Patent Application
20080250878
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for collecting scents from a scene and enabling trained dogs to sniff the collected scent and then hunt for criminals or missing persons.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Design Pat. No. 397,051, issued on Aug. 18, 1998, discloses a scent evidence device which includes a pad holder, the function of the device being to collect scent from a crime scene on a pad and thereafter make the pad available to a trained dog to hunt for criminals or missing persons.
Although the patented device works satisfactorily, it is relatively large and requires an electric motor to generate a vacuum.
Copending application Ser. No. 11/545,941, filed Oct. 12, 2006, discloses a scent transfer device which is more compact than the prior art design and wherein an electric motor is not utilized to generate the required vacuum.
The device comprises an air inflator having a gas cartridge, the inflator being coupled to an air amplifier. A holder having a sterile pad positioned therein is secured to the air amplifier. When gas from the cartridge is expelled into the air amplifier, a vacuum is created at the end of the air amplifier where the pad holder is attached, enabling a user, when the pad holder is positioned near an area to be examined, to collect the scent on the pad. The pad can then be removed and stored in an evidence bag. The use of gas cartridges eliminates the necessity of using air to create the vacuum which could contaminate the pad and also enables the generated vacuum to be precisely metered each time the device is used.
Although the device set forth in the '941 application performs well, it is desired to provide a scent transfer unit that is compact and portable.
The present invention provides a compact and portable scent transfer device. The device comprises a housing, similar to that of a portable electric drill, a motor/fan combination, a sterile pad nozzle component holder connected to the housing, a sterile pad nozzle having a sterile member pad therein coupled to nozzle component holder and a nozzle coupled to the nozzle member. An exhaust port is formed in the device housing. The housing is fabricated in a manner such that it can be connected to a conventional rechargeable battery.
In an alternate embodiment, a disposable capsule, or cartridge is mounted to the housing in place of the sterile pad nozzle and component holder, the capsule having removable caps on both ends. A sterile pad is secured within the capsule. The capsule is inserted into the front of the housing and secured therein during the collection process. One end of the capsule is punctured when inserted into the housing, indicating usage and avoiding possible re-use and/or cross-contamination. The capsule can also be mounted to one end of an extension, the other end inserted into the collection end of the housing.
For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein:
Referring now to
In particular, unit 10 comprises battery pack 12, a housing 14, preferably fabricated from plastic, a variable speed trigger 16, an exhaust port 18 with an optional nozzle 20 for use as a blower to remove debris and dust from an item, a sterile pad nozzle holder 22, a swivel nozzle holder 24 and swivel nozzle 26.
A motor 30 is positioned within the upper portion of housing 14 as illustrated, shaft 32 of motor 30 being coupled to fan 34 and apertured finger protector screen 37. Sterile pad holder 22 is removably mounted within the inner surface 36 of housing 14. Sterile pad holder 22 includes an apertured frame member 37 that supports a sterile pad 38. Swivel nozzle 24 includes a neck portion 40; flexible swivel nozzle 26 is hard pressed to fit snugly over neck portion 40. Pad holder 22 is a separate component that can be removed from housing 14. Sterile pad 38 is inserted into pad holder 22 and held in place by a clip. Swivel nozzle holder 24 snaps onto pad holder 22 using clip 60.
In operation, device 10, charged by battery pack 12, is positioned in a manner such that nozzle 26 is adjacent an item to be examined for scent. A user then engages trigger 16 such that current is supplied to motor 30. Shaft 32 of motor 30 then rotates which in turn rotates fan 34. The air generated by the rotation of fan 34 is such that a vacuum is created, drawing air with scent contained therein, through nozzle 26, pad 38, frame member 36 and through exhaust port 18. Pad holder 22 is then removed from housing 14, nozzle holder 24 is removed from pad holder 22 and the hold-down clip holding pad 38 against apertured frame member 36 is opened and pad 38 is removed and placed in a sterilized evidence bag.
Pad holder 22 comprises an upper head portion 39 that has a square shaped housing portion having sides 41, 42, 43, and 44 and base portion 46 having a plurality of apertures 48 formed therein. It should be noted that other pad holder shapes can be utilized, such as rectangular shapes. A sterile pad 38, when the unit 10 is ready for operation, is secured within housing portion adjacent base portion 46 by a metal clip (not shown). The details of the metal clip and how it secures pad 38 against apertured housing 36 is disclosed in application Ser. No. 11/545,941, the teachings of which necessary for an understanding of the present invention being incorporated herein by reference.
The pre-packaged cartridge 70 is pressed into the drill gun housing 74 and held in place via an o-ring or other compression device. The drill gun housing contains a stainless steel device the pieces the seal 79 of cartridge 70 when it is inserted into the front of housing 74 of the other end of cartridge 70 has a protective seal 79. When cartridge 70 is inserted into housing 14, seal 79 is pierced. The use removes seal 77 which enables human scent to flow into cartridge 70. The scent pad within cartridge 70 is then removed for lab testing. After the scent is tested, cartridge 70 is removed from housing 74 and the two ends thereof are then capped. The appropriate information on the testing event can be entered onto cartridge label 80.
Referring now to
In particular, a scent transfer unit 100 comprising an elongated, cylindrically shaped housing portion 102 and a cone shaped portion 104 screwable onto portion 102 is illustrated, portions 102 and 104 in combination having a flash light shape. A pad holder 106, identical to pad holder 22 shown in
As shown in
Scent pad holder 106 is similar to the one set forth in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/545,941 referred to hereinabove. It is Teflon coated and has clip spring 110 that holds the sterile 2″×2″ pad (or other sized pads) that may be required. Scent pad holder 106 press fits into the end of the housing 104 so that it can easily be removed for cleaning (alcohol is the preferred cleaning agent). Housing 104 is screwed onto housing 102.
The user un-clips the sterile pad holder clip 110 from scent pad holder 106 and it hinges out of the way so that the user could place the sterile pad 120 on the screen surface 122. Clip 110 is then snapped back into place to keep the sterile pad 120 from falling out.
In operation, a user pushes the on button switch 128 to energize scent transfer unit 100, the front of the unit being placed adjacent the area where the scent to be collected is located. The user then adjusts dial 126 to control the speed of motor 136 which in turn controls the amount of vacuum generated. The scent then picked up by unit 100 is collected on pad 120, clip 110 is hinged out of the way and pad 120 removed from pad holder 106. Pad 120 can then be deposited in a sterile evidence container for future examination.
While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.
