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US 5,686,673 AGranted
Sampler
OwnerThomas W. Kabisinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sampler for simultaneously collecting multiple fluid samples is provided. The sampler includes a cap, at least one chamber fastener securing two sample chambers to the cap and an inlet providing substantially simultaneous flow into the sample chambers. The sampler can include a housing connected to the cap for enclosing the sample chambers and a housing seal which seals an interface formed between the housing and the cap. Inlet seals can be used to selectively seal the inlet to allow the sampler to collect accurate samples at a predetermined depth or below a free floating layer of fluid.
Claims20
A sampler for substantially simultaneously collecting a fluid sample in at least two distinct sample chambers, the sampler comprising:
- (a) a cap having a bottom;
- (b) at least one chamber fastener secured to the bottom of the cap for securing at least two of the distinct sample chambers to the cap;
- and
- (c) an inlet in fluid communication with the sample chambers and allowing for substantially simultaneous flow of the fluid sample into the distinct sample chambers when the sample chambers are secured to the chamber fastener.
1 more element
A sampler for collecting a fluid sample in at least one sample chamber, the sampler comprising:
- (a) a housing suitable for receiving a fluid sample, the housing including a substantially tubular body having an open first end and an opposed second end and a housing weight attached proximate to the second end of the tubular body, the tubular body also having a housing internally threaded surface proximate the first end and a circumferential ring positioned above the internally threaded surface;
- (b) a cap selectively attached to the housing which substantially encloses the open first end, the cap having a top, a bottom, and a side surface having an externally threaded surface proximate the bottom of the cap which corresponds with and mates with the housing internally threaded surface to selectively secure the cap to the housing, the side surface also having a beveled surface disposed between the externally threaded surface and the top of the cap;
- (c) at least one chamber fastener secured to the bottom of the cap for securing at least one sample chamber to the cap;
- (d) at least one inlet tube extending through the top and bottom of the cap, each inlet tube including an upper inlet end which extends above the top of the cap and a lower inlet end in fluid communication with one sample chamber, when the sample chamber is secured to the chamber fastener;
- (e) an exhaust tube which vents at least one sample chamber when the sample chamber is secured to the chamber fastener, the exhaust tube having an upper exhaust end which extends above the top of cap;
- and
- (f) a housing seal formed by the interaction between the circumferential ring and the beveled surface for substantially inhibiting the flow of fluid sample at an interface formed between the tubular body and the cap.
4 more elements
A sampler for collecting a fluid sample in at least two sample chambers, the sampler comprising:
- (a) a housing suitable for receiving a fluid sample, the housing including a substantially tubular body having an open first end and an opposed second end and a weight attached proximate to the second end of the tubular body;
- (b) a cap selectively attached to the housing which substantially encloses the open first end, the cap having a top and a bottom;
- (c) at least one chamber fastener secured to the bottom of the cap for securing at least one sample chamber to the cap;
- (d) a plurality of inlet tubes extending through the top and bottom of the cap, each inlet tube including an upper inlet end and a lower inlet end in fluid communication with one of the sample chambers, when the sample chambers are secured to the chamber fastener;
- (e) an exhaust tube which vents at least one of the sample chambers when the sample chambers are secured to the chamber fastener;
- and
- (f) a plurality of inlet seals, each inlet seal for selectively and substantially inhibiting the flow of fluid sample at the upper inlet end of one inlet tube.
4 more elements
A sampler comprising:
- (a) a housing suitable for receiving a fluid sample, the housing including a substantially tubular body having a housing internally threaded surface disposed proximate an open, first end of the tubular body and a housing weight attached proximate to an opposed second end of the tubular body;
- (b) a cap having (i) a top, (ii) a bottom, and (iii) a side surface including a cap externally threaded surface which corresponds with and mates with the housing internally threaded surface to selectively secure the cap to the housing;
- (c) three sample chambers suitable for receiving a fluid, each sample chamber including a chamber externally threaded surface;
- (d) three chamber fasteners secured to the bottom of the cap, each chamber fastener including a fastener internally threaded surface which corresponds with and mates with chamber externally threaded surface for selectively securing one of the sample chambers to the cap;
- (e) three inlet tubes extending through the top and bottom of the cap, each inlet tube being in fluid communication with one of the sample chambers;
- (f) an exhaust tube extending through the top and bottom of the cap, the exhaust tube venting the housing and the three sample chambers;
- (g) a overflow port allowing for the transfer of fluid from at least one of the sample chambers to the housing;
- and
- (h) a housing seal for substantially inhibiting the flow of fluid sample at an interface formed between the cap and the tubular housing.
6 more elements
A sampler for collecting a fluid sample in at least two distinct sample chambers, the sampler comprising:
- (a) a cap having a bottom;
- (b) at least one chamber fastener secured to the bottom of the cap for securing at least two of the distinct sample chambers to the cap;
- (c) at least two inlet tubes which extend through the cap, each inlet tube including a lower inlet end which is in fluid communication with one of the sample chambers when the sample chambers are secured to the chamber fastener;
- and
- (d) an exhaust tube which vents the sample chambers.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.