US3751173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flowthrough cuvette
Assignee: ICN Micromedic Systems Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-24
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1992-08-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to optical cuvettes of the throughflow type and to the production thereof. The cuvette comprises a stratified block composed of at least three layers which together define a space constituting a doubly-bent continuous passage with a central elongated cavity communicating with two transverse branch-channels extending to the cuvette surface. An intermediate layer consists of a pair of transparent plates having oppositely arranged inner edges which are shaped in accordance with the path of said passage and are rounded off between the central cavity and the transverse channels, to provide streamline flow in the passage. Two lateral layers consist of plates which respectively close off the passage on either side thereof, between the shaped inner edges of said pair. The invention further provides a manufacturing method wherein two plate-edges are shaped in accordance with the profile of the doubly-bent passage and are oppositely arranged at a given distance to form an intermediate layer on to which two lateral plates are then mounted to close off the passage on either side thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 M Sanz
- 👤 G Revillet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N21/05; G01N2021/054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
An optical cuvette of the throughflow type having therein at least one doubly-bent continuous passage composed of a central elongated cavity for enclosing a liquid sample and of two transverse branch-channels respectively extending between the ends of the cavity and the cuvette surface to allow admission and discharge of said sample, the cuvette being at least partially transparent to allow a light beam for effecting optical measurement to pass through the cuvette and thereby to longitudinally traverse the elongated cavity containing the sample, wherein the cuvette comprises a stratified block composed of at least three layers arranged in juxtaposition so as to define together a space constituting the said passage, an intermediate layer of said three layers being composed of a pair of transparent plates lying in a common plane at a predetermined distance from each other, each plate of said pair being provided with an inner edge which is shaped in accordance with the doublybent path of said passage and which has a gradual transition between said cavity and said transverse channels whereby to allow streamline flow along said passage, and two lateral layers being formed by two corresponding plates whereof the inner surfaces respectively define said passage on either side thereof, between said shaped inner edges of said pair of plates of the intermediate layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
An optical cuvette of the throughflow type having therein at least one doubly-bent continuous passage composed of a central elongated cavity for enclosing a liquid sample and of two transverse branch-channels respectively extending between the ends of the cavity and the cuvette surface to allow admission and discharge of said sample, the cuvette being at least partially transparent to allow a light beam for effecting optical measurement to pass through the cuvette and thereby to longitudinally traverse the elongated cavity containing the sample, wherein the cuvette comprises a stratified block composed of at least three layers arranged in juxtaposition so as to define together a space constituting the said passage, an intermediate layer of said three layers being composed of a pair of transparent plates lying in a common plane at a predetermined distance from each other, each plate of said pair being provided with an inner edge which is shaped in accordance with the doublybent path of said passage and which has a gradual transition between said cavity and said transverse channels whereby to allow streamline flow along said passage, and two lateral layers being formed by two corresponding plates whereof the inner surfaces respectively define said passage on either side thereof, between said shaped inner edges of said pair of plates of the intermediate layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An optical cuvette according to claim 1, wherein the transverse branch-channels exTend in opposite directions from the ends of the central cavity so that the passage extends according to a generally S-shaped path opening on opposite sides of the stratified block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An optical cuvette according to claim 2, wherein the inner edges of the pair of plates forming the intermediate layer are generally S-shaped and have a rounded-off edge-portion situated in the region of transition between the cavity and the transverse branch-channels, the plates of said pair being arranged in spaced head-to-tail relationship in the intermediate layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical cuvette according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the inner edges is so shaped as to provide at least one enlarged portion in said cavity.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of manufacturing an optical cuvette of the through-flow type having at least one doubly-bent continuous passage composed of a central elongated cavity and of two transverse branch-channels respectively extending between the ends of the cavity and the cuvette surface, the cuvette being at least partially transparent so as to allow a light beam to pass through the cuvette and thereby to longitudinally traverse the elongated cavity, said method comprising: shaping at least one transparent plate so as to obtain at least one pair of edges corresonding to the desired double-bent path of said passage and providing a gradual transition between said central cavity and said transverse channels; arranging said edges in spaced relationship facing each other to form a first pair of wall portions partially defining said passage so as to provide a central cavity of predetermined length; and sealingly mounting two lateral plates so as to close-off either side of the space lying between said spaced edges, whereby to form a complementary pair of wall portions defining said passage together with said first pair of wall portions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of manufacturing an optical cuvette of the through-flow type having at least one doubly-bent continuous passage composed of a central elongated cavity and of two transverse branch-channels respectively extending between the ends of the cavity and the cuvette surface, the cuvette being at least partially transparent so as to allow a light beam to pass through the cuvette and thereby to longitudinally traverse the elongated cavity, said method comprising: shaping at least one transparent plate so as to obtain at least one pair of edges corresonding to the desired double-bent path of said passage and providing a gradual transition between said central cavity and said transverse channels; arranging said edges in spaced relationship facing each other to form a first pair of wall portions partially defining said passage so as to provide a central cavity of predetermined length; and sealingly mounting two lateral plates so as to close-off either side of the space lying between said spaced edges, whereby to form a complementary pair of wall portions defining said passage together with said first pair of wall portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method defined in claim 5, wherein said pair of edges are formed by cutting out of the transparent plate a space corresponding to the desired doubly-bent longitudinal profile of the passage, and rounding off said edges so as to provide a gradual transition in the bent portions thereof between the central cavity and the transverse branch-channels of said passage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method defined in claim 6, wherein the said space cut out of the transparent plate has a generally S-shaped profile and the edges defining said space are rounded off so that the transverse channels gradually merge into the central cavity of the passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical flow-through cuvette comprising a body means, said body means having at least one internal layer, said layer including a pair of transparent plates in a common plane and spaced from one another, the spacing of said plates providing three generally linear passages in successive communiccation with one another, the first and last passages being substantially parallel to one another and smoothly merging with the middle passage, the middle passage being located at an angle to said first and last parallel passages whereby fluids flowing through said passages will not cavitate and an accurate optical measurement may be taken.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical flow-through cuvette comprising a body means, said body means having at least one internal layer, said layer including a pair of transparent plates in a common plane and spaced from one another, the spacing of said plates providing three generally linear passages in successive communiccation with one another, the first and last passages being substantially parallel to one another and smoothly merging with the middle passage, the middle passage being located at an angle to said first and last parallel passages whereby fluids flowing through said passages will not cavitate and an accurate optical measurement may be taken.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cuvette as in claim 8 wherein the merger of said first passage with said middle passage provides a curved surface which is a mirror image of the merger of said last passage with said middle passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cuvette as in claim 8 wherein the sides of said passages in said transparent layer are equidistant from the centers thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A cuvette as in claim 8 wherein said body means comprises two layers on opposite sides of said transparent layer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cuvette as in claim 8 wherein said middle passage is longer than said first and last passages.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A cuvette as in claim 8 wherein said middle passage has a central axis adapted to be horizontal when the cuvette is used, said middle passage having a top and bottom side in said transparent layer, the bottom side of said passage being parallel to said axis and the top side being inclined relative theReto.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cuvette as in claim 13 wherein said middle passage is longer than said first and last passages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
An optical flow-through cuvette comprising a body consisting of three planar layers, the outer layers being non-transparent, the inner layer including a pair of identically configured transparent members, said members being juxtapositioned to form said inner layer and having three surfaces internal to said outer layers, said members being spaced from one another to form three generally linear passages in successive open communication with one another and opposite edges of said cuvette, the first and last passages being disposed at identical but opposite angles to the ends of said middle passages, said middle passage being adapted to be horizontal when a fluid is passed through said passages and an optical measurement can be taken linearly of said middle passage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
119 words
An optical flow-through cuvette comprising a body consisting of three planar layers, the outer layers being non-transparent, the inner layer including a pair of identically configured transparent members, said members being juxtapositioned to form said inner layer and having three surfaces internal to said outer layers, said members being spaced from one another to form three generally linear passages in successive open communication with one another and opposite edges of said cuvette, the first and last passages being disposed at identical but opposite angles to the ends of said middle passages, said middle passage being adapted to be horizontal when a fluid is passed through said passages and an optical measurement can be taken linearly of said middle passage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cuvette of claim 15 wherein said first and last passages are disposed at right angles to said middle passages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cuvette as in claim 16 wherein said middle passage has a larger cross-sectional area than said first and last passages.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cuvette as in claim 15 wherein the merger of said first and last passages with said middle passage having larger cross-sectional areas than said middle passage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cuvette as in claim 15 wherein said middle passage has a larger cross-sectional area at its intersection with said first passage than it does at its intersection with said last passage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cuvette as in claim 19 wherein said middle passage is adapted to be horizontal and defines an upper wall and a bottom wall, said bottom wall being parallel with the horizontal and said top wall diverging away from the horizontal from the last passage to said first passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |