Patent ID: 6209589
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: B01J,C40B,G01N

Abstract:
A process for distributing beads, from a mixture of beads of uniform size, into an array having multiple locations, so that a predetermined number of beads is deposited at each location in the array, comprising the steps of:forming a suspension of the mixture of beads in a liquid;causing at least a part of the liquid to flow, in a continuous stream, through a tubular passage alone with beads carried by the liquid, one after another, through the tube and outwardly from the tubular passage through an aperture;causing liquid to flow from the aperture through a first path of a pair of paths by maintaining a valve in the other of said paths in a closed condition;detecting the passage of a predetermined number of the beads through the aperture; andin response to the detection of the passage of said predetermined number of the beads through the aperture, causing the liquid to flow through the other of said paths by opening the valve in said other path while closing a valve in the first path, thereby depositing said predetermined number of beads at a predetermined location of the array.