Appeal No. 97-1595
Application No. 08/209,786
containing vials, which are supported in a single chamber
closed by a sealing cover. Associated with each vial is an
air channeling device, such as a needle, which extends through
an aperture in the cover. As described on page 7 of the
specification,
[a]s the vacuum source is begun a vacuum is created
within the chamber, which in turn, draws air or gas
through the air channeling devices within cover
apertures 26. Preferably, the gas flowing through
each aperture is directed to the desired position
within or above each respective vial. The gas flow
through the apertures and into the vials, in turn,
provides a blow-down evaporative effect. Since a
vacuum is being applied, the air or inert gas will
simultaneously flow through the needle and agitate
the solution, being drawn by the vacuum itself. As
the gas is eventually drawn back out of the vial and
through the passageway by continuing vacuum effect,
it will tend to also carry the evaporated solvent
vapors with it.
This is manifested in independent claim 1 by the requirement
that there be “a recessed sample chamber...comprising a
plurality of well positions..., a positionable chamber cover
dimensioned to form an air tight seal...upon the
chamber...[and] comprising a plurality of access apertures.”
A vacuum circuit is specified which connects a source to the
chamber. Similar language appears in independent claim 8.
3
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