Introducing measured amounts of liquid into receptacles
First Claim
1. Apparatus for introducing a measured amount of a liquid into receptacles comprising:
- (a) support means at a filling station for the receptacles;
(b) means for moving the receptacles transversely towards and from the filling station;
(c) means for supplying liquid located above the filling station, the means for supplying liquid having cylinders and pistons moveable in respective cylinders, outlets from the cylinders, the outlets being located to be in register with the receptacles when located at the filling station and wherein each piston is recessed in a leading end, the leading end being adjacent the outlet from each cylinder;
(d) a liquid source for liquid;
(e) operating rods attached to the pistons;
(f) means for actuating the operating rod such that the pistons are enabled to move relatively in and out of the cylinders thereby respectively expelling liquid from the cylinders into the receptacles, and drawing liquid into the cylinders from the liquid source when the receptacles are removed from the filling station;
(g) stepper motor means including a rotatable shaft for turning a lead screw thereby to move the actuating means between different positions and effect different positions of the operating rods; and
(h) computer means for adjustably controlling the stepper motor means whereby the rotatable shaft is rotatably controllable between a portion of a revolution and multiple revolutions such that the amount of liquid drawn into or expelled from the cylinders is incremently adjustably measurably controllable.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Introducing a measured amount of a liquid into receptacles in a microtiter plate includes locating receptacles in register with the liquid supply. The liquid supply includes pistons and cylinders operated by a stepper motor for adjustable measured and controllable incremental delivery of amounts of liquid simultaneously to the receptacles. A liquid source is located below the support for the receptacles and the receptacles are transversely moveable on a conveyor away from a filling station so that the liquid can be obtained from the liquid source. Pneumatic means moves both the cylinders and the pistons in the liquid supply upwardly and downwardly relative to the receptacles and the liquid source. The stepper motor moves the pistons upwardly and downwardly relative to the receptacles and liquid source.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. Apparatus for introducing a measured amount of a liquid into receptacles comprising:
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(a) support means at a filling station for the receptacles; (b) means for moving the receptacles transversely towards and from the filling station; (c) means for supplying liquid located above the filling station, the means for supplying liquid having cylinders and pistons moveable in respective cylinders, outlets from the cylinders, the outlets being located to be in register with the receptacles when located at the filling station and wherein each piston is recessed in a leading end, the leading end being adjacent the outlet from each cylinder; (d) a liquid source for liquid; (e) operating rods attached to the pistons; (f) means for actuating the operating rod such that the pistons are enabled to move relatively in and out of the cylinders thereby respectively expelling liquid from the cylinders into the receptacles, and drawing liquid into the cylinders from the liquid source when the receptacles are removed from the filling station; (g) stepper motor means including a rotatable shaft for turning a lead screw thereby to move the actuating means between different positions and effect different positions of the operating rods; and (h) computer means for adjustably controlling the stepper motor means whereby the rotatable shaft is rotatably controllable between a portion of a revolution and multiple revolutions such that the amount of liquid drawn into or expelled from the cylinders is incremently adjustably measurably controllable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for introducing a measured amount of a liquid into a receptacle comprising:
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(a) support means at a filling station for the receptacles; (b) means for moving the receptacle transversely towards and from the filling station; (c) means for supplying liquid located above the filling station, the liquid supply means having at least one cylinder and a piston moveable in the cylinder, and an outlet from the cylinder, the outlet being located to be in register with the receptacle when located at the filling station; (d) a liquid source for liquid located below the filling station; (e) an operating rod attached to the piston; (f) means for actuating the operating rod such that the pistons are enabled to move relatively in and out of the cylinder thereby respectively expelling liquid from the cylinder into the receptacle and drawing liquid into the cylinder from the liquid source; (g) electrical motor means including a rotatable shaft for turning a lead screw thereby to move the actuating means between different positions and effect different positions of the operating rod, the motor means being selectively a stepper motor; (h) computer means for adjustably controlling the motor means whereby the rotatable shaft is rotatably controllable between a portion of a revolution and multiple revolutions such that the amount of liquid drawn into or expelled from the cylinders is incremently adjustably measurably controllable; and (i) pneumatic means located below the liquid source, the pneumatic means being adapted to move the liquid supply means between a position where the cylinders can remove liquid from the liquid source to a position remote from the liquid source. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method for introducing a measured amount of a liquid into receptacles comprising:
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(a) supporting receptacles at a filling station; (b) moving the receptacles transversely towards and from the filling station; (c) supplying liquid to the filling station, the supply of the liquid utilizing cylinders and pistons moveable in the respective cylinders, and outlets from the cylinders, the outlets being located to be in register with the receptacles when located in the filling station; (d) supplying liquid to a liquid source located below the filling station; (e) actuating the pistons to move relatively in and out of the cylinders, thereby respectively drawing liquid into the cylinders from the liquid source and expelling liquid from the cylinders into the receptacles when the receptacles are at the filling station and when the receptacles are removed from the filling station; (f) rotating a lead screw under action of a stepper motor; and (g) adjustably controlling the motor by a computer whereby the liquid drawn into or expelled from the cylinders is incremently adjustable measurably controllable, and including moving the liquid supply under action of pneumatic means located below the liquid source, the pneumatic means moving the liquid supply between a position where the cylinders can remove liquid from a liquid source to a position remote from the liquid source and wherein when the receptacles are located at the filling station, the lead screw locates the cylinders relatively closer to or removed from the receptacles. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification