US3891392A - Method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube, and a tube device for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube, and a tube device for carrying out the method Download PDF

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Publication number
US3891392A
US3891392A US326233A US32623373A US3891392A US 3891392 A US3891392 A US 3891392A US 326233 A US326233 A US 326233A US 32623373 A US32623373 A US 32623373A US 3891392 A US3891392 A US 3891392A
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United States
Prior art keywords
tube
liquid
column
plug
maintaining
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US326233A
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Peter Alan Betts
Kenneth Stephenson
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Sterilin Ltd
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Peter Alan Betts
Kenneth Stephenson
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Assigned to STERILIN LIMITED, RICHMOND HOUSE, 1 RUMFORD PLACE, LIVERPOOL. L3. 9QQ reassignment STERILIN LIMITED, RICHMOND HOUSE, 1 RUMFORD PLACE, LIVERPOOL. L3. 9QQ ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: ACCU-TECH LIMITED
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/56—Labware specially adapted for transferring fluids
    • B01L3/561—Tubes; Conduits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
    • B01L3/0213—Accessories for glass pipettes; Gun-type pipettes, e.g. safety devices, pumps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
    • Y10T436/25—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing including sample preparation
    • Y10T436/2575—Volumetric liquid transfer

Definitions

  • APPL No; 326,233 method of and device for maintaining a column of liquid comprising comprises a straight open-ended tube, and a plug of porous material frictionally located [30] Foreign Application Priority Data within the bore of the tube at a predetermined dis- July 4, 1972 uni Kingdom 3 27 72 tance from one end of the tube.
  • a column of liquid may be maintained within such a tube by placing the [52] 0.5. CI 23/230 R; 23/259; 23/292; said one end f the u in m uni ati n ith a sup- 73/425 4 P; 141/3] ply of liquid.
  • sample liquids are transferred by means of a pipette having a length of flexible hose attached to its upper end.
  • a technician transferring a sample liquid by this means places the free end of the flexible hose in his mouth and, by sucking through the hose, draws a column of the liquid into the pipette.
  • the height of the column of liquid is adjusted by carefully controlling the suction and, once the desired height has been achieved, the flexible tube is squeezed to close off the upper end of the pipette from atmosphere so as to maintain the column of liquid.
  • the pipette is then transferred from the liquid to a suitable receptacle, such as a test tube, whereupon the flexible hose is released to allow the column ofliquid to fall from the pipette into the receptacle.
  • a disadvantage of this method of transferring liquids is that establishing and maintaining the column of liquid at the required level requires skill and, particularly where a number of liquid samples are required, is tedious and time consuming.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a tube device for use with the method of the invention.
  • the present invention provides a method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube, comprising placing within the tube a plug of porous material, positioning the plug at a predetermined distance from one end of the tube corresponding to the height of the desired column of liquid, placing the said one end of the tube in communication with a supply of liquid, applying to the other end of the tube suction sufficient to draw a column of the liquid into the tube to a position beyond the plug, removing the suction and allowing the column of liquid to fall until the liquid surface contacts the plug, the remaining column of liquid being thereupon maintained by interaction of the respective physical characteristics of the liquid, the plug, and the tube.
  • the present invention also provides a tube device comprising a substantially straight tube having a plug of porous material within its bore.
  • the plug is preferably made from a fibrous material, but may consist of any convenient porous material.
  • the position of the plug may be adjustable to any position in the bore of the tube.
  • the plug may be at a fixed position relative to the length of the tube.
  • the tube is conveniently in the form of a pipette.
  • HO. 1 is a side view of a tube device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal medial section showing a detail thereof.
  • the device shown in the drawings comprises a substantially straight tube 11 with a plug 13 within its bore 12.
  • a graduation scale 14 is provided along tube 11 which is intended to be used as a pipette in the pathological testing of liquid samples.
  • the plug 13 consists of a fibrous material having capillary attraction for blood and is positioned a predetermined distance from the starting point of the scale 14 at the lower end of the tube 11, whereby the device is prepared ready for use in maintaining a column of blood of an amount suitable for conducting a particular test.
  • the lower end 11a of tube 11 is placed in communication with a supply of blood and suction is applied, by any convenient means which is not shown, to the other end of tube I I to draw a column of blood into the tube bore 12 to a position above plug 13.
  • suction is then removed and the column of blood falls until its surface comes into contact with plug 13. At this point, capillary attraction between the blood and the plug 13 prevents the remaining column of blood from flowing from the tube 11.
  • the suction may be applied to the tube, for example, by any suitable pump connected to the upper end of tube II by means of a length of flexible hose.
  • a length of hose may be attached by one end to tube 11 and a technician may suck through the other end of the hose in a manner similar to that previously described, but without having to accurately position the blood surface against the graduation scale.
  • the plug may consist of any material having a capillary attraction for a liquid with which the device is intended to be used and, in this connection, the plug may be made of a material of other than fibrous structure, for example a material of open-cell structure.
  • the plug may also be movable within the bore of the tube, instead of being in a pre-set fixed position.
  • the tube may also be in the form of a pipette.
  • a method of maintaining a column ofliquid within an open-ended tube comprising the steps: placing within the tube a plug of porous material having a capillary attraction for a liquid, positioning the plug at a predetermined distance from one end of the tube corresponding to the height of the desired column of liquid, placing the one end of the tube in communication with a supply ofliquid, applying to the other end of the tube suction sufficient to draw a column of liquid from the liquid supply into the tube to a position wherein its surface level lies above the plug, terminating the suction to lower the column of liquid until the liquid surface contacts the plug, and maintaining the remaining column of liquid by capillary attraction between the liquid and the plug.

Abstract

A method of and device for maintaining a column of liquid comprising comprises a straight open-ended tube, and a plug of porous material frictionally located within the bore of the tube at a predetermined distance from one end of the tube. A column of liquid may be maintained within such a tube by placing the said one end of the tube in communication with a supply of liquid, and applying suction to the other end of the tube to draw a column of liquid into the tube to a level above the plug. The suction is then removed to allow the column of liquid to fall until its surface contacts the plug, whereupon the remaining column of liquid is maintained by interaction of the respective physical characteristics of the liquid, the plug, and the tube.

Description

United States Patent Betts et a].
{45] June 24, 1975 I METHOD OF MAINTAINING A COLUMN 2376,23: 5/1945 Cohn I 5. 73/4254 P OPENENDED 1423.173 7/1947 Brady et all. 73/4254 P gg FOR 2,692,503 l0/l954 Crccelius .7 73/4254 P 1734.358 5/1973 Bergeron 73/4256 CARRYING OUT THE METHOD [76] Inventors: Peter Alan Betts, 40 Oldfield Rd., Primary E.\'aminer.loseph Scovronek Chesire, Sandbach; Kenneth Assistant Examiner-Dale Lovercheck Stephenson, l8 Hodder Ave, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ross. Ross & Flavin Littleborough, both of England 1221 Filed: Jan. 24, 1973 I ABSTRACT I21] APPL No; 326,233 method of and device for maintaining a column of liquid comprising comprises a straight open-ended tube, and a plug of porous material frictionally located [30] Foreign Application Priority Data within the bore of the tube at a predetermined dis- July 4, 1972 uni Kingdom 3 27 72 tance from one end of the tube. A column of liquid may be maintained within such a tube by placing the [52] 0.5. CI 23/230 R; 23/259; 23/292; said one end f the u in m uni ati n ith a sup- 73/425 4 P; 141/3] ply of liquid. and applying suction to the other end of [5 l] Int. Cl BOlI 3/02; GOlf 13/00; GOln 1/10 the tube to draw a column of liquid into the tube to a [58] Fi ld f S h 23/259. 230 R, 230 B. 292; level above the plug. The suction is then removed to 73/4254 P, 425.6, 425.4 R; 222/]89; allow the column of liquid to fall until its surface 62/5] 1; |4|/31; 55/386 contacts the plug, whereupon the remaining column of liquid is maintained by interaction of the respective [56] References Cited physical characteristics of the liquid, the plug, and the UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2.348,83l 5/l944 Mathis 73/4254 P 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures METHOD OF MAINTAINING A COLUMN OF LIQUID WITHIN AN OPEN-ENDED TUBE, AND A TUBE DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD This invention concerns a method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube, and a tube device for carrying out the method.
It is common practice when transferring liquids for or during analysis, for a sample of the liquid to be drawn into a pipette or tube by suction applied to the upper end thereof, the column of liquid within the pipette or tube being maintained by the suction effect created by closing the upper end of the pipette, the desired height of the column of liquid first having been achieved by fine adjustment of the suction applied to the pipette or tube.
This method of transferring sample liquids is particularly common in pathological analysis where sample liquids are transferred by means of a pipette having a length of flexible hose attached to its upper end. A technician transferring a sample liquid by this means places the free end of the flexible hose in his mouth and, by sucking through the hose, draws a column of the liquid into the pipette. The height of the column of liquid is adjusted by carefully controlling the suction and, once the desired height has been achieved, the flexible tube is squeezed to close off the upper end of the pipette from atmosphere so as to maintain the column of liquid. The pipette is then transferred from the liquid to a suitable receptacle, such as a test tube, whereupon the flexible hose is released to allow the column ofliquid to fall from the pipette into the receptacle.
A disadvantage of this method of transferring liquids is that establishing and maintaining the column of liquid at the required level requires skill and, particularly where a number of liquid samples are required, is tedious and time consuming.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube.
A further object of the invention is to provide a tube device for use with the method of the invention.
With the first of these objects in view, the present invention provides a method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube, comprising placing within the tube a plug of porous material, positioning the plug at a predetermined distance from one end of the tube corresponding to the height of the desired column of liquid, placing the said one end of the tube in communication with a supply of liquid, applying to the other end of the tube suction sufficient to draw a column of the liquid into the tube to a position beyond the plug, removing the suction and allowing the column of liquid to fall until the liquid surface contacts the plug, the remaining column of liquid being thereupon maintained by interaction of the respective physical characteristics of the liquid, the plug, and the tube.
With the second object in view, the present invention also provides a tube device comprising a substantially straight tube having a plug of porous material within its bore.
The plug is preferably made from a fibrous material, but may consist of any convenient porous material.
The position of the plug may be adjustable to any position in the bore of the tube.
Alternatively, the plug may be at a fixed position relative to the length of the tube.
The tube is conveniently in the form of a pipette.
The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
HO. 1 is a side view ofa tube device according to the invention; and
FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal medial section showing a detail thereof.
The device shown in the drawings, comprises a substantially straight tube 11 with a plug 13 within its bore 12. A graduation scale 14 is provided along tube 11 which is intended to be used as a pipette in the pathological testing of liquid samples. The plug 13 consists of a fibrous material having capillary attraction for blood and is positioned a predetermined distance from the starting point of the scale 14 at the lower end of the tube 11, whereby the device is prepared ready for use in maintaining a column of blood of an amount suitable for conducting a particular test.
In use, the lower end 11a of tube 11 is placed in communication with a supply of blood and suction is applied, by any convenient means which is not shown, to the other end of tube I I to draw a column of blood into the tube bore 12 to a position above plug 13. The suction is then removed and the column of blood falls until its surface comes into contact with plug 13. At this point, capillary attraction between the blood and the plug 13 prevents the remaining column of blood from flowing from the tube 11.
The suction may be applied to the tube, for example, by any suitable pump connected to the upper end of tube II by means of a length of flexible hose. Alternatively, a length of hose may be attached by one end to tube 11 and a technician may suck through the other end of the hose in a manner similar to that previously described, but without having to accurately position the blood surface against the graduation scale.
It will be appreciated that the device described above is illustrative and not limitative of the invention and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, the plug may consist of any material having a capillary attraction for a liquid with which the device is intended to be used and, in this connection, the plug may be made of a material of other than fibrous structure, for example a material of open-cell structure.
The plug may also be movable within the bore of the tube, instead of being in a pre-set fixed position.
The tube may also be in the form of a pipette.
We claim:
1. A method of maintaining a column ofliquid within an open-ended tube comprising the steps: placing within the tube a plug of porous material having a capillary attraction for a liquid, positioning the plug at a predetermined distance from one end of the tube corresponding to the height of the desired column of liquid, placing the one end of the tube in communication with a supply ofliquid, applying to the other end of the tube suction sufficient to draw a column of liquid from the liquid supply into the tube to a position wherein its surface level lies above the plug, terminating the suction to lower the column of liquid until the liquid surface contacts the plug, and maintaining the remaining column of liquid by capillary attraction between the liquid and the plug.

Claims (1)

1. A METHOD OF MAINTAINING A COLUMN OF LIQUID WITHIN AN OPEN ENDED TUBE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF PLACING WITHIN THE TUBE A PLUG OF POROUS MATERIAL HAVING A CAPILLARY ATTRACTION FOR A LIQUID, POSITIONING THE PLUG AT A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM ONE END OF THE TUBE CORRESPONDING TO THE HEIGHT OF THE DESIRED COLUMN OF LIQUID, PLACING THE ONE END OF THE TUBE IN COMMUNICATION WITH A SUPPLY OF LIQUID, APPLYING TO THE OTHER END OF THE TUBE SUCTION SUFFICIENT TO DRAW A COLUMN OF LIQUID FROM THE LIQUID SUPPLY UNTO THE TUBE TO A POSITION WHEREIN ITS SURFACE LEVEL LIES ABOVE THE PLUG, TERMINATING THE SUCTION TO LOWER THE COLUMN OF LIQUID UNTIL THE LIQUID SURFACE CONTACTS THE PLUG, AND MAINTAINING THE REMAINING COLUMN OF LIQUID BY CAPILLARY ATTRACTION BETWEEN THE LIQUID AND THE PLUG.
US326233A 1972-07-04 1973-01-24 Method of maintaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube, and a tube device for carrying out the method Expired - Lifetime US3891392A (en)

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GB3112772A GB1414487A (en) 1972-07-04 1972-07-04 Method of obtaining a column of liquid within an open-ended tube and a tube device for carrying out the method

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0013614A1 (en) * 1979-01-09 1980-07-23 William Thomas Dennis Bates Sample tube
US4267729A (en) * 1979-05-14 1981-05-19 Eddelman Roy T Volumetric pipettor
US4900515A (en) * 1985-12-19 1990-02-13 Fernando Xalabarder Miramanda Arrangement for determining blood cell sedimentation rate
US5019349A (en) * 1985-11-08 1991-05-28 Issei Suzuki Pipe for measuring erythrocyte sedimentation rate
US5059398A (en) * 1985-07-22 1991-10-22 Drummond Scientific Company Disposable preselected-volume capillary pipet device
US5065768A (en) * 1988-09-13 1991-11-19 Safe-Tec Clinical Products, Inc. Self-sealing fluid conduit and collection device
US5156811A (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-10-20 Continental Laboratory Products, Inc. Pipette device
US5223225A (en) * 1991-05-17 1993-06-29 Bio 101 Scale-marked pipet tip for precision dispensing of fluids over a large range of volumes
US20110138749A1 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-16 Donald Chow System and method for manufacturing a tubular container with opening and closing means
WO2019108688A1 (en) * 2017-11-30 2019-06-06 Corning Incorporated Pipette with encapsulated or integral filter, and method and apparatus for forming same

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2327628A (en) * 1997-07-26 1999-02-03 Peerless Systems Limited Powder pipette with replaceable tip

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2348831A (en) * 1941-02-27 1944-05-16 Clay Adams Co Inc Safety device for pipettes
US2376231A (en) * 1942-02-12 1945-05-15 David J Cohn Pipette
US2423173A (en) * 1945-03-30 1947-07-01 Edward L Brady Safety pipette
US2692503A (en) * 1952-07-09 1954-10-26 Owens Illinois Glass Co Pipette
US3734358A (en) * 1971-07-27 1973-05-22 Gen Electric Means for applying suction having automatic cutoff of displacement volume

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2348831A (en) * 1941-02-27 1944-05-16 Clay Adams Co Inc Safety device for pipettes
US2376231A (en) * 1942-02-12 1945-05-15 David J Cohn Pipette
US2423173A (en) * 1945-03-30 1947-07-01 Edward L Brady Safety pipette
US2692503A (en) * 1952-07-09 1954-10-26 Owens Illinois Glass Co Pipette
US3734358A (en) * 1971-07-27 1973-05-22 Gen Electric Means for applying suction having automatic cutoff of displacement volume

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0013614A1 (en) * 1979-01-09 1980-07-23 William Thomas Dennis Bates Sample tube
US4299795A (en) * 1979-01-09 1981-11-10 Bates William T D Sample tube
US4267729A (en) * 1979-05-14 1981-05-19 Eddelman Roy T Volumetric pipettor
US5059398A (en) * 1985-07-22 1991-10-22 Drummond Scientific Company Disposable preselected-volume capillary pipet device
US5019349A (en) * 1985-11-08 1991-05-28 Issei Suzuki Pipe for measuring erythrocyte sedimentation rate
US4900515A (en) * 1985-12-19 1990-02-13 Fernando Xalabarder Miramanda Arrangement for determining blood cell sedimentation rate
US5065768A (en) * 1988-09-13 1991-11-19 Safe-Tec Clinical Products, Inc. Self-sealing fluid conduit and collection device
US5156811A (en) * 1990-11-07 1992-10-20 Continental Laboratory Products, Inc. Pipette device
US5223225A (en) * 1991-05-17 1993-06-29 Bio 101 Scale-marked pipet tip for precision dispensing of fluids over a large range of volumes
US20110138749A1 (en) * 2009-12-15 2011-06-16 Donald Chow System and method for manufacturing a tubular container with opening and closing means
WO2019108688A1 (en) * 2017-11-30 2019-06-06 Corning Incorporated Pipette with encapsulated or integral filter, and method and apparatus for forming same
CN111655374A (en) * 2017-11-30 2020-09-11 康宁股份有限公司 Pipettor with encapsulated or integral filter, method of forming same, and apparatus
US11583847B2 (en) 2017-11-30 2023-02-21 Corning Incorporated Pipette with encapsulated or integral filter, and method and apparatus for forming same

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