Bottle for a liquid sample, assembly and method for transporting a liquid sample

Abstract

The invention relates to a bottle (10) for receiving a sample of liquid, the bottle (10) comprising an inner volume and a body (12) with a side wall (14), the body (12) delimiting the inner volume, the bottle (10) being adapted to receive the sample in the inner volume, a top opening in the body (12), a stopper (20) for closing the top opening, a septum (22) coupled to the stopper (20), the septum (22) being adapted to be pierced by a sample collection needle, a lateral conduit through the side wall (14), the lateral conduit being adapted to connect the bottle (10) to a sample transfer tube in the inner volume of the bottle (10).

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bottle suitable for receiving a sample of liquid to be analyzed, an analysis assembly and a method for conveying the liquid sample. Previous art

[0002] In the field of chemical analysis of liquids, using an analytical instrument such as a chromatograph, a liquid sample is presented in a vial by an operator. The operator handles the vial and the sample so that the sample is conveyed to the analytical instrument for processing. Such handling can present a risk of human error.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to increase the reliability of transferring a liquid sample to be analyzed. Description of the invention

[0004] To this end, the invention proposes a bottle for receiving a sample of liquid, the bottle comprising an inner volume and a body with a side wall, the body delimiting the inner volume, the bottle being suitable for receiving the sample in the inner volume, a top opening in the body, a stopper for closing the top opening, a septum coupled to the stopper, the septum being suitable for being pierced by a sample collection needle, a lateral conduit through the side wall, the lateral conduit being suitable for connecting the bottle to a sample transfer tube in the inner volume of the bottle.

[0005] According to one variant, the bottle includes a single lateral conduit.

[0006] According to one variant, the vial further includes an insert in the internal volume, the insert having an internal volume reducing the internal volume of the vial, the insert including a passage opposite the lateral conduit, the lateral conduit and the passage being suitable for connecting the vial to the sample transfer tube in the internal volume of the insert.

[0007] According to one variant, the internal volume of the bottle is between 1mL and 3mL and the internal volume of the insert is between 10µL and 600µL.

[0008] According to one variant, the insert is made of thermoformed polymer.

[0009] According to one variant, the insert has a wall with a smooth inner surface.

[0010] According to one variant, the lateral conduit is lower than the plug.

[0011] According to one variant, the body includes a cap fixing interface, the lateral conduit being lower than the fixing interface, the fixing interface preferably being a screw thread.

[0012] According to one variant, the side wall of the body includes a keying feature, preferably in the form of a flat surface, the keying feature being able to orient the bottle.

[0013] According to one variant, transversely to the height, the body has an essentially cylindrical upper section and a lower section shaped in a cylindrical, spherical or conical manner.

[0014] The invention also relates to an analysis set comprising a liquid sample analysis device, the bottle as described above and a sample transfer tube, the set being able to convey the sample to the analysis device through the bottle by means of the transfer tube connected to the bottle by the lateral conduit, and the transfer tube being optionally held by clamping in the lateral conduit.

[0015] According to one variant, the assembly also includes a sampler supporting the bottle, the positioning of the bottle relative to the sampler being imposed by a keying device.

[0016] According to one variant, the analytical device is a gas chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography analytical device.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method of conveying a liquid sample to an analytical device via the bottle as described above, the method comprising connecting a transfer tube to the bottle via the lateral conduit, transferring the sample into the bottle via the transfer tube, inserting a sampling needle through the septum, and collecting the sample to be analyzed by the analytical device from the bottle through the septum via the needle.

[0018] According to one variant, the vial further includes an insert in the internal volume, the insert having an internal volume reducing the internal volume of the vial, the method further includes transferring the sample into the internal volume of the insert by the transfer tube connected to the vial by the lateral conduit of the vial and by a passage of the insert opposite the lateral conduit, and withdrawing the sample from the internal volume of the insert through the septum by the needle.

[0019] According to one variant, a sampler supports the bottle and the side wall of the bottle body includes a keying feature, preferably in the form of a flat, the positioning of the bottle relative to the sampler being imposed by the keying feature.

[0020] According to one variant, the volume of the sample transferred into the vial is between 10µL and 1mL, and the volume of the sample taken from the vial is between 0.1µL and 100µL.

[0021] According to one variant, the transfer of the sample to the vial is done remotely.

[0022] The use of the verb "comprendre" (to understand), its variants, and its conjugations in this document does not in any way preclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article "un" (a / an) or the definite article "le" (the / it) to introduce an element does not preclude the presence of multiple such elements.

[0023] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc., are used in this document exclusively to differentiate different elements, without implying any order between these elements.

[0024] All the preferred embodiments and all the advantages of the bottle according to the invention are transferable mutatis mutandisto the present set and process, and vice versa. The different embodiments can be considered alone or in combination. Brief description of the figures

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for understanding of which reference should be made to the accompanying figures which show: there figure 1 a schematic view of the bottle; the figure 2 , a schematic view of part of the bottle; the figure 3 , a schematic exploded view of the bottle; the figure 4 , another schematic view of the bottle.

[0026] The drawings in the figures are not to scale. Similar features are generally denoted by similar reference numerals in the figures. Within the scope of this document, identical or analogous features may bear the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the presence of reference numerals or letters in the drawings shall not be considered limiting, even when such numerals or letters are specified in the claims. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0027] The invention relates to a bottle adapted to receive a liquid sample for analysis. The bottle comprises an inner volume and a body with a side wall, the body delimiting the inner volume. The bottle is adapted to receive the sample within the inner volume. The bottle also includes a top opening in the body, a cap for closing the top opening, and a septum coupled to the cap, the septum being adapted to be pierced by a sample collection needle. A lateral conduit through the side wall is adapted to connect the bottle to a sample transfer tube within the bottle's inner volume. Such a bottle facilitates the transfer of the sample to an analytical instrument since it is designed to receive a sample for analysis and to extract the sample to the analytical instrument. Such a bottle allows for the automatic transfer of the sample to an analytical instrument.Thus, such a bottle reduces the risk of human error, thereby increasing the reliability of the transfer of the sample to be analyzed.

[0028] There figure 1 shows a schematic view of bottle 10 and the figure 2 A schematic view of part of bottle 10. Bottle 10 is designed to hold a liquid sample for analysis. The sample is intended to be analyzed in an analytical instrument.

[0029] The bottle 10 comprises a body 12 having a side wall 14. The body 12 may be cylindrical or essentially cylindrical. The body 12 delimits an internal volume 16 by its side wall 14. The internal volume is suitable for receiving the sample. The bottle 10 includes a top opening 18 in the body 12. The top opening 18 provides access to the internal volume 16. A cap 20 of the bottle allows the top opening 18 to be closed.

[0030] The bottle 10 also includes a septum 22 (mechanically coupled) to the stopper 20. The septum 22 is a membrane that can be pierced by a sample collection needle. The septum 22 provides access to the internal volume 16, while keeping the internal volume 16 closed by the stopper 20. More precisely, the stopper 20 has an orifice 24 through its upper face, the orifice 24 being closed by the septum 22 once the stopper 20 is in place on the body 12. The figure 4Figure 10 shows another schematic view of the bottle and, in particular, the positioning of the septum 22. Once the stopper 20 is in place on the body 12, the septum 22 is sandwiched between the stopper 20 and the edge of the upper opening 18 of the body. The septum 22 is thus held in place and seals the orifice 24. The internal volume 16 is then closed, but accessible by piercing with a needle 44 from a syringe 46. The septum 22 can be a membrane made of a plastic material such as silicone, rubber, PTFE, butyl, or Viton, or a combination of several of these materials. It can be a disc-shaped membrane to fit inside the stopper 20 and be coupled to it. Several sizes of septum 22 are possible, notably to fit the stopper 20 and the body 12.

[0031] The bottle 10 further includes a lateral conduit 26 through the side wall 14. The lateral conduit 26 is suitable for connecting the bottle 10 to a sample transfer tube 28 within the internal volume 16 of the bottle 10. The lateral conduit 26 passes through the side wall 14 of the body 12. The lateral conduit 26 allows the transfer tube 28 to be connected to the bottle 10 and the sample to be transferred from outside the bottle 10 into the internal volume 16 – for example, from a primary container with a larger liquid volume. This allows for repeated sample transfers without the operator having to handle the bottle 10. This also allows for the transfer of the sample within the bottle 10 over a distance. For example, the transfer tube 28 can transfer the sample over a distance of several meters, with the transfer tube 28 being from 1 to 10 meters long. The sample can also be transferred automatically into vial 10, without human intervention.Indeed, the sample may be radioactive, and automated, remote transfer therefore offers the advantage of protecting the operator. The invention allows for the remote transfer or filling of the vial and offers an advantage in terms of radiation protection through automation (no risk of contamination and no close proximity between the operator and the radioactive solution). The invention thus reduces the risks of exposure to radioactivity and also protects the operator during sample transfer in all applications that are toxic to the operator (cytotoxic substances, heavy metals, etc.). Automated transfer also eliminates the need for the operator to handle the vial, for example, by removing the stopper to transfer the sample into the vial. This reduces the risk of errors.

[0032] Vial 10 is a receiving vial for a sample volume. Vial 10 allows for the collection of a sample volume to be analyzed without requiring continuous circulation of the sample volume within the internal volume 16 of Vial 10. This facilitates the withdrawal of the sample volume to be analyzed from Vial 10, avoiding any recovery and potential processing of the sample volume after withdrawal. This also allows for more precise handling of the sample volume.

[0033] More specifically, the absence of continuous circulation reduces, or limits, the volume of liquid transferred. This is particularly advantageous when the transferred liquid is radioactive. Indeed, limiting the amount of radioactive liquid reduces the risk of human operator exposure to radioactivity and therefore offers an advantage in terms of radiation protection. Furthermore, the transferred liquid can be expensive. In this case, limiting the amount of liquid transferred reduces the cost of the transfer. Moreover, a continuous circulation system requires the installation of a return or extraction line, or tube, from the internal volume 16 of the bottle 10 to the outside of the bottle 10. Such a return line has the disadvantage of increasing the volume of sample lost, or "dead volume."Conversely, within the framework of the invention, where the vial 10 is a receiving vial for a given sample volume, it is possible to purge a sample transfer tube with air rather than with an additional volume of liquid, which offers the advantage of reducing, or limiting, the volume of sample lost. Finally, a continuous circulation system requires the installation of equipment permanently dedicated to circulating the liquid within the system. This has the disadvantage of increasing the costs of setting up, operating, and maintaining the sample transfer system.

[0034] Vial 10 allows for the receipt of a precisely adjusted sample volume. In particular, vial 10 allows for the receipt of a sample volume tailored to the needs of the sampling procedure. More specifically, vial 10 allows for a sample volume adjusted to the volume withdrawn by needle 44. Vial 10 thus enables more precise handling of the sample volume. One advantage of receiving an adjusted sample volume is that it limits the volume of sample transferred from outside vial 10 to the internal volume 16. Indeed, it may not be possible to reuse this transferred volume, for example, to limit the risk of contamination. After sampling, the residual portion of the transferred volume constitutes a residue. It may be necessary to recover and / or process this residue specifically, which incurs a cost, particularly in the case of a radioactive liquid sample.Receiving a precisely adjusted volume of sample in vial 10 limits, or even eliminates, any potential recovery and treatment of the remaining sample, as well as the associated costs. Furthermore, the remaining sample can be lost and thus constitute waste. This waste may require specific treatment, which incurs costs, particularly in the case of a radioactive liquid sample. Therefore, receiving a precisely adjusted sample volume in the internal volume 16 of vial 10 limits the amount of waste associated with the sampling process and the cost of any potential waste treatment.

[0035] Preferably, the vial 10 includes a single lateral conduit 26. In this case, the vial 10 includes a single lateral conduit 26. In other words, the vial 10 includes only one lateral conduit 26. The single lateral conduit 26 is suitable for connecting the vial 10 to a sample transfer tube 28 in the internal volume 16 of the vial 10, in order to convey the sample into the internal volume 16 of the vial 10. In other words, the single lateral conduit 26 allows the sample to be conveyed, or brought, into the internal volume 16 of the vial 10 from the outside of the vial 10. In this case, the vial 10 does not include any other lateral conduit for conveying, or bringing, the sample into the internal volume 16 of the vial 10 from the outside of the vial 10. The sample can then be taken, or extracted, from the internal volume 16 of bottle 10, for example by means of a needle 44 through the upper opening 18 of the body 12 of bottle 10.In this case, a reduced sample volume can be conveyed into the internal volume 16 of the vial 10, this reduced volume corresponding in particular to a sample volume taken by the needle 44. This configuration, where the vial 10 includes a single lateral conduit 26, does not allow continuous circulation of liquid through the internal volume 16 of the vial 10. An advantage of this configuration is to reduce the sample volume required for collection compared to a configuration allowing continuous circulation of liquid through the internal volume 16 of the vial 10, as described above.

[0036] Furthermore, since conduit 26 is positioned laterally to the vial, i.e., through the lateral wall 14, this avoids obstructing the upper part of the vial. In particular, this prevents the stopper 20 from becoming clogged with a sample inlet channel through the stopper—a complex design due to the orifice 24 and the presence of the septum 22. Because conduit 26 is positioned laterally, it does not impede the insertion of the needle 44 through the septum 22. Moreover, ensuring the reliable transfer of the sample into the vial 10 through the lateral conduit 26 (or even automatically) also allows for the direct and reliable transfer of small liquid samples, as described elsewhere. These samples can also be radioactive liquids.Such a bottle 10 makes the sample transfer solution universal, regardless of the analytical instrument, which does not require any adaptation. For example, it is not necessary to adjust the clearance above the bottle and / or the space for the movement of sample collection devices (such as the syringe 46). Furthermore, this solution does not affect the performance of the analysis. It is a ready-to-use ("plug and play") solution. The transfer tube 28, for example, is made of PTFE.

[0037] The body 12 is obtained, for example, by molding or 3D printing. The lateral conduit 26 can be obtained by drilling. Transversely to its height, the body 12 can have an essentially cylindrical (or even cylindrical) upper section and a lower section shaped identically or differently. The lower section can be cylindrical for ease of manufacturing. The lower section can be spherical to increase the internal volume. The lower section can also be conical to allow for more efficient sample collection, specifically for small volumes.

[0038] The body 12 may include a fastening interface 30 for the cap 20. This allows the internal volume 16 to be kept closed. The fastening interface 30 is, for example, a screw thread (easy to implement) or a clip fastener. The cap 20 is shaped to fit such a fastening interface 30. The fastening interface 30 is shaped on the side wall 14, at the upper end of the side wall 14, according to the height of the bottle 10. The fastening interface allows the upper opening 18 to be sealed.

[0039] To avoid hindering the positioning of the plug 20 on the body 12, the lateral conduit 26 is lower than the plug 20. In other words, the lateral conduit 26 is positioned at the level of the lower edge of the plug 20 once the plug 20 is in place on the body 12. Thus, the lateral conduit 26 does not interfere with the plug 20. Advantageously, with the lateral conduit 26 positioned at the level of the lower edge of the plug 20, this allows the lower edge of the plug to slightly compress the transfer tube 28 once it is in place within the lateral conduit 26, thereby helping to hold it in place. The transfer tube 28 can also be held by clamping it within the lateral conduit 26. Securing the transfer tube 28, for example, allows it to remain in place even in the presence of vibrations. It is also preferable for the lateral conduit 26 to be lower than the mounting interface 30.In other words, depending on the height of the bottle 10, the lateral conduit 26 is positioned lower than the fastening interface 30. This ensures that the cap 20 does not interfere with its opening or closing. The lateral conduit 26 is nevertheless high enough that the volume of sample transferred into the bottle does not reach the lateral conduit 26 – thus preventing overflow.

[0040] In one embodiment, the vial 10 may further include an insert 32. The insert 32 has an internal volume 34 that reduces the internal volume 16 of the vial 10. The insert 32 thus allows the sample receiving volume to be modular. Depending on the insert chosen for placement in the vial, the sample receiving volume is adjusted. Furthermore, the insert 32 may include a passage 36 opposite the lateral conduit 26. The passage 36 is through the wall of the insert 32. The lateral conduit 26 and the passage 36 are then able to connect the vial 10 to the sample transfer tube 28 within the internal volume 34 of the insert 32. Once the insert is in place within the body 12, the lateral conduit 26 and the passage 36 are aligned, allowing the insertion of the transfer tube 28. The advantages of the vial mentioned elsewhere are also applicable here.

[0041] The insert 32 can be made of a (thermoformed) polymer, such as (thermoformed) polypropylene, making it easy to handle and less fragile. This also allows for easier creation of the passage 36, for example, by drilling. It can be a high-purity polymer (presenting a reduced risk of contamination of the liquid transferred into the insert). The insert 32 is also essentially cylindrical (or even cylindrical) and fits within the internal volume 16 of the bottle. The bottom of the insert can also be cylindrical or conical for more efficient sample collection.

[0042] The insert 32 can be introduced into the inner volume 16 of the bottle 10 through the upper opening 18. The insert 32 may have a collar 38 at its upper end. The collar 38 rests on a rim of the body, around the upper opening 18. It is conceivable that the septum 22, sandwiched between the stopper 20 and the edge of the upper opening 18 of the body, also rests against the collar 38 once the stopper 20 is in place – thus immobilizing the components of the bottle 10 with each other. The insert 32 thus allows, on the one hand, connection with the transfer tube 28 for transferring a sample into the internal volume 34 of the insert 32, and on the other hand, for the needle 44 to pierce the septum 22 and withdraw the sample from the internal volume 34 of the insert 32. The insert 32 has a wall with a smooth inner surface. The liquid sample and any droplets flow correctly to the bottom of the insert 32.This helps to avoid air bubbles trapped at the bottom of the insert and ensures maximum sample recovery.

[0043] As can be seen on the figures 1-3 The side wall 14 of the body 12 may include a keying feature 40. The keying feature 40 is suitable for ensuring the correct orientation of the vial 10. The keying feature 40 dictates the position of the vial 10. In particular, once the vial 10 is in place in a sampler (such as on the figure 4 (where a support 42 is schematically shown) of an analytical instrument, the vial 10 is suitably oriented for sample transfer into the vial 10 via the transfer tube 28 and for sample collection via the needle 44. The orientation feature 40 can be a flat surface or a groove. The orientation feature 40 is located at one lower end of the vial, so as to orient the vial as soon as it is inserted into the sampler.

[0044] The bottle can be a kit comprising the body 12, the stopper 20, and the septum 22, as well as a set of several inserts 32 (the inserts having the same and / or different volumes). The bottle is modular, with or without an insert, and where applicable, with inserts that adjust the internal volume according to the insert in place. In this case, changing the insert allows the sample collection volume to be adapted.

[0045] The invention also relates to an analytical assembly comprising a liquid sample analyzer, a sampler, a bottle 10, and a transfer tube 28. The apparatus allows for the analysis of samples (such as liquid samples), for example, by chromatography. This could be gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, etc. The analytical apparatus is supplied with the liquid to be analyzed from the bottle 10. The transfer tube 28 is connected to the bottle 10 by the lateral conduit 26, preferably by the single lateral conduit 26. The assembly is adapted to convey the sample to the apparatus by means of the bottle 10 supported by the sampler. The sampler may include the support 42 for supporting one or more vials 10 (for example a rack or a carousel) and a sampling device such as the syringe 46 fitted with the needle 44. The support 42 presents the vial(s) to the needle 44.The movements of the sampling organ can be automated. The sampler can be described as an automated sampler. The entire transport process (including transfer to the vial and injection into the analytical instrument) of the sample to the analytical instrument can be automated, further reducing the risk of error and thus increasing the reliability of the transfer.

[0046] The invention also relates to a method for conveying a liquid sample to an analytical instrument, using the bottle 10. The conveying method is applicable to the assembly described above. The sample may come from a container holding a larger volume of the liquid to be analyzed. The transfer tube 28 is connected to the bottle 10 via the lateral conduit 26, preferably via the single lateral conduit 26. The transfer tube 28 can be connected to the bottle 10, which may already be in place on the sampler. The liquid sample is thus transferred from the container into the bottle via the transfer tube. Then, the sampling needle 44 is inserted into the bottle through the septum 22. This finally allows the sample to be drawn from the bottle 10 through the septum 22 by the analytical instrument. The sample drawn by the needle is then injected into the analytical instrument.The process reduces human error during handling, thereby increasing the reliability of sample delivery and, in particular, the reliability of transferring the sample to the vial. As previously mentioned, the process allows for remote transfer (over a few meters, for example, 1 to 10 meters) to the vial without moving the original vial, thus providing radiation protection for the operator or other forms of protection (when the sample is radioactive or toxic in general). The delivery process can be remote and automated.

[0047] The sample is transferred into the inner volume 16 of the vial (before being withdrawn). In the embodiment with the insert 32, the transfer tube 28 is connected to the vial 10 via the lateral conduit 26 of the vial and through the passage 36 of the insert opposite the lateral conduit 26. With or without the insert, the transfer tube is connected to the vial so as to allow free passage of the needle through the septum 22 and into the inner volume 16 (or inner volume 34, if applicable). According to the figure 4The end of the transfer tube, inserted into the lateral channel 26 of the vial and into passage 36 if applicable, is positioned so that it is flush with the inner surface of the body 12 (or the insert 32 if applicable). The passage of the needle within the vial is unobstructed. This allows for leak-proof sample delivery without hindering the insertion of the sampling needle, potentially reaching the bottom of the inner volume 16 or the inner volume 34.

[0048] More specifically, the vial 10 can be supported by the sampler. The sampler allows the vial 10 to be presented for sampling by the needle. In particular, the alignment guide 40 (or alignment system) allows the vial 10 to be correctly oriented and positioned. For this purpose, the vial 10 may include the alignment guide 40 on its lateral wall 14, the positioning of the vial 10 relative to the sampler being determined by the alignment guide 40. The vial 10 is correctly oriented within the sampler, which allows for reliable transfer of the liquid sample to the analytical instrument.

[0049] The invention allows for repeated transfer of the sample to vial 10 and / or repeated sampling from vial 10 and injection of the sample into the analytical instrument. These repetitions are performed reliably.

[0050] The invention is particularly well-suited for small volumes of liquid samples to be analyzed, and therefore for small vials. The volume of the sample transferred into the vial 10 can be between 10 µL and 1 mL, and the volume of the sample taken from the vial to be injected into the analytical instrument can be between 0.1 µL and 100 µL, preferably 0.5 µL (with an error of less than 5%). The body 12 is such that the internal volume 16 of the vial 10 can be between 1 mL and 3 mL, typically 2 mL. The dimensions of the body (excluding the stopper 20) are, for example, from 22 mm to 35 mm in height. The external diameter of the stopper is between 15 mm and 25 mm. The internal volume 34 of the insert 32 is, for example, between 10 µL and 600 µL. The choice of element size depends on the volumes to be transferred. Thus, the dimensions and volumes involved are such that the movement of the elements contributing to the sample transfer is limited.The presence of the lateral conduit 26 on the side wall 14 frees up space above the vial 10 for needle movement, for example, while still allowing the needle to pass freely through the vial. The vial 10 is easy to assemble and inexpensive, thus reducing the cost of the transfer.

[0051] Furthermore, the invention enables the automated remote transfer of the liquid sample to the bottle 10 (and subsequent injection into the analytical instrument) using the transfer tube 28 connected to the bottle 10 via the lateral conduit 26, preferably via the single lateral conduit 26. This further enhances the direct and reliable transfer of small liquid samples. Generally, the bottle 10 allows for the automatic transfer of the sample to analytical instruments while maintaining a standard size compatible with these automated sampler analytical instruments. In particular, the external dimensions of the bottle 10 can be adapted to allow it to be inserted into a standard sampler of an analytical instrument. In other words, the bottle 10 can be sized to be compatible with a standard sampler of an analytical instrument.This allows for the automated transfer of a liquid sample to an analytical device through bottle 10.

[0052] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the achievements and examples illustrated and / or described above, but that its scope is more broadly defined by the claims introduced below.

Claims

1. A bottle (10) for receiving a sample of liquid, the bottle (10) comprising - an inner volume (16) and a body (12) with a side wall (14), the body (12) delimiting the inner volume (16), the bottle (10) being suitable for receiving the sample in the inner volume (16), - a top opening (18) in the body (12), - a stopper (20) for closing the top opening, - a septum (22) coupled to the stopper (20), the septum (22) being suitable for being pierced by a sample collection needle, - a lateral conduit (26) through the side wall (14), the lateral conduit (26) being suitable for connecting the bottle (10) to a sample transfer tube in the inner volume (16) of the bottle (10).

2. The bottle (10) according to the preceding claim, comprising a single lateral conduit (26).

3. The bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an insert (32) in the internal volume (16), the insert (32) having an internal volume (34) reducing the internal volume of the bottle (10), the insert comprising a passage (36) opposite the lateral conduit (26), the lateral conduit (26) and the passage (36) being able to connect the bottle (10) to the sample transfer tube in the internal volume (34) of the insert (32).

4. The bottle (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the internal volume (16) of the bottle (10) is between 1mL and 3mL and the internal volume (34) of the insert (32) is between 10µL and 600µL.

5. The bottle (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, the insert (32) being made of thermoformed polymer.

6. The bottle (10) according to any one of the three preceding claims, in which the insert (32) has a wall whose inner surface is smooth.

7. The bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (12) comprises a fixing interface (30) for the cap (20), the lateral conduit (26) being lower than the fixing interface (30), the fixing interface preferably being a screw thread.

8. The bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the side wall (14) of the body (12) includes a keying feature (40), preferably in the form of a flat, the keying feature (40) being able to orient the bottle (10).

9. The bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, transversely to the height, the body (12) has an essentially cylindrical upper section and a lower section shaped in a cylindrical, spherical or conical manner.

10. Analytical assembly comprising a liquid sample analysis apparatus, the bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and a sample transfer tube (28), the assembly being able to convey the sample to the analytical apparatus through the bottle (10) by means of the transfer tube (28) connected to the bottle (10) by the lateral conduit (26), and the transfer tube (28) being optionally held by clamping in the lateral conduit (26).

11. The assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the analytical apparatus is a high-performance gas chromatography or liquid chromatography analytical apparatus.

12. Method of conveying a liquid sample to an analytical apparatus via the bottle (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising - connecting a transfer tube (28) to the bottle (10) via the lateral conduit (26), - transferring the sample into the bottle (10) via the transfer tube (28), - inserting a sampling needle through the septum (22), - collecting the sample to be analyzed by the analytical apparatus from the bottle (10) through the septum (22) via the needle.

13. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the vial (10) further comprises an insert (32) in the internal volume (16), the insert (32) having an internal volume (34) reducing the internal volume (16) of the vial (10), the method further comprising - the transfer of the sample into the internal volume (34) of the insert (32) by the transfer tube (28) connected to the vial (10) by the lateral conduit (26) of the vial and by a passage of the insert (32) opposite the lateral conduit (26), and - the withdrawal of the sample from the internal volume (34) of the insert (32) through the septum (22) by the needle.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sampler supports the bottle (10) and wherein the side wall (14) of the body (12) of the bottle (10) includes a keying feature (40), preferably in the form of a flat, the positioning of the bottle (10) relative to the sampler being imposed by the keying feature (40).

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the volume of the sample transferred into the bottle (10) is between 10µL and 1mL, and - the volume of the sample taken from the bottle (10) is between 0.1µL and 100µL.

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