Patent ID: 8911990
Filing Date: 2014-12-16
Classification: C12M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A surface sampling device for increasing the number of discrete surface samples taken during sampling of a multi-piece sample, comprising: a cylindrical housing having external and internal surfaces defining a housing wall, a sample-proximal end having an opening therein, a sample-distal end having an opening therein, and an internal channel between the ends, the channel generally defining an axis and a forward direction toward the sample-proximal end; at least one aperture within the housing wall, the aperture in communication with the internal channel and comprising a directional sample cutting or shaving surface at an external edge thereof, the directional cutting or shaving surface operative with the aperture upon rotation of the housing, to direct cuttings or shavings toward the internal channel; and a shaft member having a diameter less than the internal housing diameter and receivable into the housing at the sample-proximal housing end, the shaft member comprising: a sample-distal shaft end insertable through and extending beyond the sample-distal housing end opening; a sample-proximal shaft end-cap receivable into the sample-proximal housing end opening to seal the opening; a shaft attachment member positioned on the shaft between the distal shaft end and the shaft end-cap, the attachment member receivable into the sample-distal housing end and positioned at a distance from the shaft end-cap to hold the end-cap in sealable communication with the sample-proximal housing end opening; and a piston in communication with the internal housing surface and positioned on the shaft between the shaft attachment member and the shaft end-cap and defining a sample collecting chamber within the internal channel between the piston and the end-cap, and wherein the at least one aperture is in communication with the collecting chamber.