an adsorbent coating is affixed to the internal wall of a sealable container . the container may be rigid or flexible . the adsorbent coating , when in the sealed container retains odor components for an extended period permitting the odor components to be transported without requiring the transport of the source of the components . thermal , or other desorption techniques release the odor components for analysis by , for example , liquid chromatography or gas chromatography . one embodiment of the invention is disclosed in which the container is a flexible bag , coated on its interior with an adsorbent material . in another embodiment of the invention , a large surface - area body , containing sorbent material on its surfaces , is contained within the container .