Method and device for isolating, collecting and transferring hazardous samples
US7340970B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/2241
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for isolating, transferring and testing potentially contaminated mail pieces. The mail pieces are encapsulated in a sealed package at one location and transferred to another location for testing. During testing, the sealed package is connected to an air sampling system, which directly draws an air sample from the sealed package. At the end of testing, the air pressure in the sealed package is sufficiently reduced, causing the sealed bag to collapse. A septum or a tube with a self-sealed coupler is provided on the sealed package to allow the air sampling system to draw air out of the sealed package. When the air sampling system is not connected to the sealed package, the septum or the self-sealed coupler prevents the air inside the sealed package from escaping into the environment. It is advantageous to disturb the mail pieces during air sampling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.