IP Library Granted Patent US 8,284,389
Granted Patent B2
US 8,284,389 · App. 12/823,401 · Granted Oct 9, 2012

Refractometer

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,284,389
App. No.
12/823,401
Granted
Oct 9, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A refractometer has a housing ( 1 ), a measurement cell ( 8 ) arranged in the housing ( 1 ), and a lid unit ( 2 ). The lid unit has a base plate ( 3 ) with a cutout ( 7 ) allowing access to the measurement cell, and a lid ( 4 ) for covering the measurement cell. The lid is connected to the base plate by way of a hinge. The lid unit also has a lid insert ( 11, 17, 18, 28, 31, 35, 39 ) that is arranged replaceably in the lid. The lid unit ( 2 ) is detachably connected to the housing by means of a connecting element that is itself connected to the base plate.

Claims (48)

1. A refractometer, comprising:

a housing;

a measurement cell, arranged in the housing, in which is received a sample to be measured; and

a lid unit, the lid unit comprising:

a base plate, a cutout therein allowing access to the measurement cell of the refractometer;

a lid for covering the measurement cell;

means for hingedly connecting the lid to the base plate; and

a lid insert, replaceably arranged in the lid; and

a connecting element that detachably connects the lid unit to the housing by connecting the housing to the base plate.

2. The refractometer of claim 1 , wherein:

the means for hingedly connecting comprises two parts that are coupled to one another so the lid separates from the base plate.

3. The refractometer of claim 2 , further comprising:

an optical shield that prevents external light from penetrating the measurement cell, the optical shield comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

4. The refractometer of claim 3 , further comprising:

a pressing insert that spreads a sample in the measurement cell, the pressing insert comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

5. The refractometer of claim 3 , further comprising:

a sealing insert that insulates the measurement cell from the outside environment, the sealing insert comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

6. The refractometer of claim 2 , wherein:

the connecting element comprises a magnetic connection.

7. The refractometer of claim 2 , wherein:

the connecting element comprises a snap-on connection.

8. The refractometer of claim 2 , wherein:

the connecting element comprises a bayonet fastening.

9. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a means for controlling temperature, comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

10. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a means for changing the pressure in the measurement cell, comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

11. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a means for charging the measurement cell with a gas, comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

12. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor for recording a physical and/or chemical property of a sample.

13. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a lip which extends peripherally as a part of the base plate.

14. The refractometer of claim 13 , further comprising:

a drain channel on the peripherally extending lip.

15. The refractometer of claim 1 , wherein:

the base plate comprises, or at least has a surface coating that comprises, a chemically resistant material.

16. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

an optical shield that prevents external light from penetrating the measurement cell, the optical shield comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

17. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a pressing insert that spreads a sample in the measurement cell, the pressing insert comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

18. The refractometer of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sealing insert that insulates the measurement cell from the outside environment, the sealing insert comprising at least a part of the lid insert.

19. A lid unit, connected to a refractometer housing in which a measurement cell is arranged, comprising:

a base plate, a cutout therein providing access to the measurement cell;

a lid for covering the measurement cell;

means for hingedly connecting the lid to the base plate; and

a lid insert, replaceably arranged in the lid.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 8, 2016
From: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
To: METTLER-TOLEDO GMBH
Reel/Frame 037459/0811 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2010
From: FORRER, CHRISTIAN; BOSSART, ERWIN; BECHEIRAZ, FELIX
To: METTLER-TOLEDO AG
Reel/Frame 024764/0930 →