APPARATUS AND METHOD TO SAMPLE A MATERIAL FOR LATER ANALYSIS
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for obtaining a liquid material sample comprising:
- a) a sample storage container;
b) a sample tube, wherein the sample tube defines a fluid path between a liquid material to be sampled and the sample storage container;
c) a vacuum tube in fluid communication with the sample storage container; and
d) a vacuum generator suitable for generating a partial vacuum, wherein;
1) the vacuum tube defines a fluid path between the sample storage container and the vacuum generator; and
2) the partial vacuum generated by the vacuum generator is suitable for drawing part of the liquid material to be sampled through the sample tube and into the sample storage container, thereby filling the sample storage container with liquid material to a predetermined level.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for obtaining a liquid material for an analysis. Provided are a sample container, a sample tube, a vacuum tube, and a vacuum generator. The sample tube forms a fluid path between the liquid to be sampled and the storage container. The vacuum tube forms a fluid path between the sample container and the vacuum generator. The vacuum generator creates a partial vacuum, or suction, which draws liquid material through the sample tube and into the sample container.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for obtaining a liquid material sample comprising:
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a) a sample storage container; b) a sample tube, wherein the sample tube defines a fluid path between a liquid material to be sampled and the sample storage container; c) a vacuum tube in fluid communication with the sample storage container; and d) a vacuum generator suitable for generating a partial vacuum, wherein; 1) the vacuum tube defines a fluid path between the sample storage container and the vacuum generator; and 2) the partial vacuum generated by the vacuum generator is suitable for drawing part of the liquid material to be sampled through the sample tube and into the sample storage container, thereby filling the sample storage container with liquid material to a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for obtaining a liquid material sample comprising:
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a) a sample storage container; b) a sample tube, wherein the sample tube defines a fluid path between a liquid material to be sampled and the sample storage container; c) a vacuum tube; d) a corrugated type flexible bottle having an internal volume, which is suitable for generating a partial vacuum, wherein; 1) the partial vacuum is generated by applying an external force to the bottle, which deforms the flexible bottle thereby reducing the internal volume, and then removing the external force which allows the flexible bottle to return to its original shape; 2) the vacuum tube defines a fluid path between the sample storage container and the flexible bottle; and 3) the partial vacuum generated by the flexible bottle is suitable for drawing part of the liquid material to be sampled through the sample tube and into the sample storage container, thereby filling the sample storage container with about 30 ml of the liquid material; and e) an outer casing, wherein; 1) the outer casing is detachably connected to the flexible bottle and the sample storage container by threaded type connections; and 2) the outer casing encloses at least part of the sample tube. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of obtaining a sample of a liquid material, comprising:
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a) providing a sampling device, wherein the sampling device comprises; 1) a sample storage container; 2) a sample tube, wherein the sample tube defines a fluid path between a liquid material to be sampled and the sample storage container; 3) a vacuum tube; 4) a flexible bottle, wherein the vacuum tube defines a fluid path between the sample storage container and the flexible bottle; and 5) an outer casing which comprises detachable connections to the flexible bottle and the sample bottle, and which encloses at least part of the sample tube; b) applying a force to the flexible bottle which deforms the flexible bottle thereby decreasing its inner volume; c) placing an end of the sample tube into the liquid material to be sampled; d) removing the force from the flexible bottle, thereby allowing the bottle to return to its initial shape and generating a partial vacuum; and e) drawing a sample, with the partial vacuum, through the sample tube and into the sample storage container, wherein the sample comprises less than about 30 ml of the liquid material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification