Patent ID: 7340970

Claim:
A method of testing items carrying particles that may be contaminants, comprising: sealing the items in a package containing a gas; and checking for the contaminants while keeping the package substantially sealed, wherein said checking comprises collecting a gas sample from the package through a filter for trapping on the filter at least part of the particles in the gas sample; wherein the filter is disposed in a filter chamber having a first air passageway and a second air passageway, the first passageway operatively connected to a gas outlet on the package, the second passageway operatively connected to an air pump to draw the gas sample from the outlet through the first passageway, the filter chamber and the second passageway; and wherein the package comprises a self-sealable member disposed thereon, and the first passageway is securely connected to a needle for piercing the self-sealable member in order to provide the gas outlet.