Vial-handling mechanism for an automated Karl Fischer titration system

A mechanism for handling sample vials for an automated Karl Fischer (“KF”) titration system having an oven with an oven cavity, the mechanism comprising:

• a tower-shaped support console;
• a first vertical guide rail element which is solidly attached to the support console;
• and
• a carriage unit, slidably constrained to a first degree of linear vertical mobility by the first vertical guide rail element relative to the support console, comprising a vial lift unit with a lift platform adapted to receive a sample vial, such that, in a downward movement phase, the carriage unit lowers the lift platform from a starting position into the oven cavity, and, in a subsequent upward movement phase, the carriage unit raises the lift platform back to the starting position;
• wherein the vial lift unit comprises:
• a second vertical guide rail element which is solidly connected to the lift platform and slidably constrained to the carriage unit, enabling a second degree of linear vertical mobility of the lift platform relative to the carriage unit;
• and
• a compression spring element, arranged to oppose a relative upward movement of the lift platform against the carriage unit.