Title of Invention

"MICRO MICROSCOPE"

Abstract A micro microscope capable of distortion free magnification of atleast 100 to 1000 times with further possible further magnification by combinations thereof. The micro microscope comprises of a pair of transparent hemispheres with their respective convex surfaces facing one another as the magnifying media which is housed within a thin plate and maintained in alignment with an aperture for magnified viewing of an object positioned thereunder said aperture. The microscope is a small pocket size microscope which would not only be light weight, portable and simple to hold and use but would also ensure a distortion free wider effective area of vision of the magnified object. The magnifying means is selected such that it would be maintained abrasion/scratch free thereby ensuring distortion free magnification of the object.
Full Text The present invention relates to a micro microscope and in particular to a light weight portable micro microscope capable of magnifying atleast 100 to 1000 times with further possible magnification by combinations thereof.
Compound microscopes first invented by Galileo are presently in use for magnification purposes. Such compound microscopes as illustrated in accompanying figure 1 usually comprise of a objective closer to the object to be viewed and an eye piece serving as view point of the magnified image of the object, said objective and eye piece being connected through a body tube and an extended tube, a slide table mounted with respect to said base portion of the microscope providing for accommodating and positioning of the object to be viewed thereunder said objective, diffused light source further provided thereunder said slide table for viewing the object. The optical parts of the compound microscope are the said objective and the said eye piece. The focal length of the objective is very small while that of the eye piece is somewhat larger. The principle of the magnification achieved in such compound microscope are as discussed hereunder with relation to accompanying figure 2.
A small obj ect (PQ) placed j ust beyond the first focal plane (Fo1) of the objective provided for a real magnified and inverted image (P1Q1) . For distinct vision the distance (Dt) of the final image (P2Q2) form the eye piece is approximately 25cm while for normal vision the distance is infinity. In such system, the distance of separation (g) between the objective image (P1Q1) and the second focal plane (Fo) of the objective is maintained greater than or equal to the distance of separation (FoFe') between the two adjacent focal points of the objective of the eye piece.
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The magnification achieved through such conventional compound microscope is as detailed hereunder :



= mo x me
mo = Linear Magnification of objective. Me = Magnification of Eye Piece.
In view of the aforediscussed requisites of compound microscope and its construction such microscope is bulky, heavy and difficult to carry. Also the components involved and the complicated nature of construction make such compound microscope very expensive and not easily affordable. Moreover, there is limitation in the extent of magnification that can be achieved of such known compound microscopes.
It is thus the basic objective of the present invention to provide for a microscope which would be light weight, portable and simple to manufacture.
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Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for a portable light weight microscope which would be easy to operate and at the same time would be capable of providing magnification to the extent of 100 to 1000 times which is further extendable by use of a combination of such microscope of the invention.
Yet further object of the present invention is directed to provide for a light weight portable microscope which can be operated even in darkness without external light source.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for a light weight portable microscope which would be simple to manufacture and will also be cost effective.
Thus according to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a micro microscope comprising :
a view finder comprising a thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having atleast one view point,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, transparent sphere or hemisphere(s) with or without transparent media housed within said plate and maintained in alignment with said aperture,
said view point providing for magnified viewing of an object positioned thereunder said aperture in said bottom surface through said aperture in said top surface.
Any object under desired external light source positioned under the aperture in the bottom surface of the view finder can be
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viewed as magnified through the top aperture of the top surface of said view finder.
The transparent sphere can be obtained of any transparent solid media free of any foreign particles or air bubbles. The transparent hemisphere can be obtained of any solid, semi solid or non-volatile liquid without any foreign particle or air bubble.
The thin plate should preferably be obtained or a material which would be rust free, oxide free, sulphate free, drillable and having smooth surface and not easily breakable. Preferably it may be selected from brass alloy, stainless steel, gold plated brass alloy etc.
The view finder being obtained of thin plate with thickness preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm and the transparent sphere/hemisphere of small dimensions preferably having radius in the range of 0.10 mm to 3.O mm are accommodated within such thin plate, thus providing for obtaining of the micro microscope of the invention of extreme small size shape and configuration convenient to carry from one place to another and even within one's pocket. Preferably the top and bottom apertures diameter in the view finder may vary from 0.18 mm to 3,0 mm depending on the extent of magnification desired.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the same provides for a micro microscope having an inbuilt light source for viewing of objects even in darkness. In accordance with such aspect of the invention the micro microscope comprise :
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said view finder comprising a thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, transparent sphere or hemisphere housed within said plate and maintained in allignment with said aperture,
said view point providing for magnified viewing of an object positioned thereunder said aperture in said bottom surface through said aperture in said top surface ;
said means for providing diffused light to the object to be viewed housed within a housing and comprising a light source operatively connected to a supply, means for directing the light source to said object through a reflective means and further through an aperture in the top surface of said housing ;
said means for adjusting the distance of the view finder with respect to the object for finer magnified image comprising screw means having a projecting top and extending therein said housing, said view finder operatively connected to said screw means within said housing to provide for upward motion of said view finder upon rotation of the screw in one direction and downward motion of said view finder upon rotation of the screw in the reverse direction.
The reflective means used being a mirror positioned at an angle of 45° with respect to light source. The means for directing the light towards said mirror comprising atleast one stopper means with passage for said light source in the desired direction.
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The supply source for said lamp can preferably comprise of operative connection of said lamp to a battery terminal via on/off switch. While the supply source is within the housing, the on/off switch is provided with means for its operation external of said housing and being further operatively connected to an LED indicating on/off condition.
It is thus possible to provide the micro microscope of the invention in the form of thin plate in accordance with the view finder disclosed above or the micro microscope of the invention can be obtained in the form of small size housing for having the inbuilt light source alongwith the view finder of the invention.
In the above disclosed micro microscope of the invention the magnification power is dependent on i) diameter of transparent sphere/hemisphere used, ii) refractive index of the
transparent media and iii) total focal length.
The transparent sphere or the hemisphere can be made of glass or
any suitable known non volatile transparent semi solid material.
Preferably protective thin transparent plate is provided atleast over the view point of the view finder atleast at the top surface thereof. It is also possible to provide thin protective transparent plate therebetween the top surface and the transparent spherical/hemispherical and also therebetween the bottom surface and the transparent sphere/hemisphere. The intermediate region therebetween the top surface and the bottom surface of the view finder is developed to provide for stable positioning and maintaining of the sphere/hemisphere in
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alignment with the top and bottom aperture to constitute the view point.
In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention the micro microscope having such inbuilt light source comprise :
a view finder comprising a thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, transparent sphere or hemisphere housed within said plate and maintained in allignment with said aperture,
said view point providing for magnified viewing of an object positioned thereunder said aperture in said bottom surface through said aperture in said top surface ;
means for providing diffused light to the object to be viewed ;
means for adjusting the distance of the view finder with respect to the object for finer magnified image.
The details of the invention its objects and advantages are described in greater detail with reference to non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the micro microscope of the present invention described with relation to the accompanying figures wherein :
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the micro microscope in accordance with the invention.
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Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the micro microscope in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the third embodiment of the micro microscope in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the micro microscope in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the micro microscope in accordance with the invention.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the micro microscope of the invention having the in built light source for object viewing.
Fig. 9 is a sectional top plan view of the light source housing used in the micro microscope according to figure 8.
Fig. 10 illustrates the operating circuitry for the light source in the micro microscope of the invention.
Fig. 11 illustrates in greater detail the means for adjusting the height of the view finder with respect to the object for finer view of the magnified object used in the micro microscope of the invention.
Fig. 12A is an alternative embodiment of the arrangement of the view finder with respect to its height adjusting means of the invention having two view points of different magnifying capacity.
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Fig. 12B is a top plan view of the arrangement of the view finder with respect to the height adjusting means used in the micro microscope of the invention.
Fig. 13 shows the principle of magnification in the micro microscope of the invention.
Reference is first invited in Fig. 3 which illustrates in section an embodiment of the view finder of the* invention. As illustrated in said figure the view finder is comprised of the protective thin glass plate (A), top part of the metal plate (B), transparent sphere (C) and the bottom part of the metal plate (DJ .
Fig, 4 illustrates in section another embodiment of the view finder of the invention comprising the protective means in the form of thin glass plate (A), top part of the plate (B), a pair of hemisphere (C), the bottom part of plate (D) with a pair of thin glass plate (E) positioned therebetween said top surface of said metal plate and the hemisphere and the bottom surface of said metal plate and the hemisphere.
Fig. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the view finder of the invention comprising said protective means in the form of a thin glass plate (A) , the top surface of the metal plate (B) , the view point comprising transparent sphere (C) , the bottom part of the metal plate (D) and transparend media (E & F) and the thin glass plate under the bottom surface of the metal plate.
Fig. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the view finder of the invention wherein the protective means of thin glass plate
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(A), metal plate top portion (B) , view point comprising transparent hemisphere (C), the bottom part of metal plate (D) , thin glass plate (E) with transparent media of refractive index equal to that of refractive index of the hemisphere.
Reference is further invited to Fig. 7 which illustrates yet further embodiment of the view finder of the invention comprising the protective thin glass plate (A) , top part of metal plate (B), view point comprising transparent sphere with a projected part (P) to securedly hold said sphere by guiding means (E) and the bottom surface of the metal plate (D).
Reference in now invited to Fig. 8 which illustrates a further embodiment of the micro microscope of the invention having an in built light source for supply of diffused light to the object to be viewd. As illustrated in said figure according to such an embodiment the light source is accommodated within the housing (H) having a top surface (5) . The view finder (9) is shown secured to its height adjusting means (8) which is adjustable by operation of the adjustment knob (2). The view point of the view finder is illustrated by reference (1). A pair of clips (4) provide for holding of the object to be viewed thereunder said view point and above the light source aperture (A) on the top surface (5) of the housing. The on/off switch (3) provide for on/off the light source within the housing which is further indicated by the LED indicator (6).
Reference is now invited to Fig. 9 which is a top plan sectional view of the light source housing illustrating the arrangement of the components. As shown in said figure the light source is comprised of the lamp (10), plurality of stopper (11 to 13)
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having transparent/semitransparent films for supply of diffused light which is refracted by mirror (14) towards the aperture (AP) of the housing top surface. The battery chamber (7) is also illustrated in said figure.
Reference is now invited to Fig. 10 which schematically illustrates the operating circuitry for the lighting source. As shown in said figure the lamp (10) is operatively connected to the battery terminal (BT) through on/off switch (3) . Also the LED (6) is operatively connected to the battery terminal to the on/off switch (3) to indicate on/off condition of the light source.
As would be evident from the above, the lighting source is comprised of gadgets which are simple in construction and can be accommodated in a very compact and small housing. This alongwith the miniature size of the view finder provide for a micro microscope which can be operated even in darkness.
Reference is now invited to Fig. 11 which illustrates the height adjusting means for the adjustment height of the view finder for finer magnified image. Such a means comprise of a screw means (16) extending within the housing with the adjustable knob (2) extending out of said housing. The screw means is operatively connected to the view finder external of said housing via the up/down lever (8) and the movable plate (17). Accordingly by rotation of the knob (2) in the clockwise direction the view finder can be lowered while by rotating the knob in the reverse direction the view finder can be raised up and height adjusted accordingly.
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Reference is now invited to Figs. 12A & 12B which illustrate the arrangement of the view finder with respect to the height adjusting means. As illustrated in said figures 12A & 12B the view finder is shown hinged with respect to the support plate extending from said height adjusting means at point (D) . In accordance with an aspect of the invention the view finder can have plurality of view points of different magnifying capacity. In said figure 12A, references A & C, show two distinct view points with different magnification capacity. Accordingly while magnification of one capacity can be viewed by pointing the view finder (A) towards the aperture on the housing, the magnification of other mangitude can be view by rotating the view finder about the hinge axis at point £B) positioned the view point (C) above the aperture on the top surface. In such manner it is possible to provide plurality of view points of the different magnification capacity in a single view finder for extended and varied application.
Reference is now invited to Fig. 13 which illustrates the magnifying process of the present invention.
Fig. 13 shows the diagram of its working principle.
AB is an object placed near its view point 0. Then an magnified image A, B can be seen by the eye E placed closer to the view point 0. all kinds of optical errors can be minimise due to very small aperture of the plate. Suppose for distinct vision of an object AB is formed a high magnified image A, B, at a distance 'X' from the point 0.
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Then,

For example in the embodiment of the view finder of the invention according to Figure 1 with the following components specification the magnification achieved is as discussed hereunder :
Thickness of metal plate = 1.2 mm. Diameter of transparent sphere = 1.00 mm Thickness of thin glass plate = 0.2 mm Refractive index (u) of sphere = 1.62 Diameter of top aperture = 0.9 mm Diameter of bottom aperture = 0.8 mm.
In the above mentioned process very high magnification is possible without using any conventional objective and eye piece.
If we assume both the side of view point surrounded by AIR
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It is thus possible by way of the present invention to provide for a miniature size micro microscope having high magnification capacity which would be light weight, portable and thus have extensive and wide application. In particular, the micro microscope of the invention can be used for various high magnification optical devices such as astronomical telescopes etc. Importantly, the micro microscope utilizes simple constructional gadgets which readily available making its provisions simple and cost effective. While the micro microscope of the invention is described with relation to non-limiting exemplary embodiments hereinbefore, the novel construction of the micro microscope can be of various other embodiments not specifically dealt with herein and all such variation and the scope of the invention should cover such variations within the ambit of the present disclosure of the micro microscope.
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WE CLAIM
1. A micro microscope comprising :
a view finder comprising a thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having atleast one view point,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, transparent sphere or hemisphere(s) with or without transparent media housed within said plate and maintained in alignment with said aperture,
said view point providing for magnified viewing of an object positioned thereunder said aperture in said bottom surface through said aperture in said top surface.
2. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said view
finder is obtained of very thin plate with thickness preferably
in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
3. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2
wherein said view point comprise transparent sphere/hemisphere
of small dimensions preferably having radius in the range of
0.10 mm to 3.0 mm, said transparent sphere/hemisphere being
accommodated within said thin plate and maintained in alignment
with said aperture in the top and bottom surfaces.
4. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4
wherein said apertures in the top and bottom surfaces of said
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view finder vary depending on the extent of magnification desired.
5. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 4 wherein said
aperture dimensions of said top and bottom surfaces vary from
0.18 mm to 3-mm.
6. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5
comprising an in built light source for viewing of objects even
in darkness.
7. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 6 comprising :
said view finder comprising a thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, transparent sphere or hemisphere housed within said plate and maintained in allignment with said aperture,
said view point providing for magnified viewing of an object positioned thereunder said aperture in said bottom surface through said aperture in said top surface ;
said in built light means comprising means for providing diffused light to the object to be viewed housed within a housing, said housing having an aperture at the top for supply of diffused light to said object positioned thereon said housing top and operatively aligned with respect to the aperture in said bottom surface of said view finders ;
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means for holding the object in alignment with said aperture on said top surface of said housing and said view point ; and
means for adjusting the vertical distance said view finder with respect to said object.
8. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means
for supply of diffused light comprise a light source operatively
connected to a power source, means for directing diffused light
from said light source to said aperture on said housing top
surface through a reflective means.
9. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 7 or 8
wherein said means for adjusting the vertical distance of the
view finder with respect to the object comprise screw means
having a projecting top and extending therein said housing, said
view finder operatively connected to said screw means within
said housing to provide for upward motion of said view finder
upon rotation of the screw means in one direction and downward
motion of said view finder upon rotation of the screw in the
other direction.

10. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 7 to 9
wherein said reflective means comprise a reflective mirror
positioned at an angle of 45° with respect to light source.
11. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 7 to 10
wherein said means for directing the light towards said mirror
comprise atleast one stopper means having semi transparent films
for supply of diffused light in said desired direction.
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12. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 7 to 11
wherein said light source comprise of a lamp and said power
source comprise of operative connection of said lamp to a
battery terminal via on/off switch.
13. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 12 wherein said
light source and said power source are housed within the
housing, the on/off switch is provided external of said housing.
14. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 13 wherein said
on/off switch is operatively connected to an LED indicating
on/off condition.
15. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 14
wherein said transparent sphere used is obtained of any
transparent solid media free of any foreign particles or air
bubbles and said transparent hemisphere(s) used is obtained of
any solid, semi solid or non-volatile liquid without any foreign
particle or air bubble.
16. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 15
wherein said view finder is provided with thin transparent
protective means atleast over the top surface thereof.
17. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 16
wherein there is provided thin transparent protective means
therebetween said transparent sphere or hemisphere and the top
and/or said bottom surfaces of said view finder.
18. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 16 to 18
wherein said thin transparent protective means is provided
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at least over the top aperture of the view point of the view finder.
19. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 18
wherein said transparent media as a refractive index of less
than or equal to the refractive index of said transparent
sphere/hemisphere.
20. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 19
comprising
said view finder compriseing :
said thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface,
transparent sphere or hemisphere housed within said plate and maintained in allignment with said aperture ;
a protective means in the form of a thin glass plate provided atleast on the top surface of said thin plate.
21. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 19
comprising
said view finder compriseing :
said thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
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said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, a pair of transparent hemispheres with the convex surfaces thereof facing each other housed within said plate and maintained in allignment with said aperture, a thin glass plate provided therebetween the top surface of said thin plate and said transparent hemisphere adjacent thereto and another thin glass plate provided therebetween the bottom surface of said plate and the other hemisphere adjacent thereto ;
a protective means in the form of thin glass plates provided atleast on the top surface of said thin plate.
22. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 21 wherein atleast
one of said thin glass plate provided therebetween said
hemispheres and the top and bottom surfaces of said thin plate
have a stepped configuration.
23. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 19
comprising
said view finder compriseing :
said thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
a protective means comprising of a thin glass plate provided on the top and thereunder the bottom surface of said thin plate,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, transparent sphere housed within said plate and a refractive
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media of refractive index less than that of the transparent sphere provided therebetween said protective thin glass plates on the top and bottom surfaces of said thin plate and said transparent sphere maintained in allignment with said aperture.
24. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 19
comprising
said view finder compriseing :
said thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
a protective means comprising of a thin glass plate provided on the top and thereunder the bottom surface of said thin plate,
said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface, a transparent hemisphere and transparent media having refractive index equal to the refractive index of said hemisphere therebetween said hemisphere and said protective thin glass plate thereunder said bottom surface of said plate and housed within said plate and maintained in alignment with said aperture.
25. A micro microscope as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 19
comprising
said view finder comprising :
said thin plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and having a view point,
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said view point comprising an aperture at the top surface and
extending therethrough the plate and to its bottom surface,
transparent sphere housed within said plate and maintained in
allignment with said aperture ;
means for holding said sphere within said plate ;
a protective means in the form of a thin glass plate provided
atleast on the top surface of said thin plate.
26- A micro microscope as claimed in claim 2 5 wherein said
transparent sphere has an extended arms which is held with
respect to a pair of holding guides to thereby securedly hold
said sphere within said plate.
27. A micro microscope as claimed in claims anyone of claims 1
to 26 wherein said thin plate comprise of a plate which is
rustfree, oxide free, sulphate free, drillable and have smooth
surface and not easily breakable.
28. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 27 wherein said thin
plate is a thin metal plate.
29. A micro microscope as claimed in claim 28 wherein said thin
metal plate is selected from brass alloy, stainless steel, gold
plated brass alloy and the like.
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30. A micro microscope substantially as herein described and
illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.
A micro microscope capable of distortion free magnification of atleast 100 to 1000 times with further possible further magnification by combinations thereof. The micro microscope comprises of a pair of transparent hemispheres with their respective convex surfaces facing one another as the magnifying media which is housed within a thin plate and maintained in alignment with an aperture for magnified viewing of an object positioned thereunder said aperture.
The microscope is a small pocket size microscope which would not only be light weight, portable and simple to hold and use but would also ensure a distortion free wider effective area of vision of the magnified object. The magnifying means is selected such that it would be maintained abrasion/scratch free thereby ensuring distortion free magnification of the object.

Documents:

00980-cal-1998 abstract.pdf

00980-cal-1998 claims.pdf

00980-cal-1998 correspondence.pdf

00980-cal-1998 description(complete).pdf

00980-cal-1998 drawings.pdf

00980-cal-1998 form-1.pdf

00980-cal-1998 form-2.pdf

00980-cal-1998 form-3.pdf

00980-cal-1998 letters patent.pdf

00980-cal-1998 p.a.pdf

00980-cal-1998 reply f.e.r.pdf


Patent Number 206458
Indian Patent Application Number 980/CAL/1998
PG Journal Number 17/2007
Publication Date 27-Apr-2007
Grant Date 27-Apr-2007
Date of Filing 02-Jun-1998
Name of Patentee RAMENDRA LAL MUKHERJEE
Applicant Address 67/2/5 COLLEGE ROAD, P.O.- B. GARDEN, HOWRAH - 711 103
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 RAMENDRA LAL MUKHERJEE 67/2/5 COLLEGE ROAD, P.O.- B. GARDEN, HOWRAH - 711 103
PCT International Classification Number G02 B 21/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA