US4007010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Blister plane apparatus for testing samples of fluid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-02
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Granted: 1977-02-08
•
Expires: 1996-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A sample of fluid is processed in a sandwich-like processing card comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, at least one of which layers has pliable characteristics. The space between the two layers is completely filled with a liquid preferably having certain grease-like characteristics so as to exclude all contaminating air. The liquid filled space is referred to as the activity plane. In operation, a sample of the fluid to be tested in the form of a small droplet is injected into the activity plane so as to constitute a blister. The blister may be moved throughout the activity plane by an external pusher of appropriate geometry. The pusher acts upon the blister by pressing on and moving along the pliable layer. Also located in the activity plane are a plurality of chemical, physical or detecting process stations to which the blister may be moved by the pusher as desired. The entire apparatus preferably is rectangular in shape but also may be circular or cylindrical.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G. Woodbridge, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:35
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/505; G; G01; G01N; G01N31/00; B01L2400/00; B01L2400/04; B01L2400/0475; B01L2400/0481; G01N35/00; G01N2035/00178; G01N2035/00237; G01N35/10; G01N2035/1027; G01N2035/1034
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A blister processing apparatus for testing a sample of fluid, said apparatus comprising: a blister processing card having an upper level and a lower layer, said layers defining a two dimensional activity plane therebetween through which said sample may pass, at least one of said layers having pliable characteristics; a blister forming means for introducing a blister sample into said acitivity plane; a plurality of process station means located in said activity plane; an exterior pusher means for propelling said sample through said activity plane; and an inert liquid medium located within said activity plane, said medium being strong enough to prevent the movement of said blister sample in said activity plane solely under the influence of gravity but weak enough to allow said blister sample to pass through said activity plane under the influence of said pusher, there being sufficient medium in said plane so as to substantially exclude contaminants from said plurality of station means, wherein said sample is introduced into said activity plane by said blister forming means and then moved selectively around said two dimensional activity plane under the influence of said pusher acting through said pliable layer from outside of said apparatus thereby causing said blister sample to pass through said plurality of process station means substantially without contamination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A blister processing apparatus for testing a sample of fluid, said apparatus comprising: a blister processing card having an upper level and a lower layer, said layers defining a two dimensional activity plane therebetween through which said sample may pass, at least one of said layers having pliable characteristics; a blister forming means for introducing a blister sample into said acitivity plane; a plurality of process station means located in said activity plane; an exterior pusher means for propelling said sample through said activity plane; and an inert liquid medium located within said activity plane, said medium being strong enough to prevent the movement of said blister sample in said activity plane solely under the influence of gravity but weak enough to allow said blister sample to pass through said activity plane under the influence of said pusher, there being sufficient medium in said plane so as to substantially exclude contaminants from said plurality of station means, wherein said sample is introduced into said activity plane by said blister forming means and then moved selectively around said two dimensional activity plane under the influence of said pusher acting through said pliable layer from outside of said apparatus thereby causing said blister sample to pass through said plurality of process station means substantially without contamination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blister processing card is substantially flat and rectangular in shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein sid pusher means comprises a circular ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blister processing card is cylindrical in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pusher means comprises a saddle-shaped ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blister processing card is circular in shape and adapted to rotate around a center.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said pusher means comprises a U shaped means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said lower layer is relatively rigid and said upper layer is relatively pliable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pusher means has a V shaped cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pusher means comprises two pusher elements each having a V shaped cross section wherein one pusher element is located directly above and in contact with the upper layer of the blister processing card and the other element is located directly below and in contact with the blister processing card in the same orientation as the pusher located above.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pusher means has a herringbone type cross section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blister forming means comprises a hollow tube capable of evacuation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blister forming means comprises a hollow sample injection cylinder having a cavity communicated at one end to the activity plane and adapted at the other end to receive an injection piston, wherein said sample of fluid may be placed within said injection cylinder and forced into said activity plane by said injection piston thereby forming a blister within said activity plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pusher means and blister forming means are integrally connected together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said sample injection cylinder is integral with said upper layer of said blister processing card.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said sample injecting cylinder and said upper layer of said blister processing card are separate elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blister forming means comprises a pliable bag type means communicated at one end with the activity plane of said blister processing card and adapted to receive said sample at the other end of said bag, wherein said sample may be introduced into said bag, sealed therein, said subsequently forced into said activity plane by applying pressure to the walls of said bag.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of process station means includes at least one chemical operation station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said chemical operation station is a chemical reagent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said chemical operation station includes means for performing electrolysis on said blister sample.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of process station means further includes at least one physical operation station.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said physical operation station comprises a filtering station.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of process station means comprises a detecting operation station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said detecting operation station comprises a location where one of said layers is sufficiently transparent to allow optical measurements to be taken of said sample.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said detecting operation station includes a reagent therein which changes color according to a given specific property of the blister sample.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said detecting operation station includes a plurality of indicator dots each being selectively sensitive to characteristics of said blister sample.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said detecting operation station includes means for determining the electrical conductivity of said blister sample.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blister forming means comprises a port in the edge of said card for communicating the activity plane to the area external to the card.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
178 words
A blister processing card for testing a sample of liquid in the shape of a blister, said card comprising: an upper layer and a lower layer, said layer defining a two dimensional activity plane therebetween through which said sample may pass, at least one of said layers having pliable characteristics; a plurality of process station means located in said activity plane; and, an inert liquid medium located within said activity plane, said medium being strong enough to prevent the movement of said blister sample in said activity plane solely under the influence of gravity, but weak enough to allow said blister sample to pass through said activity plane unde the influence of an external force, there being sufficient medium in said plane so as to substantially exclude contaminants from said plurality station, wherein said sample is introduced into said activity plane and then moved from outside of said card selectively around said two dimensional activity plane thereby causing said blister sample to pass through said plurality of process station means located in said activity plane substantially without contamination.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
178 words
A blister processing card for testing a sample of liquid in the shape of a blister, said card comprising: an upper layer and a lower layer, said layer defining a two dimensional activity plane therebetween through which said sample may pass, at least one of said layers having pliable characteristics; a plurality of process station means located in said activity plane; and, an inert liquid medium located within said activity plane, said medium being strong enough to prevent the movement of said blister sample in said activity plane solely under the influence of gravity, but weak enough to allow said blister sample to pass through said activity plane unde the influence of an external force, there being sufficient medium in said plane so as to substantially exclude contaminants from said plurality station, wherein said sample is introduced into said activity plane and then moved from outside of said card selectively around said two dimensional activity plane thereby causing said blister sample to pass through said plurality of process station means located in said activity plane substantially without contamination.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
142 words
A blister processing apparatus for testing a sample of liquid, said apparatus comprising: a sandwich including two smooth plastic films having a space between them, said space between them being filled with an inert liquid having grease-like characteristics, said space further containing a plurality of process station means; a blister forming means for producing a blister of said sample in the space between said film; a substantially rigid plate means for supporting said sandwich; and, an external pusher means adapted to extert force upon said sandwich against said plate and to move said blister to any of said plurality of process station means, wherein said sample is introduced into said space by said blister forming means and then moved selectively around said space under the influence of said external pusher means thereby causing said blister to pass through said process station means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
142 words
A blister processing apparatus for testing a sample of liquid, said apparatus comprising: a sandwich including two smooth plastic films having a space between them, said space between them being filled with an inert liquid having grease-like characteristics, said space further containing a plurality of process station means; a blister forming means for producing a blister of said sample in the space between said film; a substantially rigid plate means for supporting said sandwich; and, an external pusher means adapted to extert force upon said sandwich against said plate and to move said blister to any of said plurality of process station means, wherein said sample is introduced into said space by said blister forming means and then moved selectively around said space under the influence of said external pusher means thereby causing said blister to pass through said process station means.
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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) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |