US5496517A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laboratory workstation using thermal vaporization control
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
•
Filing: 1991-11-20
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Granted: 1996-03-05
•
Expires: 2011-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A heated cover for a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance. The cover is heated to a temperature above the temperature of the substance so as to prevent condensation of vapor evaporated from the substance. A device for placing and removing the cover with respect to the receptacle is designed in connection with a temperature-controlled heating/cooling plate which controls the temperature of the contents of the receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Pfost
- 👤 Nebojsa Avdalovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:45
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L7/00; B01L7/52; B01D; B01D1/00; B01D1/0082; B01D1/30; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0006; B01J19/002; B01J19/0053; B01J19/0073; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00049; B01J2219/00051; B01J2219/00054; B01J2219/00056; B01J2219/00058; B01J2219/00132; B01J2219/00135; H; H05; H05B; H05B2203/00; H05B2203/002; H05B2203/003; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/11; Y10T436/113332
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An automated laboratory workstation comprising: a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance; a robotic means for performing a sequence of laboratory operations with respect to the receptacle; means for heating the vaporizable substance, including the receptacle; a cover for covering the receptacle, disposed in opposing relation thereto; means for effecting temperature control of the cover, wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover maintains the temperature of the cover above the temperature of the substance; and means for moving the cover relative to the receptacle to cooperatively engage the cover and the receptacle, including a means for positioning the cover over the receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An automated laboratory workstation comprising: a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance; a robotic means for performing a sequence of laboratory operations with respect to the receptacle; means for heating the vaporizable substance, including the receptacle; a cover for covering the receptacle, disposed in opposing relation thereto; means for effecting temperature control of the cover, wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover maintains the temperature of the cover above the temperature of the substance; and means for moving the cover relative to the receptacle to cooperatively engage the cover and the receptacle, including a means for positioning the cover over the receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The workstation as in claim 1 wherein the cover is pivotally supported with respect to the receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The workstation as in claim 1 further comprising means for effecting temperature control of the substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The workstation as in claim 3 wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover maintains the temperature of the cover 5° Celsius above the temperature of the substance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The workstation as in claim 1 wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover actively controls the temperature of the cover in accordance with a specified temperature profile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The workstation as in claim 1 wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover controls the temperature of the cover to be at a substantially fixed given temperature of 5° Celsius above the temperature of the substance in the receptacle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The workstation as in claim 1 wherein said receptacle comprises of a plurality of grouped together individual wells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The workstation as in claim 7 wherein said plurality of individual wells are integrally formed into a common substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automated laboratory workstation comprising: a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance; a robotic means for performing a sequence of laboratory operations with respect to the receptacle; a cover for covering the receptacle to reduce evaporative loss of the substance contained therein; means for effecting temperature control of the cover, wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover maintains the temperature of the cover above the temperature of the substance; means for moving the cover relative to the receptacle to cooperatively engage the cover and the receptacle, including a means for positioning the cover over the receptacle; and means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automated laboratory workstation comprising: a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance; a robotic means for performing a sequence of laboratory operations with respect to the receptacle; a cover for covering the receptacle to reduce evaporative loss of the substance contained therein; means for effecting temperature control of the cover, wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover maintains the temperature of the cover above the temperature of the substance; means for moving the cover relative to the receptacle to cooperatively engage the cover and the receptacle, including a means for positioning the cover over the receptacle; and means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The workstation as in claim 9 wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover actively controls the temperature of the cover in accordance with a specified temperature profile.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The workstation as in claim 9 wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the cover controls the temperature of the cover to be at a substantially fixed given temperature of 5° Celsius above the temperature of the substance in the receptacle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The workstation as in claim 9 wherein the cover defines a space between an underside of the cover and the substance, the distance therebetween sufficient to create a temperature gradient, thereby reducing the amount of condensation from collecting on the underside.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
An automated laboratory workstation comprising: a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance; a robotic means for performing a sequence of laboratory operations with respect to the receptacle; a cover for covering the receptacle to reduce evaporative loss of the vaporizable substance contained therein, the cover including means for effecting temperature control of the cover; means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle; control means for controlling the operations of the robotic means, said means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle and said means for effecting temperature control of the cover, wherein the temperature of the cover is maintained above the temperature of the substance and in accordance with a specified temperature gradient; and means for moving the cover relative to the receptacle comprising means for positioning the cover over the receptacle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
An automated laboratory workstation comprising: a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance; a robotic means for performing a sequence of laboratory operations with respect to the receptacle; a cover for covering the receptacle to reduce evaporative loss of the vaporizable substance contained therein, the cover including means for effecting temperature control of the cover; means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle; control means for controlling the operations of the robotic means, said means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle and said means for effecting temperature control of the cover, wherein the temperature of the cover is maintained above the temperature of the substance and in accordance with a specified temperature gradient; and means for moving the cover relative to the receptacle comprising means for positioning the cover over the receptacle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automated laboratory workstation as in claim 13 wherein the robotic means comprises a means for transferring the substance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The automated laboratory workstation as in claim 14 wherein the means for transferring the substance comprises a pipet.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The automated laboratory workstation as in claim 13 wherein the temperature of the cover is maintained 5° Celsius above the temperature of the substance in the receptacle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The workstation as in claim 13 wherein said control means actively controls the temperature of the cover in accordance with a specified temperature profile.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The workstation as in claim 13 wherein the control means controls the temperature of the cover to be at a substantially fixed given temperature of 5° Celsius above the temperature of the substance in the receptacle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The workstation as in claim 13 wherein the moving means moves the cover relative to the receptacle to cooperatively engage the lid therewith, defining a space between an underside of the cover and the substance, the space having a distance therebetween so as to create said temperature gradient, thereby reducing condensation from collecting on the underside.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The workstation as in claim 13 wherein the receptacle includes the means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle to heat the vaporizable substance contained therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The workstation as in claim 13 wherein the means for effecting temperature control of the receptacle comprises a temperature controlled base configured to be positioned against the receptacle to effect temperature control.
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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) | 1999-03-05 | 1999-09-04 | 2000-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-05 | 2003-09-04 | 2004-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-05 | 2007-09-04 | 2008-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |