Abstract: Standardized tests of the dissolution rates of pharmacologic dosage units such as salicylic acid tablets, for example, are conducted by placing the dosage unit in a liquid-permeable cylindrical wire basket and rotating the basket in the solvent about two different axes, preferably one vertical axis and one horizontal axis. The apparatus comprises an outer vertical tube to which the basket is mounted off center from the vertical axis of the tube so that it orbits around the vertical axis when the vertical outer tube is rotated; the basket is mounted on a horizontal shaft which can rotate about its horizontal axis. An inner shaft extends vertically through the outer vertical shaft, and bevel gears are provided between the horizontal shaft and the inner vertical shaft so that relative rotation of the upper ends of the inner and outer vertical shafts with respect to each other about their axes causes the basket to rotate about the horizontal shaft axis.

Abstract: A vortexing mixer drive has a rotatable coupling rod where an end face defines an offcenter countersink with a bore at the center of the countersink. The rod is axially displaced to engage a vessel's protuberant tip to effect rotational movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing the content of a closed package, such as a paint can. The apparatus comprises a frame and a substantially vertically oriented package holder which is movably mounted in the frame. The package holder includes a device for releasably clamping a package so that the axis of the package is parallel with the axis of the holder. The apparatus also includes a device for driving the holder in a closed movement path relative to the frame. The drive device comprises a rotatable shaft which is substantially vertically oriented and which is mounted centrally on the frame. The drive shaft carries a crank having a substantially vertical pin. The pin is centrally connected to the lower portion of the holder and is journalled at one of its ends into a rolling bearing. Stabilizing devices connect the holder and the frame and are arranged to prevent relative rotation between the holder and the frame around the drive shaft axis.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing device has a holding chamber mounted in a housing for vibration with its top extending through the top of said housing. A nitrogen operated vibrator vibrates said holding chamber and the interior of said chamber is connected to a vacuum source. A gun cartridge is placed in said holding chamber to receive bone cement ingredients to be vibrated and placed under a vacuum to deaerate the combined ingredients.

Abstract: Shaking area of the shake table of a motor-driven shaker used for shake culture and the like can be enlarged or reduced by adjusting the eccentricities of plural support legs with respect to corresponding shafts. According to the present invention, mere adjustment of the eccentricity of a central support leg results in automatical eccentricity adjustment of the other peripheral support legs each having a magnet secured thereto which slidably engages with a free disc per se rotatable with its shaft, since the magnet is driven while generating a circle on the free disc following an eccentrical movement of the central support leg and such circle ought to coincide of itself with a concentrical circle with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A tray for uniformly mixing fluent material contained within a plurality of vessels, the tray having a restraining plate, restraining the vessels at a first location thereof against movement, and a vessel engaging element arranged to engage the plurality of vessels at a second location thereof and being spaced away from and rotatably movable relative to the restraining plate for shaking all the vessels over a uniform path when the vessels are thereby engaged and restrained. The frequency of shaking is adjustable and its duration can be set for a specific period of time.

Abstract: A mixing device and method is provided for stirring solutions by imparting a rotational, undulating motion thereto. The mixing device includes a motor having a speed control which is eccentrically joined to a holding platform. Flexible connectors are attached to the platform to limit its movement and to cause the platform to undulate during its circular motion.

Abstract: An orbital shaker apparatus which has a tray for cyclic motion is flexibly suspended from a frame which is flexibly suspended from a plurality of stationary supports. The flexible suspension constrains the tray to move only translationally along one axis with respect to the frame and constrains the frame to move only translationally along one axis perpendicular to the tray movement axis. A microprocessor is used for receiving operator input to set the speed and duration of the cyclic motion. Embodied in the microprocessor is a closed loop speed control which measures the actual speed of the cyclic movement with an interrupt routine which calculates the duration between the pulses of an optoelectric speed sensor. The actual speed is compared to the set speed and a digital "bang-bang" control signal is generated to regulate motor velocity from the difference between the two speeds.

Abstract: A revolving motor-driven turntable for a saucepan which automatically moves and mixes liquid food being cooked over a gas burner. The motion imparted to the food by the revolution of the saucepan eliminates the need of stirring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically accomplishing riddling of bottled wines contained in shipping cartons by inverting pallet loads of the cartons so the bottles stand on their capped ends, jostling the bottles as by rapid tilting at predetermined intervals and in predetermined directions, and vibrating the cases and the bottles they contain at desired frequency and amplitude and for periods of predetermined duration. The apparatus provides a bed for receiving pallets loaded with stacked cases of bottled wine to be riddled, the bed being supported at its corners on pivot balls liftable from their supporting sockets which, in turn, have resilient supports. Selective tilting of the bed and its cargo is accomplished by inflatable air bags controlled by a timing system.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for oscillating and vibrating a deep pan so that the contents in the pan are thoroughly and evenly cooked without the chef's continual attention. The device is moved back-and-forth via a lever arm connected to a rotating disc. The lever arm is connected to the disc by a lost-motion connection, in the first embodiment of the invention. In the second embodiment, the plate supporting the frying pan is moved back-and-forth via a crank arm pivotally connected to the disc, while the other end of the crank arm is pivotally connected to a connecting link, which is attached to the underside of the support plate. Rollers mount the support plate for movement, and may allow for compound movement of the support plate when casters are used. The compound motion is generated by mounting the rotating disc in a plane offset from the horizontal and allowing sufficient play to the rollers mounting the support plate.

Abstract: A laboratory mixer includes a test tube supporting cup means that translates in a circular path at high speed without rotating thereby creating an effective vortex in the materials in the test tube. A motor is mounted in the apparatus housing and supports a cylindrical metal block. The cylinder includes a circular cavity having a center located away from the axis of rotation of the motor and the cylinder itself. A pair of bearings located in the cavity support one end of a shaft that carries the test tube holding cup. The cup is allowed to translate in a circular path but is prevented from rotating by a restraining means that includes a restraining arm rotatably attached to the housing and a side arm connecting the restraining arm to the cup supporting shaft. The user rests the heel of his hand on a pressure sensitive touch plate while placing the closed end of the test tube in the cup. Pressure from the hand causes the touch plate to close a switch and automatically turn the mixer motor on.

Abstract: A number of test tubes containing blood to be diagnosed are arranged in a matrix in a magazine. The test tubes of the foremost row are sent out one after one to a sample holding and transfer apparatus which transfers the sample to a stirring apparatus where the test tube is swung and alternately rotated in opposite directions by a pair of rollers. The stirred test tube is sent to blood diagnostic apparatus and then sent back to the rearmost row of the matrix. When all tubes in the foremost row are sent out, the remaining rows are moved to sequentially send out the test tubes in the second row.

Abstract: A container assembly for facilitating treatment of a viscous test specimen including a cylindrical container body with a cover defining on the interior side thereof a specimen recess for receiving a predetermined volume of specimen material. The specimen recess is defined by a generally cylindrical projecting part which fits into a cylindrical receiving space in the container in a manner whereby excess specimen material adhering to the periphery of the projecting part is automatically wiped from the cover and deposited in an annular space defined between the cover and the container which is sealed when the cover is in a closed position. A second cover may be provided at an opposite end of the container through which a helically formed homogenization rod may be inserted operative during subsequent agitation of the container to dislodge specimen material from the recess. The container may also be inserted directly into a centrifuge.

Abstract: A paint shaker for agitating and mixing paint and the like, and/or flowable materials in a container comprises a bucket having an open upper end for receiving the container and mounted to rotate around an upwardly sloping axis. A yoke is provided for supporting the bucket and the yoke is mounted to rotate around a separate, vertical axis intersecting the axis of the bucket at a crossover point. A motor is provided for simultaneously driving the bucket and the yoke to spin about their respective axes to rapidly mix and agitate the material in the container placed in the bucket. The bucket includes a bottom wall for supporting the container with the center of gravity of the container and its contents being continually spaced below the crossover point of the axes so that the paint container does not tend to rise and climb out of the bucket during the mixing process and thus a clamp or top is not required for retaining the container in place while mixing.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaking an aerosol spray paint container with a hand-held power drill includes a base member secured to the container by a band or a mounting bracket. The shaking apparatus further includes a first drive shaft rotatably mounted to the base; a second drive shaft is eccentrically mounted to the first drive shaft and is engaged by the rotatable chuck of the drill for causing the base member to rapidly oscillate and vibrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for riddling bottled wine having an elongated frame carried on resilient supports along the longitudinal sides of the frame and having a motor-driven eccentric weight carried on the frame for vibrating the frame and cases of bottles thereon in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the frame, together with rows of inflatable air bags along opposite sides of the frame for alternately lifting such sides and jostling bottles of wine within their compartments in cases supported on the frame. A clock system controls the power supply to the vibrator motor and the air supply to the inflatable air bags, the clock system being adjustable for supplying electrical current to the vibrator motor at pre-selected times and for periods of pre-determined duration, and for supplying air under pressure alternately to the air bags at one side or the other of the frame at selectively pre-determined intervals and for periods of pre-determined duration.

Abstract: A photograph materials processing unit having:a motor drive unit comprising,a base member which has an upper surface, anda drive wheel extending from the upper surface which is in operative relationship to a drive motor, the drive motor also being part of the base.The upper surface of the base member also carries a pair of spaced-apart undriven wheels which are rotatable in planes parallel to the plane of rotation of said drive wheel.The motor drive unit is adapted to carry a cylindrical drum for receiving photographic materials including film and liquid processing chemicals. The drum is carried in 3-point contact on the upper surfaces of the wheels whereby when the drive motor is turned on, the drum rotates on the wheels without substantial longitudinal movement of the drum with respect to the motor drive unit so long as the longitudinal center line of the drum is parallel to the axes of rotation of the wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaking an aerosol spray paint container includes a base having a cradle for receiving the container and a pair of clamps for removably securing the container within the cradle. The base is releasably secured to the movable driven member of a hand-held power tool for shaking the container. If a hand-held power sander is utilized to shake the container, then the base of the shaking apparatus is clamped to the vibrating sanding plate of the sander. If a drill or other hand-held power tool having a rotatable chuck is utilized to shake the container, then the shaking apparatus includes a first drive shaft rotatably mounted to the base; a second drive shaft is concentrically mounted to the first drive shaft and is engaged by the rotatable chuck of the power tool for causing the base to rapidly oscillate and vibrate.

Abstract: A mixing device is disclosed for gently agitating the contents of one or more closed containers. The device includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers parallelly juxtaposed and adapted to rotate in an eccentric fashion about respective longitudinal axes that are parallel to each other and inclined to the respective cylindrical axes of the rollers. A drive bar coupling interconnects the rollers and a drive motor so that the rollers rotate in the same direction and at the same speed thereby imparting a simultaneous rocking and rolling motion to the containers when placed in supporting contact with adjacent rollers.

Abstract: A vortexer apparatus having a hold down plate detachably mounted to an upright cylindrical support, said support having a pair of splines formed thereon, the end of one spline being spaced from the near end of the other spline by a circumferential groove, said hold down plate being supported from an elongate sleeve axially engageable with said support, and having a key engageable with said pair of splines. A torque arm is provided for selectively locating the cylindrical support and hold down plate relative to a base and an agitated platform.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved drum mechanism for use in combination with an automatic photographic processing system which includes a housing, a bi-directional motor that has a shaft and that is mounted on the housing, a control unit for controlling the bi-directional motor and a drain tray that is mounted on the housing. The automatic photographic processing system also includes a fluid injector unit for injecting fluids into said improved drum mechanism that is electrically coupled to the control unit and that is mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A cage of spaced rods is proportioned to fit a gallon can of paint. A stand of formed rod supports the cage and an electrical, gear-reduction motor. The motor is connected to the cage, and a can of paint to be mixed within the cage is rotated about its axis by operation of the motor. A rotational speed of 25 to 30 revolutions per minute is fast enough to mix paint in a moderate amount of time with this inexpensive mixer.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing flowable material in a container rotates the material continuously in one direction about a first axis and simultaneously about a second axis which is non-perpendicular to the first axis, the first axis rotating about the second axis. The mixer has means for supporting the container and for rotating the container simultaneously about the two axes. Desirable top to bottom circulation of material within the container is attained by the mixer of the present invention, while the apparatus is simplified and provides economies due to its lower speed and unidirectional, continuous rotational operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the development of photographic film comprising a tank for holding a substantially constant temperature bath. Two axles carrying wheels or rollers thereon are journaled in the side walls of the tank. The first axle and thereby wheels or rollers attached thereto is driven by a motor. The second axle has a plurality of positions relative to the first where it may be journaled. Thus the apparatus may be adapted to receive a plurality of sizes of drum processors used in the processing of photographic film by variously positioning the second axle. Thus the drum processor resting on the wheels is rotated through the bath as the driven axle is turned to thus maintain the processor and its contents near the bath temperature.

Abstract: A clamp means is provided for holding at least one vessel so that the vessel can be agitated by a drive means with the clamping means permitting the vessel to move with the clamping means defining the null point of the movement. The clamp means may provide a rack for resiliently clamping the vessel. Preferably, the clamping means is for resiliently clamping the vessel at a position remote from the bottom thereof. Drive means are provided for imparting motion, such as orbital motion, to the agitating means whereby fluent contents of the vessel are agitated. The apparatus is adapted for the holding and agitating a single or a plurality of vessels, such as a plurality of test tubes. The drive means also is capable of pulsing the orbital motion.

Abstract: Disclosed is improved homogenizer apparatus of the type capable of operating in the range of 60,000 revolutions per minute. A motor is mounted to a motor support frame structure which in turn is mounted to the cabinet of the homogenizer. Two shafts are mounted to the motor mounting frame and extend downwardly essentially parallel to a spindle operably connected to the motor. A lower flask base support and an upper flask clamp are mounted for sliding movement on the two shafts and clamps formed of a cylindrical member fabricated of a metal softer than the shafts to avoid marring or damage to the shafts are utilized to clamp the flask base and flask clamp in any desired position on the shafts. By attaching the shafts directly to the motor support frame, the flask base and flask clamp remain properly oriented and aligned with respect to the spindle irrespective of shipping and operation vibrations and other external forces.

Abstract: A platform or tray for holding laboratory containers such as test tubes is driven in orbital motion by an eccentric drive mechanism housed in a cabinet. First and second pairs of tracks are mounted respectively beneath the tray and to the top of the cabinet. An intermediate plate holds four disc-shaped, low-friction bearing elements, each coupled to and guided by an upper and a lower track to maintain said tray in the same disposition during its orbital motion. An electronic circuit controls orbital speed in a continuous manner over the operating range, even at low speeds. The system operates in either a continuous mode or timed mode under control of a switch. The motor which drives the platform also drives a dc motor, the terminal voltage of which is displayed as a signal representing the speed of operation. Both the speed and the time (in timed mode of operation) may be controlled by the operator. A vibration-free mounting system is used to secure the main motor and drive train within the cabinet.