Sealed vacuum canister and method for pick-up and containment of material

A vacuum canister for picking up and containing at least one of a fluid and a particulate material, comprising:

• a housing for forming therein a sealed vacuum chamber;
• vacuum means for establishing a predetermined vacuum pressure within said vacuum chamber;
• and
• a valve having a first port for fluid communication with said vacuum chamber and a second port for receiving at least one of a fluid and a particulate material, said valve being operable between a first position to seal said vacuum chamber and retain a vacuum pressure within said vacuum chamber, and a second position to permit fluid flow through said valve from said second port to said first port;
• whereby operation of said valve, in said second position when said second port is located adjacent at least one of a fluid and a particulate material, is effective to displace through said valve the at least one of a fluid and a particulate material into said housing.

A method for picking up and containing at least one of a fluid and a particulate material, comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing having therein a sealed vacuum chamber;
• providing a valve having a first port selectively operable to place it in fluid communication with said vacuum chamber and a second port for receiving at least one of a fluid and a particulate material, said valve being operable between a first position to seal said vacuum chamber and retain a vacuum within said vacuum chamber, and a second position to permit fluid flow through said valve from said second port to said first port;
• establishing a predetermined vacuum pressure within said vacuum chamber;
• locating at least one of a fluid and a particulate material adjacent said second port;
• and
• placing said valve in said second position to displace along with fluid flow through said valve the at least one of a fluid and a particulate material into said vacuum chamber.