Pipet washer

• US 4,406,297 A
• Filed: 11/23/1981
• Issued: 09/27/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mycoplate Incorporated 1122a S Seaward Ventura
• Original Assignee: John R. Walton
• Inventors: Walton, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bleutge, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US06/323,761
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 134/102-103, 134/107-108, 134/166 R, 134/166 C, 134/169 R, 134/171
• US Class Current: 134/102.3
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 13/02 for receptacle or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0213 Accessories for glass pipettes; Gun-type pipettes, e.g. safety devices, pumps

Abstract

A self-contained pipet washer and dryer which utilizes a container assembly within which is located a quantity of the pipets that are to be washed and dryed. An acid storage tank is included which includes a volume of acid which is to supply acid into the container to soak the pipets for a period of time. Tap water is to be supplied into the container to initially rinse the pipets after the acid soaking. A second source of rinsing solution, in the form of deionized water, is provided to function as a final rinse for the pipets. Heated air is to then be blown across the pipets to dry the pipets.

Claims

1. A pipet washer and dryer comprising:

a container assembly adapted to contain a quantity of pipets to be washed;

an acid storage tank for containing a volume of liquid acid solution, said acid storage tank being capable of conducting said acid solution into said container assembly and from said container back into said acid storage tank;

a first source of rinsing solution connected to said container assembly, said first source to supply said rinsing solution into said container substantially filling said container assembly and then to be drained from said container assembly; and

a second source of rinsing solution connected to said container assembly, said second source of rinsing solution to function as a final rinse into said container assembly and is to then be drained therefrom.

2. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 1 including:

heater means for raising the temperature of said second source of rinsing solution.

3. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 2 including:

pump means for conducting of said second source of rinsing solution into said container assembly.

4. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said pump means comprising an air compressor, said air compressor to also be utilized to move air through said container assembly to effect drying within said container assembly.

5. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said air compressor also functioning to move said liquid acid solution from said acid storage tank into said container.

6. The pipet washer as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a housing, said container assembly being mounted within said housing, said acid storage tank being mounted within said housing, said second source of rinsing solution being confined in a reservoir within said housing, regulator means mounted within said housing, said regulator means to function to discharge from said reservoir a precise quantity of said second source of rinsing solution to be then dispensed into said container assembly, said regulator means functioning to dispense a plurality of separate amounts of said second rinsing solution into said container assembly.

7. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 6 wherein:

a primary liquid inlet mounted within said housing connecting with said container assembly, a dispersing screen connected to said housing and mounted directly adjacent said primary liquid inlet, the liquid entering said container from said primary liquid inlet is to be conducted through said dispersing screen prior to entry into said container assembly to be substantially evenly distributed across said container assembly.

8. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said housing includes a lid, said lid being movable between an open position and a closed position in respect to said housing, with said lid in said open position access is provided into said container assembly, said primary liquid conduit being connected to said lid, said dispersing screen being mounted within said lid.

9. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 8 wherein:

said container assembly including a basket, said basket to be removable from said housing and be spaced therefrom.

10. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said liquid acid solution to be conducted through said primary liquid conduit into said container assembly, said primary liquid conduit including a valve, said valve including a valve spool which is to be movable from a position closing said conduit to a position opening said conduit, said valve spool being movable by magnetic force.

11. The pipet washer and dryer as defined in claim 1 including:

acid pump means for supplying said liquid acid solution into said acid storage tank.