Patent ID: 7487689
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for removing samples of a substance from a surface of an item for inspection, the method comprising: surrounding an item for inspection by an enclosure, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure is flexible; conforming the flexible portion of the enclosure to the size of the item for inspection by sucking air out of the enclosure through at least one second conduit; directing a gas flow into the enclosure through at least one first conduit embedded in the flexible portion, after the flexible portion conforms, via an outlet from the at least one first conduit into the enclosure adjacent the surface, wherein the outlet is configured for directing the gas flow as it leaves the outlet at an angle that is not perpendicular to the flexible portion adjacent to the outlet; and extracting gas samples out of the enclosure through the at least one second conduit embedded within the flexible portion.