US3924128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for handling flexible containers for liquid sample spectrometry
Assignee: Revvity Health Sciences Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-28
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1993-12-28
Abstract
Abstract Flexible sample containers for liquid scintillation spectrometry analysis of test samples containing one or more radioactive isotopes disposed in a liquid scintillator wherein the flexible sample containers either in individual or strip form are made of layered, flexible, light-transmissive, polyester film and are provided further with means for avoiding light ''''piping'''' or optical isolation from respective adjacent sample containers. Apparatus for handling such flexible sample containers is provided with light transmission sealing means for preventing entry of ambient light or escape of light from the photomultiplier tube detection devices. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for filling, forming, sealing and handling the aforementioned flexible sample containers that readily lends itself to fully automated production line type operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:39
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/24; B65D81/30; G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/204; G01T1/2042; G01T1/2047; G01T7/00; G01T7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
In an apparatus for spectrally analyzing test samples containing one or more radioactive isotopes disposed in a liquid scintillator and adapted to handle flexible sample containers formed by joining layered, flexible light-transmissive, polyester film to define a bag portion therein, light tight housing means including a counting station, at least one photomultiplier detection device in said housing and means, for axially shifting said photomultiplier detection device toward and away from said counting station, the improvement comprising, a resilient member surrounding the end of said photomultiplier detection device adjacent said counting station, said resilient member being disposed to contact the flexible sample container disposed in the counting station and surround the entire periphery of the bag portions thereof when said photomultiplier detection device is axially shifted toward the sample container to its preselected position for counting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
In an apparatus for spectrally analyzing test samples containing one or more radioactive isotopes disposed in a liquid scintillator and adapted to handle flexible sample containers formed by joining layered, flexible light-transmissive, polyester film to define a bag portion therein, light tight housing means including a counting station, at least one photomultiplier detection device in said housing and means, for axially shifting said photomultiplier detection device toward and away from said counting station, the improvement comprising, a resilient member surrounding the end of said photomultiplier detection device adjacent said counting station, said resilient member being disposed to contact the flexible sample container disposed in the counting station and surround the entire periphery of the bag portions thereof when said photomultiplier detection device is axially shifted toward the sample container to its preselected position for counting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a second photomultiplier tube device in longitudinally spaced apart relation to said other photomultiplier detection device, said second tube having a second resilient member surrounding its end directed toward the counting station, said second resilient member being coaxially disposed with respect to said first photomultiplier device resilient member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an apparatus for spectrally analyzing test samples containing one or more radioactive isotopes disposed in the liquid scintillator and adapted to handle flexible sample containers formed by joining layered, flexible light-transmissive, polyester film to define a bag portion therein, the combination comprising, a source of said fLexible sample containers, at least one photomultiplier detection device adjacent a light tight counting station, means for axially shifting said photomultiplier detection device toward and away from said counting station, means for transferring said containers from said source means to said counting station, and means associated with said transfer means and said photomultiplier detection device for sealing said counting station against entry of ambient light when said transfer means brings the flexible container into the counting station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
In an apparatus for spectrally analyzing test samples containing one or more radioactive isotopes disposed in the liquid scintillator and adapted to handle flexible sample containers formed by joining layered, flexible light-transmissive, polyester film to define a bag portion therein, the combination comprising, a source of said fLexible sample containers, at least one photomultiplier detection device adjacent a light tight counting station, means for axially shifting said photomultiplier detection device toward and away from said counting station, means for transferring said containers from said source means to said counting station, and means associated with said transfer means and said photomultiplier detection device for sealing said counting station against entry of ambient light when said transfer means brings the flexible container into the counting station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said transfer means comprises a shiftable shuttle, said shuttle having a sample container receiving opening therein and said sealing means comprising sealing rings surrounding said shuttle and relatively movable into sealing position when said shuttle opening carrying the container is in the counting station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said transfer means comprises a shiftable shuttle having an opening therein for receiving said flexible container and said sealing means comprises a pair of cooperating resilient rollers adapted to permit the shuttle to pass between the nip thereof while preventing entry of light to the counting station, said rollers each including a shaft-like central portion of a first diameter, the length of said central portion corresponding to the height of said shuttle along a first axis and end portions on said rollers of a larger diameter, said roller end portions overlapping the shuttle and engaging one another at approximately the mid-point of the width of the shuttle along a second axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said light tight counting station includes a generally box-shape enclosure, said photomultiplier detection device being connected to a first wall of said enclosure having an opening therein for movement into the counting station within said enclosure, an entry opening in another wall of said enclosure for said transfer means to carry the flexible container into said counting station within the enclosure and said sealing means comprising a shutter member movable relative to said entry opening to open and close the same.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said photomultiplier detection device entry opening in said enclosure includes a shiftable shutter disposed adjacent thereto for opening and closing said latter opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said shutters include a depending slotted portion and means disposed in said enclosure for alternatively engaging the slotted portions of the respective shutters to shift said entry opening shutter to an open position when said photomultiplier detection device entry opening shutter is in a closed position and shift said photomultiplier detection device entry opening shutter to an open position when said container entry opening shutter is in a closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said shutter opening means comprises a rotatable disc member having a transverse pin adjacent its periphery.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3663816A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |