초록 ▼

A method of detecting contraband substances in freight cargo containers in which the container is agitated to disturb particulates therein, and air containing such particulates is then sampled and the particulates collected. The collected particulates include naturally occurring particulates which h

A method of detecting contraband substances in freight cargo containers in which the container is agitated to disturb particulates therein, and air containing such particulates is then sampled and the particulates collected. The collected particulates include naturally occurring particulates which have absorbed vapors of the contraband substance during the entire time that the container has been closed, and also include particulates of the contraband substance itself. The collected particulates are then heated to a temperature above 160°C. to drive off vapors indicative of the contraband substance and the vapors are analyzed in a mass analyzer.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of detecting a substance in the contents of a container, said substance being of the kind which emits particulates, said method comprising the steps of: (1) agitating said contents of said container by an agitator connected directly to said container, immediately prior to step (2) below, an

A method of detecting a substance in the contents of a container, said substance being of the kind which emits particulates, said method comprising the steps of: (1) agitating said contents of said container by an agitator connected directly to said container, immediately prior to step (2) below, and thereby agitating at least some of said particulates present on surfaces in said container thereby causing at least some of said particulates present within said container to become airborne within said container, (2) sucking air containing said airborne particulates from said container into a collector without vacuuming any surfaces in said container and collecting at least some of said particulates, such collection being without heating said particulates sufficiently to release vapor of said substance therefrom, (3) then after collecting said particulates, rapidly heating said collected particulates to a temperature above 160°C. to release vapor of said substance therefrom, and (4) analyzing said vapor for said substance.