(19)
(11) EP 0 348 116 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.09.1990 Bulletin 1990/36

(43) Date of publication A2:
27.12.1989 Bulletin 1989/52

(21) Application number: 89306140.8

(22) Date of filing: 16.06.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4: G01N 1/10, B01L 3/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 20.06.1988 US 208447

(71) Applicant: HELENA LABORATORIES CORPORATION
Beaumont, Texas 77704 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Golias, Tipton Lee
    Beaumont Texas 77704 (US)

(74) Representative: Ranson, Arthur Terence et al
W.P. Thompson & Co. Coopers Building Church Street
Liverpool L1 3AB
Liverpool L1 3AB (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Method and apparatus for discharging contents of sealed container


    (57) A method and apparatus is disclosed for discharging the contents of a sealed container (10), such as a test tube, having a resilient closure (18). A plurality of tubes or needles (32, 38) are mounted in a socket or holder (50). The tubes needles (32, 38) puncture the closure (18) to establish fluid flow paths between the interior and exterior of the container (10). A pump (66) is positioned at one end (34) of the first fluid flow path (32), and a discharge tube (70) extends through the second fluid flow path (38) such that upon activating the pump (66), air or the like is introduced into the interior of the container (10) creating a pressure therein, in response to which fluid from the container (10) is discharged through the discharge tube (70) onto a specimen plate (88) or the like.







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