Resilient chamber fluid sampler having vacuum breaker apparatus

In a reciprocating sample collection apparatus which apparatus incorporates a motor means driving a reciprocating member relative to a fixed member of the sample collection apparatus, a sample collection apparatus comprises:

• (a) a resilient plug;
• (b) a solid anvil member cooperative with said resilient plug;
• (c) opposing faces on said anvil and said resilient plug adapted to be moved toward contact;
• (d) an indention having the form of a recess surrounded by a shoulder in one of the two faces to define a sample receiving chamber therein when a motor means reciprocates said two faces into sealing contact with one another wherein said recess is filled with a fluid to be pumped by the reciprocating sample collection apparatus, and filling occurs on submerging said recess in the fluid to be pumped;
• (e) passage means communicating from said recess to deliver sample under pressure when pressure is formed as the recess is reduced in volume to force sample therefrom through said passage means;
• (f) a transverse plate incorporating one of said faces, said plate having an opening therein to comprise a portion of said passage means;
• (g) means for supporting said transverse plate for contact in sealing engagement to seal fluid in said recess;
• (h) means mounting said plate for movement in response to vacuum pull occurring on separation of said faces;
• and
• (i) fluid introduction flow path means selectively operated by movement of said plate to deliver fluid from the exterior into said recess for breaking the vacuum pull thereof against said plate.