Phase separating tube

Claim 2

A phase-separating tube, comprising, in combination: a. a hollow member provided with an opening and arranged for holding a predetermined quantity of a liquid; b. a plug arranged selectively covering the opening; and c. means for selectively dispensing liquid from the hollow member at variable rates of flow, the hollow member being provided with a cone mounted within the hollow member and arranged converging toward the opening thereof, the plug having an outer rigid part and a flexible inner part, the inner part forming the means for dispensing, and including: i. a hollow cylindrical portion having an internal wall defining a flow path from an end of the cylindrical portion adjacent the cone through the cylindrical portion and to an end thereof forming an outlet of the plug; ii. a conical portion connected to the cylindrical portion at the end thereof adjacent the cone and arranged for sealing engagement with an outlet of the cone; and iii. a rod connected to the conical portion and arranged extending coaxially through the cylindrical portion toward the outlet forming end thereof, whereby the rod forces the flow of liquid along its surface, preventing any liquid flow on the internal wall of the hollow cylindrical portion and the wetting of the outer rim of the outlet where potentially hazardous liquids may otherwise come in contact with the hands of the operator or any other surface.

Claim 3

A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the hollow member is tubular and has a pair of spaced, open ends, one of the open ends forming the opening, and further includinG a cap removably arrangeable on the other of the open ends of the hollow member.

Claim 4

A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the cone and a cylindrical portion attached to it form a funnel that provides an increased precision in separating two immiscible liquids by permitting an easy observation of the moving interphase.

Claim 5

A phase-separating tube, comprising, in combination: a. a hollow member provided with an opening and arranged for holding a predetermined quantity of a liquid; b. a plug arranged selectively covering the opening; and c. means for selectively dispensing liquid from the hollow member at variable rates of flow, the hollow member being tubular and having a pair of spaced, open ends, one of the open ends forming the opening, and further including a cap removably arrangeable on the other of the open ends of the hollow member, the hollow member being further provided with a cone mounted within the hollow member and arranged converging toward the opening thereof, whereby the cone and a cylindrical portion attached to it form a funnel that provides an increased precision in separating two immiscible liquids by permitting an easy observation of the moving interphase, and the plug having an outer rigid part and a flexible inner, part, the inner part forming the means for dispensing, and including: i. a hollow cylindrical portion having an internal wall defining a flow path from an end of the cylindrical portion adjacent the cone through the cylindrical portion and to an end thereof forming an outlet of the plug; ii. a conical portion connected to the cylindrical portion at the end thereof adjacent the cone and arranged for sealing engagement with an outlet of the cone; and iii. a rod connected to the conical portion and arranged extending coaxially through the cylindrical portion toward the outlet forming end thereof, whereby the rod forces the flow of liquid along its surface, preventing any liquid flow on the internal wall of the hollow cylindrical portion and the wetting of the outer rim of the outlet where potentially hazardous liquids may otherwise come in contact with the hands of the operator or any other surface.

Claim 6

A phase-separating tube, comprising, in combination: a. a hollow member provided with an opening and arranged for holding a predetermined quantity of a liquid; b. a plug arranged selectively covering the opening; and c. means for selectively dispensing liquid from the hollow member at variable rates of flow, the hollow member being tubular and having a pair of spaced, open ends, one of the open ends forming the opening, and further including a cap removably arrangeable on the other of the open ends of the hollow member, the hollow member being further provided with a cone mounted within the hollow member and arranged converging toward the opening thereof, whereby the cone and a cylindrical portion attached to it form a funnel that provides an increased precision in separating two immiscible liquids by permitting an easy observation of the moving interphase, and the plug having an outer rigid part and a flexible inner, part, the inner part forming the means for dispensing, and including: i. a hollow cylindrical portion having an internal wall defining a flow path from an end of the cylindrical portion adjacent the cone through the cylindrical portion and to an end thereof forming an outlet of the plug; ii. a conical portion connected to the cylindrical portion at the end thereof adjacent the cone and arranged for sealing engagement with an outlet of the cone; and iii. a rod connected to the conical portion and arranged extending coaxially through the cylindrical portion toward the outlet forming end thereof, whereby the rod forces the flow of liquid along its surface, preventing any liquid flow on the internal wall of the hollow cylindrical portion and the wetting of the outer rim of the outlet where potentially hazardous liquids may otherwise come in contact with the hands of the operator or any other surface.

Claim 7

A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the inner part further includes a substantially hemispherical portion provided at the outlet forming end of the cylindrical portion, where in addition to providing a resting portion for the tube that protects the seal, the hemispherical portion also provides a means of evenly distributing the pressure generated while centrifuging which at the same time helps maintain the seal.

Claim 8

A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein at least one sealing ring is arranged around the cylindrical portion between the conical portion and the hemispherical portion for sealing the plug to the hollow member when the conical portion is spaced from the cone outlet, and a groove provided around the periphery of the cylindrical portion immediately adjacent the sealing ring in the direction of the hemispherical portion for permitting deformation of the sealing ring when same is pressing against the hollow member, the arrangement preventing any leakage of potentially hazardous liquid through the threads when the seal is open.

Claim 9

A structure as defined in claim 6, wherein the outer part is a substantially cylindrical sleeve provided with an inwardly directed, annular flange at a one end of the sleeve, and the inner part is further provided with an annular tip arranged extending from the cylindrical portion adjacent to and spaced from a planar surface of the hemispherical portion, the flange being arranged between the lip and planar surface for retaining the outer part to the inner part, and means provided on the outer part for fastening the plug to the hollow member in a variable relationship with respect thereto, the inner part annular lip also serving as a cushion for protecting the rim of the hollow member from breakage while centrifuging.

Claim 10

A structure as defined in cLaim 7, wherein the conical portion is connected to the cylindrical portion by a plurality of spaced members connected to and extending between the cylindrical portion and conical portion for forming a spider.