Biological sampler, collector and storage container

A sampling assembly to be driven in one direction relative to and to collect and dispense a biological sample from an item and into a storage container, said assembly comprising:

• a) a sample collector comprising:
• a punch presenting at one end a cutter to cut and hold a sample from the item as it passes there through or over,
• a plunger slideably supported by said punch to be able to move between a retracted position and an advanced position relative said punch, movement from the retracted position to the advanced position causing, in use, the cutter held sample to be displaced from the cutter,
• b) a sample collector driver comprising:
• a body telescopically interfaced with said sample collector to, in a first position relative said punch and plunger, be able to drive said punch and plunger in said one direction, and in a second position relative said punch and plunger, having moved in a direction opposite said one direction, having ratcheted to engage with said plunger in a manner to be able to cause said plunger to move relative to said punch when said sample collectors driver is again driven in said one direction.

A sampling string to collect a biological sample from an item, said string comprising:

• a) a sample collector comprising:
• a punch presenting at one end a cutter to cut and hold a sample from the item as it passes there through or over,
• a plunger slideably supported by said punch to be able to move between a retracted position and an advanced position relative said punch, movement from the retracted position to the advanced position causing, in use, the cutter held sample to be displaced from the cutter,
• b) a sample collector driver that in a first condition is engaged to said punch to, in use, be able to drive said punch over or through said item when in a first position relative punch and is able to telescopically slide relative said plunger to a second condition that is away from and/or not engaged to said punch to ratchet with said plunger and engage therewith to be able to drive the plunger from its retracted position to its advanced position.