Container segment assembly

A method of analyzing samples on a first analytical instrument adapted to receive a container rack having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, said container rack capable of holding a plurality of containers and a second analytical instrument having a circular-shaped element adapted to receive an arcuate-shaped frame, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a container rack having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, said container rack adapted to receive containers in a substantially linear row;
• providing a container segment having an arcuate-shaped frame, said arcuate-shaped frame capable of being mounted onto a corresponding arcuate portion of the circular-shaped element of the analytical instrument, said container segment including a receptacle capable of receiving said container rack;
• inserting a plurality of containers into said container rack;
• mounting said container rack onto one of said first analytical or said second analytical instrument;
• analyzing said samples in said containers by means of said one of said first analytical instrument or said second analytical instrument;
• mounting said container rack onto the other of said first analytical instrument or second analytical instrument:
• and
• analyzing said samples in said containers by means of said other of said first analytical instrument or said second analytical instrument;
• wherein said container rack is mounted to said second analytical instrument by attaching said container rack in said receptacle of said arcuate-shaped frame of said container segment, and attaching said container segment to said circular-shaped element of said second analytical instrument, whereby said linear row of said container rack is substantially aligned as a chord of said arcuate-shaped frame.