Sample collector for particulate material and method
OwnerRoger J. Malcolm, Stuart Herseyinventors
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Abstract
A sample collector for extracting a particulate material specimen from a container includes a needle for puncturing the container and capturing an amount of specimen inside a chamber in mechanical communication with the needle. A spring-loaded continuously and progressively retractable and extendable sheath protects the tip of the needle from inadvertent contact with a human user and encloses the puncture site on the container during collection. A preliminary screening test for illicit substances can be conducted on part of the collected specimen to determine whether the container should be confiscated. Part of the collected specimen can be preserved for later confirmatory testing.
Claims17
A method for detecting the presence of a substance of interest within a sealed container containing bulk particulate material, said method comprises:
- puncturing said container with a collector apparatus including a sheath retractably covering a needle;
- wherein said puncturing comprises;
- automatically progressively retracting said sheath from said needle during said puncturing;
- capturing an amount of said material contacting said needle;
- conducting a screening test adapted to detect said substance on a first portion of said amount;
- and,
- obtaining a result of said conducting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.