LIQUID SAMPLING APPARATUS WITH RETENTION MEANS

This invention relates to laboratory testing procedures and, more particularly, to apparatus for preparing liquid samples of urine and the like for examination. The present invention provides an apparatus and method for preparing liquid specimens, wherein a sample for analysis and observation may be isolated from a larger volume of liquid conveniently and reproducibly. Variation in the sampling and observation due to differences in the laboratory technique is minimized, and the preparation of large numbers of samples may proceed rapidly. Further, the chances of inadvertent mixing of the liquid sample and the liquid to be decanted is minimized. With this invention, accurate, reproducible analysis of the components of urine and other samples is possible in a large scale, production line fashion. The apparatus for preparing liquid specimens includes a tube for holding the liquid to be sampled and a pipette or other means for isolating and withdrawing a sample from a portion of the liquid. In accordance with the invention, the pipette or other means includes retention means for maintaining the seal between the pipette and the tube, thereby resisting the tendency of the pipette to float in the liquid and also holding the pipette in place when the container is inverted to decant the liquid to be discarded.