Method and system for sampling and determining the presence of compounds in containers

A method of sampling and determining the presence of certain residues in containers moving seriatim past a test station comprising the steps of:

• injecting fluid into each container as it reaches said test station to displace at least a portion of the contents of the container to form a sample cloud at a region outside of the container adjacent the opening thereof;
• evacuating a sample of said portion of the container contents so displaced by applying suction to the sample cloud in said region outside of the container;
• diverting a first portion of the sample;
• and
• analyzing a second portion of the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the container residues therein.

A method of sampling and determining the presence of certain volatiles in materials comprising the steps of:

• disposing said materials in a container with an opening therein;
• injecting fluid into said container and through the opening into proximity with said materials in order to displace at least a portion of the volatiles to form a sample cloud at a region outside of said container;
• evacuating a sample of said portion of the volatiles so displaced by applying suction to said sample cloud in said region outside of said container;
• and
• analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain volatiles in said materials.

A method of sampling and determining the presence of certain substances in a container comprising the steps of:

• displacing a portion of the container contents to form a sample cloud at a region outside of the container adjacent the opening thereof;
• transferring at least a portion of the sample cloud through conduit means to a remote location;
• and
• analyzing the sample cloud at said remote location to determine the presence or absence of the certain substances therein.