(19)
(11) EP 1 450 161 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
10.11.2004 Bulletin 2004/46

(43) Date of publication:
25.08.2004 Bulletin 2004/35

(21) Application number: 04010901.9

(22) Date of filing: 24.03.1993
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 35/02, B65B 7/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI

(30) Priority: 27.03.1992 US 859218
20.07.1992 US 916556
20.07.1992 US 917253
20.07.1992 US 915168
20.07.1992 US 915166
20.07.1992 US 917634
20.07.1992 US 916425
20.07.1992 US 916551
20.07.1992 US 915164
20.07.1992 US 915167
18.03.1993 US 27269
18.03.1993 US 27482

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
93908571.8 / 0746769

(71) Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Abbott Park, IL 60064-6008 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Clark, Frederic L.
    Plano TX 75023 (US)
  • Clift, Gilbert
    Mesquite TX 75150 (US)
  • Hendrick, Kendall B.
    Southlake TX 76092 (US)
  • Kanewske, William J. III.
    Dallas TX 75208 (US)
  • Lagocki, Peter A.
    Park Ridge IL 60068 (US)
  • Martin, Richard R.
    Irving TX 75063 (US)
  • Mitchell, James E.
    Lake Barrington IL 60010 (US)
  • Moore, Larry W.
    Plano TX 75075 (US)
  • Pennington, Charles D.
    Lake Zurich IL 60047 (US)
  • Walker, Edna S.
    Chicago IL 60618 (US)
  • Smith, Jane B.
    Vernon Hills IL 60061 (US)
  • Tayi, Apparao
    Grayslake IL 60030 (US)
  • Vaught, James A.
    Euless TX 76039 (US)
  • Yost, David A.
    Poolesville MD 20837 (US)
  • Winter, Gary E.
    Hanover Park IL 60103 (US)
  • Hance, Robert B.
    Evanston IL 60202 (US)
  • Stanton, Alyn K.
    Barrington IL 60010 (US)
  • Oleksak, Carl M.
    Fort Worth TX 76118 (US)
  • Watkins, William E. III.
    Cedar Hill TX 75104 (US)
  • Vickstrom, Richard L.
    Algonquin IL 60102 (US)
  • Cloonan, Kevin M.
    Round Lake, IL 60088 (US)
  • Wohlford Robert A.
    Irving TX 75062 (US)
  • Hills, David B. Jr.
    Plano TX 75025 (US)
  • Schrier, Paul R.
    Carrollton TX 75007 (US)
  • Rumbaugh, William
    Carollton TX 75006 (US)

(74) Representative: Modiano, Guido, Dr.-Ing. et al
Modiano, Josif, Pisanty & Staub, Baaderstrasse 3
80469 München
80469 München (DE)

 
Remarks:
This application was filed on 07 - 05 - 2004 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 62.
 


(54) Automatic closure of containers


(57) A method for controlling evaporation and contamination of reagents used in automated diagnostic systems is disclosed as well as an apparatus for opening and closing reagent containers contained within a reagent pack having cover and cap means for such controlling of evaporation and contamination. The method comprises (a) moving reagent packs containing reagents in closed reagent containers mounted in a reagent pack carousel to an opening and closing station, (b) forcing open the evaporatively closed reagent containers contained in the reagent pack by the opening and closing station, (c) locking in an open position the reagent containers cover and cap which is affixed to the reagent containers, (d) moving the locked open reagent containers from the opening and closing station on the reagent pack carousel to a position wherein the system has access to the reagents, (e) withdrawing reagents from the reagent containers for system use, (f) returning the reagent pack and reagent containers on the reagent pack carousel to the opening and closing station, (g) unlocking the lock open cover and cap of the reagent containers, (h) force closing the cover and cap of the reagent containers of the reagent pack, and (i) removing the reagent pack from the opening and closing station.