Device for taking and examining samples

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for taking and examining samples, comprising a tube-shaped housing ( 50 ) in which a cartridge ( 30 ), a testing means ( 40 ) and a sample-taking means ( 10 ) are positioned, wherein a sample introduced by means of the sample-taking means ( 10 ) can be mixed with a content of the cartridge ( 30 ), and the testing means ( 40 ) is used to analyze the sample mixture.

1 . A device for taking and examining samples, comprising a housing ( 50 ) in which a cartridge ( 30 ), a testing means ( 40 ) and a sample-taking means ( 10 ) are positioned, wherein the cartridge ( 30 ) is displaceable within the housing ( 50 ) in such a manner that a sample introduced by means of the sample-taking means ( 10 ) can be mixed with a content of the cartridge ( 30 ) and wherein the testing means ( 40 ) is displaceable within the housing ( 50 ) in such a manner that the testing means ( 40 ) can be brought in contact with the sample mixture for analyzing the sample mixture.  
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the sample-taking means ( 10 ) can be introduced into an open end of the housing ( 50 ) and preferably comprises a steep thread ( 18 ) which cooperates with a corresponding internal thread ( 53 ) in the housing ( 50 ).  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample-facing end of the sample-taking means ( 10 ) comprises a sample chamber ( 20 ).  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the sample-taking means ( 10 ) consists of two half-tubes ( 11 ,  12 ) which are connected with each other preferably at the handle-facing end by means of a joint, preferably a film hinge, or an elastic web ( 13 ).  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the two half-tubes ( 11 ,  12 ) comprises at its sample-facing end a first and a second disk ( 21 ,  22 ) limiting the sample chamber ( 20 ).  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the sample-facing disk ( 21 ) comprises a sieve ( 26 ), an indentation ( 25 ) is preferably formed in the disk and preferably at the edge a cone-shaped ring ( 24 ) is attached, wherein the disk is connected to the sample-taking means ( 10 ) preferably by predetermined breaking points ( 23 ).  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein one end of the cartridge ( 30 ) comprises an opening ( 32 ) which can be closed by means of a ball ( 33 ).  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the cartridge ( 30 ) has a bottom ( 34 ) which can be perforated.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the cartridge ( 30 ) is shaped cylindrically and comprises on one end a truncated cone ( 31 ) which can be engaged with the cone-shaped ring ( 24 ) on the sieve ( 26 ) of the sample-taking means ( 10 ), wherein the ball ( 33 ) contacts the indentation ( 25 ).  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the testing means has the shape of a cylinder whose cartridge-facing end tapers in the form of a truncated cone ( 41 ) and the tip thereof has preferably an opening ( 42 ).  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the testing means ( 40 ) can be brought in contact with the content of the cartridge ( 30 ) if the sample-taking means ( 10 ) is arranged in the housing.  
     
     
         12 . A kit for preparing a ready-to-use device for taking and examining samples comprising 
 (a) a sample-taking means ( 10 ) for taking a sample,    (b) a housing ( 50 ) with a cartridge ( 30 ) arranged therein, and    (c) a testing means ( 40 ),    wherein the sample-taking means ( 10 ) and the testing means ( 40 ) are introducible into the housing ( 50 ) and the testing means ( 40 ) can additionally be displaced after having been introduced into the housing ( 50 ).