The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 25, 1990
Filed:
Sep. 07, 1989
Andre Metzger, Le Verger, FR;
Peter Grimm, Frenkendork, CH;
Andre J Nohl, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Vance J Nau, Cupertino, CA (US);
Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Ardsley, NY (US);
Abstract
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.