US5037614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chemical level measurement device with easy action cover and single control mode selection capability
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 1990-03-27
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2010-03-27
Abstract
Abstract This device measures the level of a certain chemical in a liquid infiltrated into a piece of test paper impregnated with a test chemical the optical properties of which alter according to the level of the certain chemical. It includes: a test paper holder, provided in a test paper insertion unit provided in a casing; a device for emitting light and a device for sensing light, both provided to oppose a piece of test paper held by the holder; a cover, slidably mounted to the casing, for selectably covering over the insertion unit; a device for biasing this cover in one direction; a device for engaging this cover in an extreme position in the opposite direction; and a device for releasing the engagement of the engaging device. This engagement releasing device may be a press button provided to the casing; and the sliding direction of the cover may be its opening direction of movement, or alternatively may be its closing direction of movement. Alternatively, this device may include a device for emitting light and a device for sensing light, both provided to oppose a piece of test paper, and a switch for selecting between an action mode for executing a measurement action and at least one other mode for performing some other function, these modes being switched between every time this mode selection switch is actuated. Optionally, at least three such modes may be switched between in a cyclical sequence. The mode selection switch may include a mode selection button.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeru Makita
- 👤 Tamio Miyake
- 👤 Yoshihiko Sano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/8483; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/52; G01N33/521; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; G01N2021/4776; G01N2021/478; G01N21/59; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/06; G01N2201/062; G01N2201/0621; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/11; Y10T436/112499; Y10T436/113332; Y10T436/114165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A device for measuring an amount of a certain chemical in a liquid which has infiltrated a piece of test medium impregnated with a test chemical having optical properties which alter according to the amount of the certain chemical, comprising: (a) a casing; (b) test medium insertion means provided in the casing; (c) a test medium holder provided in the test medium insertion means; (d) means for emitting light onto a test medium and located opposite the test medium holder; (e) means for sensing light coming from the test medium and opposite the test medium holder, which produces an output signal indicative of the optical properties of the test medium; (f) a cover for the test medium insertion means slidably mounted on the casing so that the cover will slidably move to cover the test medium insertion means when the test medium insertion means cover is in a closed position, and to expose the test medium insertion menas when the test medium insertion means cover is in an opened position; (g) means for biasing the test medium insertion cover in one sliding direction thereof; (h) means for engaging the test medium insertion means cover in an extreme position in a direction opposite to the one sliding direction thereof; and (i) means for releasing the engagement of the engaging means from the test medium insertion cover.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
225 words
A device for measuring an amount of a certain chemical in a liquid which has infiltrated a piece of test medium impregnated with a test chemical having optical properties which alter according to the amount of the certain chemical, comprising: (a) a casing; (b) test medium insertion means provided in the casing; (c) a test medium holder provided in the test medium insertion means; (d) means for emitting light onto a test medium and located opposite the test medium holder; (e) means for sensing light coming from the test medium and opposite the test medium holder, which produces an output signal indicative of the optical properties of the test medium; (f) a cover for the test medium insertion means slidably mounted on the casing so that the cover will slidably move to cover the test medium insertion means when the test medium insertion means cover is in a closed position, and to expose the test medium insertion menas when the test medium insertion means cover is in an opened position; (g) means for biasing the test medium insertion cover in one sliding direction thereof; (h) means for engaging the test medium insertion means cover in an extreme position in a direction opposite to the one sliding direction thereof; and (i) means for releasing the engagement of the engaging means from the test medium insertion cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the releasing means comprises a press button mounted on the casing and connected to the engaging means so as to release the test medium insertion means cover when the press button is pressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the test medium holder is slidably mounted to the test medium insertion means and is selectively detachable therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for selecting between an action mode for measuring the amount of a certain chemical and at least one other mode for performing a function other than measuring the amount of the certain chemical, said selecting means comprising a push-button mode switch, the modes being switched every time the mode switch is pressed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 4, wherein at least three such modes are provided, and the three modes are switched between in a cyclical sequence, every time the mode switch is pressed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 4, wherein said selecting means can select a memory mode, said device further comprising means for displaying an identification number of a memory region corresponding to a measured value of the amount of said certain chemical, and for subsequently displaying the measured value of the amount of said certain chemical, when in the display mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 4, further comprising means for displaying indications to an operator for urging infiltration of a liquid onto a piece of test medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 4, further comprising means for sequentially changing data relevant to a particular mode, said sequential changing means actuated after the mode selection switch is pressed to select a mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 5, wherein the selecting means can select a memory mode, the device further comprising means for displaying an identification number of a memory region corresponding to a measured value of the amount of the certain chemical, and for subsequently displaying the measured value of the amount of a certain chemical, when in the display mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 5, further comprising means for displaying indications to an operator for urging infiltration of a liquid onto a piece of test medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A chemical level measurement device according to claim 5, further comprising means for sequentially changing data relevant to a particular mode, said sequential changing means actuated after the mode selection switch is pressed to select a mode.
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) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |