Sample vessel assembly

Abstract

A sample vessel assembly, comprising a base member including a base flange having first and second opposing surfaces, first and second sides intersecting with one another; and a first sidewall extending from the first surface at a distance from the first and second sides; and a lid member, including: a lid flange having third and fourth opposing surfaces, third and fourth sides intersecting with one another; and a second sidewall extending from the third surface at a distance from the third and fourth sides, the second sidewall engageable with the first sidewall such that the first surface of the base flange and the third surface of the lid flange are in an opposing spaced-apart relationship with one another and such that the first and second sidewalls cooperate with one another to define a sample chamber. Further disclosed is a method for automated analysis of samples in a sample vessel assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for automated analysis of samples, comprising:
 transmitting, from a controller, one or more control signals to a sample analyzer;   testing, with the sample analyzer, triggered by the one or more control signals, a sample of material held in a sample vessel assembly, the sample vessel assembly comprising:
 a base member including:
 a base flange having first and second opposing surfaces and first and second sides intersecting with one another; and 
 a first sidewall extending from the first surface at a distance from the first and second sides; 
 
 a lid member, including:
 a lid flange having third and fourth opposing surfaces and third and fourth sides intersecting with one another; and 
 a second sidewall extending from the third surface at a distance from the third and fourth sides, the second sidewall engageable with the first sidewall such that the first surface of the base flange and the third surface of the lid flange are in an opposing spaced-apart relationship with one another and such that the first and second sidewalls cooperate with one another to define a sample chamber containing the sample of material; and 
 
   transmitting one or more signals indicative of data regarding one or more properties of the sample of material from the sample analyzer to the controller.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample vessel further comprises a unique identifier, and the method further comprises:
 transmitting, from the controller, one or more identification control signals to the sample analyzer, wherein the identification control signals cause the sample analyzer to identify the sample vessel assembly utilizing the unique identifier of the sample vessel assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, from the controller, one or more sample preparation control signals to the sample analyzer, wherein the sample preparation control signals cause the sample analyzer to initiate preparation of the sample of material in the sample vessel assembly before testing.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 interpreting, with the controller, the one or more signals indicative of data regarding one or more properties of the sample of material from the sample analyzer.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 storing, in one or more memory, the data regarding one or more properties of the sample of material.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting with the controller one or more signals, via an input/output port, indicative of the data to a remote processor.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the remote processor is one or more of a web server, a computer, and a mobile device.