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US4121634A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Glass-sealed vessel opening device and method

Assignee: Indiana University Foundation Inc
•
Filing: 1977-08-29
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Granted: 1978-10-24
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Expires: 1997-08-29
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Abstract

Abstract A device for opening glass-sealed vessels in order either to recover a gas from or to introduce a gas into a vacuum system or other confined atmosphere comprises first vessel receiving means adapted removably to receive therein a projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel along with second vessel receiving means similarly adapted removably to receive therein the projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel, with the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means being positioned adjacent each other. A flexible tubing means adapted removably to receive the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means therein is provided along with first coupling means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the flexible tubing means and a confined atmosphere and second coupling means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the flexible tubing means and the glass-sealed vessel, whereby flexure of glass-sealed vessel, second coupling means and second vessel receiving means as a unit permits the projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel to be ruptured adjacent the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means thereby to release the contents of the glass-sealed vessel into the confined atmosphere.

Inventors

  • 👤 John Michael Hayes
  • 👤 David John Des Marais

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 22:37
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5082; B01L3/50825

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 182 words
A device for opening glass-sealed vessels comprising: means defining a confined space; first vessel receiving means communicating with the confined space and adapted removably to receive therein a projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel; second vessel receiving means adapted removably to receive therein the projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel, the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means being spaced from and positioned adjacent each other; flexible tubing means adapted removably to receive the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means therein; first sealing means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the flexible tubing means and the confined space; and second sealing means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the flexible tubing means and the glass-sealed vessel; whereby application of a flexing force to the glass-sealed vessel, second sealing means and second vessel receiving means as a unit permits the projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel to be ruptured adjacent the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means thereby to release the contents of the glass-sealed vessel into the confined space.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 182 words
A device for opening glass-sealed vessels comprising: means defining a confined space; first vessel receiving means communicating with the confined space and adapted removably to receive therein a projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel; second vessel receiving means adapted removably to receive therein the projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel, the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means being spaced from and positioned adjacent each other; flexible tubing means adapted removably to receive the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means therein; first sealing means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the flexible tubing means and the confined space; and second sealing means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the flexible tubing means and the glass-sealed vessel; whereby application of a flexing force to the glass-sealed vessel, second sealing means and second vessel receiving means as a unit permits the projecting end of the glass-sealed vessel to be ruptured adjacent the proximal ends of the first and second vessel receiving means thereby to release the contents of the glass-sealed vessel into the confined space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 85 words
A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sealing means comprises a first union connection adapted sealingly to connect the distal end of the flexible tubing means, with the first vessel receiving means positioned therein, and tube means communicating with the confined space, the first union connection including first means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the union connection and the flexible tubing means and second sealing means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the union connection and the tube means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first sealing means comprises: a vacuum tight joint between the first vessel receiving means and the flexible tubing means; and coupling means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the confined space and the first vessel receiving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 41 words
A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vessel receiving means is integrally connected to the confined space and the first sealing means comprises a vacuum tight joint between the first vessel receiving means and the flexible tubing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 79 words
A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second sealing means comprises a union connection adapted sealingly to connect the proximal end of the flexible tubing means, with the second vessel receiving means positioned therein, and a glass-sealed vessel, the second union connection including first means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the union connection and the flexible tubing means and second means for effecting a vacuum tight seal between the union connection and the glass-sealed vessel.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3002387A Cited
US3475127A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-10-23 1982-04-24 1982-10-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-10-23 1986-04-24 1986-10-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-10-23 1990-04-24 1990-10-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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