Method and system for sampling and determining the presence of compounds in containers
First Claim
1. A method of sampling and determining the presence of certain substances in a container comprising the steps of:
- injecting fluid into an opening in said container in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof 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; and
analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain substances therein.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. In one embodiment about 90% of the sample evacuated is diverted from the analyzer and recirculated into the air injector. In another embodiment a fan is provided to blow remnants of the sample cloud downstream of the test station. A hood may be provided in a shroud assembly at the test station to provide proper aerodynamics for the region for removal of those remnants.
28 Citations
52 Claims
-
1. A method of sampling and determining the presence of certain substances in a container comprising the steps of:
-
injecting fluid into an opening in said container in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof 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; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain substances therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 37, 52)
-
-
18. 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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. 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. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
-
-
47. 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. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51)
-
Specification