Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Vhc, Ltd.

James L Dempski

Kurt M Klosterman

Paul A Matuszewski

Omar S Khalil

Jose Pioquinto

Ganesh Rajagopal

Randall E Youngs

Noman A Abunimeh

Jeffrey R Swanson

David M Tipotsch

Larry R Jibson

Jeffrey W Stewart

David A Saathoff

Joel Mosak

Example apparatus and methods for use in normalization of testing machines used to test samples in vessels are disclosed. An example apparatus includes verification source and a photon emitter positioned in the verification source. The example photon emitter includes a Csource, a scintillator adjacent to the Csource, and a filter adjacent to the scintillator. The example photon emitter is to emit photons through the filter for detection by a photon counter.

Device for use in normalizing readings on a testing machine

An apparatus for improving the procedure for quantifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instrument. The apparatus of this invention comprises (a) at least one weigh cup; (b) at least one standard mass; (c) at least one transducer assembly to convert a value of weight to an electrical response; and (d) at least one electronic circuit for converting the electrical response to a measurement of volume. This invention provides a method for calibrating readings of the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instruments so that absolute measurements of the volume of liquid dispensed can be obtained.

Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism

An example optic module verification device for use in periodic normalization of a testing machine used to test samples in wells is disclosed. The example testing machine includes a plurality of photon counters that each count photons emitted from different wells. The example verification device includes a plurality of verification wells located so as to each be associated with one of the photon counters when used in the testing machine. The example device also includes a photon emitter in each verification well, each photon emitter including a Csource, a scintillator adjacent the Csource, and a filter over the scintillator. The example photon emitters each have a determined initial base value for emitted photons, and each photon emitter is positioned in its verification well to emit photons through the filter to the associated photon counter when used in the testing machine.

An optic module verification device for normalizing between X photon counters, including a verification tray with X verification wells and a modular photon emitter in each verification well. Each photon emitter includes a spring, a Beta source disk, a scintillator disk adjacent the Beta source disk, and a neutral density filter over the scintillator disk, all of which are encapsulated in a cylindrical chamber with the filter adjacent an opening on one end of the chamber and the spring biasing the Beta source disk and the scintillator disk toward the opening. The device is periodically used for normalization, and may be updated when emitted photons fall below a desired level by replacing the scintillator disk and then determining a new normalized reference values for each photon emitter.

An article transfer mechanism for use with an I.S. glassware forming machine includes a pusher arm having fingers for engaging a number of glassware articles formed by the I.S. machine, the pusher arm being movable between a first position to engage the glassware at the dead plate and a second position at which the glassware is transferred to a take-away conveyor. A stepping motor is provided for moving the pusher arm between the first and second positions according to a velocity profile. A microcontroller and electronic circuitry associated with each section of the I.S. machine determine a new current position of the pusher arm as the arm moves according to the velocity profile. The microcontroller performs calculations at each new current position of the pusher arm according to an equation contained in a memory to determine a new velocity for the pusher ar at the new current position of the arm as a function of the current position, such that each new velocity at each current position defines the velocity profile. The microcontroller performs the calculations 'on-the-fly' as the pusher arm is moving through its 90.degree. sweep between the dead plate to the conveyor. The stored equation operates on user-input variables which permit the I.S. machine operator to alter the velocity profile and performance characteristics of the article transfer mechanism from an associated data entry terminal while the I.S. machine is operating.

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Green Oaks, IL, United States of America

James L Dempski