System for providing access to sealed containers
US4951512A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2035/1086
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved system (10) is provided for providing access to a sealed container (14) which temporarily provides an opening in the closures of the containers, and either removes contents, senses properties of the contents, or dispenses material into the container. In one embodiment, this system includes a carousel assembly (12) which receives sample containers and moves them to a first location. There, a lift assembly (31) moves each sample container upward against a puncture tube (55) of a penetrating assembly (32). This puncture tube provides an opening in the closure of the container. The system takes a sample through this opening or inserts a probe (65) through the opening to measure the properties of the sample. After the system has performed the sampling, sensing, or dispensing function, a stripper assembly (67) strips the container from the puncture tube, allowing the opening to close.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.