US3748905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum probe surface sampler
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-30
•
Granted: 1973-07-31
•
Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A vacuum probe surface sampler for rapidly sampling relatively large surface areas which possess relatively light loading densities of micro-organisms, drug particles or the like. A vacuum head having a hollow handle connected to a suitable vacuum source is frictionally attached to a cone assembly terminating in a flared tip adapted to be passed over the surface to be sampled. A fine mesh screen carried by the vacuum head provides support for a membrane filter which collects the microorganisms or other particles with the head assembly being easily removed from the cone assembly without contacting the cone assembly with human hands.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fletcher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/22; G01N1/2202; G01N1/2205; G01N1/24; G01N2001/222; G01N2001/2223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A vacuum probe surface sampler comprising: I. a head assembly, a. said head assembly being cup-shaped and including an integrally attached elongated tubular elongated tubular handle adapted to be grasped by an operator, 1. said tubular handle being connected to a vacuum source for operation of said surface sampler, II. a cone assembly detachably receiving said head assembly, a. said cone assembly including a hollow frusto-conical segment having an integrally attached cup-shaped base portion and an elongated tubular spout, 1. said cup-shaped base portion having a periphery thereof in the form of a tripod, 2. said cup-shaped base portion also serving to receive said head assembly with a notched area in said cup-shaped base portion receiving said tubular handle in such position that when said head assembly is received by said cup-shaped base portion that the entire head assembly will be vertically spaced from the tripod periphery of said cup-shaped portion, 3. said tubular spout terminating in a substantially flattened open tip portion, 4. a pair of leg members integral with said tip portion and adapted to engage the surface to be sampled by said surface sampler while maintaining the major portion of said tip portion slightly spaced from the surface and 5. collecting means detachably mounted within said cone assembly serving to retain samples removed from the surface being sampled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A vacuum probe surface sampler comprising: I. a head assembly, a. said head assembly being cup-shaped and including an integrally attached elongated tubular elongated tubular handle adapted to be grasped by an operator, 1. said tubular handle being connected to a vacuum source for operation of said surface sampler, II. a cone assembly detachably receiving said head assembly, a. said cone assembly including a hollow frusto-conical segment having an integrally attached cup-shaped base portion and an elongated tubular spout, 1. said cup-shaped base portion having a periphery thereof in the form of a tripod, 2. said cup-shaped base portion also serving to receive said head assembly with a notched area in said cup-shaped base portion receiving said tubular handle in such position that when said head assembly is received by said cup-shaped base portion that the entire head assembly will be vertically spaced from the tripod periphery of said cup-shaped portion, 3. said tubular spout terminating in a substantially flattened open tip portion, 4. a pair of leg members integral with said tip portion and adapted to engage the surface to be sampled by said surface sampler while maintaining the major portion of said tip portion slightly spaced from the surface and 5. collecting means detachably mounted within said cone assembly serving to retain samples removed from the surface being sampled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
said cup-shaped base portion also serving to receive said head assembly with a notched area in said cup-shaped base portion receiving said tubular handle in such position that when said head assembly is received by said cup-shaped base portion that the entire head assembly will be vertically spaced from the tripod periphery of said cup-shaped portion,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
said cup-shaped base portion also serving to receive said head assembly with a notched area in said cup-shaped base portion receiving said tubular handle in such position that when said head assembly is received by said cup-shaped base portion that the entire head assembly will be vertically spaced from the tripod periphery of said cup-shaped portion,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vacuum surface probe sampler of claim 1 wherein said collecting means includes: a 100-mesh stainless steel screen carried by said head assembly and supporting a membrane filter for collecting micro-organisms oR the like when said vacuum probe surface sampler is passed over a test surface area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
said tubular spout terminating in a substantially flattened open tip portion,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
said tubular spout terminating in a substantially flattened open tip portion,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vacuum probe surface sampler of claim 2 wherein: said head portion is provided with an annular groove for receiving said screen and wherein the periphery of said screen is received by said annular groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vacuum probe surface sampler of claim 3 and further including a split retaining ring adapted to be received by said annular groove in said head assembly to thereby retain said screen in position within said head assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
a pair of leg members integral with said tip portion and adapted to engage the surface to be sampled by said surface sampler while maintaining the major portion of said tip portion slightly spaced from the surface and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
a pair of leg members integral with said tip portion and adapted to engage the surface to be sampled by said surface sampler while maintaining the major portion of said tip portion slightly spaced from the surface and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
collecting means detachably mounted within said cone assembly serving to retain samples removed from the surface being sampled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
collecting means detachably mounted within said cone assembly serving to retain samples removed from the surface being sampled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vacuum probe surface sampler of claim 1 including an O-ring seal positionable between engaging surfaces of said head assembly and said cone assembly to provide a vacuum seal between these parts when friction-fitted together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
153 words
A vacuum probe surface sampler comprising: a. a head assembly, and b. a cone assembly detachably receiving said head assembly, said head assembly being hollow and including an integrally attached elongated tubular handle adapted to be grasped by an operator, said tubular handle being attachable to a vacuum source at the free end thereof, said cone assembly including an open cup-shaped portion and a base hollow cone portion integral with said cup-shaped portion, said cone portion having an elongated tubular spout integrally extending therefrom, said spout terminating in a flared substantially flattened open tip, said flattened tip having an integrally attached pair of legs extending therefrom so as to maintain the major portion of said tip spaced slightly from a surface contacted by said legs during sampling of the surface for micro-organisms or the like, and means detachably within said cone portion for collecting and retaining samples received from said surface being sampled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
A vacuum probe surface sampler comprising: a. a head assembly, and b. a cone assembly detachably receiving said head assembly, said head assembly being hollow and including an integrally attached elongated tubular handle adapted to be grasped by an operator, said tubular handle being attachable to a vacuum source at the free end thereof, said cone assembly including an open cup-shaped portion and a base hollow cone portion integral with said cup-shaped portion, said cone portion having an elongated tubular spout integrally extending therefrom, said spout terminating in a flared substantially flattened open tip, said flattened tip having an integrally attached pair of legs extending therefrom so as to maintain the major portion of said tip spaced slightly from a surface contacted by said legs during sampling of the surface for micro-organisms or the like, and means detachably within said cone portion for collecting and retaining samples received from said surface being sampled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |