Patent ID: 8187558

Claim:
A method for reducing or eliminating the aspiration of foam into a metering probe comprising: providing a reagent supply container having a liquid reagent therein, wherein the reagent supply container comprises: (i) a container having a container body having a top portion, a bottom portion and an opening for adding the liquid to or removing the liquid from the container body; and a hollow baffle located within the container with first and second openings therein, the first opening being sealed and covered with a first pierceable seal and the second opening being sealed and covered with a second pierceable seal, wherein the first opening of the baffle is at least partially aligned with the opening of the container, and (ii) a closure which is movable away from the opening of the container to be in an open position and movable into contact with the opening to be in a closed position, wherein the second opening of the baffle is submerged in the liquid; providing a metering probe movable in a direction toward and away from the reagent supply container; moving the closure away from the opening of the container; piercing both seals covering the first and second openings of the baffle allowing liquid to enter the baffle from the end of the baffle submerged in the liquid thereby providing a foam reduced or foam free zone; moving the metering probe into the first opening of the baffle and into contact with the liquid in the baffle; aspirating a selected amount of liquid in the baffle; and moving the metering probe out of the baffle.