Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for automatically feeding each of a sequence of crucibles (3), which are arranged on a conveyor, to a test oven (12) for vaporization and content analysis of a sample contained in each crucible. For cradling each crucible, a gripper head (13) is provided. In order to provide an apparatus in which the number of mechanically moving parts is minimized, the gripper head is rigidly mounted on the end of an operating piston (7). The gripper head preferably comprises two spaced, co-linear crosspieces (16) which face each other and engage under an outwardly extending circumferential flange (17) on the top of each crucible (3). The operating piston (7) and a lifting piston (6) are oriented vertically and connected together at their tops by a transverse crossbar (10). Lifting piston (6) is rotated about its axis (8) by a drive motor, thereby revolving operating piston (7) along a circle (11).