Equipment for automatic and contamination-free sampling and analysis

Abstract

A device for processing a sample container (13) having an open side, the device comprising: a head (1) having an inner chamber (3), the inner chamber having an opening (4) and having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the inner chamber, wherein the opening extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis; a rotor (6) portion arranged in the inner chamber; a rotor drive device (7); a rotor displacement device (8); a piston (5) having an edge portion (9) having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the inner chamber; and a piston displacement device (8) arranged to displace the rotor along the longitudinal axis so that the edge portion of the piston will scrape the wall (10) of the inner chamber, the device also comprising: a holder (11) arranged to support the sample container so that the open side of the sample container is connected to the opening of the inner chamber; and a head drive device (2) arranged to change the orientation of the head between a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented upward and a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for automatically processing sample containers. Background Art

[0002] Samples are taken from production products (e.g. animal feed, grains in pellet form) and analyzed to monitor product quality. Samples can be taken directly from the production line to perform automated analysis. Samples for optical analysis (such as analysis by spectroscopy, e.g. near infrared reflectance (NIR)) need to be provided in pulverized form in order to improve analytical accuracy, so grinding is often required.

[0003] U.S. patent application US 2008 / 203201 A1 discloses an agricultural sample grinding system, which includes a grinder unit for grinding and uniformly mixing agricultural samples. The system also includes a collection chamber connected to a delivery nozzle extending from one side of the grinder unit. The collection chamber is used to collect the ground and uniformly mixed agricultural samples distributed from the grinder unit via the delivery nozzle. The system deposits the ground and uniformly mixed agricultural samples into the collection chamber, thereby maintaining the uniformly mixed samples.

[0004] US Patent No. 5,580,007 discloses a device for cutting, crushing and / or mixing materials, for example in an experimental area, in which a blade rotates in a working chamber containing the material. During the processing of the material, the blade descends in the working chamber with the piston to gradually reduce the volume of the working chamber.

[0005] International patent application WO 2004 / 003525 discloses a device for grinding a selected sample and presenting the sample to an analysis system. The device comprises: a grinding chamber having a grinding device for grinding the sample in the grinding chamber; and a pressing device for pressing the sample in the grinding chamber toward an analysis window to present the sample to a near infrared reflectance (NIR) analysis system.

[0006] European patent EP2 227 123A2 discloses a device for cheese and products of similar consistency. The device comprises a sample chamber provided with two non-overlapping sections, a mixing section adapted to mix the contents and a pressure section adapted to apply pressure to the contents. The diameter of the mixing section is larger than the diameter of the pressure section.

[0007] A stirring member is provided in the mixing section for stirring the ingredients and processing the ingredients into cheese. The processed ingredients are then transferred to the pressure section, where the sample is pressed into a compressed state using a pressure member. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to an apparatus having a head comprising an inner chamber with a rotor, preferably comprising grinding means, and a drive means, such as a robot arm, the drive means being arranged to turn the head upside down, so that in one position the head can receive a sample and process it by means of the rotor, while in another position the head can automatically empty the sample from the inner chamber into a sample container with the aid of a piston arranged in the inner chamber for scraping its sides, which can then be placed on an optical analysis system, in particular a standard optical analysis system for common laboratories. The apparatus can also be arranged for automatic washing of the sample container and the inner chamber.

[0009] In an alternative use, the sample is in a state where it does not need to be processed by the rotor, such as grinding the sample before analyzing it with the aid of an optical analysis system. In an alternative use, the head of the device handles the sample container and performs automatic washing of the sample container and other functions that do not involve grinding the sample.

[0010] The invention therefore relates to a device for processing sample containers having an open side, the device comprising:

[0011] a head having an inner chamber provided with an opening at one end, the inner chamber having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the inner chamber, wherein the opening extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis;

[0012] A rotor part, arranged in the inner chamber;

[0013] a rotor drive arranged to rotate the rotor portion about the longitudinal axis;

[0014] a rotor displacement device configured to displace the rotor along the longitudinal axis;

[0015] a piston having an edge portion having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the inner chamber; and

[0016] a piston displacement device arranged to displace the piston along the longitudinal axis so that an edge portion of the piston will scrape against a wall of the inner chamber,

[0017] The equipment also includes:

[0018] a holder configured to support the sample container such that an open side of the sample container is coupled to the opening of the inner chamber; and

[0019] A head drive device, such as a robotic arm, is configured to change the orientation of the head between a position in which the opening of the interior chamber is oriented upward and a position in which the opening of the interior chamber is oriented downward.

[0020] By being able to change the orientation of the head, the inner chamber can be filled with the sample when oriented with the opening facing upwards, in which orientation the sample is processed by the rotor, so that sample particles, pellets, etc. can move freely up and down to and away from the rotor, thereby promoting the homogenization of the sample, and the inner chamber can be emptied again by changing the orientation of the head so that the opening is oriented downwards and the processed sample will fall into the sample container with the help of the edge portion of the displaceable piston scraping the wall of the inner chamber.

[0021] This equipment can be used for automatic and contamination-free sampling and analysis of substances obtained from ongoing production in order to observe the quality of the substances produced.

[0022] The piston and the rotor may be displaced independently, but in order to simplify the apparatus it is preferred that both are arranged to be displaced simultaneously, so that the piston displacing means also constitutes the rotor displacing means.

[0023] The rotor preferably comprises grinding means, such as, for example, one or more grinding edges by means of one or more knives, such that the rotor is adapted to grind a sample located in the inner chamber when rotated by the rotor drive means.

[0024] The edge portion of the piston is preferably made of an elastomer, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone rubber or a mixture containing one or more of said elastomers, but may alternatively be made of, for example, one or more steel rings resiliently biased towards the wall of the inner chamber.

[0025] The apparatus preferably comprises control means arranged to control the operation of at least the rotor drive means, the rotor displacement means, the piston displacement means and the head drive means such that a process performed by means of the apparatus can be at least partially automated and preferably fully automated.

[0026] The holder may be fixed so that an external fixture or a user can place a sample container in the holder. However, preferably, the holder is movable relative to the head to remove a sample container containing a sample and place the sample container so that the open side of the sample container is tightly connected to the opening of the inner chamber, and to remove the sample container from such a position and place the sample container in a second position, which is used, for example, for sample analysis.

[0027] The holder is preferably arranged for supporting two sample containers simultaneously and for moving the two sample containers simultaneously to exchange their mutual positions relative to the opening of the inner chamber. Thereby, the efficiency of the device can be improved, for example, it is possible to remove one sample container from the analysis system after analysis and replace it with another sample container when the head is in the same position. While the contents of the new sample container are being analyzed by the analysis system, the other sample container can be removed and cleaned, and the head can be used to process another sample.

[0028] The holder is preferably arranged on the head of the device and comprises a holder drive device for driving the movement of the holder.Thereby, the holder and the head move simultaneously.

[0029] The operation of the holder is preferably also controlled by means of a control device.

[0030] The apparatus may further comprise a liquid dispenser arranged to dispense a cleaning liquid into the sample container held by the holder.

[0031] Likewise, the apparatus may further comprise drying means arranged to provide a flow of drying gas towards the sample container held by the holder.

[0032] The device may further comprise suction means arranged for emptying the sample container held by the holder, in order to remove the sample and any possible liquid applied for cleaning the sample container.

[0033] The apparatus may further comprise a scanner arranged to scan the upper surface of a sample in a sample container held by the holder. The scanner may be an optical scanner or alternatively an ultrasonic scanner. The scanner is preferably arranged to detect the height of the upper surface of the sample to determine whether the sample container is sufficiently filled with sample for subsequent analysis.

[0034] The device preferably comprises an optical analysis system, in particular a near infrared spectrometer, which is arranged for scanning the contents of the sample container through a transparent bottom portion of the sample container, and wherein the holder is arranged to position the sample container scanned by the optical analysis system. The optical analysis system may alternatively be of the type that scans the upper surface of the sample through the top opening of the sample container. However, in practice, in the case where the optical analysis system is not included in the device, the device may operate with such an external optical analysis system.

[0035] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the control means of the apparatus comprises a data communication interface adapted to be connected to a data communication interface of an optical analysis system, in particular a near infrared spectrometer, such as the optical analysis system comprised in the apparatus, and wherein the control means of the apparatus is adapted to transmit data identifying the contents of the sample container to the control means of the optical analysis system before scanning the contents of the sample container. Thus, the apparatus is adapted to be operated to analyze samples of a range of different substances, wherein the control means of the apparatus can control the entire operation by transmitting data identifying the substance contained in the sample container and ensure that the output from the optical analysis system has been calculated using calibration data related to the specific substance in the sample.

[0036] The control device of the device is preferably arranged to control the operation of the device in the following sequence: the head is placed in a position where the opening of the inner chamber is oriented upward, in which position the rotor drive device is operated to rotate the rotor for a period of time; then the orientation of the head and the holder is changed to a position where the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downward, in which position the rotor shifting device and the piston shifting device are operated to move the rotor and the piston to a position near the opening of the inner chamber, and the holder removes the sample container from its position of tight connection with the opening of the inner chamber. Thus, the device is suitable for automatically processing a sample placed in the inner chamber by means of the rotor, and then emptying the contents of the inner chamber into the sample container by turning the head upside down and activating the piston to scrape the wall of the inner chamber.

[0037] Furthermore, the control means may be arranged to control the operation of the apparatus in the following sequence: the head is initially in a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downwards, and the holder is operated to arrange the sample container so that the open side of the sample container is in close contact with the opening of the inner chamber, after which the head drive means is operated to change the orientation of the head and the holder to a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented upwards. The inner chamber is thus filled with the sample from the sample container for subsequent processing by means of the rotor as previously described.

[0038] The control means of the apparatus may be arranged to determine, for example, the hardness of a sample pellet, in which case the rotor comprises one or more blades, each blade having a grinded edge and a blunt ridge, and the control means is arranged to control the operation of the rotor to rotate in a first direction and then reversely rotate, when rotating in the first direction, the one or more grinded edges move forward, and when rotating in reverse, the one or more ridges move forward. By measuring the power consumption of the rotor drive means during reverse rotation, the current state of the sample, such as the overall size of particles in the partially processed sample, can be evaluated, whereby the measurement structure of, for example, the hardness of the pellet can be determined.

[0039] The control device can also be arranged to clean the sample container, that is, to control the operation of the device in the following sequence: the head is placed in a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downwards and the sample container is held by the holder in a position accessible to the open side of the sample container, wherein the head is moved to a position below the liquid dispenser, the liquid dispenser is operated to dispense the cleaning liquid into the sample container, after which the holder is moved so that the open side of the sample container is tightly connected with the opening of the inner chamber, and the rotor and the piston are shifted by means of the rotor shifting device and the piston shifting device, so that the rotor extends into the sample container and the rotor is rotated by means of the rotor driving device, and then the sample container is removed from the tight connection with the opening of the inner chamber by moving the holder, the sample container is emptied and the head is moved to a position relative to the drying device, wherein the drying device is operated to provide a dry air flow into the sample container.

[0040] The sample container may be emptied by turning it upside down in a suitable position or by applying suction to remove the contents of the sample container.

[0041] The device preferably comprises a robotic arm connected to the head and serving as drive means for the head, wherein a control device of the device preferably controls the robotic arm directly by means of an integrated control device or by communicating with a control system of the robotic arm.

[0042] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device comprises a turntable for holding a plurality of sample containers and a turntable drive for driving the turntable in rotation, and wherein the device is adapted to remove the sample container from the turntable by means of a holder, and wherein the operation of the turntable drive is controlled by means of a control device of the device. Thus, the device can be used to analyze a plurality of different samples placed in the turntable by an automatic device or an operator, and to prepare the samples one after another for analysis. In this case, it is particularly advantageous that the control device of the device is provided with a data communication interface, which is suitable for connection with a data communication interface of an optical analysis system (particularly a near infrared spectrometer), as previously discussed, because different samples will generally be different substances, which requires the use of separate calibration data for the optical analysis system.

[0043] The invention also relates to a system comprising a device as disclosed herein and comprising at least one apparatus for inline optical analysis, in particular a near infrared spectrometer, wherein an inline optical analysis of a material flow is performed by means of an optical analysis system of the apparatus, wherein the control means of the apparatus are adapted to receive data obtained from a material scan by the optical analysis system of the apparatus and to calibrate the optical analysis system of the apparatus based thereon. Inline optical analysis apparatus are suitable for analyzing material while it is being transported, for example, through a pipeline, and are therefore less reliable than the device disclosed herein. Therefore, by providing the inline optical analysis apparatus with data for a more reliable analysis of samples from the same material flow by means of the device and the optical analysis system, wherein the data are provided with a time stamp for when the sample was obtained from the material flow analyzed by the inline apparatus, a calibration of the apparatus can be performed when the data is compared with data obtained by the inline apparatus itself at approximately the same time.

[0044] The invention also relates to the use of a device as disclosed herein for grinding a sample and presenting the sample to an analytical system.

[0045] Use may include that the analysis system is an optical analysis system, in particular a near infrared spectrometer.

[0046] The present invention also relates to a method for grinding a sample by means of a device as disclosed herein and presenting the sample to an analytical system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 The head of the device is shown in a position wherein the opening of the interior chamber of the head is oriented upward;

[0049] Figure 2 The head of the device is shown in a position wherein the opening of the interior chamber of the head is oriented downward;

[0050] Figure 3 The holder of the illustrated head positions the sample container beneath the surface scanner for scanning the surface of the contents of the sample container;

[0051] Figure 4 The holder of the head is shown to position the sample container on a scale for determining the weight of the sample container;

[0052] Figure 5 The holder of the illustrated head positions the sample container at the near infrared reflectance optical analysis system;

[0053] Figure 6 The holder of the illustrated head positions the sample container beneath the liquid dispenser for dispensing cleaning liquid into the sample container;

[0054] Figure 7 The holder of the head shown enables the sample container to be positioned below a dryer that provides a dry air flow to the sample container.

[0055] Figure 8 The piston and rotor are shown in a retracted position, the retracted position being away from the opening of the internal chamber; and

[0056] Fig. 9 The piston and rotor are shown in an extended position proximate the opening of the internal chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The device shown in the drawings comprises a head 1 mounted on an arm 2 (preferably a robotic arm 2) having sufficient degrees of freedom to allow the orientation of the head to be flipped upside down and forward and backward, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The head 1 comprises an inner chamber 3 having an opening 4, which is Figure 1 In the upward direction Figure 2The inner chamber 3 is oriented downwards in the center. The inner cross-section of the inner chamber 3 is essentially circular and the chamber accommodates the piston 5 and the rotor 6. The rotor can be driven by means of a rotor drive 7, which is typically an electric motor, but can alternatively be, for example, a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor. The piston 5 and the rotor 6 can also be moved in the longitudinal direction of the inner chamber 3, i.e. up and down, by means of a displacement device 8, which is also typically an electric linear actuator, but can alternatively be, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator. The piston 5 includes an edge portion 9 made of an elastomer, preferably silicone rubber, such as an O-ring, so that when the piston 5 moves back and forth in the inner chamber 3, the edge portion will scrape and clean the wall 10 of the inner chamber 3.

[0058] The head 1 further comprises a holder 11 having two clamping parts (not shown) for holding two sample containers 13. The holder 11 comprises a first drive device 14 for rotating the holder 11 and the clamping parts so that the positions of the two sample containers 13 are switched between a first position 15 in which the sample container 13 is aligned with the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 and a second position 16 in which the sample container 13 can be subjected to scanning, cleaning or analysis or the sample container 13 can be released from the clamping parts and placed on, for example, a balance 17 or an optical analysis system 18. The holder 11 further comprises a holder shifting device 19 suitable for, for example, moving the sample container 13 in the first position 15 close to the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 so as to form a tight connection between the two.

[0059] In operation of the device, the sample can be obtained in two different ways. In both cases, the piston 5 and the rotor 6 are retracted to a position away from the opening 4, such as Figure 8 1 to allow the sample to enter the inner chamber 3. In the first mode, the sample is taken from, for example, a delivery pipe of the substance to be sampled and tested by opening a valve, from which the sample flows directly into the inner chamber 3 of the head 1. In this case, the head is as shown. Figure 1 In the second mode, the sample flows from the valve or the like into the sample container 13 held in the second position 16 by the holder 11, wherein the head 12 is oriented upward. Figure 2 The position shown in the figure, wherein the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 is oriented downwards, and the sample container 13 is able to receive the sample. According to this second mode, the holder 11 is then rotated by means of the first drive device 14, so that the sample container 13 with the sample is positioned in the first position facing the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3, and then the holder shifting device 19 is activated to move the sample container to make it in close contact with the head 1. Then, the head 1 is rotated to the position by means of the arm 2. Figure 1 The position in which the opening 4 of the interior chamber 3 is oriented upward is shown.

[0060] When the sample has entered the inner chamber 3 in any manner, the head 1 is now Figure 1In the orientation shown, the opening 4 of the interior 3 is oriented upwards and the sample container 13 is held by means of the holder 11 in a first position 15 , so that the sample container is tightly connected to the head 1 and covers the opening 4 .

[0061] Optionally, the filling amount of the sample in the inner chamber 3 can be determined in order to ensure that the amount of sample is sufficient for the test. A more uniform distribution of the sample can be achieved by slowly rotating the rotor 6 or repeatedly tilting the head 1, and scanning the surface of the sample in the inner chamber 3 with the help of, for example, an ultrasonic sensor (not shown). Alternatively or additionally, the head 1 is rotated with the help of the arm 2 to empty the sample into the sample container 13 placed in the first position 15, and the sample container is placed in the second position 16 by rotating the holder 11 to place the sample container 13 with the sample on the balance 17, so that both the head 1 and the holder 11 are moved so that the sample container 13 is placed in the balance 17, and the sample container 13 is released from the clamping part (not shown) of the holder 11, so that the weight of the sample container 13 containing the sample can be determined. In the case of performing scanning and weighing, the sample density can be estimated. Thereafter, the sample is returned to the inner chamber 3 by engaging the sample container 13 located on the balance 17 by means of the clamping portion of the holder 11, thereby rotating the holder 11 so that the sample container 13 is in the first position 15, moving the sample container 13 into close contact with the head 1 by means of the holder shifting device 19 and rotating the head 1 to a position where the opening 4 is oriented upwards, so that the sample falls into the inner chamber 3.

[0062] In the case of testing the hardness of sample particles (such as granules, etc.), the rotor 6 is rotated forward for a predetermined time to partially break the granules or particles. The term forward should be understood as such that the rotor 6 includes a blade having a sharp ground edge and a relatively blunt ridge, wherein the ground edge moves forward in the direction of forward rotation of the rotor 6. The rotor 6 is then rotated backward at a predetermined rotation speed, and the resistance of the partially broken granules or particles to the movement of the blunt ridges is measured, such as by the power consumption of the rotor drive 7, which indicates the hardness of the granules or particles.

[0063] In order to grind the sample into a uniform powder, the rotor 6 is rotated forward at a predetermined rotation speed, and the power consumption of the rotor drive 7 is monitored to determine when the power consumption becomes constant in time, which indicates that the sample is no longer broken by the rotor 6. At this time, the head 1 is rotated by means of the arm 2 to a position in which the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 is oriented downward, and the piston 5 and the rotor 6 are moved to an extended position close to the opening 4, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9As shown, the edge portion 9 of the piston 5 thereby scrapes the wall 10 of the inner chamber 3 to ensure that the wall 10 is clean and all the sample is transferred to the sample container 13 in the first position 15. In addition, the piston 5 thereby compresses the sample located in the sample container 13. The rotor 6 is then rotated slowly in order to distribute the sample more evenly in the sample container 13.

[0064] At this time, the holder 11 is moved by means of the holder shifting device 19, so that the sample container 13 holding the sample is moved and no longer in close contact with the head 1, and the holder 11 is rotated by means of the first driving device 14, so that the sample container is placed in the second position 16. The head 1 is moved by means of the arm 2 to a position where the sample container is just below the surface scanner 20 (such as an optical scanner or an ultrasonic scanner), as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the surface scanner scans the surface of the sample in order to ensure that the sample is substantially evenly distributed so that the entire transparent bottom portion of the sample container is covered by the sample in order to later correctly perform an optical analysis and optionally determine the volume of the sample.

[0065] The sample container 13 can then be transferred to a balance 17, such as Figure 4 As shown, and the weight of the sample is determined as previously discussed. In the case where the sample is also weighed before rupture, the weight loss due to evaporation of water from the sample can be determined. The exact density of the sample can be determined from its weight and volume.

[0066] The sample container 13 is again engaged with the gripping portion of the holder 11, lifted from the balance 17, and placed by the head 1 moved by means of the arm 2 onto the optical analysis system 18 for analysis using near infrared (NIR), as shown. Figure 5 Before placing the sample container 13 on the optical analysis system 18, the free clamping portion of the holder 11 is moved to engage with the previous sample container 13 that has been placed on the optical analysis system 18, the previous sample container is removed by rotating the holder 11, and the sample container 13 just filled with a new sample is placed on the optical analysis system 18, and the sample container filled with the new sample is released from the clamping portion of the holder 11.

[0067] It takes some time to optically analyze a new sample in a sample container 13 placed on the optical analysis system 18, during which the head 1 carrying the sample container 13 just removed from the optical analysis system 18 is moved to a cleaning position (not shown), in which the orientation of the head 1 is changed so that the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 is oriented downward, whereby the opening of the sample container 13 held by the clamping portion of the holder 11 is also oriented downward, so that the content of the sample container 13 is cleaned. In the case where the sample in the sample container 13 is viscous (for example, due to a high oil content), an automatic scraper (not shown) for scraping the inside of the sample container 13 may be provided in the cleaning position. The cleaning position may alternatively include a suction device for emptying the sample container 13 without turning the sample container 13 upside down. The suction device may also replace the available scraper.

[0068] The emptied sample container 13 can then be washed. Depending on the type of substance sampled, washing can be performed after each sampling or at regular intervals, such as after five or ten samplings. The washing program is started by moving the head 1 with the sample container 13 to be washed by means of the arm 2 to a position such as Figure 6 The holder 11 is then rotated by means of the first drive device 14 so that the sample container 13 is in the first position 15, after which the holder 11 is moved by means of the holder shifting device 19 so that the sample container 13 is in close contact with the head 1. The piston 5 and the rotor 6 are in the maximum extended position near the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3, so that the rotor 6 extends into the sample container 13 and into the liquid therein. The rotor 6 is rotated by means of the rotor drive device 7, whereby the inside of the sample container 13 is thoroughly washed. After washing, the head 1 is moved to a cleaning position (not shown) and the holder is rotated so that the sample container 13 is in the second position 16, the position of the head 1 and thus the position of the sample container 13 held by the holder 11 is also changed so that the opening 4 is oriented downwards and the liquid in the sample container 13 is cleaned. The position of the head 1 is changed again and the head 1 is moved by means of the arm 2 as shown. Figure 7 The apparatus 100 is shown in the position shown, in which the sample container 13 held by the holder 11 is in a second position 16 located below a dryer 22, which is arranged to provide a dry air flow towards the interior of the sample container 13. After the sample container 13 has been cleaned, the apparatus is ready to obtain and analyze a new sample. The apparatus may also be provided with a visual inspection device (not shown) which is arranged to inspect the cleaned sample container 13 to ensure that the quality of the cleaning is satisfactory.

[0069] The walls 10 of the inner chamber 3 together with the rotor 6 and the piston 5 may also need cleaning, which can be achieved in a similar manner. The washing program is started by moving the head 1 with the sample container 13 by means of the arm 2 to a position such as Figure 6 The position shown, in which the sample container 13 is below the liquid dispenser 21, wherein a cleaning liquid is dispensed into the sample container 13. The liquid may be, for example, demineralized water or water mixed with a detergent. The holder 11 is then rotated by means of the first drive device 14, so that the sample container 13 is in the first position 15, after which the holder 11 is moved by means of the holder shifting device 19, so that the sample container 13 is in close contact with the head 1. The head 1 is then rotated by means of the arm 2, so that the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 is oriented upwards. The piston 5 and the rotor 6 are in a retracted position furthest from the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown. The rotor 6 is rotated by means of the rotor drive 7, whereby the walls of the inner chamber 3, the rotor 6 itself and the piston 5 are thoroughly washed. After washing, the head 1 is moved to a cleaning position (not shown), the head 1 is rotated by means of the arm 2 into a position in which the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 is oriented downwards, so that the liquid is collected in the sample container 13; the holder is rotated so that the sample container 13 is in the second position 16, and the position of the head 1 and thus the position of the sample container 13 held by the holder 11 is also changed, so that the opening 4 is oriented downwards and the liquid in the sample container 13 is cleaned. The position of the head 1 is changed again, and the head 1 is moved by means of the arm 2 into a position in which the opening 4 of the inner chamber 3 is located below the dryer 22, which is arranged to provide a dry air flow towards the inner chamber 3. After the inner chamber 3 with its contents has been cleaned, the device is ready to obtain and process a new sample.

[0070] The apparatus may include other parts and sensors for monitoring the process and sample, such as temperature sensors, and may omit some parts of the process described above, such as the hardness detection part, depending on the type of material to be analyzed and the information that needs to be obtained about the sampled material.

[0071] 1 Head

[0072] 2 arms

[0073] 3. Inner Chamber

[0074] 4 Opening of the inner chamber

[0075] 5 Piston

[0076] 6 Rotor

[0077] 7 Rotor drive

[0078] 8 Displacement device for piston and rotor

[0079] 9 Piston edge

[0080] 10 The walls of the inner room

[0081] 11 Retainer

[0082] 13. Sample container

[0083] 14 First drive device for rotating the holder

[0084] 15 First position of sample container

[0085] 16 Second position for sample container

[0086] 17 Libra

[0087] 18 Optical analysis system using near infrared (NIR) for analysis

[0088] 19 Retainer shifting device

[0089] 20 Surface Scanner

[0090] 21 Liquid Dispenser

[0091] 22 Dryer

Claims

1. A device for processing a sample container (13) having an open side, the device comprising: A head (1), the head having an inner chamber (3), the inner chamber being provided with an opening (4) at one end, the inner chamber having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the inner chamber, wherein the opening extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis; A rotor part (6) arranged in the inner chamber; a rotor drive (7) arranged to rotate the rotor portion about the longitudinal axis; a rotor displacement device arranged to displace the rotor portion along the longitudinal axis; A piston (5) having an edge portion (9) having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the inner chamber; as well as a piston displacement device arranged to displace the piston along the longitudinal axis so that the edge portion of the piston will scrape against the wall (10) of the inner chamber, The device also includes: a holder (11) configured to support a sample container so that an open side of the sample container is tightly connected to the opening of the inner chamber, and A head drive device (2) is arranged to change the orientation of the head between a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented upward and a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downward.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The rotor portion comprises a grinding device, such that the rotor portion is adapted to grind a sample located in the inner chamber when rotated by the rotor drive device.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The edge portion of the piston is made of an elastomer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a control device arranged to control the operation of at least the rotor drive device, the rotor displacement device, the piston displacement device and the head drive device.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The piston and the rotor are partly arranged to be displaced simultaneously, and the piston displacing means also constitute the rotor displacing means.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The holder is movable relative to the head to retrieve a sample container containing a sample and to remove the sample container from such a position (15) and place the sample container in a second position (16).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The holder is configured to simultaneously support the two sample containers and to simultaneously move the two sample containers so that the mutual positions of the two sample containers are exchanged relative to the opening of the inner chamber.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The holder is disposed on the head of the device and includes a holder drive for driving movement of the holder.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The operation of the holder is controlled by means of the control device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a liquid dispenser (21) arranged to dispense a cleaning liquid into a sample container held by the holder.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising drying means (22) arranged to provide a flow of drying gas towards a sample container held by the holder.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a suction device arranged to empty a sample container held by the holder.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a scanner configured to scan an upper surface of a sample located in a sample container held by the holder.

14. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an optical analysis system configured to scan the contents of the sample container through the transparent bottom portion of the sample container, and wherein The holder is configured to position a sample container for scanning by the optical analysis system.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein: The control device of the device comprises a data communication interface, which is suitable for connecting to a data communication interface of an optical analysis system (18), and wherein the control device of the device is adapted to transmit data identifying the contents of the sample container to the control device of the optical analysis system (18) before scanning the contents of the sample container.

16. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The control device is configured to control the operation of the apparatus in the following sequence: placing the head in a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented upward, in which position the rotor drive device is operated to rotate the rotor portion for a period of time; then changing the orientation of the head and the holder to a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downward, in which position the rotor shifting device and the piston shifting device are operated to move the rotor portion and the piston to a position near the opening of the inner chamber, and the holder removes the sample container from a position in which the sample container is tightly connected to the opening of the inner chamber.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein: The control device is configured to control the operation of the apparatus in the following sequence: the head is initially placed in a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downward, and the holder is operated to place a sample container so that the open side of the sample container is tightly connected to the opening of the inner chamber, after which the head drive device is operated to change the orientation of the head and the holder to a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented upward.

18. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The rotor portion comprises one or more blades, each of the blades having a grinding edge and a blunt ridge, and wherein the control device is arranged to control the operation of the rotor portion to rotate in a first direction and then rotate in the reverse direction, when rotating in the first direction, one or more of the grinding edges move forward, and when rotating in the reverse direction, one or more of the blunt ridges move forward.

19. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: The control device is arranged to control the operation of the apparatus in the following sequence: the head is placed in a position in which the opening of the inner chamber is oriented downwards and a sample container is held by the holder in a position accessible to the open side of the sample container, in which position the head is moved to a position below the liquid dispenser, the liquid dispenser is operated to dispense the cleaning liquid into the sample container, after which the holder is moved so that the open side of the sample container is in tight connection with the opening of the inner chamber, and the rotor part and the piston are shifted by means of the rotor shifting device and the piston shifting device so that the rotor part extends into the sample container and the rotor part is rotated by means of the rotor drive device, and subsequently the sample container is removed from the tight connection with the opening of the inner chamber by moving the holder, the sample container is emptied and the head is moved to a position relative to the drying device, in which position the drying device is operated to provide a drying air flow into the sample container.

20. The device according to claim 1, comprising a robotic arm connected to the head (1) and used as the head driving means (2).

21. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a turntable for holding a plurality of sample containers and a turntable driving device for driving the turntable to rotate, and wherein: The device is adapted to remove a sample container from the carousel by means of the holder (11), and wherein the operation of the carousel drive is controlled by means of a control device of the device.

22. A system comprising an apparatus according to claim 1 and comprising at least one apparatus for performing online optical analysis, wherein online optical analysis of a material flow is performed with the aid of an optical analysis system of the apparatus, wherein a control device of the apparatus is adapted to receive data obtained from a material scan by the optical analysis system of the apparatus and to calibrate the optical analysis system of the apparatus based on the data.

23. A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 for grinding a sample and presenting the sample to an analytical system.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The analysis system is an optical analysis system.

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