Method and apparatus for sampling contaminants

An apparatus for sampling cargo for particulates and vapors of chemical residues, comprising:

• (a) a chamber, enclosing a gas at a certain pressure, wherein the cargo is placed for sampling;
• (b) a mechanism for directly vibrating the cargo, thereby releasing the particulates and vapors into said gas, said mechanism for directly vibrating the cargo including:
• (i) a table, within said chamber, whereon the cargo is placed for sampling, and
• (ii) a mechanism for vibrating said table;
• (c) a collection system for removing the particulates and vapors from said gas;
• and
• (d) a mechanism for inducing a flow of said gas, together with said particulates and vapors, towards said collection system.

A method for sampling surfaces and interiors of a plurality of items for contaminant particulates and contaminant vapors, comprising the steps of:

• (a) sealing the items inside a chamber containing air;
• (b) agitating the items by introducing heated bursts of said air into said chamber, thereby releasing the particulates and the vapors from the surfaces and the interiors of the items into said air;
• and
• (c) inducing a flow of said air, together with the released particulates and vapors, towards a collection system.

A method for sampling surfaces and interiors of a plurality of items for contaminant particulates and contaminant vapors, comprising the steps of:

• (a) sealing the items inside a chamber containing air;
• (b) agitating the items by directing jets of said air at the items, thereby releasing the particulates and the vapors from the surfaces and the interiors of the items into said air;
• and
• (c) inducing a flow of said air, together with the released particulates and vapors, towards a collection system.

An apparatus for sampling cargo for particulates and vapors of chemical residues, comprising:

• (a) a chamber, enclosing a gas at a certain pressure, wherein the cargo is placed for sampling;
• (b) a mechanism for heating a portion of said gas and introducing said heated gas into said chamber in bursts, thereby releasing the particulates and vapors into said gas;
• (c) a collection system for removing the particulates and vapors from said gas;
• and
• (d) a mechanism for inducing a flow of said gas, together with said particulates and vapors, towards said collection system.

An apparatus for sampling cargo for particulates and vapors of chemical residues, comprising:

• (a) a chamber, enclosing a gas at a certain pressure, wherein the cargo is placed for sampling;
• (b) a mechanism for directing jets of said gas at the cargo, thereby releasing the particulates and vapors into said gas;
• (c) a collection system for removing the particulates and vapors from said gas;
• and
• (d) a mechanism for inducing a flow of said gas, together with said particulates and vapors, towards said collection system.

An apparatus for sampling cargo for particulates and vapors of chemical residues, comprising:

• (a) a chamber, enclosing a gas at a certain pressure, wherein the cargo is placed for sampling;
• (b) a mechanism for agitating the cargo, thereby releasing the particulates and vapors into said gas, said mechanism for agitating the cargo including:
• (i) a table, within said chamber, whereon the cargo is placed for sampling, and
• (ii) a mechanism for vibrating said table;
• (c) a collection system for removing the particulates and vapors from said gas;
• and
• (d) a mechanism for inducing a flow of said gas, together with said particulates and vapors, towards said collection system.

An apparatus for sampling cargo for particulates and vapors of chemical residues, comprising:

• (a) a chamber, enclosing a gas at a certain pressure, wherein the cargo is placed for sampling;
• (b) a mechanism for directly vibrating the cargo, thereby releasing the particulates and vapors into said gas;
• (c) a collection system for removing the particulates and vapors from said gas;
• and
• (d) a mechanism for inducing a flow of said gas, together with said particulates and vapors, towards said collection system, said mechanism for inducing said flow of said gas towards said collection system including a mechanism for introducing said gas into said chamber in bursts.