Patents by Inventor John B. Chemelli
John B. Chemelli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5674653Abstract: Method and an apparatus for measuring the development parameter of a light-sensitive fluid in a white-light environment. The apparatus comprises first and second flexible light-impervious sheets superimposed and sealed together to form a pouch containing a plurality of chambers having flow paths therebetween, wherein the chambers are sealed with burstable seals allowing fluid communication between the chambers upon the application of a predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: John B. Chemelli, Walter J. Bernecker, Craig A. Caprio
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Patent number: 5593804Abstract: Method and an apparatus for measuring the development parameter of a light-sensitive fluid in a white-light environment. The apparatus comprises first and second flexible light-impervious sheets superimposed and sealed together to form a pouch containing a plurality of chambers having flow paths therebetween, wherein the chambers are sealed with burstable seals allowing fluid communication between the chambers upon the application of a predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: John B. Chemelli, Walter J. Bernecker, Craig A. Caprio
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Patent number: 5593290Abstract: A multiple-chamber pump (10, 52, 78) for dispensing precise volumes of fluids. The pump is especially suited for dispensing volumes in the microliter range. At least three chambers (18, 20, 22) comprising preferably spherical segments are sequentially connected by conduits (24, 26, 28, 30) and are closed by a diaphragm member (14) which is movable into or out of the chambers by application of pressure or vacuum on one side of the diaphragm to draw liquid into the chambers and then to expel the liquid from the chambers, either forward or backward according to an operating sequence. Control means are provided for alternating and sequencing the application of pressure and vacuum such that metered volumes of liquid (50) are pumped from chamber to chamber. Tiny, precisely controlled drops of liquid can be dispensed. A plurality of ganged pumps (94) also can be provided in a single pump body (96) to meter independently a plurality of fluids (100, 102, 104) simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Danny L. Greisch, John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5567617Abstract: A heating assembly useful in apparatus for processing reaction cuvettes for replicating specified DNA sequences, such as those using PCR, having a heating element with a heat delivering surface for compressively contacting a pliable fluid-carrying compartment of a supported cuvette. The heat delivering surface has a defined passage sized to allow the detection compartment to be situated therein so that the compartment can be efficiently heated. Fluid flow through the compartment, however, is not interfered with during the heating process due to the presence of the defined passage. In addition, the heat delivering surface can be made from optically transparent materials so that visual detection within the processor can take place.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Craig A. Caprio, Michael R. Van der Gaag, Charles C. Hinckley, John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5325577Abstract: A method is provided for automatically opening and removing a web from a clamshell film cassette. During opening of the cassette a first actuatable means releases a cassette latch. A second means is provided to open one clamshell half upon release of the latch, and a third means is provided to open the other clamshell half. The second and third means each include a pivotal arm having a plurality of suction cups for gripping a wall of a calm shell half. The pivotal arms are positioned by automatic actuators. Vacuum means are provided for picking up the leading end of a web roll within the cassette and transporting it to a web path.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1993Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Craig A. Caprio, John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5310049Abstract: A two part clamshell web cassette is provided with a central recess for receiving a web roll core. The core and cassette half shells have mating surfaces which form a labyrinth light seal when the cassette is closed and which prevent rotation of the core during handling of the cassette to provide a core brake. Surfaces on the cassette parts clamp the web rail of a partially dispensed web roll when the cassette is closed. The core brake and web clamping surfaces facilitate transport of the cassette without loss of intra-roll web tension. The cassette is provided with a latch for retaining the cassette half shells in a closed light sealed condition. A frangible covering over a latch release means indicates when broken that the cassette may have been opened prematurely. The cassette further includes a web end retaining means which retains the web end portion to the underlying convolution.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1992Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Craig A. Caprio, John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5288463Abstract: A containment device, such as a cuvette, for use in amplifying and detecting nucleic acid material at a contained detection site. A waste compartment provided downstream from the detection site is provided with fold lines that give the compartment a bi-stable configuration, so that it can expand to relieve back-pressure that otherwise builds up in such a containment device. Also, optimal locations of flow paths between compartments are described to minimize back-flow of upstream reagents into the feeder paths that are yet to be used by subsequent compartments.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1993Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5283945Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically opening and removing a web from a clamshell film cassette. During opening of the cassette a first actuatable means releases a cassette latch. A second means is provided to open one clamshell half upon release of the latch, and a third means is provided to open the other clamshell half. The second and third means each include a pivotal arm having a plurality of suction cups for gripping a wall of a clamshell half. The pivotal arms are positioned by automatic actuaters. Vacuum means are provided for picking up the leading end of a web roll within the cassette and transporting it to a web path.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1992Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Craig A. Caprio, John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5254479Abstract: A method for forcing liquid out of a burstable compartment into a detection chamber without also forcing residual air of that compartment to interfere with liquid detection. The method features applying pressure sufficient to eject the liquid but not the residual air, and retaining that pressure as long as the reaction period of the liquid takes place, called the incubation period, and then completing the ejection to eject residual air into the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1991Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5193759Abstract: A two part clamshell web cassette is provided with a central recess for receiving a web roll core. The core and cassette half shells have mating surfaces which form a labyrinth light seal when the cassette is closed and which prevent rotation of the core during handling of the cassette to provide a core brake. Surfaces on the cassette parts clamp the web tail of a partially dispensed web roll when the cassette is closed. The core brake and web clamping surfaces facilitate transport of the cassette without loss of intra-roll web tension. The cassette is provided with a latch for retaining the cassette half shells in a closed light sealed condition. A frangible covering over a latch release means indicates when broken that the cassette may have been opened prematurely. The cassette further includes a web end retaining means which retains the web end portion to the underlying convolution.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1990Date of Patent: March 16, 1993Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Donald O. Bigelow, Craig A. Caprio, John B. Chemelli
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Patent number: 5154888Abstract: There are described a cuvette and a method for sealing off flow such as flow in a passageway from an access port in the cuvette with a closure, that ensures a complete seal merely by applying the closure. The cuvette is improved in that it has the closure in a closure portion that is joined to the rest of the cuvette along a hinge line that passes through the passageway to be closed off, so that application of the closure by bending the closure portion about the hinge line pinches off the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Dennis R. Zander, John B. Chemelli, Craig A. Caprio