Solvent extraction apparatus

A solvent extraction apparatus comprising:

• a heating means;
• a boiling vessel for containing a solvent, said vessel in heating communication with said heating means, wherein said solvent is vaporized;
• a cooler in communication with said vessel for condensing vaporized solvent, said cooler provided with a lid at its upper end and with a funnel shaped means at its bottom end, said funnel shaped means provided with a central downwards directed outlet for conveyance of condensed solvent vapor and with peripheral holes for conveyance of solvent vapor;
• a branch conduit in communication with said central downwards directed outlet;
• a collecting vessel in communication with said branch conduit;
• an extraction thimble, detachably fixed to a drip rim, movable in the vertical direction by said drip rim wherein said thimble is guided to condensed solvent;
• a lifting rod passing through said cooler having the same internal diameter as said central downwards directed outlet at a matching lower section of said lifting rod, said lifting rod provided with said drip rim at its lower end, said lower section of said lifting rod being bevelled such that condensate can flow between said beveled portion and an adjacent inner wall of said central downwards directed outlet, said lifting rod further provided with a smaller diameter section below said bevelled portion;
• and
• a sealing member, at the bottom end of said bevelled portion, which seals against the lower part of said central downwards directed outlet.