Sample preparation chamber with mixer/grinder and sample aliquot isolation
First Claim
1. A sample preparation chamber for allowing samples of different compositions to be prepared for assay including a container having a bottom with at least one lowest region which is lower than all other regions in said bottom, said bottom having a configuration that tends to cause gravity to drive sample in said container to said at least one lowest region, comprising:
- means insertable into said container for mixing non-homogeneous mixtures;
a fill/empty tube entering said container and having an inlet/outlet port located at said at least one lowest region; and
sample metering means coupled to said container for isolating a known volume of sample from sample in said container and for allowing the known volume of sample to be released back into said container;
wherein said container comprises a first cup having a lip defining a first opening, a second cup for receiving said first cup and having a flange defining a second opening and further having means for receiving said lip onto said flange, and a cap having an edge for compression against said lip for sealing said first opening; and
wherein said sample preparation chamber further comprises means for latching said cap against said first cup and said second cup, including a latch piece disposed adjacent said flange and said cap and having a notch for receiving said edge of said cap and said flange of said second cup, and a camming lever for compressing said cap edge against said flange and for compressing said lip of said first cup against said lip receiving means of said flange, with said camming lever rotatably carried by said latch piece and including a cam for contacting at least one of said cap edge and said flange of said second cup when said edge and said flange are positioned within said notch of said latch piece, where said cam is configured for compressing said cap edge against said flange of said second cup upon rotation of said camming lever.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed a sample preparation chamber for a system for preparing samples of various compositions for assay by liquid chromatography. The sample preparation chamber is includes a container having a threaded cap and a threaded, lightweight, translucent plastic cup. A stirrer/grinder shaft driven by a motor and connected to a propeller/grinder passes through the cap. The cup has a sloped bottom with a sump region, and a fill/empty pipe passes through the cap and has its outlet at or near the sump. A nozzle/fill pipe arrangement allows the walls to be washed down as liquid is pumped into the cup. A second fill pipe with its outlet spaced up from the bottom of the cup is also used, and a sample metering valve having an inlet in said cup is present. The sample metering valve is used to isolate a known volume of the sample from the rest of the sample for release back into the cup after the remaining sample has been pumped to waste for purposes of diluting the known volume of sample to a known concentration.
21 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A sample preparation chamber for allowing samples of different compositions to be prepared for assay including a container having a bottom with at least one lowest region which is lower than all other regions in said bottom, said bottom having a configuration that tends to cause gravity to drive sample in said container to said at least one lowest region, comprising:
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means insertable into said container for mixing non-homogeneous mixtures; a fill/empty tube entering said container and having an inlet/outlet port located at said at least one lowest region; and sample metering means coupled to said container for isolating a known volume of sample from sample in said container and for allowing the known volume of sample to be released back into said container; wherein said container comprises a first cup having a lip defining a first opening, a second cup for receiving said first cup and having a flange defining a second opening and further having means for receiving said lip onto said flange, and a cap having an edge for compression against said lip for sealing said first opening; and wherein said sample preparation chamber further comprises means for latching said cap against said first cup and said second cup, including a latch piece disposed adjacent said flange and said cap and having a notch for receiving said edge of said cap and said flange of said second cup, and a camming lever for compressing said cap edge against said flange and for compressing said lip of said first cup against said lip receiving means of said flange, with said camming lever rotatably carried by said latch piece and including a cam for contacting at least one of said cap edge and said flange of said second cup when said edge and said flange are positioned within said notch of said latch piece, where said cam is configured for compressing said cap edge against said flange of said second cup upon rotation of said camming lever. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sample preparation chamber for allowing samples of different compositions to be prepared including a container comprising a cap and a chemically inert first cup having walls and a bottom with at least one lowest region, said bottom having a configuration that tends to cause gravity to drive sample in said container to said at least one lowest region, comprising:
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means insertable into said container for mixing non-homogeneous fluids and for grinding samples into smaller pieces; a fill/empty tube having a first diameter entering said container and having an inlet/outlet port located at said at least one lowest region; sample metering means coupled to said container for isolating a known volume of sample from sample in said cup and for allowing the known volume of sample to be released back into said container; and means disposed within said cup for spraying said walls of said cup with liquids; wherein said first cup includes a lip defining a first opening and said container further comprises a second cup for receiving said first cup and having a flange defining a second opening and further having means for receiving said lip of said first cup, and wherein said cap includes an edge for compression against said lip for sealing said first opening; and wherein said sample preparation chamber further comprises means for latching said cap against said first cup and said second cup, including a latch piece disposed adjacent said flange of said second cup and said cap and having a notch for receiving said edge of said cap and said flange, and a camming lever for compressing said cap edge against said flange and for compressing said lip of said first cup against said lip receiving means, with said camming lever rotatably carried by said latch piece and including a cam for contacting at least one of said cap edge and said flange of said second cup when said edge and said flange are positioned within said notch, where said cam is configured for compressing said cap edge against said flange of said second cup upon rotation of said camming lever. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification