Method and system for expelling test-sample volumes from luggage/packages
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsClifford A. Megerle, Philip T. James
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for expelling test sample-volumes from luggage/packages includes, in one form, a set of superposed or otherwise cooperating belt conveyor (16, 24) and a cooperating biohazard detection system (14). Luggage articles (L) or packages to be inspected are moved by the belt conveyor (18) and subject to a momentary compressive force to reduce the internal volume of the luggage article or package sufficient to expel some of the interior air within the luggage article or package. The biohazard detection system (14) samples some of the air expelled from the interior of the luggage article (L) and subjects that air sample to various test of undesired or prohibited materials.
Claims11
A system for testing luggage articles and/or packages for undesired or proscribed materials, comprising:
- means for momentarily reducing the internal volume of a luggage article or package sufficient to express a portion of the internal air volume therefrom, said means including a guide plate and a resilient bladder that expands and contracts in response to fluid pressure, the bladder having a resiliently displaceable surface portion thereof to resiliently engage any luggage article or package positioned between said resiliently displaceable surface and said guide plate to express a portion of the internal air volume therefrom upon expansion of the resilient bladder;
- and
- means for subjecting the expressed air to an analysis for any undesired or proscribed materials.
A system for testing luggage articles and/or packages for undesired or proscribed materials, comprising:
- means for momentarily reducing the internal volume of a luggage article or package sufficient to express a portion of the internal air volume therefrom, said means including a pressurizable bladder having surface portions thereof for engaging opposite sides of a luggage article or package upon pressurization to express a portion of the internal air volume therefrom and
- means for subjecting the expressed air to an analysis for any undesired or proscribed materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.