<p>An apparatus (10) for capturing a sample of fluid (16) from a bore hole (12). The apparatus comprises a housing (26) defining at least one interior volume and at least one port (96) for placing the volume in fluid communication with the fluid in the bore hole (12). The housing contains an intake assembly (100) for opening the port (96) to allow the bore hole fluid to enter the volume and a restriction assembly (38) for controlling the rate at which the fluid is received by the volume. Slidably disposed within the volume is a piston (100) driven by the incoming bore hole fluid to close the volume once the sample has been collected. The apparatus (10) provides a means of collecting a fluid sample at depth, and maintaining the fluid sample at its ambient pressure without fear of contamination or explosive decompression.</p>
