Method and apparatus for detecting a contraband substance
US4718268A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1985 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/2833
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of detecting contraband substances in freight cargo containers in which the container is agitated to disturb particulates therein, and air containing such particulates is then sampled and the particulates collected. The collected particulates include naturally occurring particulates which have absorbed vapors of the contraband substance during the entire time that the container has been closed, and also include particulates of the contraband substance itself. The collected particulates are then heated to a temperature above 160.degree. C. to drive off vapors indicative of the contraband substance and the vapors are analyzed in a mass analyzer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.