Abstract: Closure for a sample vial utilized to introduce sample into a gas chromatograph in accordance with the head space method. The closure includes a flexible disc for closing the opening through the neck of the vial and overlying the margin of the neck about the vial opening. A cap having a central aperture defining an annular shoulder about the aperture overlies the disc. The cap has an annular depending skirt encompassing the disc for clamping about the neck of the vial to retain the disc and the cap on the vial. A portion of the closure is deformable for venting the vial to atmosphere in response to a pressure within the vial when the closure is applied thereto in excess of a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: The sample device includes a magazine having a rotatable turntable carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced chambers for receiving sample vessels and movable axially between a sample changing positon and a sampling position. In the sample change position, each sample vessel is pushed against a laterally displaceable closure plate to uncover an aperture in a bottom closure member whereby the sample vessel is receivable in a chamber registered with the aperture. A cradle is carried by the bottom closure member to support the sample vessel as it is displaced through the aperture into the registering chamber. When a selected vessel is aligned with a sampling opening through a closure plate on the opposite side of the turntable, the magazine is displaced axially into the sampling position with the axial displacement causing a needle to pierce the self-sealing diaphragm on the sample vessel.