This invention concerns an inlet opening protector for use during maintenance operations on railroad hopper cars. The protector shields the coaming of a hopper car hatch and closes off the hatch opening. The protector includes a throat liner and a short liner. The throat liner has a frusto-conical skirt portion which defines interior and exterior edges. A radical flange is attached to the internal edge of the skirt. A plate member is attached to the external edge and covers the space defined by that edge. The surfaces of the skirt are tapered and sized to fit partially through the coaming. The short liner has a radial collar and an annular ferrule which fit around the skirt. The ferrule frictionally engages the coaming and the skirt to hold the throat liner in place in the inlet opening.

A sample holder for positioning and locking film for sample materials for spectroscopic analysis comprising a holder body having a cylindrical outer wall forming a cell adapted to contain the sample material and a ring member for biasedly pressing the film skirt against the cylindrical outer wall of the holder body in a first locking position. A locking bead around the ring member presses the film skirt into a locking groove around the cylindrical wall of the holder body in a second locking position. An optional third locking position is attained by a second locking bead around the biasable ring member pressing the film skirt into a second locking groove around the holder body. A method of assembling the film with the holder body and the ring member is also described.

A system and a method for mounting a thin transparent film across the open face of a sample holder for X-ray spectroscopic fluorescence analysis. The system includes a flexible, tapered cylindrical ring member snap-mounted over a matching tapered portion of an annular wall of the holder body which presses a first portion of the skirt of the film against the tapered annular wall. An outer cylindrical closure sleeve snap-mounted to the annular wall presses additional portions of the film skirt against the annular wall. A rim flange of the closure sleeve holds the ring member in position. An optional O-ring snap-mounted to the annular wall of the holder body presses another portion of the film skirt to the holder body. The method includes sliding the ring member over and snap-mounting it to the holder body followed by passing the closure sleeve over the ring member and snap-mounting it to the holder body so as to position and tauten the film in stages. The optional O-ring is mounted to the holder body prior to the ring member. An assembly block for mounting the film is included.

A disposable sample holder with a handling support for X-ray spectroscopic analysis of harmless or noxious powders, slurries, liquids, or gases, which includes a handling support for safe handling of the sample holder by either local or remote means. The handling support includes a stem extending from the surface of a cap or outer cover for the holder and a gripping member surmounting the stem. The handling support is designed for local tool handling by an operator or for remote handling by a controlled robot mechanism. Optionally, the handling support is provided with a septum through which a liquid, volatile, or gaseous sample material may be loaded into a closed sample holder by insertion of a hypodermic needle.

A sample cup for use in holding a sample for spectrochemical analysis consists of a main cell member which is cup-shaped and has a closed top surface. Located on the top surface is a venting means which includes a beam-like section of a given thickness extending along the top surface near the center. The beam is surrounded by a thinner area integrally fabricated with the top surface. Extending upwardly from the surface of the beam is a post which when pushed downwardly crosses the cantilever beam to rupture the thin area thus creating a venting path for pressure equalization. The cantilever beam automatically returns due to spring action to its original position thus preventing excessive material from escaping from the hollow confines of the sample cup.