Appeal No. 96-3395 Page 11
Application No. 08/347,900
references. The claim specifies “a sample taking apparatus”
comprising three elements. We address the first element
separately and the second and third elements collectively.
The first element is “a sample collection apparatus
having a valve having an element movable between two positions
wherein the valve has three ports, and two of the three ports
provide a completed passage through said valve and valve
element so that a sample from a sample source introduced to
said apparatus is delivered through said apparatus for
delivery to a sample receiving container ....” In short, it
recites a two-position, three-port valve, one position of
which connects flow from a sample source to a receiving
container.
Spencer discloses sample collection apparatuses that
receive samples from a flowing fluid line, such as a process
line. Col. 1, ll. 19-21. One of the apparatuses employs a
three-way valve 57. Col 5, ll. 38-39. Figure 6 depicts three
ports of the valve. The first port is connected to a
discharge line 47; the second port, to a return line 49; and
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