US4053381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for determining ionic activity of components of liquid drops
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1976-05-19
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1996-05-19
Abstract
Abstract A device and a method are disclosed for determining ion activity in liquids by the use of electrodes, particularly comprising an electrode mounting frame and transport means for promoting ionic migration between electrodes in the frame. Preferably, such electrodes are ion-selective electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 David Philip Hamblen
- 👤 Clyde Pershing Glover
- 👤 Sang Hyung Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/28; G01N27/30; G01N27/307; G01N27/333; G01N27/3335
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A device useful for determining the activity of ions in a liquid solution, comprising: a frame capable of being processed by automatic handling devices, two solid electrodes mounted with respect to said frame, each comprising a first operative layer coated over at least one other operative layer, said layers terminating at edges, means for providing ionic flow between said electrodes upon application of one or more liquid drops, and at each electrode, anti-shorting means for restraining the liquid from simultaneously contacting the edges of both of said layers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A device useful for determining the activity of ions in a liquid solution, comprising: a frame capable of being processed by automatic handling devices, two solid electrodes mounted with respect to said frame, each comprising a first operative layer coated over at least one other operative layer, said layers terminating at edges, means for providing ionic flow between said electrodes upon application of one or more liquid drops, and at each electrode, anti-shorting means for restraining the liquid from simultaneously contacting the edges of both of said layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said flow-providing means includes a frame to which said electrodes are secured in a spaced-apart electrically isolated relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said restraining means includes a platform adjacent and spaced away from each of said electrodes, and an annular groove separating said platform from the rest of said frame, said groove having a geometry and dimensions which are sufficient to confine the drop to that portion of said electrode which is adjacent said platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame and said electrodes are generally planar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said flow-providing means includes transport means for promoting migration of ions away from the drops in liquid contact with each of said electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 5 wherein said transport means includes a porous layer extending between said electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as defined in claim 6 wherein said porous layer comprises a binder, a thickener and a polymer selected from a polycarbonate or a polyamide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device a defined in claim 5 wherein said transport means includes a thin-layer chromatographic strip having a porous layer coated over a support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as defined in claim 5 wherein said flow-providing means includes a frame to which said electrodes are secured and a passageway in said frame extending between said electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as defined in claim 9, and further including a transport element disposed in said passageway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as defined in claim 10 wherein said element comprises a support and a porous layer coated over the support.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as defined in claim 10 wherein said element comprises a fibrous material in said passageway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as defined in claim 5 wherein one of the electrodes is a reference electrode and the other of said electrodes is an ion-selective electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said electrodes are the same and are ion-selective electrodes, said first layers being selectively permeable to a specific ion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as defined in claim 14 wherein said flow-providing means includes transport means for promoting migration of ions between two drops of different ionic strength, each in contact with one of said electrodes, said electrodes being sufficiently close together as to permit said migration until the solutions from said drops are in contact to form an ionic junction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 15, and further including means for minimizing the potential at the ionic junction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as defined in claim 16 wherein said minimizing means includes a hydroscopic gel saturated with an ionically conductive salt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as defined in claim 17 wherein said transport means includes a porous layer extending between said electrodes, said gel being imbibed in said layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as defined in claim 15 wherein said transport means includes a porous layer extending between said electrodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as defined in claim 15 wherein said transport means includes a passageway in said frame extending between said electrodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as defined in claim 20, and further including a transport element disposed in said passageway.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device as defined in claim 21 wherein said element comprises a fibrous material in said passageway.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame for mounting said electrodes includes: a cavity, said electrodes being fixedly mounted within said cavity, and at least one aperture adjacent and connected to said cavity and to one surface of said frame to permit access to said cavity.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as defined in claim 23 wherein said reference electrode includes, as operative layers: a. a solid reference element and, b. in intimate contact with the reference element, a hydrophobic ion-permeable membrane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as defined in claim 24 wherein said reference element includes a metal-metal salt reference half-cell and a dry hydrophilic electrolyte solution in conducting contact with said half-cell.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as defined in claim 24 wherein said reference element includes a dry conductive layer and at least one layer coated thereover containing a redox couple compatible with said conductive layer.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
101 words
A device useful for determining the activity of ions in a liquid solution, comprising: a frame capable of being processed by automatic handling devices, two solid electrodes secured to said frame, each comprising a first operative layer coated over at least one other operative layer, said layers terminating at edges, one of said electrodes being a reference electrode and the other being an ion-selective electrode, means for providing ionic flow between said electrodes upon application of one or more liquid drops, and at each electrode, anti-shorting means for restraining the liquid from simultaneously contacting the edges of both of said layers.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
101 words
A device useful for determining the activity of ions in a liquid solution, comprising: a frame capable of being processed by automatic handling devices, two solid electrodes secured to said frame, each comprising a first operative layer coated over at least one other operative layer, said layers terminating at edges, one of said electrodes being a reference electrode and the other being an ion-selective electrode, means for providing ionic flow between said electrodes upon application of one or more liquid drops, and at each electrode, anti-shorting means for restraining the liquid from simultaneously contacting the edges of both of said layers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as defined in claim 27 wherein said flow-providing means includes a frame to which said electrodes are secured in a spaced-apart electrically isolated relationship.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
The device as defined in claim 28 wherein said restraining means includes a platform adjacent and spaced away from each of said electrodes, and an annular groove separating said platform from the rest of said frame, said groove having a geometry and dimensions which are sufficient to confine the drop to that portion of said electrode which is adjacent said platform.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device as defined in claim 28 wherein said frame has: a pair of cavities, said electrodes being fixedly mounted within said cavities, and at least one aperture adjacent and connected to each of said cavities and to one surface of said frame to permit access to said cavities.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as defined in claim 30 wherein said flow-providing means includes a hinge positioned between said apertures such that, when said frame is folded about said hinge, said apertures are aligned and a single drop of solution can contact both electrodes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device as defined in claim 31 wherein said frame includes additional apertures extending from said one surface into either said cavities or all the way through an insulative portion of said frame, such that, when said frame is folded about said hinges, said additional apertures are aligned to permit a probe to extend through said portion of the frame into contact with one of said electrodes.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
147 words
A device useful for determining the activity of ions in a liquid solution, comprising: two solid electrodes, each comprising a first operative layer coated over at least one other operative layer, said layers terminating at edges, one of said electrodes being a reference electrode and the other being an ionselective electrode, means for providing ionic flow between said electrodes upon application of one or more liquid drops, at each electrode, anti-shorting means for restraining the liquid from simultaneously contacting the edges of both of said layers and a frame to which said electrodes are secured in a spaced-apart electrically isolated relationship, said frame including at least one cavity in which said electrodes are mounted, and at least one aperture adjacent and connected to said cavity and to one surface of said frame to permit access to said cavity and hence to at least one of said electrodes.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
147 words
A device useful for determining the activity of ions in a liquid solution, comprising: two solid electrodes, each comprising a first operative layer coated over at least one other operative layer, said layers terminating at edges, one of said electrodes being a reference electrode and the other being an ionselective electrode, means for providing ionic flow between said electrodes upon application of one or more liquid drops, at each electrode, anti-shorting means for restraining the liquid from simultaneously contacting the edges of both of said layers and a frame to which said electrodes are secured in a spaced-apart electrically isolated relationship, said frame including at least one cavity in which said electrodes are mounted, and at least one aperture adjacent and connected to said cavity and to one surface of said frame to permit access to said cavity and hence to at least one of said electrodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |