US4360149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifuge rotor with liquid supported swinging tubes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-11-10
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Granted: 1982-11-23
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Expires: 2000-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A centrifuge rotor having an internal chamber in which are mounted a plurality of swinging centrifuge tubes containing fluid samples. Located within the rotor chamber is a liquid support medium which minimizes the amount of stress experienced on the centrifuge tube and at the pivotal junction of the tube with the rotor. The unique arrangement of having the buoyant force of a liquid within the rotor provides support to the tubes when the tubes have pivoted to their position during operational speed. The liquid support is designed to reorient in response to centrifugation in order to automatically provide the buoyant force to the tube during centrifugation and thereby reduce or greatly minimize the strength necessary in the mechanical design and construction of the support elements for the swinging tubes or containers.
Inventors
- 👤 George N. Hein, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:09
CPC Classifications
B; B04; B04B; B04B5/00; B04B5/04; B04B5/0407; B04B5/0414; B04B5/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body portion having an internal chamber; at least one fluid sample container pivotally mounted within said internal chamber of said rotor body portion, said container pivotal between a first position and a second position within said chamber; and liquid means within said internal chamber of said rotor body portion and in contact with said fluid sample container for providing buoyant support to said container when said container pivots between said first and second positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body portion having an internal chamber; at least one fluid sample container pivotally mounted within said internal chamber of said rotor body portion, said container pivotal between a first position and a second position within said chamber; and liquid means within said internal chamber of said rotor body portion and in contact with said fluid sample container for providing buoyant support to said container when said container pivots between said first and second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface level of said liquid means moves between a first position and a second position in response to operation of said rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A centrifuge rotor as defined in claim 1, wherein said container is at least partially immersed within said liquid means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body having an internal chamber; a plurality of fluid sample containers; means for pivotally mounting said containers in said chamber, said pivotal mounting means providing partial support to said containers; and liquid means within said chamber for providing partial support to said containers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body having an internal chamber; a plurality of fluid sample containers; means for pivotally mounting said containers in said chamber, said pivotal mounting means providing partial support to said containers; and liquid means within said chamber for providing partial support to said containers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body having an interior chamber; a plurality of fluid sample containers pivotally mounted in said chamber, said containers swinging approximately 90° between an at-rest position and an at-speed position; and liquid means within said chamber for providing buoyant support to said containers while in said at-speed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body having an interior chamber; a plurality of fluid sample containers pivotally mounted in said chamber, said containers swinging approximately 90° between an at-rest position and an at-speed position; and liquid means within said chamber for providing buoyant support to said containers while in said at-speed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a lower portion; an upper portion connected to said lower portion forming an interior chamber; a plurality of fluid sample containers pivotally mounted in said chamber, said containers moving between a first position and a second position; and liquid means in said chamber for providing support to said containers, the surface of said liquid means reorienting approximately 90° independent of said containers as said containers move between said first and second positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a lower portion; an upper portion connected to said lower portion forming an interior chamber; a plurality of fluid sample containers pivotally mounted in said chamber, said containers moving between a first position and a second position; and liquid means in said chamber for providing support to said containers, the surface of said liquid means reorienting approximately 90° independent of said containers as said containers move between said first and second positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body portion; a pivotal centrifuge tube; at least two projections adjacent one end of said tube to pivotally connect said tube within said rotor body portion; and liquid means within said rotor body portion and in contact with said tube for providing bouyant support to said tube when said rotor is at operational speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A centrifuge rotor comprising: a rotor body portion; a pivotal centrifuge tube; at least two projections adjacent one end of said tube to pivotally connect said tube within said rotor body portion; and liquid means within said rotor body portion and in contact with said tube for providing bouyant support to said tube when said rotor is at operational speed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-22 | 1986-05-24 | 1986-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-22 | 1990-05-24 | 1990-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-22 | 1994-05-24 | 1994-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |