Enclosure device for facilitating measurements within sealed containers

Abstract

An enclosure device is provided that is configured to be secured or attached to a container, facilitate measurements within the attached via a measurement probe, and prevent the atmosphere from entering the container while taking the measurements. The enclosure device may include a housing having a top surface, a sidewall, and a bottom surface that collectively define an interior cavity. The enclosure device may further include a port member disposed in the housing that provides access to the interior cavity and may enable a gas to be pumped into the interior cavity of the housing to operate as a barrier layer over the opening of the container. The enclosure device may also include a probe opening that enables a probe to be lowered through the enclosure device and into the container for taking measurements within the container.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01ENCLOSURE DEVICE FOR FACILITATING MEASUREMENTS WITHIN SEALED CONTAINERSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 707,895, entitled “ENCLOSURE DEVICE FOR FACILITATING MEASUREMENTS WITHIN SEALED CONTAINERS,” and filed on October 16, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the technologies disclosed herein relate to enclosure devices that are configured to apply a protective / barrier layer of gas to a container in order to facilitate measurements within the container, and, more particularly, an enclosure device for a container where the enclosure device facilitates 02 level detection of organic solvents within a container.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION / DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Dissolved oxygen (hereinafter “DO”) is a free molecular oxygen gas (02) that spontaneously dissolves in aqueous and organic solutions at various temperatures and pressures. In aqueous solutions, especially in water and biological fluids, the amount of oxygen is a significant indicator of that biological ecosystem. DO is a crucial parameter in multiple applications such as, but not limited to, biomedical applications, the food industry, agricultural applications, environmental applications, petroleum applications, semiconductors, airsensitive reactors, and aquatic systems. Chemical plants, petroleum applications, semiconductors, and electrochemistry industries require a method to monitor oxygen contents in organic solvents. For instance, in fuel refinery units, oxygen levels need to be monitored and controlled to prevent corrosion and prolong the shelf life. Anhydrous and oxygen-free solvents are frequently needed in organic, organometallic, and catalysis synthesis reactions. For example, oxygen needs to be monitored closely during the oxidation of 4- methoxy-phenylmagnesium bromide. There are several methods to quantify the amount of DO in aqueous solutions such as Wrinkler’s titration method,Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 spectrometric methods, and electrochemical methods. Most of these methods, however, do not apply to organic solvents as the organic solvents could either damage the equipment or react differently in the case of spectroscopic methods.

[0004] Current measurement systems for measuring O2 of organic solvents require inserting a measurement probe into a container (e.g., bottle, etc.) that houses the organic solvent. However, the insertion of the measurement probe into the container can introduce O2 from the atmosphere into the container, which can further contaminate the sample during the measurement. Thus, current measurement systems expose the equilibrated gas-phase in the container to the gases in the atmosphere.

[0005] Therefore, what is needed is an enclosure device that prevents O2 in the atmosphere from entering the sealed container housing the organic solvent. What is further needed is a device that is capable of forming a protective layer that serves as a barrier that prevents the introduction of additional O2 to the sealed container. In addition, what is needed is an enclosure device that directly attaches to the sealed container and contains a mobile portion that is configured to reposition the probe at different heights. Furthermore, what is needed is an enclosure device that contains an integrated pipe for the introduction of the N2-purging gas.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments described herein are, e.g., an enclosure device is provided that is configured to be secured or attached to a container, facilitate measurements within the attached via a measurement probe, and prevent the atmosphere from entering the container while taking the measurements. The enclosure device may include a housing having a top surface, a sidewall, and a bottom surface that collectively define an interior cavity. The enclosure device may further include a port member disposed in the housing that provides access to the interior cavity and may enable a gas to be pumped into the interior cavity of the housing to operate as a barrier layer over the opening of the container. The enclosure device may also include a probe opening that enables a probe to be lowered through the enclosure device and into the container for taking measurements within the container.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01

[0007] In an embodiment, an enclosure device may include a housing, a port member, and a probe opening in the housing. The housing may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall that collectively define an interior cavity. The port member may be disposed on or in the housing. The port member may be configured to provide access to the interior cavity. The probe opening may be disposed in the top surface of the housing. The probe opening may be configured to movably receive a measurement probe. The bottom surface of the housing may be configured to be secured onto a top of a container. When the interior cavity is filled with a gas via the port member, the filled interior cavity may serve as a barrier layer over and for the container.

[0008] In some instances, the bottom surface of the housing may screw onto the top of the container. In some other instances, the enclosure device may hermetically seal the container when secured to the top of the container.

[0009] In some further instances, the enclosure device may further include a probe sleeve and a lever. The probe sleeve may be slidably disposed in the probe opening of the housing. The probe sleeve may include a rack with teeth and may be configured to receive a measurement probe. The lever may be rotatably coupled to the top surface of the housing. The lever may include a gear with teeth that may be intermeshed with the teeth of the rack of the probe sleeve. Rotation of the lever may cause the probe sleeve to slide inward or outward from the probe opening of the housing.

[0010] In some even further instances, the enclosure device may further include an inlet port and a vent port. The inlet port may extend through the housing from the top surface through the bottom surface of the housing. The vent port may extend through the interior cavity from the bottom surface to the top surface of the housing. In some further instances, the inlet port may include a one-way valve that may be configured to permit fluids to flow into the container when the enclosure device is secured to the container. In even some further instances, the vent port may include a one-way valve that is configured to permit fluids to flow out of the container when the enclosure device is secured to the container.

[0011] In yet some even further instances, the probe opening may extend from the top surface of the housing to the bottom surface of the housing through the interior cavity. The enclosure device may further include a membrane disposedAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 over the probe opening at the bottom surface of the housing. In even some further instances, the enclosure device may also include a tube coupled to and descending from the bottom surface of the housing. The tube may be disposed around the membrane.

[0012] In another embodiment, a method of utilizing an enclosure device may include securing the enclosure device to a top surface of a container. The enclosure device may include a housing, a port member, and a probe opening in the housing. The housing may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall that collectively define an interior cavity. The port member may be disposed on or in the housing. The port member may be configured to provide access to the interior cavity. The probe opening may be disposed in the top surface of the housing. The method may further include attaching a gas source to the port member of the enclosure device and then purging the interior cavity of the housing with a gas to establish a barrier layer over the top surface of the container. The method may also include lowering a measurement probe through the probe opening such that a measurement end of the measurement probe is disposed within an interior of the container. In addition, the method may include measuring an amount of a desired characteristic within the container.

[0013] In some instances, the gas of the barrier layer may be a first gas, and the desired characteristic may be a measurement of an amount of a second gas within the container. In some further instances, the second gas may be oxygen, while the first gas may be nitrogen. In some even further instances, the container may be a bottle having an opening. The bottle may comprise a membrane disposed over the opening. In addition, lowering the measurement probe may cause the measurement end to pierce through the membrane. In even some further instances, the container may be hermetically sealed when the enclosure device is secured to the container.

[0014] In yet some further instances, the probe opening may extend from the top surface of the housing to the bottom surface of the housing through the interior cavity. The enclosure device may further include a membrane disposed over the probe opening at the bottom surface of the housing. In addition, lowering the measurement probe may cause the measurement end to pierce through the membrane.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01

[0015] In yet another embodiment, an enclosure device may include a housing, a port member, a probe opening, and an inlet port. The housing may be securable to a container, and may define an interior cavity. The port member may be disposed on the housing and configured to provide access to the interior cavity. The probe opening may be disposed in the housing and configured to movably receive a measurement probe. The inlet port may extend through the housing such that an inlet end of the inlet port may be disposed above the housing and an outlet end of the inlet port may be disposed below the housing. When the housing is secured onto the container, the interior cavity may be filled with a gas via the port member to form a barrier layer that prevents gases from a surrounding atmosphere from entering the container when taking a measurement within the container.

[0016] In some instances, the housing may hermetically seal the container when secured to the container, which may be configured to hold a solvent.. In some further instances, the solvent may be placed within the container via the inlet port of the enclosure device. In some other instances, the container may include an inlet extending from a sidewall of the container, a first valve disposed in the inlet that may be configured to enable a flow of solvent into the container, an outlet extending from the sidewall of the container, and a second valve disposed in the outlet that may be configured to enable a flow of solvent out of the container. In some additional instances, the housing may include an upper surface and a lower surface and the inlet port may further include a one-way valve that facilitates fluid to flow from the inlet end to the outlet end. The enclosure device may further include a vent port disposed in the housing. The vent port may have an inlet end disposed proximate to the lower surface of the housing, an outlet end disposed proximate to the upper surface of the housing, and a one-way valve disposed proximate to the outlet end that may be configured to facilitate fluid to flow from the inlet end of the vent port to the outlet end of the vent port.

[0017] In an even further embodiment, a method of determining a gas content dissolved in a liquid medium in a container having a liquid phase and a gaseous phase may include first securing an enclosure device to a top of a container. The enclosure device may include a housing, a port member, and a probe opening in the housing. The housing may have a top surface, a bottom surface,Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 and a sidewall that collectively define an interior cavity. The port member may be disposed on or in the housing. The port member may be configured to provide access to the interior cavity. The probe opening may be disposed in the top surface of the housing. The method may further include attaching a gas source to the port member of the enclosure device and then purging the interior cavity of the housing with a first gas to establish a barrier layer over the top surface of the container. The method may also include lowering a measurement probe through the probe opening such that a measurement end of the measurement probe is disposed within the gaseous phase in the container. The method may further include measuring an amount of a second gas within gaseous phase of the container. In addition, the method may include calculating a gas content in the liquid medium from the amount of the second gas in the gaseous phase of the container using physical equations describing the phase equilibrium between the gaseous and liquid phases in closed systems.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The apparatuses, systems, devices, manifolds, filtration devices or PODs, modules, components, connectors, couplers, etc., presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. It should be understood that some elements in the figures may not necessarily be to scale and that emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts / steps throughout the different views.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a bottle or container in which an organic solvent may be disposed and within which the dissolved oxygen may be measured, in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the membrane used to seal the bottle illustrated in FIG. 1 while also facilitating insertion of a measurement probe into the bottle in accordance with the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a cap and the membrane illustrated in FIG. 2 used to seal the bottle illustrated in FIG. 1 , and in accordance with the present invention, where the cap and the membrane facilitate measurement of the dissolved oxygen within the bottle.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bottle illustrated in FIG. 1 , the membrane illustrated in FIG. 2, and the cap illustrated in FIG. 3, and taken along line A-A in FIG 3, and in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5A illustrates the bottle illustrated in FIG. 1 and the cap and membrane illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, where a measurement probe is inserted into the interior of the bottle through the cap and the membrane, in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic illustration of a container, a membrane, and a measurement probe inserted into the interior of the bottle through the membrane, in accordance with the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of an enclosure device in accordance with the present invention, the enclosure device being disposed on the bottle illustrated in FIG. 1 .

[0026] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate exploded views of the first embodiment of the enclosure device illustrated in FIG. 6 in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the enclosure device disposed on a first embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the enclosure device illustrated in FIG. 8 disposed on a second embodiment of the container in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of the method of operation of the enclosure devices illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 for measuring dissolved oxygen within a bottle / container housing an organic solvent, and in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 11 illustrates a chart depicting the measured oxygen over time and at various temperatures when utilizing the measurement probe with the enclosure devices of FIGS. 6 and 8 in accordance with the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the description herein. Alternate embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without parting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any discussion herein regarding “one embodiment,” “anAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and that such particular feature, structure, or characteristic may not necessarily be included in every embodiment. In addition, references to the foregoing do not necessarily comprise a reference to the same embodiment. Finally, irrespective of whether it is explicitly described, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that each of the particular features, structures, or characteristics of a given embodiment may be utilized in connection or combination with those of any other embodiment discussed herein.

[0032] Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and / or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.

[0033] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

[0034] Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings. In the drawings and the following description below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function.

[0035] The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0036] As used in the specification, various devices and parts may be described as “comprising” other components. The terms “comprise(s),” “include(s),” “having,” “has,” “can,” “contain(s),” and variants thereof, as used herein, are intended to be open-ended transitional phrases, terms, or words that do not preclude the possibility of additional components.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01

[0037] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoint and independently combinable (for example, the range of “from 2% to 10%” is inclusive of the endpoints, 2% and 10%, and all the intermediate values).

[0038] As used herein, approximating language may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that may vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” may not be limited to the precise value specified, in some cases. The modifiers should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.”

[0039] It should be noted that some terms used herein are relative terms. For example, the terms “upper” and “lower” are relative to each other in location, i.e., an upper component is located at a higher elevation than a lower component and should not be construed as requiring a particular orientation or location of the structure. As a further example, the terms “interior,” “exterior,” “inward,” and “outward” are relative to a center, and should not be construed as requiring a particular orientation or location of the structure.

[0040] The terms “top” and “bottom” are relative to an absolute reference, i.e., the surface of the earth. Put another way, a top location is always located at a higher elevation than a bottom location, toward the surface of the earth.

[0041] Turning to FIGS. 1 -4, illustrated are various components that house an organic solvent in which the dissolved oxygen (O2) may be measured. The container may be, as best illustrated in FIG. 1 a bottle 100. While the bottle 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , any other container may be utilized that may be suitable for housing an organic solvent and sealing the organic solvent from the surrounding environment. The organic solvent may be an alcohol, an ether, an ester, a ketone, an alkane, an alkene, an aromatic, all of which may be optionally halogenated, or a mixture thereof. As best illustrated in FIG. 1 , the bottle 100 may include an upper end 102 and an opposite lower end 104, with a sidewall 106 spanning between the upper end 102 and the lower end 104. The upper end 102, lower end 104, and sidewall 106 of the bottle 100 may collectively define an interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100. The upper end 102Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 of the bottle 100 may further include an opening 110 that may provide access to the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100.

[0042] As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the opening 110 of the bottle 100 may be, at least partially, sealed with a membrane 120. The membrane 120 may include a lower portion 122 and an upper portion 124. The upper and lower portions 122, 124 may have differing diameters, where the lower portion 122 may have a first diameter D1 while the upper portion 124 may have a second diameter D2. The first diameter D1 of the lower portion 122 may be smaller than the second diameter D2 of the upper portion 124. The differing diameters D1 , D2 between the lower and upper portions may create a flange 126. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, when the membrane 120 is fitted onto the bottle 100, the lower portion 122 of the membrane 120 is sized to fit within the opening 110 of the bottle, while the flange 126 of the membrane 120 is disposed on, and abuts with, the upper end 102 of the bottle 100. FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration, and, while not shown for illustrative purposes, the lower portion 122 of the membrane 120 may form a friction fit with the sidewalls 106 of the bottle 100 when disposed within the opening 110 of the bottle 100. The membrane 120 may be constructed from an elastomeric composition that is both configured to seal the opening 110 of the bottle 100, as well as having resealing properties, as explained in further detail below, once the seal has been pierced / punctured by a measurement probe. Moreover, in some embodiments, the membrane 120 may contain a resin layer that ensures resistance to chemicals.

[0043] As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the bottle 100 may be further equipped with a cap 130. The cap 130 may be generally circular in shape, may contain a central opening 132, and a may include an end or edge 134 that is capable of being crimpled to retain both the membrane 120 and the cap 130 to the upper end 102 of the bottle 100, which seals the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100 from the surrounding environment. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, once the membrane 120 has been placed into the opening 110 of the bottle 100, the cap 130 may be placed atop the membrane 120 and the bottle 100. Thus, the flange 126 of the membrane 120 may be disposed between, or sandwiched by, the upper end 102 of the bottle 100 and the cap 130. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, once the cap 130 is disposed atop the bottle 100, the ends 134 of cap 130 mayAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 be crimped or compressed against the sidewall 106 of the bottle 100 proximate to the upper end 102 to secure the cap 130 to the bottle 100. This, in turn, compresses the flanges 126 of the membrane 120 against the upper end 102 of the bottle 100 around the opening 110 to further seal the bottle 100.

[0044] Turning to FIG. 5A, illustrated are a series of measurement probes 140 that have been inserted into the bottle 100 by being inserted through the central opening 132 of the cap 130 and puncturing the membrane 120. Because of the elastomeric properties of the membrane 120, when pierced / punctured by a probe 140, the membrane 120 forms an airtight or hermetic seal around the probe 140 while retaining the hermetic seal of the bottle 100. When a probe 140 is removed from the membrane 120, the elastomeric properties of the membrane 120 reseal the opening or region in which the probe 140 extended through the membrane 120 to retain the hermetic seal of the bottle 100.

[0045] With reference to FIG. 5B, illustrated is a schematic illustration depicting the measurement probe 140 that has pierced / punctured the membrane 120 of the container or bottle 100 such that the measurement end 142 of the measurement probe 140 is disposed within the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100. As further depicted in FIG. 5B, disposed within the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100 may be an organic solvent 150. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5B, the organic solvent 150 may contain oxygen molecules 152 dissolved within the organic solvent 150, as well as oxygen molecules 152 disposed in the headspace of the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100, which is the space between the organic solvent 150 and the top of the container or membrane 120. As further illustrated, and in accordance with the disclosed embodiments described herein, the measurement end 142 of the measurement probe 140 may be inserted into the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100 through the membrane 120 only to the extent that the measurement end 142 is disposed in the headspace and not disposed within the organic solvent 150.

[0046] Turning to FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B are various views of a first embodiment of an enclosure device 200 that may be utilized with the bottle 100, membrane 120, and cap 130 to ensure the hermetic seal of the bottle 100, especially as probes 140 are inserted into and removed from the bottle 100. In other words, the enclosure device 200 ensures that excess oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere or environment of the bottle 100 does not enter the bottle 100 whenAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 inserting the probe 140 and skewing or altering the measurement of dissolved oxygen from the solvent within the bottle 100. The enclosure device 200 may be made up of an upper portion 210, a lower portion 250, and a probe sleeve 260.

[0047] The upper portion 210 may be substantially cylindrical, and may include an upper surface or end 212, an opposite lower end 214, and a sidewall 216 spanning between the upper surface 212 and the lower end 214. Extending upwardly from the upper surface 212 may be two pairs of extension posts 220. Each extension post 220 may include an upper or distal end 222 and an opposite lower or proximal end 224, where the lower end 224 of each extension post 220 is coupled to the upper surface 212 of the upper portion 210. A first pair of extension posts 220 may be disposed on the upper surface 212 of the upper portion 210 at a first location proximate to an edge (i.e., intersection of the upper surface 212 and the sidewall 216) of the upper surface 212. The second pair of extension posts 220 may be disposed on the upper surface 212 of the upper portion 210 at a second location that is also proximate to the edge of the upper surface 212 but opposite of the first location. In other words, the first pair of extension posts 220 and the second pair of extension posts 220 may be disposed on the upper surface 212 of the upper portion 210 such that they are antipodal or diametrically opposite to one another.

[0048] Extending between each pair of extension posts is a pivot axle 230. More specifically, the pivot axle 230 of each pair of extension posts 220 may extend through the extension posts 220 proximate to the upper ends 222 of the extension posts 220. Thus, the upper portion 210 includes a pair or two pivot axles 230. Disposed on each of the pivot axles 230 may be a lever 232, where the lever 232 is configured to pivot or rotate about its respective pivot axle 230 with respect to the extension posts 220. The lever 232 may include a first end 232a and an opposite second end 232b. The pivot axle 230 may extend through the lever 232 proximate to the first end 232a (or more proximate to the first end 232a than the second end 232b of the lever 232. A gear 234 may be coupled to the lever 232 proximate to the first end 232a such that the pivot axle 230 also extends through the gear 234. The gear 234 is affixed to the lever 232 and the pivot axle 230 so that as the lever 232 is rotated about the pivot axle 230 with respect to the extension posts 220, the gear 234 also rotatesAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 about the pivot axle 230 with respect to the extension posts 220. As further illustrated, the gear 234 includes a set of gear teeth 236.

[0049] Continuing with FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, the upper surface 212, the lower end 214, and the sidewall 216 may collectively define an upper interior cavity 218. The upper portion 210 may include at least two openings that provide access to the upper interior cavity 218. The first opening may be a lower opening 239 disposed at the bottom of a central channel 238, which is disposed centrally on the upper surface 212 of the upper portion 210. In other words, the central channel 238 may be coaxially aligned with the upper portion 210. As best illustrated in FIG. 7A, the central channel 238 extends into the upper interior cavity 218, and the lower opening 239 may be centrally or coaxially disposed on a lower surface of the central channel 238. The lower opening 239 may be sized and shaped to receive a measurement probe 140 and facilitate sliding or gliding of the probe 140 through the lower opening 239. The second opening of the upper portion 210 may be in the form of a port opening 240. Coupled to the sidewall 216 at the port opening 240 may be port member 242 such that the port member 242 extends from the sidewall 216 of the upper portion 210. The port member 242 may include a distal end 244 spaced from the sidewall 216 of the upper portion 210 and an opposite proximal end 246 that is coupled to the sidewall 216 of the upper portion 210. As further explained below, the port opening 240 and the port member 242 may be configured to facilitate the introduction of a nitrogen (N2) flushing gas into the device 200.

[0050] Continuing with FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, the lower portion 250 of the enclosure device 200 is substantially cylindrical and may have a similar diameter to that of the upper portion 210. The lower portion 250 may include an upper end 252, an opposite lower surface 254, and a sidewall 256 spanning between the upper end 252 and lower surface 254. As best illustrated in FIG. 7A, the upper end 252, the lower surface 254, and the sidewall 256 collectively define a lower interior cavity 258. As best illustrated in FIG. 7B, the lower surface 254 of the lower portion 250 may have a central opening 255, which is centrally or coaxially located on the lower surface 254 of the lower portion 250. The central opening 255 may be sized to receive the upper end 102 of a bottle 100 as best illustrated in FIG. 6. As further illustrated in FIG. 6, the upper portion 210 and the lower portion 250 may be coupled to one another such thatAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 the upper end 252 of the lower portion 250 is coupled to the lower end 214 of the upper portion 210. When the upper portion 210 and the lower portion 250 of the enclosure device 200 are coupled to one another, the upper interior cavity 218 of the upper portion 210 and the lower interior cavity 258 of the lower portion 250 may collectively form a single interior cavity 280 for the enclosure device 200.

[0051] As previously explained, and as further illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B, the enclosure device 200 includes a probe sleeve 260. The probe sleeve 260 may be substantially cylindrical and may have a first end 262 and an opposite second end 264. The probe sleeve 260 may further include an exterior surface 266 or sidewall that spans from the first end 262 to the second end 264. In addition, the probe sleeve 260 may also include an interior channel 268 that spans from the first end 262 to at least proximate to the second end 264. The interior channel 268 of the probe sleeve 260 may be configured to at least partially receive a measurement probe 140. Disposed on the exterior surface 266 of the probe sleeve 260 are a pair of racks 270, where the racks 270 are oriented on the probe sleeve 260 such that the racks 270 are antipodal or diametrically opposite to one another. Each rack 270 may further include a set of gear teeth 272 that are configured to intermesh with the gear teeth 236 of the gears 234 of the lever 232. The racks 270 may be disposed on the exterior surface 266 of the probe sleeve 260 such that they are more proximate to the first end 262 of the probe sleeve 260 than the second end 264 of the probe sleeve 260. The intermeshing of the gear teeth 236 of the gears 234 of the lever 232 with the gear teeth 272 of the racks 270 facilitates the positioning and movement of the probe sleeve 260 (and, consequently, a measurement probe 140 disposed within the probe sleeve 260) with respect to the rest of the enclosure device 200 and the bottle 100. Moreover, the first end 262 of the probe sleeve 260 may be disposed within the central channel 238 of the upper portion 210, and actuation of the levers 232 of the upper portion 210 may slide the probe sleeve 260 farther into or out of the central channel 238. The levers 232 of the enclosure device 200 are shown in FIG. 6 in the raised positions, which orients the probe sleeve 260 in the lowered or fully inserted position. While not illustrated, when the levers 232 of the enclosure device 200 are lowered, the probe sleeve 260 is in the raised or extracted position.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01

[0052] In operation, the enclosure device 200 may be disposed on the upper end 102 of the enclosure or bottle 100, which may be housing an organic solvent 150 (best illustrated for the bottle 100 in FIG. 5B). As previously explained, the bottle 100 may be sealed via the membrane 120 and / or cap 130. The enclosure device 200 may be lowered onto the upper end 102 of the bottle 100 such that the upper end 102 of the bottle 100, the membrane 120, and the cap 130 are inserted through the central opening 255 on the lower surface 254 of the lower portion 250 of the enclosure device 200. In some embodiments, the central opening 255 and / or the lower surface 254 of the lower portion 250 of the enclosure device 200 may be configured to screw onto or firmly affix the enclosure device 200 to the bottle 100. When the enclosure device 200 is disposed on the bottle 100, the upper end 102 of the bottle 100, the membrane 120, and the cap 130 may be disposed within the interior cavity 280 of the enclosure device 200 proximate to the lower surface 254 of the lower portion 250. Moreover, when the enclosure device 200 is being disposed on or coupled to the bottle 100, the levers 232 of the enclosure device 200 are in the lowered position so that the probe sleeve 260 and a measurement probe 140 disposed within the probe sleeve 260 are in the raised position. This positioning ensures that the tip of the measurement probe 140 does not penetrate through the cap 130 and the membrane 120 of the bottle 100 until the user is ready for the measurement probe 140 to be inserted into the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100. Thus, when the enclosure device is first disposed on the bottle 100, and the upper end 102 of the bottle 100, the membrane 120, and the cap 130 are disposed within the interior cavity 280 of the enclosure device 200, the measurement end 142 (best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) of the measurement probe 140 is disposed above the membrane 120 and the cap 130 while also being disposed within the interior cavity 280 of the enclosure device 200.

[0053] With the enclosure device 200 disposed on the bottle 100, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the user may attach or hook up a gas source to the port member 242. Prior to lowering the probe sleeve260 and measurement probe 140 via the levers 232, the user may flow nitrogen (N2) gas into the interior cavity 280 of the enclosure device 200 for a period of time such that the nitrogen (N2) gas completely fills the interior cavity 280, especially the area surrounding the upper end 102 of the bottle, the membrane 120, and the cap 130. Thus, theAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 atmosphere within the interior cavity 280 of the enclosure device 200 is flushed by the nitrogen (N2) gas, and the nitrogen (N2) gas serves as a barrier around the upper end 102 of the bottle, the membrane 120, and the cap 130. In other words, the nitrogen (N2) gas serves to prevent excess oxygen (O2) gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture, etc. from the surrounding atmosphere from entering the bottle 100 and contaminating the dissolved oxygen (O2) from the organic solvent disposed within the bottle 100. The nitrogen (N2) gas may continuously flow into the interior cavity 280 of the enclosure device 200 while outflowing through the gaps between the enclosure device 200 and the probe sleeve 260. Once the nitrogen (N2) barrier layer is established, the user may raise the levers 232 of the enclosure device 200 to facilitate lowering of the probe sleeve 260 through the central channel 238 of the upper portion 210 of the enclosure device 200. This, in turn, lowers the measurement end 142 of a measurement probe 140 disposed within the interior channel 268 of the probe sleeve 260 through the central opening 132 of the cap 130 and the membrane 120, and into the interior cavity 108 of the bottle 100. The measurement probe 140 can then be used to measure an amount or level of dissolved oxygen within the bottle 100.

[0054] Turning to FIG. 8, illustrated is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of an enclosure device 300 disposed atop a container 400. While the first embodiment of the enclosure device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B may be designed and configured to function and operate with a bottle 100 equipped with the membrane 120 and cap 130 (best illustrated in FIGS. 2-4), the second embodiment of the enclosure device 300 depicted in FIG. 8 may be configured to function and operate with more conventional containers 400 while still providing a protective gas layer that serves to garner accurate dissolved oxygen measurements within the container 400.

[0055] As illustrated, the enclosure device 300 may include an upper side 310, an opposite lower side 312, and a sidewall 314 spanning between the upper side 310 and the lower side 312. The upper side 310, the lower side 312, and the sidewall 314 may collectively define an interior cavity 316. Disposed within the sidewall 314 of the enclosure device 300 may be a port member 320 such that the port member 320 extends outwardly from the sidewall 314 of the enclosure device 300. The port member 320 may include a distal end 322,Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 which is spaced from the sidewall 314, and an opposite proximal end 324, which is coupled to the sidewall 314 and / or disposed within the interior cavity 316. As explained in further detail below, the port member 320 may be utilized to pump or flow nitrogen gas (N2) into the interior cavity 316 of the enclosure device 300.

[0056] As further illustrated in FIG. 8, the enclosure device 300 further includes a central channel 326 that spans from the upper side 310 to the lower side 312 through the interior cavity 316. The central channel 326 may be disposed in the enclosure device 300 such that it is equally spaced from the sidewall 314. Moreover, the central channel 326 may be aligned with an opening 330 disposed on the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300. The enclosure device 300 may further include a membrane 332 disposed over the opening 330, and one or more tubes 334 that are at least partially disposed around the membrane 332 such that the one or more tubes 334 descend from the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300. In some embodiments, the membrane 332 may be similar in structure, material, and composition to the membrane 120 previously described, where the elastomeric properties of the membrane 332 may be configured to both form an airtight or hermetic seal around a probe 140 extending through the membrane 332 and reseal the opening or region in which the probe 140 extended through the membrane 120 when the probe 140 is removed from the membrane 332. However, in other embodiments, the membrane 332 may only serve as a single use membrane where the membrane 332 may be configured to form an airtight or hermetic seal around a probe 140 when initially inserted through the membrane 332, but may not be capable of resealing the area or region through which the probe 140 was inserted once the probe 140 has been removed. As illustrated in FIG. 8, and as further explained below, the central channel 326 may be configured to slidably receive a sensor or measurement probe 140.

[0057] Continuing with FIG. 8, the enclosure device 300 further includes an inlet port 340 and a vent port 350. The inlet port 340 may extend through the upper side 310, the interior cavity 316, and the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300. As illustrated, the inlet port 340 includes an inlet end 342 disposed outside of the enclosure device 300 and above the upper side 310 of the enclosure device 300. The inlet port 340 also includes an outlet end 344 opposite theAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 inlet end 342, where the outlet end 344 is also disposed outside of the enclosure device 300 and below the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300. The inlet port 340 may be further equipped with a valve 346 that is disposed along the inlet port 340 between the inlet end 342 and the outlet end 344, and within the interior cavity 316 of the enclosure device 300 proximate to the lower side 312. The valve 346 may be a check valve or one-way valve, where fluids are capable of flowing through the inlet port 340 in a single direction (i.e., from the inlet end 342 to the outlet end 344, but not vice versa).

[0058] The vent port 350 may be entirely disposed within and extend through the interior cavity 316 of the enclosure device 300. As illustrated, the vent port 350 includes an inlet end 352 disposed at the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300 (e.g., the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300 may include an opening that aligns with / forms the inlet end 352 of the vent port 350). The vent port 350 also includes an outlet end 354 opposite the inlet end 352, where the outlet end 354 is disposed at the upper side 310 of the enclosure device 300 (e.g., the upper side 310 of the enclosure device 300 may include an opening that aligns with / forms the outlet end 354 of the vent port 350). The vent port 350 may be further equipped with a valve 356 that is disposed along the vent port 350 at or proximate to the outlet end 354. Furthermore, the valve 356 may be disposed within the interior cavity 316 of the enclosure device 300 proximate to the upper side 310. Like the valve 346 of the inlet port 340, the valve 356 of the vent port 350 may be a check valve or one-way valve, where fluids are capable of flowing through the vent port 350 in a single direction (i.e., from the inlet end 352 to the outlet end 354, but not vice versa).

[0059] As further illustrated in FIG. 8, the enclosure device 300 is disposed atop a container 400. As previously explained, the enclosure device 300 may be configured to function and operate with more conventional containers 400 while still providing a protective gas layer that facilitates measurement of the dissolved oxygen within the container 400 without contamination from the atmosphere surrounding the container 400. The container 400 may include an upper end 410, an opposite lower end 420, and a sidewall 430 spanning between the upper end 410 and the lower end 420. The upper end 410, lower end 420, and sidewall 430 collectively define an interior cavity 440, within which a solvent 150 may be disposed. The container 400 may further contain anAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 opening 412 in the upper end 410 to which the enclosure device 300 may be coupled. The enclosure device 300 may be coupled to the upper end 410 of the container 400 via any known method (i.e. , snap fit, friction fit, screwed on, etc.) such that the enclosure device 300 hermetically seals the opening 412 of the upper end 410 of the container 400. With the enclosure device 300 coupled to the upper end 410 of the container 400, the one or more tubes 334 of the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300 are disposed within the interior cavity 440 of the container 400.

[0060] In operation, a user may affix the enclosure device 300 to the container 400 via any known method to seal the container 400. This may be completed either after solvent 150 has been added to the interior cavity 440 or prior to the solvent 150 being disposed within the interior cavity 440 of the container 400. If the enclosure device 300 was secured to the container 400 prior to the solvent 150 being added to the container 400, the user may flow a desired amount of solvent 150 through the inlet port 340 such that the solvent 150 travels through the valve 346 and is disposed within the interior cavity 440 of the container 400. With the solvent 150 disposed within the sealed container 400, the user may then purge or sparge the container 400 and the solvent 150 with nitrogen (N2) gas via the inlet port 340 in order to remove oxygen, moisture, and other atmospheric gasses. The vent port 350 may be utilized to release / expel excess gas and moisture as the pressure in the interior cavity 440 of the container 400 increases due to the injection of nitrogen (N2) gas into the container 400. The valve 356 of the vent port 350 may be configured to open when the pressure within the container 400 reaches a predetermined level (to facilitate escape of the excess oxygen, moisture, etc.) or may be manually activated by the user.

[0061] At a later point in time, and prior to taking any desired measurements, the user may then attach or hook up a gas source to the port member 320. Prior to lowering the measurement probe 140 through the central channel 326, the user may flow nitrogen (N2) gas into the interior cavity 316 of the enclosure device 300 for a period of time such that the nitrogen (N2) gas completely fills the interior cavity 316, especially the area surrounding the opening 330 and the membrane 332 of the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300. Thus, the atmosphere within the interior cavity 316 of the enclosure device 300 is flushed by the nitrogen (N2) gas, and the nitrogen (N2) gas serves as a barrier aroundAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 the opening 330 and the membrane 332 of the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300. In other words, the nitrogen (N2) gas serves to prevent excess oxygen (O2) gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture, etc. from the surrounding atmosphere from entering the container 400 and contaminating the dissolved oxygen (O2) from the organic solvent 150 disposed within the container 400 as the measurement probe 140 is inserted into the interior cavity 440 of the container 400 through the membrane 332. The nitrogen (N2) gas may continuously flow into the interior cavity 316 of the enclosure device 300 while outflowing through the central channel 326 prior to insertion of the measurement probe 140 through the central channel 326. Once the nitrogen (N2) barrier layer is established, the user may insert the measurement probe 140 into and through the central channel 326 of the enclosure device 300 such that the measurement end 142 of a measurement probe 140 pierces / punctures the membrane 332 of the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300 and is disposed within the interior cavity 440 of the container 400. As best illustrated in FIG. 8, once lowered through the central channel 326, the measurement end 142 of the measurement probe 140 is disposed within tube 334 descending from the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300. The tube 334 serves to protect the measurement end 142 of the measurement probe 140 from coming into contact with the solvent 150 within the container 400 (i.e. , from swishing or sloshing the solvent 150 within the container 400). The measurement probe 140 may then be used to measure an amount or level of dissolved oxygen within the container 400.

[0062] Turning to FIG. 9, illustrated is the second embodiment of the enclosure device 300, as previously described and depicted in FIG. 8, disposed atop a different container 500, which is more dynamic than the container 400 depicted in FIG. 8. Like the container 400, the container 500 may include an upper end 510, an opposite lower end 520, and a sidewall 530 spanning between the upper end 510 and the lower end 520. The upper end 510, lower end 520, and sidewall 530 collectively define an interior cavity 540, within which a solvent 150 may be disposed. The container 500 may further contain an opening 512 in the upper end 510 to which the enclosure device 300 may be coupled. The enclosure device 300 may be coupled to the upper end 510 of the container 500 via any known method (i.e., snap fit, friction fit, screwed on, etc.) such thatAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 the enclosure device 300 hermetically seals the opening 512 of the upper end 510 of the container 500. Just like the container 400, with the enclosure device 300 coupled to the upper end 510 of the container 500, the one or more tubes 334 of the lower side 312 of the enclosure device 300 are disposed within the interior cavity 540 of the container 500.

[0063] However, unlike the static container 400, the container 500 includes an inlet 532 and an outlet 534 that are separate from the opening 512 at the upper end 510 of the container 500. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the inlet 532 and the outlet 534 are coupled to the sidewall 530 of the container 500 proximate to the lower end 520 of the container 500 and such that the inlet 532 and the outlet 534 extend outwardly from the sidewall 530 of the container 500. In some embodiments, the inlet 532 and the outlet 534 may be antipodal or diametrically opposite to one another. The inlet 532 may be equipped with a valve 536, which may be a one way or check valve that is configured to allow fluids to pass through the valve 536 on their way into the interior cavity 540 of the container 500, but not on their way out of the interior cavity 540. The outlet 534 may also be equipped with a valve 538, which may also be a one way or check valve. However, the valve 538 of the outlet 534 may be configured to allow fluids to pass through the valve 538 on their way out of the interior cavity 540 of the container 500, but not on their way into the interior cavity 540 of the container 500. In other embodiments, one of the valves 536, 538 or both of the valves 536, 538 may be manual valves that must be manually actuated by a user.

[0064] The enclosure device 300 disposed on the dynamic container 500 may operate in a similar manner to that described above regarding the enclosure device 300 being disposed on the static container 400 except with regard to how the solvent 150 is placed or disposed within the container 500. Instead of pre-filling the container or filling the container with solvent 150 via the inlet port 340 of the enclosure device 300, the solvent 150 may flow into the interior cavity 540 via the inlet 532 and the valve 536. When the user desires to remove the solvent 150 from the container 500, the user may utilize the outlet 534 and the valve 538. This enables the enclosure device 300 to be retained on the upper end 510 of the container 500.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01

[0065] While the examples described herein depict nitrogen (N2) gas flowing into the enclosure devices 200, 300 and / or the containers 400, 500, any gas may be utilized for these functions and purposes.

[0066] Turning to FIG. 10, illustrated is a flowchart depicting a general method 600 for using the first and second embodiments of the enclosure devices 200, 300. At step 610, the user may attach, affix, or secure the enclosure device 200, 300 to an associated container 100, 400, 500. As explained previously, the first embodiment of the enclosure device 200 may be secured to the upper end 102 of a bottle 100 that may be sealed via the membrane 120 and / or cap 130. In some embodiments, the enclosure device 200 may be lowered onto the upper end 102 of the bottle 100 such that the upper end 102 of the bottle 100, the membrane 120, and the cap 130 are inserted through the central opening 255 on the lower surface 254 of the lower portion 250 of the enclosure device 200. However, in some other embodiments, the central opening 255 and / or the lower surface 254 of the lower portion 250 of the enclosure device 200 may be screwed onto the bottle 100. For the second embodiment of the enclosure device 300, the enclosure device 300 may be coupled to the upper end 410, 510 of the container 400, 500, respectively, via any known method (i.e., snap fit, friction fit, screwed on, etc.) such that the enclosure device 300 hermetically seals the opening 412, 512 of the upper end 410, 510 of the container 400, 500, respectively. In either embodiment, the container 100, 400, 500 may contain a liquid medium or organic solvent 150 that has a liquid phase and a gaseous phase.

[0067] At step 620, the user may then attach a gas source (e.g., nitrogen (N2)) to the port member 242, 320 of the enclosure device 200, 300. Next, at step 630, the user may purge the interior cavity 280, 316 of the enclosure device 200, 300 with the gas source (e.g., nitrogen (N2)) to establish a gas barrier layer above the container 100, 400, 500. The gas barrier layer may be established by either fully flushing the interior cavity 280, 316 of the enclosure device 200, 300 with the gas source such that the interior cavity 280, 316 is filled with the gas, or by continuously flowing the gas into the interior cavity 280, 316 of the enclosure device 200, 300.

[0068] Once the barrier layer is established, the user may then, at step 640, insert or lower the measurement probe 140 through the enclosure device 200,Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01300 such that the measurement end 142 pierces / punctures through the membrane 120, 332 and is inserted into the interior cavity 108, 440, 540 of the container 100, 400, 500, respectively. More specifically, for the first embodiment of the enclosure device 200, which attaches to the container 100, the membrane 120 is disposed over the opening 110 of the container 100, which is a previously sealed container. Conversely, for the second embodiment of the enclosure device 300, which attaches to the containers 400, 500, the membrane 332 is formed as part of the enclosure device 300 itself. As explained previously, this enables the enclosure device 300 to be secured to the containers 400, 500 which are not sealed in advance of securement of the enclosure device 300. The measurement probe 140 may be lowered such that the measurement end 142 is only disposed within the gaseous phase of the liquid medium or solvent 150 disposed within the container 100, 400, 500, and does not contact the liquid solvent 150 itself.

[0069] Once the measurement probe 140 has been lowered such that the measurement end 142 is disposed within the interior cavity 108, 440, 540 of the containers 100, 400, 500, the user may, at step 650, measure the amount or level of a desired characteristic (e.g., dissolved oxygen (O2)) within the container 100, 400, 500. More specifically, in one embodiment, the user may calculate the gas content in the liquid medium from the amount of the gas in the gaseous phase of the container using physical equations describing the phase equilibrium between the gaseous and liquid phases in closed systems. While any type of measurement probe 140 may be utilized to measure the desired characteristic, preventing the measurement probe 140 from contacting the liquid within the container 100, 400, 500 is a contactless method that is well suited for probes that are sensitive to liquids (e.g. organic solvents). This results in an increase in the lifespan of the measurement probe 140, which may enable it to be used in quality control laboratories and production.

[0070] Illustrated in FIG. 11 is a chart or graph 700 that depicts the data points of the testing of the enclosure device 200, 300, where the graph 700 plots the amount of oxygen measured by a measurement probe 140 in conjunction with an enclosure device 200, 300 over time, as well as the temperature measured over time. As illustrated, the time is plotted along the x-axis of the graph and is displayed as seconds. The graph 700 depicts the scale of measured oxygenAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 level (measured in hectopascals (hPa)) on the leftmost y-axis and the scale of measured temperature (measured in Celsius) on the rightmost y-axis. As depicted in the graph 700, over the course of 120 seconds (or 2 minutes) the temperature remained relatively constant between 21.88°C and 21.92°C. At 710 of the graph 700, the measurement probe 140 may disposed outside of the enclosure device 200, 300 and reading the amount of oxygen of the atmosphere surrounding the enclosure device 200, 300. As illustrated, at 710, the measurement probe 140 measures approximately 200 - 250 hPa of O2. At approximately 30 seconds, as shown at 720, the measurement end 142 of the measurement probe 140 was lowered such that it was disposed in the interior cavity 280, 316 of the enclosure device 200, 300 prior to the interior cavity 280, 316 being flushed / purged with N2. Prior to being flushed / purged, the measurement probe 140 measured approximately 20 hPa of O2.

[0071] At 730, once the interior cavity 280 / 316 of the enclosure device 200, 300 is flushed / purged with N2, the measurement probe 140 measures approximately 0.03 hPa of O2. This demonstrates that the enclosure device 200, 300 may be capable of establishing a barrier layer of N2, where purging the interior cavity 280, 316 of the enclosure device 200, 300 with N2 causes the O2 to be flushed out of the interior cavity 280, 316 of the enclosure device 200, 300. Finally, at 740 of the graph 700, after approximately 90 seconds, the measurement end 142 of the measurement probe 140 penetrates the membrane 120, 332 such that the measurement end 142 is disposed within the interior cavity 108, 440, 540 of the container 100, 400, 500. At 740, the measurement probe 140 measures approximately 47 hPa of O2 within the interior cavity 108, 440, 540 of the container 100, 400, 500.

[0072] While the apparatuses presented herein have been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

[0073] In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions withAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non- obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or properties disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

[0074] It is also to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. Additionally, it is also to be understood that the components of the enclosure devices and containers described herein, or portions thereof, may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic or metals (e.g., copper, bronze, aluminum, steel, etc.), as well as derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. In addition, it is further to be understood that the steps of the methods described herein may be performed in any order or in any suitable manner.

[0075] Finally, when used herein, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Similarly, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate”, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted,Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms “about,” “around,” “generally,” and “substantially.”

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01What is claimed is:1 . An enclosure device comprising: a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall collectively defining an interior cavity; a port member disposed on the housing and configured to provide access to the interior cavity; and a probe opening disposed in the top surface of the housing and configured to movably receive a measurement probe, wherein the bottom surface of the housing is configured to be secured onto a top of a container such that when the interior cavity is filled with a gas via the port member, the interior cavity filled with the gas serves as a barrier layer for the container.

2. The enclosure device of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the housing screws onto the top of the container.

3. The enclosure device of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure device hermetically seals the container when secured to the top of the container.

4. The enclosure device of claim 1 , further comprising: a probe sleeve slidably disposed in the probe opening of the housing, the probe sleeve including a rack with teeth and is configured to receive a measurement probe; and a lever rotatably coupled to the top surface of the housing, the lever including a gear with teeth that are intermeshed with the teeth of the rack of the probe sleeve, wherein rotation of the lever causes the probe sleeve to slide inward or outward from the probe opening of the housing.

5. The enclosure device of claim 1 , further comprising: an inlet port extending through the housing from the top surface through the bottom surface of the housing; and a vent port extending through the interior cavity from the bottom surface to the top surface of the housing.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO016. The enclosure device of claim 5, wherein the inlet port further comprises: a one-way valve that is configured to permit fluids to flow into the container when the enclosure device is secured to the container.

7. The enclosure device of claim 5, wherein the vent port further comprises: a one-way valve that is configured to permit fluids to flow out of the container when the enclosure device is secured to the container.

8. The enclosure device of claim 1 , wherein the probe opening extends from the top surface of the housing to the bottom surface of the housing through the interior cavity and the enclosure device further comprises: a membrane disposed over the probe opening at the bottom surface of the housing.

9. The enclosure device of claim 8, further comprising: a tube coupled to and descending from the bottom surface of the housing, the tube being and disposed around the membrane.

10. A method of utilizing an enclosure device, the method comprising: securing the enclosure device to a top surface of a container, the enclosure device comprising: a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall collectively defining an interior cavity, a port member disposed on the housing and configured to provide access to the interior cavity, and a probe opening disposed in the top surface of the housing; attaching a gas source to the port member of the enclosure device; purging the interior cavity of the housing with a gas to establish a barrier layer over the top surface of the container; lowering a measurement probe through the probe opening such that a measurement end of the measurement probe is disposed within an interior of the container; and measuring an amount of a desired characteristic within the container.Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO0111 . The method of claim 10, wherein the gas of the barrier layer is a first gas, and the desired characteristic is a measurement of an amount of a second gas.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second gas is oxygen.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the gas is nitrogen.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the container is a bottle having an opening, and the bottle comprises a membrane disposed over the opening, and wherein lowering the measurement probe causes the measurement end to pierce through the membrane.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the container is hermetically sealed when the enclosure device is secured to the container.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the probe opening extends from the top surface of the housing to the bottom surface of the housing through the interior cavity and the enclosure device further comprises: a membrane disposed over the probe opening at the bottom surface of the housing, and wherein lowering the measurement probe causes the measurement end to pierce through the membrane.

17. An enclosure device, comprising: a housing securable to a container, the housing defining an interior cavity; a port member disposed on the housing and configured to provide access to the interior cavity; a probe opening disposed in the housing and configured to movably receive a measurement probe; and an inlet port extending through the housing, the inlet port having an inlet end disposed above the housing and an outlet end disposed below the housing, wherein, when the housing is secured onto the container, the interior cavity can be filled with a gas via the port member to form a barrier layer thatAttorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 prevents gases from a surrounding atmosphere entering the container when taking a measurement within the container.

18. The enclosure device of claim 17, wherein the housing hermetically seals the container when secured to the container, and wherein the container is configured to hold a solvent.

19. The enclosure device of claim 18, wherein the solvent is placed within the container via the inlet port of the enclosure device.

20. The enclosure device of claim 18, wherein the container includes an inlet extending from a sidewall of the container, a first valve disposed in the inlet that is configured to enable a flow of solvent into the container, an outlet extending from the sidewall of the container, and a second valve disposed in the outlet that is configured to enable a flow of solvent out of the container.21 . The enclosure device of claim 17, wherein the housing includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the inlet port further includes a one-way valve that facilitates fluid to flow from the inlet end to the outlet end, the enclosure device further comprising: a vent port disposed in the housing, the vent port having an inlet end disposed proximate to the lower surface of the housing, an outlet end disposed proximate to the upper surface of the housing, and a one-way valve disposed proximate to the outlet end that is configured to facilitate fluid to flow from the inlet end of the vent port to the outlet end of the vent port.

22. A method for determining a gas content dissolved in a liquid medium in a container comprising a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, the method comprising securing the enclosure device as defined in claim 1 to a top of a container, attaching a gas source to the port member of the enclosure device; purging the interior cavity of the housing with a first gas to establish a barrier layer over the top surface of the container;Attorney Docket No.: P24-179-SEC-WO01 lowering a measurement probe through the probe opening such that a measurement end of the measurement probe is disposed with the gaseous phase in the container; measuring an amount of a second gas in the gaseous phase of the container; and calculating a gas content in the liquid medium from the amount of the second gas in the gaseous phase of the container using physical equations describing a phase equilibrium between the gaseous phase and the liquid phase in closed systems.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first gas is nitrogen.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the second gas is oxygen.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the liquid phase is an organic solvent.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the organic solvent is an alcohol, an ether, an ester, a ketone, an alkane, an alkene, an aromatic, which are optionally halogenated, or a mixture thereof.

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