Automatic chemical analysis devices and methods

Claim 1

An automatic chemical analysis device comprising: a turret journaled for rotation about a vertical axis, said turret having a plurality of peripheral cavities to receive and transport liquid sample ampoules encased in tubular sleeves, resilient sealing means to form a fluid-tight seal between each sleeve and ampoule encased therein, conveyor means to deliver said sleeve encased ampoules into said turret cavities, means to index seriatum said turret cavities into position at a work station, a smash unit into which the upper ends of the sleeve and encased ampoule positioned at said work station may be inserted to create a fluid-tight chamber, said smash unit having a gas exit line connected with said chamber through a wall thereof and a purge tube inlet in the top thereof, plunger means at said work station to raise the sleeve encased ampoule located in said turret cavity at said work station and insert same into said smash unit, an elongated purge tube positioned vertically above said smash unit with the lower end thereof extending through said tube inlet into said chamber, seal means to provide a fluid-tight seal between said purge tube and said tube inlet, means to move said purge tube longitudinally between a upper position where its lower end, while within said chamber, is above the top end of the ampoule located in the chamber and a lower position where its lower end extends into said ampoule near the bottom thereof, movement of said purge tube from said upper position to said lower position serving to break said top end of said ampoule, tube means to connect said purge tube to a gas source for introduction of gas into said chamber and said ampoule positioned therein, and a discharge station at which sleeve encased ampoules are removed from said turret cavities.