Sampling cap for particle monitoring system and particle monitoring system comprising such sampling cap

Abstract

The present application relates to a sampling cap for a particle monitoring system, preferably a microbial gas (e.g., air) sampler or an air suspended particle counter. The present application also relates to a particle monitoring system comprising such a sampling cap and a method for a gas monitoring process using such a particle monitoring system comprising such a sampling cap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a sampling cap for a particulate monitoring system, preferably a microbial gas (e.g., air) sampler, or an airborne particulate counter. This application also relates to a particulate monitoring system including such a sampling cap and a method for a gas monitoring process using such a particulate monitoring system including such a sampling cap. Background Technology

[0002] In a range of cleanroom and manufacturing environments requiring low particle levels (such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, or measuring instrument manufacturing, and sterile environments for manufacturing pharmaceuticals and biological products such as sterile pharmaceutical products), monitoring of sampled fluids, either liquids or, more commonly, gases (such as air), is frequently performed for the purpose of assessing contaminants, for classification, and for monitoring purposes.

[0003] For the purpose of monitoring fluids (air) in this context, particulate monitoring systems are known and include microbial or reactive gas (air) samplers and particulate counters. Microbial or reactive gas (air) samplers and airborne particulate counters are beneficial because they allow users to sample a quantitative amount of air and determine the risk of contamination (microbial flora) of sterile products in the surrounding environment.

[0004] EP 0 964 240 A1 discloses an air sampler for microorganisms and examples of methods for sampling, detecting, and / or characterizing particles (e.g., via the collection, growth, and analysis of live biological particles such as microorganisms). The device includes an integrated sampler and a receiving surface, such as a growth medium in a petri dish, for collecting the biological particles. The collected particles are then typically cultured to grow live particles and subsequently analyzed using various techniques, including visual inspection, microscopic examination, fluorescence or autofluorescence, ATP detection, or other techniques.

[0005] As another type of particle monitoring device, a particle counter typically pumps the gas to be monitored through a measurement system. A laser beam is directed into the gas stream, and particles passing through the laser beam generate a signal detected by a photomultiplier tube. The output of the photomultiplier tube has several amplifiers with different gain levels, which allow for differentiation of particle number and size based on signal evaluation, and more specifically, on the evaluation of signal amplitude.

[0006] This application relates to a particle monitoring system in which a sampling section for performing a sampling process on a sample fluid (preferably a gas, such as air) includes a particle collector or a particle counter, or a combination of a particle collector and a particle counter. The general monitoring procedures and techniques of the particle monitoring system are not affected by the use of the sampling cap defined herein, and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0007] US 2021 / 0214121 A1 discloses an air sampler device for a particulate monitoring system. The air sampler device includes a base plate on which a culture dish is placed, and a top plate placed on the base plate to surround the culture dish, the top plate being an example of a sampling cover. A vacuum tube is attached to an air port on the base plate. Air is then drawn into the sampler device through holes in the top plate, causing the air to impinge on a test medium contained in a culture dish housed within the air sampler device between the top and bottom plates. The air is exhausted through the air port. At the end of a test cycle, the top plate (sampling cover) is removed from the base plate, the culture dish is removed, and the top plate is replaced. The culture dish can then be analyzed to determine the cleanliness level of the surrounding environment.

[0008] The entire device disclosed in US 2021 / 0214121 A1 is made of metal, allowing it to be sterilized by heat, steam, vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), or ethylene oxide (ETO). Because the petri dish has a diameter of approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches), and the top plate has a slightly larger diameter of 11.5 cm (4.5 inches), it is relatively heavy. Furthermore, the outer surface of the top plate is flat and smooth, making it difficult for a gloved person in a cleanroom to grip. US 2021 / 0214121 A1 proposes providing concave sidewalls along the outer circumference of the top plate to create a more form-fitting contact between the user's fingers and the sidewalls of the top plate, achieving a weight reduction of approximately 20%.

[0009] This solution remains relatively large, heavy, and difficult to clean because it requires complex and energy-intensive sterilization equipment, such as autoclaves, which are not available at every site. Outsourcing the autoclaving process is costly and requires a substantial inventory of materials (sterilized and used) to maintain continuous operation.

[0010] Finally, existing sampling covers or top plates for air sampler devices used in particulate monitoring systems for environmental monitoring are not optimized for robotic and automated applications, which are an inevitable trend in the industry to reduce labor and improve safety and quality standards.

[0011] Therefore, this application aims to provide a sampling cover for a particle monitoring system (preferably a microbial gas (air) sampler or an airborne particle counter) that solves at least some of the problems associated with existing solutions. Summary of the Invention

[0012] To address the problems identified above, this application provides a sampling cover for a particle monitoring system as defined in claim 1, a particle monitoring system as defined in claim 13, and a gas sampling procedure as defined in claim 14. Preferred embodiments of the sampling cover for the particle monitoring system are defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] Therefore, this application provides a sampling cover for a particle monitoring system, comprising: (i) a support section configured to releasably attach to a sampling section of a particle monitoring system and define a space surrounding an impact and collection surface (preferably a petri dish) placed on the sampling section; and (ii) A sieve section supported by a support section to close the open side of the space above the impact and collection surface (preferably a petri dish), the sieve section being provided with a fluid opening arranged to guide fluid toward the impact and collection surface (preferably a petri dish) placed on the sampling section during operation of the particle monitoring system.

[0014] Preferably, the support section and the sieve section are integrally formed, preferably integrally molded, and preferably by injection molding.

[0015] Preferably, the support section is configured to move along the body of the sampling section of the particle monitoring system between its position defining a space surrounding an impact and collection surface (preferably a petri dish) placed on the sampling section and its position providing access to the sampling section.

[0016] Preferably, the support segment is provided with a plurality of radial ribs or protrusions and / or recesses distributed around its periphery to allow the support segment to be gripped by the gripper of the robot, with the purpose of positioning the support segment on the sampling segment and / or increasing rigidity against deformation.

[0017] Preferably, the support segment includes a lower skirt portion and an upper skirt portion, the lower skirt portion having a larger diameter than the upper skirt portion, such that there is a stepped transition portion between the two.

[0018] Preferably, the rib is formed as an extension of the lower skirt portion, extending beyond the stepped transition portion onto the upper skirt portion.

[0019] Preferably, the lower skirt portion is formed to surround the peripheral edge of the sampling section and releasably engage with the peripheral edge.

[0020] Preferably, the support section is a ring-shaped body.

[0021] Preferably, the sieve section is surrounded by the peripheral edge of the support section, and preferably is axially recessed from the top surface of the peripheral edge of the support section toward the impact and collection surface (preferably a petri dish) to form a groove-shaped portion.

[0022] Preferably, the peripheral edge of the support section is formed on the side facing the sampling section of the particle monitoring system as a raised outer peripheral wall around the impact and collection surface (preferably a petri dish) in the installed state on the sampling section, thereby creating an inverted U-shaped or V-shaped gap through which fluid can be transferred from the central region of the space above the impact and collection surface and below the sieve section to the outer peripheral region of the space surrounding the impact and collection surface (preferably a petri dish).

[0023] Preferably, the sampling cover is configured to engage with other sampling covers of the same configuration to form a self-supporting stack.

[0024] Preferably, the sieve section and / or support section are provided with data tags containing identifiers, which are preferably of an electronically readable type.

[0025] Preferably, the sampling cover includes an impact and collection surface, preferably a petri dish.

[0026] This application also provides a particle monitoring system, which includes a sampling cover as defined above.

[0027] In addition, this application provides a gas monitoring process, which includes the following steps: (a) Provide a petri dish including a lid and a bottom; (b) Place the petri dish on the base of the particle monitoring system and remove the lid of the petri dish; (c) Positioning a disposable sampling cap as defined herein onto the base, the disposable sampling cap including a fluid opening in the sieve section; and (d) Fluid (e.g., gas or air) is drawn in through the fluid opening in the sieve section, thereby collecting particles entrained in the fluid flow onto the surface of the petri dish. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The sampling cover and particle monitoring system will now be described in more detail based on preferred, but not limiting, exemplary embodiments with reference to the following illustrative exemplary drawings: Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c Perspective view ( Figure 1a ), perspective section view ( Figure 1b ) and cross-sectional elevation ( Figure 1c Examples of sampling covers are shown, with each figure relating to a sampling section of a particle monitoring system.

[0029] Figures 2a to 2e Perspective view ( Figure 2a , Figure 2c , Figure 2d , Figure 2e ) and perspective section view ( Figure 2b The diagram illustrates the sequence of characteristic steps in an air monitoring process using a sampling cover according to an embodiment, with each diagram relating to the sampling section of a particulate monitoring system. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The sampling cap, as described herein, is designed as a single-use component (preferably made of plastic material) to avoid the need for cleaning and autoclaving before and / or after each use.

[0031] It also reduces the weight of the parts to be manipulated, as the sampling cover can be made of lightweight plastic material.

[0032] This sampling cover also provides compatible air sampling cover solutions for both manual and automatic use.

[0033] Figures 1a to 1c An embodiment of a sampling cover 1 as described herein, in conjunction with a sampling section 3 of a particle monitoring system (not shown), is shown. It should be noted that the sampling section 3 is not part of this sampling cover, but rather a component of a particle monitoring system known per se. The sampling cover 1 is in any case designed to be compatible with the corresponding sampling section 3 to provide the functionality described below.

[0034] Sampling cover 1 for a particle monitoring system includes a support section 2 configured to releasably attach and secure to a sampling section 3 of the particle monitoring system and define a space 5 (as described above in conjunction with the prior art) surrounding an impact and collection surface, such as a petri dish 4, placed on a base 3a of the sampling section 3. Although the sampling cover 1 will be described below with respect to a petri dish 4 as an impact and collection surface, it should be understood that any impact and collection surface may be used instead of a petri dish.

[0035] Petri dishes typically include a bottom and a lid, wherein the bottom preferably includes a growth medium.

[0036] The sampling cover 1 also includes a sieve section 6, which is integrally formed with the support section 2 and configured to close the open side of the space 5 above the petri dish 4. The sieve section 6 is provided with an array of fluid openings 7 (which may also be referred to as "holes" in this application), arranged to guide fluid capable of carrying bacterial contaminants toward the growth or test medium contained in the petri dish 4 placed on the sampling section 3 during operation of the particle monitoring system. For clarity, it should be noted that during operation of the particle monitoring system, the cover of the petri dish 4 is removed. After impacting the medium in the petri dish 4, the fluid is guided toward the periphery of the sieve section 6 and from there through the gap 16 between the support section 2 and the petri dish 4 to the outlet port 3b of the sampling section (the flow of fluid is forced by depressurization generated by a vacuum pump downstream of the outlet port 3b).

[0037] The support section 2 and the sieve section 6 of the sampling cover 1 are integrally formed, preferably integrally molded, and preferably injection molded. Therefore, the sampling cover 1 is preferably a disposable solution consisting of a single-use, disposable plastic part compatible with environmental monitoring air samplers, thus avoiding the need for autoclaving. There are no particular limitations on the choice of plastic material. Suitable plastic materials may be selected, for example, from the list of the following: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS); polypropylene (PP), such as propylene homopolymers, propylene random copolymers, or multiphase propylene block copolymers; polycarbonate (PC); polystyrene (PS), such as high-impact polystyrene (HIPS); polyamide (PA); and polyester.

[0038] The form, number, and arrangement of the openings 7 on the upper side of the sieve section 6 are not particularly limited, as long as they function to guide the fluid of the desired flow rate toward the medium in the petri dish 4. In this embodiment, the openings 7 are in the form of a radially aligned row of small holes directed toward the center of the sieve section. The surface forming the openings is in the form of a recessed groove 11 surrounded by a raised peripheral edge 12. The lower side of the peripheral edge 12 receives and forms an annular channel 13 for guiding the fluid through the gap 16 between the sampling cap 1 and the petri dish 4 to the outlet port 3b.

[0039] The sieve section 6 is surrounded by the raised peripheral edge 12 of the support section 2, and preferably is axially recessed from the top surface 12a of the peripheral edge 12 of the support section 2 toward the impact and collection surface (preferably the petri dish 4) to form a groove-shaped portion 11. Furthermore, as... Figure 1cAs shown, the peripheral edge 12 of the support section 2 is formed on the side facing the sampling section 3 of the particle monitoring system as a raised outer peripheral wall 4a surrounding the impact and collection surface (preferably petri dish 4) in the installed state on the sampling section 3, thereby creating an inverted U-shaped or V-shaped gap 16 through which fluid can be transferred from the central region 5a of the space 5 above the impact and collection surface and below the sieve section 6 to the outer peripheral region 5b of the space 5 surrounding the impact and collection surface (preferably petri dish 4).

[0040] like Figure 1a and Figure 1b As shown, the support segment 2 is provided with a plurality of radial ribs and / or recesses 9 between the ribs (or recesses in a smooth outer wall surface, not shown), these radial ribs and / or recesses 9 being distributed at equal intervals around the outer periphery of the support segment 2 to allow or at least facilitate gripping of the support segment 2 by the gripper 17 of the robot, with the aim of positioning the support segment 2 on the sampling segment 3 and / or increasing rigidity against deformation (see also...). Figure 2d and Figure 2e ).

[0041] Although not shown, the raised peripheral edge 12 surrounding the sieve section 6 may also be provided with multiple radial ribs distributed circumferentially on its upper side to enhance the rigidity of the sampling cover 1 against bending deformation, in addition to the function of the raised peripheral edge 12 and the radial ribs or protrusions 9, while allowing for a reduction in the material thickness of the wall itself. This allows the sampling cover 1 to be gripped by a robot's clamping device 17 (see...). Figure 2d and Figure 2e (Or it can be held and manipulated by the user's hands.)

[0042] The support segment 2 can be specifically designed to have a relatively simple geometry, with a predominantly flat and preferably uninterrupted continuous smooth surface (except for the aforementioned rib 9) and only minimal recesses or sharp edges. Therefore, it can be easily formed by injection molding.

[0043] In this embodiment, the support segment 2 is an annular body comprising a lower skirt portion 2a and an upper skirt portion 2b. The lower skirt portion 2a has a slightly larger diameter than the upper skirt portion 2b, resulting in a stepped transition portion 2c between them. This stepped structure enhances the rigidity of the sampling cover against deformation, and also allows for a reduction in material thickness, particularly when the cover is manipulated by a clamping device.

[0044] In one embodiment, the outer rib or protrusion 9 is formed as an extension of the lower skirt portion 2a, extending over the stepped transition portion 2c onto the upper skirt portion 2b. Furthermore, the lower skirt portion 2a is formed around the peripheral edge 3c of the sampling segment 3 and preferably releasably engages with the peripheral edge 3c to create a sealing contact. However, the sealing contact may also be formed by flat mating surfaces that press against each other when a vacuum is applied, as described later.

[0045] In manual operation, the lateral ribs or protrusions 9 and / or recesses help prevent the sampling cover from slipping over the robot's gripper 17 or glove. For ease of implementation, the support segment 2 preferably has a sufficiently wide, substantially vertical surface along its outer periphery to allow for easy and reliable gripping.

[0046] The support section 2 is designed to be fixed to the base 3a of the sampling section 3. This is achieved by providing centering and engagement features on the support section 2 and the base 3a to define a releasable mounting position. If the sampling cover 1 is to be held in place over several sampling cycles, the releasable connection between the base 3a and the support section 2 should be more rigid.

[0047] The disposable sampling cover 1 can be configured to engage with other sampling covers of the same configuration to form a self-supporting stack.

[0048] Following its production, due to its simple, one-piece design, the sampling cap 1 can easily undergo one or more cleaning or sterilization steps, for which any known sterilization method can be used, such as sterilization by gamma rays, steam, or ozone, to name a few, thereby bringing the sampling cap 1 to the desired and manufacturer-guaranteed level of sterility (or cleanliness). The availability of pre-sterilized sampling caps 1 is advantageous to a wide range of users. For example, users without any sterilization capabilities (e.g., because they do not have a sufficient number of routine tests to perform at a given time or only occasionally need to perform such tests) can keep a stock of pre-sterilized sampling caps 1 on hand, ready for use at any given time, thus allowing for spontaneous testing. Furthermore, users performing a large number of tests within a given time period, for example, gain assurance of a consistent level of sterility from one sampling cap to the next, thus essentially avoiding the risk of false positive results, the consequence of which, for example, in pharmaceutical manufacturing, could potentially lead to the unnecessary discarding of entire production batches or lots, resulting in avoidable economic losses.

[0049] Furthermore, the sampling cap 1 can be provided with a relatively simple rigid primary packaging for single use, to allow for automated and robotic use. There will be a synergy between the packaging for robotic and automated use and the single-use sampling cap. The rigid packaging will allow the sampling cap to remain sterile until the very last moment before its use.

[0050] Figures 2a to 2e Perspective view ( Figure 2a , Figure 2c , Figure 2d , Figure 2e ) and perspective section view ( Figure 2b The diagram illustrates the sequence of characteristic steps in an air monitoring process using the sampling cover 1 according to an embodiment, with each diagram relating to the sampling section 3 of the particulate monitoring system.

[0051] To begin the air monitoring process, a petri dish 4 (containing a growth or test medium, such as agar medium) is placed on the base 3a of the sampling section 3 of the particle monitoring system (e.g., an air sampling system). This step is performed in... Figure 2a and Figure 2b As shown in the diagram, and which is known in the art itself, the petri dish 4 can be positioned manually or automatically by a robot without indiscriminate positioning.

[0052] Then, the disposable sampling cap 1 is also positioned on the base 3a of the sampling section 3 so that the petri dish 4 is surrounded by the gap 16 (see Figure 1b and Figure 1c The sampling cover 1 can be manually applied without discrimination. Figure 2c ) or using robots automatically ( Figure 2d Positioning, among which, Figure 2d The illustration shows an example in which the sampling cover 1 is held by a gripper 17 of such a handling robot (not shown). The rigidity of the disposable sampling cover 1 and (if necessary) the use of rigid packaging (not shown) as the primary packaging for the disposable sampling cover 1 will allow for automation and robotic use of the proposed solution through the gripper 17. The primary packaging can be a package of a single unit or a package of several sampling covers 1. In the latter case, the design of the sampling covers 1 will preferably allow them to be easily stacked and picked up one by one by the gripper 17.

[0053] Once the sampling cover 1 is placed on top of the base 3a of the sampling section 3 (see...), Figure 2e The fluid sampling system is then ready to start, and a vacuum pump (not shown) is activated to draw fluid (air) through the port 3b of the air sampling system through the hole 7 of the sieve section 6. Contaminant particles entrained in the fluid flow are projected onto the surface of the medium within the petri dish 4 by kinetic energy and remain on the surface. The drawn-in fluid is radially forced outward and upward through the gap 16 between the raised peripheral edge 12 and the wall 4a at the peripheral wall 4a of the petri dish 4, and further guided and deflected downward by the annular channel 13 between the sampling cap 1 and the petri dish 4, and directed to the outlet port 3b to finally exit through the port 3b of the air sampling system (see also...). Figure 1c ).

[0054] Therefore, the gas (preferably air) monitoring process as described herein includes the following steps: (a) Provide a petri dish including a lid and a bottom (4); (b) Place the petri dish (4) onto the base (3a) of the particle monitoring system and remove the lid of the petri dish (4); (c) Positioning a disposable sampling cap (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12 onto the base (3a), the disposable sampling cap (1) including a fluid opening (7) in the sieve section (6); and (d) Fluid (e.g., gas or air) is drawn in through the fluid opening (7) of the sieve section (6), thereby collecting particles entrained in the fluid flow on the surface of the petri dish (4).

[0055] Step (d) typically lasts for a predetermined time, during which time the lid is placed back on the culture dish 4 and the culture dish 4 is removed from the base 3a.

[0056] Step (c) of the gas monitoring process can be performed manually or by using a robot.

[0057] In a preferred variant (not shown), the sieve section 6 and / or support section 2, and optionally the air sampling system, are provided with data tags containing identifiers, preferably of an electronically readable type, attached to an accessible outer surface of the respective component (e.g., on the outer peripheral surface of the lower skirt section 2a). These identifiers may have a unique data matrix to ensure clear traceability of the performed tests. This traceability reading should be compatible with both manual and automated use.

[0058] In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the annular support segment can be sized to fit closely around the outer circumference of the base 3a of the sampling segment 3, such that the support segment 2 of the sampling cover 1 is configured to move along the body of the base 3a of the sampling segment 3 between a raised position (in which it facilitates unobstructed loading of the culture dish 4) and a lowered position (in which the substantially enclosed space 5 surrounding the culture dish 4 placed on the sampling segment 3 is defined by the sampling cover 1).

Claims

1. A sampling cover (1) for a particle monitoring system, comprising: (i) a support section (2) configured to be releasably attached to the sampling section (3) of the particle monitoring system and defining a space (5) surrounding an impact and collection surface, preferably a petri dish (4), placed on the sampling section (3); and (ii) A sieve section (6) supported by the support section (2) to close the open side of the space (5) above the impact and collection surface, preferably the petri dish (4), the sieve section (6) being provided with a fluid opening (7) arranged to guide fluid toward the impact and collection surface, preferably the petri dish (4) placed on the sampling section (3) during operation of the particle monitoring system.

2. The sampling cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The support section (2) and the sieve section (6) are integrally formed, preferably integrally molded, and preferably by injection molding.

3. The sampling cover (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support section (2) is configured to move along the body of the sampling section (3) of the particle monitoring system between the position defined by the support section (2) around the space (5) of the impact and collection surface, preferably the petri dish (4) placed on the sampling section (3) and the position of the passage provided to the sampling section (3).

4. The sampling cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The support section (2) is provided with a plurality of radial ribs or protrusions (9) and / or recesses distributed around its periphery to allow the support section (2) to be gripped by the gripper (17) of the robot, with the purpose of positioning the support section (2) on the sampling section (3) and / or increasing the rigidity against deformation.

5. The sampling cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The support section (2) includes a lower skirt portion (2a) and an upper skirt portion (2b), wherein the lower skirt portion (2a) has a larger diameter than the upper skirt portion (2b), such that there is a stepped transition portion (2c) between the lower skirt portion (2a) and the upper skirt portion (2b).

6. The sampling cover (1) according to claim 5 in conjunction with claim 4, wherein, The rib (9) is formed as an extension of the lower skirt portion (2a), which extends over the stepped transition portion (2c) onto the upper skirt portion (2b).

7. The sampling cover (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein, The lower skirt portion (2a) is formed as a peripheral edge (3c) surrounding the sampling section (3) and is releasably engaged with the peripheral edge (3c).

8. The sampling cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The supporting section (2) is a ring-shaped body.

9. The sampling cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The sieve section (6) is surrounded by the peripheral edge (12) of the support section (2) and preferably recessed axially from the top surface (12a) of the peripheral edge (12) of the support section (2) toward the impact and collection surface, preferably the culture dish (4), to form a groove-shaped portion (11).

10. The sampling cover (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The peripheral edge (12) of the support section (2) is formed on the side facing the sampling section (3) of the particle monitoring system as a raised outer peripheral wall (4a) around the impact and collection surface, preferably the petri dish (4), in the installation state on the sampling section (3), thereby creating an inverted U-shaped or V-shaped gap (16) through which fluid can be transferred from the central region (5a) of the space (5) above the impact and collection surface and below the sieve section (6) to the outer peripheral region (5b) of the space (5) surrounding the impact and collection surface, preferably the petri dish (4).

11. The sampling cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The sampling cover (1) is configured to engage with other sampling covers (1) of the same configuration to form a self-supporting stack.

12. The sampling cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The sieve section (6) and / or the support section (2) are provided with data tags containing identifiers, which are preferably electronically readable.

13. The sampling cover (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The sampling cover (1) includes an impact and collection surface, preferably a petri dish (4).

14. A particle monitoring system comprising a sampling cover according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A gas monitoring process, comprising the following steps: (a) Provide a petri dish including a lid and a bottom (4); (b) Place the petri dish (4) onto the base (3a) of the particle monitoring system and remove the lid of the petri dish (4); (c) Positioning a disposable sampling cap (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12 onto the base (3a), the disposable sampling cap (1) including a fluid opening (7) in a sieve section (6); and (d) Fluid (e.g., gas or air) is drawn in through the fluid opening (7) of the sieve section (6), thereby collecting particles entrained in the fluid flow on the surface of the petri dish (4).

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