Ciba-Geigy Corporation

Other

Peter Grimm

Vance J Nau

Andre J Nohl

Andre Metzger

There is disclosed herein an automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking to the location of solid or very viscous samples. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogeneous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cup to allow pump of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a known volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration. A reversible pump is coupled by a pair of manifolds which are themselves coupled by solenoid operated valves to various sources of solvents, pressurized gas, vacuum, water, the sample preparation chamber and the assay system. A control system coordinates the operation of all remotely controllable units in the system to allow the user to customize various preparation processes.

System for preparation of samples for analysis

There is disclosed a sample preparation chamber for a system for preparing samples of various compositions for assay by liquid chromatography. The sample preparation chamber is includes a container having a threaded cap and a threaded, lightweight, translucent plastic cup. A stirrer/grinder shaft driven by a motor and connected to a propeller/grinder passes through the cap. The cup has a sloped bottom with a sump region, and a fill/empty pipe passes through the cap and has its outlet at or near the sump. A nozzle/fill pipe arrangement allows the walls to be washed down as liquid is pumped into the cup. A second fill pipe with its outlet spaced up from the bottom of the cup is also used, and a sample metering valve having an inlet in said cup is present. The sample metering valve is used to isolate a known volume of the sample from the rest of the sample for release back into the cup after the remaining sample has been pumped to waste for purposes of diluting the known volume of sample to a known concentration.

Sample preparation chamber with mixer/grinder and sample aliquot

An automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking solid or very viscous samples to the sample preparation system. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogeneous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cup to allow pumping of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a known volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration. A reversible pump is coupled by a pair of manifolds which are themselves coupled by solenoid operated valves to various sources of solvents, pressurized gas, vacuum, water, the sample preparation chamber and the assay system. A control system coordinates the operation of all remotely controllable units in the system to allow the user to customize various sample preparation processes.

Process for preparation of samples for analysis

An automated sample preparation system for chemical assay of samples of materials. The sample preparation system includes a sample preparation chamber which includes a removable cup for taking solid or very viscous samples to the sample preparation system. The cup may be attached in sealing relationship to a cap through which extends various utilities such as a mixer/grinder to grind solid samples and mix non-homogenous samples, a fill pipe to pump in liquid samples, an effluent pipe in the sump of the cap to allow pumping of samples and solvents and a nozzle to allow liquids to be sprayed against the walls. A sample metering valve associated with the sample preparation chamber allows a know volume of sample to be isolated so that solvent may be pumped in to dilute the sample to a user defined concentration. A reversible pump is coupled by a pair of manifolds which are themselves coupled by solenoid operated valves to various sources of solvents, pressurized gas, vacuum, water, the sample preparation chamber and the assay system. A control system coordinates the operation of all remotely controllable units in the system to allow the user to customize various ample preparation processes.

There is disclosed a sample preparation chamber for a system for preparing samples of various compositions for assay by liquid chromatography. The sample preparation chamber is a container having a threaded cap and a threaded, lightweight, translucent plastic cup. A stirred/grinder shaft driven by a motor and connected to a propeller/grinder passes through the cap. The cap has a sloped bottom with a sump region, and a fill/empty pipe passes through the cap and has its outlet at or near the sump. A nozzle fill pipe arrangement allows the walls to be washed down as liquid is pumped into the cup. A second fill pipe with its outlet spaced up from the bottom of the cup is also used, and a sample metering valve having an inlet in said cup is present. The sample metering valve is used to isolate a known volume of the sample from the rest of the sample for release back into the cup after the remaining sample has been pumped to waste for purposes of diluting the known volume of sample to a known concentration.

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Frenkendork, Switzerland

Peter Grimm