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Method and apparatus for dispensing liquids    

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United States Patent4811866   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/4811866.html
Inventor(s)Golias; Tipton (Beaumont, TX)
AbstractAn apparatus for dispensing a liquid is provided which is adapted to be attached to a container such as a test tube and includes a hollow resilient dispensing member having a nipple at one end through which a liquid is dispensed in a dropwise manner. The dispensing member is formed of a resilient material which enables liquid to be dispensed therethrough by squeezing the sides of the dispensing member. In a modification, the dispensing member is provided with an internal filter by which fluid can be conveniently filtered as it is dispensed. A method for dispensing a liquid from a container using the apparatus of the present invention is also provided.
   














 Title Information Submit all comments and votes
 
Patent Text Patent PDF Print Page Summary File History
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Inventor     Golias; Tipton (Beaumont, TX)
Owner/Assignee     Helena Laboratories Corporation (Beaumont, TX)
Patent assignment
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Company News
Publication Date     March 14, 1989
Application Number     07/000,266
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     January 2, 1987
US Classification     222/189.06 222/215 222/420 422/934
Int'l Classification     B67D 005/58
Examiner     Rolla; Joseph J.
Assistant Examiner     Noland; Kenneth
Attorney/Law Firm     Spencer & Frank
Address
Parent Case    
Priority Data    
USPTO Field of Search     222/187 222/206 222/215 222/214 222/209 222/420 604/414
Patent Tags     dispensing liquids
   
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 Technical Review Submit all comments and votes
 Claims Submit all comments and votes
 


What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a container having at least one opening, comprising:

a flexible elongated member having a longitudinal axis and having a bore therethrough, said flexible elongated member being adapted to be connected to said container at said one container opening;

said flexible elongated member connected to said container to form a substantially fluid-tight seal;

said flexible elongated member including a first tapering fluid constricting portion which receives a filter therein, and a second tapering fluid constricting portion, said first and second tapering fluid constructing portions being longitudinally spaced apart and interconnected by a body portion;

said apparatus having first and second outermost ends, said second outermost end extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and including an opening therein in communication with said bore; and

whereby said flexible elongated member as connected to said container forms a continuous passage through which liquid flows from said container through the opening in said container and through the bore of the flexible elongated member, in response to external force applied upon said flexible elongated member in a generally inward direction.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a filter positioned in said bore of said flexible elongated member.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first outermost end includes a nipple having an opening therein, said nipple being disposed at said first outermost end of said flexible elongated member and communicating with said bore, said nipple having at least one open end; whereby said continuous passage through which said liquid flows includes said nipple and the nipple opening.

4. The invention of claim 3 further comprising a cap which fits snugly over said nipple and prevents evaporation and leakage of said liquid through said nipple opening.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said nipple is integrally formed as part of said flexible elongated member.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated member has a centrally disposed longitudinal bore therethrough.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated member is force fit into sealing engagement with said container.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated member is force fit into sealing engagement on the outer surface of said container.

9. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated member is threaded into sealing engagement with said container.
 Description Submit all comments and votes
 


TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to dispensing methods and apparatus and more specifically to methods and apparatus for separating, filtering and dispensing liquids such as blood serum, saline-washed red blood cells, and other biological fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The separation and analysis of chemical substances provides valuable quantitative and qualitative data for use by researchers and health care providers. Many assaying techniques have been deviced which utilize sensitive chemical and instrument tests to detect both normal and abnormal components of biological fluids. In particular, the analysis of blood samples yields information which is critical to the proper diagnosis and treatment of many illnesses. To perform a blood test, a sample is obtained and then prepared for analysis by one of the many analytical procedures currently available. The preparation of the sample typically requires that the various sample components be separated in order to obtain a more nearly homogeneous specimen for testing, such as isolating blood serum which is then dispensed for analysis. The amount of serum protein, proteinbound iodine, sodium, triglycerides, salicylate, uric acid and the like can all be determined through the separation and analysis of blood components. Hence, fast and accurate methods for preparing and dispensing samples for analysis are highly desirable.

The task of conveniently and efficiently dispensing a liquid, such as a biological fluid, from a container such as a test tube is encountered routinely by lab workers in a variety of circumstances. The mouth of a test tube must be large enough for material to be readily added to the tube chamber; however, this feature makes it difficult to dispense fluid from the test tube. Conventional dispensing techniques are only marginally effective in many applications. For example, decanting a liquid from a precipitate using a stirring rod requires considerable manipulative skill and fails to provide adequate control over the volume of liquid to be dispensed. Similarly, while providing a lip or spout on a container may help direct the flow of fluid somewhat, volume control is still not attained and splashing often occurs. The transfer of liquids is more accurately controlled with a dropper pipet; however, this requires that a pipet be provided and that the pipetting operation be preformed each time a liquid sample is dispensed.

Particularly in the environment of processing and dispensing biological fluids, a simple and convenient method and apparatus are needed so that a fluid can be easily dispensed from a container such as a test tube. The present invention provides such a method and apparatus whereby virtually any liquid can be easily dispensed without the use of complicated pouring techniques and devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an elongate, hollow, resilient dispensing device adapted to be engaged on the open end of a test tube or other similar container. The hollow dispensing device includes a resilient tube having a broad opening at one end and a nipple at the other end. A filter may also be provided within the resilient tube such that fluid passing through the dispensing device passes through the filter. In the metod of the present invention, the resilient dispensing tube is attached to the mouth of a container such as a test tube containing a liquid sample so that the dispensing tube is frictionally engaged by the container wall in a concentric manner to form a seal. The nipple end extends out beyond the open end of the container as does a substantial portion of the resilient dispensing tube. The container and attached sampling tube are then inverted so that the liquid to be dispensed flows into the resilient sampling tube. If a filter is provided, the liquid flows through the filter to remove any unwanted components such as gel. By squeezing the sides of the resilient sampling tube, one or more drops of fluid can be accurately dispensed through the nipple. A cup is also provided which prevents evaporation or leakage of the sample through the nipple opening.

The present invention further provides both a method by which a stratified layer of filtrate can be isolated and conveniently dispensed from a sampling apparatus, and a sampling apparatus which can be used to separate and dispense a filtrate at a controlled rate. Hence, the present invention is adapted to be attached to a conventional sampling container apparatus for dispensing a precise quantity of liquid at a controlled rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of the present invention with a partially threaded resilient dispensing member closely