Patent ID: 9630179
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: B01L,B65B,B65D,C12Q,G01N,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method for transferring a liquid from a fluid cartridge comprising a casing having a top surface, a fluid chamber comprising a well formed in the casing with an opening at the top surface that is sealed to prevent or limit liquid evaporation through the opening, a fluid reservoir adjacent to the fluid chamber and comprising a well formed in the casing with an opening at the top surface that is sealed to prevent or limit liquid evaporation through the opening, wherein the fluid chamber and the fluid reservoir contain the same liquid, wherein the opening of the fluid reservoir is larger than the opening of the fluid chamber, and wherein the opening of the fluid chamber is sealed by a frangible seal secured to the top surface and covering the opening of the fluid chamber, a first path between the fluid reservoir and the fluid chamber disposed proximate a lower portion of the fluid reservoir and fluid chamber and providing liquid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid chamber, and a second path between the fluid reservoir and fluid chamber disposed proximate a top portion of the fluid reservoir and fluid chamber and providing fluid communication between the fluid reservoir and the fluid chamber, the method comprising: (a) penetrating the frangible seal covering the opening of the fluid chamber with an automated pipettor; (b) contacting the liquid contained in the fluid chamber with the automated pipettor; and (c) withdrawing at least a portion of the liquid from the fluid chamber with the automated pipettor, thereby causing liquid to flow from the fluid reservoir into the fluid chamber through the first path while air flows from the fluid chamber to the fluid reservoir through the second path.