Patent ID: 6309890
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for securing a resilient, tubular-shaped fluid transfer tube to a fluid intake port, comprising the steps of:inserting a first end of said transfer tube into said fluid intake port;said port comprising a restriction within said fluid intake port, said restriction comprising an annular region formed of a substantially rigid material of reduced diameter relative to the diameter of said first end of said transfer tube;pushing said transfer tube further into said fluid intake port until said first end of said transfer tube makes contact with said restriction;urging said first end of said transfer tube past said restriction into a recessed region in axial alignment with said fluid intake port and said restriction, said recessed region further comprising a stop inward of said restriction, said urging causing said resilient transfer tube to compress as it passes said restriction and to terminate at said stop, said recessed region having a diameter greater than or equal to the diameter of said first end of said transfer tube and allowing said first end of said transfer tube to expand to substantially its original diameter to thereby sealingly lock said transfer tube to said fluid intake port,observing through a window or optically clear region in said fluid intake port whether said first end of said transfer tube has been inserted into said recessed region, the presence of said transfer tube in said recessed region indicating that said transfer tube has been inserted properly in said fluid intake port to said stop; andthereafter admitting a fluid through said transfer tube into said fluid intake port with said transfer tube properly inserted into said fluid intake port whereby leakage of air into said fluid intake port may be avoided.