Apparatus and method for chemical processing
US6368872B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/2575
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention disclosed provides a method and apparatus for mounting pre-cut capillary sized pipette tubes to aspiration tubes in a chemical processor. According to a first embodiment, the pipette tubes are dispensed from a magazine hopper into channels in a series of blocks that are connected to one another as a conveyor. The conveyor reorients the pipette tubes from horizontal to vertical to be engaged by the vertical aspiration tubes. According to a second preferred embodiment, the blocks are in the form of one or more trays that reciprocate between the hopper and the aspiration tubes. In both embodiments, the apparatus includes a clamp having a pair of closeable jaws adapted to grasp and remove the pipette tubes from the aspiration tubes after use.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.