Importance

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Abstract

A liquid sampling, metering and transfer valve assembly for providing plural dilutions of a single liquid sample comprising a pair of outer stationary elements sandwiching a rotatable element, the rotatable element carrying precise volume segmenting passageways, the outer elements carrying counterpart passageways for communicating to the exterior of the valve assembly, one outer element carrying loops each for storing a precise volume of diluent and the other valve elements carrying through passageways for communicating to and from said respective loops. A continuous body of sample is introduced into the valve assembly along a path through a pair of the segmenting passageays and a pair of aliquot portions isolated from said parth. The rotatable element is operated to direct one aliquot along with the content of one loop to an exterior location for mixing. The other sample aliquot is retained. The thus formed mixture is reintroduced into the valve assembly along a path through the third segmenting passageway and an aliquot thereof is isolated. Both it and the retained sample aliquot then are directed from the valve assembly to respective testing locations along with the respective content of the remaining loops. Channels are provided in the inner faces of the outer elements and communicatively coupled, entry and outer ports enable cleaning reagent to be introduced therein, the sandwiched element being rotated 360 degrees whereby to rinse the facing interior surfaces of the valve assembly.

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First Claim