Method and apparatus for collecting saliva

Claim 1

Apparatus for collecting a saliva specimen from a test subject, comprising (a) a masticatable, mass of saliva-absorptive material in the form of a cellulose sponge means; (b) collection means having an entrance aperture providing access to the interior thereof; (c) means for expressing absorbed saliva from said mass into said collection means comprising a tube within which said mass may be disposed, a barrier formed at one end of said tube, said barrier including an exit aperture of small enough dimension to prohibit the passage of said mass therethrough; (d) a movable plunger fitting within said tube and having a cavity formed therein for storing said sponge means; (e) said exit aperture being in alignment with said entrance aperture; (f) first screw threads formed on interior surfaces of said tube; (g) second screw threads formed on the exterior surfaces of said plunger and engaging said first screw threads; and (h) a removable cover completely spanning said cavity and resiliently engaging said plunger.

Claim 5

A method for collecting a volume of saliva as a specimen from a test subject, comprising the steps of (a) storing a mass of saliva absorptive material within collection means adapted to express and contain saliva; (b) removing said mass from said collection means and providing said mass to said subject for mastication and for charging with a volume of saliva; (c) placing said charged mass within a hollow cylindrical barrel, having two ends, in said collection means; (d) pressing said charged mass against a filter covering one end of said barrel by inserting a piston telescopically into the other end of said barrel; (e) expressing said saliva from said charged mass through said filter into a collection area of said collection means adapted to receive said saliva.

Claim 6

A method for collecting a volume of saliva as a specimen from a test subject, comprising the steps of (a) storing a mass of saliva absorptive material within collection means adapted to express and contain saliva; (b) removing said mass from said collection means and providing said mass to said subject for mastication and for charging with a volume of saliva; (c) placing said charged mass within a hollow cylindrical barrel, having two ends, in said collection means; (d) pressing said charged mass against a filter covering one end of said barrel by inserting a piston telescopically into the other end of said barrel; (e) expressing said saliva from said charged mass through said filter into a collection area of said collection means adapted to receive said saliva.