US5080864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stopper detector
Assignee: Clinical Diagnostic Systems Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-20
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Granted: 1992-01-14
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Expires: 2010-07-20
Abstract
Abstract There is described a stopper detector for use in combination with a stopper remover, so that containers of liquid can be automatically unstoppered in an analyzer if they are in fact stoppered. The stopper detector includes a mechanism for discriminating between a container having a stopper, and an unstoppered container, including one with a cup inserted into the top of the container. It also includes means for generating a signal in response to the discriminating means that is indicative of whether or not a stopper is present, such signal being effective, if present, to activate a following stopper remover.
Inventors
- 👤 James D. Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:11
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5082; B01L3/50825; B67; B67B; B67B7/00; B67B7/02; G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/02; G01N35/04; G01N2035/0401; G01N2035/0403; G01N2035/0405; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/11; Y10T436/113332; Y10T436/114165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for processing liquid patient samples comprising a stopper remover for removing stopper means for stoppering a liquid-containing tube or container, and detecting means for detecting that stopper means are present, said detecting means comprising: means for discriminating between a tube or container having a stopper therein and one that does not have a stopper, said discriminating means comprising a rotating flag member, means for sensing the rotation of said rotating flag member, means for continuously rotating said flag member adjacent a potentially stoppered tube or container, and means for stopping said rotating flag member in response to the presence of a stopper, and means responsive to said discriminating means for generating a signal indicative of whether a stopper is present, whereby further processing beyond said discriminating means can be prevented or altered in response to the condition of the tube or container at said discriminating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for processing liquid patient samples comprising a stopper remover for removing stopper means for stoppering a liquid-containing tube or container, and detecting means for detecting that stopper means are present, said detecting means comprising: means for discriminating between a tube or container having a stopper therein and one that does not have a stopper, said discriminating means comprising a rotating flag member, means for sensing the rotation of said rotating flag member, means for continuously rotating said flag member adjacent a potentially stoppered tube or container, and means for stopping said rotating flag member in response to the presence of a stopper, and means responsive to said discriminating means for generating a signal indicative of whether a stopper is present, whereby further processing beyond said discriminating means can be prevented or altered in response to the condition of the tube or container at said discriminating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said stopping means comprise a frictional member mounted on said rotating means, said frictional member being fixed with respect to said flag member, and means for positioning said rotating means adjacent a potentially stoppered tube or container a distance effective to contact said frictional member with a stopper but not with an unstoppered tube or container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said rotating means include a rotating shaft and biasing means for friction-coupling said frictional member and said flag member to said shaft, and said positioning means comprise a roller freely rotatably mounted on said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
A mechanical stopper detector useful with apparatus for removing a stopper from a liquid-containing tube or container, said detector comprising: means for discriminating by contact with a tube or container, between a contacted tube or container that has a stopper therein and one that does not, said discriminating means comprising a rotating flag member, means for sensing the rotation of said rotating flag member, means for continuously rotating said flag member adjacent a potentially stoppered tube or container, and means for stopping said rotating flag member in response to the presence of a stopper, and means responsive to said discrare placed 5 iminating means for generating a signal indicative of whether or not a stopper is present, whereby further processing beyond said discriminating means can be prevented or altered in response to the condition of the tube or container at said discriminating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
143 words
A mechanical stopper detector useful with apparatus for removing a stopper from a liquid-containing tube or container, said detector comprising: means for discriminating by contact with a tube or container, between a contacted tube or container that has a stopper therein and one that does not, said discriminating means comprising a rotating flag member, means for sensing the rotation of said rotating flag member, means for continuously rotating said flag member adjacent a potentially stoppered tube or container, and means for stopping said rotating flag member in response to the presence of a stopper, and means responsive to said discrare placed 5 iminating means for generating a signal indicative of whether or not a stopper is present, whereby further processing beyond said discriminating means can be prevented or altered in response to the condition of the tube or container at said discriminating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A detector as defined in claim 4, wherein said stopping means comprise a frictional member mounted on said rotating means, said frictional member being fixed with respect to said flag member, and means for positioning said rotating means adjacent a potentially stoppered tube or container a distance effective to contact said frictional member with a stopper but not with an unstoppered tube or container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A detector as defined in claim 5, wherein said rotating means include a rotating shaft and biasing means for friction-coupling said frictional member and said flag member to said shaft, and said positioning means comprise a roller freely rotatably mounted on said shaft.
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) | 1995-01-13 | 1995-07-15 | 1996-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-13 | 1999-07-15 | 2000-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-13 | 2003-07-15 | 2004-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |