Sample handling apparatus

Claim 1

Sample handling apparatus comprising a disposable, single use sample vessel and sample transfer structure for detachable connection to said sample vessel, said sample vessel having reclosable port structure and coupling structure adjacent said port structure; said sample transfer structure having a transfer passage with an opening at one end for insertion into a reservoir of liquid, a port opening probe portion at the end of said transfer passage opposite said one end, and coupling structure cooperating with the coupling structure of the sample vessel, one of said sample vessel and said sample transfer structure having a flexible, resilient wall portion, said sample vessel and said sample transfer structure being movable relative to one another to a position in which said coupling structures are in sealing engagement to provide a sealed chamber between said transfer structure and said sample vessel in which position said probe portion opens said reclosable port structure to provide a flow path between transfer passage and said sample vessel, said sealed chamber being bounded at least in part by said resilient wall portion and said resilient wall portion being compressible to reduce the volume of said chamber and upon release expanding to reduce the pressure within said chamber to draw liquid from a reservoir through said transfer passage into said sample vessel.