RU2791727C2 - Sampling device, system containing a sampling device, and sampling method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: sample containers.

SUBSTANCE: sampling device (24) comprises a container (22) having an inner space (40) for receiving material formed by a side wall part (36) and a lower wall part (38) at the first end (22') of the container (22), and opening (42) of the container at the second end (22'') of the container (22) opposite the first end (22'); and container (10; 10'; 10'') for the sample, made with the possibility of overlapping the opening (42) of the container when connected to the container (22). The central part (14) for receiving the sample communicates through fluid with the internal space (40) for receiving the material, when the sample container (10; 10'; 10'') is connected to the container (22). A sample slot (18) located radially outside the sample receiving part (14) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) passing through the lower wall part (38) and the container opening (42), wherein the sample slot (18) has a slot opening. A fluid passage (16) extending from the first opening in the sample receiving portion (14) to the second opening in the well opening; a container (20) having a container opening. Fluid-tight barrier (8'; 44) configured to prevent fluid from entering the opening of the container from the central part (14) for receiving the sample. Part (14) for receiving the sample is located in the first longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis (A), the slot opening is in the second longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis (A), and the container opening is in the third longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis (A), and the third position is located above the first and second positions in the direction along the longitudinal axis (A) from the lower wall part (38) to the opening (42) of the container.

EFFECT: increased efficiency of the sample container with the possibility of rotation.

8 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a sample container, and more particularly to a sample container rotatable to separate the sample and obtain a fraction for use in a subsequent process that uses an analyte or liquid/fluid/surface in another container provided in sample container.

This type of sample handling is described in EP 0272915 and WO 2010/026911, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a sampling device comprising a container and a sample container; moreover, the container has an internal space for receiving material formed by a side wall part, a lower wall part at the first end of the container, and has a container opening opposite the lower wall part at the second end of the container opposite the first end; and a sample container configured to cover the container opening when connected to the container, the sample container comprising:

- a sample receiving part which, when the sample container is connected to the container, is in fluid communication with the interior of the material receiving space,

a sample well disposed radially outside the sample receiving portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis passing through the first and second ends of the container, the sample well having a well opening,

a fluid passage extending from the first opening in the sample receiving portion to the second opening in the well opening,

- a container having a container opening; And

a liquid-tight barrier configured to prevent liquid from entering the opening of the container from the central portion for receiving the sample.

In some embodiments, the sample container may be configured to permanently close the container opening, and in other embodiments, the sample container may be configured to temporarily close the open top of the container. These latter embodiments have the advantage that a single container can be made which can be used for different purposes depending on the type of sample container with which it is connected, which can reduce the cost of manufacturing the container; in addition, the container can be reusable, thereby reducing operating costs.

The opening of the container may be permanently open, or may be initially blocked and sealed with a liquid-tight barrier. In these latter embodiments, the liquid-impervious barrier may be made of a brittle material which, when torn, may provide access to the container.

The container may contain components or analytes that are necessary to affect the sample. Thus, the container may contain analytes or other components, such as reactive surfaces or beads, to carry out, for example, a chemical reaction in or with the sample, or otherwise transform the sample or portion thereof prior to any further reaction involving the container, as described below. .

The container has a bottom and side walls which define an interior material receiving space for receiving the material from which the sample will be taken. The material is often a liquid or slurry, but may also be a gas, gel, or other fluid material. The container is usually made from a material or composite material that does not alter, transform, absorb or permeate the material from which the sample will be taken, unless directly required. If necessary, the container may contain a preservative, for example, if the material to be sampled is easily degradable, or if the material to be sampled is expected to be stored in the container for a long time.

As will be described below, the sample container may also include a filter and/or a seal that can be positioned to cover at least a portion of the sample receiving portion. This filter and/or seal can preferably prevent spillage of the material to be sampled and/or other material in the container. A filter can be used to separate the material to be sampled into a filtered fraction, which forms a sample that can reach the well, and another fraction, which is left in the container.

The sample container in some embodiments includes a material receiving port in communication with the container, which in some of these embodiments is not covered by any filter and/or seal.

The sample well is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid that passes through the sample receiving portion to form the sample and has a well opening. The well opening and the sample receiving portion may be disposed in a direction radially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis that extends through the open top and bottom wall portion of the container, the well and/or well opening being thus positioned radially outside the sample receiving portion, or more generally, the well opening is located closer to the outer periphery of the sample container than the sample receiving portion.

The present sampling device is particularly suitable for rotation about a longitudinal axis to separate the material from which the sample is taken, obtaining a fraction, which is directed upward through the sample receiving part to form a sample, part of which enters the well through the passage. Naturally, the material in the container need not have different fractions with different densities, for example such that only a portion of the material is pushed upwards to form a sample, this portion being identical to the material remaining in the container.

In other embodiments, the internal material receiving space is configured to provide a variable volume, such as decreasing it by compressing or moving its bottom wall section towards the open top to allow liquid fluid in the container to move towards the sample receiving part of the container. for the sample and through it. In some embodiments, more fluid, such as gas, may be added to reduce the volume available to the liquid fluid material and thus achieve the same displacement effect. In the above embodiments, the relative longitudinal positions (positions projected along the longitudinal axis) of the sample receiving part and the sample well are chosen such that the fluid from the container that has moved upward and in the radial direction exits the sample receiving part and that part of it entered the sample well to form a sample. In addition, the sample receiving portion may extend further in the radial direction than the sample well if the well opening is positioned appropriately.

As described herein, a fluid passage is provided extending from a first opening in the sample receiving portion to a second opening in the opening of the sample well. The first opening may be an opening in the sample receiving part, for example if liquid is simply pushed out of the sample receiving part. Alternatively, the fluid passage may be a dedicated passage for conveying the sample (part) to the well opening and into the sample well, whereby it may have a separate, first opening in the sample receiving part. Likewise, the second opening in the well opening may be the well opening itself or a dedicated opening leading from the well opening.

In some embodiments, the first opening is located closer to the top than to the bottom of the sample receiving portion.

During rotation, or during any of the volume reduction steps mentioned above, the material in the container, or a portion thereof, is compressed generally radially outward and thus upward relative to the direction of gravity and along the inner wall portions of the container in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The material then reaches the sample receiving portion, passing through it to form the sample, then to the first opening and is guided through the passage to the second opening and into the sample well. The rotation/volume reduction can then be stopped and thus part of the sample is now in the sample well.

In order for the side wall of the container to be suitable for raising the liquid level during rotation, it can be formed with walls substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, for example, with a deviation of less than 5 degrees from the direction parallel to the axis, so that the movement of the liquid during rotation occurs properly and was easily adjustable.

In some embodiments, the sample receiving portion may be located at a first position projected onto the longitudinal axis, the well opening at a second longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis, and the container opening at a third longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis, with the third position located above the first and second positions in the direction along the longitudinal axis extending from the bottom wall part to the open top part. Thus, as the liquid level increases, the liquid may rise to the second position and thus flow into the well without the liquid reaching the third position and thus entering the container. In addition, the material of the sample container in which the sample well and the container are formed provides a liquid-tight barrier to prevent liquid from entering the container from the sample receiving portion.

In fact, additionally or alternatively, the container may be sealed with a liquid-tight barrier that can be separated from the material constituting the sample container in which the sample well and container are formed to prevent liquid from entering the container before it is needed.

Naturally, a plurality of wells may be formed. This may, for example, be done to increase the volume of the sample contained in the sample container.

In some embodiments, the implementation of the container may have an oval cross-section, so that the liquid sample is first of all pushed upwards in the most distant parts from the center (on the major axis). In addition, one or more sample wells may be formed in these portions.

The container may contain an analyte, a chemical, a reactive surface, or the like. Thus, the contents of the container can be used to carry out the reaction with part of the sample or all of the sample contained in the sample well(s). Part of the contents of the container may be placed in the sample well(s) or vice versa. The sample well(s) and/or container may have a given overall volume or a given volume/amount of sample or analyte/chemical/surface so that a controlled reaction can occur.

Naturally, a plurality of containers may be used to increase the number of reactions or chemical reaction steps to which the sample may be subjected.

In one embodiment:

- the opening of the hole, when projected onto a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is located between the first minimum distance to the axis and the second maximum distance to the axis, and

- the opening of the container is located in the plane between the third minimum distance to the axis and the fourth maximum distance to the axis, and the interval defined by the first and second distances has an overlap with the interval defined by the third and fourth distances.

Thus, a pipette, for example, can fit into both a sample well and a container without changing its axial distance. In one example, the pipette or other dispensing element may be movable only along the axis, while the sample container may be rotatable about the axis. In addition, the pipette or other dispensing element can enter both the sample well and the container simply by rotating the sample container and moving the pipette up and down along the axis.

Preferably the second opening is open to the top of the sample well. Alternatively, the second opening may be provided at a lower position than the first opening. Thus, when the sample container is stationary, the liquid will remain in the sample well.

In one embodiment, the sample container also includes an opening, preferably centrally located, with a longitudinal axis from the outside of the sample container to the container. Preferably, this central opening comprises a passage opening extending a predetermined distance parallel to the axis, for example ending above the first and second distances, so that during rotation, the liquid, when it is pushed radially outward, will not exit this passage. Thus, a lip can be provided between the outer portions of the central opening and the outer portions of the inner surface of the sample receiving portion, so that when pushed outwards, the liquid can reach the edge preventing the liquid from escaping from the sample receiving portion. Alternatively, a filter can be installed in this position to filter the liquid coming out of the sample receiving part. This position of the central opening makes it possible to prevent liquid from escaping from the sample receiving part in an unfiltered form.

As already mentioned, it is preferred that a component, such as an analyte, be present in the container. This component may be selected based on the type of sample to carry out a given reaction, to prepare the sample, or to otherwise manipulate the sample in the desired manner. Thus, the component, when a sample is added to it, makes it possible to obtain a sample that is ready, for example, to perform a particular assay or measurement.

In one embodiment, the sample container also includes a sealing element, typically acting as a liquid-tight barrier, configured to seal at least the container. Thus, the contents of the container cannot leak out and the container itself cannot be contaminated.

In addition, this seal can be removed or punctured to remove the liquid/analyte from the container or to add sample from the sample well.

The seal may also cover, for example, the well and/or passageway to prevent sample from escaping during rotation and to guide the sample away from the sample receiving center into the well. In addition, the seal above the well may be pierced or removed to gain access to the sample contained therein.

In one embodiment, the sample container also includes an elongated channel containing an elongated sample element. The elongated sampling element may be an element indicating a change in parameter depending on the presence or concentration of a component in the liquid added to it.

A common type of elongated sampling element is a level indicator or a side spread analysis device, such as an element containing at least a portion configured to carry liquid within it by capillary action. Alternatively, the liquid may be transferred to the channel by means of a pump. Capillary forces can occur if the elongated sampling element contains a woven or non-woven portion. There are many alternatives, such as paper-like materials, hydrophilic or lipophilic materials, or the like, depending on the type of sample or liquid to be transferred. In addition, this part may contain or may contain a chemical substance that causes a reaction that is visible to the observer or detected by means of a measuring device. This liquid transfer portion is preferably located entirely along the length of the elongated sampling element, as, for example, if the elongated sampling element were made of such a material.

The elongated sampling element, or a portion thereof, or material held thereon, may be configured to change color or other optical property such as absorption, transmission, reflection, or other property that can be detected optically, such as when a chemical bond is formed. its vibration can be detected.

Other detectable parameters may be electronically detected, for example, by means of a generated current or a current passed through an elongated sample inlet. The sample container may include electrodes configured to supply current to or through the elongated sampling element.

Additionally or alternatively, the sample container may include a window or other radiation-transmitting element between the channel and the environment, so that a color change can be determined or reflection/absorption/scattering can be detected by applying radiation to and/or receiving radiation from an elongated sample.

The elongated channel may be visible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, for example, if the elongated channel extends around the axis, or in the direction along the axis, for example, if the elongated channel extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis, for example, through the top surface of the sample container.

The channel may be open so that the elongated sampling element can be installed in, removed from or replaced in it. Alternatively, the channel may be sealed to prevent breakage, contamination, or loss of the elongated sampling element.

In one embodiment, the elongated channel is open into the container. Thus, the liquid in the container can flow into the channel and thus wet the elongated sampling element. The liquid transfer portion of the elongate sampling member is configured to transfer fluid along the length of the elongated sampling member away from the opening. In addition, the channel is preferably located at least approximately in the same longitudinal position, projected on the axis, as the container. Alternatively, the conduit may extend from the opening downwards such that gravity assists in the transfer of fluid along the elongated sampling member.

Alternatively, the channel may be opened into the well if the resulting fluid to be tested is present in the well. It is clear that the same considerations apply in this case.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the elongated channel may be opened into the second container. This second container, like the first container, may be designed such that it does not receive fluid from the sample receiving portion, well, or passageway during normal operation. Thus, the second container may be empty until liquid is added to it, for example from the first container, for example after a chemical reaction has occurred in the first container. Alternatively, the second container itself may contain additional chemicals to carry out additional reactions with the liquid before it is transferred to the channel and elongate sampling element.

The second container may be of a predetermined volume to provide a precise amount of liquid reaching the elongate sampling member.

This second container may have an opening at least partially located within the above overlap of the well opening and the container opening, so that the up/down only pipette can also be configured to transfer liquid into the second container.

Naturally, the second container and the longitudinal channel may be positioned above the sample receiving center, the well, the fluid passage, and even the first container, if desired.

In one embodiment, the sample container is an attachable lid or sample container lid. In this situation, different sample container configurations can be provided for different types of samples, and the same sample containers can be provided in large quantities. In addition, different sample containers may contain special purpose components in the containers so that different sample containers can be used for different types of samples or different types of measurements. In addition, the selected sample container can be attached to the sample container so that it is ready for measurement. This attachment may be subject to withdrawal or it may be permanent. In the previous version, if necessary, the sample containers can be reused.

Thus, the second aspect of the present invention relates to a sample container for use in the sampling device according to the first aspect.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a sample handling system comprising:

- a sampling device according to the first aspect of the present invention,

- a rotator for rotating the sampling device about a longitudinal axis, and

- a dispensing device placed with the possibility of transferring a certain amount of material between the container and the sample well.

In this context, the rotator may be any type of rotator, such as an element for interfacing a sampling device and a motor or the like to rotate the element. It will be appreciated that gears, bearings, and the like may be used as needed. In addition, any type of motor can be used, as well as control and/or measurement means for controlling the speed of rotation.

The dispenser may be any type of dispenser, such as a fluid receiving element that can be inserted into or above the center opening (or port) of the container (if any), sample well(s), and container(s) to deliver a liquid/fluid or the like thereto, or to remove a liquid/fluid or the like therefrom. The dispenser may include a pump or the like. for transferring liquid or the like. into the element for receiving liquid and supplying liquid from it. In addition, a reservoir can be used if a large amount of liquid needs to be delivered or if it needs to be delivered to a plurality of sample containers.

The dispenser may be configured to pierce or break through its top layer or seal, for example, over the sample well(s), container(s), or container center opening.

A plurality of dispensers may be used. Thus, one dispenser can be used to dispense into the center opening of the container, and one dispenser can be used to transfer fluid between the sample well(s) and container(s). A plurality of dispensers may be used if a fast operation is required or if the movement of the dispensers is limited.

In one embodiment, a particular dispenser or each dispenser may be movable at least along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. This allows the entire dispenser or dispenser assembly to be simplified since only linear movement is required. In this situation, the overlap between the radial positions of the openings of the sample well(s) and container(s) allows one pipette to interact with the well(s) and container(s).

The fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for working with a sample, including:

- retaining fluid material in the container of the sampling device according to the first aspect of the present invention,

- rotating the sampling device about the longitudinal axis so that a portion of the fluid material passes through the sample receiving portion and enters the sample well through the liquid passage, and

transferring at least a portion of the material between the container and the sample well.

It is understood that, if necessary, elements from all embodiments and aspects of the present invention may be combined.

As mentioned above, the sampling device can be configured to push the liquid out and up as it rotates, whereby the liquid can flow into the passage and then into the well.

A portion of the liquid from the well may be transferred to a container, or a portion of the material from the container may be transferred to a well. This movement can be performed using the above pipette, for example, if the relative positions of the well and the opening of the container allow, and the pipette moves only up and down.

One or more additional containers may be used and a portion of the liquid sample from the sample well or from the first container may be dispensed into an additional container, the liquid from that additional container may be dispensed into another additional container, and so on. to carry out a (other) chemical reaction.

The aforementioned elongated channel may comprise an elongated sampling element so that liquid transferred into it (by means of the first, second or additional containers) can be transferred into the elongated sampling element to cause a change, which can then be determined by an observer or from using a measuring tool. A change in color can be determined, for example, with the naked eye, while a change in reflection or electrical properties can be determined using a measuring instrument.

The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating the system according to the third aspect of the present invention, including:

- retaining fluid material in the container of the sampling device according to the first aspect of the present invention,

- rotating the sampling device about the longitudinal axis so that a portion of the fluid material is transferred through the sample receiving portion and enters the sample well through the fluid passage, and

- operating the dispenser to transfer at least a portion of the material between the container and the sample well.

In addition, the same additional steps and elements as described above may be provided and performed.

As described above, the control step may include:

- lowering the pipette of the dispenser into the sample well and extracting some of the liquid from it,

- lifting the pipette,

- rotating the sampling device about its longitudinal axis to align the container opening longitudinally with the container opening, and

- lowering the dispensing device into the container and supplying part of the extracted liquid into it.

This simple movement is facilitated if the well and container openings have the overlap described above.

In the following, the embodiments are described with reference to the drawings of the figures, in which:

- in Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a sample container;

- in Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the sample container;

- in Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the sample container;

- in Fig. 4 shows an assembly containing a sampling device according to the present invention; And

- in Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the sampling device of FIG. 4.

In FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a sample container 10 comprising an annular body 8 formed by: a centrally located opening, in this case in the form of a through hole 12; part 14 for receiving the sample; a passage 16 for the liquid, in this case in the form of a collecting track, and a well 18 for the sample. The container 20 is designed to contain the material. As shown in the figure, the longitudinal axis A passes through the center of the sample container 10.

Typically, sample container 10 is rotatable about axis A such that fluid, typically liquid, present in a container (not shown in this figure) below sample container 10 is pushed outward and thus upward through a sample receiving portion 14 and into a collection path 16 which in this embodiment flares outward from axis A to direct fluid from the sample receiving portion 14 towards a sample well 18 in which at least a portion of the fluid will then be collected , which arrived at track 16.

The fluid from the sample well 18 and the material from the container 20 can then be mixed to provide a process or result, which can then be quantified if desired.

A filter material (not shown in FIG. 1) may cover the sample receiving portion 14. Filtration may be required if the liquid present below the sample receiving portion 14 is a suspension of solid and liquid and the presence of solid is undesirable in the sample well 18.

The present sample container 10 can be used for a variety of tasks such as testing or measurement.

In other embodiments, the sample container 10 itself may contain a measurement element. Various types of measuring elements or elements involved in the measurement can be applied. In one example, the measurement element may be a window or similar opening in the well/container so that an optical measurement can be made without removing liquid or the like. from the well/container. Alternatively, electrodes may be placed in the container/well to perform the measurement.

In FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a sample container 10' which, in addition to the sample container 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a second container 20' connected to an elongated, in this case longitudinal channel 21. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal channel 21 runs generally parallel to the outer peripheral wall of the housing 8 and has some dimension in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. A level indicator or the other longitudinal element for analysis contains an elongated element 23 for sampling, configured to transfer liquid from the container 20' along its length, and can be inserted into an elongated, in this case longitudinal, channel 21 so that it is located on a chemically active surface , typically parallel to the longitudinal axis A. As is known, the level indicator 23 also includes one or more components located on or on a reactive surface capable of reacting with a component present in the liquid to be carried. Level gauges and the like can be used to illustrate the pH (hydrogen value) of a liquid, as well as to identify a wide variety of other components. Level gauges have at least a portion capable of carrying liquid, typically by capillary action. The liquid can then be transferred from the container 20' through the channel 21 in a controlled manner. It will be understood that the container 20' may be sized so that it can hold a measured and controlled amount of liquid so as to control the amount of liquid reaching the elongated sampling member 23.

Often the color of level indicators, etc. changes depending on the result of the reaction. In addition, the level indicator 23 can be removed from the sample container 10' to determine the indicated color change, or a window 25 can be formed to allow the color or color change to be determined without removing this element from the sample container 10'.

In this embodiment, a filter material 14' is used which covers the sample receiving portion 14 of the sample container 10'.

Then, in this embodiment, a portion of the liquid or other fluid material that has been passed through the filter material 14' can be transferred from the container 20 or sample well 18 to the container 20'. Alternatively, instead of container 20, any desired reaction can take place in container 20'. It will be understood that if it is undesirable for some component of the liquid obtained in the container 20' to enter the elongated channel 21, a separate filter can be installed at the inlet to the channel 21 from the container 20'.

In FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a sample container 10'' in which an elongated sampling element 23 is placed in a horizontal plane in a horizontal tray which provides an elongated channel 21' also extending from the container 20'. Thus, the width distribution of the element 23 can be more even, which can be seen as an advantage. Naturally, a window may be provided above the tray 21' and the element 23 to hold the element in place during rotation and, for example, to increase the shelf life of the sample container 10''.

Typically, the top of the sample container 10, 10', 10'' is sealed, for example with a layer of polymer/plastic, to prevent contamination. In addition, the seal may close the opening in the container 20 while allowing liquid from the top side of the sample receiving portion 14 to access the sample well 18. Additionally or alternatively, the container 20 may include a seal that acts as a liquid-tight barrier to prevent loss, such as by evaporation, of any of its contents, which, in use, is configured to react with the sample from the sample well 18 and prevent entry liquid from the sample well 18 into the container 20. The seal is made permeable, for example by pipetting, for example by applying a thin enough layer. The passage 12 may also be sealed to prevent entry of unwanted material.

The top opening of the sample well 18 may be positioned below (if axis A is vertical) the opening in the container 20 so that the stepped portion 8' of the body 8 that separates the two openings acts as a liquid-tight barrier to prevent liquid from entering the sample well 18 in container 20.

It is further preferred that the sample container 10, 10', 10'' have no openings below and in lane 16, well 18 and container 20. In addition, it may be preferred that the sample container 10, 10', 10'' has no liquid passages from its bottom side to its top side at positions further from axis A than the outer radius of the filter 14'. Thus, the liquid entering the space above the sample receiving portion 14 passes through the filter 14'.

If a filter is not installed, the rotation of the liquid in the port 12 or container 22 can also provide the required filtration (in this case based on density only), so that the required liquid enters only lane 16 and well 18, but not container 20.

Preferably, the container 20 is only accessible from the top side of the sample container 10, 10', 10''.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sample container 10' forms a lid connected to the liquid receiving container 22, and together they constitute the sampling device 24 of the present invention.

As previously discussed, a variety of different sample containers or lids 10, 10', 10'' can be designed in this way. Filter 14' may be omitted and different numbers of containers 20 or sizes of containers 20 may be provided, as well as different contents of container(s) 20. As previously mentioned, container(s) 20 may contain liquid, powder, granules, gas, reactive surfaces or the like. If necessary, dosing of a certain amount of the contents of the container 20 can be provided.

In addition, sample containers 10, 10', 10'' can be provided to accommodate a wide range of liquids, samples, and the like, and can be configured to apply to various types of processes or reactions. It will be appreciated that the same container 22, or the same shape thereof, may be used for a variety of different sample containers or lids 10, 10', 10''.

In FIG. 4, the sampling device 24 is shown together with a dispensing device 30 comprising two pipettes or needles 32 and 34 mounted on a pipette rod 31, the pipette 32 being positioned directly above the central orifice 12, for example on the longitudinal axis A, for dispensing liquid into a central port 12 to be transferred to container 22. Pipette 34 is positioned above container 20, but can also be positioned above well 18 if sampling device 24 rotates about axis A (solid arrow). To rotate the sampler 24 about axis A, which is preferably the axis of symmetry of the sampler 24, a rotating device such as a rotary motor (not shown) may be used. As the sampling device 24 rotates, several thousand revolutions per minute may be required to move the material within the interior space 40 to receive the material upward along the inner surface of the side wall portion 36 due to centrifugal force. Preferably, the center of gravity of the sampling device 24 is located along the longitudinal axis A.

The pipette rod 31 can be movable up and down, for example along the longitudinal axis A, which is usually, at least during rotation, vertical. However, by performing this simple movement and rotation, the two pipettes 32, 34 can either transfer liquid into the port 12 or transfer liquid or the like. between sample well 18 and container 20.

Thus, it is desirable that the sample well 18 and the container 20 be able to interact with the same pipette 34, simply by rotating the sampling device 24 about the longitudinal axis A. Thus, the container 20 and the sample well 18 must be accessible at the same distance from axis A. FIG. 1 shows the minimum and maximum radius - r-min and r-max - at which container 20 can be accessed. It will be understood that the same limitations apply to similar access to any container 20' connected to an elongated channel defined by longitudinal channel 21 or tray 21'. Sample well 18 in FIG. 1 also goes between r-min and r-max, but this is not a requirement. Other r-min and r-max values may be selected for the well, provided that the intervals defined by the r-max and r-min values for container(s) 20, 20' and sample well 18 have an overlap that represents is the distance from axis A at which both can be accessed, preferably directly from above.

As described above, any liquid or the like obtained from the container 20 or sample well 18 can be used to measure or determine its properties. Then this liquid or the like can be transferred from the well/container to the measuring instrument if necessary.

The liquid dispensed through the orifice 12 into the container 22 may be the liquid required in the sample well 18 or may be one of the components of the liquid to be tested. The liquid entering vessel 22 may be obtained, for example, by mixing the liquid and another fraction, which may be a solid, fluid, liquid, or mixture thereof, to allow the mixture to react if desired. In one example, the extraction liquid is added to the grain powder, which is the actual element to be tested, for example, through the passage hole 12 through the pipette 34, and the extraction liquid is selected, which is configured to extract the test component from the powder. After extraction is performed, part of the obtained liquid, when the sampler 24 rotates about axis A, passes through the sample receiving part 14, through the filter 14' and enters the sample well 18, while the powder remains on the other side of the filter 14'. In some cases, it is envisaged that the sample container (eg 10') and container 22 are initially separated. The grain powder to be tested is placed in the container 22, and the sample container 10 is connected to it to close the container 22. The thus assembled sampling device 24 is then placed in the dosing device, the extraction liquid is dispensed into the container 22 from the pipette 32 through the port hole 12, and the sampler 24 rotates rapidly around the longitudinal axis A.

In FIG. 5, the sampling device of FIG. 4 is shown in section along plane B-B. The container 22 has a side wall part 36 and a lower wall part 38 at the first end 22' of the container 22, which together form the interior space 40 for receiving material and end with the opening 42 of the container at the second end 22' opposite the first end 22', which in this case made as an open top opposite the bottom wall part 36. The longitudinal axis A runs in the center in the direction from the end to the end 22', 22'' between the bottom wall part 38 and the open top 42.

The entire top of the sample container 10' in the present embodiment is sealed with a seal 44, such as a polymer/plastic layer, which in some cases may prevent contamination. In addition, the seal 44 provides a liquid-tight barrier to seal the opening in the container 20 and the port 12 while allowing liquid access from the top side of the sample receiving portion 14 and to the sample well 18. In other embodiments, the seal 44 may only seal the opening of the container to prevent loss, such as by evaporation, of any of its contents which, in use, is configured to react with the sample from the sample well 18 and prevent liquid from entering the well. 18 for sample to container 20. Port 12 may also be similarly sealed in some embodiments to prevent entry of unwanted material. Indeed, the seal 44 may be configured to selectively close only one or more of the openings present in the sample container. The seal 44, at least above the opening in the container 20 (or other opening(s) where access from the outside of the sample container 10' is desired) is made permeable, for example with a pipette, for example by forming a sufficiently thin layer.

The sample container (eg 10') covers the open top 42. As shown in the figure, the body 8 of the sample container 10' includes a sample well 18; a container 20 and a longitudinal channel 21 in which the longitudinal sampling element 23 is located, and in this case has an annular shape (thick ring) to provide a central through hole that functions as a sample receiving part 14.

Claims (20)

1. A device (24) for sampling, containing a container (22) having an internal space (40) for receiving material, formed by a side wall part (36) and a lower wall part (38) at the first end (22') of the container (22 ), and an opening (42) of the container at the second end (22'') of the container (22) opposite the first end (22'); and a container (10; 10'; 10'') for the sample, made with the possibility of overlapping the opening (42) of the container when connected to the container (22) and containing: - a central part (14) for receiving the sample, which, when the container (10; 10'; 10'') for the sample is connected to the container (22), is in fluid communication with the internal space (40) for receiving the material, - hole (18) for the sample, located radially outside the part (14) for receiving the sample in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) passing through the lower wall part (38) and the opening (42) of the container, and the hole (18) for the sample has a hole opening, - a fluid passage (16) extending from the first opening in the sample receiving portion (14) to the second opening in the well opening; - a container (20) having a container opening; And - a liquid-tight barrier (8'; 44) configured to prevent liquid from entering the opening of the container from the central part (14) for receiving the sample, characterized in that the sample receiving part (14) is located in the first longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis (A), the well opening is in the second longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis (A), and the container opening is in the third longitudinal position projected onto the longitudinal axis (A ), and the third position is located above the first and second positions in the direction along the longitudinal axis (A) from the lower wall part (38) to the opening (42) of the container. 2. Device (24) for sampling according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the opening of the hole, when projected onto a plane perpendicular to the axis (A), is located between the first minimum distance to the axis and the second maximum distance to the axis (A), and - the opening of the container is located in the plane between the third minimum distance (r-min) to the axis (A) and the fourth maximum distance (r-max) to the axis (A), and the interval defined by the first and second distances has an overlap with the interval defined third (r-min) and fourth (r-max) distances. 3. A sampling device (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second opening is opened into the top of the sample well (18). 4. Sampling device (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising in a container (20) a preselected material. 5. Sampling device (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid-tight barrier consists of a sealing element (44) sealing at least the container (20). 6. Sampling device (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sample container (10'; 10'') additionally comprises an elongated channel (21; 21') and a level indicator (23) located therein. 7. Sampling device (24) according to claim 6, wherein the sample container (10; 10'; 10'') further comprises a second container (20') into which an elongated channel (21; 21') is opened. 8. System for working with a sample, including: - a device (24) for sampling according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7; - a rotary device for rotating the device (24) for sampling around the longitudinal axis (A); And - a dispensing device (30) configured to carry out the transfer of a certain amount of liquid between the container (20) and the sample well (18), characterized in that the dispensing device (30) contains a pipette (34) configured to move along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A).

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