US3754434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chemical analysis
Assignee: SCIENT KIT CORP Inc
•
Filing: 1971-02-22
•
Granted: 1973-08-28
•
Expires: 1991-02-22
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a method, apparatus, and parts such as a sample holder and a pipette for automatic chemical analysis of a plurality of samples by use of a chromatograph or the like. The samples are in unique sample holders which are advanced along a gravity conveyor, each in its turn being set in a test position. At the test position an entrance self-sealable septum of the sample holder is punctured by a hypodermic pipette having a sample-receiving chamber which is at reduced pressure. When the pipette enters the holder the sample is sucked into the chamber. Then the pipette punctures an exit self-sealable septum and enters the testing means, for example, the chromatograph. There the sample is rapidly evaporated from the pipette and the vapor analyzed. The pipette is then withdrawn from the holder and the residue of sample in the holder reduced. The conveyor is advanced one step so that a new sample holder is in the test position. This new holder is held and then the first sample holder is discharged from the conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 L Guild
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/04; G01N30/24; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/02; B01L3/021; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N35/00; G01N35/10; G01N35/1079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for successive analysis of a plurality of samples of material, each sample contained in a sample holder having an entrance self-sealable septum and an exit self-sealable septum, the said apparatus including a conveyor for advancing a plurality of said holders each in succession through a testing position, sample-transfer means having a chamber of substantially fixed volume for storing the sample during transfer, sample analysis means having an inlet, means connected to said sample-transfer means for preconditioning said chamber to absorb said sample, means for moving said sample-transfer means and a holder in said test position relative to each other so that said chamber while so preconditioned passes through the entrance septum, and then through the exit septum of a holder, and means for transferring said absorbed sampl to said sample-analysis means through said inlet when said chamber has passed through said exit septum into said inlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for successive analysis of a plurality of samples of material, each sample contained in a sample holder having an entrance self-sealable septum and an exit self-sealable septum, the said apparatus including a conveyor for advancing a plurality of said holders each in succession through a testing position, sample-transfer means having a chamber of substantially fixed volume for storing the sample during transfer, sample analysis means having an inlet, means connected to said sample-transfer means for preconditioning said chamber to absorb said sample, means for moving said sample-transfer means and a holder in said test position relative to each other so that said chamber while so preconditioned passes through the entrance septum, and then through the exit septum of a holder, and means for transferring said absorbed sampl to said sample-analysis means through said inlet when said chamber has passed through said exit septum into said inlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1 for analysis of a sample that is in liquid phase below a predetermined temperature and in gas phase above said temperature, said sample being maintained below said temperature in the holder in the test position; the means for transferring the absorbed sample including means for maintaining said sample in the chamber above above temperature only after the chamber enters the inlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the maintaining means maintains the sample substantially above the temperature so that the sample is rapidly vaporized and enters the sample-analysis means in a spray pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conveyor is a gravity conveyor in which the sample holder in the test position is oriented with the septums verticle, and the sample-transfer means includes a hypodermic pipette having a point and having the chamber therein, and the moving means includes means for producing substantially horizontal linear motion of said pipette relative to the holder in the test position, and the conveyor includes means for positioning the holder in the test position with the entrance septum and the exit septum generally transverse to the movement of the pipette so that the point penetrates the entrance septum and the exit septum in succession during the relative motion of the pipette and the last-named holder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means, connected to the sample-transfer means, for reducing the quantity of residue in the chamber of the sample last absorbed in the chamber prior to the preconditioning of the chamber by the preconditioning means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the residue-reducing means includes means operating in succession to: a. vaporize the said residue, b. exhaust the chamber to remove the said vapor of said residue, c. then raise the pressure of said chamber, then repeating said steps (a), (b) and (c) to reduce the residue left after the first succession of steps (a), (b) and (c).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the entrance and the exit septums of each sample holder are internally coated with a chemically inert material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the preconditioning means for the chamber includes means for evacuating said chamber, and wherein the moving means for the sample-tranSfer means includes means for maintaining the vacuum in said chamber after the chamber passes through the exit septum, whereby the sample passes from the holder into the chamber under the difference between the pressure in the sample and the reduced pressure in the chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the sample-transfer means has an enclosure within which the chamber is contained prior to its injection into the holder, and the sample-transfer means also includes means connected to said enclosure for engaging a sample holder in the test position in substantially pressure-tight sealing relationship when said sample-transfer means and sample holder are moved relative to each other so that the chamber passes through the entrance septum, to seal said enclosure during preconditioning of the chamber and subsequent injection into the holder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chamber is a hypodermic pipette with a blind hole therein, the chamber extending longitudinally along the pipette from the hole.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
148 words
The method of analyzing in succession a plurality of samples of material each contained in a sample holder which holder includes an entrance self-sealable septum and an exit self-sealable septum, with apparatus including sample-transfer means having a chamber of substantially fixed volume for storing a sample, and sample-analysis means having an inlet, the said method comprising positioning each sample-holder in its turn in a test position, preconditioning the chamber to absorb a sample, actuating said sample-transfer means to inject said chamber into said last-named sample holder through its entrance septum, while the chamber is preconditioned, and absorbing the said fixed volume of sample from said sample holder into said chamber, actuating said sample transfer means to pass said chamber with the sample therein through said exit septum and inject said chamber into said inlet, and transferring the sample in said chamber from said chamber to said sample-analysis means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
148 words
The method of analyzing in succession a plurality of samples of material each contained in a sample holder which holder includes an entrance self-sealable septum and an exit self-sealable septum, with apparatus including sample-transfer means having a chamber of substantially fixed volume for storing a sample, and sample-analysis means having an inlet, the said method comprising positioning each sample-holder in its turn in a test position, preconditioning the chamber to absorb a sample, actuating said sample-transfer means to inject said chamber into said last-named sample holder through its entrance septum, while the chamber is preconditioned, and absorbing the said fixed volume of sample from said sample holder into said chamber, actuating said sample transfer means to pass said chamber with the sample therein through said exit septum and inject said chamber into said inlet, and transferring the sample in said chamber from said chamber to said sample-analysis means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the chamber is preconditioned to absorb a sample by reducing the pressure in the chamber before the chamber is injected into the sample holder, maintaining the pressure in the chamber reduced after the chamber is injected into the sample holder, whereby the sample is absorbed into the chamber under the excess of pressure in the sample over the reduced pressure in chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11 wherein prior to the preconditioning of the chambers, the residue of sample in the chamber from the prior transfer of sample is reduced to a small magnitude.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the sample-transfer means includes a housing containing the chamber in the unactuated condition of said sample-transfer means, the said housing having an opening therein through which the chamber is injected through the entrance septum, the said method including the steps of engaging said housing with the sample holder in the test position to seal said housing substantially pressure tight, preconditioning the chamber by exhausting the housing, the chamber therein being exhausted as the housing is exhausted and injecting the chamber into the entrance septum while the housing is sealed whereby the chamber absorbs the sample under the pressure difference in the sample and in the housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for automatic successive analysis of samples each contained in a sample holder having a penetrable wall, the said apparatus including means automatically repeatedly operable for advancing said holders in succession into, and setting each in its turn, in a test position, sample-transfer means, sample-analysis means, means for automatically repeatedly actuating said sample-transfer means successively into engagement with the walls of successive sample holders as they are set in said position, means for actuating said sample-transfer means while in such engagement with each said holder to penetrate said wall and to transfer the sample in each said holder to said sample anAlysis means and for thereafter retracting said sample-transfer means from said engagement, and means responsive to said engaging movement of said sample-transfer means in the absence of a holder set in said test position for setting the said apparatus in non-testing condition to interrupt the said automatic repeated operation and actuation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for automatic successive analysis of samples each contained in a sample holder having a penetrable wall, the said apparatus including means automatically repeatedly operable for advancing said holders in succession into, and setting each in its turn, in a test position, sample-transfer means, sample-analysis means, means for automatically repeatedly actuating said sample-transfer means successively into engagement with the walls of successive sample holders as they are set in said position, means for actuating said sample-transfer means while in such engagement with each said holder to penetrate said wall and to transfer the sample in each said holder to said sample anAlysis means and for thereafter retracting said sample-transfer means from said engagement, and means responsive to said engaging movement of said sample-transfer means in the absence of a holder set in said test position for setting the said apparatus in non-testing condition to interrupt the said automatic repeated operation and actuation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sample-transfer means includes temporary sample-holding means having a generally longitudinal chamber for holding a sample to be transferred, said temporary sample-holding means being movable, on actuation of said sample-transfer means, into sample-receiving communication with the sample holder in the test position, said chamber being generally along the direction in which the temporary sample-holding means is so moved, said temporary sample-holding means having an opening lateral of said direction for transferring a sample from said last-named holder in the test position into the said chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sample-transfer means includes a sealable hollow holder for the temporary sample-holding means with the chamber and the opening in communication with the interior of said sealable holder, the sample-transfer means also including means for exhausting the interior of said holder and the chamber.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
244 words
The method of analyzing in succession a plurality of samples of material, each sample contained in a sample holder, with apparatus including a gravity conveyor for advancing a plurality of holders under gravity, said conveyor including means for holding each holder in succession in a processing position and in an intermediate position whence it is ejectable by gravity on disengagement of said holding means, the said apparatus also including sample-transfer means; the said method comprising the steps of a. causing said holding means to hold a sample holder in the processing position, said last-named holder preventing movement under gravity of the holders above it; b. causing said sample-transfer means to engage said holder in the processing position and to absorb the sample therefrom; c. causing said sample-transfer means to disengage said holder in the processing position; d. causing said holding means to hold said last-named holder in the intermediate position permitting a succeeding holder to move into the processing position, said holder in the intermediate position preventing movement under gravity of the holders above it; e. causing said sample-transfer means to engage said succeeding holder and hold it in the processing position; f. disengaging said holding means from said holder in the intermediate position ejecting said last-named holder; g. causing said holding means to hold said succeeding holder in the processing position; and h. disengaging said sample-transfer means from said succeeding holder, said last-named holder preventing movement under gravity of the holders above it.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
244 words
The method of analyzing in succession a plurality of samples of material, each sample contained in a sample holder, with apparatus including a gravity conveyor for advancing a plurality of holders under gravity, said conveyor including means for holding each holder in succession in a processing position and in an intermediate position whence it is ejectable by gravity on disengagement of said holding means, the said apparatus also including sample-transfer means; the said method comprising the steps of a. causing said holding means to hold a sample holder in the processing position, said last-named holder preventing movement under gravity of the holders above it; b. causing said sample-transfer means to engage said holder in the processing position and to absorb the sample therefrom; c. causing said sample-transfer means to disengage said holder in the processing position; d. causing said holding means to hold said last-named holder in the intermediate position permitting a succeeding holder to move into the processing position, said holder in the intermediate position preventing movement under gravity of the holders above it; e. causing said sample-transfer means to engage said succeeding holder and hold it in the processing position; f. disengaging said holding means from said holder in the intermediate position ejecting said last-named holder; g. causing said holding means to hold said succeeding holder in the processing position; and h. disengaging said sample-transfer means from said succeeding holder, said last-named holder preventing movement under gravity of the holders above it.
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) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |