Method and apparatus for transferring liquid

Apparatus for transferring identical small quantities of liquid from each of a multiplicity of individual supply containers arranged in predetermined relative locations to a corresponding multiplicity of closely spaced receptacles arranged in the same relative locations, with random spacing between the various associated pairs of receptacles and relatively located containers, which comprises means for establishing separate continuous passage direct fluid communication between each container and its associated receptacle, and means for simultaneously forcing liquid under pressure from each container into its associated receptacle for a predetermined time while relatively controlling the flow in each passage so that during said predetermined time the same measured amount of liquid is dispensed from each passage into each receptacle.

A liquid transfer system comprising means defining a fluid pressure chamber, means for mounting a multiplicity to open top containers in said chamber each adapted to contain a supply of liquid to be transferred, means providing a corresponding multiplicity of passage defining elements within said chamber, each element being adapted to extend within an individual container and each being open at its upper end through the top of said chamber, a corresponding multiplicity of conduits each having one end connected to a passage defining element, valve means into which the other ends of said conduits extend, means in said valve means for normally holding said other ends of said conduits closed to liquid flow, means providing a multiplicity of closely spaced receptacles at said valve means, there being a receptacle aligned with the other end of each conduit, means for pressurizing said chamber to force liquid out of each container into and through its associated conduit, and means for actuating said valve means for simultaneously opening all of said conduit other ends for a predetermined time to allow discharge of liquid into all of the associated receptacles for said predetermined time.

In apparatus for simultaneously transferring small metered amounts of liquid from each of a multiplicity of containers to a corresponding multiplicity of closely adjacent receptacles where some of the receptacles are disposed at different distances from the associated containers, means providing individual continuous direct passage between each container and its associated receptacle, pinch valve means operable for closing and periodically opening the passages disposed adjacent the discharge ends of said passages, all of said passages comprising at their discharge ends resilient terminal sections that terminate in said pinch valve means and are of such predetermined length and internal flow passage cross sectional area as to provide substantially equal resistance to liquid flow therethrough and discharge of substantially equal amounts of liquid from each passage during valve open periods, and there being passage sections of appreciably larger internal flow passage cross sectional area extending from said terminal sections to the respective containers.

In apparatus for simultaneously transferring metered amounts of liquid from each of a number of containers to a corresponding number of receptacles where some of the receptacles are disposed at different distances from the associated containers, and wherein said receptacles are open top cells in a single test tray means providing individual passages between each container and its associated receptacle, valve means operable for closing and opening the passages disposed adjacent the discharge ends of said conduits, all of said passages comprising at their discharge ends terminal conduit sections of the same length and internal flow passage cross sectional area regardless of the overall length of the passage and sections of appreciably larger internal flow passage cross sectional area extending from the terminal sections to the containers, mounting means for said tray movable between a locating position and a receptacle fill position below said valve means with each tubing and located above a different cell, and means whereby said valve means is inoperable to open the conduit ends unless the tray is moved into said fill position.

Apparatus for transferring identical small quantities of liquid from each of a multiplicity of individual supply containers arranged in predetermined relative locations to a corresponding multiplicity of small capacity open receptacles arranged in the same relative locations, with random spacing between the various associated pairs of receptacles and relatively located containers, which comprises individual lengths of tubing of random length extending to establish direct separate fluid communication between each container and its associated receptacle and terminating at the receptacle in a resilient discharge section and means including pinch valve means within which said resilient discharge ends terminate for simultaneously delivering liquid under pressure from each container into its associated receptacle for a predetermined time while relatively controlling the flow in each tubing so that during said predetermined time the same amount of liquid is discharged from each tubing into its associated receptacle.

In apparatus for simultaneously transferring metered small amounts of liquid directly from a number of individual supply containers to a corresponding number of receptacles in the form of open top wells in a test tray wherein each of said wells has an identifiable positional relationship to a respective associated container and some of the wells are disposed at different respective distances from their associated containers, means providing individual lengths of resilient tubing extending from each container, means disposing the discharge end of each tubing length above its associated well, and cyclically operable pinch valve means receiving the discharge ends of said tubing lengths for closing and periodically opening all of said tubing lengths for simultaneous accurate discharge of predetermined small amounts of liquid into said wells during valve open periods.