Abstract: An automatic solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling apparatus having a mobile sampler arm with a holder for a probe carrying a fiber 9 and an intermediate bracket for transferring the probe between a probe storage tray and the gas chromatograph injector. In the various probe handling stages, the probes are collected by a magnetic member attached to the end of the plunger in the holder, at the free end of the holder's body and at the lower end of the block for guiding the probe needle. The magnetic member interacts with a ferromagnetic connector attached to one end of the fiber and with a ferromagnetic flange attached to the end of the needle containing the fiber in order to place the probe on the transfer bracket or remove it therefrom. The apparatus can perform analyses on fibers that have already been exposed, extract analytes from samples, and subsequently transfer them for desorption in the gas chromatograph in a fully automatic way.

Abstract: An automatic sampling apparatus for use in instrumental chemical analyses comprising at least one workstation (1), fitted with an instrument for collecting/injecting (2) a sample to analyse, and a robot-controlled arm (100) with a head (12) for holding the instrument and a device (14, 15) for guiding said instrument extending from said head. The guide device comprises at least one pair of coplanar jaws (17, 18) that, in their coupling position, form an open-ended tubular seat (26) serving as a sliding guide for the instrument, the jaws being pivotally connected to a supporting element (13) integrally attached to the head (12) and comprising elastic means (28) designed to keep the jaws in the coupling position. The workstation (1) comprises actuator means (11) for rotating the jaws, counteracting the elastic means during the displacement of the head towards the workstation so as to open the jaws and thus open the open-ended tubular seat so that the instrument can engage therein.

Abstract: An automatic solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling apparatus having a mobile sampler arm with a holder for a probe carrying a fiber 9 and an intermediate bracket for transferring the probe between a probe storage tray and the gas chromatograph injector. In the various probe handling stages, the probes are collected by a magnetic member attached to the end of the plunger in the holder, at the free end of the holder's body and at the lower end of the block for guiding the probe needle. The magnetic member interacts with a ferromagnetic connector attached to one end of the fiber and with a ferromagnetic flange attached to the end of the needle containing the fiber in order to place the probe on the transfer bracket or remove it therefrom. The apparatus can perform analyses on fibers that have already been exposed, extract analytes from samples, and subsequently transfer them for desorption in the gas chromatograph in a fully automatic way.