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:
May. 29, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 12, 1999
Akira Higuchi, Fukuoka, JP;
Eiji Watanabe, Fukuoka, JP;
Naoki Miyazaki, Saga, JP;
Kanji Yahiro, Fukuoka, JP;
Kenichi Kuroda, Fukuoka, JP;
Hideyoshi Kitahara, Fukuoka, JP;
Kenji Ishiyama, Fukuoka, JP;
Takashi Daikoku, Fukuoka, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In a method for distributing liquids, in which a distribution tip attached detachably to the lower end of a distribution nozzle can be replaced at any time necessary, a tip rack having a plurality of unused distribution tips lined up thereon is placed on a fitting stage to have the distribution tips fitted with a distribution nozzles. Then, the existence, or non-existence, of a distribution tip left behind on the tip rack without being attached to a distribution nozzle after the fitting operation is finished is detected by a detection section formed of an interrupting-type light sensor, the targeted place of detection by the light sensor being the lower end of the distribution tip. Under the above-described structure, misfitting of a distribution tip can be detected with a high certainty at an early stage before an operation for sucking/discharging liquids is started.