Front-loading sample preparation apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016290938-A1
Application number	US-201415023633-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 18, 2014
Priority date	Sep 19, 2013
Publication date	Oct 6, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed, is a sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) which is configured to prepare a material sample ( 900′ ) suitable for X-ray diffraction. The apparatus ( 6 B) comprises a dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) configured to fit within an annular sample holder ( 400 ). The dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) has a concave dished surface ( 501 ) which is adapted to distribute sample material ( 900 ) under pressing forces. A method of preparing a material sample ( 900′ ) suitable for X-ray diffraction is also disclosed. The method comprises dosing a dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) which is configured to fit within an annular sample holder ( 400 ) with sample material ( 900 ), wherein the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) preferably has a concave dished surface ( 501 ) which is adapted to distribute sample material ( 900 ) under pressing forces. A new leveling device design tool (FIG. 12 ) is also disclosed. The leveling tool minimizes surface contact effects by penetrating the core of the sample and providing random sample grain orientation while evenly distributing material throughout the sample holder bottom. The sample material ( 900 ) is lightly pressed, and sample material ( 900 ) is distributed within the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) by virtue of the concave dished surface ( 501 ).

First claim

1 . A sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) configured to prepare a material sample ( 900 ′) suitable for X-ray diffraction comprising:
a dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) configured to fit within an annular sample holder ( 400 ), the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) having a concave dished surface ( 501 ) which is adapted to distribute sample material ( 900 ) under pressing forces;
an annular sample holder ( 400 );
wherein the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) is provided within the annular sample holder ( 400 ) and is configured to move within the annular sample holder ( 400 ) in piston fashion;
wherein said dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) further comprises a seal ring ( 510 ) disposed between an inner surface ( 401 ) of the annular sample holder ( 400 ) and an outer surface ( 505 ) of the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ).

2 . (canceled)

3 . (canceled)

4 . (canceled)

5 . The sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) according to claim 1 , wherein said seal ring ( 510 ) is disposed in a retaining groove ( 503 ) provided on the outer surface ( 505 ) comprised of a number of groove surfaces ( 506 ).

6 . The sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) according to claim 1 , wherein said seal ring ( 510 ) comprises an outer lip ( 512 ) and an inner portion ( 513 ).

7 . The sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) according to claim 6 , wherein said seal ring ( 510 ) further comprises a recess ( 511 ) between said outer lip ( 512 ) and inner portion ( 513 ).

8 . The sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) according to claim 1 , wherein the annular sample holder ( 400 ) further comprises a retaining groove ( 403 ) provided at its outer surface ( 402 ) which is configured to receive one or more retaining claws ( 1204 ).

9 . The sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) according to claim 1 , wherein the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) is used in a front-loading process, and wherein the sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) is configured to produce a quality material sample ( 900 ′) suitable for X-ray diffraction via said front-loading process.

10 . A method of preparing a material sample ( 900 ′) suitable for X-ray diffraction comprising:
dosing a dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) configured to fit within an annular sample holder ( 400 ) with sample material ( 900 ), the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) having a concave dished surface ( 501 ) which is adapted to distribute sample material ( 900 ) under pressing forces;
lightly pressing the sample material ( 900 ); and
distributing sample material ( 900 ) within the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ) by virtue of the concave dished surface ( 501 );
wherein the step of dosing comprises bringing a leveling device ( 100 ) into contact with said sample material ( 900 ) prior to pressing, the leveling device ( 1000 ) comprising a shaft ( 1003 ), and a plurality of fingers ( 1010 ) having different lengths.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of dosing further comprises the use of a dosing funnel ( 1304 ) to place sample material ( 900 ) in central portions of the dished sample holder bottom ( 500 ).

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of lightly pressing further comprises avoiding over-pressing of the sample material ( 900 ).

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of lightly pressing further comprises pressing with a textured or flat punch ( 1100 ).

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein all steps are automated and part of a front-loading process.

15 . (canceled)

16 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the distal ends ( 1030 ) of the fingers ( 1010 ) are further from a tip ( 1020 ) at a radially outwardly portion of the leveling device ( 1000 ), and closer to a tip ( 1020 ) at a radially inwardly portion of the leveling device ( 1000 ).

17 . A leveling device ( 1000 ) for a sample preparation apparatus ( 6 B) which is configured to prepare a material sample ( 900 ′) suitable for X-ray diffraction, the leveling device ( 1000 ) comprising:
a shaft ( 1003 ) having an upper section ( 1005 ) and a lower section ( 1006 ); and,
a plurality of fingers ( 1010 ) extending from the lower section ( 1006 ).

18 . The leveling device ( 1000 ) according to claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of fingers ( 1010 ) have different lengths.

19 . The leveling device ( 1000 ) according to claim 18 , wherein distal ends ( 1030 ) of the fingers ( 1010 ) are further from a tip ( 1020 ) of the lower section ( 1006 ) at a radially outwardly portion of the leveling device ( 1000 ), and closer to a tip ( 1020 ) at a radially inwardly portion of the leveling device ( 1000 ).

20 . The leveling device ( 1000 ) according to claim 18 , wherein the lower section ( 1006 ) further comprises an opening ( 1009 ).

Assignees

• Smidth As F L

Inventors

• Bruzenak Lukas
• Meleg Vladimir

Classifications

• G01N23/2005 Primary

  Preparation of powder samples therefor · CPC title

• G01N2223/312

  powder preparation · CPC title

• G01N2223/616

  earth materials · CPC title

• G01N2223/056

  diffraction · CPC title

• G01N1/286

  involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising (microtomes G01N1/06; pulverising in general B02C; mixing in general B01F) · CPC title