to bias the retaining means in the direction of the elastomeric means so that the seal is formed between the flange of the pipette and the elastomeric means.

Claim 4

The pipetting device set forth in cliam 2 further comprising releasing means cooperating with the evacuating means to displace the retaining means from the elastomeric means so that the pipette can be removed from the pipetting device.

Claim 5

The pipetting device set forth in cliam 2 further comprising releasing means cooperating with the evacuating means to displace the retaining means from the elastomeric means so that the pipette can be removed from the pipetting device.

Claim 6

The pipetting device defined in claim 3 wherein the retaining means comprises: a cylinder defined by first and second ends; at least a first flange disposed radially inwardly of the first end of the cylinder; at least a second flange disposed radially inwardly of the second end of the cylinder wherein the first flange is disposed between the releasing means and the biasing means; and the flange of the pipette is disposed between the elastomeric means and the second flange of the retaining means.

Claim 7

The pipetting device set forth in claim 3 wherein the evacuating means includes: first portions slidingly engaging the tubular member and forming a seal with the tubular member, the first portions and the tubular member defining a cavity having a volume which increases when the evacuation means is displaced in a first direction decreases when the evacuation means is displaced in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Claim 8

The pipetting device recited in claim 5 wherein the evacuating means further comprises: second portions extending outwardly of the first portions and having characteristics for being displaced in the second direction to engage the releasing means and for being displaced further in the second direction to force the second flange of the retaining means from the flange of the pipette so that the pipette can be removed from the pipetting device.

Claim 9

A pipetting device comprising: a barrel having an elongated configuration and defined by first and second ends; a tubular member disposed internally of the bartel and extending at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends thereof; evacuation means disposed in proximity to the first end of the barrel, the evacuation means engaging the tubular member to evacuate air from the tubular member and to form a partial vacuum in the tubular member; elastomeric means disposed in proximity to the second end of the barrel and extending between the tubular member and the barrel; a pipette having a generally cylindrical configuration; a flange extending radially outwardly of the pipette, the flange defined by first and second axially displaced surfaces; means extending beyond the elastomeric means and engaging the first surface of the flange for resiliently biasing the secOnd surface of the flange against the elastomeric means to form a seal between the flange and the elastomeric means; whereby, the evacuation of air from the tubular member lowers the pressure within the pipette so that a column of fluid can be supported in the pipette.

Claim 10

A pipetting device comprising: a barrel having an elongated configuration and defined by first and second ends; a tubular member disposed internally of the bartel and extending at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends thereof; evacuation means disposed in proximity to the first end of the barrel, the evacuation means engaging the tubular member to evacuate air from the tubular member and to form a partial vacuum in the tubular member; elastomeric means disposed in proximity to the second end of the barrel and extending between the tubular member and the barrel; a pipette having a generally cylindrical configuration; a flange extending radially outwardly of the pipette, the flange defined by first and second axially displaced surfaces; means extending beyond the elastomeric means and engaging the first surface of the flange for resiliently biasing the secOnd surface of the flange against the elastomeric means to form a seal between the flange and the elastomeric means; whereby, the evacuation of air from the tubular member lowers the pressure within the pipette so that a column of fluid can be supported in the pipette.

Claim 11

The pipetting device set forth in claim 7 wherein the biasing means comprises: retaining means extending from the barrel beyond the elastomeric means and including flange portions extending radially of the barrel to engage the flange of the pipette; and a spring engaging the retaining means interiorly of the barrel to bias the retaining means against the flange of the pipette and to bias the flange of the pipette against the elastomeric means to form the seal.

Claim 12

The pipetting device set forth in claim 8 further comprising: a cap having first portions registering with the second end of the barrel and second portions defining an orifice communicating with the tubular member; biasing means disposed between the retaining means and second portions of the cap to force the retaining means axially against the flange of the pipette; and releasing means cooperating with the evacuating means for compressing the biasing means so that the pipette can be removed from the retaining means.

Claim 13

The pipetting device set forth in claim 9 wherein the second portions of the cap are defined by an innermost surface in contact with the biasing means and an outermost surface in contact with the elastomeric means.

Claim 14

The pipetting device recited in claim 10 further comprising: third portions of the cap having a generally cylindrical configuration and defining at least one slot extending axially through the cap for receiving the retaining means; a first flange disposed at one end of the retaining means to engage the biasing means; a second flange disposed at the other end of the retaining means to engage releasably the first surface of the flange of the pipette; and the biasing means having characteristics for providing an axial force on the first flange of the retaining means to bias the second flange of the retaining means against the flange of the pipette and to bias the flange of the pipette against the elastomeric means to form the seal.

Claim 15

The pipetting device recited in claim 11 wherein the releasing means is disposed between the evacuating means and the first flange of the retaining means so that displacement of the evacuating means compresses the biasing means to release the pipette.

Claim 16

The pipetting device recited in claim 12 wherein the releasing means is integral with the retaining means.

Claim 17

The pipetting device defined in claim 9 wherein the tubular member is integral with the cap and the orifice comprises an extension of the interior surface of the tubular member.

Claim 18

The pipetting device set forth in claim 14 wherein the cap is integral with the barrel.

Claim 19

A pipetting device for use with a pipette having a flange disposed in proximity to one end thereof, comprising: a barrel having a first end and a second end; supporting means substantially enclosing the second end of the barrel and defined by first surface facing inwardly of the barrel and a second surface facing outwardly of the barrel; elastomeric means disposed on the second surface of the supporting means to engage the flange of the pipette and form an axial seal therewith; first means having a hollow configuration and extending at least partially between the supporting means and the first end of the barrel; second means slidingly engaging the first means and forming a cavity with the first means and the pipette, the second means having characteristics for being displaced toward the second end of the barrel to decrease the volume of the cavity and for being displaced toward the first end of the barrel to increase the volume of the cavity; whereby, displacement of the second means toward the first end of the barrel decreases the pressure within the caviTy so that a column of fluid can be supported within the pipette.

Claim 20

A pipetting device for use with a pipette having a flange disposed in proximity to one end thereof, comprising: a barrel having a first end and a second end; supporting means substantially enclosing the second end of the barrel and defined by first surface facing inwardly of the barrel and a second surface facing outwardly of the barrel; elastomeric means disposed on the second surface of the supporting means to engage the flange of the pipette and form an axial seal therewith; first means having a hollow configuration and extending at least partially between the supporting means and the first end of the barrel; second means slidingly engaging the first means and forming a cavity with the first means and the pipette, the second means having characteristics for being displaced toward the second end of the barrel to decrease the volume of the cavity and for being displaced toward the first end of the barrel to increase the volume of the cavity; whereby, displacement of the second means toward the first end of the barrel decreases the pressure within the caviTy so that a column of fluid can be supported within the pipette.

Claim 21

The pipetting device recited in claim 16 further comprising: third means extending through the second end of the barrel for engaging the flange of the pipette on the side thereof opposite the elastomeric means; and fourth means biasing the third means so that the flanges of the pipette are forced against the elastomeric means to form the axial seal.

Claim 22

The pipetting device set forth in claim 17 further comprising: portions of the supporting means defining at least one slot extending between the first and second surfaces of the supporting means; first portions of the third means extending through the slots in the supporting means; second portions of the third means extending inwardly of the first portions of the third means and in proximity to the first surface of the supporting means to engage the fourth means; and third portions of the third means extending inwardly of the first portions of the third means and disposed in proximity to the supporting means to engage the flanges of the pipette.

Claim 23

The pipetting device recited in claim 17 further comprising: fifth means disposed to engage the first surface of the supporting means and the second means to bias the second means from the second end of the barrel; and the fourth means disposed outwardly of the fifth means to engage the first surface of the supporting means and second portions of the third means.

Claim 24

The pipetting device recited in claim 16 wherein the barrel, the supporting means, and the first means are integral.

Claim 25

The pipetting device set forth in claim 16 further comprising: portions of the second means slidingly engaging the interior surface of the barrel; and third means contiguous with the barrel and having portions thereof which engage the portions of the second means at a position corresponding to the volume of the column of fluid supported in the pipette.

Claim 26

The pipetting device set forth in claim 21 wherein the third means includes; portions of the barrel defining an annular recess on the interior surface of the barrel; whereby the portions of the second means register with the portions of the barrel at a position corresponding to the volume of the column of the fluid in the pipette.

Claim 27

The pipetting device recited in claim 21 wherein the third means comprises: a stopping member slidingly engaging the barrel and axially displaceable with respect thereto; portions of the stopping member extending radially inwardly of the barrel to engage the portions of the second means; whereby the displacement of the stopping member with respect to the barrel corresponds to the volume of the column of fluid supported in the pipette.

Claim 28

A pipetting device for use with a pipette having a hollow configuration and a flange extending outwardly from one end thereof, comprising: a tubular member having first and second ends; evacuation means engaging the tubular member to withdraw air therefrom and to form a partial vacuum therein; elastomeric means extending outwardly of the tubular member to engage the flange of the pipette on one side thereof; retaining means engaging the flange of the pipette on the side thereof opposite the one side to bias the pipette against the elastomeric means so that a seal is formed therebetween; supporting means having a fixed relationship with the tubular member and extending outwardly therefrom; biasing means disposed between the supporting means and the retaining means to bias the retaining means in the direction of the elastomeric means so that the seal is formed between the pipette and the elastomeric means; and releasing means cooperating with the evacuating means to displace the retaining means from the elastomeric means so that the pipette can be removed from the pipetting device.

Claim 29

A pipetting device for use with a pipette having a hollow configuration and a flange extending outwardly from one end thereof, comprising: a tubular member having first and second ends; evacuation means engaging the tubular member to withdraw air therefrom and to form a partial vacuum therein; elastomeric means extending outwardly of the tubular member to engage the flange of the pipette on one side thereof; retaining means engaging the flange of the pipette on the side thereof opposite the one side to bias the pipette against the elastomeric means so that a seal is formed therebetween; supporting means having a fixed relationship with the tubular member and extending outwardly therefrom; biasing means disposed between the supporting means and the retaining means to bias the retaining means in the direction of the elastomeric means so that the seal is formed between the pipette and the elastomeric means; and releasing means cooperating with the evacuating means to displace the retaining means from the elastomeric means so that the pipette can be removed from the pipetting device.

Claim 30

The pipetting device defined in claim 1 wherein the retaining means comprises: portioNs of a cylinder defined by first and second ends; at least a first flange disposed radially inwardly of the first end of the cylinder; at least a second flange disposed radially inwardly of the second end of the cylinder wherein the first flange is disposed between the releasing means and the biasing means; and the flange of the pipette is disposed between the elastomeric means and the second flange of the retaining means.

Claim 31

The pipetting device set forth in claim 24 wherein the evacuating means includes: first portions slidingly engaging the tubular member and forming a seal therewith, the first portions and the tubular member defining a cavity the volume of which increases when the evacuation means is displaced in a first direction and the volume of which decreases when the evacuation means is displaced in a second direction.

Claim 32

The pipetting device recited in claim 26 wherein the evacuating means further comprises: second portions extending outwardly of the first portions and having characteristics for displacement in the second direction to engage the releasing means and further displacement in the second direction to force the second flange of the retaining means from the flange of the pipette so that the pipette can be removed from the pipetting device.

Claim 33

A pipetting device comprising: a barrel having an elongated configuration and defined by first and second ends; a tubular member disposed interiorly of the barrel and extending at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends thereof; evacuation means disposed in proximity to the first end of the barrel, the evacuation means engaging the tubular member to evacuate air therefrom and to form a partial vacuum therein; elastomeric means disposed in proximity to the second end of the barrel and extending between the tubular member and the barrel; a pipette having a generally cylindrical configuration; a flange extending radially outwardly of the pipette defined by first and second axially displaced surfaces; first surface of the flange removably engaging the elastomeric means to form a seal therebetween; retaining means biased to engage the second surface of the flange so that the pipette is forced in an axial direction against the elastomeric means to form the seal; a cap having first portions registering with the second end of the barrel and second portions defining an orifice communicating with the tubular member; biasing means disposed between the retaining means and the second portions of the cap to force the retaining means axially against the flange of the pipette; and releasing means cooperating with the evacuating means for compressing the biasing means so that the pipette can be removed from the retaining means.

Claim 34

A pipetting device comprising: a barrel having an elongated configuration and defined by first and second ends; a tubular member disposed interiorly of the barrel and extending at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends thereof; evacuation means disposed in proximity to the first end of the barrel, the evacuation means engaging the tubular member to evacuate air therefrom and to form a partial vacuum therein; elastomeric means disposed in proximity to the second end of the barrel and extending between the tubular member and the barrel; a pipette having a generally cylindrical configuration; a flange extending radially outwardly of the pipette defined by first and second axially displaced surfaces; first surface of the flange removably engaging the elastomeric means to form a seal therebetween; retaining means biased to engage the second surface of the flange so that the pipette is forced in an axial direction against the elastomeric means to form the seal; a cap having first portions registering with the second end of the barrel and second portions defining an orifice communicating with the tubular member; biasing means disposed between the retaining means and the second portions of the cap to force the retaining means axially against the flange of the pipette; and releasing means cooperating with the evacuating means for compressing the biasing means so that the pipette can be removed from the retaining means.

Claim 35

The pipetting device recited in claim 28 wherein the second portions of the cap are defined by an innermost surface in contact with the biasing means and an outermost surface in contact with the elastomeric means.

Claim 36

The pipetting device recited in claim 29 further comprising: third portions of the cap having a generally cylindrical configuration and defining at least one slot extending axially through the cap for receiving the retaining means; a first flange disposed at one end of the retaining means to engage the biasing means; a second flange disposed at the other end of the retaining means to engage releasably the second surface of the flange of the pipette; wherein the biasing means has characteristics for providing an axial force on the first and second flanges of the retaining means to bias the pipetting device against the elastomeric means and form the seal therebetween.

Claim 37

The pipetting device recited in claim 30 wherein the releasing means is disposed between the evacuating means and the first flange of the retaining means so that displacement of the evacuating means compresses the biasing means to release the pipette.

Claim 38

The pipetting device rEcited in claim 31 wherein the releasing means is integral with the retaining means.

Claim 39

The pipetting device recited in claim 28 wherein the tubular member is integral with the cap and the orifice comprises an extension of the interior surface of the tubular member.

Claim 40

The pipetting device set forth in claim 33 wherein the cap is integral with the barrel.

Claim 41

A pipette having first and second ends and characteristics for receiving a fluid by suction, comprising: walls disposed between the first and second ends of the pipette and defining a cavity for receiving the fluid; first portions of the walls having a diameter less than a particular diameter and defining first portions of the cavity; second portions of the walls having a diameter greater than the particular diameter and defining second portions of the cavity, wherein the second portions of the cavity have a greater volume per unit length than the first portions of the cavity so that the second portions define a reservoir for supporting a substantial quantity of the fluid; a flange extending radially from the walls at the second end of the pipette and in a plane transverse to the direction between the first and second ends; first portions of the flange extending radially outwardly of the walls; and second portions of the flange extending radially inwardly of the walls to define an orifice providing access to the cavity.

Claim 42

A pipette having first and second ends and characteristics for receiving a fluid by suction, comprising: walls disposed between the first and second ends of the pipette and defining a cavity for receiving the fluid; first portions of the walls having a diameter less than a particular diameter and defining first portions of the cavity; second portions of the walls having a diameter greater than the particular diameter and defining second portions of the cavity, wherein the second portions of the cavity have a greater volume per unit length than the first portions of the cavity so that the second portions define a reservoir for supporting a substantial quantity of the fluid; a flange extending radially from the walls at the second end of the pipette and in a plane transverse to the direction between the first and second ends; first portions of the flange extending radially outwardly of the walls; and second portions of the flange extending radially inwardly of the walls to define an orifice providing access to the cavity.

Claim 43

The pipette recited in claim 35 wherein the pipette has a generally tubular configuration and the first portions of the flange extend radially outwardly to a diameter greater than the diameter of the first portions of the walls.

Claim 44

In combination for use with a pipette to provide a controlled supply of fluid; first means having a tubular configuration and defined by a first and second ends; second means disposed at the first end of the first means to engage the pipette and to form with the pipette an axial seal so that regions interior of the pipette communicate with regions interior of the first means; third means slidingly engaging the first means at the second end of the first means and having characteristics for being displaced in a first direction a first particular distance and for being displaced in a second direction opposite to the first direction to support a column of fluid in the pipette; fourth means engaging the third means at the first particular distance to provide an indication when the third means has been displaced to the first particular distance; the second means comprising: fifth means having elastomeric properties and defined by a first surface extending radially of the first means at the first end of the first means and sixth means extending longitudinally of the first means and beyond the first surface of the fifth means to engage the pipette, the sixth means biased to force the pipette against the first surface of the fifth means to maintain the axial seal; and the third means having characteristics for being displaced in the first direction a second particular distance greater than the first particular distance to engage the sixth means and to oppose the bias on the sixth means so that the pipette can be removed from the sixth means.

Claim 45

In combination for use with a pipette to provide a controlled supply of fluid; first means having a tubular configuration and defined by a first and second ends; second means disposed at the first end of the first means to engage the pipette and to form with the pipette an axial seal so that regions interior of the pipette communicate with regions interior of the first means; third means slidingly engaging the first means at the second end of the first means and having characteristics for being displaced in a first direction a first particular distance and for being displaced in a second direction opposite to the first direction to support a column of fluid in the pipette; fourth means engaging the third means at the first particular distance to provide an indication when the third means has been displaced to the first particular distance; the second means comprising: fifth means having elastomeric properties and defined by a first surface extending radially of the first means at the first end of the first means and sixth means extending longitudinally of the first means and beyond the first surface of the fifth means to engage the pipette, the sixth means biased to force the pipette against the first surface of the fifth means to maintain the axial seal; and the third means having characteristics for being displaced in the first direction a second particular distance greater than the first particular distance to engage the sixth means and to oppose the bias on the sixth means so that the pipette can be removed from the sixth means.