Device for collection of liquid samples

• US 20070217960A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Her Majesty The Queen In Right of Canada As Represented By The Minister of National Defence, Her Majesty The Queen In Right of Canada As Represented By The Minister of Industry (The Republic of Canada)
• Original Assignee: Her Majesty The Queen In Right of Canada As Represented By The Minister of National Defence
• Inventors: Sekela, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/378,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20070217960A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 1/02 Air-pressure chambers; Air-locks therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/10 in the liquid or fluent state burettes, pipettes B01L3/02; sampling of ground water E02D1/06; metering by volume of fluids or fluent solid material G01F11/00, G01F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1062 Sampling under constant temperature, pressure, or the like

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for collection of liquid samples under atmospherically-isolated conditions, the device including a hermetically-sealable chamber having one or more sample manipulating members or similar equipment within the chamber, and a pump system for drawing liquid through a sampling tube into the chamber directly or into a container. The container includes an outlet within the chamber for dispensing the collected sample under atmospherically-isolated conditions. Also provided is a device wherein the pump system that includes an outlet within the chamber for dispensing collected liquid sample.

Claims

1. A device for collection of liquid samples under atmospherically-isolated conditions comprising,

a hermetically sealable chamber comprising one or more means for manipulating samples or equipment within the chamber, and;

a pump system for drawing liquid through a sampling tube into a container wherein said container comprises an outlet within the chamber for dispensing said collected sample.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said atmospherically isolated conditions further comprise atmospherically-controlled conditions.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the atmospherically-controlled conditions comprise temperature, gas composition, humidity, pressure, or any combination thereof.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said hermetically sealable chamber comprises a closable door forming an air-tight seal separating the atmosphere in the container from that outside the container.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a docking port for transfer of sample within the container to a further container or device under controlled conditions.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more means for manipulating samples or equipment comprises at least two gloves extending into the chamber.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said pump system comprises a pump having a suction tube connected directly or indirectly to the container at a first attachment point for reducing pressure therein, and a sampling tube connected to the container at a second attachment point, wherein said liquid sample is drawn into the container via the sampling tube under reduced pressure in the container.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising an overflow vessel attached between the pump and the container.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said pump comprises a first suction hose connected to the overflow vessel at a first attachment point, and a second suction hose connecting the overflow vessel at a second attachment point to the container.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said container comprises a plug having a first fitting attached to a suction hose, and a second fitting attached to a sample collection tube.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said plug comprises a third fitting having a valve for equalizing pressure within the container.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said third fitting is connected to a source of compressed gas.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said chamber comprises one or more connection members in the wall thereof for continuous transmission of

a) a suction force between a hose or tube outside the chamber and a second hose or tube inside the chamber, or

b) an electrical current between a power cord inside the chamber and a power cord outside the chamber.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said sampling tube comprises a valve or stop-cock to control the flow of liquid therethrough.

15. A device for collection of liquid samples under atmospherically-isolated conditions comprising,

a hermetically sealable chamber comprising one or more means for manipulating samples or equipment within the chamber, and;

a pump system for moving liquid through a sampling tube, said pump system comprising an outlet within said chamber for dispensing collected liquid sample.