Automated preparation of sample materials for chemical analysis

Abstract

A method of automated preparation of a sample material for a chemical or compositional analysis, comprises (i) arranging the sample material in a receptacle (7), (ii) storing the sample inside the receptacle (7) in a conditioning cabinet (3), (iii) grinding the sample material by way of a ball mill apparatus (2), wherein the ball mill apparatus (2) comprises an extraction container (23), at least one grinding element provided in the extraction container (23) and an agitator (21) adapted to move the at least one grinding element relative to the extraction container (23) when the sample material is placed in the extraction container (23), (iv) placing the sample material together with the receptacle (7) in the extraction container (23), and (v) grinding the receptacle (7) together with the sample material by agitating the extraction container (23).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.