XRF system with novel sample bottle
View Patent ↗An XRF system including an analyzer with a sample bottle holder, an x-ray source positioned to emit x-rays into a sample bottle placed in the holder, and a detector positioned to receive x-rays emitted by a sample in the sample bottle positioned in the sample bottle holder. A supply of sample bottles receivable in the sample bottle holder, each sample bottle including a first cap with the window therein for allowing x-rays to pass there through when the sample bottle is positioned in the holder, and a second cap without a window for transporting and storing the sample.
1. An XRF system comprising:
an analyzer including:
a sample bottle holder configured to receive a horizontally disposed sample bottle and including a member which engages the sample bottle;
an x-ray source positioned to emit x-rays into a sample bottle placed in the holder, and
a detector positioned to receive x-rays emitted by a sample in the sample bottle positioned in the sample bottle holder; and
a supply of sample bottles receivable horizontally in the sample bottle holder, each sample bottle including:
a first cap with the window therein for allowing x-rays to pass therethrough when the sample bottle is positioned horizontally in the holder, and
a second cap without a window for transporting and storing the sample vertically; and
a tray beneath the sample bottle holder for catching a sample spilled from the horizontally disposed sample bottle.
2. The system of claim 1 in which the window includes a film surrounded by a gasket receivable under an opening in the cap.
3. The system of claim 2 in which the film is made of plastic.
4. The system of claim 1 in which the bottle and the caps are made of plastic.
5. The system of claim 1 in which the sample bottle holder member is biased to engage the first cap.
6. The system of claim 5 in which the first cap includes a radiused capture feature designed to interlock the first cap with the sample bottle holder via the biased member.
7. An XRF analyzer sample container system comprising:
a bottle for holding a sample to be analyzed by an XRF analyzer;
a first cap for an open end of the bottle including a window for allowing x-rays to pass therethrough when the sample bottle is placed in the XRF analyzer; and
a second cap for the open end of the bottle without a window for transporting and storing the sample.
8. The system of claim 7 in which the window includes a film surrounded by a gasket receivable under an opening in the cap.
9. The system of claim 8 in which the film is made of plastic.
10. The system of claim 7 in which the bottle and the first and second caps are made of plastic.
11. The system of claim 7 in which the first cap includes a radiused capture feature.
12. An XRF system comprising:
an analyzer including:
a sample bottle holder on a side of the analyzer;
an x-ray source positioned to emit x-rays into a sample bottle placed in the holder, and
a detector positioned to receive x-rays emitted by a sample in the sample bottle positioned in the sample bottle holder; and
a supply of sample bottles receivable in the sample bottle holder, each sample bottle including:
a first cap with the window therein for allowing x-rays to pass therethrough when the sample bottle is positioned in the holder, and
a second cap without a window for transporting and storing the sample.