Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – With conveying means to supply successive receivers – Sampler type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-02-06
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
With conveying means to supply successive receivers
Sampler type
C141S001000, C422S105000, C073S864250
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182719
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relate to a distribution apparatus for distributing liquid samples used in biochemical and the like fields, a method of the distribution and a method of fitting distribution tips.
2. Description of the Related Art
Distributing liquid samples or reagents in small quantities to sample vessels, or a microplate, is a common operation practiced during experimentation or analysis in the biochemical field, for example. The distribution is performed by sucking/discharging a certain liquid using a distribution nozzle. The distribution nozzle is usually fitted with a disposable distribution tip, which is replaced with a new one at any time whenever necessary.
The distribution tip is fitted to the distribution nozzle by inserting the lower end of the latter into a pipet-shaped opening of the distribution tip at the upper end. Fixing of a distribution tip to a distribution nozzle solely depends on the elastic fastening force of an elastic resin-made distribution tip surrounding the lower end of the distribution nozzle. As a result, if an external force is applied to a distribution tip during, or after, a fitting operation, the distribution tip may not be attached straight relative to the distribution nozzle, and the bottom end of the distribution tip will be dislocated. A small amount of dislocation may not cause any material trouble if the diameter of a well in the receiving microplate is sufficiently large. Namely, a small amount of dislocation is acceptable so long as the distribution tip is inserted in the well, and the sucking/discharging of liquid is performed without having any difficulty.
Recently, however, the diameter of wells on a microplate is getting smaller reflecting the general trend of pursuing a higher efficiency in the experimental work and a reduced consumption of samples and reagents. When such a microplate having the small wells is used on a conventional distribution apparatus, the distributing operation may not be performed satisfactorily because of a displaced location of the distribution tip.
The present invention addresses the above problem and offers a distribution apparatus in which the inconveniences stemming from a dislocated distribution tip are curtailed. The methods of distribution, as well as methods of fitting the distribution tip are also offered in the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A distribution apparatus for sucking liquid and discharging the liquid into a vessel in accordance with one preferred mode of the present invention comprises a plurality of nozzles, distribution tips to be attached/detached to the lower end of the nozzles, and distribution tip alignment means for aligning the distribution tips relative to a formation.
A method of distributing liquid in accordance with one preferred mode of the present invention comprises the steps of attaching distribution tips to the lower end of a plurality of nozzles, aligning the bottom end of the distribution tips attached to the lower end of the nozzles relative to a formation, and sucking liquid through the aligned distribution tips and discharging the liquid into a vessel.
A method of fitting distribution tips to the lower end of a plurality of nozzles in accordance with one preferred mode of the present invention comprises the steps of provisionally attaching the distribution tips to the plurality of nozzles by inserting the lower end of the nozzles into upper openings of the distribution tips, aligning the provisionally attached distribution tips relative to a formation using the distribution tip alignment means, and attaching the provisionally attached distribution tips completely to the nozzles.
Thus, any displacement of the plurality of distribution tips, which are attached to the lower end of the plurality of nozzles, is corrected by aligning the distribution tips relative to a correct formation by the distribution tip alignment means. Therefore, the distribution of liquid is performed reliably in a normal manner even if the diameter of a well is small.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5190727 (1993-03-01), Hirsch
patent: 5232669 (1993-08-01), Pardinas
patent: 5827745 (1998-10-01), Astle
patent: 6006800 (1999-12-01), Nakano
Jacyna J. Casimer
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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