Patent ID: 8852534

Claim:
A sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame comprising a base, a support plate, and at least one stud extending from the base through the support plate, the support plate having at least two apertures adapted to receive therein at least two open-ended sample recipients for holding the sample material; and a cap receiving plate releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps and a retention device, the retention device moveable between a first position in which the retention device engages the at least one stud and a second position in which the retention device is disengaged from the at least one stud, the at least two compression caps to be positioned above the at least two open-ended sample recipients to form pressure-relief valves thereon, with the retention device in the first position, the retention device moveable from the first position to the second position under a first force proportional to a second force resulting from an increase of a pressure inside the at least two open-ended sample recipients, the at least two compression caps configured to open the pressure-relief valves when the pressure rises above a predetermined threshold to enable fluid to escape from the at least two open-ended sample recipients.