摘要 |
<p>A cylindrical, transparent capsule (10) is less than half filled with a liquid culture medium (12). An open end of the capsule is closed by supporting annulus (24) and a vent tube (28) having a vent aperture (30) at a free end thereof. The vent aperture is disposed at a volumetric center of the capsule such that an upper surface of the liquid culture medium is disposed below the vent aperture in any orientation of the capsule. A heat labile membrane (32) which becomes porous in the presence of steam seals the vent passage but provides a pressure escape from the capsule at steam sterilizing temperatures. A disk inoculated with microorganisms is supported by the annular support. A cap (40) is slidably movable between a first position in which apertures (42) provide a liquid flow path between the inoculated disk and the exterior and a second position in which a severing ring (46) severs the support annulus bringing the inoculated disk and the culture medium into contact.</p> |