US3836335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reagent storage and dispensing system
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
•
Filing: 1973-06-01
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Pressure vessels each have a movable separator which divides the vessel into two chambers. During filling, reagent is supplied to one chamber. During a dispensing operation, water pressure is applied to the other side of the separator. Solenoid valves are selectively operated to dispense accurate volumes of reagent from the vessels under pressure supplied by the water on the other side of the separator.
Inventors
- 👤 W Eppes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1002; G01F; G01F11/00; G01F11/02; G01F11/08; G01F11/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
12 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said separator is a piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said separator is a flexible, impermeable membrane attached to the inside of said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system recited in claim 3 wherein said membrane is attached around the periphery of the approximate middle of each vessel, and wherein said membrane is sufficiently flexible to extend almost completely to one side of said vessel when said vessel is completely filled with reagent and to the other side of said vessel when emptied of reagent whereby said reagents are isolated from materials with which they may react.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system recited in claim 4 further comprising: a magnet attached to said flexible membrane, and a reed switch positioned in the chamber containing reagent so that it is actuated by said magnet when the reagent supply is near depletion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein there are three pressure vessels containing a fix, a stain and a buffer, the solenoid operated valves connected to said vessels being sequentially operated to apply fix, stain and buffer to said slide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system recited in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying reagents comprises: a flexible supply reservoir containing a reagent, and connections between said supply reservoir and one of said pressure vessels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system recited in claim 7 wherein said connections include a bladder valve connected to said pressure vessel and a probe on said supply reservoir, said probe being inserted into said bladder valve during filling of said pressure vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system recited in claim 7 wherein said connections include: a plurality of needle fittings, one connected to each of said solenoid valves, a plurality of needle-like dispensers connectable to said fitting for dispensing said accurate volumes of reagent, and a plurality of mating fittings, one connected to each flexible supply reservoir and each being connectable to one of said needle fittings for supplying reagent from said supply reservoir to a pressure vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system recited in claim 9 wherein each of said mating fittings includes a valve which permits flow of reagent from said supply reservoir and which blocks flow of air into said reservoir.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |