Patents Examined by Michael S. Gzybowski
  • Patent number: 4515752
    Abstract: A stopper for containers for use in analyses including a resilient body having a cavity closed by a perforatable transverse wall provided with slits defining segments. The slits allow for the opening of the stopper when a tubular member is inserted in the cavity and closing the stopper when the segments return to the initial position thereof. The cavity is provided with a plurality of longitudinal ribs adapted for defining passages for air between the body and the tubular member. The stopper may slide within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Inventor: Fernando X. Miramanda
  • Patent number: 4515753
    Abstract: The integral reagent dispenser disclosed comprises a reagent dispenser component provided with a reagent dispenser well having an opening adapted to present a liquid reagent for withdrawal therethrough and means to position a lens of liquid immiscible with said reagent between the reagent and the opening of said well. For example, the dispenser can have suitable dimensions and an inner surface which combine with the wetting characteristics of the reagent to form a concave reagent meniscus suitable to reliably position a lens of immiscible liquid thereon. The lens so formed is centrally located by the concave shape of the meniscus. Preferably, the reagent dispenser further includes an integrally associated source of reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Technicon Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Smith, Vito F. Christiano
  • Patent number: 4510250
    Abstract: Described is a method for measuring hair damage by copper uptake using in the process a simple hair volume measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Revlon, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard L. Kabacoff, Alok K. Govil
  • Patent number: 4503011
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the blood group of an individual. The apparatus comprises a carrier plate slidably mounted for horizontal movement and adapted to support an analysis holder. The analysis holder is provided with several series of cavities adapted to hold blood samples, agglutination reactants, and mixtures of the two for analysis. A block of distribution needles associated with pumping means is slidably mounted for vertical movement. The number of needles in the distribution block and the number cavities in each series in the analysis holder is the same. The movements of the block of distribution needles and of the carrier plate are synchronized, when initiated, so as to cause blood samples and reactants to be pumped from their respective cavities in the analysis holder through their corresponding needles to analysis cavities. Analysis is by optical density detecting means associated with means for displaying the analytical results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Finamex Finance Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Hubeau
  • Patent number: 4501817
    Abstract: To avoid the problem of instrumental drift encountered when using an open-split interface between a temperature-programmed gas-liquid chromatography column and a mass spectrometer, the inert gas supplied to the open-split interface and the interface itself are heated to a temperature above the maximum temperature attained by the chromatography column during the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Brian D. Andresen, Kwokei J. Ng
  • Patent number: 4499054
    Abstract: A cation emission type halogenated hydrocarbon gas detecting element comprising a cation source, a heating means and an ion collector electrode, which is characterized in that said cation source consist essentially of .beta.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, wherein substantially all cation species occupy a position in the crystal lattice structure of the source. By employing .beta.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, the detecting element can be more miniaturized and can work at lower temperature than a conventional cation emission type electrode comprising the cation source made of steatite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Katsura, Mituo Harata, Osamu Takikawa, Masayuki Shiratori
  • Patent number: 4499053
    Abstract: Liquid sampling apparatus includes a hollow sample intake tube that has an inlet port adapted to receive sample material to be analyzed, and is mounted on a support for movement about a fixed pivot between a reset position and at least two sample intake positions. Also mounted on the support is manually manipulable drive link structure that carries a slider assembly that receives the intake tube. Track structure on the support guides movement of the link structure to slide the slide member along the intake tube between a reset position in which the inlet port is aligned with a waste receptacle, a first sample in which the inlet port extends forward of the slide assembly for insertion into a sample container, and a second sample in which the inlet port is housed in coupling structure carried by the slider assembly and presented to the operator for connection of a transfer device such as a capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Jones
  • Patent number: 4497898
    Abstract: By means of a novel triple-beam spectrophotometer, the protein and fat contents in milk can be simultaneously and rapidly determined. The system is self-compensating for discrepancies in the light path and for variations in lamp intensity, thereby yielding highly accurate analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Maynard E. Anderson, Robert T. Marshall, Mark M. Hulse
  • Patent number: 4496424
    Abstract: A III-V compound semiconducting single crystal is manufactured by a method using an encapsulant, which method comprises allowing the molten mass of a material for the crystal melted in advance under high pressure to be placed under a pressure lower than the pressure to be exerted during the work of pulling the crystal thereby causing the molten mass to generate bubbles and allowing the departing bubbles to entrain impurities from the molten mass, bringing a seed crystal into contact with the molten mass, applying a potential to the molten mass thereby determining the impurity concentration of the molten mass based on the results of the measurement and, after the impurity concentration of the molten mass determined as described above has reached a prescribed level, initiating the work of pulling the crystal from the molten mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignees: Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & Technology
    Inventors: Kazutaka Terashima, Tsuguo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 4492673
    Abstract: A small, unitary, disposable sobriety self-tester of the balloon type in which a mouthpiece and a chemical indicator tube are permanently mounted on one side of an apertured base plate whose other side opens into a balloon sealed to the base plate. The mouthpiece and indicator tube may be sealed and filled with an inert gas so as to avoid the need for desiccants in the system, and thereby improve its ease of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Sobryco, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbur R. Eriksen, Harry E. Payne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4489164
    Abstract: A transparent glass detection tube contains a bed of silica gel which has been impregnated with sulfuric acid. One end of the tube is open to the outside air while the other end is connected to a sampling pump. Outside air is drawn through the tube and aldehydes and moisture in the air are separated and adsorbed on sequential lengthwise portions of the gel bed. At the end of the sampling period, xylene vapors are drawn through the silica gel forming a brownish tint stain on that portion of the bed that has adsorbed aldehydes. The length of the stain is a measure of the amount of aldehydes present in the air sample, i.e. the dosage exposure to aldehydes during the sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Paul W. McConnaughey, Elmer S. McKee
  • Patent number: 4487055
    Abstract: In a breath alcohol testing device, including a breath-receiving tube, a fuel cell chamber communicating with the tube, a fuel cell within the chamber and a movable wall, for example, a diaphragm, mounted adjacent the fuel cell, to be moved reciprocably between a down position at which the wall is relatively close to the fuel cell and an up position at which the wall is relatively far from the fuel cell, the movement of the wall acting to pump breath to and from the fuel cell, the movable wall defines one wall of the fuel cell chamber, breath in the space between the movable wall and the fuel cell being in substantially unrestricted communication with the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Alcotek, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl Wolf
  • Patent number: 4487651
    Abstract: A method for making single crystals of metal or other crystallizing materials whereby powders of irregular shaped single crystal particles (as small as 325 mesh or about 50 microns) may be readily and economically made. Said method comprises the steps of: (a) forming thin individual coatings on each of said particles such as oxides of metals on metal particles; (b) melting the particle material within said coatings which function as individual particle crucibles; (c) cooling the melted particles within the coatings to form individual single crystals each within its own coating: and (d) removing the coating such as by solvation with a solvent or by chemical reaction. The single crystal particles conform to the original shape of the particles which may be irregular. Such irregular shaped single crystals, such as of zinc, when used in electrochemical cell anodes enables the utilization of reduced amounts of mercury for amalgamation thereof without significant increase in cell gassing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 4483825
    Abstract: A pipette having a liquid receiving hollow generally encompassed by deformable side walls, the pipette further has a tapered liquid outlet extending from one end of the hollow and a liquid inlet on the other end of the hollow within which is located a semi-permeable filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: Keith R. Fatches
  • Patent number: 4478792
    Abstract: A gas dosimeter comprises a stack of porous sheets, impregnated with a reagent that changes color on contact with the gas to be determined, contained in a housing which has an opening to expose one end of the stack to the atmosphere to be tested. The gas to be determined penetrates by diffusion the layers of porous sheets, causing the sheets in the stack to change color sequentially from the end of the stack exposed to the atmosphere. The degree of penetration through the layers of porous sheets is a function of dosage exposure. The housing may be transparent with each superposed sheet in the stack being larger than the adjacent underlying sheet, so that each sheet is visible through the housing endwall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Paul W. McConnaughey, Elmer S. McKee
  • Patent number: 4477308
    Abstract: The method for growing heteroepitaxial multiconstituent material on a substrate comprises deposition of a thin disordered layer of a "template-forming" material, i.e., material containing at least one constituent of the multiconstituent material to be grown, and differing in chemical composition from at least the substrate material, on the substrate surface at a relatively low deposition temperature, raising the substrate temperature to an intermediate transformation temperature, thereby causing the template-forming material to undergo a reaction that results in formation of "template" material, typically material having substantially the same composition as the multiconstituent material to be grown. Onto the thus formed template layer is then deposited the material for the epitaxial multiconstituent layer. This general process is exemplified by the growth of NiSi.sub.2 on a Si substrate, by first depositing at room temperature about 18.ANG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: John M. Gibson, John M. Poate, Raymond T. Tung
  • Patent number: 4472355
    Abstract: A liquid sample subject to inclusion of impurities is concentrated by a predetermined concentration factor selected by an operator, with the concentrated sample being thereafter provided to an analyzer so that a meaningful chemical analysis may be performed. A first pump delivers the sample to a liquid reservoir at a first rate and the liquid is boiled to provide a liquid-vapor mixture, with the liquid portion of the mixture being returned to the reservoir by means of a vapor separator. Another pump delivers the concentrated reservoir fluid to an analyzer at a second flowrate, with the ratio of the flowrate of the first pump to the second pump being equivalent to the desired concentration factor. In another embodiment, a faster response time is attained by first boiling the input sample and providing the liquid which is separated from the liquid-vapor mixture to a relatively small reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: William M. Hickam, William A. Byers
  • Patent number: 4464339
    Abstract: A gas sensor element for detecting the presence of a flammable gas comprises an electrical resistance filament surrounded by a bead which is formed by an array of alumina particles interspersed between and bound together only by particles of a catalyst to form an open porous gas diffusive skeletal matrix having a mean particle size of less than 20 nm. When the bead includes such a matrix, the number of active sites at which catalytic oxidation of flammable gases can take place is greatly increased with the result that the sensor element is very resistant to poisoning by atmospheric contaminants such as traces of silicone and sulphur compounds. The sensor thus has a very much longer life and does not require such frequent recalibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: International Gas Detectors Limited
    Inventor: Gordon S. Wilkinson-Tough
  • Patent number: 4463097
    Abstract: In a method and device for bringing a liquid sample successively into contact with a number of reagents, contact with the reagents is effected in a series of cells. These cells communicate with one another and are carried by a rotor, transfer of the liquid sample from one cell to another being effected by rotating the rotor. The direction of rotation of the rotor is reversed after each transfer operation. The number of cells constituting the series is at least equal to the number of reagents. The reagents are placed in the cells beforehand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: Jean Guigan
  • Patent number: 4454095
    Abstract: An automatic chemical analysis device particularly designed for determination of carbon content in liquid samples comprises a turret with peripheral cavities to receive and transport tubular encased liquid sample ampoules, a base plate on which the turret is journaled for rotation, a conveyor to deliver the encased ampoules into the turret cavities, an index unit to position ampoules at a work station, a sealable chamber into which encased ampoules may be inserted, a plunger to raise the encased ampoules into the chamber, a purge tube extending into the chamber from above, a gas supply to the purge tube and a piston to move the purge tube up and down in the chamber.The method of analysis comprises breaking the tops of ampoules when positioned in the chamber by lowering the purge tube and then flowing a gas through the tube into the liquid sample in the opened ampoule and then out the chamber to a gas analyzer. Successive samples are moved by the turret to the work station for automated, repeated analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Harbor Branch Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Holt