Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for centrifugal separation of test samples in containers of tubular form open at both ends, said apparatus comprising a rotor of plate-like form having a plurality of radially extending recesses each being adapted to accommodate one of said tubular containers, resilient abutment means on said rotor at the outer end of each recess in position to serve as an abutment for the outer end of a tubular container laid in such recess, clamping means mounted centrally on said rotor and movable axially from a loading position to a clamping position, said clamping means forming a movable abutment for the inner ends of the tubular containers, said axial movement of said clamping means carrying the inner ends of the tubular containers from a position on one side of a transverse plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rotor and containing the outer ends of said containers to a position on the opposite side of said plane, and said axial movement of said clamping means serving to displace a tubular container radially outwardly into tight sealing and clamping engagement with said resilient abutment means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for centrifugal separation of test samples in containers of tubular form open at both ends, said apparatus comprising a rotor of plate-like form having a plurality of radially extending recesses each being adapted to accommodate one of said tubular containers, resilient abutment means on said rotor at the outer end of each recess in position to serve as an abutment for the outer end of a tubular container laid in such recess, clamping means mounted centrally on said rotor and movable axially from a loading position to a clamping position, said clamping means forming a movable abutment for the inner ends of the tubular containers, said axial movement of said clamping means carrying the inner ends of the tubular containers from a position on one side of a transverse plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rotor and containing the outer ends of said containers to a position on the opposite side of said plane, and said axial movement of said clamping means serving to displace a tubular container radially outwardly into tight sealing and clamping engagement with said resilient abutment means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the tubular containers, when placed on said rotor with said clamping means in loading position, are inclined in one direction relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said rotor, and the axial movement of said clamping means to clamping position shifts the inner ends of said containers to incline them in an opposition direction relative to said plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the degree of inclination of said containers when said clamping means is in loading position is substantially greater than the degree of inclination thereof in the opposite direction when said clamping means is in clamping position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said axial movement of said clamping means from loading position to clamping position moves said inner ends axially of the axis of rotation of said rotor from an inclined position to and slightly beyond a straight position to exert radially outward force on said containers in the manner of force exerted by straightening a toggle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means forming a positive connection in a rotational direction between said rotor and said clamping means, so that when said rotor is rotated, said clamping means is positively entrained to rotate with it.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising cooperating abutment faces on said rotor and said clamping means to limit axial movement of said clamping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a graduated scale on said rotor beside each of said radial recesses, for measuring values resulting from centrifugal action on the contents of tubular containers clamped to and rotated with said rotor.