Abstract:
A scent-delivery system is disclosed that utilizes as least one of (1) a venturi-effect delivery device for promoting evaporation of volatile compounds or (2) a pendulum for energy-efficient movement of solid or liquid forms containing the volatile compounds. When the venturi-effect delivery device is used, a flow of air therethrough drives the evaporation of volatile compounds. The pendulum can be used to move the venturi-effect delivery device to generate the relative movement between the air and the device, hence creating a “flow” of air.
Abstract:
A liquid dispenser that dispenses liquid via the action of a collapsing tube. The illustrative dispenser includes a liquid-carrying tube, a wire, and a magnet. The magnet is shaped to receive the tube and the wire between an elongated North pole and an elongated South pole. A pulse of current of controlled amperage and duration is sent through the wire, which causes it to deflect. This causes the tube to collapse with the result that a portion of the liquid that is contained in the tube is ejected.
Abstract:
A dispenser that is capable of simultaneously filling a large array of receivers (e.g., wells, etc.) with nano-liter volumes of liquid at high accuracy. The dispenser has a very simple construction, is quite compact, and has few if any moving parts.
Abstract:
A multi-channel fluid dispenser includes a reservoir with multiple internal chambers, a multi-channel liquid dispensing head, a plurality of fluid-delivery conduits, and support and positioning elements. The fluid-delivery conduits receive liquid from the chambers in the reservoir and deliver it to the dispensing head. The support and positioning elements are operable to support and position the dispensing head so that it can deliver the liquid from the reservoir to an underlying receiver. The fluid-delivery conduits include one or more optional flow control features that improve the accuracy of the dispensing operation. The multi-channel liquid dispensing head, which includes a valve-support member, a plurality of valves and a plurality of nozzles, is advantageously movable in three directions to facilitate alignment with an underlying receiver. Movement of the dispensing head along two axes is provided by the simple expedient of elongate holes having their long axes aligned in mutually orthogonal directions. In some embodiments, the valves are tiltable away from the vertical so that liquid dispensed from such tilted valves is directed at a non-normal angle into a receiver.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a particle-retrieval device in accordance with the present teachings includes a receiver tube, vacuum-flow providing means and particle-disengaging means. The receiver tube is in fluid communication with the vacuum-flow providing means such that when flow is introduced into the vacuum-flow providing means, a suction or vacuum flow is developed at an end of the receiver tube. The suction causes a particle to adhere to the end of the receiver. A particle is disengaged by discontinuing the suction and, advantageously, by wetting the engaged particle.
Abstract:
A method for photoeluting photocleavable linker-attached chemical compounds, and an apparatus suitable for implementing the method, are disclosed. According to the method, photocleavable linker-attached library compounds are photoeluted from solid support media under conditions of controlled light exposure and controlled temperature. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the present photoelution method includes means for substantially evenly illuminating the photocleavable linker, means for controlling illumination time and intensity, and means for controlling sample temperature.
Abstract:
An article for dispensing very small volumes of liquid via non touch-off transfer. The article includes a rotator that drives a liquid dispensing system in circular motion at constant rotational speed. The liquid dispensing system has a delivery system that is operatively connected to a dispensing element A small volume of liquid is advanced by the delivery system to the dispensing element. As a consequence of the circular motion, energy is imparted to the liquid causing it to forcibly issue from the dispensing element.
Abstract:
Flow-regulation means for improving the operation of a liquid dispenser, and liquid dispensers incorporating the same, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the flow-regulation means includes a conduit for receiving a pressurized fluid, wherein a flow restriction restricts the flow of the pressurized fluid into the conduit. The flow restriction has a smaller flow area than the outlet of the dispensing valve. As a result, fluid is re-supplied to the conduit more slowly than it is dispensed through the dispensing valve. In further embodiments, at least a portion of the conduit is elastic. A dynamic pressure sensor is used to sense pressure in the elastic region. In an additional embodiment, the flow-regulation means includes a resilience-adjustment means operable to adjust the resilience or elasticity of an elastic portion of the conduit. Such adjustable resilience provides an additional measure of control over the dispensing process. In additional embodiments, the present flow-regulation means incorporates various combinations of the above-described features.
Abstract:
An incremental positioner is disclosed. In one embodiment, the incremental positioner includes a motor, a drive shaft, a motion converter and a rack. The motion converter engages the rack and, impelled by the motor and drive shaft, causes the rack to move. The motion converter transmits and converts the continuous rotary motion of the motor to a linear intermittent motion of the rack. To generate such intermittent motion, the motion converter is physically configured so that even though the motion converter is in constant motion, it urges the rack to move on a periodic basis. In other words, during each revolution of the motion converter, the rack “dwells” (i.e., does not move) during a first portion of the cycle, and advances during a second portion of the cycle. Each time the rack advances, it does so by a characteristic incremental distance.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, the present invention provides an improved liquid dispenser suitable for dispensing a small volume of liquid. The liquid dispenser has a capillary channel suitable for aspirating and retaining a predetermined and repeatable volume of liquid via capillary action. To dispense retained liquid, the capillary channel is accelerated and then abruptly decelerated. Liquid is supplied to the capillary channel via a liquid-supply conduit that is in fluid communication therewith. When the capillary channel is abruptly decelerated during the dispensing operation, liquid within the capillary channel is momentarily "sheared" or separated from liquid within liquid-supply conduit. After such "shearing," liquid flow is reestablished under capillary action, and the emptied capillary channel is thereby refilled. The refilling operation occurs "automatically" and without the need for a repositioning operation (i.e., moving the capillary channel to a liquid reservoir to aspire additional liquid) as in the prior art.