Viscometer with integral sample retention reservoir

A viscometer comprising:

• a substantially horizontal reservoir including a trap at one end for retaining a sample in the reservoir, the trap having a low point for retaining a predetermined sample volume in the reservoir;
• a substantially vertical measuring tube extending substantially upwardly from the reservoir and disposed substantially perpendicularly thereto, the measuring tube comprising a timing bulb, an upper timing sensor disposed above the timing bulb, a lower timing sensor disposed below the timing bulb, and a capillary tube disposed below the lower timing sensor, the capillary tube connecting to the reservoir at an opposite end thereof from the trap;
• a downwardly projecting fill tube;
• an upwardly projecting vent tube;
• and
• a junction connecting the trap, the fill tube, and the vent tube, the junction having a peak located at a point slightly vertically above the trap low point for preventing siphoning of the sample.