Method and device for collection of liquid samples

• US 5,942,441 A
• Filed: 08/12/1996
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stemu AB
• Original Assignee: Stemu AB
• Inventors: Nylen, Ulf
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Long V.
• Application Number:
  US08/666,404
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 436/43, 436/54, 436/174, 436/179, 436/180, 436/183, 422/63, 422/65, 422/99, 422/100, 422/104, 422/102, 141/130, 141/329, 73/864.01, 73/864.91
• US Class Current: 436/179
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/18 with provision for splitting samples into portions G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence; fraction-collection apparatus for chromatography B01D15/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/185 Conveyor of containers successively filled
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/49 Blood chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/119163 with aspirator of claimed structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25625 Dilution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

Device for collection of liquid samples has a pump (16) for pumping sampling liquid (24), a tube (7) for delivering the sampling liquid, sample container (23) for collection of the sampling liquid, and a transport device for moving the tube in succession from one sample container to the next sample container in at least one row of sample containers. An elastic cloth (22) is sealingly applied over the openings of the sample containers, and a slit (21), in which the tube (7) runs, is arranged in the cloth. The transport device is arranged to stop the tube when it is in a position over the sample container.

Claims

1. Method for collection of liquid samples, wherein the sampling liquid is delivered by means of a pump to a sample container via a tube which is moved by a transport device in succession from one sample container to the next sample container in at least one row of sample containers, and the sampling liquid is delivered to the sample containers one at a time with the tube positioned over a sample container comprising the step of:

providing an elastic cloth which is sealingly applied over openings of the sample containers and extending over the row of sample containers; and

bringing the tube to follow a pathway in the form of a slit arranged in the cloth, the slit extending over the openings of the containers along the row of sample containers.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is brought to stop when the mouth of the tube is in a recess in the lower surface of the elastic cloth over a sample container.

3. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is mounted to a carrier which is moved along a guide.

4. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube after the last sample container in a row is guided from this row of sample containers over to the next row of sample containers by means of a guiding device when there are several rows of sample containers.

5. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tube when passing from one row to the next row is guided by a guiding plate arranged over the slit.

6. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tube when passing from one row of sample containers to the next row of sample containers is prevented by a flap from returning to the previous row of sample containers.

7. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is carried and imparted movement by an endless band which runs along a plurality of rows of sample containers and over turning wheels is passed from one row to the next.

8. Device for collection of liquid samples comprising a pump fluidly connected to a tube for delivering the sampling liquid, sample containers for collection of the sampling liquid arranged in at least one row, and a transport device for moving the tube in succession from one sample container to the next sample container along the row of sample containers, an elastic cloth sealingly applying over openings of the sample containers, and a slit formed in the elastic cloth extending over the openings of the containers along the row of sample containers wherein the tube is movable.

10. Device as claimed in claim 8, a plurality of rows of sample containers are arranged, and a guiding device is arranged after the last sample container in a row for guiding the tube from this row of sample containers over to the next row of sample containers.

11. Device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tube is attached to and carried by an endless band which is advanced along a plurality of rows of sample containers and is guided over turning wheels from one row of sample containers to the next row of sample containers.

12. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a guiding plate is arranged over the slit, in which a slot is arranged in order to force the tube to follow a pathway of the slit.

14. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a recess is arranged over each sample container in the lower surface of the elastic cloth.

9. Device as claimed in claimed 8, wherein the tube is mounted to a carrier which is movably guided on a guide arranged along the slit.

13. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the guide is perpendicular to the rows of sample containers, and the guide in its ends is attached to means for transportation of the guide along the rows of sample containers.