Patent ID: 6085602
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: C12M,G01N

Abstract:
A sampling system, for withdrawing a sample of liquid contained within a vessel and conveying it into a sample tube under sterile conditions, the system comprising:(a) a conduit having a first end and a second end which extends through a wall of the vessel so that the first end of the conduit is within the vessel, for withdrawing liquid from the vessel;(b) a pump for causing liquid to flow from the vessel, through the conduit, from the first end toward the second end thereof, so that the liquid is discharged from the second end of the conduit;(c) a housing bell comprising:(1) an outer tube having a first end, which is closed, and a second end, which is open, and(2) a second tube having a first end, which is closed and a second end, which is open, the second tube being disposed within the outer tube, arranged concentrically about a common axis, with the first (closed) end of the second tube being fixed to the first (closed) end of the outer tube, a terminal portion of the conduit passing through the closed ends of the outer and second tubes and extending within the second tube along the common axis, the space within the outer tube constituting a protective hood, the second (open) end of the second tube being located between the first and second ends of the outer tube within the protective hood, the second end of the conduit being located between the first and second ends of the second tube, the open end of the outer tube being configured to accept entry of the mouth of a sample tube into the protective hood so that, when a sample tube is so positioned, liquid flowing out of the second end of the conduit is deposited into the sample tube, the second end of the second tube having means by which it may be detachably coupled to the mouth of a sample tube placed within the protective hood; and,(d) means for introducing sterile gas, under pressure, through the closed ends of the outer and second tubes, into the protective hood, to thereby produce laminar flows of sterile gas which displace ambient air from within the protective hood.