US4380257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for processing fluid materials
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1981-02-02
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Granted: 1983-04-19
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Expires: 2001-02-02
Abstract
Abstract Samples of body fluids such as blood, urine, etc. are passed for analysis through separating columns to extract the desired component from the raw sample. Unwanted ingredients of the sample flow through the resin bed to a refuse cup. The retained desired component is later released from the resin bed by a solvent and collected in a recovery cup. Fluids passing through the resin bed are selectively passed to the refuse cup or recovery cup by flexing a disklike support for the resin bed. Preferably the support is flexed by applying a differential gas pressure across the support. An apparatus for implementing this method includes in a flexible disk, adapted to hold separating columns, suspended across an opening of a vacuum chamber. The outside edges of the disk form a seal for the chamber. The separating columns are in vertical alignment with waste receptacles disposed in a second disk positioned below the first disk. Differential pressures established across the flexible disk cause fluids to flow through the columns and, when sufficient differential pressure is applied, the disk flexes. When the disk flexes, the lower tips of the separating columns extend outward radially to align with the recovery cups. Hence fluid switching is attained and the flow through the separating columns is switched from the waste cups to the recovery cups.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Howell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/40; G01N1/405; B; B01; B01D; B01D15/00; B01D15/08; B01D15/10; B01D15/24; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/60; G01N30/6004; G01N30/6047; G01N30/6091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of switching the flow of a fluid from a first to second and third unconnected flow paths using a flexible, generally planar and horizontally disposed member defining a receptacle for removably positioning a first flow path, and first rack means positioned below the member for removably positioning second and third flow paths comprising the steps of: removably mounting said first flow path in said flexure member with the inlet and outlet of the first flow path located on opposite faces of the member, positioning said second and third flow paths in the first rack means in side by side relation vertically below said first flow path with one of the second and third flow paths in flow alignment with said first flow path, and flexing said member to switch the flow alignment of said first flow path from the one to the other of said second and third flow paths.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of switching the flow of a fluid from a first to second and third unconnected flow paths using a flexible, generally planar and horizontally disposed member defining a receptacle for removably positioning a first flow path, and first rack means positioned below the member for removably positioning second and third flow paths comprising the steps of: removably mounting said first flow path in said flexure member with the inlet and outlet of the first flow path located on opposite faces of the member, positioning said second and third flow paths in the first rack means in side by side relation vertically below said first flow path with one of the second and third flow paths in flow alignment with said first flow path, and flexing said member to switch the flow alignment of said first flow path from the one to the other of said second and third flow paths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the step of aiding the passage of said fluid through the first flow path by subjecting the faces of the member and hence the inlet and outlet of the first flow path to different gas pressures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said member is flexed by enclosing the member and the flow paths in a gas tight housing with the member supported at its periphery by the housing and separating the housing into upper and lower sections, and changing the gas pressure in at least one of the sections to establish a pressure differential between the member faces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 or 3 wherein the gas is air.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
30 words
The method of claims 1, 2 or 3 which includes the step of damping the flexure movement of said member in a sense perpendicular to the plane of said member.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
17 words
The method of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said first flow path includes a separating column.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for fluid switching comprising: a flexible, generally planar and horizontally disposed member supported at its periphery, defining a receptacle for removably positioning a first flow device, first rack means positioned below the member for removably positioning second and third flow devices in side by side relation below said first device with one of said second and third devices being in flow alignment with said first device, and means to apply a force to said member, thereby to flex the member relative to its periphery and reposition said first device into flow alignment with the other one of said second and third devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for fluid switching comprising: a flexible, generally planar and horizontally disposed member supported at its periphery, defining a receptacle for removably positioning a first flow device, first rack means positioned below the member for removably positioning second and third flow devices in side by side relation below said first device with one of said second and third devices being in flow alignment with said first device, and means to apply a force to said member, thereby to flex the member relative to its periphery and reposition said first device into flow alignment with the other one of said second and third devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said member has upper and lower faces each adapted to be subjected to a gas pressure and said means to apply a force comprises means to subject the faces to different gas pressures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7 which includes means to damp the flexing movement of said member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said damping means includes a cavity and a disk connected to said member positioned to move pistonlike in said cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 8, 9, or 10 wherein said receptacle is adapted to receive the first flow device in a gas tight relationship with the device extending through the device between the two faces and said member is a disk having an axis perpendicular to the disk, the first rack positioning the second and third flow devices radially of the axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said member is convex, thereby to resist flexure until a threshold pressure differential between the faces is achieved.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said member is housed in a closed chamber having an interior annular support ring for peripherally supporting said member, said ring and member effectively dividing said chamber into upper and lower sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means to subject the faces of the member to different gas pressures include means to vary the relative gas pressure in said first and second sections by a first amount to draw fluid through said first flow device into one of said second and third flow devices, and by a second amount greater than said first amount to cause flexure of said member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 14 which includes a second interior, annular ring forming a cylinder in the lower portion of said chamber and a disklike piston adapted to slide within said cylinder, said piston being linked to said member and to move with flexure of said member, said piston and cylinder trapping gas to resist rapid fixture of said member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
183 words
A support rack for manipulating test devices each having a fluid flow path comprising: first and second disks interconnected in spaced vertical disposition, said first disk being capable of flexure along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the disk when the disk is supported at its periphery and having a first ring of receptacles each adapted to hold removably a first device, said second disk being below said first disk and having inner and outer rings of receptacles, corresponding in circumferential disposition to the receptacles of the first ring, each adapted to hold removably a second test device, said receptacles being located in said disks to that (a) with the first disk unflexed, the flow paths of corresponding test devices, positioned in the other one of said inner and outer rings of the second disk and said first disk's receptacles, are in flow alignment, and (b) with the first disk flexed, the flow paths of corresponding test devices, positioned in the other one of said inner and outer rings of the second disk and said first disk's receptacles, are in flow alignment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
183 words
A support rack for manipulating test devices each having a fluid flow path comprising: first and second disks interconnected in spaced vertical disposition, said first disk being capable of flexure along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the disk when the disk is supported at its periphery and having a first ring of receptacles each adapted to hold removably a first device, said second disk being below said first disk and having inner and outer rings of receptacles, corresponding in circumferential disposition to the receptacles of the first ring, each adapted to hold removably a second test device, said receptacles being located in said disks to that (a) with the first disk unflexed, the flow paths of corresponding test devices, positioned in the other one of said inner and outer rings of the second disk and said first disk's receptacles, are in flow alignment, and (b) with the first disk flexed, the flow paths of corresponding test devices, positioned in the other one of said inner and outer rings of the second disk and said first disk's receptacles, are in flow alignment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said disks are spaced by a support rod at the center of each of said disks, and which includes a third disk secured to the rod below said second disk, said third disk providing a support base for said rack.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 16 or 17 which also includes a cylindrical vacuum housing for said rack, said housing having an inner annular flange adapted to engage the circumference of said first disk and hence support said rack within said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 17 which also includes a cylindrical vacuum housing for said rack, said housing having an inner annular flange adapted to engage the circumference of said first disk and hence support said rack within said housing, said housing also having a second inner annular flange adapted to be coaxially closely disposed about the periphery of said third disk, thereby to cushion movement of said rack by compressing air between said third disk and said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 19 or 17 which includes means to reduce the air pressure within said housing below said first flange.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 16 or 19 which also includes a distribution manifold in the upper portion of said housing for passing fluids to the location each of said openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US376531A
Cited
US3268199A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-04-18 | 1986-10-18 | 1987-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-18 | 1990-10-18 | 1991-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-18 | 1994-10-18 | 1995-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |