Apparatus for handling liquid vials in an analytical device
First Claim
1. Apparatus for handling liquid vials in an analytical device, the apparatus comprising:
- a capillary tube having first and second ends;
potential means for operating said apparatus to perform an electrophoretic separation;
a single movable tray for receiving liquid-containing vials, said tray comprising a plurality of vial holders for holding vials, a first lifting device arranged in proximity of the tray for lifting a first selected vial out of a vial holder and into engagement with said first end of said capillary tube, said first lifting device arranged to enable the tray to remain movable to bring a second vial into proximity of said second end of said capillary tube when the first vial has been lifted sufficiently far out of the vial holder to engage said first end of said capillary tube and a second lifting device for lifting said second vial into communication with said second end of said capillary tube so as to perform an electrophoretic separation of a sample under control of said potential means, anddrive means for moving the tray to position selected vials in juxtaposition to said first and second lifting devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for handling liquid vials in an analytical device comprises a single movable tray for accommodating a plurality of vials, and lifting devices arranged in the proximity of the tray for lifting vials out of the tray. The tray has a plurality of recesses for holding the vial. The recesses are open at the bottom so that a vertically movable finger of a lifting device which can be positioned underneath the bottom of a vial can move the vial out of the tray by an upward movement. When a vial has been lifted out of the tray, the tray remains freely rotatable so that a different vial can be positioned at a further lifting device and then lifted out of the tray. The invention provides a mechanically simple apparatus which is particularly suited for capillary electrophoresis for handling vials containing sample and electrolyte liquid. In capillary electrophoresis, two of the lifting devices are used for lifting vials to the ends of an electrophoresis capillary and a further lifting device is used for moving electrolyte vials to an arrangement for replenishing the electrolyte.
52 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for handling liquid vials in an analytical device, the apparatus comprising:
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a capillary tube having first and second ends;
potential means for operating said apparatus to perform an electrophoretic separation;a single movable tray for receiving liquid-containing vials, said tray comprising a plurality of vial holders for holding vials, a first lifting device arranged in proximity of the tray for lifting a first selected vial out of a vial holder and into engagement with said first end of said capillary tube, said first lifting device arranged to enable the tray to remain movable to bring a second vial into proximity of said second end of said capillary tube when the first vial has been lifted sufficiently far out of the vial holder to engage said first end of said capillary tube and a second lifting device for lifting said second vial into communication with said second end of said capillary tube so as to perform an electrophoretic separation of a sample under control of said potential means, and drive means for moving the tray to position selected vials in juxtaposition to said first and second lifting devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 10)
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6. An apparatus for handling liquid vials, said apparatus comprising:
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a tube with a first end and a second end; a single tray for receiving liquid-containing vials, said tray comprising a plurality of vial holders for holding the vials, at least first and second lifting devices arranged in proximity of the tray, said first lifting device for lifting a first vial out of a vial holder and into engagement with said first end of said tube, said first lifting device arranged to enable said single tray to remain movable when said first vial is moved out of said vial holder and into engagement with said first end, and said second lifting device for lifting a second vial out of a vial holder and into engagement with said second end of said tube, whereby fluid communication is enabled between said first vial and said second vial, and drive means for moving the tray to position selected vials in juxtaposition to said first and second lifting devices. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 11, 12)
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Specification