Appts. to take samples from blocks of stacked paper sheets, at a papermaking machine, to test it for material weight and residual moisture, has a laying surface (32) in a defined zone (30) to take the paper block. A stamp (50), to one side of the holding zone (30), punches out samples from the paper in the holding zone (30). At the other side of the holding zone (30), a cassette (40) containing the sample can be removed, after the punched sample has been compressed within it by a press system. A control system gives a sequential operation to the mechanisms at the appts. The cassette (40) can be removed by an ejector which, on ejection, automatically trips the press action to compress its contents. The cassette press mechanism has a sprung lid which is kept open while a cassette is in place. The block of paper sheets is held in the holding zone (30) by pressure on it against the support surface (32). The leading end of the support surface (32) has a tapered lip (34) with a leading lip edge (36) with height adjustment for insertion into the paper block. The appts. (10) is moved into position on wheels (16) by a handle (20). The sample is transferred into a water-tight bag, and sealed, the press mechanism compresses the bag and its contents. When a bag is used, the top and bottom sheets are retained, and not placed in the bag with the sample. A sample store (120) can hold a number of samples at the ppts. (10). The block of paper can be formed by cutting a number of sheets from a paper roll, and laying them in a stack. ADVANTAGE - The appts. maintains the moisture content in the sample at an unchanged level until it can be laboratory tested.
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