Abstract:
A micro-organism testing apparatus comprising a multi-compartment resealable container provided with or adapted to receive a growth medium ( 97 ) in one compartment ( 83 ) and having a growth medium additive in another compartment ( 84, 85, 86 ), the compartments being separated by a barrier ( 95 ) whose removal or puncture will expose the medium to the additive. A barrier puncure mechanism, such as “saw tooth” shaped teeth can be used and further compartments and barrier puncture mechanisms can be used.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to the detection of micro-organisms, in particular, apparatus adapted to grow the micro-organisms and test apparatus to test the grown micro-organisms as well as a method of detecting micro-organisms using one or both types of apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND ART KNOWN TO THE APPLICANT 
       [0002]    The contamination of water, foodstuffs, additives, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the like by undesirable micro-organisms represents a significant threat to public health. In the past, a number of methods to monitor the presence of such micro-organisms in foodstuff, water supplies and on food preparation surfaces have been developed. 
         [0003]    Generally such methods rely on conventional microbiological techniques, typically including the growth of micro-organisms on selective nutrient solid support media or alternatively in selective nutrient media. Subsequent morphological and biochemical analyses are then carried out under laboratory conditions by skilled personnel. 
         [0004]    One such technique currently carried out by the Applicant involves the use of a growth medium already stored in an evacuated UV light penetrative, clear plastics container that is sealed with a rubber septum. 
         [0005]    The liquid sample to be tested is introduced into the container through the septum via a needle or some other form of cannulas, the pressure difference ensuring that the sample is “sucked” into the container. The sample is then incubated and tested for specific or broad types of micro-organisms using visual techniques. 
         [0006]    By necessity, some of these testing techniques tend to be carried out on products just before they are to be sent into the marketplace and these products cannot enter the market place until the results are back from the testing laboratories. 
         [0007]    In respect of products for human consumption, some of the methods employed to remove any residual harmful bacteria have usually just taken place and thus, not too surprisingly, the level of bacteria that the testing techniques are designed to look for is so low that the test result for this bacteria is “negative”. As such, the product is passed fit for human consumption. 
         [0008]    However, the bacteria although present in un-detectably small quantities are nevertheless still present and multiply and under the right conditions, given the shelf life of the product, may be able to recover to the extent that the bacteria are suddenly present in sufficient quantity to cause harm once the product is consumed. 
         [0009]    This problem of “shelf life recovery” is a serious one in many types of industry and very few solutions to this problem apart from limiting the shelf life of the product to a very small time frame have been proposed. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, the micro-organism testing kits (of the type described above) have relatively low shelf lives “out in the field” as UV light tends to kill the growth medium contained therein. In addition, the material once tested may or may not be a bio-hazard and disposal of such materials is expensive and legislation in this area is only ever going to increase the cost of disposal of such materials. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to try to provide “go anywhere” self contained apparatus by which unskilled personnel and without the use or need of a laboratory may be able to carryout tests for or involving micro-organisms which will lead to a reliable and trustworthy result. 
         [0012]    It is also an object of the present invention to try and alleviate at least some of the aforementioned problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. 
         [0013]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus that may be used for medical, diagnostic or chemical testing purposes. 
       STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a micro-organism testing apparatus for carrying out tests for or involving micro-organisms comprising a multi-compartment resealable container provided with or adapted to receive a growth medium in one compartnent and having a growth medium additive in another compartment, the compartments being separated by a barrier whose removal or puncture will expose the medium to the additive. 
         [0015]    Preferably the growth medium additive is an agent (for example bleach or a product known by the Registered Trade Mark VERKON®) capable of killing the micro-organisms within the container. As such, the biohazard problem can, in principle, be ‘reduced’ or eliminated entirely. 
         [0016]    Although the reseatable nature of the container could be something as simple as a rubber septum, it is preferable if it were some form of removable lid. If the septum variant is employed, a moveable cannula could be fitted to the apparatus inside a sleeve that is fits over the septum to allow safe use of the cannula when using it to pass a sample into the apparatus. 
         [0017]    Preferably the apparatus has at least three compartments, the third containing a further additive. This further additive may include bacteria This would be useful if the test sample is milk. If antibiotics are present in the milk, the bacteria may be killed by the antibiotics providing a test result for the presence of the antibiotic but if the bacteria flourish, then the milk sample may be viewed as antibiotic free. This demonstrates a test involving (but not for) microorganisms. Alternatively, this additive may include a bacterium or microorganisms specific detector, growth promotant, selective growth promotant, growth metabolic or biochemical indicator selective growth agent and a non specific container sterilising medium. 
         [0018]    More preferably still the apparatus comprises a tubular body portion provided with screw theads at either end and two closure members each containing complementary screw threads and each containing a compartnent (sealed by one or more barriers), housing at least one additive and a similar number of barrier removal or puncture mechanism. 
         [0019]    The removal of the barrier could for example constitute a pair of apertured completely overlying concentric rotatable discs where in one position the apertures of one disc do not overlie the apertures of the second disc thus presenting a “sealed” barrier and upon rotation of one disc relative to the other, at least some of the apertures align removing the “sealed” nature of the barrier to allow either the growth medium or additive to enter the rest of the apparatus. Alternatively, the barrier may simply be removable by tearing it off. 
         [0020]    Preferably however, the apparatus comprises a barrier puncture mechanism adapted to move from a first barrier intact position to a second barrier punctured position. Such a mechanism may be resilient so that once it has been moved from its first to its second position, it can recover and return automatically to its first position again. 
         [0021]    For example if the barrier comprises two discs incorporating surfaces that may act as blades, the rotation of the discs could cause the barrier (if it were made of foil) to tear. However, more preferably, the movement of the puncture mechanism is a translational movement. This does not necessarily mean that actuation of the puncture mechanism is through a translational movement (although it probably will be), one could envisage a scenario whereby rotation of the puncture mechanism causes it to move in a translational direction, similar to the rotary action of a domestic tap that causes the spindle to move translational manner to enable water to flow. 
         [0022]    As premature barrier removal is undesirable, preferably, the barrier puncture mechanism is provided with means to prevent accidental actuation of the mechanism. 
         [0023]    These means could take the form of physical covers that wholly encase the puncture mechanism, a barrier or wall that offers only partial protection or a locking member. 
         [0024]    More preferably, the means are in the form of a locking member adapted to lock the mechanism in its first position. 
         [0025]    There may be multiple barriers or only one (if it were to comprise a pair of wells one housing the growth medium and the other housing an additive), however, preferably there is more than one barrier. 
         [0026]    More preferably still, there is more than one barrier puncture mechanism (which may or may not be identical in design to the first). If there are two, they may be located at opposite ends of the apparatus. 
         [0027]    The additive may be a so-called controlled release additive. Altematively, it could be a timed release additive in the sense that a barrier puncture mechanism could be so operatively connected to the apparatus as to puncture a barrier containing additive after a timed delay via a “press and forget” system which a person skilled in the art would be able to design. 
         [0028]    The additive may be in the form of a tablet, a powder, a liquid or a strip of material impregnated with the additive through fiquid absorption or adsorption. 
         [0029]    Preferably there is more than one additive. The design of the apparatus could be such that once an additive has been added via the removal of a barrier, access to the interior of the container would not normally be possible. Alternatively, the apparatus could be provided with a lockable lid that could only be locked once a lock prevention device has been removed from the apparatus. This lock prevention device could be a barrier in the form of a tub or cup or removable gasket. 
         [0030]    More preferably, each additive is enclosed within its own barrier and its own barrier puncture or removal mechanism. 
         [0031]    For the avoidance of doubt, “growth promotant” means anything that enables bacteria to grow or provide an environment in which more rapid growth can occur and typical growth promotants include water, sugars, peptones and particulate matter. Furthermore, and again for the avoidance of doubt, a selective growth agent includes one which either inhibits growth of all the bacteria that is not the subject of investigation or is specifically required by the species being investigated for growth and typical selective growth agents include sodium chloride and bile salts or selective antibiotics. Typical growth indicators include resazurin, fluorescein and brilliant green. 
         [0032]    Yet more preferably, each barrier puncture mechanism once actuated, is adapted to release a separate additive. 
         [0033]    Although the apparatus could comprise many types of plastics or glass material, it is preferable if the body of the apparatus absorbs UV light and does not allow it to pass through the apparatus. 
         [0034]    Preferably the apparatus incorporates a swab that may or may not be integral with part of the apparatus and which may or may not be supplied with a wetting agent which may be a non specific growth medium. 
         [0035]    Preferably the apparatus is provided with a mesh or sieve to filter or trap solid particles of a test specimen whilst allowing the grow th medium to interact with the specimen. 
         [0036]    Although it may be removable for cleaning purposes, it would be more preferable if the mesh or sieve is integrally locked or forms an integral part of the apparatus. 
         [0037]    Preferably the mesh size is in the range of 25-250 microns, more preferably 70-200 microns. 
         [0038]    The micro-organism under test could be fungi, yeast or protozoa, however, preferably the micro-organism that is going to be tested for is a bacterium or a number of different strains of bacteria. 
         [0039]    The invention includes within its scope micro-organism testing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0040]    The invention also includes within its scope a testing apparatus fitted with one or more micro-organism testing apparatus&#39;s as specified herein 
         [0041]    The testing apparatus may be adapted to warm the test sample up to 37 degrees or more. 
         [0042]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of testing for or at least using one type of micro-organism using a micro-organism testing apparatus of the type specified herein and comprising the steps of:
       unsealing a container to gain access to its interior and adding a sample to be tested to a growth medium present in the container,   resealing the container and subsequently allowing the growth medium and sample to mix;   visually checking for a colour change in the solution;   removing a barrier to allow an additive to kill the micro-organisms present within the container.       
 
         [0047]    Although a visual check may be all that is necessary to see whether one or more micro-organisms is/are present, it may be preferable to place the apparatus into additional testing apparatus adapted to test for the presence of the micro-organism via a more sensitive means. Such apparatus is described in New Zealand Patent Application No. 539210 which forms appendix 1 of this application. 
         [0048]    Preferably the micro-organism is a bacteriumn. 
         [0049]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of testing for at least one type of micro-organism comprising the steps of:
       Unsealing a container of the type specified herein to gain access to at least one barrier of the container that separates compartments within the container, one compartment containing a bacterial testing agent;   adding a sample to be tested to the container   adding a growth medium to the container,   resealing the container and subsequently allowing the growth medium, sample and bacterial testing agent to mix;   testing for the presence of the micro-organism and subsequently adding an additive to the container to kill the micro-organisms present within it.       
 
         [0055]    Unsealing the container may be achieved through the puncturing of a rubber septum. 
         [0056]    Preferably the barrier is removed by puncturing it. 
         [0057]    Preferably, the growth medium is an aqueous growth medium. 
         [0058]    The method further includes the step of placing the apparatus into the test apparatus in appendix 1 to obtain the test results. 
         [0059]    The apparatus and the methods of teting described herein provide a self contained kit for testing material that does not require the use of a laboratory, can combine tests for multiple types of micro-organisms in the same piece of apparatus and is simple to use (you do not need to be a trained scientist to use or indeed understand how to use the apparatus) and is safe to use. 
         [0060]    This is because an operator after sealing the apparatus with the test sample inside is probably not going to be able to open the apparatus again so the mixing of additives/growth promoters etc is all self contained and there is no possibility of the contents spilling out and contaminating the tester or the environment. 
         [0061]    Finally, the tested material can be sanitized or rendered safe, again without the tester being able to contact the tested sample. 
         [0062]    The invention includes within its scope methods substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any appropriate selection or combination of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0063]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which: 
           [0064]      FIG. 1  illustrates a sectional side view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0065]      FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional side view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0066]      FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0067]      FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional side view of a further embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0068]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0069]      FIG. 6  illustrates a sectional side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0070]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of a locking mechanism used to lock a lid to a body of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0071]      FIG. 8  illustrates an underside view of a base of the lid illustrating a complementary locking mechanism to that illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0072]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a bacterium testing apparatus comprising a screw threaded container generally referenced  1 . The container  1  comprises a body  2  containing an aqueous growth medium  3  and a lid  4 . The internal face of the lid  4  about its circumferential periphery is provided with resilient wadding  5  adapted to create a water tight seal with the body  2  when the lid  4  is tightly screwed to the body  2  via the mating threads  8 . 
         [0073]    A foil barrier  6  overlies and mates with the circumferential peripheral face or mouth of the body  2  in a watertight manner. The barrier  6  is provided with a tag  9  (that reveals itself when the lid  4  is removed), to enable the barrier  6  to be removed from the mouth of the body  2  of the container  1  when the lid  2  has been unscrewed from the body  2 . 
         [0074]    Substantially centrally located on the internal face of the lid  4  is a circular sheet of filter paper  7  impregnated with a bacterium testing agent. 
         [0075]    Operation of the apparatus  1  is as follows; 
         [0076]    The lid  4  is unscrewed from the body  2  by an individual (not illustrated) who is about to perform the bacterial test. Then the individual grabs the tag  9  and pulling the tag  9  swiftly across the mouth of the body of the container  2  removes the barrier  6  exposing the growth medium  3  held within the body  2  of the container  1  for the first time. 
         [0077]    The sample to be tested (not illustrated) in this particular example is milk powder and the tester is going to be looking for coliform bacteria The sample is then placed into the medium  3  and the lid  4  screwed tightly back onto the body  2  of the container  1 , the resilient wadding  5  forming a watertight seal for the container  1 . 
         [0078]    Subsequent inversion or shaldng of the container  1  causes mixing of the bacterium testing agent with the growth medium/sample mixture or growth medium solvent/dissolved sample solute. The container  1  is then placed in an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for an adequate passage of time. Removal of the container  1  and a visual check of the growth median  3  will tell whether the bacterium is present because the growth medium will have experienced a visible colour change. 
         [0079]      FIG. 2  shows a different embodiment to that shown in  FIG. 1  although the general features of the apparatus generally referenced  1 A are the same as previously described hereinabove. However, in this particular embodiment, instead of a piece of filter paper impregnated with a bacterium testing agent, there is provided a cylindrical foil pocket  22  containing a bacterium testing agent  23 . 
         [0080]    Again, the pocket  22  is centrally located on the internal face of the lid  4 , with the mouth of the pocket  22  permanently sealed to the internal face of the lid  4 . Concentric with the pocket  22  and located on the exterior surface of the lid  4  is an upwardly projecting sleeve  21  that acts as a guide for and houses a sliding plunger  20 . The top of the plunger  20  is provided with a flange that overlies the sleeve  21  and acts as a stop member to prevent the plunger  20  from moving beyond a certain point when depressed and the base portion of the plunger  20  is provided with a cutting edge to puncture the base of the pocket  22  when it is depressed. 
         [0081]    Surrounding the lid  4  is a relatively inflexible plastics bubble  24  sealed to the container  1 A below the screw thread  8  that acts as a physical guard against the accidental depression of the plunger  20 . This “guard”  24  also acts as a visual tamper proof check to see if the container  1 A has already been opened. 
         [0082]    Operation of the apparatus  1 A is as follows: 
         [0083]    The guard  24  is broken and subsequently removed by an individual (not illustrated) who is about to perform the bacterial test. Then the lid  4  is unscrewed from the body  2  by the individual. Then the individual grabs the tag  9  and pulling the tag  9  swiftly across the mouth of the body of the container  2  removes the barrier  6  exposing the growth medium  3  held within the body  2  of the container  1 A for the first time. 
         [0084]    The item to be tested (not illustrated) is then placed into the medium  3  and the lid  4  screwed tightly back onto the body  2  of the container  1 A, the resilient wadding  5  forming a watertight seal for the container  1 A. 
         [0085]    The plunger  20  is then depressed puncturing the pocket  22  and allowing the pocket&#39;s contents  23  to mix with the growth medium  3  and sample. 
         [0086]    Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container  1 A causes further mixing of the bacterium testing agent  23  with the growth medium/sample mixture or growth medium solvent/dissolved sample solute. The container  1 A is then placed in an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for a sufficient time period. Removal of the container  1 A and a visual check of the growth medium  3  will tell whether the bacterium that is being tested for is present because the growth medium will have experienced a visible colour change. 
         [0087]      FIG. 3  shows a different embodiment to that shown in  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2  although the general features of the apparatus generally referenced  1 B are the same as previously described in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0088]    However, in this particular embodiment, instead of a single plunger, the lid  4  possesses a pair of plungers  42  arranged in side by side relationship and instead of the guard being in the form of a bubble, each plunger is provided with a removable clip  40  located in the space between the top of the sleeve  20  and the base of the flange. The clip  40  prevents depression of the plunger until it is removed. 
         [0089]    Furthermore, in this embodiment, the barrier  6  is not present One of the plungers  42  contains a second bacterium testing agent  50  adapted to test for another subset of bacteria after the first test using the other plunger  42  has been carried out. 
         [0090]    Operation of the apparatus  1 B is as follows: 
         [0091]    The clips  40  are removed by an individual (not illustrated) who is about to perform the bacterial Test. Then the lid  4  is unscrewed from the body  2  by the individual, exposing the growth medium  3  held within the body  2  of the container  1 B for the first time. The item to be tested (not illustrated) is then placed into the medium  3  and the lid  4  screwed tightly back onto the body  2  of the container  1 B, the resilient wadding  5  forming a watertight seal for the container  1 B. The container  1 B is then placed in an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for an adequate time period. 
         [0092]    The plunger  42  is then depressed puncturing the pocket  22  and allowing the pocket&#39;s contents  23  to mix with the growth medium  3 . 
         [0093]    Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container  1 B causes further mixing of the bacterium testing agent  23  with the growth medium/sample mixture or growth medium solvent/dissolved sample solute. Removal of the container  1 B from the incubator and a visual check of the growth medium  3  will tell whether the bacterium that is being tested for is present because the growth medium will have experienced a visible colour change. 
         [0094]    Once this test has been completed, the container  1 B is removed from the incubator. 
         [0095]    The other plunger  42  is depressed puncturing the pocket  22 A and allowing the pocket&#39;s contents  50  to mix with the contents of the container  1 B. 
         [0096]    Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container  1 B causes further mixing of the bacterium testing agent  50  with the container  1 B contents. Again, the container is placed in the incubator and heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time period. 
         [0097]    Removal of the container IB from the incubator and a visual check of the growth medium  3  will tell whether this second bacterium that is being tested for is present because the effect of the presence of this other bacterium in the presence of the contents  50  will produce another colour change. 
         [0098]      FIG. 4  shows a different embodiment to that shown in the other figures although the general features of the apparatus generally referenced  1 C are the same as previously described in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0099]    However, in this particular embodiment, there is no guard. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the barrier  6  is not present The base of the container  1 C however, is provided with a spring loaded  61  sealed  60  bleach containing  63  reservoir with a tang  64  adapted to break the base of the container  1 C allowing the contents of the container  1 C to mix with the bleaching agent  63  to kill the live contents of the container  1 C after the test has been completed thus dispensing with the need to incinerate the apparatus  1 C post testing. 
         [0100]    Operation of the apparatus  1 C is as follows: 
         [0101]    The lid  4  is unscrewed from the body  2  by an individual (not illustrated) who is about to perform the bacterial test exposing the growth medium  3  held within the body  2  of the container  1 C for the first time. The item to be tested (not illustrated) is then placed into the medium  3  and the lid  4  screwed tightly back onto the body  2  of the container  1 C, the resilient wadding  5  forming a watertight seal for the container  1 C. 
         [0102]    The plunger  20  is then depressed puncturing the pocket  22  and allowing the pocket&#39;s contents  23  to mix with the growth medium  3 . 
         [0103]    Subsequent inversion or shaking of the container  1 C causes further mixing of the bacterium testing agent  23  with the growth medium/sample mixture or growth medium solvent/dissolved sample solute. The container  1 C is then placed in an incubator and warmed to 37 degrees for an adequate time period. Removal of the container  1 C and a visual check of the growth medium  3  will tell whether the bacterium that is being tested for is present because the growth medium will have experienced a visible colour change. 
         [0104]    Once the test is over the lid  4  becomes the plunger and the container  1 C is pushed onto the tang  64  until the base (and only the base) of the container  1 C ruptures allowing the contents of the container  1 C to mix with the bleach killing the entire contents of the container  1 C allowing it to be disposed of safely. 
         [0105]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a columnar bacteria testing apparatus comprising a screw threaded container that is generally referenced  70 . 
         [0106]    The apparatus  71  comprises a top portion in the form of a lockable lid  71 , made from blue polyethylene, to serve as a visual indicator to a user of the apparatus  70  of the type of growth of medium (and hence the tvne of test that is going to be carried out) is located therein, a base portion  72  again made from polyethylene, but this time the plastics material used is coloured pink to serve as a visual indicator to the user that this is the end that contains a kiling agent, and a central body portion  73  formed from UV absorbing (i.e. non penetrative) plastics material. 
         [0107]    From the side, the lid  71  is in the form of a truncated dome incorporating a flange base. The lid  71  is provided with a twelve elongate, parallel spaced apart completely overlying ribs  76  whose longitudinal axes are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the assembled apparatus  70 . Each rib  76  begins in the flange base and terminates prior to the truncated top of the lid  71  and they serve as a finger grip when a user handles the apparatus  70 . 
         [0108]    Turning to  FIG. 6 , this shows a cross section of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  and as can be seen, the lid  71  mates with the body  73  via complementary screw threads  80 , 81  located around the respective necks of the lid  71  and body  73 . A black natural rubber tub  84 , 85 , 86  of uniform thickness comprising an annular flange top  84 , integral with a continuous linear sloping side wall  85  that is to all intents and purposes, fusto-conical in shape and which terminates in a flat circular base  86  that is concentric with, is smaller than and parallel with, the flange top  84 . 
         [0109]    The flange top  84  is so designed as to overlie the thickness of the top of the neck of the body  73 , whilst the base  86  is substantially flush with bottom of the neck of the body  73 . The flange top  84  prevents the lid  71  from being screwed down completely onto the threaded  81  neck of the body  73  of the apparatus  70 . 
         [0110]    The lid  71  is provided with a resilient circular convex diaphram  82 , the centre of which passes through the longitudinal axis of the apparatus  70 . This centre sits below the truncated top of the lid  71  to prevent accidental depression of the top  82  if something that can span the lid top comes to rest on the truncated top of the lid  71 . 
         [0111]    The underside of the diaphram  82  is operatively connected to a downwardly depending and expanding frusto-conical wall terminated by a plurality of “saw tooth” shaped teeth that are adapted to puncture a circular foil sheet  95  that is glued to and which spans the upper portion of the interior of the lid  71  above the flange top  84  to form a separate integral compartnent within the lid  71 . 
         [0112]    The compartnent contains a specific type of growth medium. 
         [0113]    Centrally located, glued to and downwardly depending from the foil  95  is an annular shaped testing swab sponge  97  whose dimensions are such that it extends down to substantially contact the base  86  and occupy a large volume of the tub  84 , 85 , 86 . The tub  84 , 85 , 86  contains sufficient amounts of a non specific growth medium to wet the sponge  97 . 
         [0114]    Sandwiched between the foil sheet  95  and the top of the flange top  84  is a plastics “O” ring that substantially overlies the annulus of the flange top  84 . 
         [0115]    Moving from the top of the apparatus  70  in a downward direction in the apparatus&#39;s initial attitude of operation, immediately below the screw threaded  81  neck of the body  73 , is a wider concentric flange shoulder  87  that is immediately followed by a concentric constriction  93 , which then widens once again to substantially the same dimensions as the shoulder  87 , to form the main part of the columnar body  73  of the apparatus  71 . 
         [0116]    Trapped within the internal thickness of the shoulder  87  is a flat circular filter  88  that spans the entire surface area swept out by the internal thickness of the shoulder  87 . The distance separating the bottom of the flange base of the lid  71  from a top surface  75  of the shoulder  87  is substantially equal to the thickness of the flange top  84 . 
         [0117]    The base portion  72  mates with the body  73  via complementary screw threads  89 , 90  located around the respective base necks of the base portion  72  and the body  73  in a lockable manner and is usually supplied pre-locked into place. 
         [0118]    A resilient circular convex diaphragm  91  mirroring that of the top  82  and provided with a similar set of teeth  92  as that of the diaphragm  82  is located within the base portion  72 . The teeth  92  are adapted to puncture a circular foil sheet  96  that is glued to and which spans the start of the base neck of the body  73  to form a separate integral compartment within the base portion  72 . 
         [0119]    The centre of the diaphragm  91  is recessed within the flat base  99  of the base portion  72  so that accidental depression of the diaphragm  91  if something that can span the base  99  comes to rest on base  99  during for example transit of the apparatus  70 , does not occur. 
         [0120]    This compartment located within the base portion  72  contains bleach. 
         [0121]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , this is a top view of the shoulder  87  in its initial normal attitude of operation and the figure also shows the area immediately above the shoulder  87 , i.e. the area immediately below the start of the screw threaded neck  81  of the body  73 . Integral with and sat on the uppermost surface  75  of the shoulder  87  is a curved shoulder  74  (similar in shape to a leading edge of a shark fin) whose radius of curvature has a centre that is not the same as the centre of the radius of curvature of the apparatus  70  but is parallel with it. The shoulder  74  extends as a continuous curve from the base of the exterior surface of the neck  81  and terminates abruptly with a straight line that overlies a viraual diameter of the apparaus  74 . 
         [0122]    Opposite the shoulder  74  on the same upper surface of the shoulder  87  is a similar shoulder  74 . This similar shoulder  74  is located at a point that is a  180  degree rotation of the first shoulder  74  about the centre of the apparatus  70 . The thickness of both shoulders  74  is slightly less than the thickness of the flange top  84 . 
         [0123]      FIG. 8  shows the underside of the flange base of the lid  71  Projecting radially inwards from the internal circumferential peripheral wall of the base of the flange base, are a pair of mutually opposed elongate resilient “shark fin” shaped nipples  98  that are of a similar thickness to the thickness of the shoulders  74 . The nipples  98  extend inwardly, decreasing in size until they would substantially contact the screw thread  81  at which point they terminate. 
         [0124]    The leading edge of each “shark fin” is designed to contact respective curved shoulders  74  as the lid  71  is screwed down fully. 
         [0125]    In use, the lid  71  is unscrewed and the tub  84 , 85 , 86  is first removed. 
         [0126]    The lid  71  and the non specific growth medium impregnated sponge  97  combination is used to swab the test surface for bacteria. 
         [0127]    Aqueous growth media is added to the body  73  of the apparatus  70   
         [0128]    The lid  71  (free from the tub  84 , 85 , 86 ) is fully screwed back over the neck of the body  73 . 
         [0129]    The last turn of the lid  71  causing the curved nipples  98  to ride over the curved shoulders  74  and snap back to their start position so that substantially the “flat” side of the shoulders  74  now contact the trailing edges of the nipples  98  thus making it normally not possible to unscrew the lid  71  and effectively locking the lid  71  to the body  73  so that the contents of the apparatus  70  cannot escape. At this point, the O ring  94  becomes compressed between the thickness of the top of the neck of the body  73  and the internal top ofthe lid  71  to from a substantially fluid tight seal for the apparatus  70 . 
         [0130]    The convex top  82  is then depressed by a thumb of an operator and the teeth  83  puncture the foil  95  to release the growth medium. 
         [0131]    The apparatus  70  is then inverted and in this state is placed into a bacterial testing machine where it is incubated and scanned with a range of light wave lengths to detect the presence of bacteria. 
         [0132]    At the end of the test, the convex base  92  is depressed causing the teeth  92  to puncture the foil  96  to enable the bleach to enter the body  73  and kill all of the micro-biological material within it. 
         [0133]    If the apparatus  70  is to be used to test a solid product such as meat, the apparatus  70  water is pre supplied in the apparatus  70 . The meat sample is placed within the neck of the body  71  and the lid  71  is screwed down tight as before. Puncturing of the foil  95  and shaking of the apparatus  70  will cause the meat to mix with the growth medium but the filter  88  will prevent lumps of meat from entering the body  73  of the apparatus  70 , ‘clouding’ the test solution and causing erroneous readings during the testing procedure. Inversion of the apparatus  70  prior to placing it within the incubating bacterial testing machine will ensure that the meat through gravity will sit within the base of the lid  71  and not tend to potentially diffuse through the filter  88  to cause erroneous results. 
         [0134]    Once testing has been completed and the microbiological material killed the apparatus can be sent for normal disposal. 
         [0135]    Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word, such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.