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:
Apr. 20, 1993
Filed:
Jul. 29, 1992
Leon E Barstow, Tucson, AZ (US);
Anthony R Ford, Tucson, AZ (US);
Terry D Long, Tucson, AZ (US);
Glen D Ward, Tucson, AZ (US);
Protein Technologies Inc., Tucson, AZ (US);
Abstract
A matrix of valves being formed using a sandwich of three layers with a pliable membrane interposed between two of the layers. Supply channels and delivery channels are created through etching, routing, or other such means on the middle layer. Each supply channel communicates with all of the delivery channels via a valve location which is opened or closed by pneumatic pressure on the pliable membrane. Movement of the pliable membrane is affected through suction or pressure as communicated via holes in the overlying layer. In this manner, selected supply and delivery lines are connected by appropriate suction being placed on the membrane. Selected valves are simultaneously opened to provide parallel operations.