Pump inserter for test tubes
First Claim
1. Apparatus for attaching pump mechanisms to sealed test tubes, each test tube sealed by a resilient, puncturable closure, comprising:
- means for releasably supporting a plurality of pump mechanisms;
a support frame;
means for holding the plurality of pump mechanisms while supported by said supporting means at a first station, said holding means secured to said support frame;
removing means connected with said frame for removing said supporting means from the plurality of pump mechanisms;
means for positioning a plurality of test tubes at a second station, said positioning means engaging said support frame; and
means for moving said holding means from said first station toward said second station after removal of said supporting means, which causes said moving means to move plurality of pump mechanisms to a position for attachment to respective ones of the test tubes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for securing pump mechanisms to test tubes sealed by a closure such that the contents of the test tubes may be discharged without removing the closure. The apparatus includes a rack for holding a plurality of pump mechanisms, each of the pump mechanisms including a downwardly extending needle or the like for penetrating the closure of the test tube. The test tubes are arranged within a tray in a plurality of rows, and each row is sequentially advanced into position. As each row is in position, the pump mechanism is moved toward the row of test tubes to penetrate the test tube closures. The pump mechanisms thereafter released, the rack filled with a next series of pump mechanisms, the test tube array indexed, and the cycle of steps is repeated. The pump mechanism needles are initially imbedded in a protective packaging. The apparatus strips away the protective packaging to expose the sharpened points or tips of the pump mechanism.
27 Citations
8 Claims
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1. Apparatus for attaching pump mechanisms to sealed test tubes, each test tube sealed by a resilient, puncturable closure, comprising:
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means for releasably supporting a plurality of pump mechanisms; a support frame; means for holding the plurality of pump mechanisms while supported by said supporting means at a first station, said holding means secured to said support frame; removing means connected with said frame for removing said supporting means from the plurality of pump mechanisms; means for positioning a plurality of test tubes at a second station, said positioning means engaging said support frame; and means for moving said holding means from said first station toward said second station after removal of said supporting means, which causes said moving means to move plurality of pump mechanisms to a position for attachment to respective ones of the test tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification