US4080833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for automatically supplying liquid samples to analytical instruments
Assignee: PE Manufacturing GmbH
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Filing: 1977-02-25
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Granted: 1978-03-28
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Expires: 1997-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A device for automatically supplying liquid samples to analytical instuments having a support member; a sample source mounted on the support member; a calibration vessel holder mounted on the support member for carrying a plurality of vessels containing neutral or calibration solutions, said holder being movable in a stepwise manner; an intake tube mounted for vertical reciprocating motion corresponding to predetermined points of an operating cycle; and wherein the support member is movable to a first position wherein the sample source is disposed adjacent the intake tube and to a second position wherein one of the vessels in the vessel holder is disposed adjacent the intake tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for automatically supplying liquid samples to an analytical instrument comprising, in combination: a support member in the form of a base plate mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis; a sample source mounted on said support member; a calibration vessel holder mounted on said support member which comprises a turntable having a circular array of vessels containing neutral or calibration solutions, said calibration vessel holder being movable in a stepwise manner; an intake tube, means for vertically reciprocating said intake tube corresponding to predetermined points of an operating cycle; and means for pivoting said support member about said pivot axis to a first position wherein said sample source is disposed adjacent said intake tube and for pivoting said support member about said pivot axis to a second position wherein one of said vessels in said vessel holder is disposed adjacent said intake tube, said pivot axis being offset with respect to the axis of rotation of said turntable and parallel thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for automatically supplying liquid samples to an analytical instrument comprising, in combination: a support member in the form of a base plate mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis; a sample source mounted on said support member; a calibration vessel holder mounted on said support member which comprises a turntable having a circular array of vessels containing neutral or calibration solutions, said calibration vessel holder being movable in a stepwise manner; an intake tube, means for vertically reciprocating said intake tube corresponding to predetermined points of an operating cycle; and means for pivoting said support member about said pivot axis to a first position wherein said sample source is disposed adjacent said intake tube and for pivoting said support member about said pivot axis to a second position wherein one of said vessels in said vessel holder is disposed adjacent said intake tube, said pivot axis being offset with respect to the axis of rotation of said turntable and parallel thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said sample source is a turntable with a circular array of vessels, said sample vessel and said calibration vessel turntables being disposed in concentric relationship with respect to each other.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for automatically supplying liquid samples to an analytical instrument comprising, in combination: a base plate mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis for movement between two stop means to determine first and second positions; a sample vessel turntable having a circular array of sample vessels therein mounted on said base plate; a calibration vessel turntable having a circular array of vessels therein mounted on said base plate for containing neutral or calibration solutions; an intake tube, means for vertically reciprocating said intake tube corresponding to predetermined points of an operating cycle; means for moving said sample vessel turntable in a stepwise manner so that one of said sample vessels is positioned adjacent said intake tube when said base plate is in its first position; means for moving said calibration vessel turntable in a stepwise manner so that one of said calibration vessels is positioned adjacent said intake tube when said base plate is in its second position; and means for moving said base plate to said first position wherein one of said sample vessels is disposed adjacent said intake tube and for moving said base plate to said second position wherein one of said calibration vessels is adjacent said intake tube, said pivot axis being located outside the plane of the axes of rotation of said two turntables and parallel thereto.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for automatically supplying liquid samples to an analytical instrument comprising, in combination: a base plate mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot axis for movement between two stop means to determine first and second positions; a sample vessel turntable having a circular array of sample vessels therein mounted on said base plate; a calibration vessel turntable having a circular array of vessels therein mounted on said base plate for containing neutral or calibration solutions; an intake tube, means for vertically reciprocating said intake tube corresponding to predetermined points of an operating cycle; means for moving said sample vessel turntable in a stepwise manner so that one of said sample vessels is positioned adjacent said intake tube when said base plate is in its first position; means for moving said calibration vessel turntable in a stepwise manner so that one of said calibration vessels is positioned adjacent said intake tube when said base plate is in its second position; and means for moving said base plate to said first position wherein one of said sample vessels is disposed adjacent said intake tube and for moving said base plate to said second position wherein one of said calibration vessels is adjacent said intake tube, said pivot axis being located outside the plane of the axes of rotation of said two turntables and parallel thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein said turntables are in driving connection with ratchet wheels respectively, and wherein said means for vertically reciprocating the intake tube includes a motor, said motor simultaneously reciprocating a slide bar extending intermediate the turntables, said slide bar carrying two pawls, one of said pawls engaging the ratchet wheel of the sample vessel turntable when the base plate is in its first position, and the other of said pawls engaging the ratchet wheel of the calibration vessel turntable when the base plate is in its second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein control elements are attached to the sample vessel turntable, said control elements being positioned to release the base plate for rotary movement from ints first position to its second position at a predetermined angular position of the sample vessel turntable; and wherein a control element is attached to the calibration vessel turntable, said last named control element being positioned to release the base plate for rotary movement from its second position to its first position at a predetermined angular position of the calibration vessel turntable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said slide bar has a projection projecting therefrom in a direction parallel to the pivot axis of the base plate, a pawl having two inclined surfaces arranged in a roof-like manner being pivotally mounted on the base plate in the path of said projection, the tip of said pawl being rotated by resilient means with respect to said projection in a direction towards the second position when said base plate is in its first position and in a direction towards the first position when the base plate is in its second position, and wherein controlled stop members are mounted respectively to limit the rotary movement of said pawl in both directions, said stop members being controlled by the control elements attached to the turntables, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein said pawl is resiliently restrained, with respect to the base plate, to a central position of rest by a spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein said stop members are stop pins guided for sliding movement in the base plate, and wherein said control elements attached to the turntables are cams, and wherein means including two-armed levers move said stop pins corresponding to movement of said cams, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said means for moving said stop pins include intermediate elements pivotally mounted for inward rotary movement on said two-armed levers respectively, and spring means for urging said intermediate elements outwardly in positions wherein the intermediate elements extend substantially normal to the levers in the direction toward said cams, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein said cams are separable from said turntables respectively, said cams being attachable at a plurality of predetermined locations on the turntables, respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3546946A
Cited
US3581574A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-27 | 1981-09-26 | 1982-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-27 | 1985-09-26 | 1986-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-27 | 1989-09-26 | 1990-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |