Patent ID: 7846742
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: F41H,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting a substance to be detected containing at least one component dispersible in air in the form of solid particles, comprising the following steps: a) when a load that might contain said substance to be detected is not itself contained in a closed space, placing said load in a substantially closed space, at least for a predetermined storage time for allowing solid particles of said substance to be detected to disperse in air; b) inserting at least one sampling member for sampling the air contained inside said closed space, at least after said load has been stored for said predetermined time in said closed space, said sampling member comprising at least one filter presenting pore or mesh size adapted to filtering solid particles of said substance that might be dispersed in the air contained in said closed space; said filter comprising a hollow tubular outer casing containing a filter-forming element which is supported on a central element that is likewise in the form of a hollow tube but that is closed at one end so as to prevent air from passing through and to oblige air to pass longitudinally through substantially the full length of the filter-forming element; said filter-forming element comprising a woven or non-woven fabric; c) sucking in the air contained in said closed space via said sampling member containing said filter for a period of time necessary for filtering a sufficient quantity of air that might contain solid particles of said substance dispersed in said air; d) removing the filter from the sampling member and optionally placing it in a hermetically closed receptacle prior to performing detection; and e) proceeding to detect the presence, if any, of a solid particles of substance to be detected retained on said filter, at room temperature.