| 摘要 |
Capillary collection devices are known in which liquid is introduced into the device using capillary transport. However, such devices have a limited volume in which liquid can be collected due to the capillary effect. Described herein is a device (10) constructed to collect a liquid by drawing the liquid to an intermediate point (44) by capillary attraction only, and then from that intermediate point (44) further into the device (10) by gravity. The device (10) comprises a first portion (12) and a second portion (40) connected at an angle ( alpha ) to one another at the intermediate point (44). The first portion (12) has an inlet aperture (14) which allows liquid to enter the device (10) by capillary attraction. The inlet aperture (14) comprises oppositely disposed surfaces (18, 20) spaced apart a distance (d1) no greater than that which will maintain capillary flow into that portion (12) through the aperture (14). The second portion (40) allows gravity flow further into the device (10) from the intermediate point (44) and comprises opposed surfaces spaced apart a distance (d2) effective to allow gravity to passively overcome any surface attraction caused by the opposed surfaces, the inclination of the second portion (40) to the first portion (12) allowing liquid to drop below the horizontal plane extending from the intermediate point (44). <IMAGE> |
