Lenore S Buehrer

US Patent:

20090032064, Feb 5, 2009

Filed:

Oct 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/243822

Inventors:

Robert M. GIFFORD - Starksboro VT, US
Lenore Buehrer - Burlington VT, US
Thomas A. Cleveland - Colchester VT, US

Assignee:

BTI HOLDINGS INC. - Winooski VT

International Classification:

B08B 3/12
B08B 7/04
B08B 9/00

US Classification:

134 18, 134 56 R, 134 57 R, 134 2212

Abstract:

An automated method of cleaning the pipes of a plate washing system is provided. The plate washing system includes at least one manifold having a plurality of pipes configured to be provided within wells of a plate in order to wash the wells, an ultrasonic transducer mounted to a tank, and a control system. The plate washing system also includes sensors to sense the position of the pipes relative to plate and the tank, and the fluid level within the wells of the plate. The method includes dispensing fluid to the tank, submerging the tips of the pipes within the fluid, activating the ultrasonic transducer in order to vibrate the fluid, and aspirating the fluid from the tank. The control system may initiate a cleaning operation at the request of the user, at a scheduled interval, or when the level sensing system detects a decrease in instrument function.

US Patent:

20060054190, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Jul 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/183867

Inventors:

Robert Gifford - Starksboro VT, US
Lenore Buehrer - Burlington VT, US
Thomas Cleveland - Colchester VT, US

International Classification:

B08B 7/04
B08B 9/00
B08B 3/00
B08B 6/00
B08B 3/12

US Classification:

134022100, 134184000, 13405600D, 134018000

Abstract:

A plate washing system and method of cleaning pipes of the plate washing system. The plate washing system includes at least one manifold having a plurality of pipes configured to be provided within wells of a plate in order to wash the wells, at least one manifold having a plurality of pipes, a tank, an ultrasonic transducer mounted to the tank, and a control system. When tips of the pipes are positioned within the tank, the control system activates the ultrasonic transducer in order to vibrate a fluid within the tank. An additional level sensing system which can detect fluid levels in order to establish instrument function and/or the need to clean via the ultrasonic cleaning system.

US Patent:

20060054188, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Sep 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/939467

Inventors:

Robert Gifford - Starksboro VT, US
Lenore Buehrer - Burlington VT, US
Thomas Cleveland - Colchester VT, US

International Classification:

B08B 9/00
B08B 3/00

US Classification:

134022100, 13405600D, 13405800D, 13416600C

Abstract:

A plate washing system and method of cleaning pipes of the plate washing system. The plate washing system includes at least one manifold having a plurality of pipes configured to be provided within wells of a plate in order to wash the wells, at least one manifold having a plurality of pipes, a tank, an ultrasonic transducer mounted to the tank, and a control system. When tips of the pipes are positioned within the tank, the control system activates the ultrasonic transducer in order to vibrate a fluid within the tank.