Support Rotates About Plural Axes Patents (Class 366/217)
  • Patent number: 11883359
    Abstract: A dispensing container and adapter system for use with a planetary mixer is disclosed. The dispensing container has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a nozzle and a removable cap to cover the nozzle. The removable cap may have a first width dimension measured along the transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a body having a second width dimension measured along the transverse axis. An adapter may receive the dispensing container. The adapter may include a cavity to receive the removable cap. The cavity may have a cavity width that exceeds the first width dimension. The adapter may also include a recess for receiving a portion of the dispensing container. The recess may extend from the cavity. At least a portion of the recess may have a width dimension smaller than both the first width dimension and the second width dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MEDISCA PHARMACEUTIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Panagiota Danopoulos
  • Patent number: 11498039
    Abstract: Present invention relates to a new soft/bag packaging mixing system and method that allows the mixing of materials contained in soft/bag packages and obtaining of a homogeneous mixture by utilizing the physical characteristics of said packages through applying different types of forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: YDR TEKNOLOJI GELISTIRME LIMITED SIRKETI
    Inventor: Olcay Yilmaz Damar
  • Patent number: 11452977
    Abstract: A wine decanter pedestal system includes a base supported above a surface, the base having a base center axis and a ledge extending outward from its top surface to support a bottom surface of a decanter placed on the top surface. A wireless receiver receives wireless commands from a wireless device to control a rotary motor operably coupled to the base at an attachment point off-center from the base center axis such that rotation of the rotary motor causes the base center axis to orbit about the rotary drive in a circular orbital motion and in a circular spin motion. A weight sensor measures a weight of a decanter placed upon the base, and a controller automatically adjusts the torque of the rotary drive in response to the weight measured by the weight sensor to increase torque for heavier weights measured and decrease torque for lighter weights measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SwirlLab, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus J. Shotey, Brad Carlson
  • Patent number: 10843151
    Abstract: A mixing and dispensing apparatus to facilitate automatic mixing and dispensing of a semi-liquid form of a powder material when mixed with a fluid. The apparatus comprises a mechanism to hold and rotate a cartridge, an actuation device, and an injection unit. The cartridge consists of the powder material to be mixed with the fluid. The mechanism rotates the cartridge about a primary axis of rotation and a secondary axis of rotation to uniformly mix the powder material with the fluid. The actuation device performs a piercing stroke to pierce one end of the cartridge, and a dispensing stroke to dispense the semi-liquid form of the powder material through an opposing end of the cartridge. Further, the injection unit is disposed within the actuation device to inject a pre-determined quantity of fluid into the cartridge following piercing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Algimate Dental Systems Private Limited
    Inventor: Binnoy Kurian
  • Patent number: 10682616
    Abstract: A dual centrifuge (10) embodies the following: a driveshaft (16), a rotor (20), which is mounted on the driveshaft (16) and which can be removed axially in a removal direction (E), for a dual centrifuge, having at least one rotational unit (30); an opening (18) in the rotor (20), wherein an end region (16a) of the driveshaft (16) at least engages into said opening; and an additional drive mechanism (32) for the rotational unit or the rotational units (30). The dual centrifuge additionally has a design for operating various additional types of rotors; however, only one rotor (20, 40, 50) can be arranged on the driveshaft (16) at all times. The various rotor types (40, 50) are also adapted to the additional drive mechanism (32) for the rotational units (30) such that the function is not adversely affected. A design for operating at least one angular head rotor (40) and a swing-out rotor (50). For this purpose, the driveshaft (16) and the various rotor types (40, 50) are adapted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ANDREAS HETTICH GmbH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Anke Lenz, Ulrich Massing, Klaus-Guenter Eberle, Vittorio Ziroli
  • Patent number: 9604185
    Abstract: An apparatus configured for mixing the contents of one or more fluid containers includes a fluid container support platform configured to hold one or more fluid containers. The fluid container support platform is configured to index the container to one or more specified locations and to be moved in an orbital path about an orbital center independently of the rotation about the central axis of rotation. The apparatus further includes an indexing drive system configured to effect indexing movement of the container support platform and a vortex drive system configured to effect powered orbital movement of the container support platform about the orbital center. An evaporation limiting insert placed within containers reduces exposure of the fluid contents of the container to atmospheric air, thereby reducing susceptibility of the fluid contents to evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Aaron Buse, Byron J. Knight
  • Patent number: 9579615
    Abstract: A blender for home or commercial use that is rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing with a front housing door that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen food or beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, the cup and cupholder will be lifted together for blending in a balanced, linear motion by an elevator assembly. Dual lead screws or a dual belt drive are preferably used in the elevator assembly to achieve this balanced, linear motion. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly continues to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen food or beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: f'real Foods LLC
    Inventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges, Chris M. Bradley, Gage C. Cauchois, Steve T. Connell, Clayton G. Gardner, Shek Fai Lau, Joseph M. Lehman
  • Patent number: 9044717
    Abstract: A centrifugal device capable of adjusting a temperature of a material. The centrifugal device applies centrifugal force on a contained material contained within a container by spinning the container while rotating the container. The centrifugal device includes: a rotating body rotating around a predetermined rotation axis line; a container holder that holds the container and is attached in a rotatable manner to the rotating body in a position that is a predetermined distance away from the rotation axis line of the rotating body; a compartment body that compartmentalizes a space including an area in which the rotating body rotates; one or a plurality of projection bodies that project from an inner surface of the compartment body towards the area in which the rotating body rotates; and a temperature adjustor that adjusts the temperature of the compartment body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: THINKY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jianguo Yao
  • Patent number: 8905629
    Abstract: A gyroscopic paint mixer having a rotatable frame with a clamp lock providing automatic transfer from an unclamping to a clamping condition, providing silent operation through the use of one way clutches, the mixer also having a vertical stop apparatus coupled to an access door for stopping and holding the rotatable frame in an upright position, the mixer also having a bail retainer supported by a carriage assembly mounted for rotation on a clamp plate with a cam urging the bail retainer to the side of the frame when the bail retainer is released from the paint container with the paint container in an upright position in the rotatable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Johnson, Thomas J. Midas
  • Patent number: 8845180
    Abstract: An adaptor for a vortex paint mixer. The adaptor includes a pair of semi-cylindrical holding structures pivotally connected together by a pair of pivot links. Each of the halves has a depression formed therein. When the holding structures are placed together, the two depressions form a cavity having first and second regions adapted to hold a conventional cylindrical quart paint container and a rectangular quart paint container, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventor: Dwight R. Huckby
  • Patent number: 8845179
    Abstract: An adaptor for a vortex paint mixer. The adaptor includes a pair of semi-cylindrical holding structures pivotably connected together by a pair of pivot links. Each of the halves has a depression formed therein. When the holding structures are placed together, the two depressions form a cavity having first and second regions adapted to hold a conventional cylindrical quart paint container and a rectangular quart paint container, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventor: Dwight R. Huckby
  • Patent number: 8809043
    Abstract: A system and method for rotating a cell growth chamber of a cell expansion system includes a rotatable member for engaging a chamber coupling attached to the cell growth chamber. The rotatable member includes an independently operable mechanism for engaging a rotatable fitting associated with the chamber coupling. In at least one embodiment, the chamber coupling is selectively rotatable by turning the rotatable member, thereby rotating the cell growth chamber around a first axis. The cell growth chamber is also selectively rotatable around a second axis by turning the rotatable fitting associated with the chamber coupling. Other novel aspects include a way of attaching the cell growth chamber to the shaft assembly, and a new tube routing clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Leuthaeuser, Jon A. Dodd, Thomas G. Dilorenzo
  • Patent number: 8632243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for microfluidic mixing in a “lab-on-a-chip” environment. The methodology focuses on constant acceleration and deceleration about a mean angular speed with a rotating disk serving as the mixing platform. The methodology results in good mixing between different fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventor: Wallace Woon-Fong Leung
  • Publication number: 20130286768
    Abstract: A paint can-clamping device applicable to a double-gyroscopic mixer is disclosed, including a lower supporting plate, left and right guide rails, an upper pressing plate and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes an upper pressing plate-fixing frame, a locking piece and a locking piece spring. The upper pressing plate is connected to the upper pressing plate-fixing frame via a guide pole. A cam structure having a cam handle is mounted in the upper pressing plate-fixing frame, and is cooperated, via a cam pressing mechanism for pressing the locking piece downwardly, with the locking piece such that the locking piece moves away from the V-shaped groove of the guide rail to be in unlocking state, thereby achieving a linear movement of the upper pressing plate along the guide rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Jun PANG
  • Patent number: 8534906
    Abstract: A vacuum kneading and deaerating device has a rotatable body provided in a chamber held under a closed or pressure-reduced condition, and which is rotated in a horizontal plane around a basic driving rotation axis. A container holder is provided in the chamber rotationably on an operating rotation axis parallel to the basic driving rotation axis in a revolution edge portion of the rotatable body, and detachably holds a paste container such that a central axis of the paste container obliquely intersects the operating rotation axis. A driving mechanism rotates the rotating body and the container holder. A deaeration valve for opening an internal space of the paste container to an internal space of the chamber by the action of centrifugal force attending on the rotation of the paste container, or a paste material-impermeable and gas-permeable membrane, is provided in an opening portion of the paste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Marukomu
    Inventor: Manabu Harada
  • Patent number: 8485379
    Abstract: An adaptor for a vortex paint mixer. The adaptor includes a pair of semi-cylindrical holding structures pivotably connected together by a pair of pivot links. Each of the halves has a depression formed therein. When the holding structures are placed together, the two depressions form a cavity having first and second regions adapted to hold a conventional cylindrical quart paint container and a rectangular quart paint container, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventor: Dwight R. Huckby
  • Patent number: 8465199
    Abstract: A gyroscopic paint mixer having a rotatable frame with a clamp lock providing automatic transfer from an unclamping to a clamping condition, providing silent operation through the use of one way clutches, the mixer also having a vertical stop apparatus coupled to an access door for stopping and holding the rotatable frame in an upright position, the mixer also having a bail retainer supported by a carriage assembly mounted for rotation on a clamp plate with a cam urging the bail retainer to the side of the frame when the bail retainer is released from the paint container with the paint container in an upright position in the rotatable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Aaron Curtis, Stephen J. Carlson, Charles Ringhofer, Benjamin M. Johnson, Brent Thomas Harrold, Thomas J. Midas
  • Patent number: 8399245
    Abstract: A system and method for rotating a cell growth chamber of a cell expansion system includes a rotatable member for engaging a chamber coupling attached to the cell growth chamber. The rotatable member includes an independently operable mechanism for engaging a rotatable fitting associated with the chamber coupling. In at least one embodiment, the chamber coupling is selectively rotatable by turning the rotatable member, thereby rotating the cell growth chamber around a first axis. The cell growth chamber is also selectively rotatable around a second axis by turning the rotatable fitting associated with the chamber coupling. Other novel aspects include a way of attaching the cell growth chamber to the shaft assembly, and a new tube routing clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Leuthaeuser, Jon A. Dodd, Thomas G. DiLorenzo
  • Patent number: 8381778
    Abstract: Method for charging an aerosol container with fluid, comprising:—providing an aerosol container (1) having a reservoir (2) comprising a product, for example a foodproduct, and having product discharge means (1a);—gradually supplying fluid to the reservoir of the container (1) via the discharge means (1a) thereof; and—applying a mixing movement to the container (1), preferably during the supplying of the fluid, to mix the fluid and product at least partly with each other, wherein the mixing movement is such that at least a first virtual point (P1, P2) of a virtual center line (Z) of the container reservoir (2) follows an endless path around a respective virtual axis. Embodiments of the invention also provide a cleaning method and a dummy container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Friesland Brands B.V.
    Inventor: Hubertus Maria Roland Van Melick
  • Patent number: 8157436
    Abstract: A gyroscopic paint mixer having a rotatable frame with a clamp lock providing automatic transfer from an unclamping to a clamping condition, providing silent operation through the use of one way clutches, the mixer also having a vertical stop apparatus coupled to an access door for stopping and holding the rotatable frame in an upright position, the mixer also having a bail retainer supported by a carriage assembly mounted for rotation on a clamp plate with a cam urging the bail retainer to the side of the frame when the bail retainer is released from the paint container with the paint container in an upright position in the rotatable frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Aaron Curtis, Stephen J. Carlson, Charles Ringhofer, Benjamin M. Johnson, Brent Thomas Harrold, Thomas J. Midas
  • Patent number: 8147123
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for mixing paint disposed in either a conventional one gallon paint container or a square paint container having a body with a handle passage extending therethrough. The apparatus includes a square bucket for holding the container. A rocker is pivotably mounted to a side wall of the bucket and includes a pair of heads aligned over a pair of openings in the side wall. A floor of the bucket has a plurality of support structures extending upwardly therefrom. When the conventional one gallon paint container is disposed in the bucket, the container rests on the floor, the vertical axis of the container is offset from the central axis of the bucket, and both heads of the rocker are disposed against the container inside the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventor: Dwight R. Huckby
  • Patent number: 8137622
    Abstract: A device for biochip hybridization or washing is provided, which comprises a carousel (12), a translational movement controller, a revolving movement controller, and optionally a heating chamber (13). The revolving movement controller controls the revolving movement of the carousel and allows it to move in a wobbling fashion, allowing liquid movement of the hybridization or washing boxes (11) during hybridization and/or washing of biochips on the carousel. The translational movement controller brings the carousel back to horizontal position once the revolving movement controller stops, thereby ensures that the liquid do not spill out. The heating chamber circulates hot air within the device, thereby ensures that the hybridization and washing in a thermostatic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: CapitalBio Corporation, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Hang Li, Jianxin Ye, Xingling Al, Xianhua Wang, Liang Zhang, Jing Cheng
  • Patent number: 8092075
    Abstract: An agitation/deaeration apparatus is provided which causes a container containing a viscous to-be-kneaded object to be rotated and revolved simultaneously, to agitate and deaerate the to-be-kneaded object, wherein piping (wiring) connecting the container and an external device is prevented from twisting even when the container rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Thinky Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshige Ishii
  • Patent number: 8083396
    Abstract: A mixing machine for agitating and mingling materials is disclosed. The mixing machine comprises a base and a driving device disposed on the base, and the driving device is connected to a rotary bracket and has a fixing portion with a container for receiving a mixture of materials mounted thereon, such that the mixture of materials may be agitated and mingled while the driving device drives the rotary bracket. A transmission device is disposed between the driving device and the rotary bracket, and the transmission device comprises a first spur gear, a second spur gear, and a bevel gear intermeshed which are successively intermeshed, wherein the first spur gear and the second spur gear are meshed together and fitted to parallel axles, the second spur gear and the bevel gear are meshed together, and the bevel gear connects to the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 8002458
    Abstract: A riddling machine for making champagne is proposed, with a base, main motor, main shaft driven by the motor, pivotal parallel frames each fixed to a first half-axle and a second hollow half-axle revolvably mounted, and an inner shaft enclosed into the second half-axle, bevel gears including a driving wheel coupled to the inner shaft, and a driven wheel rotatably mounted on the frame furnished with bottle holders and controllably rotatable within an ALPHA angle range and capable of revolving the holders, a first gear capable of conveying rotation from the main shaft to the inner shafts, an intermediate shaft controllably engaged/disengaged with the main shaft, and connected through a braking muff to an intermediate axle, and a second gear capable of providing a controllable tilt angle BETA of the frames driven via the intermediate axle, and conveying rotation to the first half-axles of frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Al Saint
    Inventor: Oleg Naljotov
  • Patent number: 7942571
    Abstract: A mixer for combining ingredients using a composite shaking and tumbling motion. The mixer includes a base carrier rotating about a primary axis and supporting a container carrier assembly having a clamp retaining a container to be mixed. The container carrier assembly is coupled to the base carrier to oscillate in an eccentric manner with respect to the rotating base carrier. The container carrier assembly also rotates with the base carrier rotation. The composite resulting motion includes shaking and tumbling components of the motion to mix the ingredients. The clamp has a first housing portion receiving the container, and a second housing portion movable with respect to the first portion to retain the container. A latch selectively retains the first and second housing portions together in a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Midas, Benjamin M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7910360
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inoculating a biological substrate with cells include provision for rotating a container in which the substrate and a cell suspension are received about first and second axes of rotation. The apparatus comprises said container, first drive means for rotatably supporting the container about the first axis, and second drive means for rotatably supporting the first drive means about the second axis. The first and second axes of rotation do not lie in the same plane and extend in different directions so that the container revolves around the second axis while the container is rotating about the first axis. The inoculation method utilizes this apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: JAPAN as represented by PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER, Nipro Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiya Fujisato, Takuro Kogoshi, Yusuke Suga, Akio Kishida, Takeshi Nakatani, Soichiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7837380
    Abstract: A guarding structure for a mixer of molding material that has a shock absorbing chassis containing a detention board and a mixer body held in the shock absorbing chassis and run through the detention board includes an anchor member between the mixer body and the detention board. The anchor member is fastened to the detention board to form a tight coupling with the mixer body so that the mixer body is held firmly in the detention board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Shu-Lung Wang
  • Patent number: 7780339
    Abstract: A vortex motion paint mixing machine having a paint container holder spinning and orbiting in a paint mixing assembly pivotally connected to a base, one or more viscoelastic polymer dampers and a control arm. A method of damping vibration in a paint mixing machine by: a) providing a receptacle for receiving one of a cylindrical or a non-cylindrical paint container on a mixing assembly; b) pivotally mounting the mixing assembly on a base; c) providing one or more viscoelastic vibration dampers between the mixing assembly and the base; d) connecting the mixing assembly and the base with a control arm; e) rotating a paint container in the receptacle in a spinning motion about an axis of the receptacle and in an orbiting motion about an axis separate from the axis of the receptacle; and f) damping vibration between the mixing assembly and the base using the viscoelastic vibration damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Johnson, Aaron Curtis
  • Patent number: 7686502
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for mixing paint disposed in either a conventional one gallon paint container or a square paint container having a body with a handle passage extending therethrough. The apparatus includes a square bucket for holding the container. A rocker is pivotably mounted to a side wall of the bucket and includes a pair of heads aligned over a pair of openings in the side wall. A floor of the bucket has a plurality of support structures extending upwardly therefrom. When the conventional one gallon paint container is disposed in the bucket, the container rests on the floor, the vertical axis of the container is offset from the central axis of the bucket, and both heads of the rocker are disposed against the container inside the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventor: Dwight R. Huckby
  • Patent number: 7666602
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ernest V. Hansberry
  • Patent number: 7666681
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ernest V. Hansberry
  • Patent number: 7654730
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing material in a container includes a platform mounted for simultaneous movement on at least two axes and for supporting a container containing material to be mixed. A motor can be operatively associated with the platform to move the platform on the two axes. A container holding assembly having a vertical extent can be carried by the platform, and is moveable between a closed position in which the holding assembly is positioned proximate the container to retain the container on the platform during mixing operations, and an open position in which the holding assembly is positioned away from the container so that the container can be removed from the platform without lifting the container over the vertical extent of the holding assembly. The platform can be contained within a housing having a low profile opening such that the container can be removed without elevating the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ultrablend LLC
    Inventors: Steven Marshall, Martin Miguel Salas, James Howard Merritt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7604987
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bioreactor comprising a chamber for containing cells or tissue cultures within a culture medium. The bioreactor also comprises a detector capable of detecting a change in one or more metabolites associated with growth of the cell or tissue cultures within the chamber and a chamber drive capable of rotating the chamber at a first speed about a first axis and a second speed about a second axis, the second axis being disposed at an angle relative to the first axis. In use, the magnitude of the first speed and the second speed are independently variable of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Dietmar W. Hutmacher, Swee Hin Teoh, Manoja Ranawake, Woon Shin Chong, Keng Soon Ting, Kay Chiang Chua, Than Myint, Chum Mok Puah, Toon Tien Foo, Jan-Thorsten Schantz
  • Patent number: 7578612
    Abstract: A low-cost, easy to operate, three-phase tilting agitator for microarrays, including large area microarrays, provides experimentally verified improvements in hybridization intensity and uniformity. Motion is coupled from a single motor to a sample holder via three suspension tethers. The microarrays may be immersed in a water bath during agitation to maintain a temperature for the hybridization reaction. The use of traditional cover slips for the microarrays minimizes the volume requirement for target sample solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: CapitalBio Corporation
    Inventors: Liang Zhang, Fei J. Xian, Renyuan Chen, Lianshan Zhao, Jianxing Ye, Xianhua Wang
  • Patent number: 7520660
    Abstract: An improved suspension apparatus and method for damping vibration arising in liquid vortex mixers of the type pivotably supporting a mixing frame assembly and suspending the assembly by at least one spring for mixing a liquid coating using both spin and orbital rotational movements. A pivoting support is located between the mixing frame assembly and a base. A damper in the form of an annular ring is used to damp pivoting movement of the mixing frame assembly. Various pivoting mounts may be used to pivotably support the mixing frame on a base. A bushing provides accommodation of a misaligned spring mounting end turn using a V-groove to retain the spring mounting end turn, and may include an eccentric feature to allow adjustment of the spring mounting length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Daniel Schulz, Oszkar Rohosy, Aaron Curtis
  • Patent number: 7507015
    Abstract: A mixer for dental molding powder has a motor to drive a holding cup pivotally located on a chassis to rotate. A regulation device is provided that has a bolt and a screw bar to hold a pulley on the chassis. By use of a plurality of belts, the pulley and rotary wheels located on two outer sides of the chassis the holding cup can be driven to rotate. The pulley can be moved by adjusting the regulation device so that the belt can be loosened from the pulley for easy and fast replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Shu-Lung Wang
  • Patent number: 7487958
    Abstract: An anti-vibration mechanism for dental impression material mixer. The mechanism includes a plurality of supporting poles, a plurality of first elastic springs, a plurality of second elastic springs, a base plate and a restricting board. One end of both the first elastic spring and the second elastic spring are linked to the supporting pole, and the other end is linked to the top and the bottom of a motor respectively. The position of the motor is restricted at a central opening of the restricting board, and the motor is hanging above the base plate. Since the present invention is mainly dependent on the resilient elongation of the first elastic spring and the second elastic spring, which are linked on the top and the bottom of the motor respectively the present invention are absorb the vibration when the motor is operating and enhance the stability of the motor and every mechanism mounted on its top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Shu-Lung Wang
  • Patent number: 7448566
    Abstract: The invention is a laboratory mill that allows small samples to be shaken, mixed, ground, homogenized or comminuted effectively within a small vial. The design is similar to a planetary mill but unlike those devices, neither axis of rotation is centered on the axis of the processing vessel. The design allows many vials to be processed at one time and even when the diameter of the vial is quite small, maintains the processing performance. The performance of the device when used as a comminuter is demonstrated showing that the device can comminute organic solids down to a median particle size of 1 micrometer with a narrow size distribution. Because the processing takes place within a vial, the mill does not require cleaning between samples which allows the application of the device in automated or high throughput systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen Robert Bysouth
  • Patent number: 7445373
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for mixing a fluid dispersion disposed in a container having either a cylindrical or a square shape. The apparatus includes a holding structure having a retaining structure connected to a base. The retaining structure prevents lateral movement of the container both when the container has a cylindrical shape and when the container has a generally square shape with a width substantially equal to the diameter of the cylindrical shape. The apparatus rotates the container about at least one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventors: Dwight R. Huckby, James E. MacDonald, John T. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7438460
    Abstract: A mixing device for mixing liquid, flowable or powder-form materials, having a first component that is mounted in a rotatable manner on a frame, a second component mounted in a rotatable manner on the first component, a drive unit for generating a rotary movement of the first component, and a deflecting unit for transferring and deflecting the rotary movement of the first component to the second component in such a manner that the direction of rotation of the first component is opposite to the direction of rotation of the second component, the second component having at least one vacuum box which can be evacuated when in operation and in which there is at least one container for the materials that are to be mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hauschild & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerd-Ulrich Schmidt, Theodor Eitzen
  • Patent number: 7396152
    Abstract: A bladeless mixer/mill for agitating and mixing a compound/product. The mixer/mill comprises a driving shaft rotatable about a first vertical axis of rotation, and a motor unit operatively coupled to the driving shaft for rotating the same. A support plate is mounted onto the driving shaft and is rotatable about the first vertical axis. The mixer/mill also has a stationary ring gear coaxial to the support plate. The stationary ring gear has a portion with an inner surface extending above the support plate. At least one pinion gear is rotatably mounted onto the support plate about a second vertical axis of rotation parallel to the first vertical axis of rotation. The pinion gear has an outer surface complementary to the inner surface of the stationary ring gear. The outer surface of the pinion gear meshes with the inner surface of the stationary ring gear. The pinion gear has a cavity wherein the compound/product to be agitated and mixed/milled is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: G-Explore Ltee
    Inventor: Germain Veronneau
  • Publication number: 20080159066
    Abstract: A shock absorbing buffer structure for an amalgam mixer includes a driving power mechanism to generate a driving force to evenly mix materials held in a container and a plurality of buffer units to support the driving power mechanism. The structure can absorb vibration generated by the driving power mechanism during operation to reduce shock and noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Shu-Lung Wang
  • Publication number: 20080151685
    Abstract: A guarding structure for a mixer of molding material that has a shock absorbing chassis containing a detention board and a mixer body held in the shock absorbing chassis and run through the detention board includes an anchor member between the mixer body and the detention board. The anchor member is fastened to the detention board to form a tight coupling with the mixer body so that the mixer body is held firmly in the detention board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Shu-Lung Wang
  • Patent number: 7344300
    Abstract: An improved paint mixer of the type rotating a paint container about a tumbling axis and a perpendicular spin axis, the improvements of a clamp assembly and lock, splash guards protecting a range-of-travel of upright clamp portions, low friction guide plates, an adjustable height strike plate and roller, a rigid gear assembly, an offset in the clamp to return the paint container to an upright position after mixing, and a relief in a raised portion on a lower plate of the clamp for assisting loading and unloading of the paint container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Midas, Brent Thomas Harrold, William O. Gran
  • Patent number: 7325969
    Abstract: A container mixer comprising a loadbearing device, a mixer arm (5) and a docking unit (6) for holding a container (7). The mixer arm (5) is mounted on the rotatable part of a first rotary device (10) having a horizontal first axis of rotation (14), whose fixed part is held on a loadbearing device, and the docking unit (6) is mounted on the rotatable part of a second rotary device (11) having a second axis of rotation (15), whose fixed part is held on the mixer arm (5). The fixed part of the first rotary device (10) can also be mounted on a lifting carriage (4) which is vertically displaceably mounted on the loadbearing device. The axes of rotation of the first and second rotary device (10, 11) can be arranged in such a way that their axes of rotation (14, 15) intersect within the container (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Glatt Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kretzschmar, Heinz Pritzke, Christian Schwaar
  • Patent number: 7311437
    Abstract: An improved paint mixer of the type rotating a paint container about a tumbling axis and a perpendicular spin axis, the improvements of a clamp assembly and lock, splash guards protecting a range-of-travel of upright clamp portions, low friction guide plates, an adjustable height strike plate and roller, a rigid gear assembly, an offset in the clamp to return the paint container to an upright position after mixing, and a relief in a raised portion on a lower plate of the clamp for assisting loading and unloading of the paint container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Midas, Brent Thomas Harrold, William O. Gran
  • Patent number: 7284901
    Abstract: A gyroscopic paint mixer having a ratcheting lead screw paint container clamp and lock with a pawl releasably engaging an axial relief in the lead screw. A clamping frame is driven by a shaft maintained in concentricity with a stationary ring gear by an antifriction bearing mounted between the shaft and ring gear. A support plate has a peripheral lip forming a first recess sized to position either a generally square paint container or a generally D-shaped paint container. The support plate has a second recess to position a cylindrical paint container concentric to a spin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Red Devil Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Midas, Aaron Curtis, Brent Thomas Harrold
  • Patent number: 7201512
    Abstract: To mix powder and liquid components evenly, a kneader comprises a rotating plate rotated around a driving axis; a bearing for a capsule housing body mounted near a circumference part of the plate, wherein an axis supported with the bearing is rotatable only in a reverse direction to a rotating direction of the plate; a capsule housing body fixed at a capsule housing body supporting axis in parallel to the driving axis and supported with the bearing; a balance weight fixed at a predetermined position of the plate approximately opposite to the body beyond the driving axis; and a mechanism for circularly moving an axis for keeping the direction of the body in the same direction as the rotating direction of the plate along a circle having the same diameter as but the different center from those of the body supporting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Suzuki, Masaaki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7182505
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for mixing a fluid dispersion disposed in a container having either a cylindrical or a square shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: The Sherwin-Williams Company
    Inventor: Dwight R. Huckby