Patent US5067532A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5067532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for filling self-sealing tubes
Assignee: EOLAS - IRISH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY A BODY CORPORATE ESTABLISHED BY STATURE OF IRELAND
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Filing: 1990-02-20
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2010-02-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus includes a conveyor system for conveying tubes, having respective self-sealing closure members, sequentially to a station whereupon the conveyor system is temporarily halted. At the station, a clamping device having a clamp lowers to prevent movement of the tube. An arm moves in the direction of the tube to enable a hollow needle to penetrate the closure member of the tube. A metering pump enables a predetermined volume of a fluid, preferably liquid agar, to be introduced into the tube. Following release of the needle from the closure member, the conveyor systems moves to enable another tube to arrive at the station.
Inventors
- 👤 John Lang
- 👤 Cormac Garvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:32
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/0289; B01L3/0293; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; G01N1/18; B65; B65B; B65B3/00; B65B3/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into a tube having a self-sealing closure means, said apparatus comprising: a base; clamping means having a substantially hemi-tubular construction for releasably clamping the tube against the base at a fluid injecting station and for releasably maintaining the tube in a substantially horizontal position; injector means including a first hollow injector needle selectively engageable with said closure means; means for enabling the needle to penetrate the closure means thereby introducing a charge of liquid into the tube and for enabling the needle to be withdrawn from the tube; and means for raising and lowering the clamping means relative to the tube so that in a first position of use, the clamping means is in engagement with the tube so as to bias the tube gently but firmly downwards against the base and in a second position of use the clamping means is out of engagement with the tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into a tube having a self-sealing closure means, said apparatus comprising: a base; clamping means having a substantially hemi-tubular construction for releasably clamping the tube against the base at a fluid injecting station and for releasably maintaining the tube in a substantially horizontal position; injector means including a first hollow injector needle selectively engageable with said closure means; means for enabling the needle to penetrate the closure means thereby introducing a charge of liquid into the tube and for enabling the needle to be withdrawn from the tube; and means for raising and lowering the clamping means relative to the tube so that in a first position of use, the clamping means is in engagement with the tube so as to bias the tube gently but firmly downwards against the base and in a second position of use the clamping means is out of engagement with the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow injector needle includes a reservoir for the fluid and metering means for pumping the fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the metering means includes a peristaltic pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fluid is sterile, and the tube, the reservoir and the injector needle for conveying the fluid from the reservoir into the tube provide a sterile pathway for the fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base comprises a conveyor apparatus for enabling a plurality of tubes to be fed sequentially to and from the fluid injecting station, said conveyor apparatus is operatively associated with the clamping means so that when the clamping means is in the first position of use, the conveyor apparatus is stationary.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is liquid agar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including heating means for maintaining the agar at the temperature of about 50° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is an evacuated tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is a non-evacuated tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the injector means includes a second hollow needle in a parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the first needle, which second needle enables venting of the tube during fluid introduction into the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is sterile and the tube and the hollow injector needle for conveying the fluid into the tube provide a sterile pathway for the fluid.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into a tube having a self-sealing closure means, said apparatus comprising: a base; clamping means for releasably clamping the tube against the base at a fluid injection station; a first hollow injector needle selectively engageable with said closure means; and means for enabling the first needle to penetrate the closure means for introducing a charge of fluid into the tube and for enabling the needle to be withdrawn from the tube; wherein the base comprises a conveyor apparatus for enabling a plurality of tubes to be fed sequentially to and from the station, said conveyor being operatively associated with the clamping means so that when the clamping means is in the first position of use, the conveyor apparatus is stationary.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into a tube having a self-sealing closure means, said apparatus comprising: a base; clamping means for releasably clamping the tube against the base at a fluid injection station; a first hollow injector needle selectively engageable with said closure means; and means for enabling the first needle to penetrate the closure means for introducing a charge of fluid into the tube and for enabling the needle to be withdrawn from the tube; wherein the base comprises a conveyor apparatus for enabling a plurality of tubes to be fed sequentially to and from the station, said conveyor being operatively associated with the clamping means so that when the clamping means is in the first position of use, the conveyor apparatus is stationary.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the clamping means is adapted for maintaining the tube in a substantially horizontal position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the clamping means is of substantially hemi-tubular construction and comprises means for raising and lowering the clamp relative to the tube so that in a first position of use, the clamping means is in engagement with the tube so as to bias the tube gently but firmly downwards against the base and in a second position of use the clamping means is out of engagement with the tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for metering comprises a peristaltic pump.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fluid is liquid agar.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, further including heating means for maintaining the agar at a temperature of about 50° l C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tube is evacuated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tube is non-evacuated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the injector means includes a second hollow needle in a parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the first needle, said second needle enabling venting of the tube during fluid introduction into the tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, and further comprising a reservoir for the fluid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, and further comprising means for metering the fluid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fluid is sterile and the tube and the first needle for conveying the fluid into the tube provide a sterile pathway for the fluid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the fluid is sterile and the tube, the resevoir and the first needle for conveying the fluid from the reservoir into the tube provide a sterile pathway for the fluid.
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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) | 1994-11-25 | 1995-05-27 | 1995-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-25 | 1999-05-27 | 1999-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-25 | 2003-05-27 | 2003-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |