US3890844A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Periphyton sampler and method for sampling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-25
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1994-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A sampling device is disclosed which is capable of being clamped to the surface of a stone and other portable solid underwater objects to which periphytic cells adhere and which will retain the sample cells in a closed container, while the object, sampling device and cells are transported as a unit to a laboratory or other place of testing. The device includes a hollow body having a top, a bottom, and an integral annular side wall connecting top and bottom, an aperture in the bottom and a rigid tubular collar extending from the margin defining the aperture, a sealing collar surrounding the rigid collar, and adapted to sealingly engage the surface of the object being sampled with the hollow body. A stoppered access opening is provided in the top of the hollow body for inserting a cleaning implement for removing periphytic cells from the solid object. A clamp is provided for clamping the hollow body to a solid object in sealed engagement therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 William F Gale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A periphyton sampler for underwater use by SCUBA divers on stones and other solid underwater objects to collect periphytic cells and the like from the solid object being sampled comprising a rigid hollow body member having a top, a bottom and an integral connecting side wall, an aperture through said bottom defined by a circular margin, a rigid cylindrical collar having one end extending outwardly from said bottom and its other end affixed to the bottom inside said margin, a pliable sealing collar surrounding said rigid collar frictionally retained thereon, said sealing collar having one end extending outwardly beyond said one end of said rigid collar in order to sealingly engage with the surface of a solid object having surface irregularities thereon, at least one opening in said top to permit the access of a cleaning implement inside of said hollow body to aid in removing periphytic cells from said stone, a stopper for closing said top opening, a conduit extending through said side wall for draining a sample from the hollow body, and means for clamping said hollow body to a solid object with said sealing collar engaged in sealing relationship to the surface of said solid object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A periphyton sampler for underwater use by SCUBA divers on stones and other solid underwater objects to collect periphytic cells and the like from the solid object being sampled comprising a rigid hollow body member having a top, a bottom and an integral connecting side wall, an aperture through said bottom defined by a circular margin, a rigid cylindrical collar having one end extending outwardly from said bottom and its other end affixed to the bottom inside said margin, a pliable sealing collar surrounding said rigid collar frictionally retained thereon, said sealing collar having one end extending outwardly beyond said one end of said rigid collar in order to sealingly engage with the surface of a solid object having surface irregularities thereon, at least one opening in said top to permit the access of a cleaning implement inside of said hollow body to aid in removing periphytic cells from said stone, a stopper for closing said top opening, a conduit extending through said side wall for draining a sample from the hollow body, and means for clamping said hollow body to a solid object with said sealing collar engaged in sealing relationship to the surface of said solid object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said clamping means is a bar clamp having one straight rigid bar, a fixed clamping jaw extending at right angles to said rigid bar, a sliding clamping jaw slidably mounted on said rigid bar and extending parallel to said fixed jaw, a screw threaded bore extending through said sliding jaw at its one end remote from said rigid bar said bore being parallel to said rigid bar, and a screw clamp extending through said threaded bore and rotatably engaged therein, said screw clamp having one end rotatably engaged with the top of said hollow body and a handle on its end remote from said one end for screwing said clamp to move the hollow body toward and away from said fixed jaw.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said sealing collar is made from foamed elastomeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said bottom has an annular recess surrounding said rigid collar and said sealing collar is seated in said annular recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein the side wall of said hollow body has an interior surface which is an inverted frusto conical shape, sloping inwardly and downwardly from a relatively wide top margin to said circular margin defining said bottom aperture.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for collecting periphytic cells attached to stones or other solid underwater objects comprising providing a sampling container having a bottom aperture, a seal surrounding the bottom aperture, a drain conduit for draining liquid from the container, at least one access opening in the top of the container, and removable closures for the drain conduit and access opening, selecting an underwater stone having attached periphytic cells, positioning the container over the Stone with the seal in contact with the stone, clamping the container to the stone in the latter position, closing the drain and access opening to trap liquid inside the container and to contain the periphytic cells on the stone under the access opening, transporting the stone and container with trapped sample liquid and periphytic cells from underwater to a work station above water where the container is supported in an upright position, opening the access opening and inserting an implement through the access opening for dislodging the periphytic cells from the stone, dislodging the cells by use of the dislodging implement, opening the drain conduit and draining the trapped liquid and dislodged periphytic cells from the sampling container into a collection vessel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for collecting periphytic cells attached to stones or other solid underwater objects comprising providing a sampling container having a bottom aperture, a seal surrounding the bottom aperture, a drain conduit for draining liquid from the container, at least one access opening in the top of the container, and removable closures for the drain conduit and access opening, selecting an underwater stone having attached periphytic cells, positioning the container over the Stone with the seal in contact with the stone, clamping the container to the stone in the latter position, closing the drain and access opening to trap liquid inside the container and to contain the periphytic cells on the stone under the access opening, transporting the stone and container with trapped sample liquid and periphytic cells from underwater to a work station above water where the container is supported in an upright position, opening the access opening and inserting an implement through the access opening for dislodging the periphytic cells from the stone, dislodging the cells by use of the dislodging implement, opening the drain conduit and draining the trapped liquid and dislodged periphytic cells from the sampling container into a collection vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein an ultrasonic cleaning probe is used for dislodging the periphytic cells from the stone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A periphyton sampler for use underwater to collect periphytic cells and the like which are adhered to the surface of a movable underwater solid object, such as a stone, comprising a container having a top, a bottom, and an integral connecting side wall, an aperture through said bottom providing an open passage from the interior of the container outwardly, a seal secured to said bottom and surrounding said aperture, an access opening in the vicinity of the top of said container providing access for an implement to be inserted into the container for dislodging periphytic cells from the solid object, a drain conduit for draining a liquid sample containing periphytic cells from inside said container into a collection vessel, and means for closing said drain conduit and said access opening when said container is positioned with its bottom aperture adjacent and overlying a portion of the surface of said solid object with the seal in contact with said surface and providing a fluid tight connection between the container and said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
A periphyton sampler for use underwater to collect periphytic cells and the like which are adhered to the surface of a movable underwater solid object, such as a stone, comprising a container having a top, a bottom, and an integral connecting side wall, an aperture through said bottom providing an open passage from the interior of the container outwardly, a seal secured to said bottom and surrounding said aperture, an access opening in the vicinity of the top of said container providing access for an implement to be inserted into the container for dislodging periphytic cells from the solid object, a drain conduit for draining a liquid sample containing periphytic cells from inside said container into a collection vessel, and means for closing said drain conduit and said access opening when said container is positioned with its bottom aperture adjacent and overlying a portion of the surface of said solid object with the seal in contact with said surface and providing a fluid tight connection between the container and said surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |