Automated evaporator for chemical analyses

Apparatus for evaporating solvent from a plurality of sample containers as part of chemical analysis, said apparatus comprising:

• a carousel having a plurality of holes formed therein for receiving said plurality of containers, each hole of said plurality of holes dimensioned to receive only one container of said plurality of containers;
• a reservoir in spaced relation to said carousel for carrying said solvent;
• means for rotating said carousel so that said each container of said plurality of containers is brought into registration with said reservoir one at a time;
• means carried by said reservoir for dispensing a first portion of said solvent from said reservoir to said each container of said plurality of containers when said each container is in registration with said dispensing means;
• means in thermal communication with said carousel for simultaneously heating each container of said plurality of containers, said heating means evaporating a second portion of said solvent from each container of said plurality of containers, said second portion being not more than said first portion;
• and
• means connected to said moving means for simultaneously directing gas into said each container of said plurality of containers.

Apparatus for evaporating solvent from a plurality of sample containers and for use with a source of gas, said apparatus comprising:

• a reservoir for holding a quantity of said solvent;
• a carousel in spaced relation to said reservoir, said carousel having means formed therein for receiving said plurality of said containers;
• means carried by said reservoir for dispensing a first portion of said solvent into each container of said plurality of containers;
• means for evaporating a second portion of said solvent from said plurality of containers;
• manifold means in fluid communication with said source of gas for directing said gas simultaneously to said each container of said plurality of containers, said gas drying a third portion of said solvent from said plurality of containers, said first portion being approximately equal to said second plus said third portion;
• and
• a turntable for rotating said carousel so that said each container of said plurality of containers is sequentially and repeatedly brought into registration with said dispensing means for dispense of said first portion of solvent, said turntable rotating said carousel, pausing as said each container of said plurality of containers is brought into registration with said reservoir and then resuming rotation.