Apparatus for handling liquid vials in an analytical device

US5424037A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hewlett-Packard Company, L.P. · US

Inventors

• Hans-Peter Zimmermann · Waldbronn, DE
• Fred Strohmeier · Bühl, DE
• Klaus Witt · Keltern, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 15, 1994
• Grant date: Jun 13, 1995
• Expiry date: Jun 15, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2035/0484
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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.