Patent US4506777A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4506777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sample handling apparatus
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
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Filing: 1979-09-04
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Granted: 1985-03-26
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Expires: 1999-09-04
Abstract
Abstract Sample handling apparatus for circulating one or more sample holders along a rectilinear path in a sample holder storage compartment and past an operating station at which the holders may be removed from and then returned to the compartment. First and second parallel conveyors on opposite sides of the operating station drive the holders toward and away from the operating station. Lateral drivers engage the holders in longitudinal stop positions at opposite ends of the conveyors and drive them laterally between conveyors to lateral stop positions, one of the holders during lateral movement being driven into and away from an operative position at the operating station. A movable sample compartment divider between the conveyors is indexed in synchronism with the lateral drivers to engage and stabilize the sample holder at the operating station. Circulation of the holders is monitored by proximity switches at the longitudinal stop positions, limit switches at the lateral stop positions, intermediate switches in each lateral path between conveyors, and an indexing switch actuated by the movable divider.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Kampf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for circulating sample holders along a rectilinear path past an operating station in a sample holder storage compartment comprising: first and second substantially parallel continuous conveyor means on opposite sides of saidoperating station for engaging and driving sample holders positioned thereon in first and second opposite directions toward and away from said station; first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means for halting motion of sample holders in said first and second directions respectively to define first and second longitudinal stop positions for each holder; and first and second lateral drive means for engaging each sample holder in said first and second longitudinal stop positions and for laterally moving said holders between said first and second conveyor means, said first lateral drive means laterally moving its associated sample holder into and then away from an operative position adjacent said station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for circulating sample holders along a rectilinear path past an operating station in a sample holder storage compartment comprising: first and second substantially parallel continuous conveyor means on opposite sides of saidoperating station for engaging and driving sample holders positioned thereon in first and second opposite directions toward and away from said station; first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means for halting motion of sample holders in said first and second directions respectively to define first and second longitudinal stop positions for each holder; and first and second lateral drive means for engaging each sample holder in said first and second longitudinal stop positions and for laterally moving said holders between said first and second conveyor means, said first lateral drive means laterally moving its associated sample holder into and then away from an operative position adjacent said station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including third and fourth means adjacent outermost sides of said first and second conveyor means for halting lateral motion of said sample holders between said first and second conveyor means to define respective first and second lateral stop positions for each holder when on said first and second conveyor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said third and fourth means adjacent outermost sides of said first and second conveyor means includes third and fourth control switch means responsive to the presence of holders in said first or second lateral stop positions; and control means responsive to operation of said third and fourth control switch means indicative of a sample holder in a lateral stop position for inhibiting said first and second lateral drive means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
194 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said third and fourth means adjacent outermost sides of said first and second conveyor means include third and fourth stops for engaging said sample holders for halting motion of said sample holders, if necessary, in said first and second lateral stop positions and for guiding said sample holders during motion of said sample holders in said first and second opposite directions toward and away from said operating station and said apparatus further includes: a sample holder storage compartment divider extending longitudinally between and substantially parallel to said first and second conveyor means for engaging and guiding said sample holders, in cooperation with said third and fourth stops, during motion thereof in said first and second opposite directions toward and away from said operating station; wherein each sample holder includes a guide tongue or groove at an end thereof; and one of said third and fourth stops and one longitudinal side of said divider each include a mating guide groove or tongue which mates with the corresponding guide tongue or groove of each sample holder to inhibit tipping of the sample holders on said first and second conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein only one of said third and fourth stops includes said guide groove or tongue and only the longitudinal side of said divider remote from said only one stop includes said guide tongue and groove, whereby the mating tongue and groove relationship therebetween orients sample holders on both first or second conveyor means in the same lateral direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further including divider drive means for longitudinally moving said sample holder storage compartment divider between a first position with an end thereof against and stabilizing a sample holder in said operative position at said station and the second position with said end disengaged from the holder to permit lateral movement thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means include first and second stops engaging said sample holders for halting motion of said sample holders in said first and second longitudinal stop positions and for guiding said sample holders during lateral movement between said first and second conveyor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second conveyor means each include a conveyor belt on which sample holders are positioned to be driven in said first and second opposite directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including a conveyor drive motor and means for coupling said motor in driving engagement with both said first and said second conveyor means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein sad first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means includes first and second control switch means responsive to the presence of sample holders in said first and second longitudinal stop positions, and control means responsive to operation of said first and second control switch means indicative of a sample holder in a longitudinal stop position for inhibiting said first and second conveyor means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for circulating sample holders along a rectilinear path past an operating station in a sample holder storage compartment comprising: first and second substantially parallel conveyor means on opposite sides of said operating station for engaging and driving sample holders in first and second opposite directions toward and away from said station; first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means for halting motion of sample holders in said first and second directions respectively to define first and second longitudinal stop positions for each holder; first and second lateral drive means for engaging each sample holder in said first and second longitudinal stop positions and for laterally moving said holders between said first and second conveyor means, said first lateral drive means laterally moving its associated sample holder into and then away from an operative position adjacent said station; and indexing means movable between a first position for engaging and stabilizing each holder while in said operative position and during operation of said station and a second position disengaged from the holder to permit lateral movement thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for circulating sample holders along a rectilinear path past an operating station in a sample holder storage compartment comprising: first and second substantially parallel conveyor means on opposite sides of said operating station for engaging and driving sample holders in first and second opposite directions toward and away from said station; first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means for halting motion of sample holders in said first and second directions respectively to define first and second longitudinal stop positions for each holder; first and second lateral drive means for engaging each sample holder in said first and second longitudinal stop positions and for laterally moving said holders between said first and second conveyor means, said first lateral drive means laterally moving its associated sample holder into and then away from an operative position adjacent said station; and indexing means movable between a first position for engaging and stabilizing each holder while in said operative position and during operation of said station and a second position disengaged from the holder to permit lateral movement thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means include first and second stops engaging said sample holders for halting motion of said sample holders in said first and second longitudinal stop positions and for guiding said sample holders during lateral movement between said first and second conveyor means; and said indexing means, in said first position thereof, engages a holder in a manner locking the holder in said operative position between and against said indexing means and said first stop.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said sample holders each include a series of separate sample receiving compartments; said first lateral drive means includes means for laterally stepping a sample holder in said first longitudinal stop position such that the respective compartments thereof are sequentially placed in operative position adjacent said station; said sample receiving compartments of said sample holders are each adapted to receive a corresponding sample container; a radiation detection chamber; and an elevator mechanism for removing a sample container from said sample holder and transferring same to said radiation detection chamber and for returning said sample container to said holder following analysis of the sample.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said sample holders each include a series of separate sample receiving compartments and a series of spaced shoulders one associated with each compartment; and said first and second lateral drive means each include a rotatable kicker assembly for engaging successive ones of said shoulders on sample holders for a fraction of a revolution upon successive rotations thereof to laterally step with sample holders in said first and second longitudinal stop positions between said first and second conveyor means a distance related to the length of the arc through which the rotatable kicker engages a shoulder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein: said rotatable kicker assembly includes means for adjusting the length of said kicker, and hence of said arc, to establish the required distance said sample holder is to be laterally stepped upon each rotation of said kicker.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further including: a drive motor for driving said kicker assembly; and a torque limiting connection between said drive motor and said kicker assembly to disengage same if the torque applied to said sample holder exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said indexing means includes a sample holder storage compartment divider extending longitudinally between and substantially parallel to said first and second conveyor means, and divider drive means for longitudinally moving said divider between said first position with an end against and stabilizing a sample holder in said operative position and said second position with said end disengaged from said sample holder to permit lateral movement thereof by said first lateral drive means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further including a lateral drive motor, synchronous drive means for coupling said lateral drive motor in driving engagement with said first lateral drive means and with said divider for moving said divider to said second position to permit lateral movement of said holder, for operating said first lateral drive means to engage and laterally move said sample holder when said divider is in said second position, and for moving said divider to said first position after operation of said first lateral drive means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further including switch means responsive to the operation of said synchronous drive means for generating a signal indicative of the extent of lateral movement of said sample holder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein: each sample receiving compartment of said sample holder is adapted to receive a sample container, said apparatus further includes an operating mechanism at said station for removing a sample container from said compartment in said operative position, and said first lateral drive means includes means for laterally stepping a sample holder in said first longitudinal stop position such that the respective compartments thereof are sequentially placed in said operative position adjacent said station; and means responsive to the operation of said switch means for counting the removal of sample containers from said compartment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: said sample holders each include a series of separate sample receiving compartments; said first lateral drive means includes means for laterally stepping a sample holder in said first longitudinal stop position such that the respective compartments thereof are sequentially placed in said operative position adjacent said station; and said divider drive means moves said divider to said first position upon each stepping of a compartment to said operative position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein each sample receiving compartment includes an upright semicylindrical exterior surface and wherein said end of said divider includes a mating face for engaging each said exterior surface to stabilize an associated compartment in said operative position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said first and second means adjacent opposite ends of said first and second conveyor means include first and second stops engaging said sample holders for halting motion of said sample holders in said first and second longitudinal stop positions and for guiding said sample holders during lateral movement between said first and second conveyor means, and said divider in the first position thereof engages a holder in a manner locking the holder in said operative position between and against said end of said divider and said first stop.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-25 | 1988-09-24 | 1989-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-25 | 1992-09-24 | 1993-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-25 | 1996-09-24 | 1997-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |