Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collecting gasses from the sample headspace of a sealed sample container are disclosed. The gasses in the sample headspace are withdrawn by inserting a probe into the sample headspace and permitting the gasses to flow into an external headspace. The probe is then disconnected from the sample to seal the external headspace and the external headspace is then connected to an analytical instrument such as a gas chromatograph to permit the sample gasses to be transferred out of the external headspace and into the instrument. The step of transferring the gasses is preferably accomplished by connecting a source of carrier gas to an inlet port of the external headspace and sweeping the sample gasses from the external headspace.

Abstract: The bar code on the cylindrical surface of an object is accurately read by rotating the object past a bar code reader so that the bar code passes the reader a plurality of times. Each of the readings from the reader is compared with the other readings and a final reading is provided when several of the same readings is obtained in succession. The object may be rotated pass the reader first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to assure a proper reading in the event that the bar code is backwards. Also, the object may be rotated at a varying speed to obtain the optimum scan speed for the particular density of the bar code.