Patent ID: 7016036

Claim:
A sampling apparatus for performing a spectroscopic analysis on a polymer during its production, comprising: a) a transfer tube capable of transporting the polymer from a production site to a storage site, wherein the tube comprises: I) a tube wall with an inner surface and an outer surface; II) an entry site which communicates with the production site; III) an exit site which communicates with the storage site; IV) a transparent plate which forms a portion of the tube wall, having an inner surface and an outer surface which are substantially co-extensive with the tube wall; b) barrier means for preventing the polymer from flowing through the exit site to the storage site, thereby allowing the polymer to accumulate within the transfer tube, and to be contained against the inner surface of the transparent plate; and c) a spectroscopic device, positioned in a location exterior to the transfer tube, so that an energy beam emitted from the device can be aimed at a portion of the polymer through the transparent plate of the transfer tube.