The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 20, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 20, 1998
Applicant:
Inventor:
Mario J. Carbone, Bayside, NY (US);
Assignee:
Brooklyn Union, Brooklyn, NY (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 1/08 ; G01N 1/12 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 1/08 ; G01N 1/12 ;
Abstract
Samples of contaminants are obtained from the interior surface of a pipe main by inserting, through an opening in the pipe main, an inflatable pillow bag or balloon-like element in deflated and collapsed condition, and having a swab affixed to its outer surface. The balloon-like element is inflated inside the pipe main to extend the swab to a generally planar configuration and to press it against the inner surface of the pipe main so that it absorbs contaminants from the surface. The balloon-like element, with the swab attached, is then deflated and recollapsed; and together with the swab, is withdrawn from the pipe main.