Patent ID: 8815179
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: C12M,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of automatically collecting liquid from a processing line, comprising: placing an input conduit of a liquid collection device in liquid communication with the processing line; operatively coupling said input conduit to a peristaltic pump and to an input of a valve block having a plurality of three-way valves; operatively coupling said valve block to a valve actuator so that each of said plurality of three-way valves is movable by a different portion of said valve actuator among an off position, a flush position, and a collection position; controlling said valve actuator to move all of said plurality of three-way valves to said flush position and turning on said peristaltic pump so that liquid from said processing line is pumped through said valve block to a waste container in liquid communication with an output of said valve block; and controlling said valve actuator to move a particular valve of said plurality of three-way valves to said collection position and to move any of said plurality of three-way valves upstream of said particular valve to said flush position while said peristaltic pump remains on, said particular valve being associated with a particular collection container so that liquid from said processing line is pumped through said valve block to said particular collection container.