Patent DE3510586C2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3780892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of transferring sample vials to and from vial-carrying trays
Assignee: Revvity Health Sciences Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-27
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A disposable tray for holding sample vials and the like is provided, by means of which sample vials may be easily handled by automatic equipment. Loading of vials into vial holding compartments in the tray is facilitated by the provision of regular V-shaped notches along the upper edges of compartmentdefining partitions. These notches cause any slightly misalined vial, upon its descent into the tray, to be cammed into the appropriate vial-holding compartment. Vial loading is further facilitated by the outer tray sides, which are formed so as to slant slightly toward the tray interior, thereby assisting in camming outer rows and columns of vials into the appropriate compartments. To provide compartments which may be accurately located under the descending vials, the partitions are rigidly secured to each other and to the tray sides. Tray rigidity is enhanced by tabs formed on opposite sides of the tray blank, which tabs are secured, upon tray formation, to the abutting tray sides. Removal of vials from the tray is made possible by the provision of a hole in each compartment bottom, through which may be inserted the tine of a vial-ejecting comb.
Inventors
- 👤 E Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B21/00; B65B21/02; B65B21/14; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/44; B65D5/48; B65D5/48024; B65D5/48026; B65D5/48038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
A method of transferring sample vials to and from a rectangular array of vials disposed in columns and rows, said method comprising the steps of a. placing the vials in a tray having a plurality of transverse partition members disposed in spaced parallel relation to one another, a plurality of longitudinal partition members, spaced apart and disposed in perpendicularly intersecting relation to the transverse partition members so as to form regular rows and columns of compartments for receiving the vials, the partition members being rigidly secured to intersecting partition members and to the tray structure so as to fix the location of each comparmtment within the tray structure, the top edges of said partitions forming camming surfaces adapted to cam a vial engaging said top edges toward the center of one of the compartments formed by said partitions, and a tray bottom forming holes disposed in regular columns and rows so that at least one hole is formed centrally in the bottom of each compartment, b. aligning said tray with a comb member having a plurality of tines being disposed generally below the tray bottom and spaced to align with the holes in the bottoms of at least one row of compartments in the tray, the gap between adjacent tines being less than the width of the vial, c. inserting the comb tines through the holes formed in the tray bottom, and elevating the comb to force the vials located above the holes out of the tray, d. removing the vials from the tine tips, e. and subsequently disposing vials on the tine tips while said comb is in its elevated position and withdrawing the tips from the tray through the holEs in the tray bottom to lower those vials algined with their respective compartments directly into such compartments, and simultaneously lowering misaligned vials into engagement with said camming surfaces on the tray partitions so as to cause said misaligned vials to be cammed downwardly and inwardly toward the centers of their respective compartments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
334 words
A method of transferring sample vials to and from a rectangular array of vials disposed in columns and rows, said method comprising the steps of a. placing the vials in a tray having a plurality of transverse partition members disposed in spaced parallel relation to one another, a plurality of longitudinal partition members, spaced apart and disposed in perpendicularly intersecting relation to the transverse partition members so as to form regular rows and columns of compartments for receiving the vials, the partition members being rigidly secured to intersecting partition members and to the tray structure so as to fix the location of each comparmtment within the tray structure, the top edges of said partitions forming camming surfaces adapted to cam a vial engaging said top edges toward the center of one of the compartments formed by said partitions, and a tray bottom forming holes disposed in regular columns and rows so that at least one hole is formed centrally in the bottom of each compartment, b. aligning said tray with a comb member having a plurality of tines being disposed generally below the tray bottom and spaced to align with the holes in the bottoms of at least one row of compartments in the tray, the gap between adjacent tines being less than the width of the vial, c. inserting the comb tines through the holes formed in the tray bottom, and elevating the comb to force the vials located above the holes out of the tray, d. removing the vials from the tine tips, e. and subsequently disposing vials on the tine tips while said comb is in its elevated position and withdrawing the tips from the tray through the holEs in the tray bottom to lower those vials algined with their respective compartments directly into such compartments, and simultaneously lowering misaligned vials into engagement with said camming surfaces on the tray partitions so as to cause said misaligned vials to be cammed downwardly and inwardly toward the centers of their respective compartments.
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) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |