AUTOMATIC CHEMICAL REACTION SYSTEM

• US 3,625,398 A
• Filed: 09/29/1969
• Issued: 12/07/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew M. Tometsko
• Original Assignee: Andrew M. Tometsko
• Inventors: Tometsko, Andrew M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wood, Jr., M. Henson
• Assistant Examiner(s): Culp, Jr., Thomas C.
• Application Number:
  US04/861,801
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 222/52,56,70,76,132 23/259 137/624.11,624.18
• US Class Current: 222/52
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0046 Sequential or parallel reactions, e.g. for the synthesis of polypeptides or polynucleotides; Apparatus and devices for combinatorial chemistry or for making molecular arrays synthesis methods per se C40B50/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00 Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 with means for piercing stoppers or septums

Abstract

A plurality of bottles containing different chemicals are mounted in a cabinet which also contains a tape-operated mechanism that controls the opening and closing of valves that govern flow of the chemicals from the bottles to associated measuring chambers and from the measuring chambers to a reaction vessel. A time-delay mechanism comprising a pulse-generating clock, bimetallic switch arms and heating coils governs the stepby-step advance of the tape. A paddle for mixing the chemicals is rotatably mounted in the reaction vessel; and when a particulate material is used, the paddle may be foraminous and hold the particles.

Claims

1. Chemical reaction apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for storing, respectively, different chemicals, a measuring chamber associated with each container, a first duct for conducting a chemical from a container to the measuring chamber associated with that container, a reaction vessel, a second duct connecting each measuring chamber with the reaction vessel, valve means controlling flow of a chemical from each container to the associated measuring chamber through the associated first duct and flow of the chemical from a measuring chamber to the reaction vessel through the associated second duct, and means for automatically controlling the periods and sequence of operation of said valve means, said automatic control means comprising solenoids associated with the several said valve means and energizable to operate said valve means, and punch tape controlled means for energizing the solenoids, and controlling the periods and sequence of their energization.

2. Chemical reaction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automatic control means includes means controlled by the level of liquid chemical in a measuring chamber for operating the valve associated with that chamber.

3. Chemical reaction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tape-controlled means includes a punched tape having a plurality of perforations therein spaced from one another in the direction of movement of the tape, means for advancing the tape, and means for reading the tape by engagement with the perforations and controlling the energization of the solenoids.

4. Chemical reaction apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said tape-advancing means is electrically operated and is controlled by a pulse-generating clock adjustable to determine the time between pulses and operative at the end of each time cycle to generate a pulse to actuate said tape-advancing means.

5. Chemical reaction apparatus comprising a cabinet for storing containers holding different chemicals, a measuring chamber associated with each container, a duct for conducting a chemical from a container to the measuring chamber associated with that container, a valve associated with each duct for controlling flow of the chemical from each container to the measuring chamber associated therewith, means for automatically controlling the periods and sequence of opening of said valves, and a duct associated with each measuring chamber for conducting fluid under pressure to each measuring chamber for emptying the measuring chambers, said automatic control means also controlling flow of the pressure fluid in each of the last-named ducts.

6. Chemical reaction apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for holding, respectively, different chemicals, a measuring chamber associated with each container, a duct connecting each container to the associated measuring chamber, and means for conducting fluid under pressure into each container to force a chemical out of a container into the associated duct, a valve for controlling flow of the pressure fluid in each duct, and automatic control means controlling opening and closing of said valve, said automatic control means including means responsive to the level of chemical in each measuring chamber.

7. Chemical reaction apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each level-responsive means includes a light source, a photoelectric cell operable by said light source, and means responsive to the level of chemical in each measuring chamber for interposing an opaque material between said light source and the associated photoelectric cell.

8. Chemical reaction apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for storing, respectively, different chemicals, a measuring chamber associated with each container, a first duct for conducting a chemical from a container to the measuring chamber associated with that container, a reaction vessel, a second duct connecting each measuring chamber with the reaction vessel, valve means controlling flow of a chemical from each container to the associated measuring chamber through the associated first duct and flow of the chemical from a measuring chamber to the reaction vessel through the associated second duct, and means for automatically controlling the periods and sequence of operation of said valve means, a paddle being mounted in the reaction vessel for rotation therein, and said paddle comprising a foraminous container for holding a particulate chemical therein.

9. Chemical reaction apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for storing, respectively, different chemicals, a measuring chamber associated with each container, a first duct for conducting a chemical from a container to the measuring chamber associated with that container, a reaction vessel, a second duct connecting each measuring chamber with the reaction vessel, valve means controlling flow of a chemical from each container to the associated measuring chamber through the associated first duct and flow of the chemical from a measuring chamber to the reaction vessel through the associated second duct, and means for automatically controlling the periods and Sequence of operation of said valve means, said automatic control means comprising a tape, means connecting said valve means to said tape so that the tape in its movement controls the sequence and duration of operation of said valve means, and means for periodically advancing said tape.

10. Chemical reaction apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for storing, respectively, different chemicals, a measuring chamber associated with each container, a first duct for conducting a chemical from a container to the measuring chamber associated with that container, a reaction vessel, a second duct connecting each measuring chamber with the reaction vessel, valve means controlling flow of a chemical from each container to the associated measuring chamber through the associated first duct and flow of the chemical from a measuring chamber to the reaction vessel through the associated second duct, and means for automatically controlling the periods and sequence of operation of said valve means, a pulse timer controlling the periods of automatic operation of said valve means, a movable tape controlling selectively the valve means to be operated during an interval of operation of said tape through means operatively connecting the tape to said valve means, and means for determining the duration of operation of the valve means in any said period.

11. Chemical reaction apparatus comprising a plurality of containers for storing, respectively, different chemicals, a measuring chamber associated with each container, a first duct for conducting a chemical from a container to the measuring chamber associated with that container, a reaction vessel, a second duct connecting each measuring chamber with the reaction vessel, valve means controlling flow of a chemical from each container to the associated measuring chamber through the associated first duct and flow of the chemical from a measuring chamber to the reaction vessel through the associated second duct, and means for automatically controlling the periods and sequence of operation of said valve means, a tape, means for reading said tape, means for connecting said tape reader to said valve means to operate said valve means selectively under control of said tape reader, a pulse timer, and means for periodically advancing said pulse timer under control of said pulse timer.

12. Chemical reaction apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said tape is a punched tape, and said reader comprises means engageable in the holes punched in said tape to complete an electric circuit for operating said valve means.

13. Chemical reaction apparatus as claimed in claim 12, having means for controlling the amount of advance of the tape on each pulsation of said timer.

14. Chemical reaction apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for controlling the advance of said tape comprises a bimetallic switch, and means for heating the same.