IP Library Granted Patent US 8,061,633
Granted Patent B2
US 8,061,633 · App. 12/169,757 · Granted Nov 22, 2011

Apparatus for use in sample analysis

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,061,633
App. No.
12/169,757
Granted
Nov 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vial and impactor combination for use in a cryogenic mill is disclosed. The impactor includes a steel or similar core, and a surrounding exterior of polycarbonate or similar inert material. The vial is made preferably of polycarbonate with endcaps also made of polycarbonate.

Claims (5)

1. A method for grinding a sample comprising drilling out a first longitudinal member to create a first trough, drilling out a second longitudinal member to create a second trough, placing an impactor core into both first and second troughs, joining said first and second members to substantially enclose said impactor core, and using said enclosed impactor core to repeatedly strike and grind a sample within an enclosure containing the impactor and the sample.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second longitudinal members are made of polycarbonate.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said impactor core is made of steel.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said step of using said enclosed impactor includes placing said enclosed impactor into a vial and subjecting the vial to an electromagnetic field.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said vial into which said impactor is placed is made at least in part from polycarbonate.

Assignments (8)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 11, 2025
From: COLE-PARMER INSTRUMENT COMPANY LLC; SPEX CERTIPREP, LLC; SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC; ZEPTOMETRIX LLC; CONTROL 3, LLC; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPRESS, INC.; ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS, LLC
To: UBS, AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 071511/0113 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDEDNOVEMBER 9, 2021 AT REEL 058066 FRAME 0423 Recorded Jun 10, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ZEPTOMETRIX LLC; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPRESS, INC.; COLE-PARMER INSTRUMENT COMPANY LLC; SPEX CERTIPREP, LLC; SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC
Reel/Frame 071587/0751 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2021
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SPEX CERTIPREP, LLC; SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC
Reel/Frame 058073/0461 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2021
From: ZEPTOMETRIX LLC; ENVIRONMENTAL EXPRESS, INC.; COLE-PARMER INSTRUMENT COMPANY LLC; SPEX CERTIPREP, LLC; SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 058066/0423 →
RELEASE OF FIRST LIEN SECURITY INTEREST (REEL/FRAME 051834/0385) Recorded Nov 1, 2021
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: SPEX CERTIPREP, LLC; SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC
Reel/Frame 057988/0273 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 6, 2020
From: SPEX CERTIPREP, LLC; SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 051834/0385 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 6, 2020
From: SPEX CERTIPREP, LLC; SPEX SAMPLEPREP, LLC
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 051834/0405 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2008
From: MARTIN, JOHN
To: SPEX SAMPLE PREP
Reel/Frame 021323/0257 →