Patent ID: 6521464
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: B01J,B01L,C40B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of reducing loss of a sample from a sample container partially open to atmosphere and containing the sample and a mix of solvent and liquid trifluoroacetic acid (TFA mix), said loss being due to creeping of TFA with its sample up the wall of the container, in which the top of the container includes a central, downwardly extending and open entrance tube forming an annular space with the wall of the container, i.e. in the form of an unspillable inkwell, comprising the step of filling the container with TFA mix to a level below that of the lowest level of the entrance tube, so that TFA vapour occupies the entrance tube up to a level slightly above that of said lowest level of the entrance tube but can go no further if gas or air, displaced in the container by the TFA vapour, is trapped in said annular space around the entrance tube below the upper wall of the container surrounding the entrance tube, and so that there is no continuous path in the inside surface of the container wall, in contact with TFA vapour, up which the TFA liquid mix can creep.