US3903908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slide staining apparatus
Assignee: COLUMBIA IND DEVELOPMENTS LIMI
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Filing: 1973-10-31
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1993-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A device having two cooperating traversing means to move a carrier to any of a selected number of predetermined positions above treatment solutions and lower one or more specimens into the treatment solutions for a selected period of time with a control permitting selection of the sequence of treatments as well as the duration of treatments and capable of directing drive systems to proceed through each of the selected sequence steps automatically. Preferably, the treating solutions are arranged orthagonally and carried in a sliding tray which may be extended from the cabinet for replenishment or replacement. One particular advantage of the system is the location of the mechanical mechanism and electrical components above the solutions which avoids damage from dripping and spillage.
Inventors
- 👤 John Logue
- 👤 Michael J Coulson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/30; G01N1/31; G01N1/312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
364 words
A device for treating a specimen by immersion in a plurality of liquids, which comprises: a housing having a base, a series of adjacent trays slideably mounted on said base within said housing so as to be individually moveable into and from said housing, a plurality of containers for liquids carried on each of said series of said adjacent trays, moveable carrier means mounted in said housing disposed above said containers, lowering means moveably disposed on said carrier means adapted to hold said specimen for immersing said specimen in a preselected container, drive means connected to said carrier means adapted to move said lowering means to a predetermined position above said preselected container, a first traversing means mounted in said housing and adapted to move along a horizontal first axis, a second traversing means connected to said first traversing means said second traversing means adapted to move along a horizontal second axis perpendicular to said first axis and to support said lowering means, timing means responsive to said lowering means for indicating said specimen immersed in said container, means for determining a preselected sequence of positions along said first axis, means for determining a preselected sequence of positions along said second axis, means for determining the location of said lowering means along said first and second axis, means for counting said preselected sequence of positions along said first and second axis, and analyzer means responsive to said means for determining a preselected sequence of positions, said location determining means and said means for counting, control means responsive to said analyzer means connected to said drive means for controlling said drive means to position said lowering means in said preselected sequence, means for determining a preselected sequence of immersion times, and control means responsive to said sequence of immersion times means and timing means connected to said lowering means for controlling the duration of immersion, whereby a specimen is transported through a preselected sequence of treatments by immersion for an effective time in a plurality of liquids and said lowering means is moved directly from a position above one preselected container to a position above another preselected container according to the preselected sequence of movement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
364 words
A device for treating a specimen by immersion in a plurality of liquids, which comprises: a housing having a base, a series of adjacent trays slideably mounted on said base within said housing so as to be individually moveable into and from said housing, a plurality of containers for liquids carried on each of said series of said adjacent trays, moveable carrier means mounted in said housing disposed above said containers, lowering means moveably disposed on said carrier means adapted to hold said specimen for immersing said specimen in a preselected container, drive means connected to said carrier means adapted to move said lowering means to a predetermined position above said preselected container, a first traversing means mounted in said housing and adapted to move along a horizontal first axis, a second traversing means connected to said first traversing means said second traversing means adapted to move along a horizontal second axis perpendicular to said first axis and to support said lowering means, timing means responsive to said lowering means for indicating said specimen immersed in said container, means for determining a preselected sequence of positions along said first axis, means for determining a preselected sequence of positions along said second axis, means for determining the location of said lowering means along said first and second axis, means for counting said preselected sequence of positions along said first and second axis, and analyzer means responsive to said means for determining a preselected sequence of positions, said location determining means and said means for counting, control means responsive to said analyzer means connected to said drive means for controlling said drive means to position said lowering means in said preselected sequence, means for determining a preselected sequence of immersion times, and control means responsive to said sequence of immersion times means and timing means connected to said lowering means for controlling the duration of immersion, whereby a specimen is transported through a preselected sequence of treatments by immersion for an effective time in a plurality of liquids and said lowering means is moved directly from a position above one preselected container to a position above another preselected container according to the preselected sequence of movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said drive means includes: a first reversible electric motor connected to said first traversing means and adapted to move said first traversing means to predetermined positions along sAid first axis, a second reversible electric motor connected to said second traversing means and adapted to move said second traversing means to predetermined positions along said second axis, and said first and second motors being connected and responsive to said control means responsive to said analyzer means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means of determining the position of said lowering means along said first and second axes includes: a first disc connected to said first motor and adapted to rotate responsive to movement of said first traversing means, a coded series of holes in said disc along a plurality of preselected radii, a light source disposed on one side of said disc and adapted to illuminate a radially extending elongated area of said first disc, means responsive to light passing through said coded series of holes disposed on the other side of said disc and adapted to signal the location of said first traversing means in one of said preselected positions along said first axis, a second disc connected to said second motor and adapted to rotate responsive to movement of said second traversing means, a coded series of holes in said second disk along a plurality of preselected radii, a light source disposed along one side of said second disc and adapted to illuminate a radially extending elongated area of said second disc, means responsive to light passing through said coded series of holes disposed on the other side of said second disc and adapted to signal the location of said second traversing means in one of said preselected positions along said second axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said housing has a pair of opposed vertical sides, said carrier means includes a first horizontal track mounted on said sides to support said first traversing means and said first traversing means includes a second horizontal track to support said second traversing means, interlock means mounted on said housing to prevent withdrawal from said housing of more than one of said trays and switch means to prevent operation of said device when one of said trays is withdrawn from said housing.
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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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |