The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 18, 1996
James W Meador, Houston, TX (US);
Thomas L Kraft, Houston, TX (US);
David O'Bryan, Kennett Square, PA (US);
John F Berry, Houston, TX (US);
Thomas G Miller, Houston, TX (US);
Norman Hugh Smith, Bothell, WA (US);
William S Schnorr, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Christopher T Nikirk, Houston, TX (US);
Louis A Waters, Jr, Bellaire, TX (US);
Sean M Donnelly, Houston, TX (US);
KVM Technologies, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A fluid sample receptacle provides a means of assuring uncontaminated, multiple samples of a fluid specimen. An upper or isolated sample chamber and a lower or primary sample chamber provide redundant test samples. A cover or lid with a downwardly extending column includes a stopper with a removable plug attached to automatically seal the lower sample chamber when the cover is sealed across the top of the upper chamber. This feature guarantees that the sample chambers are sealed or isolated simultaneously and that the test samples are therefore identical when taken. Tamper evident seals prove that either sample has not been contaminated. A preferred embodiment provides a bellows assembly to accommodate variations in ambient pressure and to provide a positive means of expelling a precise quantity of fluid from the receptacle for testing.