US3850136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Positive pressure coating device
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1972-05-24
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1992-05-24
Abstract
Abstract Positive pressure devices for coating the internal surfaces of open-ended, hollow, elongated structures with uniform, adherent, fluid coatings comprise (i) a pressurizable container for the fluid, having a structure-receiving opening in the top, (ii) removable means for holding the structures to be coated vertically in the opening of the container and for providing a pressure tight seal at the opening, and (iii) means for pressurizing the surface of the fluid and for interrupting and releasing the pressure when the fluid rises to a pre-determined height in the structures to be coated.
Inventors
- 👤 J Ruzzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:00
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M25/00; C12M25/06; B; B05; B05C; B05C7/00; B05C7/04; C12M23/00; C12M23/02; C12M23/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A positive pressure device for coating the internal surfaces of open-ended, hollow, elongated structures with uniform, adherent, fluid coatings, said device comprising i. a pressurizable container for said fluid, having an openended, hollow, elongated structure-receiving opening in the top thereof; ii. removable holding fixture means attached to the top of said container in pressure tight relationship for holding at least one bundle of said open-ended hollow, elongated structures vertically extending into said container, said fixture means being provided with means for gripping said bundle and said fixture means being adapted to provide that the open ends of said elongated structures can be dipped in said fluid in said coNtainer; iii. means for pressurizing the surface of said fluid when said open-ended hollow, elongated structures are dipped in said fluid; iv. a vertical, open-ended hollow, elongated control structure dipping into said fluid; and v. means associated with said control structure for interrupting and releasing said pressure responsive to said fluid rising to a predetermined height in said control structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A positive pressure device for coating the internal surfaces of open-ended, hollow, elongated structures with uniform, adherent, fluid coatings, said device comprising i. a pressurizable container for said fluid, having an openended, hollow, elongated structure-receiving opening in the top thereof; ii. removable holding fixture means attached to the top of said container in pressure tight relationship for holding at least one bundle of said open-ended hollow, elongated structures vertically extending into said container, said fixture means being provided with means for gripping said bundle and said fixture means being adapted to provide that the open ends of said elongated structures can be dipped in said fluid in said coNtainer; iii. means for pressurizing the surface of said fluid when said open-ended hollow, elongated structures are dipped in said fluid; iv. a vertical, open-ended hollow, elongated control structure dipping into said fluid; and v. means associated with said control structure for interrupting and releasing said pressure responsive to said fluid rising to a predetermined height in said control structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as defined in claim 1 including vi. means for heating and controlling the temperature of said fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for heating and controlling the temperature of said fluid comprises, in combination, a power supply, an electrical element for heating the fluid, and a temperature level sensor immersed in said fluid to close the electrical circuit when the temperature in the fluid falls below a pre-determined level and to open the electrical circuit when the temperature exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said open-ended, hollow, elongated structures are bacteriological or serological testing devices and said fluid is nutrient agar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said bacteriological testing devices are culturing pipettes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said removable holding fixture means for holding said elongated structures in said container is a pressurizable chamber, said chamber including gripping means comprising at least one thin tubular, flexible, fluid impermeable diaphragm sealed to the walls of at least one pair of apertures vertically aligned at the top and bottom of said chamber, said tubular diaphragm and apertures being sized to accommodate a bundle of culturing pipettes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for pressurizing the surface of said fluid and for interrupting and releasing said pressure comprises an external source of gas pressure in openable communication with the container above the surface of said fluid, and said means associated with said control structure comprises a liquid level sensor at a pre-determined height above the bottom opening of said control structure, and means actuatable by impulses from said sensor for venting pressure from said container when the level of liquid in said control structure rises to said pre-determined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |