Closed loop liquid sampler and sampling system

Claim 1

In a sampler mechanism for communicating fluid flow through a ball valve having a plurality of positions to an interior space of a sample container having a resealable septum closure, said sampler mechanism comprising a passageway in fluid communication with said valve at one end thereof and terminating with a needle tip at the opposite end thereof, the improvement comprising: the valve having an integral vent port and a threaded recess for threaded engagement with the sampler mechanism; the sampler mechanism comprising: an injector end fitting having: a first end having an exteriorly threaded valve fitting surface for engagement with the threaded recess and an interior forming a needle collar seating cavity having an integral flange cavity, a second end, and a bore which communicates said second end with the needle collar seating cavity; a hollow process needle having a sharp terminus and a mating end; a hollow vent needle coaxially located about said process needle having a sharp terminus and a venting end; a needle seating collar coaxially located about said vent needle and adapted to seat within said collar seating cavity, said needle seating collar comprising a sleeve body having a flange and an orifice, the flange having a circumferential groove and a radial conduit extending from the circumferential groove to the venting end of the vent needle providing fluid communication between the vent needle and the flange cavity, the orifice providing fluid communication between the ball valve and the mating end of the process needle; and means for fluid communication between the flange cavity and the vent port.