US 12,458,963 B2
Pipetting device, pipette tip coupler, and pipette tip: devices and methods
Jose Eduardo Guzman, Washoe Valley, NV (US); Thomas Barresi, Reno, NV (US); and Dana A. Belton, Sparks, NV (US)
Assigned to Hamilton Company, Reno, NV (US)
Filed by Hamilton Company, Reno, NV (US)
Filed on Jul. 31, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/791,199.
Application 16/842,441 is a division of application No. 16/392,484, filed on Apr. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,117,125, issued on Sep. 14, 2021.
Application 18/791,199 is a continuation of application No. 18/734,776, filed on Jun. 5, 2024.
Application 18/734,776 is a continuation of application No. 17/481,728, filed on Sep. 22, 2021, granted, now 12,005,434, issued on Jun. 11, 2024.
Application 17/481,728 is a continuation of application No. 16/842,441, filed on Apr. 7, 2020, granted, now 11,130,123, issued on Sep. 28, 2021.
Application 16/392,484 is a continuation of application No. 15/420,568, filed on Jan. 31, 2017, granted, now 10,272,425, issued on Apr. 30, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/350,291, filed on Jun. 15, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/350,302, filed on Jun. 15, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2024/0390885 A1, Nov. 28, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 3/02 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 3/02 (2006.01); B01L 9/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/02 (2006.01); G01N 1/10 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 3/0279 (2013.01) [B01L 3/0217 (2013.01); B01L 3/0275 (2013.01); B01L 3/563 (2013.01); B01L 9/543 (2013.01); G01N 35/10 (2013.01); B01L 2200/02 (2013.01); B01L 2200/021 (2013.01); B01L 2200/023 (2013.01); B01L 2200/025 (2013.01); B01L 2200/026 (2013.01); B01L 2200/04 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0689 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0832 (2013.01); B01L 2300/123 (2013.01); G01N 35/1011 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1025 (2013.01); G01N 2035/103 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pipette tip comprising:
a circumscribing sidewall with an open interior passage including an interior surface extending along a central longitudinal axis of the pipette tip between an open proximal end and an open distal end of the pipette tip;
a first section formed in the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall distal to the open proximal end, the first section having a first length and a first diameter wherein the first diameter is at a widest portion of the first section;
a second section formed in the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall distal to the first section, the second section having a second diameter and the second section having a second length;
wherein the second diameter is at a widest portion of the second section; and
wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter;
a first working surface formed in the circumscribing sidewall;
an axial stop surface formed in the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall at an interface of the first section and the second section;
a third section formed in the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall distal to the second section, the third section having a third length;
a sealing seat formed in the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall and interposed between the second section and the third section, the sealing seat comprising:
an upper annular sealing seat edge at an interface with the second section;
a lower annular sealing seat edge distal to the upper annular sealing seat edge;
a sealing seat surface interposed between the upper annular sealing seat edge and the lower annular sealing seat edge;
wherein the upper annular sealing seat edge is greater in diameter than a narrowest portion of the sealing seat surface;
wherein a fourth length along the central longitudinal axis of the pipette tip between the upper annular sealing seat edge and the lower annular sealing seat edge is less than the second length; and
wherein the fourth length is less than the third length; and
at least one frustoconical section formed in the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall and between the third section and the open distal end;
wherein at least a portion of the first working surface is configured to receive a first radial force and a first axial force from a coupling device inserted into the open interior passage of the pipette tip to secure the pipette tip against the coupling device;
wherein the first radial force is directed outward and perpendicular from the central longitudinal axis;
wherein the first axial force is directed upward and parallel to the central longitudinal axis;
wherein the sealing seat is configured for receiving a second radial force and a second axial force when a coupling device is inserted into the pipette tip to seal the coupling device against the sealing seat of the pipette tip;
wherein the second radial force is directed outward and perpendicular from the central longitudinal axis; and
wherein the second axial force is directed downward and parallel to the central longitudinal axis.