Hermetically sealed sample pan and device for unsealing same

A method for preparing a sample for a thermal analysis instrument, the method comprising:

• loading a sample into an internal volume of a sample pan, the sample pan having a gas path from the internal volume through the sample pan to an external environment;
• sealing the sample in the sample pan with a sealing element that obstructs the gas path from the internal volume to the external environment, the sealing element comprising a thermally sensitive material that changes a shape of the sealing element in response to a change in a temperature of the external environment to a transition temperature;
• loading the sample pan into the thermal analysis instrument;
• and
• operating the thermal analysis instrument to change a temperature of the external environment of the sample pan to at least the transition temperature, wherein the change in the shape removes the obstruction from the gas path so that the internal volume communicates with the external environment.

A device for unsealing a sample pan for a thermal analysis instrument, comprising:

• a sample pan holder configured to secure a sample pan in a fixed position with respect to the sample pan holder;
• an actuator element secured to the sample pan holder and being formed of a thermally sensitive material that changes a shape of the actuator element in response to a change in an external temperature to a transition temperature;
• and
• a punch element attached to the actuator element and disposed at a position with respect to the sample pan such that the change in the shape of the actuator element in response to the change in the external temperature moves the punch element to puncture the sealing element to thereby expose the internal volume of the sample pan to an external environment.

A method for preparing a sample for a thermal analysis instrument, the method comprising:

• securing a sample pan in a device for unsealing the sample pan, the device comprising
• a sample pan holder configured to secure a sample pan in a fixed position with respect to the sample pan holder;
• an actuator element secured to the sample pan holder and being formed of a thermally sensitive material that changes a shape of the actuator element in response to a change in an external temperature to a transition temperature;
• and
• a punch element attached to the actuator element and disposed at a position with respect to the sample pan such that the change in the shape of the actuator element in response to the change in the external temperature moves the punch element to puncture a sealing element on the sample pan to thereby expose the internal volume of the sample pan to an external environment;
• loading the device into a thermal analysis instrument;
• changing a temperature of the thermal analysis instrument to a transition temperature to change the shape of the actuator element wherein the punch element moves to puncture the sealing element.