Filtration method and apparatus

• US 4,167,875 A
• Filed: 08/05/1976
• Issued: 09/18/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John C. Meakin
• Original Assignee: John C. Meakin
• Inventors: Meakin, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Turk, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US05/711,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 23/259, 23/253 R, 23/230 R, 210/387, 210/400, 210/455, 210/409, 210/205, 210/323 R, 210/73 R, 73/421 R, 422/101
• US Class Current: 73/863.25
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/204 Systems for applying vacuum to filters
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/012 Making filtering elements making bag, cage, hose, tube, sleeve or like filtering elements B01D29/111
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/05 supported
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/78 for washing
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 39/14 Other self-supporting filtering material ; Other filtering material non-woven fabrics in general D04H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/40 Concentrating samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4077 by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2873 Cutting or cleaving
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/288 Filter punches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]

Abstract

Apparatus for treating samples comprising a sample holding element; a wash trough removably positioned over the sample holding element; transfer tubes or conduits in sample receiving contact with the sample holding element, extending through the wash trough to a transfer head positioned over a vacuum manifold which elements, in combination, deliver sample from the sample holding element directly to a plurality of filter discs in said vacuum manifold means. A cutter block is positioned between the transfer head and manifold. The apparatus is designed and arranged so that the cutter block will simultaneously cut and position a plurality of filter paper discs on said filter discs. A plurality of individual samples can be treated rapidly while minimizing the amount of filter paper used with assurance of quantitative sample transfer.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a plurality of samples comprising, in combination, a base;

a first plurality of individual sample-containing members positioned on said base;

a wash trough adapted to hold wash material, said wash trough being positionable to be in operable association with a second plurality of said sample-containing members and including means whereby a wash material from said wash trough will flow to said second plurality of individual sample-containing members, said second plurality comprising the individual sample-containing members of said first plurality with said second plurality being numerically less than or equal to the first plurality;

a transfer head containing transfer tubes in sample-receiving communication with said second plurality of sample-containing members extending through said wash trough;

sample collection units in communication with said transfer head, said sample collection units including a filter support containing a plurality of raised filter discs equal to said second plurality of sample-containing members and a vacuum manifold means below said filter discs for drawing a vacuum across said plurality of filter discs;

a cutter block having a plurality, equal to said second plurality, of openings therein positioned between said transfer head and filter support, said cutter block and filter discs on said filter support being constructed and arranged to cut upon bringing said cutter block and filter support into operable association a plurality of filter material discs equal in number to said filter discs and openings in said cutter block for filtering a sample contained in each of said second plurality of sample-containing members when a vacuum is applied to said vacuum manifold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said filter support includes indexing means for positioning a filter material for forming said filter material disc.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base includes means for positioning said sample-containing members.

4. The method of collecting samples including a filter step comprising the steps of providing a plurality of sample holders each containing a sample to be collected;

simultaneously cutting a plurality of individual filter materials equal in number to said plurality of sample holders by pressing a cutter element into contact with a filter support;

simultaneously transferring said samples from said sample holders to said individual filter materials on said filter support by applying a vacuum to said filter support, and simultaneously with said transfer and as a part thereof flushing said sample holders and samples with a wash solution, thereby enhancing the transfer of said samples to said individual filter materials.