Liquid specimen vessel

Abstract

A liquid vessel provides a means of assuring uncontaminated, multiple specimens of a liquid. Two containers are connected side-by-side by a retainer which accepts a detachable funnel assembly that directs liquid into each container. The retainer includes both a flexible serpentine connector loosely connecting collar portions of the retainer fitted to each container and a rigid portion fixing the spacing of the containers. Each container includes an bellows-like sidewall flexure, and when the funnel is removed, each is closed by a closure that includes another bellows-like sidewall flexure, a nozzle facing away from and basally open to the floor of the container, and a stiff basal projection extending to the floor of the container. Coupling members on the floor underside of the containers enable coupling of the floors of the two containers after the rigid portion of the retainer is severed. Pushing the closure of one of the containers reduces intra-chamber pressure in that container and if the containers are coupled increases intra-chamber pressure in the coupled other container. The reduced pressure prevents discharge of specimen from the one container when a nozzle in the closure of that container is opened. Compressing the volume of the container with the opened nozzle discharges an aliquot of specimen from that container through the opened nozzle.