A sample tray for containing one or more fluid samples is provided. Each sample is maintained in a separate elevated reservoir affixed to a base plate and each elevated reservoir is surrounded by a catch basin. A wall surrounds each catch basin so that the catch basins are distinct. The tray may have means for alignment of the test specimen reservoirs in cooperation with a utilization device.

A novel and improved open-top sample collector which is especially adapted for placement on, and removal from, a horizontal or inclined moving endless belt; and incorporates means which very effectively cause it to refrain from undesirable relative movement with respect to the moving endless belt conveyor at all times including those when the endless belt conveyor and the sample collector are moving beneath and receiving particulate material which is freely falling from above.

In the sample introducer system disclosed herein, a sample-carrying probe engages and releases, from a sample-introducing port, a plug which closes the port when the probe is not in place. The probe then carries the plug ahead of itself into an evacuated chamber where the sample may be analyzed. Upon withdrawal of the probe, the plug is replaced so as to seal the port.

To separate each of a plurality of samples of a fluid from a body of the fluid and deposit each sample into a different one of a plurality of bottles, the downwardly extending outlet of a funnel, being offset from a vertical axis of rotation of the funnel, orbits step-by-step in a circle around the vertical axis above a distributing plate as the funnel rotates to guide fluid into each of a plurality of separated inlets in the distributing plate as the fluid is pumped from the body of the fluid t...

A system for conditioning a gaseous sample for analysis in which the sample is handled in a manner which precludes reaction of reactive components therein. Means are provided for sending a predetermined amount of a gaseous sample through an analyzer while permitting the remainder of the gaseous sample to by-pass the analyzer. The system has means for purging essentially all components thereof so as to minimize system contamination and maximize accuracy of analysis.

In the analysis of liquids, a whole liquid sample is absorbed onto an absorbent and porous sample carrier, such as a filter paper, and is then traversed by an eluting fluid to carry away one or more constituents of interest for analysis. Elution is preferably carried out under pressure. A sample holder comprises a simple plug and socketed body which are adapted to receive in clamping engagement therebetween a rigid plate of porous material, which acts as a support for a sample carrier.

A sample detector is comprised of a first group of optical fibers having exit end surfaces arranged in the direction perpendicular to the shifting direction of the carrier, a second group of optical fibers having entrance end surfaces arranged opposite said exit end surfaces of the first group of optical fibers, a plural number of light emitting diodes arranged in the vicinity of the entrance end surfaces of the first group of optical fibers, a single photo detector element arranged in the vicin...

A sample splitter is formed by a chute that is sloped towards its discharge end and is oscillated back and forth on a horizontal path that is substantially perpendicular to the axial center line of the chute. The chute itself is substantially symmetrical on opposite sides of the axial center line and the walls are sloped upward so that the material forming the sample to be split moves along the chute with a sliding or rolling action back and forth across the axial center line of the chute withou...

To collect a series of liquid samples each of which has a fixed volume in a corresponding series of sample bottles, a sample collector includes a control circuit that initiates the sampling at preset time intervals or each time a preset volume of liquid has flowed past the collector as indicated by a flow meter. To control the volume of each sample, an optical liquid interface detector within the flow passage of the sample collector initiates counting of the revolutions of the pump and after a p...

A sample cell useful in analytical devices employing X-ray fluorescence as the detection method. The sample cell includes a cup which telescopically receives a ring. A radiation permeable membrane is sandwiched between the outside of the cup and the inside of the ring so as to be tightly stretched across the cup. The cup and ring are both molded from virgin polyethylene mixed with a silicone oil.