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Capillary transport device having connected transport zones

  • US 4,271,119 A
  • Filed: 04/23/1980
  • Issued: 06/02/1981
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1979
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a liquid transport device comprising(a) a first pair of opposing surfaces spaced apart a distance effective to induce capillary flow of introduced liquid and to create a first zone of intended capillary liquid transport between said surfaces, and(b) liquid access means permitting introduction of liquid into said first zone, whereby introduced liquid flows downstream from said access means by capillary attraction;

  • the improvement comprising at least a second pair of opposing surfaces spaced apart a distance effective to induce capillary flow of introduced liquid and to provide a second zone of intended capillary liquid transport, said second pair of surfaces extending from only one of said first pair of surfaces, anddiverting means in said one surface for directing a portion of the liquid away from said first zone into said second zone while the remainder of the liquid continues flowing in said first zone, said diverting means being(i) located downstream from said access means at a predetermined location and(ii) configured to insure complete wetting of said second pair of surfaces downstream from said one surface by the liquid moving therepast, and to provide a cross-sectional flow-through area greater than about 0.2 mm2.

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