Reagent metering and delivery device

A precision reagent metering and delivery device including a threaded, disposable reagent container adapted to be threadably interconnected with a threaded base. The reagent container is provided with a fluid passageway leading to the exterior thereof. Sealably mounted within the reagent container is a plunger which is operably coupled with a stator disposed in the base so that rotation of the reagent container relative to the base will cause precisely predeterminable longitudinal movement of the plunger within the reagent container whereby the reagent within the container will be controllably forced out the fluid passageway in precisely determinable amounts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to liquid dispensing devices. More 
particularly the invention concerns an improved precision reagent metering 
and delivery device having a rotating base and a fixed reagent container. 
2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
There exists in the prior art a wide variety of volumetric devices for 
dispensing liquids such as reagents. On one end of the spectrum is the 
simple manual type, such as the pipette, wherein a quantity of liquid is 
sucked up into a graduated tube and then discharged as a metered quantity. 
On the other end of the spectrum are various highly sophisticated 
mechanical and electromechanical devices adapted to reproducably dispense 
precise quantities of liquid from conventional or specicially designed 
reagent containers. The manual type devices often lack the necessary 
precision, while the mechanized devices frequently are unduly complex, 
extremely costly and, in many instances, tend to fail or malfunction in 
continuous use. 
The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,834,241 issued to Garren et al 
and in 4,054,061 issued to Valt are exemplary of manual type pipette 
devices. 
The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,931,915 issued to Downings et 
al and in 4,101,283 issued to Sundstrom are exemplary of mechanical and 
electromechanical dispensing devices. The latter mentioned Sundstrom 
device is specifically adapted for use in accurately pipetting specified 
digitally programmed volumes of sample and the delivery of likewise 
specified, digitally programmed, volumes of reagent. The thrust of the 
Sundstrom invention is directed toward the provision of a specially 
constructed plunger which is rotated within a non-threaded reagent 
container. Rotation of the plunger is controlled by a relatively 
sophisticated light-photo cell system which is operably interconnected 
with motor means through somewhat complex counting and connecting 
circuits. As a result of the particular configuration of the Sundstrom 
plunger, it cuts grooves in the inner wall of the reagent container as it 
rotates. 
One of the most successful reagent metering and dispensing devices 
developed to date is described in the co-pending application Ser. No. 
557,913 filed by the present inventor. 
The device of the present invention is an improvement of the device 
described in Ser. No. 557,913 and is readily distinguishable from the 
prior art in that it solves the problems inherent in the precision 
delivery of large or small liquid aliquots by providing inexpensive and 
positive a simple, inexpensive and positive acting, but yet highly precise 
device for accurate reagent metering and delivery. As will be appreciated 
from the description which follows, because of its simplicity, the device 
of the present invention is easy to maintain and clean, is highly reliable 
in operation and can readily be operated by unskilled, non-professional 
personnel. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple, highly 
reliable and easy to operate rotating base device which uniquely solves 
the problem of high precision and accuracy in reagent metering and 
delivery. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the 
aforementioned character in which the component parts which make up the 
device are of simple design and can be manufactured of inexpensive, easily 
fabricated and readily available materials. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the 
character described in the previous paragraphs which is simple to clean 
and maintain. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the class 
described which makes use of disposable reagent containers which can be 
readily installed by non-professional personnel with minimum system 
downtime. 
In summary, the device of the present invention comprises an externally 
threaded, disposable reagent container having a fluid passageway leading 
to the exterior of the device. The container is threadably receivable 
within an internally threaded rotatable base. Sealably mounted within the 
reagent container for reciprocal movement axially thereof is a uniquely 
designed plunger. The plunger is operably coupled with a stator disposed 
in the base so that rotation of the base relative to the reagent container 
will cause a precisely predeterminable axial movement of the plunger 
within the reagent container. This controlled axial movement of the 
plunger causes the reagent to be controllably forced out the fluid 
passageway of the container with great precision.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, the 
reagent metering and delivery device of the present invention comprises a 
generally cylindrically shaped, internally threaded hollow base 12 and a 
generally cylindrically shaped, externally threaded reagent container 14 
adapted to be threadably received within base 12. Base 12 includes a 
bottom closure wall 16 and a stator, shown here in the form of a hollow, 
upstanding column 18 mounted on wall 16 and extending axially upwardly 
within the hollow base 12 and terminating at an upper end portion 20. 
As indicated in FIG. 2, reagent container 14 is adapted to be threadably 
interconnected with base 16 upon rotation of the container relative to the 
base. Rotation of container 14 may be accomplished manually, or, in a 
manner presently to be discussed, it may be accomplished by a mechanical 
drive means for controllably rotating the reagent cylinder relative to the 
base. The top of reagent container 14 is closed by a top closure wall 22 
and the inner wall 24 of the container is generally cylindrical in shape. 
Mounted for reciprocal movement within the reagent container 14 is a 
generally cylindrically shaped plunger 26 having upper and lower walls 28 
and 30 respectively. Formed within bottom wall 30 of the plunger is 
connecting means for operably interconnecting the plunger with the stator, 
or upstanding column, 18 provided in base 12. In the embodiment of the 
invention shown in the drawings, this connecting means is provided in the 
form of a cavity 32 which, as shown in FIG. 3, is generally rectangular in 
cross-section and is adapted to closely receive the upper end portion 20 
of upstanding column 18. 
A fluid delivery means is provided for conducting fluid from the interior 
of reagent container 14 to the exterior of the device. This fluid delivery 
means is here provided in the form of a tubular conduit 34 which extends 
through an aperture 36 formed in bottom wall 16 of base 12. The conduit 
then extends upwardly through hollow column 18 and then outwardly through 
an aperture 38 formed in the upper portion 20 of the upstanding column 18 
terminating in a first end 39. As best seen by referring to FIG. 1, 
plunger 26 is provided with a fluid passageway 40 having one end 
communicating with the interior of the reagent container 14 and the other 
end communicating with conduit 34. 
To prevent leakage of fluid between plunger 26 and the inner cylindrical 
wall 24 of reagent container 14, plunger 26 is provided with sealing means 
adapted to sealably engage the inner wall 24 of the reagent container as 
the plunger moves reciprocally within the reagent container. In the 
present form of the invention, this sealing means comprises a pair of 
spaced apart, circumferentially extending skirts 42 and 44, the outer 
edges of which press resiliently against inner wall 24 of the reagent 
container. While sealing skirts are shown in the drawings, it is to be 
understood that conventional type elastomeric O-rings could also be used 
as the sealing means. 
As best seen by also referring to FIG. 4, the drive means of the present 
form of the invention comprises a multiplicity of splines 46 provided 
about the periphery of the reagent container 14. A drive roller 48, also 
having a multiplicity of splines 50 provided about its periphery, is 
adapted to mateably engage and controllably drive the reagent container 
14. A motor means M is operably interconnected with drive roller 48 by a 
suitable driving connection shown schematically in the drawings and 
indicated by the numeral 52. Depending upon the end use to be made of the 
device of the invention, the drive means may take any number of forms well 
known to those skilled in the art. For example, it may comprise a portable 
driving mechanism including a housing within which drive roller 48 is 
rotatably carried. In this instance, the drive roller can, if desired, be 
interconnected with motor M by a flexible shaft. Alternatively the drive 
means may be fixed and include a housing fixedly mounted in close 
proximity to reagent container 14 with drive roller 48 carried therewithin 
and adapted to be driven by a suitable drive train interconnected with 
motor M. The design of driving means of character described are well 
within the skill of the art and their precise construction need not be 
described herein. 
In operation, when the parts are mated in the manner shown in FIG. 2, 
rotation of reagent container 14 relative to the base 12 will cause the 
reagent container to travel downwardly in relation to plunger 26, which is 
fixed against rotation by the stator. 
Since the sealing means, or skirts 42 and 44, provided on plunger 26 
prevents the fluid F contained within container 14 from passing between 
the plunger and the inner wall 24 of the container, the fluid will be 
forced outwardly of the device through delivery tube 34. The amount of 
fluid passing through the delivery tube is precisely proportioned to the 
travel of container 14 along the internal threads of base 12 as container 
14 is rotated by the drive means. Accordingly, by closely controlling the 
rotation of the container 14 the delivery of the fluid from the device can 
be precisely and accurately controlled. More specifically by providing 
very fine threads on the mating parts and through close control of the 
drive means, high precision and accuracy in the delivery of small or large 
liquid aliquots can consistently be achieved. 
Because the device embodies a minimum number of moving parts and due to the 
fact that the drive means is external of the unit and easily accessible, 
the device is highly reliable, readily maintainable and simple to operate. 
Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, an alternate form of the invention is 
shown. The reagent metering and delivery device of the this form of the 
invention is similar in many respects to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 
through 4. However, in this alternate embodiment the fluid delivery means 
comprises a tubular member connected to the top wall of the fluid 
container. As in the previously described form of the invention, the 
apparatus comprises a generally cylindrically shaped, internally threaded 
hollow base 12a and a generally cylindrically shaped, externally threaded 
reagent container 14a. Base 12a includes a bottom closure wall 16a and a 
stator, shown here in the form of a hollow, upstanding column 18a mounted 
on wall 16a and extending axially upwardly within the hollow base 12a and 
terminating at an upper end portion 20a. 
As indicated in FIG. 6, base 12a is adapted to be threadably interconnected 
with container 16a upon rotation of the base relative to the container. 
Rotation of base 12a may be accomplished manually, or, in a manner 
presently to be discussed, it may be accomplished by a mechanical drive 
means for controllably rotating the base relative to the reagent container 
14a. The top of reagent container 14a is closed by a top closure wall 22a 
which is provided with a fluid passageway 23a leading to the exterior of 
the device. In this form of the invention the inner wall 24a of the 
container is generally cylindrical in shape. 
Mounted for reciprocal, or axial, movement within the reagent container 14a 
is a generally cylindrically shaped plunger 26a having upper and lower 
walls 28a and 30a respectively. Formed within bottom wall 30a of the 
plunger is connecting means for operably interconnecting the plunger with 
the stator, or upstanding column, 18a provided in base 12a. In the 
embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, this connecting means 
is provided in the form of a cavity 32a which, as shown in FIG. 7, is 
generally rectangular in cross-section and is adapted to closely receive 
the upper end portion 20a of upstanding column 18a. 
A fluid delivery means is provided for conducting fluid from the interior 
of reagent container 14a to the exterior of the device. This fluid 
delivery means is here provided in the form of a tubular conduit 34a which 
is suitable interconnected with fluid passageway 23a. 
To prevent leakage of fluid between plunger 26a and the inner cylindrical 
wall 24a of reagent container 14a, plunger 26a is provided with sealing 
means adapted to sealably engage the inner wall 24a of the reagent 
container as the plunger moves reciprocally within the reagent container. 
In the present form of the invention, this sealing means comprises a pair 
of axially spaced apart, circumferentially extending skirts 42a and 44a, 
the outer edges of which press resiliently against inner wall 24a of the 
reagent container. While sealing skirts are shown in the drawings, it is 
to be understood that conventional type elastomeric O-rings could also be 
used as the sealing means. 
As best seen by also referring to FIG. 8, the drive means of the present 
embodiment of the invention comprises a multiplicity of splines 46a formed 
about the periphery of a flange 47a provided at the upper end of base 12a. 
A drive roller 48a, also having a multiplicity of splines 50a provided 
about its periphery, is adapted to mateably engage and controllably drive 
the base 12a. A motor means M is operably interconnected with drive roller 
48a by a suitable driving connection shown schematically in the drawings 
and indicated by the numeral 52a. Depending upon the end use to be made of 
the device of the invention, the drive means may take any number of forms 
well known to those skilled in the art. For example, it may comprise a 
portable driving mechanism including a housing within which drive roller 
48a is rotatably carried. In this instance, the drive roller can, if 
desired, be interconnected with motor M by a flexible shaft. Alternatively 
the drive means may be fixed and include a housing fixedly mounted in 
close proximity to base 12a with drive roller 48a carried therewithin and 
adapted to be driven by a suitable drive train interconnected with motor 
M. Of course, the base may also be rotated by hand. The design of driving 
means of character described are well within the skill of the art and 
their precise construction need not be described herein. 
In operation, when the parts are mated in the manner shown in FIG. 6, 
rotation of base 12a relative to the non-rotating container 14a will cause 
the base 12a to travel upwardly in relation to plunger 26a, which is 
operably connected to the stator 18a. 
Since the sealing means, or skirts 42a and 44a, provided on plunger 26a 
prevents the fluid F contained within container 14a from passing between 
the plunger and the inner wall 24a of the container, the fluid will be 
forced outwardly of the device through delivery tube 34a. The amount of 
fluid passing through the delivery tube is precisely proportioned to the 
travel of base 12a along the threads of container 14a as base 12a is 
rotated by the drive means. Accordingly, by closely controlling the 
rotation of the base 12a the delivery of the fluid from the device can be 
precisely and accurately controlled. More specifically by providing very 
fine threads on the mating parts and through close control of the drive 
means, high precision and accuracy in the delivery of small or large 
liquid aliquots can consistently be achieved. As best seen in FIG. 6, a 
vent "V" is formed in bottom wall 16a to permit venting of the base during 
operation of the device. 
Another important feature of the present form of the invention comprises 
counter means for measuring the extent of rotation of base 12a relative to 
container 14a and for providing an automatic readout of the fluid 
dispensed. It is apparent that the travel of the plunger 26a is directly 
proportional to the extent of rotation of the base relative to the 
container. It is equally apparent that the amount of fluid dispensed is 
directly proportional to the degree of travel of the plunger within the 
container. Accordingly, by measuring with a suitable counter "C" the 
extent of rotation of the base relative to the container the amount of 
fluid dispensed can readily be calculated in a manner well known to those 
skilled in the art. The calculations of fluid dispensed as well as the 
instrumentation required to provide a direct readout thereof are well 
understood and will not be discussed in detail herein. 
Because the device embodies a minimum number of moving parts and due to the 
fact that the drive means is external of the unit and easily accessible, 
the device is highly reliable, readily maintainable and simple to operate. 
Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 12, still another form of the reagent 
metering and delivery device of the invention comprises a generally 
cylindrically shaped, internally threaded hollow base 60 and a generally 
cylindrically shaped, externally threaded reagent container 62. In this 
form of the invention base 60 is made up of two hingably interconnected 
parts 60a and 60b (FIG. 15) which, in the closed position shown in FIG. 10 
define a bottom closure wall 64 and a stator, shown here in the form of a 
hollow, upstanding column 66 extending axially upwardly within the hollow 
base 60 and terminating at an upper end portion 68. 
Turning also to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, parts 60a and 60b are provided with 
downwardly depending, transversely spaced ears 61a and 61b respectively. 
These ears are constructed so as to mate in the manner shown in FIG. 13 
and each is apertured to receive a pivot pin 70 which extends through the 
apertured ears and about which the parts pivot into the open position 
shown in FIG. 14. As will be discussed more fully hereinafter, this novel 
pivoting feature permits the rapid removal of the reagent container after 
the reagent has been ejected therefrom. Provided proximate the lower 
extremity of stator 66 are spaced apart apertured ears 67 through which 
pin 70 also passes in the manner shown in FIG. 9. With this arrangement 
the stator and the clam shell-like base portions 60a and 60b are 
interconnected to form the base assembly of the device, which in the 
closed position, operates in basically the same manner as base 12a of the 
previously described embodiment. 
As best seen in FIG. 10, when the portions 60a and 60b are in the closed 
position, base 60 is adapted to be threadably interconnected with 
container 62 upon rotation of the base relative to the container. Rotation 
of base 60 may be accomplished manually, or, as in the case of the 
previously described embodiment, it may be accomplished by a mechanical 
drive means for controllably rotating the base relative to the reagent 
container 62. The top of reagent container 62 is closed by a top closure 
wall 72 which is provided with a fluid passage-way 73 leading to the 
exterior of the device. In this form of the invention the inner wall 74 of 
the container is generally cylindrical in shape. 
Mounted for reciprocal, or axial, movement within the reagent container 62 
is a generally cylindrically shaped plunger 76 having upper and lower 
walls 78 and 80 respectively. Formed within bottom wall 80 of the plunger 
is connecting means for operably interconnecting the plunger with the 
stator, or upstanding column, 66 provided in base 60. In this embodiment 
of the invention, like that previously described, the connecting means is 
provided in the form of a cavity 82 which, as shown in FIG. 12, is 
generally rectangular in cross-section and is adapted to closely receive 
the upper end portion 68 of upstanding column 66. 
A fluid delivery means is provided for conducting fluid from the interior 
of reagent container 62 to the exterior of the device. This fluid delivery 
means is here provided in the form of a tubular conduit 84 which is 
suitable interconnected with fluid passageway 73. 
To prevent leakage of fluid between plunger 76 and the inner cylindrical 
wall 74 of reagent container 62, plunger 76 is provided with sealing means 
adapted to sealably engage the inner wall 74 of the reagent container as 
the plunger moves reciprocally within the reagent container. In the 
present form of the invention, this sealing means comprises a pair of 
axially spaced apart, circumferentially extending skirts 86 and 88, the 
outer edges of which press resiliently against inner wall 74 of the 
reagent container. 
As best seen by also referring to FIG. 11, the drive means of the present 
embodiment of the invention comprises a multiplicity of splines 90 formed 
about the periphery of a flange 92 provided at the upper end of base 62. A 
drive roller 94, also having a multiplicity of splines 96 provided about 
its periphery, is adapted to mateably engage and controllably drive the 
base 62. A motor means M is operably interconnected with drive roller 94 
by a suitable driving connection shown schematically in the drawings and 
indicated by the numeral 98. As previously discussed, depending upon the 
end use to be made of the device of the invention, the drive means may 
take any number of forms well known to those skilled in the art. 
In operation, when base portions 60a and 60b are closed and the parts are 
mated in the manner shown in FIG. 10, rotation of base 60 relative to the 
non-rotating container 62 will cause the base 60 to travel upwardly in 
relation to plunger 76, which is operably connected to the stator 66. 
Since the sealing means, provided on plunger 76 prevents the fluid F 
contained within container 64 from passing between the plunger and the 
inner wall 74 of the container, the fluid will be forced outwardly of the 
device through delivery tube 84. The amount of fluid passing through the 
delivery tube is precisely proportioned to the travel of base 60 along the 
threads of container 62 as base 60 is rotated by the drive means. 
Accordingly, by closely controlling the rotation of the base 60 the 
delivery of the fluid from the device can be precisely and accurately 
controlled. As best seen in FIG. 10, an air vent "V" is formed in the 
bottom wall 64 to permit venting of the device during operation. 
Referring again to FIGS. 9 and 10, the base portions 60a and 60b are 
maintained in a closed position by a band 100 which circumscribes the base 
assembly. When the fluid within container 62 has been ejected, the band 
100 is removed and the base portions are opened in the manner shown in 
FIG. 14. This permits the spent container to be quickly discarded without 
the necessity of threadably disconnecting it from the base as is required 
in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 through 8. The base 
portions are then pivoted to the closed position shown in FIG. 10 and the 
band 100 is replaced. Protuberances 79 which are receivable in mateing 
cavities 81 formed in portion 60b (FIG. 14) function to precisely align 
the base portions and a notched-out portion "N" in the base portions 
receives the stator (FIG. 15). A new container can then be mated with the 
base assembly and the fluid dispensing operation repeated. 
Turning to FIG. 16, yet another form of the invention is there shown. In 
this embodiment, the various component parts of the invention are of the 
same general configuration as previously described, save that here the 
base is held fixed and the container is rotated relative thereto by a 
motor M which is drivably coupled with splined drive 102. In this 
instance, the container 104 is provided with splines 106 which are adapted 
to mate with drive 102. Additionally, a swivel assembly 108 is provided to 
interconnect the supporting tube 110, which is connected to container 104 
with a non-rotating supply conduit 112. 
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the 
requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have 
no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts 
of their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or 
conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing 
from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following 
claims.