WO2016162786A2

WO2016162786A2 - A semi-automatic burette filler device and a modified burette devoid of stop-cock valve

Info

Publication number: WO2016162786A2
Application number: PCT/IB2016/051918
Authority: WO
Inventors: Samrat GHOSH
Original assignee: Indian Institute Of Science Education And Research-Mohali
Priority date: 2015-04-05
Filing date: 2016-04-05
Publication date: 2016-10-13
Also published as: WO2016162786A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a semi-automatic burette filler device and a burette devoid of stop-cock valve. The present disclosure of semi-automatic burette filler device and modified burette is helpful to wheelchair bound users and persons with shorter heights to perform titration-type routine analytical task/experiments with safety and ease.

Description

A SEMI-AUTOMATIC BURETTE FILLER DEVICE AND A MODIFIED BURETTE

DEVOID OF STOP-COCK VALVE"

TECHNICAL FIELD

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is known that in chemical laboratories, conventional 50 mL burettes (as shown in figure 1) are commonly used for quantitative/volumetric analysis.

The conventional burettes (i.e. figure 1) have the following disadvantages:

(1) These conventional burettes are filled with liquids from the top by use of glass funnels as shown in figure 1. In most laboratories, the work bench on which these burettes are kept is approximately a meter height from the floor.

Obviously, handicapped persons especially wheel chair bound users and those persons with shorter heights find it very difficult to pour liquid from the top of the burette which is approximately a meter in length. This means, a user has to pour liquid into a glass funnel which is approximately at a height of two meters from the floor (height of work bench + length of glass burette).

(2) Proper reading of liquid level in a conventional 50 ml burette during dispensing is also a major constraint for both shorter students and wheel chair bound users as the meter tall conventional 50 mL burette stands on a work bench approximately a meter high from the floor which makes observation of proper readings difficult. This error in seeing the actual reading on a burette is known as parallax. To avoid parallax user's eye should be at the same level as the meniscus of the liquid in the burette. For wheel chair bound users this is a big problem. (3) While filling a corrosive liquid into a 50 ml conventional burette (~ a meter tall and standing on a work bench approximately a meter high from the floor) with a funnel from the top, there is considerable risk of the corrosive liquid splashing on the eyes/face of the user from the funnel above. The users are therefore advised to wear visors during filling of the burette. But experience shows that many users forget to wear visors during filling of the burette. There is also risk of glass funnel falling down from the top of the conventional burette and breaking if due care is not taken. (4) The remedy to the above problems associated with a conventional 50 ml burette cannot be achieved by shortening the length of a conventional 50 ml burette, as the accuracy of the volume of liquid dispensed from the burette will be compromised. In fact, bigger the length of the burette, greater is the accuracy and the precision of the volume of liquid dispensed. For this reason, a common 50 ml graduated cylinder (~ 30 cms length) cannot be used in-lieu of -100 cms length conventional 50 ml burette.

(5) Fine accurate and precise control during dispensing of liquid from the burette is rendered difficult by the threaded Teflon stopcock for dispensing of the liquid from the burette as it involves turning of the stopcock clockwise- anticlockwise which consumes time and is partly the cause of the error.

(6) The threaded Teflon stopcock is prone to damage caused by frequent clockwise-anticlockwise turning of the stopcock by the user during titration.

(7) Even conventional burettes with glass stopcocks are prone to leaking of liquid.

(8) There is an inherent flaw in the design of the conventional burette where both the stopcock and the business end of the burette (tip) are in close proximity to each other as can be seen in figure 1. As a consequence, most users face problem with the conventional burettes during titration as it is not easy to handle both the stopcock and shaking/swirling of the conical flask simultaneously as both the hands restrict each other's movement as shown in figure 15. This inconvenience caused to the users affects the accuracy and the precision of the titration being carried out.

(9) The close proximity of glass joint for stop cock and the business end (tip) in conventional burettes restricts the depth to which the burette business end (tip) can be inserted.

(10) The design of the conventional burette (figure 1) with an arrangement for stopcock makes the conventional burette expensive. Burettes with threaded Teflon stopcock cost more than those with glass stopcocks.

(11) Since conventional burettes require glass funnel for filling liquid into the burette from the top, there is a risk of glass funnel falling down and breaking due to improper handling. So cost factors are high in conventional burettes.

(12) It is difficult to repair if the glass joint for stopcock (glass or Teflon) in conventional burettes suffers damage.

(13) Since conventional burettes are open on one end, volatile liquids in burette will escape as vapors and contribute to error.

It is clear that due to disadvantages # 1-3, users with shorter heights will find conventional burettes (figure 1) difficult to handle and wheelchair bound users will be unable to use them for laboratory work involving titration.

Since wheelchair bound users cannot carry out titration-type experiments with conventional burettes or common graduated cylinders. As explained above, it is a common wisdom that short graduated cylinders although easy to handle yet are rather poor substitutes for burettes for analytical/qualitative work and the results obtained using graduated cylinders are highly inaccurate and not reproducible. From the information gathered through various sources, it is evident that wheelchair friendly burettes have neither been reported nor available in the market.

Hence a need was felt to provide semi-automatic burette filler or a modified burette for wheelchair bound users and persons with shorter heights to perform titration-type routine analytical task/experiments involving burettes with ease, safety, accuracy and precision just like majority of users.

The aim of the present disclosure is to provide a burette devoid of stop-cock valve and provided with semi-automatic burette filler device for a conventional burette, so that wheelchair bound users and persons with shorter heights are capable to perform titration-type routine analytical task/experiments.

Another aim of the present disclosure is to provide a burette whereby a liquid is filled into a burette without spilling, while it is filled in the burette.

Another aim of the present disclosure is to provide a burette whereby a liquid is filled into a burette up to the desired level and accurately dispenses desired amount of liquid for titration type work. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

Figure 1 &la shows 50ml conventional Burette with stopcock and use of conventional burette with Teflon stopcock and difficulty during titration.

Figure 2 shows a conventional burette with a semi-automatic burette filler device according to the present disclosure.

Figure 2a shows a conventional burette with another embodiment of the semiautomatic burette filler device according to the present disclosure.

Figure 2b, 2c shows a comparison of a conventional burette and a burette with a semiautomatic burette filler device.

Figure 3 shows burette with semi-automatic burette filler device of the present disclosure filling and dispensing by a user in sitting mode.

Figure 4 shows a modified burette devoid of stopcock according to the present disclosure.

Figure 5 shows a modified burette according to present disclosure which is having two different size of console according to the present disclosure.

Figure 6 shows 50 ml modified burette devoid of stopcock and demonstration of the same during titration. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional burette are overcome by a semiautomatic burette filler device and a modified burette. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure relates to a semi-automatic burette filler (SABF) device for a conventional burette comprising a polymeric conduit (10) having a first (11) and second end (12), wherein the first end (11) is being connected with a distal end (D) of a burette (B) and second end (12) of conduit is being connected with at least one assembly of plunger (1) and suction chamber or barrel (2), the assembly comprising a plunger (1) and reciprocate inside the barrel (2), the barrel having an inlet port (2i) and outlet port (2o) and at least one aperture (3) on the body, a threaded spacer (4) is being configured inside the barrel (2) along the plunger (1), the threaded spacer (4) is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger (1) so as to reciprocate along the plunger (1), the threaded spacer is being provided with means (5, 6) to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer (4) and plunger (1) inside the barrel (2), a pair of safety means (7, 8) are provided with elastic members (9, 9a) at the outlet port (2o) of the barrel (2) that are being in contact with the plunger (1), and a pair of mirrors (13,14) wherein the first mirror mounted adjacent to burette the second mirror is held in hand of user.

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the barrel (2) is made of plastic and plunger is made of elastomeric material.

In another embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the barrel is having inlet port (2i) is either centrally placed or offset from the centre. In another embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the inlet port (2i) of barrel is preferably in the shape and size of second end of polymeric conduit. In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the plunger (1) is having V-shape grooves (11).

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the threaded spacer (4) is a bolt with thread and being provided with double nut system (5,6) and mounted with plunger with elastic member (9).

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the double nut system (5, 6) comprising one big nut (5) and one small nut (6) and located outside the outlet port (2o) of barrel.

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the big nut (5) displace by sliding to and fro along the length of the threaded spacer (4) to any extent on threaded spacer and locked by the smaller nut (6) at any desired location on the threaded spacer.

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the small nut (6) displace along the length of the threaded spacer (4), upon rotating clockwise or anticlockwise around the longitudinal axis of the threaded spacer. In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the big nut (5) comes in contact with barrel outlet port (2o), while plunger (1) is pushed inside the barrel (2) and thereby achieve desired plunger movement inside the barrel.

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the double nut system (5,6) along with the threaded spacer assists to fill the burette in a pre-determined manner to any meniscus level.

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the meniscus level is pre-selected in the range of 1 ml to 50 ml.

In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the safety means are two screw (7,8) with or without thread with rubber sleeve (12, 13) and positioned at 180° to each other at the inner side of the outlet port of barrel. In an embodiment the burette filler device, wherein the safety means (7,8) prevent the plunger from being inadvertently pulled out of the barrel and loss of suction, while the user is filling any liquid in the burette and also prevent plunger's inward movement due to the force exerted by the atmospheric pressure due to presence of partial vacuum created inside the barrel, when the plunger is pulled out by the user to fill a liquid in the burette, thereby achieve accuracy in filling the burette.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure relates to a burette arrangement comprising a burette (B) connected by a connector with at least one semi-automatic burette filler (SABF) device.

In an embodiment the burette arrangement, wherein burette (B) is connected either permanently or temporarily with burette filler device. In an embodiment the burette arrangement, wherein the connector is selected from two way connector or three way connector or four way connector.

In an embodiment the burette arrangement, wherein the burette is connected temporarily with burette filler instrument by a connector having first opening in accordance with second end of polymeric conduit and second/ third openings in accordance with inlet port of burette filler device.

In an embodiment the burette arrangement, wherein the connector is a conduit of glass or elastomeric material.

In an embodiment the burette arrangement, wherein the connector is preferably a three way connector (17) of elastomeric material that is having a proximal end being connected with second end of polymeric conduit and other ends is connected to inlet port of burette filler device, so as to form essentially an air tight joints. In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a burette arrangement for a person on wheel chair or of short height comprising a burette (B) connected with at least two semi-automatic burette filler (SABF) (BF1 and BF2) device//console by a polymeric conduit and a connector, whereby each burette filler instrument /console (BF1 & BF2) at least two assembly (BF1 & BF2) of plunger (1) and suction chamber or barrel (2), at least one assembly of plunger (1) and suction chamber or barrel (2), wherein the assembly comprising a plunger (1) and reciprocate inside the barrel (2), the barrel having an inlet port (2i) and outlet port (2o) and at least one aperture (3) on the body, a threaded spacer (4) is being configured inside the barrel (2) along the plunger, the threaded spacer is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger so as to reciprocate along the plunger, the threaded spacer is being provided with means (5, 6) to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer and plunger inside the barrel, a pair of safety means (7, 8) are provided with elastic members (9, 9a) at the outlet port of the barrel (2) that are being in contact with the plunger, the connector (17) having three way opening to connect the polymeric conduit (10) with two assembly (BF1 & BF2), that are at positioned at 90° or 180° to each other, and a pair of mirrors (13, 14), wherein the first mirror (13) mounted adjacent to burette and the second mirror (14) is held in hand of user.

In an embodiment of the burette arrangement, wherein in the first and second assembly of plunger & barrel (BF1, BF2) is capable to move horizontally.

In an embodiment of the burette arrangement, wherein the first (BF1) and second (BF2) assembly of plunger & barrel are having either of same capacity or variable capacity.

In an embodiment of the burette arrangement, wherein the first (BF1) and second assembly (BF2) of plunger & barrel is in the range of 1 ml to 50 ml.

In an embodiment of the burette arrangement, wherein are having lower risk of occurrence of repetitive stress injuries during operation.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a modified burette (MB) devoid of stop cock valve for a wheel chair bound person or a person of short height, comprising a cylindrical glass conduit (B l) with scale marking and devoid of stop cock valve, having a proximal end (P) and a distal end (D), a polymeric conduit (60) having first (61) and second end (62), the second end (62) of polymeric conduit is being connected with a distal end (D) of the glass conduit (B l), at least one connector (67) to connect the second end (62) of polymeric conduit with at least one assembly (Al , A2) of plunger (51) and suction chamber or barrel (52), wherein a plunger (51) with or without grooves reciprocate inside the chamber or barrel (52), the barrel (52) having at least one aperture (53) on the body, a threaded spacer (54) is being configured inside the barrel along the plunger, the threaded spacer (54) is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger so as to reciprocate along the plunger (51), the threaded spacer (54) is being provided with means (55, 56) to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer and plunger inside the barrel (52), a pair of safety means (57, 58) are provided with elastic members (59, 59a) on the barrel (52) that are being in contact with the plunger (51), and a pair of mirrors (63, 64), wherein the first mirror mounted adjacent to burette and the second mirror is held in hand of user.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the proximal end (P) of glass conduit is a converging section.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the glass conduit having markings up to 50 cm or above, preferably up to 50 cm.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the barrel (52) is made of plastic and plunger is made of elastomeric material.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the barrel (52) is having inlet port (52i) is either centrally placed or offset from the centre.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the inlet port (52i) of barrel is preferably in the shape and size of second end of polymeric conduit.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the plunger (51) is having V- shape grooves.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the threaded spacer (54) is a bolt with thread and being provided with double nut system (55, 56) and mounted with plunger with elastic member (59, 59a).

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the double nut system (55, 56) comprising one big nut (55) and one small nut (56) and located outside the outlet port (52o) of barrel. In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the big nut (55) displace by sliding to and fro along the length of the threaded spacer (54) to any extent on threaded spacer and locked by the smaller nut (56) at any desired location on the threaded spacer.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the small nut (56) displace along the length of the threaded spacer (54), upon rotating clockwise or anticlockwise around the longitudinal axis of the threaded spacer.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the big nut (55) comes in contact with barrel outlet port (52o), while plunger (51) is pushed inside the barrel (52) and thereby achieve desired plunger movement inside the barrel.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the double nut system (55, 56) along with the threaded spacer assists to fill the burette in a pre-determined manner to any meniscus level.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the meniscus level is pre- selected in the range of 1 ml to 50 ml.

In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the safety means are two screw (57, 58) with or without thread with rubber sleeve (59, 59a) and positioned at 180° to each other at the inner side of the outlet port of barrel. In an embodiment of the modified burette (MB), wherein the safety means (57, 58) prevent the plunger from being inadvertently pulled out of the barrel and loss of suction, while the user is filling any liquid in the burette and also prevent plunger's inward movement due to the force exerted by the atmospheric pressure due to presence of partial vacuum created inside the barrel, when the plunger is pulled out by the user to fill a liquid in the burette, thereby achieve accuracy in filling the burette.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of operating the modified burette wherein a wheel chair bound person or a person of short height perform following steps (a) placing the glass conduit (B l) vertically on burette stand and keeping the proximal end (P) of burette inside the container (C) filled with solution, (b) connecting the polymeric conduit (60) with assembly of plunger (Al, A2) and suction chamber or barrel with airtight sealing, (c) pulling the plunger (51) while placing finger on the aperture (53) of the barrel (52), so as so create vacuum in the barrel and solution climb up in the burette up to a predefined height in the burette from its proximal end (P), as per the adjustment of big nut (55) and small nut (56) on the threaded screw (54) in the barrel (52), (d) watching and checking the level of liquid solution in glass conduit (B l) by a pair of mirrors (63, 64), (e) removing the container (C) by adjusting the height of burette and placing another reagent container (66), (f) dispensing the solution filled in the glass conduit (B) by pushing the plunger (51) up to any certain point for allowing the liquid to fall drop-by drop in a reagent container for having experiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Before describing in detail embodiments it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention resides in an improved burette and a semi-automatic filler device for conventional burette. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present invention and modify the various constructions of burette assembly. However, such modification should be construed within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device, instrument panel that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain present invention. The invention in respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.

In the present invention, the expression "suction pump" intended to cover an assembly of plunger and suction chamber, and/or a syringe. The expression "assembly of plunger and suction chamber" and "syringe" are interchangeable for the understanding of invention.

As shown in figure 2, the present semi-automatic burette filler (SABF) device for a conventional burette, comprising a polymeric conduit (10) having a first (11) and second end (12), wherein the first end (11) is being connected with a distal end (D) of a burette (B) and second end (12) of conduit is being connected with at least one assembly of plunger (1) and suction chamber or barrel (2), the assembly comprising a plunger (1) and reciprocate inside the barrel (2), the barrel having an inlet port (2i) and outlet port (2o) and at least one aperture (3) on the body, a threaded spacer (4) is being configured inside the barrel (2) along the plunger (1), the threaded spacer (4) is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger (1) so as to reciprocate along the plunger (1), the threaded spacer is being provided with means (5, 6) to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer (4) and plunger (1) inside the barrel (2), a pair of safety means (7, 8) are provided with elastic members (12,13) at the outlet port (2o) of the barrel (2) that are being in contact with the plunger (1), and a pair of mirrors (13, 14), wherein the first mirror mounted adjacent to burette the second mirror is held in hand of user.

To a conventional 50 ml glass burette (with Teflon stop cock (S)), a mirror (13) is attached near the stopcock (S) as shown in fig. 2. The mirror (13) is supported on a cantilever arm. The mirror (13) can rotate along the horizontal axis perpendicular to the length of the burette (B). The angle between the mirror (13) and burette (B) can also be changed by manipulating the cantilever support arm. Another mirror (14) (third eye) is held very close to the burette with the hand. The whole assembly is to check whether or not by affecting periscope like arrangement involving both the mirrors: fixed and hand held (third eye), would help a user in obtaining accurate reading of liquid level in the conventional 50 ml burette without parallax which is a cause of common error while recording readings as mentioned earlier.

As shown in figure 2, the conventional burette (B) can be easily assembled with a semi-automatic burette filler device. The burette can be operated by a wheel chair bound person or a person of short height. The method comprising the steps of placing the burette (B) vertical on burette stand (15) and keeping the proximal end (P) of burette inside a container (C) filled with solution which need to filed inside the burette, pulling the plunger (1) while placing finger on the aperture (3) of the barrel (2), so as so create vacuum in the barrel and solution of container climb up in the burette (B), up to a predefined height in the burette from its proximal end (P). For further repetition of experiments the big nut (5) and small nut (6) on the threaded spacer (4) can be adjusted in such a way that whenever the plunger (1) is pulled, a fix quantity of liquid solution can be climbed up in the burette (B). Hence, the present burette filler device is helpful to achieve an accurate amount of liquid solution in each and every trail. Once the solution reached to a desired height in the burette, the same can be verified and watch by taking a mirror in hand (14) and looking the meniscus height in another mirror (13) attached adjacent to the burette. After confirming the correct level, the user need to make sure that stop cock valve (S) of conventional burette remain tightly closed or sealed. Thereafter, removing the container (C) by adjusting the height of burette and placing another reagent bottle (16), and dispensing the solution filled in the glass conduit (B l) by pushing the plunger (1) up to any certain point for allowing the liquid to fall drop-by drop in a reagent container for having experiments smoothly. The pushing of plunger (1) can be carried out by user in a very controlled way and make sure that even a single drop of solution cannot be wasted. A combination of two syringes (50 & 20 mL) can be employed to dispense liquid as desired from a 50 mL burette.

The burette filler device according to the present disclosure provides quite different approach from to fill the convention burette. Here the solution is actually sucked up in the burette from its proximal end, which is altogether different from the conventional burette where the liquid solution is filled from the top end. Another important feature of the burette filler device is that that polymeric tube and assembly of plunger and suction chamber do not have ant contact with liquid solution filled in the burette, therefore the component and parts of the same has no wear and tear. Further, the whole assembly provide a leak proof and clean way to perform the experimentation in the laboratory. In addition, the liquid solutions which are volatile in nature, the present construction provide no loss of liquid solution from the burette. The assembly of plunger and suction chamber/ barrel provide efficient cleaning of the liquid solution remain in the burette, because by pushing the plunger, the solution remain in the burette can dispel out forcefully. Therefore, the burette is ready to take another or different solution.

Since the present set up does not require any use of stop cock valve, therefore there is significant reduction in breakage of burette during use. The mixing of solution under the burette is much simpler and easy.

As shown in figure 5, the modified burette (MB) devoid of stop cock valve for a wheel chair bound person or a person of short height, comprises a cylindrical glass conduit (B 1) with scale marking and devoid of stop cock valve, having a proximal end (P) and a distal end (D), a polymeric conduit having first (20) and second end (30), the second end (30) of polymeric conduit is being connected with a distal end (D) of the glass conduit (B l), at least one connector (31) to connect the first end (20) of polymeric conduit with at least one assembly (Al , A2) of plunger (32) and suction chamber or barrel (33), wherein a plunger (32) with or without grooves reciprocate inside the chamber or barrel (33), the barrel having at least one aperture (34) on the body, a threaded spacer (35) is being configured inside the barrel along the plunger, the threaded spacer (35) is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger so as to reciprocate along the plunger (32), the threaded spacer (35) is being provided with means to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer and plunger inside the barrel (33), a pair of safety means (36, 37) are provided with elastic members (38, 39) on the barrel that are being in contact with the plunger, and a pair of mirrors (40, 41), wherein the first mirror mounted adjacent to burette and the second mirror is held in hand of user.

The modified burette can be operated by a wheel chair bound person or a person of short height. The method comprising the steps of placing the glass conduit (B l) vertical on burette stand (65) and keeping the proximal end (P) of glass conduit (B l) inside a container (C) filled with solution which need to filed inside the glass conduit (B l), pulling the plunger (51) while placing finger on the aperture (53) of the barrel, so as so create vacuum in the barrel (52) and solution of container climb up in the glass conduit (Bl), up to a predefined height in the glass conduit (B l) from its proximal end (P). For further repetition of experiments the big nut (55) and small nut (56) on the threaded screw (54) can be adjusted in such a way that whenever the plunger is pulled, a fix quantity of liquid solution can be climbed up in the glass conduit (B l). Hence, the present modified burette is helpful to achieve an accurate amount of liquid solution in each and every trail. Once the solution reached to a desired height in the glass conduit (B l), the same can be verified and watch by taking a mirror in hand (64) and looking the meniscus height in another mirror (63) attached adjacent to the burette. Thereafter, removing the container (C) by adjusting the height of glass conduit (B l) and placing another reagent bottle (66), and dispensing the solution filled in the glass conduit (B l) by pushing the plunger (51) up to any certain point for allowing the liquid to fall drop-by drop in a reagent container (66) for having experiments smoothly. The pushing of plunger (51) can be carried out by user in a very controlled way and make sure that even a single drop of solution cannot be wasted. A combination of two syringes (50 & 20 mL) can be employed to dispense liquid as desired from a 50 mL burette as shown in figure 5. The workings of both syringes are similar as explained above.

The modified burette according to the present disclosure provides quite different approach. Here the solution is actually sucked up in the burette from its proximal end, which is altogether different from the conventional burette where the liquid solution is filled from the top end. Another important feature of the modified burette is that polymeric tube and assembly of plunger and suction chamber do not have any contact with liquid solution filled in the burette, therefore the component and parts of the same has no wear and tear. Further, the whole assembly provide a leak proof and clean way to perform the experimentation in the laboratory. In addition, the liquid solutions which are volatile in nature, the present modified burette provide no loss of liquid solution from the burette. The assembly of plunger and suction chamber/ barrel provide efficient cleaning of the liquid solution remain in the burette, because by pushing the plunger, the solution remain in the burette can dispel out forcefully. Therefore, the burette is ready to take another or different solution.

Since the present set up does not require any use of stop cock valve, therefore there is significant reduction in breakage of burette during use. The mixing of solution under the burette is much simpler and easy. In addition the cost of present modified burette is 20-30% less due to eliminating a non-complex construction of stop cock valve (S). The modified burette comprises the following components:

• A new glass conduit (B l) devoid of stop-cock/pinch-cock which has the same length and diameter as the conventional 50 ml glass burette. The new glass conduit burette is unique in this aspect as it has no stop cock and glass joint.

• A combination of two syringes (50 & 20 mL) as a console 1 and 2 to fill liquid into a 50 mL burette from the proximal end (P) of the burette attempted (bottom-up approach). With the help of console 1 and 2 a liquid can be safely sucked up into the burette approximately to the desired level.

• Use of spacer with adjustable nuts in the syringe to control filling of liquid into the burette. Therefore, this feature enables programming the amount of liquid that can be filled in the burette and is therefore semi-automatic in nature.

• Use of P/V (pressure/vacuum) regulator to control filling of a liquid into the burette. Hence, the filling of the liquid into the burette is achieved by simply pressing a button.

• A combination of two syringes (50 & 20 mL) to dispense liquid as desired from a 50 mL burette is successfully achieved. ADVANATGES OF PRESENT DISCLOSURE

Primary advantage of the present burette filler device & modified burette is to provide a burette whereby a liquid is filled into a burette from the bottom or dispensing/business end (bottom-up approach†. In the modified burette whereby a liquid is filled into a burette from the bottom or dispensing/business end that eliminates need of users with short heights to stretch themselves or climb stools to fill the burette or lower the burette to enable them to fill liquid. In the modified burette there is no need for fragile glass funnels. All users including wheel-chair bound will be able to fill liquid into the burette with lower risk of accident, repetitive stress injury (RSI) or damage to glassware. Another advantage of modified burette, whereby a liquid is filled into a burette up to the desired level and accurately dispenses desired amount of liquid for titration type work. The burette filler device & modified burette can have a suitable combination of syringes (i.e. assembly of plunger and suction chamber/ barrel) as positive displacement suction pump to perform multipurpose role: fills liquid into the burette from the bottom (bottom-up approach†) up to the desired level and accurately dispenses desired amount of liquid for titration type work. By doing burette required for titration can have a common positive displacement suction pump for liquid filling purpose, (b) expensive and defect prone conventional TEFLON/glass/pinch stop cocks seen on conventional burettes will be rendered redundant and not required for dispensing of liquid from the burette. According to the present disclosure on burette filler device & modified burette, it will be possible to insert the burette deep into a reagent bottle to suck up the low level liquid which is impossible with a conventional burette with a stopcock. The common problem of contents of burette leaking from the stop-cock zone will be eliminated. In the burette filler device & modified burette mirrors in periscope type arrangement to view the burette reading accurately. This will avoid parallax as explained earlier and even wheel chair bound users could record accurate readings on the burette independently without disturbing/lowering the burette and thereby minimizing the risk of accident, repetitive stress injury (RSI) or damage to glassware. REFERRAL NUMERAL TABLE

1, 51 Plunger

2, 52 Barrel

2i 52i inlet port of barrel

2o 52o Outlet pot of barrel

3, 53 Aperture

4, 54 Threaded spacer

5, 55 Adjusting Mean

6, 56 Adjusting Mean

7, 57 Safety Mean (screw)

8, 58 Safety Mean (screw)

9, 59 elastic member

9a, 59a elastic member

10, 60 Polymeric conduit

11, 61 First end of polymeric conduit

12, 62 Second end of polymeric conduit

13, 63 Mirror

14, 64 Hand held Mirror

15, 65 Burette Stand

16, 66 Reagent bottle

17, 67 Connector (Three way)

BF1, Al assemble 1 of plunger suction chamber/barrel

BF 2, A2 assemble 2 of plunger suction chamber/barrel

B Burette

B l Glass conduit

S Stop cock valve

F Funnel Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS:

1. A semi-automatic burette filler (SABF) device (100) for a conventional burette, comprising

a polymeric conduit (10) having a first (11) and second end (12), wherein the first end (11) is being connected with a distal end (D) of a burette (B) and second end (12) of conduit is being connected with at least one assembly of plunger (1) and suction chamber or barrel (2), the assembly comprising a plunger (1) and reciprocate inside the barrel (2), the barrel having an inlet port (2i) and outlet port (2o) and at least one aperture (3) on the body,

a threaded spacer (4) is being configured inside the barrel (2) along the plunger (1), the threaded spacer (4) is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger (1) so as to reciprocate along the plunger (1), the threaded spacer is being provided with means (5, 6) to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer (4) and plunger (1) inside the barrel (2),

a pair of safety means (7, 8) are provided with elastic members (9, 9a) at the outlet port (2o) of the barrel (2) that are being in contact with the plunger (1), and

a pair of mirrors (13,14) wherein the first mirror mounted adjacent to burette the second mirror is held in hand of user.

2. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrel (2) is made of plastic and plunger is made of elastomeric material.

3. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrel (2) is having inlet port (2i) is either centrally placed or offset from the centre.

4. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet port (2i) of barrel is preferably in the shape and size of second end of polymeric conduit.

5. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger (1) is having V-shape grooves (11).

6. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threaded spacer (4) is a bolt with thread and being provided with double nut system (5,6) and mounted with plunger with elastic member (9, 9a).

7. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the double nut system (5, 6) comprising one big nut (5) and one small nut (6) and located outside the outlet port (2o) of barrel.

8. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the big nut (5) displace by sliding to and fro along the length of the threaded spacer (4) to any extent on threaded spacer and locked by the smaller nut (6) at any desired location on the threaded spacer.

9. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the small nut (6) displace along the length of the threaded spacer (4), upon rotating clockwise or anticlockwise around the longitudinal axis of the threaded spacer.

10. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the big nut (5) comes in contact with barrel outlet port (2o), while plunger (1) is pushed inside the barrel (2) and thereby achieve desired plunger movement inside the barrel.

11. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the double nut system (5,6) along with the threaded spacer assists to fill the burette in a predetermined manner to any meniscus level.

12. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the meniscus level is pre-selected in the range of 1 ml to 50 ml.

13. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety means are two screw (7,8) with or without thread with rubber sleeve (9, 9a) and positioned at 180° to each other at the inner side of the outlet port of barrel.

14. The burette filler device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety means (7,8) prevent the plunger from being inadvertently pulled out of the barrel and loss of suction, while the user is filling any liquid in the burette and also prevent plunger's inward movement due to the force exerted by the atmospheric pressure due to presence of partial vacuum created inside the barrel, when the plunger is pulled out by the user to fill a liquid in the burette, thereby achieve accuracy in filling the burette.

15. A burette arrangement comprising a burette (B) connected by a connector (17, 67) with at least one semi-automatic burette filler (SABF) device as claimed in claims 1 to 14.

16. The burette arrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein burette (B) is connected either permanently or temporarily with burette filler device.

17. The burette arrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the connector is selected from two way connector or three way connector or four way connector.

18. The burette arrangement as claimed in claim 15, wherein the burette is connected temporarily with burette filler instrument by a connector having first opening in accordance with second end of polymeric conduit and second/ third openings in accordance with inlet port of burette filler device .

19. The burette arrangement as claimed in claims 15 to 18, wherein the connector is a conduit of glass or elastomeric material.

20. The burette arrangement as claimed in claim 15 & 19, wherein the connector is preferably a three way connector (67) of elastomeric material that is having a proximal end being connected with second end of polymeric conduit and other ends is connected to inlet port of burette filler device (SABF), so as to form essentially an air tight joints.

21. A burette arrangement for a person on wheel chair or of short height comprising a burette (B) connected with at least two semi-automatic burette filler (SABF) (BF1 and BF2) device/console by a polymeric conduit and a connector, whereby each burette filler instrument /console (BF1 & BF2) having

at least two assembly (BF1 & BF2) of plunger (1) and suction chamber or barrel (2), wherein the assembly comprising a plunger (1) and reciprocate inside the barrel (2), the barrel having an inlet port (2i) and outlet port (2o) and at least one aperture (3) on the body, a threaded spacer (4) is being configured inside the barrel (2) along the plunger, the threaded spacer is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger so as to reciprocate along the plunger, the threaded spacer is being provided with means (5, 6) to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer and plunger inside the barrel,

a pair of safety means (7, 8) are provided with elastic members (9, 9a) at the outlet port of the barrel (2) that are being in contact with the plunger,

the connector (17) having three way opening to connect the polymeric conduit (10) with two assembly (BFl & BF2), that are at positioned at 90° or 180° to each other, and

a pair of mirrors (13, 14), wherein the first mirror (13) mounted adjacent to burette and the second mirror (14) is held in hand of user.

22. The burette arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plunger in the first and second assembly of plunger & barrel (BFl, BF2) is capable to move horizontally.

23. The burette arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first (BFl) and second (BF2) assembly of plunger & barrel are having either of same capacity or variable capacity.

24. The burette arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first (BFl) and second assembly (BF2) of plunger & barrel having capacity is in the range of 1 ml to 50 ml.

25. The burette arrangement as claimed in claims 21 having lower risk of occurrence of repetitive stress injuries during titration.

26. A modified burette (MB) (50) devoid of stop cock valve for a wheel chair bound person or a person of short height, comprising

a cylindrical glass conduit (B l) with scale marking and devoid of stop cock valve, having a proximal end (P) and a distal end (D), a polymeric conduit (60) having first (61) and second end (62), the second end (62) of polymeric conduit is being connected with a distal end (D) of the glass conduit (B l),

at least one connector (67) to connect the second end (62) of polymeric conduit with at least one assembly (Al , A2) of plunger (51) and suction chamber or barrel (52), wherein a plunger (51) with or without grooves reciprocate inside the chamber or barrel (52), the barrel (52) having at least one aperture (53) on the body,

a threaded spacer (54) is being configured inside the barrel along the plunger, the threaded spacer (54) is being adapted and accommodated in the space available in the plunger so as to reciprocate along the plunger (51), the threaded spacer (54) is being provided with means (55, 56) to adjust the displacement of the threaded spacer and plunger inside the barrel (52),

a pair of safety means (57, 58) are provided with elastic members

(59, 59a) on the barrel (52) that are being in contact with the plunger (51), and

a pair of mirrors (63, 64), wherein the first mirror mounted adjacent to burette and the second mirror is held in hand of user.

27. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the proximal end (P) of glass conduit is a converging section.

28. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the glass conduit having markings up to 50 cm or above, preferably up to 50 cm.

29. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the barrel (52) is made of plastic and plunger is made of elastomeric material.

30. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the barrel (52) is having inlet port (33i) is either centrally placed or offset from the centre.

31. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the inlet port (33i) of barrel is preferably in the shape and size of second end of polymeric conduit.

32. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the plunger (51) is having V-shape grooves (11).

33. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the threaded spacer (54) is a bolt with thread and being provided with double nut system (55, 56) and mounted with plunger with elastic member (59, 59a).

34. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the double nut system (55, 56) comprising one big nut (55) and one small nut (56) and located outside the outlet port (52o) of barrel.

35. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the big nut (55) displace by sliding to and fro along the length of the threaded spacer (54) to any extent on threaded spacer and locked by the smaller nut (56) at any desired location on the threaded spacer.

36. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the small nut (56) displace along the length of the threaded spacer (54), upon rotating clockwise or anticlockwise around the longitudinal axis of the threaded spacer.

37. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the big nut (55) comes in contact with barrel outlet port (52o), while plunger (51) is pushed inside the barrel (52) and thereby achieve desired plunger movement inside the barrel.

38. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the double nut system (55, 56) along with the threaded spacer assists to fill the burette in a pre-determined manner to any meniscus level.

39. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the meniscus level is pre-selected in the range of 1 ml to 50 ml.

40. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the safety means are two screw (57, 58) with or without thread with rubber sleeve (59, 59a) and positioned at 180° to each other at the inner side of the outlet port of barrel.

41. The modified burette (MB) as claimed in claim 26, wherein the safety means (57, 58) prevent the plunger from being inadvertently pulled out of the barrel and loss of suction, while the user is filling any liquid in the burette and also prevent plunger's inward movement due to the force exerted by the atmospheric pressure due to presence of partial vacuum created inside the barrel, when the plunger is pulled out by the user to fill a liquid in the burette, thereby achieve accuracy in filling the burette.

42. A method of operating the modified burette as claimed in claim 26 to 41, by a wheel chair bound person or a person of short height comprising the steps of a. placing the glass conduit (B l) vertically on burette stand and keeping the proximal end (P) of burette inside the container (C) filled with solution,

b. connecting the polymeric conduit (60) with assembly of plunger (Al, A2) and suction chamber or barrel with airtight sealing,

c. pulling the plunger (51) while placing finger on the aperture (53) of the barrel (52), so as so create vacuum in the barrel and solution climb up in the burette up to a predefined height in the burette from its proximal end (P), as per the adjustment of big nut (55) and small nut (56) on the threaded screw (54) in the barrel (52),

d. watching and checking the level of liquid solution in glass conduit (G) by a pair of mirrors (63, 64),

e. removing the container (C) by adjusting the height of burette and placing another reagent container (66),

f. dispensing the solution filled in the glass conduit (B) by pushing the plunger (51) up to any certain point for allowing the liquid to fall drop- by drop in a reagent container for having experiments.