US3487862A - Liquid transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Liquid transfer apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3487862A
US3487862A US647135A US3487862DA US3487862A US 3487862 A US3487862 A US 3487862A US 647135 A US647135 A US 647135A US 3487862D A US3487862D A US 3487862DA US 3487862 A US3487862 A US 3487862A
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United States
Prior art keywords
liquid
transfer
transfer means
containers
support member
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US647135A
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English (en)
Inventor
Olof Soderblom
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Autokemi AB
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Autokemi AB
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/10—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices
    • G01N35/1081—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane
    • G01N35/1083—Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices characterised by the means for relatively moving the transfer device and the containers in an horizontal plane with one horizontal degree of freedom
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N1/10—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state
    • G01N1/18—Devices for withdrawing samples in the liquid or fluent state with provision for splitting samples into portions

Definitions

  • the transfer device includes a support member releasably attached to a constantly moving rail, and another member including a pump, the latter member being movable downwardly relative to the support member for liquid transfer :between a container and the transfer device.
  • An actuating device at each fluid transfer position releases the transfer device from the moving rail and holds it in place while liquid is being transferred.
  • This invention relates to apparatus for automatically transferring predetermined quantities of a liquid sample from a primary container to a plurality of secondary containers for enabling numerous analytical tests to be conducted on the sample liquid.
  • a liquid sample such as a blood sample is first placed in a primary container from which the liquid sample is transferred to a plurality of secondary containers, such as test tubes, in which the liquid sample is carried to the various test stations whereat the tests are conducted.
  • the procedure is such that the step of cleaning the transfer means to avoid contamination of any container with traces from another sample is unduly complicated.
  • the liquid transfer tubes of the transfer means must enter a different primary container before each pass over a rack of secondary containers. Consequently, each transfer tube of the transfer means must be cleaned after each pass over the rack of secondary containers. This constant cleaning procedure, while necessary, tends to complicate the operation of the automatic liquid analyzing machine.
  • a liquid transfer apparatus designed so that the liquid transfer means may receive all of the liquid of a given sample required for testing purposes from a primary container and then discharge predetermined quantities of the liquid sample into a plurality of secondary containers before the liquid transfer means arrives at a different primary container to receive a different liquid sample. Therefore, cleaning of the transfer means may be performed only once during each complete cycle of the transfer means. This cleaning would occur, of course, after the liquid sample has been discharged and before the transfer means arrives at a new primary container.
  • a first conveyor for moving the primary containers
  • a second conveyor for moving the plurality of secondary containers
  • a transfer means movable along a path which passes over both the first and second conveyors whereby the transfer means withdraws liquid from a primary container on the first conveyor and delivers the same to a plurality of secondary containers on the second conveyor.
  • the transfer means may be mounted to move along an endless belt over the two conveyors; it may include a liquid pump and a pipette and a means for selectively lowering the pipette into and raising it out of the containers.
  • the endless belt may move along the said path continuously and the transfer means may include a clutch for selectively coupling or releasing the transfer means with the movable belt.
  • An actuating means may be provided at each liquid transfer position to release the clutch and hold the transfer means in the place during :a liquid transfer operation.
  • the transfer means When the transfer means has completed its discharge of a liquid sample into a plurality of secondary containers it may then pass along the endless conveyor to a cleaning station where the pipette and the pump may be cleaned before the transfer means moves to a position to receive a new charge of a different liquid sample.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a liquid transfer apparatus for use in automatic analyzing machines wherein the transferring means is cleaned after it has discharged sample liquid into the desired number of secondary containers and before it withdraws a new sample from a different primary container.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid transfer apparatus in which a number of transferring means operate simultaneously thereby allowing the distribution of a large number of liquid samples from primary containers to secondary containers at a high rate.
  • It is still another object of this invention to provide a liquid transfer apparatus wherein the time during which the transfer means stops at the various charging and discharging stations is individually and automatically variable for each station, whereby the number of such trans- ferring means required to serve a given number of containers is greatly reduced.
  • FIGURE 1 is an overall schematic view of the liquid transferring apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a portion of FIGURE 1.
  • FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a liquid transferring means taken along line 33 of FIGURES 1 and 4.
  • FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a liquid transfer means shown in FIGURE 3.
  • FIGURE 1 there is shown a liquid transfer apparatus including a transporting means 1, for example, an endless belt continuously movable in a direction indicated by arrow 2.
  • a plurality of liquid transfer means 3 are mounted on the transporting means and are adapted either to engage the endless belt to move therewith or to be released from the endless belt and held stationarily in place by suitable holding means.
  • Each transfer means 3 includes a pipette 4 extending downwardly therefrom and adapted to enter a liquid container located beneath the transfer means 3 for liquid transfer therewith.
  • a first conveyor 5 and a second conveyor 10 are movable along separate paths beneath the transporting means 1, both being movable in the same direction as indicated by the arrow 11.
  • the first conveyor 5 supports a rack 6 having a plurality of primary liquid containers 7a, 7b and 70 mounted thereon. In the normal course of operation each of the containers 7 would contain a different sample liquid.
  • the second conveyor 10 supports a rack 9 having a plurality of secondary containers 8 mounted therein.
  • FIGURE 2 illustrates, schematically, the path 27 taken by a typical transfer means 3 as it passes over the rack 6 and then over the rack 9.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate that the path 27, after passing over the first conveyor 5 and the second conveyor 10 may return again to the first conveyor 5 and then again over another second conveyor 10' before arriving at the cleaning stations 22 and 24. The purpose of this arrangement will be described in detail below.
  • Any conventional power actuated means may be employed to move the belt 1 and the conveyors 5 and 10. Actuating means to be described in more detail below are employed to selectively couple or release the transfer means 3 from the continuously moving belt.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a first charging station 21 mounted over the first conveyor 5; discharging stations 14, 15 and 16 over conveyor 10 and spaced apart by intervals equal to the distance between the second containers 8 on the rack 9; and optionally, if desired, a second charging station 20 located over the conveyor 5 and additional discharging stations 17, 18 and 19 positioned over conveyor 10'; and finally, cleaning stations 22 and 24 through which the transfer means 3 passes before returning to the first charging station 21.
  • the cleaning liquid from containers 23 and 25 would be drawn into the pipette 4 and the pump of the transfer means 3 and the cleaning fluid would be discharged at additional stations, not shown.
  • a push rod 12 selectively actuated by a push rod actuating means 13.
  • the rod 12 acts upon a portion of the transfer means 3 to lower the same so that the pipette 4 enters the container mounted therebelow.
  • FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate, in detail, a typical transfer means 3 and an actuating means 26.
  • An actuating means similar to that shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 would be stationarily mounted at any point along path 27 where the movement of the transfer means 3 would have to be interrupted.
  • an actuating means would be provided at liquid charging and discharging stations 14-22 and at each of the cleaning stations 22 and 24.
  • the transfer means 3 includes two main portions, a slidable member 51 and a support member 34.
  • the slidable member 51 is vertically movable relative to support member 34.
  • Flange portions 36 include bores 36' through which a guide rod 35 passes.
  • the upper flange 36 is urged upwardly by a spring 37 which acts against the support member 34.
  • the slidable member 51 includes a pump having a cylinder 28 in fluid communication with pipette 4 and controlled by a piston 29.
  • the piston 29 is slidable within the cylinder 28 and is threadedly mounted on a screw 30 whereby turning of the screw causes vertical movement of the piston 29.
  • the screw 30 is driven by gears 31 which are in turn driven by a reversible electric motor 32 controlled by current received at terminals 33.
  • the transfer means 3 including the support member 34 and the slidable member 51, is normally coupled to the continuously moving belt 1 for movement therewith.
  • This engagement between the support means 34 and the belt 1 is provided by clutch pads 40 which are normally urged into frictional engagement with the moving belt 1 by a spring force or the like acting upon two armed levers 38 which are pivotable about axes 39 passing through the support member 34.
  • an actuating means 26 including a first link 42a fixed to a rotatable shaft 41 and pivotally connected, at its outer ends, to parallel links 42b. The latter are in turn pivotally connected to horizontal lever members 43 which are mounted for pivotal movement about axes 44.
  • Cam members 45 are located in recesses 45 located at the ends of levers 43 and are urged outwardly by springs 50 to an extent limited by a retaining edge formed by the outer end of recesses 45.
  • Each support member 34 includes two recesses 46 into which the cam members 45 are urged by spring members 50 when the transfer means 3 moves to the liquid transfer station of the actuating member (assuming that the shaft 41 is so turned that the levers 43 are in the position shown in FIGURE 3).
  • the cam members 45 serve two purposes. First, the cam members act against the two armed levers 38 offsetting the normal spring force and thereby disengaging the clutch pads 40 from the moving belt 1 so that the support member 34 is no longer movable therewith. In addition, the cam members 45, by their engagement in recesses 46, firmly hold the support member 34 in place during a liquid transfer operation.
  • the moving belt 1 includes cross-members 47 and an inside belt 48 against which pulley members 49 are in driving engagement.
  • pulley members 49 will be idle pulleys intended merely to guide the direction of the movable belt 1 while others will serve to drive the movable belt.
  • the invention operates in the following manner.
  • a rack 6 having a plurality of separate primary containers 7a, 7b and 70, each with a different liquid sample, is moved by conveyor so that container 7a is positioned beneath charging station 21.
  • a second rack 9 having a plurality of secondary containers 8 mounted therein is moved by conveyor 10 so that its secondary containers are located beneath discharging stations 14, and 16. Of course, additional secondary containers 8 and additional discharging stations can be provided at this point.
  • a transfer means 3, driven by belt 1 in the direction of the arrow 2 to charging station 21 would then be held at station 21 by an actuating means 26.
  • the driving means 13 would then be actuated to urge the push rod -12 downwardly so that pipette 4 would enter the first primary container 7a.
  • the charged transfer means 3 will then be stopped at stations 14, 15 and -16 by separate actuating means located at each of those stations. At each station predetermined, accurately measured quantities of liquid in the cylinder 28 will be discharged into each of the secondary containers 8. However, since the secondary containers may contain different reagents which could contaminate the pipettes, the transfer means 3 are not lowered into the secondary containers 8 during the liquid discharge operation.
  • each of the containers 23 and 25 may contain liquid which is withdrawn at stations 22 and 24 and discharged at additional stations not shown.
  • the path of the transfer means 3 may return to the conveyor 5 to receive more of the same liquid sample from the same container 7a from which it withdrew liquid at station 21.
  • the transfer means 3 then returns to a second discharging station having positions 17, 18 and 19 to discharge liquid into fourth, fifth and sixth secondary containers 8.
  • This position of the transfer means 3, the rack 6 and the primary containers 7 at this optional position 20 are shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1 as indicated by the numerals 3', 6' and 7.
  • the transfer means 3 is returning to and withdrawing liquid from the same primary container 7a, there is no need to clean the pipette 4 and cylinder 28 between stations '16 and 20.
  • the transfer means 3 After the transfer means 3 has withdrawn liquid from the first primary container 7a, and after the transfer means 3 has moved on to the positions 14, 15 and 16 to discharge that liquid into the secondary containers, the transfer means 3 is moved one step so that second primary container 7b moves beneath position 21. A new clean transfer means 3 is then moved into position 21 for receiving the new liquid sample from container 7b.
  • This new clean trans fer means 3, charged with fluid from primary container 7b then moves to discharging positions 14, 15 and 16 where a completely new rack 9 having a completely new set of secondary containers 8, has been brought into place beneath belt 1 at discharging stations 14, 15 and 16.
  • the conveyor 5 moves one more step so that the new, separate sample 70 moves beneath position 21 to supply a new third transfer means 3 with the liquid sample contained therein.
  • the transporting means 1 is an endless belt.
  • a transfer means 3 is cleaned at stations 22 and 24 it simply returns around the back of the belt 1 to the charging station 21. In this manner the process can be continued indefinitely.
  • the drive means 13 may comprise a simple motor and gear connected to push rod 12.
  • the shaft 41 may be connected through a gear to a suitable electric motor.
  • These drive means could also be pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.
  • the movement of the various features be correlated with each other and operated automatically.
  • the relationship between the movement of the conveyors 5 and 10 is readily apparent. As the conveyor 5 moves one step the conveyor '10 would move a sufficient distance to place a new rack 9 beneath positions 14, 15 and 16. Similarly, the electric current or other power means supplied to drive means 13, pump 28 and actuating means 26 could very easily be controlled and operated in a predetermined sequence.
  • An apparatus for transferring liquid samples from a primary container to a plurality of secondary containers comprising: a first support means for supporting the primary container, a second support means for supporting the secondary containers, a transfer means for withdrawing liquid from said primary container and discharging predetermined quantities of the liquid into the plurality of secondary containers, a transporting means movable along a predetermined path at a substantially constant speed for transporting said transfer means along said path which passes by both the primary container on the first support means and the secondary containers on the second support means, a coupling means for releasably coupling said transfer means to said transporting means to move the transfer means along said path, and an actuating means for operating on the coupling means for selectively releasing the transfer means from the transporting means and for holding the transfer means at a given place sothat liquid transfer between the transfer means and a container can be carried out with the transfer means stationary at said given place while the transporting means continues said movement along said path at said substantially constant speed.
  • said transfer means includes a variable displacement pump means for withdrawing and discharging liquids, and a pipette for placing the pump and a container in fluid communication with each other.
  • said coupling means includes at least one clutch element on said support member, said clutch element movable at least between a first position coupling the support member to the transporting means and a second position to release the support member from the transporting means, and wherein said actuating means includes, at least one liquid transfer position, a linkage means for both moving the said clutch element to the second position and for holding the transfer means in place while the clutch element is in the said second position.
  • said coupling means includes a lever means pivotally mounted on the support member and spring biased to said first position, said support member including a recess, and wherein said linkage means includes a cam member engageable in said recess when the support member arrives at the corresponding liquid transfer position, to move the said lever means to the said second position and to hold the support member in place.
  • Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including a driving means, mounted above at least one liquid transfer position along the said path whereat liquid withdrawal is to take place, for lowering the said slidable member of the transfer means relative to the support member thereof thereby placing the said pump into communication with the liquid in a container through the said pipette.
  • An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including at least one driving means, mounted above a liquid transfer position along the said path whereat liquid withdrawal is to take place, for lowering the transfer means into a container located at that liquid transfer position.
  • said transfer means includes a support member and a slidable member, the latter being slidable vertically relative to the support member, said support member being mounted on said transporting means, and wherein the said lowering movement of the transfer means is constituted by lowering the said slidable member relative to the said support member.
  • said coupling means includes at least one clutch element on said support member, said clutch element movable at least between a first position coupling the support member to the transporting means and a second position to release the support member from the transporting means, and wherein said actuating means includes, at least one liquid transfer position, a linkage means for both moving the said clutch element to the second position and for holding the transfer means in place while the clutch element is in the said second position.
  • said coupling means includes a lever means pivotally mounted on the support member and spring biased to said first position, said support member including a recess, and wherein said linkage means includes a cam member engageable in said recess when the support member arrives at the corresponding liquid transfer position, to move the said lever means to the said second position and to hold the support member in place.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
US647135A 1966-06-22 1967-06-19 Liquid transfer apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3487862A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8529/66A SE313936B (ru) 1966-06-22 1966-06-22

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2066794A5 (ru) * 1970-08-14 1971-08-06 Automation Chimique Nucl
US3615239A (en) * 1969-03-12 1971-10-26 American Hospital Supply Corp Automated analyzer and programmer therefor
US3615230A (en) * 1966-12-15 1971-10-26 Bodenseewerk Perkin Elmer Co Device for automatically carrying out chemical analyses
US3785773A (en) * 1972-03-02 1974-01-15 Beckman Instruments Inc Chemical analysis tube module
US3854508A (en) * 1973-04-13 1974-12-17 Atomic Energy Commission Automated sample-reagent loader
US3923463A (en) * 1972-10-09 1975-12-02 Kenneth Dawson Bagshawe Apparatus for performing chemical and biological analysis
US5089230A (en) * 1989-03-15 1992-02-18 Takara Shuzo Co. Reagent reactor apparatus
EP1648697A2 (en) * 2003-07-18 2006-04-26 Dade Behring Inc. Method for increasing capacity in an automatic clinical analyzer by using modular reagent delivery means

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR738614A (fr) * 1932-06-14 1932-12-28 Fromageries Ch Gervais Appareil siphonneur pour le vidage automatique, en série, de récipients de toutes natures
US3143393A (en) * 1959-06-18 1964-08-04 Luc Donald De Seguin Des Hons Apparatus for automatically performing chemical operations and similar or related operations
US3178266A (en) * 1960-10-07 1965-04-13 Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical Materials handling apparatus
US3193359A (en) * 1962-07-02 1965-07-06 Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical Apparatus for conducting analytical procedural steps

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR738614A (fr) * 1932-06-14 1932-12-28 Fromageries Ch Gervais Appareil siphonneur pour le vidage automatique, en série, de récipients de toutes natures
US3143393A (en) * 1959-06-18 1964-08-04 Luc Donald De Seguin Des Hons Apparatus for automatically performing chemical operations and similar or related operations
US3178266A (en) * 1960-10-07 1965-04-13 Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical Materials handling apparatus
US3193359A (en) * 1962-07-02 1965-07-06 Warner Lambert Pharmaceutical Apparatus for conducting analytical procedural steps

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3615230A (en) * 1966-12-15 1971-10-26 Bodenseewerk Perkin Elmer Co Device for automatically carrying out chemical analyses
US3615239A (en) * 1969-03-12 1971-10-26 American Hospital Supply Corp Automated analyzer and programmer therefor
FR2066794A5 (ru) * 1970-08-14 1971-08-06 Automation Chimique Nucl
US3785773A (en) * 1972-03-02 1974-01-15 Beckman Instruments Inc Chemical analysis tube module
US3923463A (en) * 1972-10-09 1975-12-02 Kenneth Dawson Bagshawe Apparatus for performing chemical and biological analysis
USRE30627E (en) * 1972-10-09 1981-05-26 Picker Corporation Apparatus for performing chemical and biological analysis
US3854508A (en) * 1973-04-13 1974-12-17 Atomic Energy Commission Automated sample-reagent loader
US5089230A (en) * 1989-03-15 1992-02-18 Takara Shuzo Co. Reagent reactor apparatus
EP1648697A2 (en) * 2003-07-18 2006-04-26 Dade Behring Inc. Method for increasing capacity in an automatic clinical analyzer by using modular reagent delivery means
EP1648697A4 (en) * 2003-07-18 2011-12-21 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics METHOD FOR INCREASING CAPACITY IN AN AUTOMATIC CLINICAL ANALYZER BY USING A MODULAR REAGENT ABUTMENT

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Publication number Publication date
NL6708686A (ru) 1967-12-27
SE313936B (ru) 1969-08-25

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