Claims
- 1. A system for collecting a representative, non-contaminated sample, which system comprises:
(a) A sample intake; (b) Means for positioning the sample intake in a chosen location within a body of liquid; (c) A first conduit section for transferring a sample, which has been withdrawn from the body of liquid, from the sample intake to a pump; (d) A second conduit section for transferring the sample from the pump to a receptacle for collecting the sample; and (e) Means for connecting the second conduit section to the receptacle to provide an air and watertight seal for the receptacle, coupled with means for providing for the escape of air from the receptacle during collection of the sample therein.
- 2. The system of claim 1, which additionally comprises means communicating with the receptacle for maintaining the sample at a chosen temperature.
- 3. A system for simultaneously collecting a representative, non-contaminated sample and an associated field blank, which system comprises:
(a) A sample intake; (b) Means for positioning the sample intake in a chosen location within a body of liquid; (c) A first conduit section for transferring a sample, which has been withdrawn from the body of liquid, from the sample intake to a first pump; (d) A second conduit section for transferring the sample from the first pump to a first receptacle for collecting the sample; (e) Means for connecting the second conduit section to the first receptacle to provide an air and watertight seal for the first receptacle, coupled with means for providing for escape of air from the first receptacle during collection of the sample therein; (f) A vessel for holding analyte-free water; (g) Mean for connecting a third conduit section to the vessel for holding analyte-free water to allow an analyte-free water specimen to be withdrawn from the vessel to a second pump through an air and watertight seal for the vessel; (h) A fourth conduit section for transferring the analyte-free water specimen from the second pump to a second receptacle for collecting the analyte-free water specimen; and (i) Means for connecting the fourth conduit section to the second receptacle to provide an air and watertight seal for the second receptacle, coupled with means for providing for the escape of air from the second receptacle during collection of the analyte-free water specimen therein.
- 4. The system of claim 3, which additionally comprises means communicating with the first receptacle for maintaining the sample at a chosen temperature, and means communicating with the second receptacle for maintaining the analyte-free water specimen at a chosen temperature.
- 5. A system for simultaneously collecting a representative, non-contaminated sample and an associated duplicate sample, which system comprises:
(a) A first sample intake; (b) Means for positioning the first sample intake in a first chosen location within a body of liquid; (c) A first conduit section for transferring a first sample, which has been withdrawn from the body of liquid, from the first sample intake to a first pump; (d) A second conduit section for transferring the first sample from the first pump to a first receptacle for collecting the first sample; (e) Means for connecting the second conduit section to the first receptacle to provide an air and watertight seal for the first receptacle, coupled with means for providing for the escape of air from the first receptacle during collection of the first sample therein; (f) A second sample intake; (g) Means for positioning the second sample intake in a second chosen location within a body of liquid; (h) A third conduit section for transferring a second sample, which has been withdrawn from the body of liquid, from the second sample intake to a second pump; (i) A forth conduit section for transferring the second sample from the second pump to a second receptacle for collecting the second sample; and (j) Means for connecting the fourth conduit section to the second receptacle to provide an air and watertight seal for the second receptacle, coupled with means for providing for the escape of air from the second receptacle during collection of the sample therein.
- 6. The system of claim 1, wherein element (e) is a transfer cap fabricated to provide an air and watertight seal for the receptacle and possessing a roof having a thickness which is sufficient to provide a permanent and positive connection for the second conduit and for the means providing for the escape of air from the receptacle during collection of the sample therein.
- 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the transfer cap is fabricated from a rigid, non-metallic material.
- 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the rigid, non-metallic material is a polymeric material.
- 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the polymeric material is a member selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, derivatives of polytetrafluoroethylene, acetal, phenolic, polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon.
- 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the polymeric material is high molecular weight polyethylene.
- 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the transfer cap is fabricated by machining or injection molding.
- 12. The system of claim 3, wherein the means for connecting the second conduit section to the first receptacle to provide an air and watertight seal for the first receptacle is a transfer cap; and wherein the means for connecting the third conduit section to the vessel for holding analyte-free water is a transfer cap; and wherein the means for connecting the fourth conduit section to the second receptacle is a transfer cap; the transfer cap in each case being fabricated to provide an air and watertight seal for the first receptacle, the vessel for holding analyte-free water, and the second receptacle, respectively; the transfer cap in each case possessing a roof having a thickness which is sufficient to provide a permanent and positive connection for the second conduit section, and for the fourth conduit section, respectively, as well as for the means providing for the escape, intake, and escape of air during collection, withdrawal, and collection, respectively.
- 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the transfer cap is fabricated from a rigid, non-metallic material.
- 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the rigid, non-metallic material is a polymeric material.
- 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the polymeric material is a member selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, derivatives of polytetrafluoroethylene, acetal, phenolic, pholpropylene, polyethylene, and nylon.
- 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the polymeric material is high molecular weight polyethylene.
- 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the transfer cap is fabricated by machining or injection molding.
- 18. The system of claim 5, wherein the means for connecting the second conduit section to the first receptacle is a transfer cap, and the means for connecting the fourth conduit section to the second receptacle is a transfer cap, the transfer cap in each case being fabricated to provide an air and watertight seal for the first receptacle and the second receptacle, respectively; the transfer cap in each case possessing a roof having a thickness which is sufficient to provide a permanent and positive connection for the second conduit section and the fourth conduit section, respectively, as well as for the means providing for the escape of air from the first receptacle and the second receptacle, respectively, during collection of the first and second sample respectively therein.
- 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the transfer cap is fabricated from a rigid, non-metallic material.
- 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the rigid, non-metallic material is a polymeric material.
- 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the polymeric material is a member selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, derivatives of polytetrafluoroethylene, acetal, phenolic, pholpropylene, polyethylene, and nylon.
- 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the polymerical material is high molecular weight polyethylene.
- 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the transfer cap is fabricated by machining or injection molding.
- 24. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample is a flow-proportioned or time-weighted composite sample.
- 25. The system of claim 1, wherein the sample is a grab sample.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/301,807, filed Jul. 2, 2001 for “Sample Collection System.”
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60301807 |
Jul 2001 |
US |