US3843053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spotter for use in thin layer chromatography and method of forming drops therewith
Assignee: Kontes Glass Co
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Filing: 1973-03-29
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A spotter for use in thin layer chromatography for automatically spotting a solution containing a specimen to be analyzed onto a thin layer chromatographic plate is provided having a plurality of storage tubes each of which stores a selected amount of a specimen-containing solution. In fluid communication with each of the storage tubes is a needle for forming a series of drops of the specimen-containing solution present within the storage tube. Means are provided for directing a flow of gas along the exterior of each of the needles in the direction of the drop movement therefrom. The gas flow affects the drops as they form and controls the rate at which the drops are formed by the needle. The flow of gas is then preferably directed from the needle towards the plate where the drops have fallen in order to speed formation of the spot by facilitating evaporation of the solvent from the drop of the specimen-containing solution.
Inventors
- 👤 J Thoden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/90; G01N30/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A spotter for use in thin layer chromatography for automatically spotting a solution containing a specimen to be analyzed onto a thin layer chromatographic plate comprising means for storing a selected amount of specimen-containing solution, means for forming a series of drops of the specimen-containing solution, said drop means being in fluid communication with said storage means and means external of said drop means for directing a flow of gas closely past the exterior of said drop means in the direction of drop movement therefrom, thereby causing said gas to affect said drops as they form, the rate at which the drops are formed by the drop means thus being dependent on the flow of said gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A spotter for use in thin layer chromatography for automatically spotting a solution containing a specimen to be analyzed onto a thin layer chromatographic plate comprising means for storing a selected amount of specimen-containing solution, means for forming a series of drops of the specimen-containing solution, said drop means being in fluid communication with said storage means and means external of said drop means for directing a flow of gas closely past the exterior of said drop means in the direction of drop movement therefrom, thereby causing said gas to affect said drops as they form, the rate at which the drops are formed by the drop means thus being dependent on the flow of said gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The spotter according to claim 1 wherein said gas is directed towards the area on the plate where a drop has fallen to increase the rate of evaporation of the solution from said fallen drop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The spotter according to claim 1 wherein said gas flow means comprises a gas source, and a gas nozzle operably connected to said source, said nozzle having passage therethrough directed toward said drop means for directing said gas past said drop means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spotter according to claim 3 wherein said drop means is a needle and wherein said nozzle has a channel therein through which said needle extends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The spotter according to claim 1 further comprisinG means for regulating the flow of gas past said drop means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spotter according to claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the relative position of said gas flow means with respect to said drop means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spotter according to claim 4 further comprising means for adjusting the relative position of said nozzle with respect to said needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A spotter for use in thin layer chromatography for automatically spotting a solution containing a specimen to be analyzed comprising a base, a tube for storing the specimen-containing solution, a tube-holding platform situated above said base, means for mounting said tube on said platform, a needle for forming a drop of said specimen-containing solution, said needle being operably connected to and in fluid communication with said tube, and means for directing a flow of gas closely past said needle in the direction of drop movement therefrom, thereby causing said gas to affect said drops as they form, the rate at which the drops are formed by said needle thus being dependent on the flow of gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A spotter for use in thin layer chromatography for automatically spotting a solution containing a specimen to be analyzed comprising a base, a tube for storing the specimen-containing solution, a tube-holding platform situated above said base, means for mounting said tube on said platform, a needle for forming a drop of said specimen-containing solution, said needle being operably connected to and in fluid communication with said tube, and means for directing a flow of gas closely past said needle in the direction of drop movement therefrom, thereby causing said gas to affect said drops as they form, the rate at which the drops are formed by said needle thus being dependent on the flow of gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
The spotter according to claim 8 wherein a plurality of tubes each of which having a different one of a plurality of needles operably connected therewith is provided to create a plurality of drops on said plate and wherein said gas flow means comprises a gas manifold having a gas containing channel therein and a plurality of apertures, a different one of said apertures adjacent each of said needles, each of said apertures being in fluid communication with said channel such that said gas is directed through said aperture and past said needle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The spotter according to claim 9 wherein said manifold is situated between said platform and said base and comprises a top and a bottom section, said sections being formed to provide an interior channel along the length thereof, and a gas source, said source being operably connected to said channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The spotter according to claim 8 wherein said gas flow means comprises a nozzle, said nozzle having a channel therethrough through which said needle extends, and a gas manifold having a gas containing channel therein, and an aperture aligned with said needle, said nozzle being inserted into said aperture, and having a passage therethrough operably connected to said manifold channel for directing said gas through said nozzle and past said needle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spotter according to claim 11 further comprising means for adjusting the position of the manifold with respect to said needle.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for controlling the drop formation rate in a spotter for use in thin layer chromatography of the type having a storage tube for storing a solution containing the specimen to be analyzed and a needle in fluid communication therewith for forming the drops comprising the steps of flowing a gas closely past the end of the needle in the direction of drop movement therefrom thereby causing said gas to affect said drops as they form to control the drop formation rate and regulating the gas flow in accordance with the desired drop rate.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for controlling the drop formation rate in a spotter for use in thin layer chromatography of the type having a storage tube for storing a solution containing the specimen to be analyzed and a needle in fluid communication therewith for forming the drops comprising the steps of flowing a gas closely past the end of the needle in the direction of drop movement therefrom thereby causing said gas to affect said drops as they form to control the drop formation rate and regulating the gas flow in accordance with the desired drop rate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of directing the gas flow over the spot to increase the evaporation rate of the solvent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |