Patent · US Active

Automated sampling system

US7587952B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
145References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 10, 2007
Grant dateSep 15, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2035/0455
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A sample carrier having a top wall, a base, and a support wall joining the top wall and the base. The top wall includes aligned, spaced-apart openings on at least one side of the support wall which are sized to receive sample tubes. Sleeves depending from the top wall and circumscribing each opening direct sample tubes into sample tube holding areas. The sample tube holding areas each include one or more retaining walls extending upward from the base opposite the support wall. Springs extending outward from the support wall bias sample tubes against the retaining walls. A drip shield comprising a cover plate, a pair of through-holes for accessing sample tubes in the sample carrier, and a depending fin which separates sample tubes on opposite sides of the support wall protects against cross-contamination between sample tubes held by the sample carrier.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.