Patent ID: 7600580

Claim:
Apparatus for recovering a sample from a subterranean formation comprising a receptacle for receiving a sample and at least two pairs of seal assemblies disposed on an inner surface of the receptacle and arranged to seal against an outer surface of the sample when received in the receptacle in use, such that fluids present in a portion of the sample between adjacent seal assemblies are retained between the adjacent seal assemblies during recovery of the sample, wherein each seal assembly comprises at least one seal and wherein each seal is provided with at least one fluid pocket configured to change the shape of the seal as the volume of fluid within the fluid pocket alters in response to a change in pressure, so that in use, the seals are configured to extend radially inwardly from the inner surface of the receptacle, when the sample is disposed therein, to seal off an annulus between the sample and the inner surface of the receptacle.