Spot test kit for explosives detection

Abstract

An explosion tester system comprising a body, a lateral flow membrane swab unit adapted to be removeably connected to the body, a first explosives detecting reagent, a first reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the first reagent holder and dispenser containing the first explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body, a second explosives detecting reagent, and a second reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the second reagent holder and dispenser containing the second explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body.

1 . An inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives, comprising: 
 a body,    a lateral flow membrane swab unit adapted to be removeably connected to said body,    a first explosives detecting reagent,    a first reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to said body, said first reagent holder and dispenser containing said first explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver said first explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit when said lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to said body,    a second explosives detecting reagent, and    a second reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to said body, said second reagent holder and dispenser containing said second explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver said second explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit when said lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to said body.    
     
     
         2 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said lateral flow membrane swab unit comprises a microporous membrane.  
     
     
         3 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said lateral flow membrane swab unit comprises a polyethylene spheres fused membrane.  
     
     
         4 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said lateral flow membrane swab unit comprises a microporous cellulose membrane.  
     
     
         5 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said lateral flow membrane swab unit comprises a microporous cellulose nitrate membrane.  
     
     
         6 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said lateral flow membrane swab unit comprises a microporous membrane that provides migration of said first explosives detecting reagent from said first reagent holder and dispenser and migration of said second explosives detecting reagent from said second reagent holder and dispenser.  
     
     
         7 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said first explosives detecting reagent comprises Meisenheimer complexes.  
     
     
         8 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said second explosives detecting reagent comprises a Griess reagent.  
     
     
         9 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  including a third explosives detecting reagent and a third reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to said body, said third reagent holder and dispenser containing said third explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver said third explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit when said lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to said body.  
     
     
         10 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 9  wherein said third explosives detecting reagent comprises a Nesslers reagent.  
     
     
         11 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  including an additional explosives detecting reagent and an additional reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to said body, said additional reagent holder and dispenser containing said additional explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver said additional explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit when said lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to said body.  
     
     
         12 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 11  wherein said additional explosives detecting reagent comprises a thymol reagent.  
     
     
         13 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 11  including an added explosives detecting reagent and an added reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to said body, said added reagent holder and dispenser containing said added explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver said added explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit when said lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to said body.  
     
     
         14 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 13  wherein said added explosives detecting reagent comprises diphenylamine/H 2 SO 4 .  
     
     
         15 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  including a supplemental explosives detecting reagent and a supplemental reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to said body, said supplemental reagent holder and dispenser containing said supplemental explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver said supplemental explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit when said lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to said body.  
     
     
         16 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 15  wherein said supplemental explosives detecting reagent comprises tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide or KOH in EtOH.  
     
     
         17 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said first reagent holder and dispenser comprises an ampoule.  
     
     
         18 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said first reagent holder and dispenser comprises a breakable ampoule.  
     
     
         19 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said first reagent holder and dispenser comprises a breakable glass ampoule.  
     
     
         20 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said first reagent holder and dispenser comprises a squeezable ampoule.  
     
     
         21 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  including an information area on said lateral flow membrane swab unit.  
     
     
         22 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  including color reaction indicators on said lateral flow membrane swab unit.  
     
     
         23 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  including a heater wherein said body and said lateral flow membrane swab unit are adapted to be operatively connected to said heater.  
     
     
         24 . The inspection tester apparatus for testing for explosives of  claim 1  wherein said first reagent holder and dispenser and said second reagent holder and dispenser are connected to a system for mixing said first explosives detecting reagent and said second explosives detecting reagent.  
     
     
         25 . An inspection tester method for testing a suspect surface for explosives, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a lateral flow membrane swab unit;    providing a first explosives detecting reagent;    providing a second explosives detecting reagent;    swiping said suspect surface with said lateral flow membrane swab unit,    delivering said first explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit, wherein if said lateral flow membrane swab unit becomes colored the test is positive for explosives and if no color appears the test for explosives is negative to this point; and    delivering said second explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit, wherein if said lateral flow membrane swab unit becomes colored the test is positive for explosives and if no color appears the test for explosives is negative.    
     
     
         26 . The inspection tester method for testing a suspect surface for explosives of  claim 25  including the steps of providing a third explosives detecting reagent and delivering said third explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit, wherein if said lateral flow membrane swab unit becomes colored the test is positive for explosives and if no color appears the test for explosives is negative.  
     
     
         27 . The inspection tester method for testing a suspect surface for explosives of  claim 25  including the steps of providing additional explosives detecting reagents and delivering said additional explosives detecting reagents to said lateral flow membrane swab unit, wherein if said lateral flow membrane swab unit becomes colored the test is positive for explosives and if no color appears the test for explosives is negative.  
     
     
         28 . The inspection tester method for testing a suspect surface for explosives of  claim 25  including the step mixing said first explosives detecting reagent and said second explosives detecting reagent before delivering said first explosives detecting reagent and said second explosives detecting reagent to said lateral flow membrane swab unit.  
     
     
         29 . The inspection tester method for testing a suspect surface for explosives of  claim 25  including the step of heating said lateral flow membrane swab unit.