Beverage analysis sample

• US 6,153,147 A
• Filed: 10/06/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Integral Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Integral Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Craig, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WALLENHORST, MAUREEN
• Application Number:
  US09/166,992
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 422/59, 422/58, 422/56, 422/61, 422/939, 436/169, 436/165, 436/810, 436/901
• US Class Current: 422/408
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/045 whereby the whole cover is slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0672 Integrated piercing tool
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/007 Devices specially adapted for forensic samples, e.g. tamper-proofing, sample tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/14 Beverages
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/94 involving narcotics or drugs or pharmaceuticals, neurotransmitters or associated receptors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/901 Drugs of abuse, e.g. narcotics, amphetamine

Abstract

The device includes a housing having a main body including an analysis chamber with at least one chemical reagent composition contained therein and a vessel portion for receiving and capturing a fluid specimen taken from a beverage. The device is structured to transfer the captured fluid specimen from the vessel portion to the analysis chamber wherein the chemical reagent composition, when exposed to the fluid specimen, performs a visible presumptive color assay to determine whether undesirable substances, such as fulnitrazepam, sodium gamma hydroxybutyric acid or caffeine, are contained in the beverage. One or more windows are provided on the housing for viewing the results of the visible presumptive color assay. The fluid specimen and one or more chemical reagent compositions remain contained within the analysis chamber to prevent contamination of the beverage as well as tampering with the captured fluid specimen.

Claims

1. A beverage analysis device comprising:

a housing including an analysis chamber containing at least one chemical reagent composition;

said housing further including means for capturing a fluid specimen taken from a beverage;

at least one aperture in said housing for permitting entry of said fluid specimen from said beverage into said capturing means;

means for isolating said at least one chemical reagent composition from said capturing means and said at least one aperture when capturing the fluid specimen, thereby preventing release of said at least one chemical reagent composition into the beverage;

means for transferring said captured fluid specimen to said analysis chamber wherein said at least one chemical reagent composition, when exposed to said fluid specimen, performs a visible presumptive color assay to identify whether one or more select substances are present in said fluid specimen;

means for protectively containing said transferred fluid specimen and said at least one chemical reagent composition within said housing to prevent release of said transferred fluid specimen and said at least one chemical reagent composition out from said at least one aperture and to prevent contact of said transferred fluid and said at least one chemical reagent composition with said beverage in which the device is inserted;

window means on said housing for viewing said visible presumptive color assay being performed within said analysis chamber.

2. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a main body including said analysis chamber therein and said main body further including a vessel portion for receiving said fluid specimen therein.

3. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one aperture is disposed in fluid flow communication with said vessel portion for permitting entry of said fluid specimen into said vessel portion.

4. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for containing includes cover means for covering said at least one aperture, said cover means being operable from an initial first closed position, wherein said cover means is covering said at least one aperture, to an open position, wherein said at least one aperture is uncovered to permit fluid flow of said fluid specimen therethrough and into said vessel portion, said cover means being further operable to a second closed position for covering said at least one aperture, thereby capturing said fluid specimen within said main body.

5. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 4 further including an ampoule containing said at least one chemical reagent composition therein, said ampoule being positioned within said analysis chamber of said main body.

6. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 5 wherein said ampoule includes an outer seal membrane defining a barrier between said at least one chemical reagent composition and said vessel portion of said main body.

7. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 6 wherein said means for transferring said captured fluid specimen includes means for puncturing said outer seal membrane upon movement of said cover means to said second closed position, thereby allowing passage of said fluid specimen from said vessel portion into said ampoule for exposure to said at least one chemical reagent composition therein.

8. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for containing includes lock means for locking said cover means relative to said main body upon said cover means reaching said second closed position, thereby containing said at least one chemical reagent composition and said captured fluid specimen within said main body of the device.

9. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 8 wherein said ampoule contains a plurality of chemical reagent compositions therein.

10. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 9 wherein said ampoule includes one or more internal permeable membranes separating each of said plurality of chemical reagent compositions therein, wherein said one or more inner permeable membranes are structured and disposed to permit passage of said fluid specimen therethrough.

11. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 1 wherein said analysis chamber contains a plurality of chemical reagent compositions for performing independent visible presumptive color assays when exposed to said fluid specimen.

12. A beverage analysis device comprising:

a housing having a main body including an analysis chamber containing at least one chemical reagent composition, said main body further including a vessel portion for receiving a fluid specimen;

means for capturing a fluid specimen taken from a beverage within said vessel portion;

at least one aperture in said housing for permitting entry of said fluid specimen from said beverage into said capturing means;

means for isolating said at least one chemical reagent from said capturing means and said at least one aperture when capturing the fluid specimen, thereby preventing release of said at least one chemical reagent composition into the beverage;

means for transferring said captured fluid specimen from said vessel portion to said analysis chamber wherein said at least one chemical reagent composition, when exposed to said fluid specimen, performs a visible presumptive color assay to identify whether one or more select substances are present in said fluid specimen;

means for protectively containing said at least one chemical reagent composition and said transferred fluid specimen within said main body to prevent contact of the at least one chemical reagent composition and the transferred fluid specimen with the beverage in which the device is inserted; and

means for viewing said visible presumptive color assay from an exterior of said device.

13. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 12 wherein said at least one aperture is structured and disposed for permitting entry of said fluid specimen into said vessel portion.

14. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 12 wherein said analysis chamber contains a plurality of chemical reagent compositions, each of said plurality of chemical reagent compositions being structured and disposed for performing independent visible presumptive color assays when exposed to said fluid specimen to thereby identify whether one or more select substances are present in said fluid specimen.

15. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 12 wherein said main body is structured and configured in the form of a strip.

16. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 15 wherein said strip includes one or more sheets of a substrate disposed in overlying relation and sealed about an outer periphery thereof.

17. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 12 wherein said housing includes at least one portion defining said main body and having a generally tubular structure.

18. The beverage analysis device as recited in claim 12 wherein said housing includes a plurality of portions, including said main body, each of said portions having a generally tubular structure and being telescopically extendible to adjust an overall length of said housing.

19. A beverage analysis device comprising:

a housing having a main body including an analysis chamber containing at least one chemical reagent composition and a vessel portion, said main body further including at least one aperture disposed in fluid flow communication with said vessel portion for permitting entry of a fluid specimen into said vessel portion;

means for capturing said fluid specimen taken from the beverage and including cover means for covering said at least one aperture, said cover means being operable from an initial first closed position, wherein said cover means is covering said at least one aperture, to an open position, wherein said at least one aperture is uncovered to permit fluid flow of said fluid specimen therethrough and into said vessel portion, said cover means being further operable to a second closed position for covering said at least one aperture, thereby capturing said fluid specimen within said main body and isolating said fluid specimen and said at least one chemical reagent composition from the beverage in which the device is inserted;

means for isolating said at least one chemical reagent composition from said capturing means and said at least one aperture when capturing the fluid specimen, thereby preventing release of said at least one chemical reagent composition into the beverage;

means for transferring said captured fluid specimen from said vessel portion to said analysis chamber wherein said at least one chemical reagent composition, when exposed to said fluid specimen, performs a visible presumptive color assay to identify whether one or more select substances are present in said fluid specimen; and

means for viewing said visible presumptive color assay from an exterior of said device.