Abstract: Disclosed are a highly selective, highly sensitive method and apparatus for detecting vapors from explosives at low concentrations such as 1 part in 1014. Airborne explosives vapors are selectively adsorbed on a spiral-wound platinum or platinum-coated ribbon of a preconcentrator cartridge while trapping of nitrogen oxides is avoided. The vapors are released and partially decomposed to liberate nitric oxide gas by flash-heating of the ribbon, these products may then be pyrolyzed if necessary to complete the liberation of nitric oxide gas, and then the liberated nitric oxide gas is detected, as by chemiluminescent detection. Also described are various systems incorporating the explosives vapor detector such as a walk-through portal, a vehicle sniffer, and a system incorporated into the air-handling apparatus of a building.

Abstract: Screening of items for the presence of contaminants, such as explosives residue, is accomplished by subjecting an item loaded into a pressure chamber to a pressure substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure conditions and rapidly decompressing the item to the ambient atmospheric pressure. The rapid decompression serves to scavenge vapors and particles from the exterior and interior of the item and any objects it contains. A sample of the vapors and particles removed from the item by the rapid decompression is sampled and is tested to determine whether a predetermined contaminant is present in the sample. Depending on the types of contaminants for which the sample is tested, it is possible to detect whether explosives, biological or chemical agents, and/or narcotics residues are present on or in the item being screened.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface and a feedback system coupled to the head. The feedback system is configured to indicate when a pressure applied by the head is greater than a minimum threshold value. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad and rotate to apply a shear force to the pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface. The apparatus includes a feedback system coupled to the head, which is configured to restrict the shear force applied by the head to be within a predetermined range. In another aspect, a method includes applying pressure to a pad to sample explosive residue on a surface, sensing the pressure applied to the pad, and providing an indication of when the pressure applied to the pad is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface and a feedback system coupled to the head. The feedback system is configured to indicate when a pressure applied by the head is greater than a minimum threshold value. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a head configured to receive a pad and rotate to apply a shear force to the pad for sampling explosive residue on a surface. The apparatus includes a feedback system coupled to the head, which is configured to restrict the shear force applied by the head to be within a predetermined range. In another aspect, a method includes applying pressure to a pad to sample explosive residue on a surface, sensing the pressure applied to the pad, and providing an indication of when the pressure applied to the pad is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: Screening of items for the presence of contaminants, such as explosives residue, is accomplished by subjecting an item loaded into a pressure chamber to a pressure substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure conditions and rapidly decompressing the item to the ambient atmospheric pressure. The rapid decompression serves to scavenge vapors and particles from the exterior and interior of the item and any objects it contains. A sample of the vapors and particles removed from the item by the rapid decompression is sampled and is tested to determine whether a predetermined contaminant is present in the sample. Depending on the types of contaminants for which the sample is tested, it is possible to detect whether explosives, biological or chemical agents, and/or narcotics residues are present on or in the item being screened.

Abstract: Screening of items for the presence of contaminants, such as explosives residue, is accomplished by subjecting an item loaded into a pressure chamber to a pressure substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure conditions and rapidly decompressing the item to the ambient atmospheric pressure. The rapid decompression serves to scavenge vapors and particles from the exterior and interior of the item and any objects it contains. A sample of the vapors and particles removed from the item by the rapid decompression is sampled and is tested to determine whether a predetermined contaminant is present in the sample. Depending on the types of contaminants for which the sample is tested, it is possible to detect whether explosives, biological or chemical agents, and/or narcotics residues are present on or in the item being screened.

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system for delivering nitric oxide to a patient to treat a medical condition includes a container, a nitric oxide generation chamber, and a pump. The container is designed to contain a nitrogen-containing compound. The nitric oxide generation chamber includes a heat source and is designed to generate nitric oxide from the nitrogen-containing compound. The pump is designed to transfer at least a part of the nitrogen-containing compound from the container to the nitric oxide generation chamber.

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system for delivering nitric oxide to a patient to treat a medical condition includes a container, a nitric oxide generation chamber, and a pump. The container is designed to contain a nitrogen-containing compound. The nitric oxide generation chamber includes a heat source and is designed to generate nitric oxide from the nitrogen-containing compound. The pump is designed to transfer at least a part of the nitrogen-containing compound from the container to the nitric oxide generation chamber..

Abstract: A container with a flexible membrane sealed to a container end may be tested for leaks as the container moves along a conveyor. The conveyor carries the container through a first region in which a negative pressure differential is established between the first region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential can be established, for example, by cooling the first region with cold air. The conveyor also carries the container from the first region to a second region, in which a positive pressure differential is established between the second region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential in the second region can be established, for example, by heating the second region with hot air. In the second region, a sensor detects a transition of the membrane of the container between convex and concave orientations and produces a signal corresponding to the occurrence of the transition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. The sample cloud may be split into first and second portions.

Abstract: An inspection system for sampling and determining the presence of residues of contaminants within plastic materials to be recycled from used plastic materials such as plastic beverage bottles or plastic food containers includes a chemical sniffing apparatus, or alternatively an optical scanner, for detecting the contaminants as the plastic materials are rapidly moved along a conveyor past a series of stations. Recycled food or beverage bottles are fed through a shredder in-line with the conveyor and the shredded plastic material from the bottles is fed to a washer. The bottles and shredded material may be tested for contaminants at any location in an in-line process. In one exemplary system first the bottles are tested prior to entry into the shredder in order to remove bottles containing gross contaminants.

Abstract: An inspection system for sampling and determining the presence of residues of contaminants within plastic materials to be recycled from used plastic materials such as plastic beverage bottles or plastic food containers includes a chemical sniffing apparatus, or alternatively an optical scanner, for detecting the contaminants as the plastic materials are rapidly moved along a conveyor past a series of stations. Recycled food or beverage bottles are fed through a shredder in-line with the conveyor and the shredded plastic material from the bottles is fed to a washer. The bottles and shredded material may be tested for contaminants at any location in an in-line process. In one exemplary system first the bottles are tested prior to entry into the shredder in order to remove bottles containing gross contaminants.

Abstract: An inspection system for sampling and determining the presence of residues of contaminants within plastic materials to be recycled from used plastic materials such as plastic beverage bottles or plastic food containers includes a chemical sniffing apparatus, or alternatively an optical scanner, for detecting the contaminants as the plastic materials are rapidly moved along a conveyor past a series of stations. Recycled food or beverage bottles are fed through a shredder in-line with the conveyor and the shredded plastic material from the bottles is fed to a washer. The bottles and shredded material may be tested for contaminants at any location in an in-line process. In one exemplary system first the bottles are tested prior to entry into the shredder in order to remove bottles containing gross contaminants.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: A system for injecting liquid into containers moving through an inspection station at variable speeds without spilling liquid over the outside of, or between, the containers for inspecting the containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants, such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. The movements of each container is tracked with sensors upstream of a high speed injector, and one or more nozzles is timed to inject liquid in a narrow, high velocity stream only while the top opening of a container is under the nozzle(s). The liquid is employed to enhance liberation of vapors from within the containers for detection of the contaminants in the containers.

Abstract: An in-line ram rejector system particularly for high speed bottling lines with unspaced plastic containers relies on a multi-beam optical system to keep track of the containers between a contamination detection station and a rejector station equipped with a ram rejector. The rejection station is also provided with an automatic side gate on the conveyor. When the leading edge of a tracked, identified container meets the beam, the side gate on the conveyor opens, and when the trailing edge of the same tracked identified container passes by the beam, the container, for example, a plastic beverage bottle is rammed out the open gate onto a neck rail, which catches the container upright.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. In one embodiment about 90% of the sample evacuated is diverted from the analyzer and recirculated into the air injector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. In one embodiment about 90% of the sample evacuated is diverted from the analyzer and recirculated into the air injector.