Abstract: Device for holding and releasing a sample holder is provided. The device includes a support member having a pin with a magnet at its free end for holding the sample holder, tubular body mounted on the support member around and along the pin, and a tubular guide movably mounted inside the body and able to occupy a releasing position where its outer end surrounds the magnet, and a holding position where the guide is retracted inwards the body so that the magnet holds the sample holder. A cam on the guide cooperated with a cam follower-movably through the body upon movement of the guide and with elastic biasing the guide towards its releasing position, to reversibly lock the follower in the holding position when the guide is moved inwards toward the body and to retrieve the initial releasing position, after further moving the guide inwards and releasing this movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for alternately holding and releasing a metallic sample holder, in particular a metallic cap closing a sample containing vial to be transferred to or maintained in a location for analysis or preparation of the sample. The device (1) comprises:—a support member (6) provided with a pin, which is provided with a magnet at its free end for holding the sample holder,—an outer fixed tubular body (10) which is mounted on the support member around and along the pin, and—an inner tubular guide (11) movably mounted inside the body and able to occupy a releasing position where its outer end (11 a) surrounds the magnet, and a holding position where the guide is retracted inwards the body so that the magnet may hold the sample holder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and gripping device for automatically transferring from a storing location to an analysis location a sample container having first and second opposite ends and containing the sample adjacent said second end, and to a use of such a gripping device for submitting this sample to X-ray beams in a diffractometer. The method of the invention comprises gripping in said storing location the container (2) at said first end (3) thereof, the container then occupying a storing position, and bringing the container to a substantially flipped over position for subsequently positioning the container onto said analysis location, and this method comprises reversibly overturning the container while continuously gripping said first end during its transfer, and vice versa.

Abstract: A modular container for the storage or display of articles, formed from a foldable unitary blank of sheet material. The container has a base panel, opposed first and second side panels and an end panel. A container-locating aperture is located adjacent the second side panel and is formed on the end panel, together with a tab-locating aperture that is located adjacent the first side panel. A container connecting tab projects from the first side panel, and may selectively be folded to locate in the tab-locating aperture, or to locate in the container-locating aperture of another container and thereby connecting the containers together in side-by-side relationship.

Abstract: An electronic system provides financial advice based on personal data and financial objectives entered by users, by means of a rules engine. The rules engine detects whether the financial objectives match the personal data provided by the user and issues a challenge, or initiates a communication with a financial adviser, if they do not. The system stores general financial information and automatically provides updated financial advice to the user when the general financial information changes. The financial advice is in the form of a document compiled from text passages selected by matching predefined values to the user's personal data. The data and rules used to generate the financial advice are stored so as to be available for inspection, to demonstrate compliance with financial regulations.