Patent ID: 7984661

Claim:
A method of obtaining a grease sample from a source of grease under pressure, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a tubular housing having an open end and a piston in the housing, the piston and housing axially movable with respect to each other, the piston positioned to be movable away from the open end of the housing; (b) fluidly connecting the open end of the housing to the source of pressurized grease to flow grease to the opening; (c) flowing the pressurized grease through the open end of the housing and into the housing, the flow of grease into the housing generating a force against the piston moving the piston away from the open end of the housing; and (d) fluidly disconnecting the piston from the source of pressurized grease while maintaining the fluid connection between the source of pressurized grease and the open end of the housing, the disconnect occurring after the piston has moved away from the open end of the housing after accumulating a volume of grease in the housing.