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Publication Number
US-9656258-B2
Publication Date
2017-05-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A pipette for delivering a measured volume of liquid having an elongated hollow tubular body (or capillary tube) (2) configured to draw liquid by capillary action, the hollow tubular body having a lower open end and an upper open end; and a chamber (3) structurally connected to the upper end of the tubular body (2), the chamber having an orifice (4) in the upper portion of the chamber.
Core Innovation
The invention is a pipette for delivering a measured volume of liquid. An elongated hollow tubular body or capillary tube draws liquid by capillary action, and a chamber connects to a middle part of the tube. The upper open end is located inside the chamber so that overflow from the tubular body can spill into the chamber.
The chamber is compressible to dispense the liquid and has an orifice. The claims describe configurations with tube extensions and, in one configuration, upper and lower bulbs connected by a connection tube. The background section and its description of the problem being solved are not included in the partial content provided.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage includes three inventive features directed to a capillary pipette with a connected chamber that receives overflow and can be compressed to dispense liquid.
Capillary tube with overflow chamber
Claim 1 covers an elongated hollow tubular body configured to draw liquid by capillary action, with a connected compressible chamber. The upper open end is inside the chamber so overflow can spill into it; the claim also specifies connections involving a middle tube extension and a bottom tube extension, or a bottom tube extension.
Capillary tube with an orificed chamber
Claim 13 covers a capillary tube configured to draw a precisely measured volume by capillary action and a connected compressible chamber that receives overflow. The chamber has an orifice in its upper portion, and the claim specifies a sidewall orifice and tube-extension arrangements.
Capillary tube with a two-bulb chamber
Claim 15 covers a capillary tube connected to a compressible chamber comprising an upper bulb and a lower bulb connected by a connection tube. The upper bulb has an orifice, the upper open end of the capillary tube is inside the chamber so overflow can spill into it, and the claim specifies tube-extension arrangements.
The independent claims cover three related pipette configurations: a capillary tube and overflow-receiving compressible chamber, an orificed chamber, and a two-bulb chamber connected by a tube. Each configuration provides for liquid collection by capillary action and dispensing by compressing the chamber.
Stated Advantages
The claims describe drawing a measured or precisely measured volume of liquid by capillary action.
Documented Applications
A pipette for delivering a measured volume of liquid.
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