US Patent 7093508 Sampling apparatus for material collection

An apparatus to collect a sample of material has a handle with a tubular sample sleeve extending from an end of the handle. The end of the sleeve distal from the handle forms a cutting edge circumscribing a circular sampling region. A plunger slides reciprocally within the tubular sample sleeve between a retracted position and an expulsion position. A user cuts a sample from a source material by engaging contact between the cutting edge of the tubular sample sleeve and the source material. The sample cut from the source is lodged within the tubular sample sleeve. Actuation of the plunger from the retracted position toward the expulsion position displacing the sample from the sleeve.