Pipette

• US 3,938,392 A
• Filed: 09/20/1973
• Issued: 02/17/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rodrigues Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rodrigues Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Rodrigues, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swisher, S. Clement
• Application Number:
  US05/398,956
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 73/425.4, 73/425.6, 222/215
• US Class Current: 73/864.11
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/021 Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids

Abstract

A pipette involving a tube of plastic having a discharge end and a bulb of flexible plastic integrally united with the tube toward its opposite end. The tube preferably extends into the bulb a way, to permit overflow, whereby to establish a fixed volume equal to the volume of the tube. By making the bulb of clear or translucent plastic, activity within the bulb may be observed and controlled.

Claims

1. A pipette comprising a tube of plastic and a bulb of flexible plastic, said bulb including a bottom extension of smaller diameter and being integrally united to said tube at the lower end of said bottom extension.

2. A pipette in accordance with claim 1, characterized by said bottom extension being separable.

3. A pipette comprising a tube of plastic and a bulb of greater average diameter than said tube, said bulb being of flexible plastic in axial alignment with and integrally injection molded with said tube adjacent an end thereof and in flow relationship therewith, whereby to form a molded one piece unitary structure with a continuous and uninterruptable connection between said tube and said bulb.

4. A pipette in accordance with claim 3, characterized by said flexible bulb having a vent opening at a location conveniently accessible to one'"'"'s finger while said pipette is in use.

5. A pipette in accordance with claim 3, characterized by said bulb including a substantially cylindrical wall, said cylinder wall being integrally molded with said tube to form said unit device, said cylindrical wall being left with a free end, and a cap at the free end of said cylindrical wall.

6. A pipette in accordance with claim 3, characterized by said cap having a vent opening therein.

7. A pipette comprising a tube of plastic and a bulb of greater average diameter than said tube, said bulb being of flexible plastic in axial alignment with and integrally molded with said tube adjacent an end thereof and in flow relationship therewith, whereby to form a molded one piece unitary structure with a continuous and uninterrupted connection between said tube and said bulb, said tube including an extension into said bulb to provide an overflow catch basin and said bulb having a volume exceeding that of said tube to enable overfilling of said tube, and being at least partially transparent to enable to observe overflow into said catch basin.

8. A pipette in accordance with claim 7, characterized by a tapered tip installed on the end of said extension within said bulb.

9. A pipette comprising a tube of plastic and a bulb of greater average diameter than said tube, said bulb being of flexible plastic in axial alignment with and integrally molded with said tube adjacent an end thereof and in flow relationship therewith, whereby to form a molded one piece unitary structure with a continuous and uninterrupted connection between said tube and said bulb, said tube including at least two assembled sections, connectible in end to end relationship by interfitting ends forming a leak proof connection, and means for increasing the length of said pipette.

10. A pipette in accordance with claim 9, characterized by said leak proof connection including an outer telescoping end on one section and an inner telescoping end frictionally fitting said outer telescoping end, said inner telescoping end having a circumferential channel and said outer telescoping end having an inwardly facing circumferential rib adapted to snap into said channel upon telescoping the ends of adjacent sections, and further characterized by said means for increasing the length of said pipette as including a third section having one end formed to provide a complementary fit with the interfitting end of one of said two sections, and having its other end formed to provide a complementary fit with the interfitting end of the other of said two sections.

11. A pipette comprising a tube of precalibrated capacity and of non-wettable material, a catch basin surrounding said tube adjacent an end thereof and forming a unitary structure therewith, and a partial bulb of flexible and at least partially transparent material, adapted for removable attachment to said catch basin to complete said bulb and enable interchangeability of said tube with others of like or different calibration whereby upon filling any such tube to overflowing as observable through said bulb, an accurate volume equal to the precalibrated capacity of said tube can be realized.