Method and apparatus for the continuous extraction of ingredients from samples

Apparatus for extracting an ingredient from a sample, comprising:

• (a) a container;
• (b) a solvent within said container being selected for its ability to extract said ingredient from said sample;
• (c)a pair of first and second porous strips having respective lower ends for placement into said solvent in said container to cause said solvent to ascend said first and second strip by capillary action and respective upper ends disposed above the level of said solvent for engaging said sample to allow said solvent to penetrate said sample and extract said ingredient therefrom;
• (d) a third strip at its lower end being inserted between, in contact with and extending above said upper ends of said first and second strips and substantially exposed to a selected atmosphere for allowing said solvent and extracted ingredient carried therewith to ascend said third strip from said sample toward the upper end of said third strip and said solvent to evaporate from said upper end of said third strip and deposit said extracted ingredient thereon;
• and
• (e) means for holding said sample between and in contact with said upper ends of said first and second strips so as to substantially inhibit evaporation of said solvent from said first and second strips at the location of said sample.