Patent US2456070A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3872730A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3872730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sampling apparatus
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1973-03-07
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A holder for a sealed container of the type having a piercable self-sealing cap is slidably mounted at a lower end of an inclined slideway. The slideway is pivotally mounted at its upper end to a stationary base. A housing mounted to an upper end of the slideway includes a pair of needles positioned to pierce the cap of the container. The needles are disposed one above the other and the uppermost needle is longer than the lower most needle. Actuating means are provided for causing reciprocal movement of the holder and simultaneous pivotal movement of the slideway so that the cap is pierced by the needles. As the uppermost needle pierces the cap it enters a bubble formed above fluid contained in the container for purposes of equalizing the pressure within the container. The second needle then pierces the cap as the container passes through a horizontal position so that the second needle enters the fluid contained in the container which flows to a position adjacent the cap as the container is tilted. Means are provided for applying a negative pressure to the second needle for drawing fluid out of the container. The actuating means is then used to withdraw the holder and container from the needles which are wiped clean by the action of the selfsealing cap.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Andrew Ringrose
- 👤 John Ronald Coy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of withdrawin a sample of fluid from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperture formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising the steps of: venting the container through the cap while maintaining the container in substantially upright position before the sampling needle passes through the cap, whereby the pressure in the container is approximately equalized with atmospheric pressure; inserting a sampling needle through the cap and into the container; tilting the container subsequent to venting of the container so that the fluid is positioned adjacent the cap and the sampling needle extends into the fluid; withdrawing a sample of fluid from the container by applying suction to the sampling needle; and withdrawing the sampling needle through the cap, whereby the cap wipes the sampling needle as it is withdrawn and thereafter reseals the container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of withdrawin a sample of fluid from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperture formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising the steps of: venting the container through the cap while maintaining the container in substantially upright position before the sampling needle passes through the cap, whereby the pressure in the container is approximately equalized with atmospheric pressure; inserting a sampling needle through the cap and into the container; tilting the container subsequent to venting of the container so that the fluid is positioned adjacent the cap and the sampling needle extends into the fluid; withdrawing a sample of fluid from the container by applying suction to the sampling needle; and withdrawing the sampling needle through the cap, whereby the cap wipes the sampling needle as it is withdrawn and thereafter reseals the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein the container is vented by means of a vent needle, the vent needle being passed through the cap before the sampling needle so as to communicate an air bubble formed above the fluid in the container with atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 including the additional steps of holding the container with the cap uppermost as the vent needle pierces the cap so that the vent needle enters the air bubble above the fluid and thereafter tilting the container through a horizontal position as the sampling needle passes through the cap so that the air bubble in the container moves away from the cap and the sampling needle enters the fluid positioned adjacent the cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for withdrawing a fluid sample from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperturE formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising: a housing; a samapling needle mounted on the housing; means for connecting the sampling needle to a suction source; a holder for the container mounted on the housing and adapted to hold the container with the cap spaced from and facing the tip of the sampling needle; actuating means for producing relative linear reciprocal movement between the container and the sampling needle to cause the sampling needle to pierce the cap and enter the fluid in the container and thereafter be withdrawn from the cap; the holder for the container being normally disposed at an angle to the horizontal with the cap end of the holder upppermost and the said actuating means being adapted to tilt the holder through the horizontal before the sampling needle passes through the cap; and means being provided for venting the container through the cap whereby the pressure in the cap is approximately equalized with atmospheric pressure before the container is tilted into a horizontal position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
207 words
Apparatus for withdrawing a fluid sample from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperturE formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising: a housing; a samapling needle mounted on the housing; means for connecting the sampling needle to a suction source; a holder for the container mounted on the housing and adapted to hold the container with the cap spaced from and facing the tip of the sampling needle; actuating means for producing relative linear reciprocal movement between the container and the sampling needle to cause the sampling needle to pierce the cap and enter the fluid in the container and thereafter be withdrawn from the cap; the holder for the container being normally disposed at an angle to the horizontal with the cap end of the holder upppermost and the said actuating means being adapted to tilt the holder through the horizontal before the sampling needle passes through the cap; and means being provided for venting the container through the cap whereby the pressure in the cap is approximately equalized with atmospheric pressure before the container is tilted into a horizontal position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said means for venting the container comprises a venting needle adapted to pierce the cap before the sampling needle and enter an air bubble formed above the fluid to vent the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the venting needle is longer than the sampling needle and the venting needle is arranged above the sampling needle and in parallel with the sampling needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein abutment means is provided on the holder to retain the container in the holder when the sampling needle is withdrawn.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sampling needle is mounted substantially rigidly in a connector which is adapted to readily connect the sampling needle to a source of suction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein the sampling needle and the venting needle are mounted substantially rigidly in a connector which is adapted to readily connect the sampling needle to a source of suction and to connect the venting needle to a pressure source approximately equal to atmospheric pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sampling needle and the venting needle are readily removable from the connector for cleaning or replacement purposes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
324 words
Apparatus for withdrawing a fluid sample from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperture formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising: a housing; a sampling needle mounted on the housing; means for connecting the sampling needle to a suction source; a holder for the container mounted on the housing and adapted to hold the container with the cap spaced from and facing the tip of the sampling needle; actuating means for producing relative linear reciprocal movement between the container and the sampling needle to cause the sampling needle to pierce the cap and enter the fluid in the container and thereafter be withdrawn from the cap; the holder for the container being normally disposed at an angle to the horizontal with the cap end of the holder uppermost and the said actuating means being adapted to tilt the holder through the horizontal before the sampling needle passes through the cap; means being provided for venting the container through the cap before the container is tilted into a horizontal position; the means for venting the container comprising a venting needle adapted to pierce the cap before the sampling needle and enter an air bubble formed above the fluid to vent the container; the venting needle being longer than the sampling needle and the venting needle being arranged above the sampling needle and in parallel with the sampling needle; and the needles being mounted at the upper end of an inclined slideway on the housing, tHe holder for the container is slidably mounted at the lower end of the inclined slideway for reciprocal movement toward and away from the needles, the slideway being pivotally mounted at its upper end to the housing and the actuating means being operable to pivot the slideway through the horizontal for tilting movement of the container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
324 words
Apparatus for withdrawing a fluid sample from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperture formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising: a housing; a sampling needle mounted on the housing; means for connecting the sampling needle to a suction source; a holder for the container mounted on the housing and adapted to hold the container with the cap spaced from and facing the tip of the sampling needle; actuating means for producing relative linear reciprocal movement between the container and the sampling needle to cause the sampling needle to pierce the cap and enter the fluid in the container and thereafter be withdrawn from the cap; the holder for the container being normally disposed at an angle to the horizontal with the cap end of the holder uppermost and the said actuating means being adapted to tilt the holder through the horizontal before the sampling needle passes through the cap; means being provided for venting the container through the cap before the container is tilted into a horizontal position; the means for venting the container comprising a venting needle adapted to pierce the cap before the sampling needle and enter an air bubble formed above the fluid to vent the container; the venting needle being longer than the sampling needle and the venting needle being arranged above the sampling needle and in parallel with the sampling needle; and the needles being mounted at the upper end of an inclined slideway on the housing, tHe holder for the container is slidably mounted at the lower end of the inclined slideway for reciprocal movement toward and away from the needles, the slideway being pivotally mounted at its upper end to the housing and the actuating means being operable to pivot the slideway through the horizontal for tilting movement of the container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for withdrawing a fluid sample from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperture formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising: a housing; a sampling needle mounted on the housing; means for connecting the sampling needle to a suction source; a holder for the container mounted on the housing and adapted to hold the container with the cap spaced from and facing the tip of the sampling needle; actuating means for producing relative linear reciprocal movement between the container and the sampling needle to cause the sampling needle to pierce the cap and enter the fluid in the container and thereafter be withdrawn from the cap; the holder for the container being normally disposed at an angle to the horizontal with the cap end of the holder uppermost and the said actuating means being adapted to tilt the holder through the horizontal before the sampling needle passes through the cap; the sampling needle being mounted substantially rigidly in a connector which is adapted to readily connect the sampling needle to a suction source; and the sampling needle being readily removable from the connector for cleaning or replacement purposes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
213 words
Apparatus for withdrawing a fluid sample from a container which is sealed by a cap formed from a material which can be readily pierced by a sampling needle and which will reseal the aperture formed by the sampling needle when the sampling needle is withdrawn, comprising: a housing; a sampling needle mounted on the housing; means for connecting the sampling needle to a suction source; a holder for the container mounted on the housing and adapted to hold the container with the cap spaced from and facing the tip of the sampling needle; actuating means for producing relative linear reciprocal movement between the container and the sampling needle to cause the sampling needle to pierce the cap and enter the fluid in the container and thereafter be withdrawn from the cap; the holder for the container being normally disposed at an angle to the horizontal with the cap end of the holder uppermost and the said actuating means being adapted to tilt the holder through the horizontal before the sampling needle passes through the cap; the sampling needle being mounted substantially rigidly in a connector which is adapted to readily connect the sampling needle to a suction source; and the sampling needle being readily removable from the connector for cleaning or replacement purposes.
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) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |