Contaminant scanning system

Abstract

A method of inspecting a cargo container for chemical or biological materials, comprising: providing a vapor collection unit in the container, allowing vapors to be collected from the container into the collection unit, removing vapors collected in the vapor collection unit from the container through a port of the container, not primarily used for loading or removing cargo from the container, and analyzing the vapors collected by the vapor collection unit for traces of one or more particulates.

1 . A method of inspecting a cargo container for chemical or biological materials, comprising:
 providing a vapor collection unit in the container;   allowing vapors to be collected from the container into the collection unit;   removing vapors collected in the vapor collection unit from the container through a port of the container, not primarily used for loading or removing cargo from the container; and   analyzing the vapors collected by the vapor collection unit for traces of one or more particulates.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein providing the vapor collection unit comprises placing the vapor collection unit in the container when the container is at a first location and wherein removing the collection unit comprises removing when the container is at a second location. 
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein placing the vapor collection unit in the container comprises inserting the collection unit into the container through the port. 
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein analyzing the vapors comprises analyzing by an analyzer not located within the container while the container is transferred to the second location. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein removing vapors collected in the vapor collection unit from the container comprises removing the vapor collection unit from the container. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein removing vapors collected in the vapor collection unit from the container comprises removing the vapors through the port while the vapor collection unit remains in the container. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the port is substantially smaller than a door of the container through which cargo is loaded into the container. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the port is smaller than 500 square centimeters. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the port leads to a chamber which is separated from the remaining volume of the container at least by barred walls. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein providing the vapor collection unit in the container comprises providing such that at least a portion of a casing of the vapor collection unit remains outside the container. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising locking the port in order to limit unauthorized access to the vapor collection unit through the port. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising sealing the port in a manner which allows identification of unauthorized access to the vapor collection unit through the port. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising operating an air flow generator passing air from the interior of the container through the vapor collection unit so as to induce collection of vapors in the collection unit. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein operating the air flow generator comprises operating intermittently. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein operating the air flow generator comprises operating substantially continuously until a battery is drained or until the vapors are removed from the container. 
   
   
       16 . A container for transporting cargo, comprising:
 an enclosure adapted to receive cargo;   one or more doors of the enclosure through which cargo may be inserted into the container;   a port in the enclosure substantially smaller than the one or more doors; and   a holding fixture adjacent the port, adapted to hold a vapor collection unit adjacent the port.   
   
   
       17 . A container according to  claim 16 , wherein the port has an opening area of less than 200 square centimeters. 
   
   
       18 . A container according to  claim 16 , comprising a vapor collection unit within the holding fixture. 
   
   
       19 . A container according to  claim 16 , comprising an air flow generator permanently fixed adjacent the port. 
   
   
       20 . A container according to  claim 16 , comprising a port door adapted to cover the port. 
   
   
       21 . A container according to  claim 20 , wherein the port door is configured to close automatically when not held open.