Method and system for sampling and determining the presence of compounds in containers using a pulsed fluorescence detector
US6013228A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/17
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. The sample cloud may be split into first and second portions. Contaminants in the first portion are detected by a chemiluminescence detector and the second portion by a pulsed fluorescence detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.