Sample vials, rack mounts and sampling devices using them
Auto sampler rack mounts and fluid vials that can be used with them are described. In some configurations, the rack mount can be configured to spin each fluid vial rotationally to assist in mixing or stirring of fluid in the vial and/or to maintain fluid homogeneity. If desired, the fluid vial may include one or more internal features to assist in the mixing or stirring.
1. An auto sampler rack mount configured to couple to an output shaft of a motor and configured to receive a single fluid vial at each of a plurality of fluid vial sites of the auto sampler rack mount, wherein each of the fluid vial sites is configured to receive a coupler of a respective fluid vial to couple the fluid vial to the fluid vial site, wherein each fluid vial site comprises a respective surface mount that prevents the respective coupled fluid vial from tipping or dislodging during rotation of the respective coupled fluid vial while permitting the respective coupled fluid vial to rotate independently of the surface mount, the auto sampler rack mount comprising a plurality of independent rotatable devices mechanically coupled to each other, wherein a respective rotatable device is coupled to each fluid vial site of the auto sampler rack mount that is configured to receive a single fluid vial, and wherein the rotatable devices together are configured to rotate each coupled fluid vial and are configured to rotate adjacent fluid vials in opposite circumferential directions.
2. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 1 , wherein the auto sampler rack mount is configured to reverse a rotational direction of each fluid vial after a first rotation period.
3. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of independent rotatable devices comprises a planar gear comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage teeth on an adjacent planar gear.
4. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 1 , wherein each independent rotatable device is sized and arranged to rotate at a same speed.
5. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the independent rotatable devices is configured to rotate at a different speed.
6. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of independent rotatable devices is coupled to a receptacle configured to receive a terminal end of a respective fluid vial.
7. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 1 , wherein each fluid vial site comprises a magnet configured to magnetically couple to a magnet on the fluid vial to retain the fluid vial at the fluid vial site.
8. An auto sampler rack mount configured to couple to an output shaft of a motor and configured to receive a single fluid vial at each of a plurality of fluid vial sites of the auto sampler rack mount, the auto sampler rack mount comprising a plurality of independent rotatable devices mechanically coupled to each other, wherein a respective rotatable device is coupled to each fluid vial site of the auto sampler rack mount that is configured to receive a single fluid vial, and wherein the rotatable devices together are configured to rotate each coupled fluid vial and are configured to rotate adjacent fluid vials in opposite circumferential directions, wherein the auto sampler rack mount is configured to reverse a rotational direction of each fluid vial after a first rotation period, wherein each of the plurality of independent rotatable devices comprises a pulley configured to frictionally engage a belt, wherein at least one of the pulleys is configured to couple to the output shaft of the motor, and wherein rotational movement of the pulley coupled to the output shaft of the motor is operative to rotate each of the independent rotatable pulleys with adjacent rotatable pulleys being rotated in opposite circumferential directions.
9. The autosampler rack mount of claim 8 , wherein the auto sampler rack mount is configured to reverse a rotational direction of each fluid vial after a first rotation period.
10. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 8 , wherein each independent rotatable device is sized and arranged to rotate at a same speed.
11. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the independent rotatable devices is configured to rotate at a different speed.
12. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of independent rotatable devices is coupled to a receptacle configured to receive a terminal end of a respective fluid vial.
13. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 8 , wherein each fluid vial site comprises a magnet configured to magnetically couple to a magnet on the fluid vial to retain the fluid vial at the fluid vial site.
14. An auto sampler rack mount configured to couple to an output shaft of a motor and configured to receive a single fluid vial at each of a plurality of fluid vial sites of the auto sampler rack mount, the auto sampler rack mount comprising a plurality of independent rotatable devices mechanically coupled to each other, wherein a respective rotatable device is coupled to each fluid vial site of the auto sampler rack mount that is configured to receive a single fluid vial, and wherein the rotatable devices together are configured to rotate each coupled fluid vial and are configured to rotate adjacent fluid vials in opposite circumferential directions, and wherein the rack mount comprises a sensor configured to determine if fluid in at least one fluid vial is being mixed.
15. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 14 , wherein the auto sampler rack mount is configured to continuously agitate fluid received by the fluid vial by rotating each fluid vial in alternating circumferential directions to keep particles in fluid in the fluid vial from settling.
16. The autosampler rack mount of claim 14 , wherein the auto sampler rack mount is configured to reverse a rotational direction of each fluid vial after a first rotation period.
17. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 14 , wherein each independent rotatable device is sized and arranged to rotate at a same speed.
18. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the independent rotatable devices is configured to rotate at a different speed.
19. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of independent rotatable devices is coupled to a receptacle configured to receive a terminal end of a respective fluid vial.
20. The auto sampler rack mount of claim 14 , wherein each fluid vial site comprises a magnet configured to magnetically couple to a magnet on the fluid vial to retain the fluid vial at the fluid vial site.