GB2185571A - Swabbing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A swabbing device comprising a holder having a spring-loaded cushion (5) which urges a swab (8) releasably attached to the cushion into contact with a surface to pick up sample. The swab can be a filter paper. The holder can be secured to an arm of a remotely controlled manipulator for swabbing surfaces contaminated with radioactivity. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A swabbing device The present invention concerns a swabbing device for obtaining sample from a surface.

According to the present invention a swabbing device comprises a holder having a spring-loaded cushion and means for releasably attaching a swab to the cushion wherebythe swab is urged outwardly awayfromtheholderto pick up sample when moved over a surface.

Conveniently the holder comprises a base member to carry the cushion and an extension piece forattachmentto an arm of a manipulator.

The swab can be a filter paper and the cushion can be retained in position by a spring clip which also serves as the means for releasably attaching the filter paperto the cushion.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows an embodiment of a swabbing device.

Aswabbing device comprises a base member 1 having an extension piece 2 secured to the base member by a screw 3. The base member 1 and the extension piece 2 can be formed from a plastics material. A leaf spring 4, conveniently a copper spring, is formed at one end with a pocket to receive a resiliently deformable pad or cushion 5. The spring and cushion are located in a recess or groove 6 in the base member 1 and held in place by a retaining spring clip 7. Finally a leaf of absorbent material, such as filter paper 8, is releasably secured to the cushion 5 by means ofthe retaining spring clip 7.

In use, the device is moved over a surface whereby thefilter paperwill pick up sample andthefilter paper can then be removed from the device and taken for analysis. The cushion 5 serves as a resilient supportforthefilter paperandthe leaf spring 4 urges the cushion outwardly away from the base member 1. The extension piece 2 enables the device to be secured to the end of an arm for obtaining sample from normally inaccessible surfaces. Thus the swabbing device can befitted to an end of a manipulator arm and usedforswabbingtheinteriors of nuclear fuel flasks, caves and the like.

1. Aswabbing device comprising a holder having a spring-loaded cushion and means for releasably attaching a swab to the cushion whereby the swab is urged outwardlyawayfromthe holderto pick up sample when moved over a surface.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the holder comprises a base memberto carrythe cushion and an extension piece for attachment to an arm of a manipulator.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 including a spring clip for retaining the cushion in the holderand providing meansfor releasably attaching the swab to the cushion.

4. A swabbing device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A swabbing device The present invention concerns a swabbing device for obtaining sample from a surface. According to the present invention a swabbing device comprises a holder having a spring-loaded cushion and means for releasably attaching a swab to the cushion wherebythe swab is urged outwardly awayfromtheholderto pick up sample when moved over a surface. Conveniently the holder comprises a base member to carry the cushion and an extension piece forattachmentto an arm of a manipulator. The swab can be a filter paper and the cushion can be retained in position by a spring clip which also serves as the means for releasably attaching the filter paperto the cushion. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows an embodiment of a swabbing device. Aswabbing device comprises a base member 1 having an extension piece 2 secured to the base member by a screw 3. The base member 1 and the extension piece 2 can be formed from a plastics material. A leaf spring 4, conveniently a copper spring, is formed at one end with a pocket to receive a resiliently deformable pad or cushion 5. The spring and cushion are located in a recess or groove 6 in the base member 1 and held in place by a retaining spring clip 7. Finally a leaf of absorbent material, such as filter paper 8, is releasably secured to the cushion 5 by means ofthe retaining spring clip 7. In use, the device is moved over a surface whereby thefilter paperwill pick up sample andthefilter paper can then be removed from the device and taken for analysis. The cushion 5 serves as a resilient supportforthefilter paperandthe leaf spring 4 urges the cushion outwardly away from the base member 1. The extension piece 2 enables the device to be secured to the end of an arm for obtaining sample from normally inaccessible surfaces. Thus the swabbing device can befitted to an end of a manipulator arm and usedforswabbingtheinteriors of nuclear fuel flasks, caves and the like. CLAIMS

1. Aswabbing device comprising a holder having a spring-loaded cushion and means for releasably attaching a swab to the cushion whereby the swab is urged outwardlyawayfromthe holderto pick up sample when moved over a surface.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the holder comprises a base memberto carrythe cushion and an extension piece for attachment to an arm of a manipulator.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 including a spring clip for retaining the cushion in the holderand providing meansfor releasably attaching the swab to the cushion.

4. A swabbing device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.