United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Joseph T Maloy

David H Fritts

John F Leonard

A novel hermetically sealed, protective atmosphere transfer vessel is described which comprises a container defining an interior cavity and opening thereof for receiving a sample to be protected during transfer, an annular lip surrounding the opening for receiving a flexible puncturable membrane stretched across the opening for hermetically sealing the container, and a wire puncture bridge attached at one to the container and having at the other end a point positioned near the membrane whereby pressure internal of the container expands the membrane against the point to puncture and tear away the membrane for exposure of the sample. An alternative embodiment includes a lid for the container including an axial exhaust hole therethrough and a ball valve for sealing the exhaust hole under the influence of external pressure on the lid.

Growing community of inventors

West Orange, NJ, United States of America

Joseph T Maloy