Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A fluid sampling device comprising: a vessel support; a plurality of sample vessels supported on said vessel support, each said sample vessel including first and second substantially upright tubular arms, said first and second arms being joined at bottom ends thereof, said first arm having an upper end with an inlet opening therein, said second arm having an outlet opening therein, and said outlet opening being at a level below said inlet opening; and means for sequentially feeding a fluid to be sampled to each of said sample vessels, said feeding means comprising a single buffer vessel adapted to receive therein fluid to be sampled, said buffer vessel having a volume at least three to five times as large as the volume of each said sample vessel, and means for sequentially supplying fluid from said buffer vessel to said first arms of said sample vessels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fluid sampling device comprising: a vessel support; a plurality of sample vessels supported on said vessel support, each said sample vessel including first and second substantially upright tubular arms, said first and second arms being joined at bottom ends thereof, said first arm having an upper end with an inlet opening therein, said second arm having an outlet opening therein, and said outlet opening being at a level below said inlet opening; and means for sequentially feeding a fluid to be sampled to each of said sample vessels, said feeding means comprising a single buffer vessel adapted to receive therein fluid to be sampled, said buffer vessel having a volume at least three to five times as large as the volume of each said sample vessel, and means for sequentially supplying fluid from said buffer vessel to said first arms of said sample vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding means further comprises means for emptying all fluid within said buffer vessel into one of said sample vessles in a time period of no more than one to two minutes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for mixing fluid within said buffer vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said feeding means further comprises a pump for sequentially emptying fluid from said buffer vessel to said sample vessels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising timing means for synchronously activating and deactivating said mixing means and said pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding means further comprises a pump for sequentially emptying fluid from said buffer vessel to said sample vessels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sample vessels are uniformly spaced apart in a circle about an axis, said supplying means comprises a single outlet pipe connected to said buffer vessel, said outlet pipe is mounted for rotation about said axis, and said outlet pipe extends radially from said axis by a distance to align with said first arms of said sample vessels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sample vessels are mounted on said vessel support with said first arms positioned radially outwardly of said second arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein twenty-four sample vessels are provided, and further comprising means for rotating said outlet pipe about said axis at a speed of one revolution per twenty-four hours.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second arm of each said sample vessel has therein a downwardly bent mouthpiece forming an overflow, said outlet opening being in said mouthpiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said vessel support includes a cylindrical wall, said first and second arms of each said sample vessel are aligned in a plane extending radially of said wall, and said mouthpiece of each said sample vessel extends through an opening in said wall, said sample vessels thereby being supported by engagement of said mouthpieces with said wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal cross-sectional area of said first arm of each said sample vessel is greater than that of said second arm.