Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An air sampler concentrator comprising: (a) a polymeric adsorbent which adsorbs and preferentially retains amines on heating to temperatures sufficient to desorb moisture, and (b) a selected alkaline adsorbent material which neutralizes acids and readily releases amines and moisture on heating, (b) being positioned so as to minimize access of moisture and acids to (a).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An air sampler concentrator comprising: (a) a polymeric adsorbent which adsorbs and preferentially retains amines on heating to temperatures sufficient to desorb moisture, and (b) a selected alkaline adsorbent material which neutralizes acids and readily releases amines and moisture on heating, (b) being positioned so as to minimize access of moisture and acids to (a).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The concentrator of claim 1 in which (a) is a porous highly aromatic, temperature-stable organic polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The concentrator of claim 1 in which (b) is positioned upstream of (a).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The concentrator of claim 3 in which (b) is an inorganic porous material which retains its porosity on exposure to moisture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The concentrator of claim 4 in which (b) is soda lime.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The concentrator of claim 2 in which (a) is a polymer based on 2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The concentrator of claim 5 in which (a) and (b) are held in place by inert porous retaining means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The concentrator of claim 7 in which the proportion of (a) is from about 100 to about 200% by wt. based on (b).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The concentrator of claim 1 in combination with means to circulate air through (b) and (a).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The concentrator of claim 9 in further combination with means to heat (a) and (b). CLAIMS (cont.):
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The concentrator of claim 10 in further combination with means to selectively vent or pass for detection vapors desorbed from (a) and (b).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The concentrator of claim 11 in further combination with a second downstream adsorber able to retain and quickly release the amine vapors.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of detecting trace amounts of amine vapors in ambient atmospheres including moisture and acidic gases comprising: (i) circulating the atmosphere through a sampler concentrator comprising (a) a polymeric adsorbent which adsorbs and preferentially retains amines on heating to temperatures sufficient to desorb moisture, and (b) a selected alkaline adsorbent material which neutralizes acids and readily releases amines and moisture on heating, (b) being positioned so as to minimize access of moisture and acids to (a), until significant amounts of any amine vapors present have been adsorbed; (ii) heating the concentrator to a temperature and for a time sufficient to desorb moisture and amine but not acids from (b) and, moisture but not amine from (a), and venting the desorbed moisture vapors; and (iii) further heating the concentrator to a temperature and for a time sufficient to desorb amine and conducting the desorbed amine vapors to detecting means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of detecting trace amounts of amine vapors in ambient atmospheres including moisture and acidic gases comprising: (i) circulating the atmosphere through a sampler concentrator comprising (a) a polymeric adsorbent which adsorbs and preferentially retains amines on heating to temperatures sufficient to desorb moisture, and (b) a selected alkaline adsorbent material which neutralizes acids and readily releases amines and moisture on heating, (b) being positioned so as to minimize access of moisture and acids to (a), until significant amounts of any amine vapors present have been adsorbed; (ii) heating the concentrator to a temperature and for a time sufficient to desorb moisture and amine but not acids from (b) and, moisture but not amine from (a), and venting the desorbed moisture vapors; and (iii) further heating the concentrator to a temperature and for a time sufficient to desorb amine and conducting the desorbed amine vapors to detecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 in which the concentrator comprises: (a) a polymer based on 2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide, and (b) soda lime.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 in which the soda lime is positioned upstream of the polymer in the concentrator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 in which the heating in step (ii) is to a temperature within the range of about 50-250°C. CLAIMS (cont.):
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 in which the heating in step (iii) is to a temperature within the range of about 70-300°C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 in which vapors of phenylalkyl amines are detected.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 18 in which the amines are amphetamine or methamphetamine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the amine vapors from (iii) are adsorbed on a second adsorber downstream, and then released quickly and fed to the amine detecting means.