GB2470078A

GB2470078A - Test apparatus with user-actuable switches on moveable cover

Info

Publication number: GB2470078A
Application number: GB0908016A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Layer; Robin Bailey
Original assignee: Bibby Scientific Ltd
Current assignee: Bibby Scientific Ltd
Priority date: 2009-05-09
Filing date: 2009-05-09
Publication date: 2010-11-10
Also published as: GB0908016D0

Abstract

An apparatus such as a spectrophotometer for analysing a test sample including a housing 12; a moveable cover or lid 14 for permitting access to an interior of the housing 12; and a plurality of user actuatable operating members or switches 22, each for effecting an operational characteristic or mode of operation of the apparatus; wherein at least one of the user actuatable operating members 22 is positioned on an exterior surface of the moveable cover 14. The pressure required by the user to actuate one of the switches 22 moves the lid 14 to its fully closed position such that the apparatus 10 cannot be used to test a sample unless the lid 14 is fully closed. The apparatus may include a display device or screen 16. Providing the switches 22 on the lid 14, results in the apparatus being more compact and readily useable by both right and left-handed users.

Description

Title: An apparatus for analysing a test sample

Description of Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus for analysing a test sample. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to an apparatus which uses light to test a sample, e.g. a spectrophotometer.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, a spectrophotometer is a device which is used to analyse characteristics of a test sample. A spectrophotometer typically comprises a spectrometer which is capable of producing light of a predetermined colour (i.e. wavelength), and a photometer which is capable of measuring the intensity of light. The spectrometer and photometer are arranged in the device generally opposite each other so that light emitted from the spectrometer is directed towards the photometer.

A test sample is placed in between the spectrometer and the photometer. The test sample is conventionally provided in the form of a liquid/solution in a container (e.g. a cuvette) which is substantially transparent to light, so that it does not affect or distort the test results. As light of a predetermined wavelength (which is user-selected) passes through the cuvette, some of the light is absorbed by the test sample. The light that reaches the photometer is analysed and from this the spectrophotometer is able to calculate "transmittance" or "absorbance" values, terms which are well known in the art.

Conventional spectrophotometers include a housing containing the working components of the apparatus, a manually moveable cover member (e.g. a pivotally or slidably moveable lid) by which a user can gain access to an interior of the housing (to insert and remove a test sample), a display (for displaying test results) and a control panel (for effecting operation of the apparatus). Typically the display and control panel are positioned on a part of the housing, to one side of the moveable lid.

One problem with known spectrophotometers is that it is possible for the apparatus to be operated without the moveable lid being completely closed, which can affect the integrity of the test results (as natural light will shine into the interior of the housing) and is thus highly disadvantageous. Another problem with known spectrophotometer is that they are generally configured for use by users who are right-handed. In other words, the display and control panel are usually positioned on the right-hand side of the apparatus. This can render the prior art spectrophotometers cumbersome to use by a left-handed person. The present invention has therefore been devised to address these issues.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an apparatus for analysing a test sample including:-a housing; a moveable cover member for permitting access to an interior of the housing; and a plurality of user actuatable operating members, each for effecting an operational characteristic or mode of operation of the apparatus; wherein at least one of the user actuatable operating members is positioned on an exterior surface of the moveable cover member.

Further features of the first and second aspects of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 10 appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, of which:-Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention with the lid thereof in a fully closed condition; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention with the lid thereof in an open condition; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention with the lid thereof in an open condition; Figure 4 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1; and Figure 5 is a front view of the apparatus of figure 1.

Referring to the figures, these show an embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The apparatus in this example is a spectrophotometer 10 having a housing 12 with an interior 20 which contains its working components and into which a test sample is, in use, placed. Such internal components are well known in the art, and are not relevant to the present invention, and will therefore not be discussed in any further detail. The spectrophotometer 10 is also provided with a printing device 30 which can be used to print out test results.

The spectrophotometer 10 has a moveable cover member or lid 14 which can be moved by a user so that they can gain access to an interior of the housing 12. In this example the lid 14 is pivotally connected to an upper surface of the housing 12 and is moveable relative to the housing 12, via a hinge, between closed (see figure 1) and open (see figures 2 and 3) conditions. The lid 14 is manually moveable by a user, although it should be appreciated that it could be mechanically moveable between the open and closed conditions. The lid 14 could, for example, be biased to the open condition, e.g. by a spring or the like.

A recess 18 is provided in a front end of the housing 12, adjacent where a free end of the lid 14 lies when the lid 16 is in a fully closed condition (see figure 1).

The recess 18 aids a user in initiating movement of the lid 14 upwardly from the fully closed condition.

The spectrophotometer 10 also has a display device in the form of a digital LCD screen 16 (which may or may not be colour), which is positioned in a recess in the lid 14. The screen 16 is configured to display thereon test results and operating parameters of the spectrophotometer 10. The lid 14 of the spectrophotometer 10 includes a plurality of user actuatable operating members 22, which in this example are positioned around and adjacent to a periphery of the screen 16. The user actuatable operating members 22 are provided in the form of membrane switches, which are well known in the art, and are capable of effecting different operational characteristics or modes of operation of the spectrophotometer 10. A user can actuate the switch by pressing downwardly on the membrane towards the housing 12. One of the switches may be an on/off switch.

It should be appreciated, of course, that many other types of user actuatable operating members could be used so long as they are capable of effecting different operational characteristics or modes of operation of the spectrophotometer 10.

As an alternative, the screen 16 may be a touch screen which is programmed to provide thereon a plurality of user actuatable operating members 22 which are associated with different operational characteristics or modes of operation of the spectrophotometer 10. In other words, each user actuatable operating member 22 may be provided as an area of the touch screen 16, and can be actuated by a user pressing his finger downwardly on that area of the touch screen 16 to effect a desired operational characteristic or mode of operation of the spectrophotometer 10.

In both embodiments the pressure required by a user to actuate one of the user actuatable operating members 22, in order to effect a specific operational characteristic or mode of operation of the spectrophotometer 10, moves the lid 14 to its fully closed position.

The present invention is advantageous for the following reasons. If a user has inserted a test sample into the interior 20 of the housing 12 and then moves the lid 14 towards its closed condition, but does not, for whatever reason, fully close thelid 14, it is not possible for the user to commence testing of that sample with the lid 14 staying in that condition. This is because when a user presses one of the user actuatable operating members 22 the pressure required to actuate the switch 22 will move the lid 14 to its fully closed condition. In other words, the spectrophotometer 10 cannot be used to test a sample unless the lid 14 is fully closed.

Another advantage of providing the user actuatable operating members 22 on the lid is that the spectrophotometer 10 takes up less workstation space, and can also be easily used by both right and left-handed users.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for analysing a test sample including:-a housing; a moveable cover member for permitting access to an interior of the housing; and a plurality of user actuatable operating members, each for effecting an operational characteristic or mode of operation of the apparatus; wherein at least one of the user actuatable operating members is positioned on an exterior surface of the moveable cover member.
2. An apparatus according to claim I wherein substantially all of the user actuatable operating members are positioned on an exterior surface of the moveable cover member.
3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein all of the user actuatable operating members are positioned on an exterior surface of the moveable cover member.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the pressure required by a user to actuate one of the user actuatable operating members, in order to effect a specific operational characteristic or mode of operation of the apparatus, moves the lid to its fully closed position.
5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the user actuatable operating members can only be fully actuated when the moveable cover member is in a fully closed position.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the apparatus includes a display device which is positioned on an exterior surface of the moveable cover member.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the display device is a touch screen and each user actuatable operating member is an area of the touch screen.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the moveable cover member is pivotally moveable relative to the housing.
9. An apparatus according to any one of claims I to 7 wherein the moveable cover member is slidably moveable relative to the housing.
10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein apparatus is a spectrophotometer.
11. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein with reference to and/or in the accompanying drawings.