US4909089A — Walk-in inspection apparatus for producing air sa…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 171 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising: a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth, said air jet means including a plurality of nozzles mounted in said end wall in position to direct jets of air at the clothing and skin of a person standing at a predetermined location within the booth; and means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to produce an air sample containing vapors of said selected compounds removed from a person positioned within said booth.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 171 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising: a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth, said air jet means including a plurality of nozzles mounted in said end wall in position to direct jets of air at the clothing and skin of a person standing at a predetermined location within the booth; and means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to produce an air sample containing vapors of said selected compounds removed from a person positioned within said booth.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said booth has an open end opposite said end wall for walk-in entry of a person.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 including an air-pervious vertical screen spaced from said end wall of the booth, said screen positioned near the desired location at which a person is to be sampled and preventing the person from contacting said air jet means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 including means for pulsing a flow of air through said nozzles to produce puffs of air at relatively low volume and relatively high momentum.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 64 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said end wall has a vertical array of passages spaced one from another over a substantial portion of the height of the end wall, and said withdrawal means includes a shaped inlet extending through said end wall in each of said passages and operable to receive a substantially horizontal flow of air and vapors from within the booth.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 56 words

Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said withdrawal means includes a suction blower, a collection manifold in communication with said blower, and a collection duct associated with each of said shaped inlets, said collection ducts each having an inlet end connected to one of said shaped inlets and an outlet end connected to said collection manifold.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as in claim 5 including first and second vertical strip heaters extending through said end wall and positioned, respectively, on opposite sides of said vertical array of passages.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said air jet means comprises first and second vertical columns of nozzles extending through said end wall and positioned, respectively, on opposite sides of said vertical array of passages, and means for producing a pulsed flow of air through each of said nozzles.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 including a heater for directing heat into said booth to heat a person positioned within the booth.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 including means in said side walls for detecting metal objects carried by a person.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said booth has an open end opposite said end wall and wherein the portions of said end wall connected to said side walls are curved to facilitate the smooth flow of air and vapors during withdrawal of air and vapors from said booth.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 208 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising: a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth, said air jet means including a plurality of nozzles mounted in said end wall in position to direct jets of air at the clothing and skin of a person standing at a predetermined location within the booth; means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to product an air sample containing vapors of said selected compounds removed from a person positioned within said booth; a height sensor mounted in said booth; and means for preventing airflow through one or more of said nozzles in response to a signal from said height sensor indicative of the height of a person within the booth.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 208 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising: a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth, said air jet means including a plurality of nozzles mounted in said end wall in position to direct jets of air at the clothing and skin of a person standing at a predetermined location within the booth; means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to product an air sample containing vapors of said selected compounds removed from a person positioned within said booth; a height sensor mounted in said booth; and means for preventing airflow through one or more of said nozzles in response to a signal from said height sensor indicative of the height of a person within the booth.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 248 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising: a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth, said air jet means including a plurality of nozzles mounted in said end wall in position to direct jets of air at the clothing and skin of a person standing at a predetermined location within the booth; means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to produce an air sample containing vapors of said selected compound removed from a person positioned within said booth; and means for pulsing a flow of air through said nozzles to produce puffs of air at relatively low volume and relatively high momentum, said means for pulsing including a reservoir, means for supplying air at high pressure to said reservoir, a valve associated with each said nozzles, and valves connected between said reservoir and said nozzles, and means for rapidly opening and closing said valves in a predetermined sequence to generate puffs of air from said nozzles.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 248 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising: a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth, said air jet means including a plurality of nozzles mounted in said end wall in position to direct jets of air at the clothing and skin of a person standing at a predetermined location within the booth; means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to produce an air sample containing vapors of said selected compound removed from a person positioned within said booth; and means for pulsing a flow of air through said nozzles to produce puffs of air at relatively low volume and relatively high momentum, said means for pulsing including a reservoir, means for supplying air at high pressure to said reservoir, a valve associated with each said nozzles, and valves connected between said reservoir and said nozzles, and means for rapidly opening and closing said valves in a predetermined sequence to generate puffs of air from said nozzles.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 170 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising; a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth; means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to produce an air sample containing vapors of said selected compounds removed from a person positioned within said booth; and a distance sensor in said booth for determining the distance of a person from said end wall, said distance sensor operable to product signals for controlling the operation of a heater and said air jet means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 170 words

Apparatus for producing an air sample containing vapors of selected compounds carried by a person comprising; a booth sized to permit walk-in entry of a person and walk-out exit therefrom, said booth including a top, a pair of opposed generally vertical side walls, and a generally vertical end wall connected to said side walls and having at least one air passage therethrough; air jet means for directing jets of air into said booth to contact a person positioned within the booth; means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through the air passage in said end wall, said withdrawal means operable, in cooperation with said air jet means, to produce an air sample containing vapors of said selected compounds removed from a person positioned within said booth; and a distance sensor in said booth for determining the distance of a person from said end wall, said distance sensor operable to product signals for controlling the operation of a heater and said air jet means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 175 words

Inspection apparatus for generating an air sample containing vapors of substances carried by a person, such as vapors of explosives, cocaine, or heroin, comprising: a booth including a generally U-shaped vertical wall having two parallel opposed side wall portions and a curved end wall portion connecting the side portions, a top connected to said wall, and an open end opposite said end wall portion; a plurality of funnels mounted in a vertical column in said end wall portion and extending over substantially the entire height of said booth; a plurality of air jet nozzles mounted in said end wall portion, said nozzles arranged in vertical columns on both sides of said funnels; means for pulsing a flow of pressurized air through said nozzles to form puffs of air for contacting the clothing and exposed skin of a person standing near said end wall portion of the booth; and means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through said funnels so as to produce an air sample containing said vapors.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 175 words

Inspection apparatus for generating an air sample containing vapors of substances carried by a person, such as vapors of explosives, cocaine, or heroin, comprising: a booth including a generally U-shaped vertical wall having two parallel opposed side wall portions and a curved end wall portion connecting the side portions, a top connected to said wall, and an open end opposite said end wall portion; a plurality of funnels mounted in a vertical column in said end wall portion and extending over substantially the entire height of said booth; a plurality of air jet nozzles mounted in said end wall portion, said nozzles arranged in vertical columns on both sides of said funnels; means for pulsing a flow of pressurized air through said nozzles to form puffs of air for contacting the clothing and exposed skin of a person standing near said end wall portion of the booth; and means for withdrawing air and vapors present in said air from within said booth through said funnels so as to produce an air sample containing said vapors.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 41 words

Inspection apparatus as in claim 15 including a pair of vertical strip heaters mounted in said end wall portion on opposite sides, respectively, of said vertical column of funnels and operable to heat a person standing near said end wall portion.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

Inspection apparatus as in claim 15 including a vertical open-mesh screen positioned near said end wall portion.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 61 words

Inspection apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said means for withdrawing air and vapors through said funnels includes, outside of said booth, a collection manifold, a collection duct associated with each of said funnels and connected between a funnel and said collection manifold, and a blower for sucking air and vapors through said collection manifold, said collection ducts, and said funnels.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 60 words

Inspection apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said means for pulsing air comprises an air supply manifold for each column of nozzles, means for supplying air at high pressure to said air supply manifold, a valve connected between said air supply manifold and each of said nozzles, and means for rapidly opening and closing said valves in a predetermined sequence.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 45 words

Inspection apparatus as in claim 19 including a height sensor in said booth for measuring the height of a person entering the booth, and means for causing selected of said valves to remain closed during sampling based on a height measured by said height sensor.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 146 words

Inspection apparatus for generating an air sample containing vapors of substances carried by a person, such as vapors of explosives, cocaine, or heroin, comprising; a booth including a generally U-shaped vertical wall having two parallel opposed side wall portions and a curved end wall portion connecting the side portions, a top connected to said wall, and an open end opposite said end wall portion; a plurality of funnels mounted in a vertical column in said end wall portion and extending over substantially the entire height of said booth; means for withdrawing air, and vapors present in said air, from within the booth through said funnels to generate an air sample containing said vapors, said withdrawal mean operable to create a generally horizontal flow of air and vapors through said booth; and means for directing heat into said booth to heat a person standing within the booth.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 146 words

Inspection apparatus for generating an air sample containing vapors of substances carried by a person, such as vapors of explosives, cocaine, or heroin, comprising; a booth including a generally U-shaped vertical wall having two parallel opposed side wall portions and a curved end wall portion connecting the side portions, a top connected to said wall, and an open end opposite said end wall portion; a plurality of funnels mounted in a vertical column in said end wall portion and extending over substantially the entire height of said booth; means for withdrawing air, and vapors present in said air, from within the booth through said funnels to generate an air sample containing said vapors, said withdrawal mean operable to create a generally horizontal flow of air and vapors through said booth; and means for directing heat into said booth to heat a person standing within the booth.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus as in claim 21 including a distance sensor in said booth for determining the distance of a person from said end wall portion, said distance sensor operable to produce signals for controlling the operation of said heater and said withdrawal means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus as in claim 21 wherein said means for directing heat into said booth includes first and second vertical strip heaters extending through said end wall portion and positioned, respectively, on opposite sides of said vertical column of funnels.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-03-19	1993-09-18	1994-03-20	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-03-19	1997-09-18	1998-03-20	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-03-19	2001-09-18	2002-03-20	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Walk-in inspection apparatus for producing air samples

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