METHODS, SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR BATCH SAMPLING

• US 20150241401A1
• Filed: 02/18/2015
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fremonta Corporation, United States Department Of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: AEMTEK, Inc., United States Department Of Agriculture
• Inventors: WU, FLORENCE, HUANG, YONGQING, ARTHUR, TERRANCE, WHEELER, TOMMY
• Granted Patent: US 10,663,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/02 Devices for withdrawing samples sampling of foundation soil E02D1/04; collecting or conveying radioactive samples G01T7/00, e.g. G01T7/02, G01T7/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/04 in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/20 for flowing or falling materials G01N1/2035 G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/12 Meat; Fish
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/02 using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations G01N35/0098 and G01N35/0099 take precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for sampling within a conveyance system are provided herein, such systems and methods being particularly useful in batch sampling of food products for a targeted biological agent. In one aspect, the sampling system includes a conveyance system and one or more sampling devices positioned along a conveyance path such that at least one portion of the batch contacts a sampling medium of the one or more sampling devices. In another aspect, sampling devices are provided that allow a sampling member to be secured in a sampling position for batch testing and readily removed after sampling and tested. The systems, devices and methods herein provide improved sampling coverage of the entire batch and reduce waste and inefficiency as compared to conventional batch sampling methods.

Claims

1. A sampling member comprising:

a sampling medium; and

one or more attachment features for releasably attaching the sampling member in a sampling position within a conveyance system that conveys a batch of items comprising at least one item, wherein the sampling medium contacts at least one portion of the batch during conveyance when attached in the sampling position.

2. The sampling member of claim 1, wherein the sampling medium comprises a surface adapted to retain a solid and/or liquid residue of the at least one portion of the batch upon contact.

3. The sampling member of claim 1, wherein the one or more attachment features comprises any of an adhesive, passageway, a short strip defining a loop, a groove, a snap or any combination thereof.

4. The sampling member of claim 2, wherein the sampling medium has an elongate shape and the one or more attachment features are configured such that when attached within the conveyance system, the absorptive sampling medium extends at least partly across a conveyance path along which the batch is conveyed.

5. The sampling member of claim 1, wherein the sampling medium comprises a substantially rectangular cellulose sponge strip.

6. The sampling member of claim 5, wherein the attachment features comprises two or more slits in the sampling member extending in a widthwise direction and distributed along a length of the sampling member.

7. The sampling member of claim 5, wherein the attachment features comprises short strips attached to a backside of the sampling member and extending in a widthwise direction such that each short strip forms a loop for mounting on a sampling member support.

8. The sampling member of claim 5, wherein the rectangular sponge strip is between 6 inches and 36 inches in length and between 0.5 inches and 12 inches in width.

9. The sampling member of claim 8, wherein the rectangular sponge strip is about 24 inches in length.

10. The sampling member of claim 5, wherein the rectangular sponge is dimensioned so as to be received within a standard sample collection bag when folded widthwise in half or in thirds.

11. A sampling device comprising:

a sampling member as in claim 1;

a sampling member support on which the sampling member is mountable by engaging the attachment feature of the sampling member, wherein the sampling member support is attachable to the conveyance system.

12. The sampling device of claim 11, wherein the sampling member support extends a length about the same or greater than a length of the sampling member.

13. The sampling device of claim 11, wherein the sampling member support comprises one or more rods or an elongate plate.

14. The sampling device of claim 13, wherein the sampling member comprises a coupling feature on one or both end portions extending outside the sampling member when mounted thereon, the coupling feature adapted for coupling the sampling member to the conveyance system.

15. The sampling device of claim 14, wherein the coupling feature is adapted to couple with a base of the sampling device, the base being attachable with the conveyance system.

16. The sampling device of claim 12, wherein the base extends along a length of the sampling member support and includes opposing end portions extending laterally from a lengthwise direction.

17. The sampling device of claim 14, wherein one or both of the end portions of the base include corresponding coupling features engageable with the one or both coupling features of the sampling member support.

18. The sampling device of claim 17, wherein the sampling member support is pivotally coupled to the sampling member at one end such that the sampling member is pivotally movable away from the conveyance path to facilitate removal and replacement of the rectangular sponge.

19. The sampling device of claim 17, wherein the sampling member support is removably coupleable with the base with the one or both coupling features.

20. The sampling device of claim 19, wherein the sampling member support is removably coupleable with the base with the one or both coupling features.

21. The sampling device of claim 19, wherein the one or both coupling features of the sampling member comprise a stepped-down portion having a reduced width.

22. The sampling device of claim 19, wherein the one or both coupling features of the base comprise a cut out portion adapted to interface with the stepped-down portion so as to securely couple the sampling member support within the base.

23. The sampling device of claim 20, wherein the sampling member comprises the coupling features on both end portions, wherein the stepped-down portion are stepped-down in the same or opposing directions.

24. The sampling device of claim 22, wherein the cut out portion comprises a t-shaped cut out portion dimensioned so as to receive the stepped-down portion of the sampling member and secure the sampling member support upon sliding of the sampling member along a lengthwise direction when received within the t-shaped cut out portion.

25. The sampling device of claim 19, wherein the sampling member support comprises an upwardly bent end portion at one end and the base comprises a slot in one laterally extending end portion, the slot being dimensioned so as to receive the upwardly bend end portion of the sampling member so as to facilitate pivotal movement of the sampling member when disposed therein.

26. The sampling device of claim 25, wherein the opposing end portion of the sampling member includes the coupling feature comprising a stepped-down portion and the opposing laterally extending end portion of the base comprises a cut out dimensioned so as to receive the stepped-down portion of the sampling member.

27. The sampling device in claim 11, wherein the sampling member support comprises an upwardly bent end portion at one end and the base comprises a slot in one laterally extending end portion, the slot being dimensioned so as to receive the upwardly bend end portion of the sampling member so as to facilitate pivotal movement of the sampling member when disposed therein.

28. A sampling device comprising:

a sampling member comprising a sample medium having a surface adapted to retain a solid and/or liquid residue of upon contact with a batch of product conveyed by a conveyance system;

a base attachable to the conveyance system and adapted to support the sampling member in a sampling position along a conveyance path of the batch of products; and

a frame adapted to removably couple with the base so as to secure the sampling member in the sampling position.

29. The sampling device of claim 28, wherein the frame is slidable over the sampling member within a channel of the base.

30. The sampling device of claim 28, wherein the frame is mountable over one or more edges of the sampling medium when disposed within the base and secured to the base by one or more latches.

31. A method of sampling for a targeted agent, said method comprising:

removably attaching a sampling member within a conveyance system at a sampling position;

conveying a batch comprising at least one item along a conveyance path such that at least one portion of the batch contacts a sampling medium of the sampling member during conveyance along a conveyance path of the conveyance system; and

removing the sampling medium from the conveyance system after contact with the at least one portion of the batch for testing for the targeted agent.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

testing the targeted agent using the sampling medium to assess a presence of the targeted agent within the batch.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the targeted agent is a biological agent and wherein testing comprises culturing for the biological agent with the sampling medium.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein culturing for the biological agent comprises:

adding a nutrient broth to the exposed sampling medium;

maintaining the sampling medium soaked in the nutrient broth at a temperature within a temperature range suitable for growth of the biological agent for a time period suitable for incubation or reproduction of the biological agent; and

testing/identifying whether the biological agent is present in the cultured broth.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein testing the sampling medium for the targeted agent utilizes spectroscopy.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one item comprises a plurality of food items.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the plurality of food items comprises a plurality of meat cuts or products.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the plurality of meat cuts comprises beef cuts.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the targeted agent comprises E.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the targeted agent comprises a biological agent, contaminant, chemical or other compound.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the targeted agent comprises a pathogen.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein the sampling medium comprises a surface that retains a liquid and/or solid residue upon contacting the at least one portion of the batch.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the surface of the sampling medium retains the liquid and/or solid residue by absorption and/or adsorption, respectively.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the sampling medium comprises a cellulose sponge material without biocides.

45. The method of claim 31, wherein the sampling member is elongate along a longitudinal axis and removably attaching the sampling medium positions the elongate sampling member along its longitudinal axis across the conveyance path to facilitate contact between the at least one portion of the batch and the sampling medium during conveyance.

46. The method of claim 31, wherein removably attaching the sampling medium within the conveyance system comprises attaching a sampling member support along the conveyance path, the sampling member support having the sampling member mounted thereon.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the sampling member support is coupled to a sampling device base secured to a conveyor belt defining the conveyance path during sampling.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the sampling member support comprises one or more shafts or a substantially rectangular plate.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

releasably attaching the sampling medium to the sample member support by feeding the sampling member onto the sample member support.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the sample member comprises an elongate cellulose sheet strip having two or more slits defined therein extending widthwise such that feeding the sample member onto the sample medium support comprises weaving the sample member through the two or more slits in the sample member.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the sample member comprises an elongate cellulose sheet strip having two or more short strips attached at each end to a backside of the sampling member and extending widthwise on the strip such that each strip defines a loop, wherein feeding the sample member onto the sample medium support comprises inserting the sample member support through the two or more slits in the sample member.

52. The method of claim 47, wherein removably attaching the sampling medium within the conveyance system further comprises securing the sample medium support having the sample medium mounted thereon to the sample medium support base.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein securing the sample medium support to the sample device base comprises engaging engineered coupling features near opposing ends of the sample medium support with corresponding engineered coupling features near opposing folded end portions of the base.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the engineered coupling features of the sample medium support comprise stepped-down portions having reduced width and the corresponding engineered coupling feature of the base comprise t-shaped cut outs,

wherein engaging the engineered coupling features of the sample medium support with corresponding engineered coupling features of the base comprises positioning the stepped-down portion having reduced width in the t-shaped cut outs, either concurrently or sequentially, and sliding the sample medium support in a lengthwise direction so as to secure the sample medium support in the sampling position.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the engineered coupling features of the sample medium support comprise stepped-down portions having reduced width and the corresponding engineered coupling feature of the base comprise t-shaped cut outs such that engaging the engineered coupling features of the sample medium support with corresponding engineered coupling features of the base comprises positioning the stepped-down portion having reduced width in the t-shaped cut outs, either concurrently or sequentially, and sliding the sample medium support in a lengthwise direction so as to secure the sample medium support in the sampling position.

56. The method of claim 31, wherein the corresponding coupling features further comprise one or more protrusions of the base plate corresponding to one or more openings in the sampling member support such that securing the sampling member support to the base further comprises positioning the sampling member support so that the one or more protrusions extend through the one or more openings, thereby securing the sampling member along the lengthwise direction.

57. The method of claim 31, wherein removably attaching the sampling medium within the conveyance system comprises positioning the sampling member within a base attached to the conveyor belt and securing the sampling member with a frame through which the sampling medium is exposed when secured.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein removably attaching the sampling medium within the conveyance system comprises positioning the sampling member within a base attached to the conveyor belt and securing the sampling member with a frame through which the sampling medium is exposed when secured.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein securing the sampling member with a frame comprises sliding the frame over the sampling member within the base.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein securing the sampling member with a frame comprises placing the frame over at least a portion of an outer lengthwise edge of the sampling member with the frame and securing the frame with one or more latches.

61. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

conveying one or more additional batches along the conveyance path such that at least one portion of each batch contacts a sampling medium when positioned in a sampling position along the conveyance path during conveyance;

associating the sampling medium with the batch; and

replacing the sampling medium with an additional sampling medium between conveyance of the batch and conveyance of the one or more additional batches.