Automated Sample Collection Apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for collecting, sorting and storing samples, the apparatus comprising:
- A. A carousel comprising a plurality of sorting containers,B. Means for rotating the carousel,C. Means for transferring samples from a sampling station located apart from the carousel to the sorting containers, andD. Means for transferring samples from the sorting containers to storage containers located apart from the carousel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for collecting, sorting and storing samples from multiple batches of copper cathode is disclosed. Samples are collected at a sampling station and transferred to a collection container. The samples are then transferred to a sorting container by way of chutes forming a continuous path from the collection container to the sorting container. The sorting container is affixed on the top surface of an automated carousel having a plurality of sorting containers for sorting samples from multiple batches. Samples in the sorting containers are recovered into storage containers through an access door panel and a funnel placed beneath the access door.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for collecting, sorting and storing samples, the apparatus comprising:
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A. A carousel comprising a plurality of sorting containers, B. Means for rotating the carousel, C. Means for transferring samples from a sampling station located apart from the carousel to the sorting containers, and D. Means for transferring samples from the sorting containers to storage containers located apart from the carousel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for collecting, sorting and storing samples, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. Collecting a sample of a product at a sampling station, and transferring the sample to a collection container; B. Transferring the sample from the collection container to a sorting container through first and second chutes, the sample moving through the first and second chutes due to at least one of (i) gravity, and (ii) vibration imparted to the first chute by a vibrator, the sorting container pivotally affixed to a carousel; C. Rotating the carousel such that the sorting container holding the sample is in a position removed from the second chute; and D. Transferring the sample from the sorting container to a storage container by pivotally rotating the sorting container such that the sample flows due to gravity from the sorting the container to the storage container. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for collecting, sorting and storing samples taken from multiple batches of copper cathode, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. Collecting samples from a first batch of copper cathode at a sampling station, and transferring the first samples to a first collection volume of a collection container comprising first and second collection volumes; B. Collecting samples from a second batch of copper cathode at a sampling station, and transferring the second samples to the second collection volume of the collection container; C. Transferring the first samples from the first collection volume of the collection container to a first sorting container through first and second chutes, the first sample moving through a first trap door in the collection container into the first and second chutes, and moving through the chutes due to at least one of (i) gravity, and (ii) vibration imparted to the first chute by a vibrator, the first sorting container pivotally affixed to a carousel; D. Rotating the carousel to position a second sorting container beneath the second chute to receive the second samples from the second chute, and then opening a trap door beneath the collection container such that the second samples in the second volume of the collection container exit the second volume and enter the first chute and move through the first and second chutes due to at least one of (i) gravity, and (ii) vibration imparted to the first chute by a vibrator, such that the second samples enter the second sorting container, the second sorting container pivotally affixed to the carousel; E. Rotating the carousel such that the first sorting container containing the first samples is positioned to a location removed from the second chute; F. Transferring the first samples from the first sorting container to a first storage container by pivotally rotating the first sorting container such that the first sample flows due to gravity from the first sorting container to the first storage container; G. Rotating the carousel such that the second sorting container containing the second samples is positioned to a location removed from the second chute; and H. Transferring the second samples from the second sorting container to a second storage container by pivotally rotating the second sorting container such that the second sample flows due to gravity from the second sorting container to the second storage container.
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Specification