US5400923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for discharging contents of a sealed container
Assignee: Helena Laboratories Corp
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Filing: 1990-04-04
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2010-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A pump for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, is connected to a body member which includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube with the pump for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents. A second or supplemental vent is provided in the pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Tipton L. Golias
- 👤 Robert J. Sarrine
- 👤 Joseph H. Golias
- 👤 Ronald A. Mayes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/10; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/0289; B01L3/0293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for transferring fluid from a test tube the test tube having an interior sealed by a resilient self-sealing, reusable, repuncturable closure at one end, said apparatus comprising; means for puncturing said resilient, self-sealing, reusable closure and for establishing a fluid inlet path and a fluid discharge path, said fluid discharge path having an inside diameter; delivery means extending through said fluid discharge path, said delivery means having an outside diameter; means for pressurizing the interior of the test tube for discharging fluid through said delivery means; and means for venting the interior of the test tube, said venting means being such that temperature variations do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the test tube, said venting means further maintaining sufficient resistance to venting such that the test tube may be pressurized for discharging the contents of the test tube, said venting means for providing continuous venting at least when the interior of the test tube is not pressurized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for transferring fluid from a test tube the test tube having an interior sealed by a resilient self-sealing, reusable, repuncturable closure at one end, said apparatus comprising; means for puncturing said resilient, self-sealing, reusable closure and for establishing a fluid inlet path and a fluid discharge path, said fluid discharge path having an inside diameter; delivery means extending through said fluid discharge path, said delivery means having an outside diameter; means for pressurizing the interior of the test tube for discharging fluid through said delivery means; and means for venting the interior of the test tube, said venting means being such that temperature variations do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the test tube, said venting means further maintaining sufficient resistance to venting such that the test tube may be pressurized for discharging the contents of the test tube, said venting means for providing continuous venting at least when the interior of the test tube is not pressurized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said venting means includes a clearance which is defined as the region between the exterior of the delivery means and the interior of the fluid discharge path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said venting means includes an aperture in the pressurizing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is self-centering relative to the test tube during puncturing of said closure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said puncturing means punctures said closure in more than one location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said delivery means includes a delivery tube extending through said discharge path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said puncturing means has a plurality of discrete bores therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said puncturing means includes plural, discrete parallel paths therethrough and a single tip for puncturing said test tube closure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the inlet path is concentric with at least a portion of said discharge path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means is a bellows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means is a bellows and said venting means includes an aperture in said bellows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said discharge path is arcuate and at least a portion of said delivery path is concentric with at least a portion of said inlet path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said discharge path is coextensive with at least a portion of said inlet path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for establishing said fluid paths includes two spaced apart, hollow cannulas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for establishing said fluid paths includes a generally thin, flat, blade-like portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for establishing said fluid paths includes two spaced apart, hollow bores.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for establishing said fluid paths includes means for resisting removal from said closure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for establishing said fluid paths includes locator means for limiting the extent of insertion of the apparatus thereby facilitating automatic loading of a plurality of fluid path establishing means in a plurality of test tubes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for transferring fluid from a test tube having an interior sealed by a resilient, self-sealing, reusable, repuncturable closure at one end, said apparatus comprising: means for puncturing said resilient, self-sealing, reusable closure for establishing a fluid inlet path and a fluid discharge path, said fluid discharge path having an inside diameter; means for delivering fluid, said fluid delivering means having an outside diameter and extending through said fluid discharge path; means for pressurizing the interior of the test tube for discharging fluid contents through said delivering means; and means for venting the interior of the test tube, said venting means being configured for preventing accidental discharge of the fluid contents of the test tube when the test tube is subjected to temperature variations, said venting means maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for pressurizing the interior of the test tube for discharging the contents of the test tube, said venting means for providing continuous venting at least when the interior of the test tube is not pressurized.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for transferring fluid from a test tube having an interior sealed by a resilient, self-sealing, reusable, repuncturable closure at one end, said apparatus comprising: means for puncturing said resilient, self-sealing, reusable closure for establishing a fluid inlet path and a fluid discharge path, said fluid discharge path having an inside diameter; means for delivering fluid, said fluid delivering means having an outside diameter and extending through said fluid discharge path; means for pressurizing the interior of the test tube for discharging fluid contents through said delivering means; and means for venting the interior of the test tube, said venting means being configured for preventing accidental discharge of the fluid contents of the test tube when the test tube is subjected to temperature variations, said venting means maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for pressurizing the interior of the test tube for discharging the contents of the test tube, said venting means for providing continuous venting at least when the interior of the test tube is not pressurized.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 19 wherein said venting means further includes an aperture in said pressurizing means.
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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) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |