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:
Mar. 18, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 28, 2002
Douglas A. Newberg, Gambrills, MD (US);
NL Technologies, Ltd., Gambrills, MD (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for inoculating a sample to or withdrawing a sample from a vessel or conduit includes a body with an internal collection chamber formed therein. A valve operating rod is movable to open and close an orifice in the collection chamber. The mechanism used to reciprocate the valve operating rod to open and close the orifice can be either manual and automatic. Furthermore, a drain passage having an opening in communication with the collection chamber is located adjacent to or below the opening of the orifice. An inlet passage having an opening in communication with the collection chamber is located above the opening of the drain passage. A seal is formed between the movable valve operating rod and the body, thereby separating and isolating certain mechanical parts of the valve from certain other process-contact parts of the valve. The seal is formed by one of seal glands, o-rings, flexible diaphragms or other device. Finally, a insulating jacket is provided to insulate the inside chambers of the valve from its surroundings. The insulating jacket can be thermal, electrical, magnetic and/or chemical. Specifically, the insulation can be insulating coatings, multiple wall constructions and the selection of materials of construction according to their properties.