Abstract:
The system includes at least one sampler including a body having a hollow interior accessed through holes in the body and optionally a slide which can selectively cover and expose the holes in the body. A stand is provided made of a base and a floor. The base includes at least one recess therein. The recess is configured to support the sampler therein so that the sampler can be held by the stand while sampling an airspace at a particular location. The floor can be separated at least partially from the base in a removably attachable fashion to provide selective access to a hollow inside. A sampler can be placed within this hollow inside space and resealed so that the stand doubles as a shipping container for the sampler after collection of an air sample.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The following invention relates to samplers and other systems for measuring air quality and the presence of various different gases or other target constituents within the air of a space to be monitored. More particularly, this invention relates to air sampling systems which include both a stand for holding an air sampler and packaging for allowing the return of an air sample in a sealed and secure fashion, and associated methods. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Systems for sampling the air come in a variety of different configurations. Some air samplers collect an air sample for later analysis while other sensors provide both collection and testing of an air sample to determine the prevalence of target constituents. Still other air samplers particularly focus on the detection of a particular chemical or class of chemicals, either providing real time feedback as to the prevalence of target constituents in the air, or requiring laboratory testing to evaluate the prevalence of the target constituent. 
         [0003]    While some chemical constituents in the air can be relatively easily identified through appropriate detector technology, other target constituents are less readily detectable, either because of the nature of the target constituent&#39;s chemistry or because the target constituent is present in exceptionally low quantities. When the target constituents can be readily detected, devices such as smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are facilitated which can both sample for the target constituent, and when such a target constituent is detected, activate an alarm. When the target constituent requires more elaborate testing to accurately evaluate the prevalence of the target constituent, the sampler must capture a representative sample of air and then seal that sample effectively until it can be analyzed at an appropriate laboratory using testing criteria adapted for the detection of the constituents of interest. 
         [0004]    Such air collection type samplers can in a simplest form merely be an enclosure which can be opened, purged, allow an air sample to pass therein and then closed to capture the sample therein. While such simple samplers are generally effective in capturing a sample of air, they are less effective when capturing target constituents that are present in very low quantities, or which might be present only during certain parts of the day and not always present. 
         [0005]    Materials are known which selectively adsorb some chemical constituents more than others. When a particular target constituent is to be sampled, a material which preferentially adsorbs that material can be provided within a sealed sampler enclosure. A sampler enclosure can be opened and remain open for a set period of time. The material within such a sampler will selectively adsorb the target constituent in an amount corresponding with the prevalence of that constituent within the air. After the sampling interval is complete the sampler is sealed closed and the preferentially adsorbent material is analyzed in a laboratory. Through appropriate analysis and associated calibration; measurements, such as “parts per million” of the constituent to be measured, can be determined. 
         [0006]    Such samplers which expose a material which preferentially adsorbs certain target constituents over a period of time, and then are returned to a laboratory for analysis are most preferable for the measurement of certain constituents and are the type of sampler to which this invention is primarily directed. Such samplers in one form are worn as a badge. The wearer attaches the badge to the wearer&#39;s clothing or otherwise wears the badge, such as suspended from a lanyard about the wearer&#39;s neck, and the badge travels with the wearer throughout the wearer&#39;s day. The sampler within the badge is continuously adsorbing the chemical for which the adsorbent material is preferentially configured. After a period of time has elapsed, such as one day or one week or one month, the sampler is returned to a laboratory and analyzed to determine how much of the constituent being sent has been gathered. This data can then be correlated to an overall amount of exposure that the wearer had to the particular chemical involved. 
         [0007]    In one form, such badges include a sampler having an elongate rectangular body with a slide that slides from a lower end of the body to an upper end of the body. Holes are provided in an upper end of the body which pass into an interior of the body. A selectively adsorbent material or merely a material of generally adsorbent nature is contained within the interior. When the slide is in the lower position and the holes are exposed, air surrounding the body passes through the holes and constituents within the air are adsorbed. When the sampling interval is over, the slide can be slid to the upper end to cover the openings and preclude the adsorbent material within the interior from continuing to sense. In this way, the sampler is not contaminated by coming into contact with target constituents after the sampler has left the proximity of the wearer of the badge and before the collected sample is examined in the laboratory. One supplier of such air sampling badges is SKC Inc. of Eighty-Four, Pa. 
         [0008]    One problem with such samplers is that when configured in the form of a badge, they cannot effectively monitor the air within a single location, but rather monitor exposure of the wearer to different chemicals. On occasion it is desirable to measure the prevalence of certain target constituents within a particular space, rather than having the sampler follow an individual. For instance, when purchasing a home it would be desirable to have an objective measurement of the prevalence of certain constituent chemicals or classes of chemicals within the home. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, a need exists for a sampler which can effectively monitor the prevalence of certain target constituents within a particular space. Furthermore, it is desirable that such samplers be easily returned to a laboratory in a sealed fashion so that the sampler does not become exposed to target constituents when in transit back to the laboratory, and after the sampling interval is complete. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    With this invention, an air sampling system is provided including at least one sampler and at least one stand for the sampler. The stand supports the sampler when it is in use sensing air within a particular location. The stand also has a hollow inside space which doubles as a container for the sampler after the sampler has completed its sampling interval. The sampler can be placed within an interior of the stand and the stand encloses the sampler to keep the sampler from coming into contact with target constituents while the sampler and associated stand/package are in transit back to a laboratory for analysis. 
         [0011]    The sampler is generally similar to badge type samplers described above, and including an elongate body extending from a lower end to an upper end with holes adjacent the upper end extending into an interior where an adsorbent material is contained suitable for the target constituent to be measured. A slide slides along the front side of the body from the lower end to the upper end. When the slide is adjacent the lower end, the holes are revealed for sampling. When the slide is adjacent the upper end, the holes are covered and precluded from allowing constituents of the air surrounding the sampler to pass through the openings and adjacent the adsorbent material within the interior of the sampler. 
         [0012]    The stand generally includes a base and a floor. The base is configured to rest upon an underlying surface and includes at least one recess in a top panel thereof. This recess is configured to receive the at least one sampler within the recess with an upper end of the sampler including the holes therein above the recess and open for receipt of chemical constituents of the air. The floor of the stand is at least partially removably attachable from the base in a manner which substantially seals an inside space of the stand from coming into contact with surrounding air. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, the floor includes a well therein into which a separate sample containment case can rest, and with lower portions of the at least one recess in the base pressing against the case to keep the case within the well. In this way, the case is prevented from being jostled about within the interior of the base, keeps contents within the base organized and provides a secure package for return to a laboratory for further analysis. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an air sampling system which allows for the sampling of an air space within a single location in a convenient and reliable fashion. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand for an air sampler which can both hold the air sampler while the air sampler is sampling air within a location, and also have a hollow inside which can contain the sampler, such as for shipping back to a laboratory for analysis. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an air sampling method which simplifies the process of sampling air within a space. 
         [0017]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an air sampling method which reliably measures constituents of air within a particular space. 
         [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a stand for an air sampler which doubles as a sealed shipping container for a sampler. 
         [0019]    Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the system of this invention including two different types of samplers adjacent a pair of recesses within a top panel of a base of the stand, for support of the samplers in a location in which the air is to be sampled. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the stand portion of that which is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of that which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are left and right end views of that which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of that which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from below of that which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an exploded parts view of that which is shown in  FIG. 2  and with a sample containing case in the process of being inserted into a well in a floor of the in the form of a shipping container for sealed transport back to a laboratory. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a full sectional view of that which is shown in  FIG. 2 , and revealing how the case can be held tightly within the well within the floor of the stand during shipping return to a laboratory or other analysis location. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a representative sampler for use according to the air sampling system of this invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of that which is shown in  FIG. 10 , with the slide in a lower position exposing the openings. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of that which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a rear elevation view of that which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of that which is shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of that which is shown in  FIG. 10 , but with the slide slid to an upper end of the body of the sampler to cover holes extending into an interior of the body of the sampler. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment sampler having a thicker contour. 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a side elevation view of that which is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of that which is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0037]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral  10  ( FIG. 1 ) is directed to a system for air sampling including samplers  12 ,  14 ,  20  (FIGS.  1  and  10 - 18 ) as well as a stand for containment of the sampler  20  in a sealed manner for return, such as back to a laboratory. The stand includes a base  50  which can be coupled to a floor  80  to form the complete enclosure of the stand according to this invention ( FIGS. 2-9 ). 
         [0038]    In essence, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  9 , basic details of the air sampling system of this invention are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The system  10  includes at least one sampler  20  ( FIGS. 10-18 ) and the stand in the form of a combination of the base  50  and the floor  80 . The sampler  20  includes a body  30  of generally rectangular elongate form with a substantially constant thickness and a hollow interior which can contain an adsorbent material for selectively adsorbing a target constituent or generally adsorbing all constituents of the air over time. A slide  40  preferably slides along the body  30  to selectively allow or preclude access of air into the interior of the body  30 . 
         [0039]    The base  50  of the stand is generally rectangular in form with a top panel  52  which includes at least one recess  60 ,  70  therein, and in this embodiment both a thick recess  60  and a thin recess  70 . The thick recess  60  can support a thick sampler  12 ,  20  (FIGS.  1  and  16 - 18 ) and the thin recess  70  can receive a thin sampler  14 ,  20  (FIGS.  1  and  10 - 15 ). The floor  80  has a perimeter which mates with a perimeter of the base  50  to provide a sealing enclosure which can contain one of the samplers  12 ,  14 ,  20  therein. A well  90  in the floor  80  preferably is particularly contoured to receive a sample containment case  100  held tight within the well  90 , both by a contour of the well  90  and also lower portions of at least one of the recesses  60 ,  70  extending down from the top panel  52  of the base  50 . The case  100  is thus held securely within a substantially airtight compartment along with the sampler  20  during transport back to an analysis laboratory or other analysis location. 
         [0040]    More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS.  1  and  10 - 18 , particular details of the sampler  20  of this invention are described, according to this preferred embodiment. While the sampler  20  could have a variety of different configurations, in this embodiment, the sampler  20  is generally in the form of a hollow elongate rectangular body  30  which contains an adsorbent material therein. The adsorbent material within the interior can be any suitable material known in the prior art for air sampling which can either be particularly configured to selectively adsorb a target constituent or can merely generally adsorb elements and components it encounters, to provide a representative average sampling of constituents within the air over the sampling interval. 
         [0041]    The body  30  generally includes a planar front side  32  opposite a planar rear side  34 . Perimeter sides  36  join the front side  32  and rear side  34  together. The rear side  34  can optionally include an expansion area  38  which increases a thickness of the body  30  to form the thick sampler  12  ( FIG. 1 ). Without such an expansion area  38 , the sampler  20  is in the form of the thin sampler  14  ( FIG. 1 ). In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , both types of samplers  12 ,  14  are provided which are designed to collect distinct air constituents that require the expansion area  38  or not for the particular type of sampler  12 ,  14  and associated constituent being sampled. 
         [0042]    The front side  32  includes holes  33  adjacent an upper end  35  and with a lower end  37  opposite the upper end  35  which does not include holes  33  adjacent thereto. The holes  33  pass entirely into an interior of the body  30  to allow constituents of the air to pass into and out of the interior of the body  30  of the sampler  20 . 
         [0043]    The sampler  20  also preferably includes a slide  40  which acts as a cover to selectively cover and expose the holes  33 . This slide  40  is located adjacent the front side  32  of the body  30  and includes a main wall  42  having a size similar to a space on the front side  32  that includes the holes  33  thereon. Side curving walls  44  are adjacent each lateral edge of the main wall  42  and wrap around the perimeter sides  36  of the body  30 . The main wall  42  has a height extending between a top edge  46  and a bottom edge  48  which is similar to a height of a space on the front side  32  including the holes  33  thereon. The slide  40  can thus completely cover the holes  33  when the slide  40  is adjacent the upper end  35  of the body  30 . 
         [0044]    An outer surface of the slide  40  preferably includes relief bands  45  thereon. These relief bands increase an amount of friction experienced when a user pushes laterally on the slide  40  to make the slide  40  more easily move between the upper end  35  and lower end  37  of the body  30 . The slide  40  preferably sizes the side curving walls  44  to tightly hold the slide  40  adjacent the body  30 , and to require significant force to move the slide  40 . In this way, the slide  40  is less prone to inadvertent movement, such as by gravity or being jostled, or being inadvertently handled by passersby not understanding the importance of keeping the slide  40  in the desired position. 
         [0045]    Typically, the sampler  20  would initially be supplied to a user within a sealed package. The sampler could also as a redundant matter include the slide  40  adjacent the upper end  35 . The user would open the sealed packaging and move the slide  40  from the upper position to the lower position (along arrow E of  FIG. 15 ). The holes  33  are then exposed and the sampler  20  commences sampling of the surrounding airspace. The sampler  20  can then be placed within one of the recesses  60 ,  70  in the base  50  of the stand ( FIG. 1 , along arrow A or arrow B). The recesses  60 ,  70  are sized so that the slide  40  can fit within the recesses  60 ,  70  along with the sampler  20  so that the recesses  60 ,  70  help to hold the slide  40  adjacent the lower end  37  of the body  30  of the sampler  20  when the sampler  20  is within one of the recesses  60 ,  70  of the base  50 . The sampler  20  is thus in a configuration sampling a surrounding airspace when resting within the recesses  60 ,  70  of the base  50 . 
         [0046]    The stand including the base  50  is positioned in a representative location within the space to be sampled and is then left alone for the sampling period. This sampling period could be one hour, one day, one week, one month, or other sampling intervals depending on the adsorbent material utilized and the protocol associated with analysis of the sampler, so that results can be appropriately calibrated into meaningful data relating to the prevalence of target constituents within the sampling location&#39;s airspace. 
         [0047]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , details of the stand including the base  50  and floor  80  are described, according to this preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the stand includes both the base  50  and the floor  80 . It is conceivable that the stand could be formed of a single piece with two separate parts which are attached together, such as by a hinge, rather than two completely separate parts as is the case with the base  50  and the floor  80  of this embodiment. 
         [0048]    The base  50  forms a majority of the stand and supports the thick recess  60  and thin recess  70  in the top panel  52  of the base  50 , in this preferred embodiment. The base  50  includes a front wall  54 , rear wall  56  and side walls  58  which each extend down from edges of the top panel  52  down to a flange  55 . This flange  55  is generally parallel with the top panel  52  and extends laterally to define a foot which rests upon a horizontal underlying surface so that the top panel  52  is elevated slightly above this surrounding surface. 
         [0049]    A notch  57  is formed in at least one portion of the flange  55  to more easily allow for separation of the base  50  from the floor  80 . The walls  54 ,  56 ,  58  are preferably each planar and substantially perpendicular to the top panel  52 . If desired, representative logos or instructions can be provided on the top panel  52  or walls  54 ,  56 ,  58  for effective communication to those viewing the base  50 . 
         [0050]    As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the base  50  is preferably hollow inside and formed from a layer of substantially constant thickness which bends to provide the contour shown. Such a contour for the base  50  can be formed by injection molding or vacuum forming of appropriate plastic materials, as well as other forming techniques. This base  50  is preferably continuous so that air cannot leak through the base  50 , so that the stand including the base  50  and floor  80  can be substantially sealed together to isolate the space within the base  50  from a surrounding atmosphere. 
         [0051]    The base  50  includes a thick recess  60  and thin recess  70  which are similar to each other and extend down from the top panel  52  of the base  50 . The thick recess  60  includes perimeter walls  62  which extend vertically down from the top panel  52  and have a contour generally matching a horizontal cross section of the sampler  20  including the extension area  38  ( FIGS. 16-18 ). This thick sampler  12  is also shown in  FIG. 1 . These perimeter walls  62  are preferably sized to be approximately the same as the lower end  37  of the body  30  of the sampler  20  to be received within the thick recess  60 . 
         [0052]    A friction tab  64  extends from one of the perimeter walls  62  of the thick recess  60 . This friction tab  64  extends sufficiently far into the thick recess  60  so that a friction fit is provided for the sampler  20  when pressed down into the thick recess  60 . The friction tab  64  thus helps to hold the thick sampler  12  within the thick recess  60  ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0053]    Similarly, the thin recess  70  includes perimeter walls  72  extending vertically down from the top panel  52 . These perimeter walls  72  have a size and shape which matches a contour of the sampler  20  without the extension  38  ( FIGS. 10-15 ) and as represented by the thin sampler  14  of  FIG. 1 . The thin recess  70  includes a friction tab  74  in one of the perimeter walls  72  which causes the thin sampler  12  to experience a friction fit when pressed into the thin recess  70 . 
         [0054]    The thick recess  60  and thin recess  70  include bottom walls  66 ,  76  generally parallel with a top panel  52  and defining lowermost portions of the recesses  60 ,  70 . As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , these bottom walls  66 ,  76  preferably aid in holding one of the samplers  20  securely within the well  90  formed in the floor  80 , as described in detail below. 
         [0055]    The floor  80  provides a second portion of the stand, along with the base  50 , in this preferred embodiment. The floor  80  includes a plateau  82  having a size similar to that of the top panel  52 . Raised walls  84  raise the plateau  52  up above a flange  86 . The flange  86  preferably has a shape and size complemental with the flange  55  of the base  50  so that the flange  86  of the floor  80  can nest adjacent the flange  55  of the base  50  with the plateau  82  inboard of the walls  54 ,  56 ,  58  of the base  50 . The raised walls  54  are preferably shorter than the walls  54 ,  56 ,  58  so that an open inside space remains between the plateau  52  of the floor  80  and the top panel  52  of the base  50 . A notch  88  is formed in the flange  86  of the floor  80  to assist in separating the flange  86  of the floor  80  from the flange  55  of the base  50 . The flanges  86 ,  55  can be sealed together to further preclude migration of air into and out of the interior of the stand. 
         [0056]    A well  90  is preferably formed within the plateau  82 . This well  90  includes a lower wall  92  having a shape defined by a side contour  94  surrounding this lower wall  92  and extending up to the plateau  82 . This side contour  94  is generally similar in shape to that of a separate sample containing case  100  so that the case  100  can reside within the well  90 . A depth of the well  90  is preferably similar to but slightly less than a thickness of the case. The lower wall  92  is preferably longer than the case is tall so that a finger space  96  can be provided at one end thereof to facilitate a user placing one&#39;s finger into the finger space  96  and then beneath the case  100  to lift the case  100  out of the well  90 . 
         [0057]    The case  100  can hold an additional form of sampling device other than the samplers  12 ,  14  ( FIG. 1 ). For instance, a mold testing strip can gather a sample and then be placed in the case  100  for return to the laboratory. The samplers  12 ,  14  can be used to test for other target constituents and also be returned inside the stand, typically first sealed within individual airtight pouches. 
         [0058]    Ribs  98  preferably extend in from the side contour  94  of the well  90  to provide a friction fit for the case  100  pressed into the well  90 . The bottom walls  66 ,  76  of the recesses  60 ,  70  are directly above this well  90  and spaced only slightly from the lower wall  92 , by a distance similar to a thickness of the case  100 . In this way, when the floor  80  and base  50  are placed together (by movement of the base  50  along arrow D of  FIG. 8 ) and the case  100  has been placed within the well  90  (by movement of the case  100  along arrow C of  FIG. 8 ) the case  100  is held by the bottom walls  66 ,  76  of the recesses  60 ,  70  within the well  90 . 
         [0059]    In such a configuration, a sampler  20  can have its slide  40  moved to the closed position adjacent the upper end  35  and the sampler  20  can be placed within an interior of the stand to provide a redundant system for ensuring that the interior of the sampler  20  does not come into contact with target chemicals during transport back to a laboratory for analysis. Furthermore, should a user fail to move the slide  40  back to the closed position overlying the holes  33 , because the sampler  20  has been contained within the stand, if the laboratory can determine that the stand has not had its integrity violated during shipping, an air sample within the sampler  20  might still be substantially accurate. Furthermore, with such a redundant system, should the stand be damaged in transit and the sealed nature of the stand be compromised, by having the slide  40  in the closed position overlying the holes  33 , the sampler  20  will still contain a substantially valid sample therein for testing by a laboratory or other testing facility. 
         [0060]    This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.