US2341197A

US2341197A - Automatic immersion apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2341197A
Application number: US402787A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin C Weiskopf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1941-07-17
Filing date: 1941-07-17
Publication date: 1944-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1961-02-08
Also published as: DE852166C

Description

Feb. 8, 1944. c WEISKOPF 2,341,197

AUTOMATIC IMMERSION APPARATUS Filed Ju 17, 1941 3 SheetS Sheet 1 Snnentor EDWIN C. WE\$KOPF 83 MG Q (Ittomeg Feb. 8, 19144. I E. c. WEISKOPF 2,341,197

I AUTOMATIC IMMERSION APPARATUS I Filed July 17, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H I Zhwentor EDW N C w as o'FF mill-m :amllulnml Feb. 8, 1944. A. r E. c. WEISKOPF 2,341,197

AUTQMAT I C I MMERS ION APPARATUS I l 57 Gttorneu Patented Feb. 8, 1944 auromirrc 2,341,197 v IMIHERSION APPARATUS Edwin C. Weiskopi', New York, N. Y. Application July 17, 1941, Serial No. 402,787 r v 9 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic immersion apparatus of the type disclosed in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,157,875 granted May As stated in said above mentioned Letters Patent the apparatus is intended primarily for use in subjecting tissue to the treatment of various liquids. In the use of said apparatus the tissue is placed in a holder-forming a. part of the apparatus, and said holder carrying the tissue is immersed successively, in automatic fashion. in a plurality of receptacles containing the several liquids, respectively. v

The primary object of the present invention is to provide the apparatus with means for effecting movement of the tissue "while in the liquids in the several receptacles whereby to improve and hasten the penetration of the liquid into the tissue.

The above object of the invention and other objects ancillary thereto will best be understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view, in elevation, of the apparatus embodying the present invention, with parts broken away for the purposes of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, with parts in elevation, of the upper part of the apparatusas seen along the line 3-3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fi Fig. 5 is a sectional view of part of the mechanism for turning the tissue holder in the liquid receptacles;

Fig. 5A is a fragmentary side view of the tis= sue holder and its support as seen from line 5A-5A of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. showing the mechanism for moving the tissue holder from one receptacle into another;

Fig. 7 is a central vertical sectional view of the washer provided in the apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, with parts the apparatus comprises a cabinet iflcon whicha receptacle table or support 22 is mounted for supporting a' plurality or receptacles 34 for the various liquids in which the tissue or other material subjected to treatment thereby is immersed.

A vertical shaft 44 is mounted for longitudinal and rotary movement and has fixed thereto near its upper end a supporting frame 45 carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending arms 41 from which are supported covers 48 for the several receptacles. Frame 45 also carries an arm 41a which carries the tissue hold- 'er 60 and a cover 48a for the liquid receptacle in which the tissue holder is immersed. Shaft 44 is moved vertically up and down at predetermined intervals under the control of a timing mechanism including a timing disk I10, as exin elevation, of part of the apparatus illustrating another form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side view of part of the apparatus in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8 and illustrates the liquid supply and exhaust means for the washer when the latter is mounted on a turning support.

As disclosed in my above mentioned patent,

"plained in said patent, whereby to raise and lower frame 45, and said shaft is also turned intermittently through a predetermined are by intermittent turning mechanism including a Geneva gear I28 and a cooperating gear I44. Said last mentioned gear is rotated by a vertical shaft comprising sections I22 and I24 connected to each .other by a sleeve I26 and a set screw I21, sleeve 126 being fixed to the upper end of shaft Section I22 and being releasably connected to shaft 1'24 by said set screw I21. It will be understood that after tissue holder is in one of the receptacles '38 for a predetermined length of time shaft 44 ismoved upwardly to raise frame 45 and the tissue holder 60 sufilciently to permit said tissue holder to clear the top of the receptacles, after which, through the operation of the Geneva gear movement,frame 45 is turned through a predetermined arc to position the tissue holder over the next receptacle into which the tissue holder is to be placed, and substantially at the end of this turning movement of the shaft the latter is moved downwardly for bringing the tissue holder into the liquid in said receptacle- As thus far described the apparatus is constructed and operates in the same way as described in my above identified patent, and as indicated above the present invention resides in providing'the apparatus with means for moving the tissue holder in the receptacle when said tissue holder is positioned therein whereby the tissue is moved relatively to the liquid while immersed therein, thus to improve and hasten the penetration of the liquid into the tissue. The means provided for this purpose in accordance with the preferred form of theinvention will now be described.

As'clearlyshown in Figs. 5.and 5A the'tissue by a set screw rotation in the vertical part 93 of a fitting I55,v

holder 39 is detachably secured to the opposite ends of across strap 5|. Said ends of the strap 5| are provided with bayonet slots 5Ia which are engaged by pins '5Ib projecting laterally from o posite sides of holder 99 near the top thereof. A fiat cross spring 53 positioned above strap 5I engages the upper edge of holder 39 for releasably holding pins 5th in the lateral parts of the bayonet slots 5Ia. Strap 5| and cross spring 53 are secured to the lower end of a stem 55 by a nut 51. The cover 480 surrounds the sleeve 55a on stem 55 and is slidable thereon when the cover. engages the top of the receptacle and the holder 69 is entered therein.

Stem 55 is rotated by a rotary spindle 59. Said stem is detachably connected to spindle 59 by a coupling member M which is fixed to said spindle and to which the stem is removably fastened 6Ia. Spindle 59 is mounted for and more particularly as shown the upper end of spindle 59 is fixed to a bearing sleeve 61 in said vertical part 93 of the spindle, the lower edge of said sleeve being supported on a bearing disk 69 beneath which is a felt washer H which engages spindle 59 completely therearound to prevent oil from leaking out of the bearing. Spindle '59 is rotated by a beveled gear 13 fixed thereto and driven by a beveled gear 15. Said last 'mentioned beveled gear is fixed to a stem 11 mounted for rotation in fitting 65 and actuated by shaft 19 which is operatively connected to stem 11 by separable coupling members 91.

Shaft 19 is rotated by a motor 83 mounted at the top of frame 45. For this purpose the base of motor 93 is fastened to a plate 83a'carried by a pair of posts 331) fixed to and upstanding from frame 45. It will be understood that shaft 19 is driven from the main shaft of motor 83 through suitable reduction gearing. Holder 69 is turned slowly by spindle 59, that is, at a speed of about one revolution per minute in utilizing the apparatus for the treatment of tissue. While higher speeds, say in the neighborhood of about four or five R. P. M. can be used, the lower speed indicated has been found to give best results. It will be observed that fitting 65 is supported on arm 41a and that for this purpose the downwardly extending tubular part 95 of fitting 65 passes through a circular opening 81 in arm 41a and nuts 89 and SI are threaded on tubular part 95 and engage the opposite surfaces of arm 41a forsecuring the fitting 55 in adjusted position on said arm.

Provision is made for rotating tissue holder 69 only when the latter is positioned in the several receptacles 38, respectively. For this purpose a circuit making and breaking device is arranged in the apparatus and is operable to interrupt the circuit of motor 83 during the operation of shaft 44 and the Geneva gear movement for moving the tissue holder from one receptacle into another. Said circuit making and breaking device comprises a stationary member 93 (Fig. 3) fixed to the upper guide bearing 64 for the main shaft 49. An insulation support 95 is mounted within member 93 and carries a pair of radially spaced

conductor rings

91 and 99 forming part of an electrical slip-ring connection. Said rings are positioned to be engaged by a pair of conductor members IM and I93 which are the complementary parts of said slip-ring connection. Said conductor members IM and I93 are carried by tubular holders I95 and I91, respectively, fixed to and depending from the bottom of frame 45.

Said conductor members IN and I93 are slidable in the lower ends of said tubular members and are eachspring pressed downwardly by a spring I99. It will be understood thatwhen shaft 44 moves upwardly members IIII and I93 disengage their companion rings 31 and 99 and are brought into engagement with said rings when said shaft moves downwardly for positioning the tissue holder 69 in the companion receptacle 38. Conductor members IM and I93 are connected to the terminals of motor 83, and

rings

91 and 99 are connected to a switch III. Switch III is actuated by a plunger 1 I la to close the circuit to the motor after-movable contact members IM and I93 are brought into engagement with the

companion conductor rings

91 and 99. For this purpose frame 45 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins H3, one for each receptacle 38 and for the receptacle 38a which will hereinafter be referred to more in detail. When the frame is turned to position the holder 59 over the receptacle in which it is to enter, a pin H3 is in alignment with plunger Id of the switch. Said pin II! are each adjustably secured to frame 45 in said depending relation by a pair of nuts I I5 and I I1. It will be understood that pins II3 are spaced from each other circumferentially in relation to arms 41 and 41a so that plunger Id of switch III will be depressed thereby to operate the switch to close the circuit of the motor each time the tissue holder is positioned in the corresponding liquid receptacle. Switch III is preferably a micro-switch which opens automatically when pin I I3 disengages the plunger la. The pins 3- and the conductor members IN and I93 of the slip-ring connection are related so that the slip-ring connection is made before switch III is closed and is broken after switch III is opened, thus to prevent sparking at said slip-ring connection.

. The receptacle 38a constitutes a washer for the tissue. Said receptacle comprises an outer cylin-, der I I9 mounted on supporting plate 32 by a pair of side brackets I2 I By reference to Fig." 1 it will be observed that receptacle 38 projects below supporting plate 32, and it will be understood that the top of cylinder H9 is substantially in the same plane with the upper ends of receptacles 33. A cylindrical container I23 having a closed bottom I23a is mounted within outer cylinder H9 in spaced relation thereto and a pipe I25 is disposed in the space between container I23 and cylinder H9. The inlet end I21 of pipe I25 communicates with container I23 near the bottom thereof, and the outlet end I29 of said pipe extends through cylinder H9 and is positioned below the inlet end I21 of the pipe. By reference to Fig. 7 it will be observed that pipe I25 extends upwardly from its inlet I21 to a high point I3I and then downwardly to its outlet I29. A liquid exhaust pipe (not shown) is connected to said outlet. A liquid inlet pipe I33 is connected to container I23 preferably near the bottom thereof. Inlet pipe I33 is preferably of smaller diameter than outlet pipe I25 so that even though water or other liquid is constantly supplied to container I23 the liquid empties very rapidly from said container each time the level of liquid therein is above the high point I3I of pipe I25. Thus, when tissue holder 69 is positioned in container 33a, the tissue is subjected to repeated washing thereof by the water which flows into and out of the inner receptacle I23, and at the same time the tissue is turned in the water. This method of fective after treatment of the tissue in Zenkers' fixative solution. The repeatedsupply of fresh water in the, washer 38a, the rapid movement of the water repeatedly in the draining from the.

washer and the turning of the tissue while'being thus subjected to the action repeatedly of clean water results in a rapid and thorough removal of the Zenkers solution. The turning of the tissue in the Zenkers solution and the subsequent expeditious and thorough washing thereof have :resulted in greatly reducing the time necessary for treating the tissue. It will be understood that the turning of the tissue in the other liquids including the paraffin bath also reduces the time required for preparing the tissue and improves the penetration of the tissue by the several liquids.

As the supply of water or other washing liquid to the washer is unnecessary until the tissue is placed in the washer,'the apparatus'is preferably provided with means operable automatically to open a valve I33a (Fig. 3) in the supply pipe I33 to permit the washing liquid to flow into the washer when the tissue is transferred thereto. For this purpose the valve I33a in supply pipe I33 is mounted in stationary position onmember 93 in position to be opened by'a pin II3a fixed to and depending from frame 45. Said valve I 33a is of the type which is normally spring-closed and is opened when the valve stem I33b is depressed by said pin I I311.

In accordance with another form of the invention the apparatus is constructed so' that it is unnecessaryto rotate the tissue holder 60 for the purpose of moving the same from one receptacle into another, and this makes it unnecessary to rotate motor 83. Accordingly, in this form the main shaft designated Mb is mounted only for vertical movement and is not rotated, while the support 32' for the several receptacles 38 and for the washer 38a is turned intermittently by the Geneva gear movement. For this purpose support 32' is fixed to a tubular member I 35 having a rotary bearing on the stationary guide member Mb in which shaft-Mb is guided for vertical movement. The lower end of tubular member i135 which is fixed to support 32' is secured to the .Geneva gear I281; of the Geneva gear movement,

the cooperating gear of said movement being indicated at IMb. Support 32' is also supported by a roller bearing I31 carried by posts l39 fixed to and upstanding from the top of standard 'i2b beyond the peripheral edge of the Geneva gear I281). In this form of the invention the slip-ring connection and the plurality of pins I I3 described above are unnecessary as motor 83 does not rotate, and instead it is merely necessary to provide a switch MI which is carried by frame fl5b in position to be actuated by a pin I43 which is carried in stationary position by a bracket M5 fixed to guide bearing 64b. It will be understood that switch MI which can be the same as switch III is actuated by pin I43 to close the circuit of the motor when the tissue holder 60 is positioned within the receptacles containing the liquid in treating the tissue. In the operation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 8 it will be understood that shaft Mb is moved up and down to permit turning movement of the receptacles 38 and that support 32' is intermittently actuated while shaft Mb is in its raised position, that is, when the tissue holder is clear of the top of said receptacles, said shaft being lowered when the receptacle into which the tissue holder is to be positioned v 3 is. brought under-said tissue holder in central vertical alignment therewith. Except as hereinbefore described in connection with this form of the invention the parts of the apparatus are the same as the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and the means for turning the tissue holder 60 in each receptacle are substantially the same as described above in reference to the form of the invention I first described. It .will be understood, however,

that when a washer oi the type of washer 38a is mounted on the movable support 32, the liquid supply pipe I33 will not be connected to the washer but will be arranged so that the washer can move when support 32 is turned and likewise for the same reason the liquid exhaust pipe will not be connected to the washer but will be mounted in stationary position at the station at which the washer is in operation. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the washer 38a is provided with a liquid inlet fitting I5I including a funnel I5 Ia' which receives water from supply pipe I33 when the washer is positioned at the station at which it is to operate, and said washer is provided with an outlet fitting I53 which is positionedv over the funnel I55 at the upper end of drain pipe I51. It will be understood that supply pipe I33 will be provided with a valve I33a' which is automatically opened when washer 38a is in the operating position and which is closed prior to the movement of'said washer from the operating station, as described above in reference to the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1. For this purpose the springclosed valve I33a' is carried by frame 45b and is movable up and down with said frame and the valve-opening stem I33b is arranged to be actuated by a pin I59 fixed to and upstanding from support 32' in position to register with stem I33b' when the washer is brought into alignment with holder 30. It will be observed that valve I33u' is not opened until funnel I 5Ia registers with the delivery end of supply pipe I33. and is closed before outletfitting I53 moves out .of registry with funnel I55 of the drain pipe. The closing movement of valve I33a' is short so that the washer has an opportunity to drain before the next movement of support 32'.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention it will be understood that the latter may be embodied otherwise than as herein shown or described, and that in the illustrated embodiment certain changes in the details of construction and in the arrangement of parts may be made. Accordingly, I do. not wish' to be limited to the invention as herein specifically shown or described except to the extent which may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l.- In apparatus of the class described comprising a plurality of receptacles, a holder movable into and out of said receptacles, respectively, and means for effecting relative vertical and lateral movements of said holder and receptacles for conveying said holder out of one of said receptacles and into another of said receptacles; means additional to said last mentioned means for effecting a relative rotary movement between said holder and one of said receptacles when the hold- 'er is in said last mentioned receptacle, said last mentioned means comprising a motor for rotatdirection for bringing said holder out of said receptacle. 4

2. In apparatus of the class described comprising a plurality of stationary receptacles, and a holder mounted for movement into and out of said receptacles, respectively, and movable lat-s erally of said receptacles externally thereof;

means for effecting a relative turning movement between said holder and the receptacle in which. the holder is positioned, said last mentionedmeans comprising a shaft, a motor for actuating said shaft, and means operable in response to said movement of the holder into and out of the receptacle for controlling the operation of said motor, said means for controlling the operation of said motor comprising a switch spaced radially from said shaft and a plura1ity.of members carried by said frame and disposed in spaced relation in circular arrangement radially of said shaft in position for vertical alignment of each of said members with said switch when said frame moves from one receptacle toanother whereby the aligned member is operable toactuate said switch when said frame is moved vertically for moving said holder into the companion receptacle.

3. In apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary horizontal support, a. plurality of receptacles mounted on said support in circular arrangement thereon, a shaft mounted vertically in position centrally of said receptacles, said shaft being rotatably and vertically movable, a frame carried by said shaft and movable therewith, and a holder carried by said frame and movable thereby into and out of said receptacles and from one reoeptable to another; means carried by said frame and operatively connected to said holder for rotating the latter in the receptacle in which it is positioned; said last mentioned means comprising a shaft, a motor for actuating said shaft,-and means operable in response to said movement of the holder into and out of the receptacle for controlling the operation of said motor, said last mentioned means comprising a switch spaced radially from said shaft and a plurality of members carriedv by said frame and disposed in spaced relation in circular arrangement radially of said shaft in position for vertical alignment of each of said members with said switch when said frame moves from one receptacle to another whereby the aligned member is operable to actuate said switch when said frame is moved vertically for moving said holder into the companion receptacle.

4. In apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary horizontal support, a plurality of receptacles mounted on said support in circular arrangement thereon, a shaft mounted vertically in position centrally .of said receptacle's, said shaft being rotatably and vertically movable, a frame carried by said shaft and rotatably and vertically movable therewith, and a holder carried by said frame and movable into and out of said receptacles; means carried by said frame and operatively' connected to said holder for'rotating the latter in the receptacle in which it is positioned, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft, a motor for actuating said shaft, means operable in response to said movement of the holder into and out of the receptacle for controlling the operation of said motor, said motor-controlling means comprising a slip-ring connection to said motor, a switch for controlling the circuit through said slip-ring connection, and means carried by said rotatable and vertically movable frame and movable therewith for operating said switch.

5. In apparatus of the class described comprising a receptacle, a holder for material to be treated in said receptacle, means mounting said holder and ,said receptacle for relative vertical movement of the receptacle'and holder in two directions, means for effecting said relative movement in two directions whereby to bring said holder into and out of said receptacle, respectively, means mounting said holder for. rotation, and a motor for rotating-saidholder, means for controlling the operation of said motor in response to therelative vertical movement of said receptacle and holder, said inotorzcontrolling means comprising a switch and means for operating said switch, saidv switch and said switchoperating means being relatively movable in a vertical direction in predetermined relation to said relative vertical movements of said receptacle and holder and said switch being closed pursuant to a predetermined relative movement of receptacle and holder in the direction for bringing said holder into said receptacle and being opened pursuant to a predetermined relative movement of receptacle and holder in the direction for bringing said holder out of said receptacle.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary horizontal support, a plurality of receptacles mounted on said support'in circular arrangement thereon, a shaft mounted vertically in position centrally of said receptacles, said shaft being rotatably and vertically movable, a frame carried by said shaft and movable therewith, a holder carried by said frame and movable thereby into and out of said receptacles and from one receptacle to another, a movable control member mounted on said support and a member fixed to said frame and movabletherewith into and out of operative relation to said control member for operating the latter in response to said rotary and vertical movement of said shaft.

'7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a stationary horizontal support, a plurality of receptacles mounted on said support in circular arrangement thereon, a shaft mounted vertically in position centrally of said receptacles,

therewith, a holder carried by said frame and movable thereby into and out of said receptacles and from one receptacle to another, a valve mounted on said support for controlling the flow of liquid into one of said receptacles, and a member fixed to said frame and movable therewith into and out of operative relation to said valve for operating the latter in response to said rotary and vertical movement of said shaft.

8. In apparatus of the class described comprising a receptacle, a holder for material to be treated in said receptacle, means mounting said holder and said receptacle for relative vertical of operative relation to said valve, and means 10 operable in response to said relative movement of said receptacle and holder for effecting said relative movement of said valve and said valveactuating member,

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising a plurality of receptacles, a holder movable into and out of said receptacles, respectively, means for efiecting relative vertical and lateral movements of said holder and receptacles for conveying said holder out of one of said receptacles and into another of said receptacles, means including a valve for supplying liquid to one of said receptacles, and means operable in response to the movement of the holder into and out of said last mentioned receptacle for controlling the operation of said valve.

EDWIN C. WEISKOPF.