Method of using a water testing capsule using water soluble film membranes

• US 6,004,820 A
• Filed: 03/02/1998
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hach Company (Veralto Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hach Company (Veralto Corp.)
• Inventors: Brayton, Scott V.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, LYLE
• Application Number:
  US09/033,019
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 436/165, 436/39, 436/177-178, 436/180, 436/808, 436/810, 422/61, 422/101, 422/102, 422/103
• US Class Current: 436/165
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0677 phase change valves; Meltable, freezing, dissolvable plugs; Destructible barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/403 formed by folding several blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3205 Separate rigid or semi-rigid containers joined to each other at their external surfaces B65D81/3288 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/81 Tube, bottle, or dipstick
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A capsule package and a touch-free method for water analysis. It allows for addition of dry ingredients and aqueous test reagent without any human intervention, and therefore substantially decreases the possibility for analysis error. Furthermore, it eliminates physical contact between the operator and the chemical reagent, thereby enhancing safety. Importantly, the packaging system allows for film protection of a water soluble membrane so that it is damage free prior to use.

Claims

1. A method of touch-free water sample testing, comprising:

providing an enclosed sealed capsule of test reagent with said capsule having a sealed end and a normally open mouth end, said open mouth end being sealed with a water soluble membrane;

providing an aqueous sample test tube containing a water sample to be tested and designed for mating attachment in sealed relationship of said enclosed sealed capsule;

matingly attaching said sealed capsule and said aqueous sample test tube;

agitating the matingly attached sealed capsule and aqueous sample tube to provide contact between said aqueous sample and said water soluble membrane; and

whereby said membrane is dissolved and the test reagent and water sample are intermixed to provide a detectable reaction change without process operator touching of said reagent ingredients during the testing.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a threaded coupling on the aqueous sample test tube, wherein said step of matingly attaching said sealed capsule and said aqueous sample test tube is accomplished using the treaded coupling.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

providing a threaded coupling on the aqueous sample test tube;

providing a screw cap adapted to be threaded on the threaded coupling, said screw cap having an aperture formed in the screw cap; and

wherein said step of matingly attaching said sealed capsule and said aqueous sample test tube is accomplished by inserting the sealed capsule through the aperture of the screw cap and screwing the screw cap onto the aqueous sample test tube.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

providing a sheet of capsule holding material having at least one aperture formed in the sheet;

inserting the enclosed sealed capsule through the aperture of the sheet such that the sheet of capsule holding material holds the enclosed sealed capsule; and

pulling the enclosed sealed capsule from the sheet of capsule holding material before attaching the capsule to the aqueous sample test tube.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of securing a moisture and gas impermeable barrier sheet to the sheet of capsule holding material to seal the mouth end of the capsule container while the capsule container is held by the sheet of capsule holding material.