US3618565A - Apparatus for dipping intracutaneous injectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A coating device includes a dipper having an annular bath section having a recessed inner wall which defines a drain opening. Means reciprocate the dipper between a charging location within a reservoir and an elevated applying station.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Arthur S. Taylor Spring Valley; Ellsworth R. Sandhage, Pearl River, both of N.Y.

Appl. No. 871,047

Filed Sept. 16, 1969 Division of Ser. No. 641,639, May 26, 1967, Pat. No. 3,510,933.

Patented Nov. 9, 1971 Assignee American Cyanamid Company Stamiord, Conn.

APPARATUS FOR DlPPlNG INTRACUTANEOUS INJECTORS 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 118/421 Int. Cl B05c 3/02 [50] Field of Search 118/423, 419, 421, 420,428

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,252,363 1/1918 Roberts 118/419 X 2,449,648 9/1948 Flaws, Jr. 118/421 2,868,164 1/1959 Quinn 118/421 3,039,432 6/1962 LeBoutillier et a1. 118/421 3,307,517 3/1967 Rasmussen et a1. 118/421 Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan Attorney-Samuel Branch Walker ABSTRACT: A coating device includes a dipper having an annular bath section having a recessed inner wall which defines a drain opening. Means reciprocate the dipper between a charging location within a reservoir and an elevated applying station.

APPARATUS FOR DIPPING INTRACUTANEOUS INJECTORS RELATED APPLICATIONS RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division under rule 147 of application Ser. No. 641,639, filed May 26, 1967 which is now U.S. Pat. No. 3,510,933, May 12, 1970. Said Pat No. 3,5I0,933 is incorporated herein by reference, and discloses in detail other parts of a complete assembly apparatus, not essential to the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the continuous and automated dipping of intracutaneous injectors of a type whose structure and utility have been fully disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,647.

Referring to FIG. 2, the intracutaneous injector comprises a handle 22 having a base portion 24 with a pair of raised flanges 26 extending inwardly and spaced from the base portion to form channels 26a. A scarifying plate 28 is secured to handle by fitting under channels 26a in flanges 26. Sharp prongs 27 extend perpendicularly from plate 28.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for dipping intracutaneous injectors of the type illustrated in FIG 2.

A continuous strip of material suitable for forming scarifying plates (preferably a metallic strip such as stainless steel) is intermittently fed by predetermined increments through an automated apparatus which performs a number of operations at spaced points along the path of travel of the strip. The strip remains integral throughout the numerous operations necessary to produce a scarifying plate and then the plate is detached and assembled in a handle to form the intracutaneous injector described. By maintaining the strip integral throughout manufacture, the problems involved in handling small individual scarifying plates are eliminated and complete automation is easily and effectively attained.

Referring to FIG. I, the strip 30 is drawn from a supply reel 32 and fed into the apparatus by a feed mechanism shown generally at 34. Feed mechanism 34 intermittently feeds strip 30 by predetermined increments under a scarifying plate press 36 which acts in coordination with feed mechanism 34 to stamp successive increments of strip 30 and form integral scarifying plates thereon. From press 36, strip 30 is fed through an ultrasonic bath 38 where it is cleaned in preparation for adherence of a biologically active liquid to the prongs of the scarifying plate. Strip 30 next passes through a dryer 40 where any cleaning medium remaining on the scarifying plates from their passage through bath 38 is removed. Biologically active liquid is applied to the prongs projecting from each scarifying plate in an applicator shown generally at 42, the construction of which will be described in greater detail below. Representative examples of biologically active materials which may be applied in liquid form to intracutaneous injectors by means of the apparatus and method of the invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,507, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,246,647. From applicator 42 strip 30 is fed under an assembly press 44 where each scarifying plate is detached from strip 30 and assembled with a handle to form a finished intracutaneous injector.

In the present invention all operations must be synchronized to the movement of a continuous strip. Accordingly, the rate of operation of each of the individual mechanisms comprising the apparatus of the invention must be synchronized or coordinated both with the rate of movement of the strip and the rate of operation of each of the other mechanisms. The apparatus thus operates as a unitary synchronized mechanism for mass producing these intracutaneous injectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall front, somewhat schematic, view of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an intracutaneous injector made by the apparatus and method of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the applicator of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the applicator.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail in section of the dipper taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and illustrating the application of liquid to the prongs of a scarifying plate.

THE APPLICATOR Generally, with reference to FIG. 3, applicator 42 comprises a tank 142 mounted on a vertical backing plate 144 and containing the liquid to be applied to the prongs projecting from strip 30. A dipper 145 including a suspended pair of cuplike receptacles 1450 (FIG. 4) is supported for reciprocation within tank 142.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, upon reciprocation of dipper 145, liquid within tank 142 fills the cuplike receptacles 145a which upon upward movement wets the eight prongs 27 projecting from two scarifying plates on strip 30.

The dipper 145 is reciprocated by way of a vertically reciprocating assembly generally indicated at to which it is connected. Thus arm 143 connects dipper 145 to a beam 146 which is connected to a crossbar 148 forming a part of the vertically reciprocating assembly 150. Assembly 150 comprises two rods 152 and 154 held in parallel relation by crossbars 148 and 156. Rods I52 and 154 are slidably supported within brackets 158 and 160 which are affixed to backing plate 144. A cam 164 eccentrically mounted on backing plate 144 by way of a shaft 166 is driven by gear 168 secured to shaft 166 behind backing plate 144. Gear 168 in turn is driven by a bevel gear 170 connected to a shaft 172 which is driven by a suitable motor (not shown). A follower 174 is mounted on a shaft 176 connected to crossbar 156; this follower I74 rides on the surface of cam 164. It can be seen that as cam 164 rotates eccentrically it causes follower I74 and associated assembly 150 to reciprocate vertically within brackets I58 and 160 as shown. Such reciprocation is transferred to dipper 145 by crossbar 148, beam 146 and arm 143 causing reciprocation of dipper 145 toward and away from strip 30 in tank 142.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, tank 142 comprises a base 178 containing a reservoir 180 for the liquid. A well 182 corresponding to the shape of dipper 145 is formed in the bottom of reservoir I80 and dipper I45 slidingly fits therein as shown in FIG. 5. Dipper 145 includes two cuplike receptacles 1450 (FIG. 4) and, as shown in FIG. 6, each receptacle 145a includes a cavity 186 bounded by a high outer peripheral wall 188 and a low inner peripheral wall 190.

As dipper 145 is reciprocated toward the prongs 27, liquid from well 182 fills each receptacle 145a, and each receptacle 1450 brings that liquid into contact with the four prongs projecting from one scarifying plate (FIG. 6). The difference in height of outer peripheral wall 188 and inner peripheral wall 190 serves to flatten the convex meniscus normally assumed by the liquid. Thus, a substantially planar liquid surface is presented to each prong so that a controlled depth of coating of the prongs can be achieved. Excess liquid in the cavities I86 drains out through drainage opening 192.

Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of cover plates 194 and 196 fit over base 178 to cover reservoir 180 and well 182. Flanges I98 and 200 on plates 194 and 196 project over reservoir 180 to overlap the strip 30 passing therethrough and serve as a guide for its passage through the tank.

The liquid should be evenly applied to all of the prongs of the strip but the strip has a tendency to twist during passage through the tank: such twisting may result in uneven coating.

To prevent such twisting of the strip, a weight 202 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is pivotally supported on a pin 204 secured to post 206 on support plate 208. A bifurcated guide post 210 on plate 208 maintains weight 202 in proper alignment with the path of travel of strip 30. The rounded bottom surface 202a of weight 202 extends through an opening 208a in plate 208. Plate 208 is secured to cover plates 194 and 196 so that weight 202 extends through operting 208a in position to rest on strip 30 (FIGS. 5 and 6). This prevents the strip from twisting and thus insures even application of the liquid to all prongs.

Press 36 fonns only one scarifying plate per reciprocation as strip 30 moves thereunder in single increment stages. However, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each time dipper 145 with its two suspended receptacles 145a completes its upward movement, all prongs on each of two scarifying plates on strip 30 are immersed in liquid. Such immersion should only occur once for each prong to prevent the buildup of excess liquid. It can be seen therefore that the rate of operation of the applicator must be one-half the rate of reciprocation of press 36 in order for the two to act in coordination on strip 30. In addition, strip 30 must move through the applicator in double increment stages to prevent duplicate application of liquid to the prongs. To accomplish this and to maintain strip 30 moving through the apparatus, strip 30 is fed through applicator 42 by a pusher arm 212 (FIG. 3) eccentrically connected to shaft 166 by pin 214. The other end 216 of pusher arm 212 is free and beveled so that the tip 218 thereof engages the edge of an aperture in strip 30. A guide 220 projecting from backing plate 144 maintains arm 212 in alignment with the path of travel of strip 30. As seen in FIG. 3 when shaft 166 rotates, arm 212 reciprocates and tip 218 sequentially engages apertures in strip 30 spaced by two increments to pull strip 30 through applicator 42 at the desired rate of two increments per reciprocation of dipper I45.

Momentarily in the operation of the apparatus, the coordinated but not necessarily synchronized movements effected on strip 30 by feed mechanism 34 and pusher arm 212 may cause the length of strip 30 between press 36 and applicator 42 to vary. To prevent binding of strip 30, a slack loop 221 is provided in strip 30 as shown in FIG. 1 to compensate for such length variations.

Preferably a plunger 222 similar to plungers 80 and 82 (FIG. I) is positioned over strip 30 adjacent end 216 of arm 212. As arm 212 begins its rearward stroke, an appropriate limit switch (not shown) actuates plunger 222 to clamp strip 30 against a ledge 224 projecting from backing plate 144. Thus clamped, strip 30 is secured against movement by arm 212 during its rearward stroke. Plunger 222 is deactuated as arm 212 again begins a forward stroke thus enabling strip 30 to be moved the desired two increment distance.

In applications where the liquid employed in tank 142 requires refrigeration to retain potency, an appropriate refrigeration mechanism may be placed under or around tank 142.

We claim:

1. An applicator for applying a small quantity of a biological liquid to sharp prongs on an intermittently fed continuous strip of scarifying plates having sharp prongs projecting downwardly therefrom comprising, in combination:

A. a tank to contain a biological liquid B. means supporting said strip in continuous straight configuration over said tank;

C. dipping means to place said liquid in contact with said prongs; comprising a dipper having at least one cuplike receptacle, said receptacle having an outer peripheral wall, and a meniscus flattening inner peripheral wall, with a drainage opening therein, and disposed in said tank with said receptacle adjacent and below the path of movement of said prongs, and an arm connecting said dipper to an assembly mounted to slide up and down to reciprocate said receptacle toward and away from said prongs, and

D. drive means actuating said dipping means in coordination with the feed rate of said strip, so that each said prong is dipped into said liquid.

2. An apparatus as defined "I claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a cam follower on said assembly and a driven eccentrically mounted cam in contact with said cam follower for reciprocating said assembly.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a weight pivotally mounted over said tank and positioned to rest on said strip to maintain said strip in alignment for even coating of liquid on said prongs.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a pusher arm having one end eccentrically mounted to said cam, the other end being free and adapted to engage said strip when actuated by said cam in a direction away from said tank whereby said arm pulls said strip through said applicator in synchronization with the reciprocation of said dipper.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 5,618,565 Dated November 9, 1971 Inventor(s) ARTHUR S. TAYIOR and ELLSWORTH R. SANDHAGE It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Columnl, line delete one of the titles "RELATED APPLICATIONS Column 1, line 6? insert "Handles are fed into press 4-4 where assembly occurs." after the word assembly Signed and sealed this 27th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 s urs sovsmmzm PRINYING OFFICE 909 0-366-334

Claims (4)

1. An applicator for applying a small quantity of a biological liquid to sharp prongs on an intermittently fed continuous strip of scarifying plates having sharp prongs projecting downwardly therefrom comprising, in combination: A. a tank to contain a biological liquid B. means supporting said strip in continuous straight configuration over said tank; C. dipping means to place said liquid in contact with said prongs; comprising a dipper having at least one cuplike receptacle, said receptacle having an outer peripheral wall, and a meniscus flattening inner peripheral wall, with a drainage opening therein, and disposed in said tank with said receptacle adjacent and below the path of movement of said prongs, and an arm connecting said dipper to an assembly mounted to slide up and down to reciprocate said receptacle toward and away from said prongs, and D. drive means actuating said dipping means in coordination with the feed rate of said strip, so that each said prong is dipped into said liquid.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a cam follower on said assembly and a driven eccentrically mounted cam in contact with said cam follower for reciprocating said assembly.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a weight pivotally mounted over said tank and positioned to rest on said strip to maintain said strip in alignment for even coating of liquid on said prongs.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a pusher arm having one end eccentrically mounted to said cam, the other end being free and adapted to engage said strip when actuated by said cam in a direction away from said tank whereby said arm pulls said strip through said applicator in synchronization with the reciprocation of said dipper.

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