Thomas H Breen

US Patent:

6454141, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Jul 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/915829

Inventors:

Thomas Breen - Coral Springs FL
Brian Schmitz - Fort Lauderdale FL

Assignee:

Coulter International Corp. - Miami FL

International Classification:

B65G 5300

US Classification:

222405, 222168, 222630, 141 65, 141130, 406114, 406141, 406145

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for dispersing and feeding dry powders without using pressurized air are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sample holder, a suction probe, a vacuum means and a positional means. The suction probe is positioned above dry powders in the sample holder, a space between the suction probe and the sample holder is substantially small that allows non-pressurized ambient air to form an high velocity downward air flow when a vacuum is applied to the suction probe. A change of air flow direction at an orifice of the suction probe generates a high shear force above the dry powders, which disperses the dry powders into an airstream. The apparatus feeds the dry powder airstream to a particle analyzer with a controlled rate. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in sizing particles using laser diffraction or image analysis techniques.

US Patent:

63181584, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

Mar 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/516693

Inventors:

Thomas Breen - Coral Springs FL
Mark M. Beaulieu - Coral Springs FL
Enrique Rodriguez - Hialeah FL
Arys S. Cuervo - Miami FL

Assignee:

Coulter International Corp. - Miami FL

International Classification:

G01N 3504

US Classification:

73 6456

Abstract:

A particulate sample mixing and delivery apparatus externally sonically mixes respective samples of particulate stored in storage containers that are sequentially indexed by a carousel prior to being dispensed into an analyzer reservoir. Each container is compliant to acoustic energy emitted by a sonicator unit that is placed against an external surface of a respective container to which preferably a carrier fluid and surfactant are controllably supplied. After sonication, the container is indexed to a sample dispensing location adjacent to the analyzer reservoir. A tiltable cradle then rotates the container to rapidly dispense its mixed contents into the reservoir, and then discards the empty container.