Apparatus and method for the production of frozen beads
US6354091B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J2/06
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method for producing dry beads of a liquid reagent for use in various methods of analysis. The beads are formed by use of an x-y table that can be translated along both the x and the y axis. An insulated tray containing liquid cryogen is positioned atop the x-y table. A metal grid forms a plurality of cells in the tray so that the cryogen is free to enter the cells up to the level of the cryogen in the tray. The frozen drops form into beads and freely amass on the bottom of the tray. A drop forming device dispenses individual drops to fall by gravity into an individual, discrete cell. The table then translates to position another discrete cell for receiving the subsequent drop of reagent. The movement of the x-y table causes a agitation of the cryogen to enhance the freezing process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.