Abstract:
A method and a device for holding in readiness, transporting, processing and archiving thermoanalytical samples are disclosed. The sample containers, into which the thermoanalytical samples to be investigated are to be introduced, are provided in a magazine.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and a magazine for holding in readiness, transporting, processing and archiving thermoanalytical samples. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    US patent application 2013/0105677 A1 discloses a sample carrier for use with mineralogical samples in laser spectroscopy. The sample holder comprises a base plate, on which a reference sample is fixedly disposed. Furthermore, the sample holder is provided on its base with a fixed number of sample places, into which the samples to be measured can be introduced for analysis. When the samples are placed on the base of the sample holder, a cover is positioned above the samples, which is then connected firmly and detachably by a fastening element to the sample tray. Provided in the cover of the sample holder are openings through which the samples can be measured. For the measurement itself, the sample carrier is rotated and introduced with the cover down into a corresponding measuring device. 
         [0003]    German utility model DE 20 2007 002 324 U1 discloses a device for thermoanalytical measurement with a sample magazine with a plurality of sample holders, a regulatable temperature control device, a measurement holding fixture disposed in the measurement chamber and a control and regulation unit. A particular feature of this utility model is that at least one sample holder cooperates with a regulatable temperature control device. 
         [0004]    Devices for thermoanalytical investigation are for example calorimeters, which work according to the differential scanning principle (DSC) or according to the principle of power compensation, as well as devices for thermogravimetric, thermomechanical, dynamically mechanical or electrical analysis (TGA, TMA, DMA or DEA). These devices can be operated both with individual samples and also in combination with a sample magazine with a plurality of sample holders. Sample magazines are used in particular in round or square form for the measurement of a plurality of samples or for automated measurement. The apparatuses and devices that are used for thermoanalytical measurements and investigations and the scientific principles and methods upon which they are based are in principle known from the prior art and will not be dealt with further here. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The problem underlying the invention is to provide a method for the economical and operationally reliable provision, analysis and archiving of thermoanalytical samples. 
         [0006]    The above problem is solved by a method for holding in readiness, transporting, processing and archiving thermoanalytical samples. Further advantageous features can be found in the sub-claims. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, the problem underlying the invention is to provide a magazine, with which samples for thermoanalytical investigation can be made available, analysed and archived economically in an operationally reliable manner. 
         [0008]    The above problem is solved by a magazine for holding in readiness, transporting, processing and archiving thermoanalytical samples. Further advantageous features can be found in the sub-claims. 
         [0009]    A method for holding in readiness, transporting, processing and archiving thermoanalytical samples is disclosed. The sample containers, into which the thermoanalytical samples to be investigated are to be introduced, are provided in a magazine. For the loading of the sample containers with corresponding sample material, the sample containers are removed from the magazine. A sample is then put into each sample container. The data of the thermoanalytical samples to be investigated are entered in an electronic and/or an analog data list for the magazine. A fixed place in the magazine is assigned to each sample container which is filled with a sample. For transport, the magazine is firmly closed with a transport securing means. In a preferred embodiment, the transport securing means is a cover, which can be connected firmly, but detachably to the magazine. For the further processing or for the analysis of the sample, the re-opened magazine is introduced into a measuring device for thermal analysis. After the introduction of the magazine into the measuring device, the magazine is identified by detection means. In the identification, the data from the data list of the magazine are read out with the detection means, the position of each sample container at the same time being transmitted to the measuring device. Each sample together with the sample container is then automatically removed from the magazine and transferred for the given measurement. After completion of the measurement, each sample together with the respective sample container is then automatically transferred back again into the magazine. After completion of all the measurements, the samples including the sample containers are archived together with the magazine. 
         [0010]    It is clear to a person skilled in the art in the area of thermal analysis that the samples, or the sample containers, can also be removed manually by the operator from the magazine and transferred for the measurement. After completion of the measurement, the samples, or the sample containers, would be sorted into the magazine manually by the operator. 
         [0011]    The magazine is at all events unequivocally identifiable, the identification being carried out by a detection means. The actual identification of the magazine can be carried out automatically by a detection means on the measuring device or manually by the user. RFID chips, 2D-codes, barcodes or text boxes can be read out with the detection means. For an accurate identification, it is necessary for the operator either to download the data of the respective samples via a data-processing system, for example on the RFID chip, or to make the data accessible via a database for the read-out of the barcode. In the case where use is made of the text boxes described above, it concerns a folded book which is appended to the outer packaging of the magazine. This folded book contains lines and columns, in which the precise data of each sample can be entered in respect of each sample container. 
         [0012]    Before the first use, i.e. after delivery of the magazine, an empty sample container with an associated cover is present on each position. In a preferred embodiment, each sample container and each cover have been pre-weighed before the magazine is loaded and the data of the respective sample container and its associated cover have been detected and can be read out via the detection means of the measuring device. In further embodiments, various positions of the magazine can remain empty. Furthermore, it is possible that only one sample container or only one cover is present at a position. It is also possible for a sample container and a cover to be disposed in pairs beside one another in each case. For the loading with the sample, the sample container can be removed from the magazine and inserted again. The associated cover is then positioned on the sample container. This has the advantage that the very thin cover with a tendency towards deformation does not have to be moved unnecessarily frequently. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, a magazine for holding in readiness, transporting, processing and archiving thermoanalytical samples is disclosed. The magazine has a predetermined grid, as a result of which the position of each sample container, including its cover, is known. In addition, the magazine comprises a transport securing means, with which the magazine can be firmly closed for transport and/or for archiving. Fitted on an end face of the magazine is a detection means, by means of which the magazine is unequivocally identifiable. The magazine is provided with an outer packaging, wherein this outer packaging is assigned unequivocally to the magazine. This unequivocal assignment of the outer packaging to the given associated magazine is very important for use as an archiving means. As a result of the fixed link between the magazine and the outer packaging, it is possible in the archive to ascertain just from the exterior which magazine or which samples are present in the given outer packaging. The outer packaging is provided with a data list for the sample data. This data list is generally constituted as a folded book or as an RFID chip. The folded book present on the outer packaging is also known to the person skilled in the art as a Leporello. The data of the samples can be entered in this folded book, the folded book always being firmly attached to the outer packaging. 
         [0014]    The magazine is connected detachably to the outer packaging, wherein the detachable connection between magazine and outer packaging is constituted as a plug-in system or as a glued joint. In the case of the use of a plug-in system, the magazine is pushed into the outer packaging. The magazine is firmly located in position in the outer packaging by means of webs which are located above the magazine and above the transport securing means. 
         [0015]    For the person skilled in the art, it is also possible to fix the magazine in the outer packaging by means of adhesive dots. After use of the magazine in a measuring device, it is subsequently also possible to firmly glue the magazine again in the outer packaging. Many devices and methods are known from the prior art with which magazines can be fixed detachably in an outer packaging. The two previously described possibilities do not therefore represent a limitation of the scope of protection. 
         [0016]    Examples of embodiment of the invention and its advantages will be explained in greater detail below with the aid of the appended figures. The size ratios of the individual elements with respect to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the actual size ratios, since some forms are represented simplified and other forms are represented enlarged in relation to other elements for the sake of better illustration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a measuring device for thermoanalytical investigations. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a magazine according to the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a sample container with a cover, as is present in the magazine according to the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows an outer packaging with an associated magazine according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows an arbitrary measuring device  30  for thermoanalytical investigations. Measuring device  30  is provided with a magazine tray  36 , on which two magazines  10  are disposed in the shown embodiment. Magazines  10  are unequivocally identifiable with detection means. With detection means, it is possible to read out the data from the data list of the magazine (not represented) and to transmit the latter to measuring device  30 . By means of removal device  32 , individual samples or sample containers (not represented) can be removed from one of magazines  10  and introduced into measurement chamber  34 . After completion of the measurement, the samples or sample containers are again removed with removal device  32  out of sample chamber  34  and transferred to respective magazine  10 . It is always the case here that the corresponding sample container is placed back onto the given position which it had occupied previously in the given magazine  10 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a magazine  10  according to the invention, which is provided with a plurality of mounts  22  for sample containers (not represented). A data list  14  for respective magazine  10  can be seen on the front side. Magazine  10  is unequivocally identifiable by this data list  14 . A recess  26  for the transport securing means (not represented) is introduced on the side lying opposite data list  14 . The transport securing means is subsequently introduced into this recess  26 . Locking devices  24  are provided on longitudinal sides  23  of magazine  10 . Magazine  10  can be positioned in a measuring device or fixed in an outer packaging (not represented) by means of these locking devices  24 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a sample container  12  with a cover  13 , such as can be introduced into magazine  10  according to the invention. This sample container  12  and associated cover  13  are pre-weighed before the loading of magazine  10  in production and are then assigned to a fixed position in magazine  10 . The data of each sample container  12  and of associated cover  13  are stored in data list  14  for magazine  10 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows an outer packaging  20  with its associated magazine  10 . Furthermore, outer packaging  20  is provided with data list  28  of outer packaging  20 . The data of the individual samples and a precise identification of the respective samples that are present in associated magazine  10  can be entered in this data list  28 . 
         [0025]    The invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment. For a person skilled in the art, however, it is conceivable for modifications or changes to be made to the invention without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.