LIQUID HANDLING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRONIC INFORMATION STORAGE

• US 20100152891A1
• Filed: 02/17/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Entegris Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc. (Entegris Incorporated)
• Inventors: Andrews, Robert E., Jayaraman, Tripunithura V., Baye-Wallace, Christopher A., Menning, Joseph P., O'Dougherty, Kevin T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,150,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0283 specially adapted for transferring liquids of high purity
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0617 specially adapted for fluid materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

An electronic storage device is coupled with a container capable of holding liquid for electronically storing information relating to the liquid stored in the container. The system can be configured with an antenna, for storing information to and reading information from the electronic storage device. A microprocessor-based controller, coupled with the antenna, may be employed for controlling processing of the liquid based on information read from the electronic storage device by the antenna. A connector of a secure reader system having a reader is provided to physically couple to a container having an information storing mechanism, for periodically reading information from an information storing mechanism. The connector may draw material from the container simultaneous with the reading.

Claims

1. A liquid handling system comprising:

a container having an interior adapted to hold a liquid and defining an opening;

a cap coupled to the container adjacent to the opening;

a connector adapted for physically coupling to the cap, the connector having an internal flow passage to permit extraction or dispensation of the liquid from the interior of the container;

an information storage element coupled with the container and adapted to store information relating to the liquid;

a communication element adapted to read information from the information storage element; and

a control element, coupled with the communication element, for controlling processing of the liquid based on information read from the information storage element by the communication element.

2. The liquid handling system of claim 1, wherein the information storage element is disposed in or on said cap.

3. The liquid handling system of claim 1 wherein the information comprises any of:

a property of said material, date of manufacture of said material, condition of manufacture of said material, and an amount of said material.

4. The liquid handling system of claim 1, wherein the connector is coupled to a process assembly to employ the material in an application.

5. The liquid handling system of claim 4, wherein the application is directed based on information obtained from the information storage element.

6. The liquid handling system of claim 1, wherein the information storage element comprises a bar code.

7. The liquid handling system of claim 1, wherein the information storage element comprises at least one of a magnetic storage element and a radio frequency identification device.

8. The liquid handling system of claim 1, wherein the information storage element comprises an electronic information storage element.

9. The liquid handling system of claim 1, wherein the communication element comprises an antenna.

10. The liquid handling system of claim 1, further comprising a rupturable membrane arranged to seal the interior and arranged for rupturing to allow the connector to access the interior, wherein the rupturable membrane is associated with the cap.

11. The liquid handling system of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a probe defining the internal flow passage, and the probe is insertable into the interior of the container.

12. The liquid handling system of claim 1, further comprising a verification tool adapted to receive said information from the information storage element prior to coupling of said connector to said cap, wherein said information is used to dictate whether the connector should be coupled to said cap.

13. A liquid handling system comprising:

a container adapted to hold a liquid and defining a container opening;

a cap securable to the container proximate to the container opening, the cap (i) being arranged when secured to the container to seal the container for containment of liquid therein, and (ii) being adapted to engage a connector having a connector head defining a flow passage and adapted to extract liquid from the container when the connector is engaged to the cap; and

an information storage element coupled with at least one of the container and the cap, and adapted to store information relating to the liquid.

14. The liquid handling system of claim 13, further comprising the connector.

15. The liquid handling system of claim 14, wherein the connector is coupled to a process assembly to employ the material in an application.

16. The liquid handling system of claim 15, wherein the application is directed based on information obtained from the information storage element.

17. The liquid handling system of claim 13, wherein the information storage element is coupled with the cap.

18. The liquid handling system of claim 13, wherein the information storage element comprises a bar code.

19. The liquid handling system of claim 13, wherein the information storage element comprises at least one of a magnetic storage element and a radio frequency identification device.

20. The liquid handling system of claim 13, wherein the information storage element comprises an electronic information storage element.

21. The liquid handling system of claim 13, further comprising an information exchange element adapted to store information to, and/or read information from, the information storage element.

22. A liquid handling system comprising:

a container adapted to hold a liquid and defining a container opening;

a sealing element disposed proximate to the container opening and arranged to seal liquid within the container;

a connector securable to a portion of the container along the opening, the connector having an internal flow passage to permit extraction or dispensation of the liquid from the interior of the container through the opening;

an information storage element associated with the container, and adapted to store information relating to the liquid; and

a verification tool adapted to receive said information from the information storage element prior to securing of said connector to said portion of the container, wherein said information is used to dictate whether the connector should be coupled to said portion of the container.

23. The liquid handling system of claim 22, wherein the container comprises a cap as said portion of the container to which the connector is securable.

24. The liquid handling system of claim 23, wherein the sealing element comprises said cap.

25. The liquid handling system of claim 22, wherein the information storage element is disposed in or on said cap.

26. The liquid handling system of claim 22 wherein the information comprises any of:

a property of said material, date of manufacture of said material, condition of manufacture of said material, and an amount of said material.

27. The liquid handling system of claim 22, wherein the connector is coupled to a process assembly to employ the material in an application.

28. The liquid handling system of claim 27, wherein the application is directed based on information obtained from the information storage element.

29. The liquid handling system of claim 22, wherein the information storage element comprises a bar code.

30. The liquid handling system of claim 22, wherein the information storage element comprises at least one of a magnetic storage element and a radio frequency identification device.

31. The liquid handling system of claim 22, wherein the information storage element comprises an electronic information storage element.

32. The liquid handling system of claim 22, further comprising an information exchange element adapted to store information to, and/or read information from, the information storage element.