Pipette tip filter inserter and method therefore
AssigneeWays & Means, Inc.
InventorsPeter L. Lamont, Ali Vafaei
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for and a device to insert filters into disposable pipette tips uses a turntable adapted to receive a plurality of tips adjacent its circumference and powered by a stepping motor to incrementally rotate pipette tips to various positions for appropriate actions. After a tip is placed in the turntable, it is moved successively to a position where a filter of predetermined size may be inserted into the tip. The filter is then tamped into the desired final position at still another position. After checking for the presence of a filter, the pipette is removed from the turntable.
Claims15
A device for cutting and inserting filters in pipette tips comprising:
- conveying means for transporting a pipette tip from a first position to at least one subsequent later position,
- an elongated fiber filter,
- cutting means for cutting a predetermined length of said elongated fiber filter,
- inserting means for inserting said predetermined length of said elongated fiber filter into the pipette tip,
- filter sensing means for determining if the pipette tip arriving in said subsequent later position has received a filter, and
- removal means for removing only those pipette tips from the conveying means that have received a filter,
- said conveying means comprising a turntable and rotating means for rotating the turntable in increments of a circle so that a pipette tip may be transported from said first position to the at least one subsequent later position, said turntable defining a series of equally spaced holes adjacent the circumference thereof, each hole adapted to receive a pipette tip, and
- tamper means for seating an inserted filter at a predetermined location in said pipette tip before said pipette tip arrives in said subsequent later position.
A device for cutting and inserting filters in pipette tips comprising:
- conveying means for transporting a pipette tip from a first position to at least one subsequent later position,
- an elongated fiber filter,
- cutting means for cutting a predetermined length of said elongated fiber filter,
- inserting means for inserting said predetermined length of said elongated fiber filter into the pipette tip,
- filter sensing means for determining if the pipette tip arriving in said subsequent later position has received a filter, removal means for removing only those pipette tips from the conveying means that have received a filter, and
- tamper means for seating an inserted filter at a predetermined location in said pipette tip before said pipette tip arrives at said subsequent later position.
A device for cutting and inserting filters in pipette tips comprising:
- conveying means for transporting a pipette tip from a first position to at least one subsequent later position,
- an elongated fiber filter,
- cutting means for cutting a predetermined length of said elongated fiber filter,
- inserting mean for inserting said predetermined length of said elongated fiber filter into the pipette tip,
- filter sensing means for determining if the pipette tip arriving in said subsequent later position has received a filter, and
- removal means for removing only those pipette tips from the conveying means that have received a filter,
- said conveying means comprising a turntable and rotating means for rotating the turntable in increments of a circle so that a pipette tip may be transported from said first position to the at least one subsequent later position, said turntable defining a series of equally spaced holes adjacent the circumference thereof, each hole adapted to receive a pipette tip, and
- means for determining whether a pipette tip is properly position in one of said holes before said hole reaches said first position and the device further including means for deactivating the turntable upon a determination that no pipette tip is in one of the said holes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.