Patent ID: 8182768

Claim:
An interface assembly for pre-concentrating analytes in chromatography, comprising: a headspace sampler having at least one sample vessel and a sample chamber that receives a sample extracted from the vessel; an interface housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to be coupled to said headspace sampler and the second end is adapted to be coupled to a chromatograph, and wherein said interface housing has a first flow channel; an adsorbent housing connected to said interface housing, said adsorbent housing having a second flow channel, an inlet in fluid communication with the second flow channel, and an outlet in fluid communication with the second flow channel; a first valveless conduit through which fluid is communicated between the sample chamber and the first flow channel; a second valveless conduit through which fluid is communicated between the first flow channel and the second flow channel; a third valveless conduit through which fluid is communicated from said first flow channel to the chromatograph; and at least one adsorbent disposed in said second flow channel such that said adsorbent adsorbs analytes when fluid carrying the analytes flows through the second valveless conduit, through the second flow channel, and through the outlet, and said adsorbent desorbs the analytes when fluid flows through the inlet, through the second flow channel, and through the second valveless conduit.