Abstract: A fluid delivery system for aspirating liquid from a bottle and conveying the liquid to an analytical instrument while allowing ambient air or gas to enter the bottle to replace the aspirated liquid. The bottle opening is sealed by a valve. A tube extends from the valve to the liquid within the bottle. A coupling component is removably connected to the analytical instrument and to the valve for operatively connecting the instrument to the tube.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system for aspirating liquid from a bottle and conveying the liquid to an analytical instrument while allowing ambient air or gas to enter the bottle to replace the aspirated liquid. The bottle opening is sealed by a valve. A tube extends from the valve to the liquid within the bottle. A coupling component is removably connected to the analytical instrument anti to the valve for operatively connecting the instrument to the tube.

Abstract: A cap assembly for receiving a stopper and for application to the threaded neck of a bottle. The cap assembly includes a cap and a thrust washer. The cap has an end wall which has a central aperture and a circular side wall which has internal threads. The thrust washer has a base wall with a central aperture and a side wall which has a ridge at its outer end. The thrust washer lies within the side wall of the cap so that the base wall engages the end wall and the side wall extends through the aperture in the end wall and the ridge engages the outer surface of the end wall to retain tile thrust washer on the cap. Tile side wall of the thrust washer is resiliently yieldable to enable the ridge to disengage from the end wall to release the thrust washer from the cap.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid delivery system for aspirating liquid from a bottle. The valve assembly includes a valve housing for insertion into the neck of the bottle, an elastomeric valve and an elongated tube. The valve housing has a primary bore and a secondary bore which extends at an angle to the primary bore. The elastomeric valve has a head portion which lies in the primary bore and a flexible neck portion which lies in the secondary bore and which contains a socket. One end of the elongated tube is located in the socket of the flexible neck portion so that the tube extends through the secondary bore and into the interior of the bottle.

Abstract: A novel fluid sampling device has been developed. This device provides for sample entry to be handled automatically by the instrument, thus allowing the operator to be involved in other activities while the sampling process is underway. It also assures reproduceable sample size, automatically cleans the sampling device between samples, and reduces the risk of user injury. Furthermore, the sampling system allows for the use of any forseeable collection mechanism.

Abstract: A novel fluid sampling device has been developed. This device provides for sample entry to be handled automatically by the instrument, thus allowing the operator to be involved in other activities while the sampling process is underway. It also assures reproduceable sample size, automatically cleans the sampling device between samples, and reduces the risk of user injury. Furthermore, the sampling system allows for the use of any forseeable collection mechanism.