Patent ID: 6280400
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
A vessel useful for collecting a sample of a fluid and, when subjected to centrifugation, separating the sample into a higher specific gravity phase and a lower specific gravity phase comprising:an elongate tube having an open end, a closed end and a side wall having an outside surface and inside surface defining a receptacle about a central axis;a closure disposed to fit said open end of said tube thereby sealing said receptacle; andan elongate separator releaseably positioned at said open end of said tube, said separator having a resilient top portion and an elongate lower portion having an axial passage therethrough, said top portion being sized to fit said inside surface of said sidewall with an interference so that when said vessel is subjected to centrifugal force said separator moves a distance axially from said open end toward said closed end and comprising a normally closed opening therethrough aligned with said axial passage in said lower portion, wherein said normally closed opening comprises a slit in said resilient top portion of said separator, so that when said receptacle has the sample therein and said tube is subjected to the axial centrifugal force and said separater moves said distance from said open end toward said closed end, said slit opens and allows passage of said lower specific gravity phase of the sample to a position between said separater and said open end of said tube and said resilient top portion.