EP0409650A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apparatus for discharging contents of a sealed container
Assignee: Helena Laboratories Corp
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Filing: 1990-07-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-07-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for discharging the contents of a sealed container (10), such as a test tube, includes a pump (36) connected to a body member (24; 40; 60; 80) which includes an inlet path (28; 42; 68) and a discharge path (30; 44; 68,72; 68,84) with a delivery tube (32) passing therealong. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube (32) and the interior of the discharge path (30; 44; 68,72; 68,84), the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of teh contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube (10) with the pump (32) for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents. A second or supplemental vent (37) may be provided in the pump (36).
Inventors
- 👤 Tipton Lee Golias
- 👤 Robert James Sarrine
- 👤 Joseph Hilton Golias
- 👤 Ronald Allen Mayes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:15
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: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for transferring fluid from a test tube (10) or the like, the test tube (10) having a resilient self-sealing, reusable, repuncturable closure (14) at one end, said apparatus comprising means (24;40;60;80) for puncturing the resilient, self-sealing, reusable closure (14) for establishing a fluid inlet path (28;42;68) and a fluid discharge path (30; 44; 68,72; 68,84), the fluid discharge path having an inside diameter; delivery means (32) extending through the fluid discharge path and having an outside diameter; means (36) for pressurizing the interior of the test tube (10) or the like for discharging fluid through the delilvery means (32); and being characterised by the provision of means for venting the interior of the test tube and being such that temperature variations do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the test tube, and further being adapted to maintain sufficient resistance to venting such that the test tube or the like may be pressurized for discharging the contents thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for transferring fluid from a test tube (10) or the like, the test tube (10) having a resilient self-sealing, reusable, repuncturable closure (14) at one end, said apparatus comprising means (24;40;60;80) for puncturing the resilient, self-sealing, reusable closure (14) for establishing a fluid inlet path (28;42;68) and a fluid discharge path (30; 44; 68,72; 68,84), the fluid discharge path having an inside diameter; delivery means (32) extending through the fluid discharge path and having an outside diameter; means (36) for pressurizing the interior of the test tube (10) or the like for discharging fluid through the delilvery means (32); and being characterised by the provision of means for venting the interior of the test tube and being such that temperature variations do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the test tube, and further being adapted to maintain sufficient resistance to venting such that the test tube or the like may be pressurized for discharging the contents thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the venting means includes a clearance which is defined as the region between the exterior of the delivery means (32) and the interior of the fluid discharge path (30; 44; 68,72; 68,84).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the venting means includes an aperture (37) in the pressurizing means (36).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that it is self-centering relative to the test tube during puncturing of the closure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the puncturing means (24) is adapted to puncture the closure (14) in more than one location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the delivery means is constituted by a delivery tube (32) extending through the discharge path (30; 44; 68,72; 68,84).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the puncturing means (24; 40; 60; 80) has a plurality of discrete bores (42,44; 68,72; 68,84) therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the puncturing means (40; 60; 80) includes plural, discrete parallel paths therethrough and a single tip (48; 66) for puncturing the test tube closure (14).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least a portion of the inlet path (68) is concentric with at least a portion of the discharge path (68,72; 68,84).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the pressurizing means (36) is a bellows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the venting means includes an aperture (37) in the bellows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that at least a portion of the discharge path (84) is arcuated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least a portion of the discharge path is coextensive with at least a portion of said inlet path (68).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the means (24) for establishing the fluid paths includes two spaced apart, hollow cannulas (28,30).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims to 4, characterised in that the means (40,60,80) for establishing the fluid paths includes a generally thin, flat, blade-like portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the means (24,40) for establishing the fluid paths includes two spaced apart, hollow bores (28,30; 42,44).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the means (80) for establishing the fluid paths includes means (82) for resisting removal from the closure (14).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, ner, wh characterised in that the means (24,40,60,80) for establishing the 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 (10).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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