AUTOMATED SAMPLE EXTRACTOR OR FEEDER/INOCULATOR FOR BIOREACTORS AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT

摘要

An apparatus (A) can withdraw a sample from a vessel or conduit or provide a sample to this vessel or conduit. This apparatus includes a main body (10) with an inlet passage (12) and drain passage (14) both inclined relative to the body. A flexible bellows (30) is positioned within an internal cavity (3) of the main body. A sealing tip (32) of the bellows is movable by a valve operating rod (22) to close an orifice (33) to a sample cavity (11) within the body. Steam (5), pure dry air (6) and/or a wash medium (7) can be provided through the inlet passage to cleanse the apparatus Crevices and exposure to moving parts are avoided in the apparatus to prevent contamination of the sample.