United States Patent im
Coleman et al.
[54] FLUID COLLECTION, SEPARATION AND DISPENSING TUBE
[76] Inventors: Charles M. Coleman, 958 Washington Rd., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15228; William Kendrick, 34 Willowbrook Dr., Doylestown, Pa. 18901
[21] Appl. No.: 90,329
[22] Filed: Jul. 12, 1993
[51] Int. CI.6 BOIL 11/00
[52] U.S. CI 422/101; 422/73; 422/99;
422/102; 436/177; 210/782; 210/789
[58] Field of Search 422/101, 100,
422/73, 102, 99; 436/177, 178; 210/782,
789, 787
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,508,653 4/1970 Coleman 210/83
3,741,732 6/1973 Stanfield 73/425.4
4,104,025 8/1978 Retzer 23/230
4,308,232 12/1981 Crouther et al 422/102
4,361,155 11/1982 Anastasio 128/763
4,579,828 4/1986 Ali 422/73
4,650,662 3/1987 Goldfinger et al 422/102
Hi i in i! n il i in i n i I I n t ii i ii i ii l r ii
US005456885A
[ii] Patent Number: 5,456,885 [45] Date of Patent: Oct. 10, 1995
4,853,137 8/1989 Ersson 422/101
4,877,520 10/1989 Burns 422/101
4,964,601 8/1990 Fiehler 422/101
5,053,134 10/1991 Ludereretal 422/101
5,054,498 10/1991 Melet 128/763
5,059,398 10/1991 Kenney 422/100
5,065,768 11/1991 Coleman et al 128/760
5,104,625 4/1992 Kenney 422/100
5,132,232 7/1992 Parker 436/177
5,203,825 4/1993 Haynes et al 73/864.02
5,236,604 8/1993 Fiehler 422/101
Primary Examiner—Donald E. Czaja
Assistant Examiner—Lien Tran
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Ingersoll Buchanan; Lynn J.
Alstadt
[57] ABSTRACT
A tube for collection, separation and dispensation of a two-phase fluid is provided with a elongated rigid tubular container having a fluid entry end a closable end and a float. The float retained within the tubular container is positioned between the light phase and the heavy phase of the fluid on centrifugation thereby separating the two phases. In dispensing the light phase, the float moves to and engages the fluid entry end thereby preventing the heavy phase from escaping out of the tube.
24 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
