US4377641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the continuous extraction of ingredients from samples
Assignee: United States, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, Secretary of
•
Filing: 1981-10-22
•
Granted: 1983-03-22
•
Expires: 2001-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for continuous extraction of an ingredient from a sample employs a container having a solvent therein selected for its ability to extract the ingredient. The sample is held against a porous substrate having a lower portion which is located below the sample and placed in the solvent, and an upper portion which is located above the sample and exposed to a selected atmosphere. In a continuous supply from the container, solvent is caused to ascend the substrate by capillary action, penetrate the sample, extract the ingredient therefrom, and continue to ascend the upper portion of the substrate where it evaporates, depositing the extracted ingredient thereon. The upper portion of the substrate containing the ingredient may then be removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis A. Dee
- 👤 Mary E. Fiske
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/19; Y10T436/196666; Y10T436/25; Y10T436/25375; Y10T436/255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of extracting an ingredient from a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) holding a sample containing the ingredient to be extracted between and in contact with upper ends of a pair of first and second porous strips with a third porous strip at its lower end being inserted between and in contact with said upper ends of said first and second strips above the position of said sample therebetween; (b) placing lower ends of said first and second strips located below said sample into a container of solvent to cause said solvent to ascend said first and second strips by capillary action, penetrate said sample, extract said ingredient therefrom, and continue to ascend said third strip toward its upper end located above said sample and carry said extracted ingredient therewith; (c) evaporating said solvent from said upper end of said third strip to deposit said extracted ingredient thereon; and (d) removing said third strip with said ingredient deposited thereon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of extracting an ingredient from a sample, comprising the steps of: (a) holding a sample containing the ingredient to be extracted between and in contact with upper ends of a pair of first and second porous strips with a third porous strip at its lower end being inserted between and in contact with said upper ends of said first and second strips above the position of said sample therebetween; (b) placing lower ends of said first and second strips located below said sample into a container of solvent to cause said solvent to ascend said first and second strips by capillary action, penetrate said sample, extract said ingredient therefrom, and continue to ascend said third strip toward its upper end located above said sample and carry said extracted ingredient therewith; (c) evaporating said solvent from said upper end of said third strip to deposit said extracted ingredient thereon; and (d) removing said third strip with said ingredient deposited thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The extracting method as rectied in claim 1, wherein said evaporating of said solvent from said upper end of said third strip causes a continuous supply of fresh solvent from said container to ascend said first and second strips, penetrate said sample, extract said ingredient therefrom and deposit additional quantities of said extracted ingredient on said upper end of said third strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The extracting method as recited in claim 1, wherein said sample is held against said first and second strips so as to substantially inhibit evaporation of said solvent therefrom at the location of said sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
211 words
Apparatus for extracting an ingredient from a sample, comprising: (a) a container; (b) a solvent within said container being selected for its ability to extract said ingredient from said sample; (c)a pair of first and second porous strips having respective lower ends for placement into said solvent in said container to cause said solvent to ascend said first and second strip by capillary action and respective upper ends disposed above the level of said solvent for engaging said sample to allow said solvent to penetrate said sample and extract said ingredient therefrom; (d) a third strip at its lower end being inserted between, in contact with and extending above said upper ends of said first and second strips and substantially exposed to a selected atmosphere for allowing said solvent and extracted ingredient carried therewith to ascend said third strip from said sample toward the upper end of said third strip and said solvent to evaporate from said upper end of said third strip and deposit said extracted ingredient thereon; and (e) means for holding said sample between and in contact with said upper ends of said first and second strips so as to substantially inhibit evaporation of said solvent from said first and second strips at the location of said sample.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
211 words
Apparatus for extracting an ingredient from a sample, comprising: (a) a container; (b) a solvent within said container being selected for its ability to extract said ingredient from said sample; (c)a pair of first and second porous strips having respective lower ends for placement into said solvent in said container to cause said solvent to ascend said first and second strip by capillary action and respective upper ends disposed above the level of said solvent for engaging said sample to allow said solvent to penetrate said sample and extract said ingredient therefrom; (d) a third strip at its lower end being inserted between, in contact with and extending above said upper ends of said first and second strips and substantially exposed to a selected atmosphere for allowing said solvent and extracted ingredient carried therewith to ascend said third strip from said sample toward the upper end of said third strip and said solvent to evaporate from said upper end of said third strip and deposit said extracted ingredient thereon; and (e) means for holding said sample between and in contact with said upper ends of said first and second strips so as to substantially inhibit evaporation of said solvent from said first and second strips at the location of said sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The extracting apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said holding means includes a pair of nonporous plates for clamping said sample and said lower end of said third porous strip between upper ends of said first and second porous strips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The extracting apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said third porous strip is selectively removable from contact with said first and second strips for replacement by a substantially similar strip.
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) | 1986-03-21 | 1986-09-20 | 1987-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-21 | 1990-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-09-20 | 1995-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |