Patent ID: 8592695

Claim:
A system for analyzing a plurality of samples in a furnace, comprising: an upper holder comprising at least one opening adapted to engage at least one upper crucible, each upper crucible being adapted to retain a first sample; a lower holder comprising at least one opening adapted to engage at least one lower, crucible, each lower crucible being adapted to retain a second sample; a scale adapted to receive and weigh the lower crucible, the scale further adapted to receive and weigh a combination of an upper crucible stacked on the lower crucible; a furnace enclosing the upper holder, the lower holder and the scale; and means for moving the upper holder and the lower holder relative to each other between a first position wherein the upper and lower crucibles are remote and a second position wherein the upper crucible is stacked on the lower crucible, and for moving the lower crucible or the combination of the upper crucible stacked on the lower crucible relative to the scale so that the scale receives and weights either the lower crucible or the combination of the upper crucible stacked on the lower crucible.