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.