Apparatus including a multiple conduit path system for handling liquids to be tested

Claim 1

Apparatus for testing samples of liquids comprising a test chamber having an inlet for liquids to be tested, a first outlet from the lower portion of the test chamber and below the inlet, and a second outlet above the desired liquid level in the chamber, an evacuating means, conduit means providing first and second parallel fluid flow paths respectively from said first and second outlets to said evacuating means, the first fluid flow path including a portion located at a zone remote from said first outlet having a lower resistance to fluid flow than that offered by the second fluid flow path, said conduit means providing a third fluid flow path from said first outlet to said evacuating means by passing said zone, means providing a supply source of liquid to be tested, means for conducting liquid from the supply source means to the test chamber inlet, means for connecting the conduit means of the first and second fluid flow paths to the evacuating means for drawing liquid into the test chamber and along the first fluid flow path until liquid reaches said zone and fills the test chamber to the desired level, while gas is drawn by the evacuating means from the test chamber through the conduit means providing the second fluid flow path, and means for connecting the conduit means of the third fluid flow path to the evacuating means.