Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a plurality of vessels containing various sample and reagent materials is disclosed. The apparatus comprises mechanisms for holding the vessels and rotating the vessels about an axis. A valve for venting pressure is provided and is controlled by a solenoid that is actuated only when the vessels are in a generally upright position so that liquid or solid contents of the vessels will not escape through the pressure venting valve. Additionally a work station is provided that houses the apparatus of the present invention and allows the user to complete the mixing and extracting process without removing the vessels from the holding tray.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing a container's contents has a holder for holding the container, a first mechanism for effecting rotation of the holder, and a second mechanism for effecting reciprocating linear motion of the holder. The first mechanism effects rotation of the holder and the second mechanism effects reciprocation of the holder simultaneously so as to effect thorough mixing of the contents of the container held thereby.

Abstract: A hybridization incubator assembly (10) is provided for incubation of samples contained in elongated sample bottles (16) and short sample bottles (60). The incubator (10) includes and oven body (18) which encloses a rotisserie assembly (14) adapted for carrying and agitating the sample bottles. The rotisserie assembly (14) includes a pair of bottle support wheels (43) mounted eccentrically on a drive shaft (40). The first wheel (44) and the second wheel (46) are mounted at different degrees of eccentricity and are axially separated on the drive shaft (40) by a distance slightly less than the length of the elongated bottles (16). Each support wheel (43) includes a plurality of grasping clamps (60) affixed about the rim portion (56) for holding the bottles (16), with each the grasping clamps (60) being paired with another on the opposing wheel (43) such that a bottle (16) may be supported by both wheels (43). The perimeter surface (58) of each wheel is beveled to facilitate agitation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable shaker for cosmetic containers such as nail enamel. The shaker includes a frame assembly, a motor, power transfer means and an upper cylindrical housing. The frame assembly includes a rectangular frame element with two triangular uprights at either end. Mounted to the triangular uprights is the upper cylindrical housing. The housing includes an internal foam bottle holder with recesses adapted to hold bottles of cosmetic product. The motor and power transfer mechanisms serve to rotate the cylindrical housing by way of a beveled gear system.

Abstract: A sample preparation device for precisely measuring a sample volume, mixing the sample with a reagent and then separating out any resulting precipitant from the sample. In using the device, the sample is nonquantitatively dispensed by the user and is volumetrically delivered by the device using a positive displacement method. No vortexing or shaking is required and the sample and reagent are precisely and reproducibly mixed automatically.

Abstract: A sample preparation device for precisely measuring a sample volume, mixing the sample with a reagent and then separating out any resulting precipitant from the sample. In using the device, the sample is nonquantitatively dispensed by the user and is volumetrically delivered by the device using a positive displacement method. No vortexing or shaking is required and the sample and reagent are precisely and reproducibly mixed automatically.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device the mixing container of which consists of two bowl-shaped vessel parts, at least one stop element being fixed on the transport support and a clamping or draw-in device which can be brought into clamping engagement with the stop element being provided on the guide fork in such a way that the transport support with the first vessel part can be drawn into the starting position of the mixing vessel and locked there.

Abstract: A rotary mixer and conveyor system wherein the containers are automatically processed through a rotary mixer. The rotary mixer is of a simple and reliable design which lends itself to each integration into new or existing conveyor lines. The rotary mixer is operative to engage and rotate simultaneously a plurality of containers end over end to effect mixing of the contents of the closed containers. The containers are fed automatically by a conveyor to a pick-up area in the rotary mixer where the containers are automatically engaged and rotated and then redeposited on the conveyor for automatic transfer out of the rotary mixer.

Abstract: A heatable mixer apparatus comprising an open-top tank having a liquid therein and a wheel rotatably mounted essentially perpendicularly above the tank with a portion thereof disposed within the tank. On the lateral sides of the wheel are a plurality of retainers which releasably retain closable vessels containing materials to be mixed. A heater is provided within the tank to heat the liquid to a desired temperature. In operation, the liquid is heated, vessels containing materials to be mixed are placed in respective retainers, and the wheel is rotated to thereby permit mixing of the materials and simultaneous heating as the vessels travel through the heated liquid in the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating reaction vessels in an inclined posture, comprising a plate, means for rotatably supporting the plate, means for rotating the plate at a predetermined speed, a plurality of reaction vessel holders mounted on the edge portion of the plate and adapted for mounting reaction vessels, means for rotating the reaction vessel holders around their axes at a predetermined speed, and means for fixing the plate supporting means in such a manner that the reaction vessel holders may be inclined at a predetermined angle to the horizon.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for cultivation of matrix-bound biologic cell systems on microcarrier particles within a replenishable nutrient medium providing controlled three dimensional displacement of a culture vessel and its contents to effect uniform cell exposure to available nutrient material.

Abstract: A magnetically driven centrifuge system includes a centrifuge (2) carrying specimen tubes (10) extending radially therefrom and supporting a magnetic member (25). The centrifuge is arranged with a base (18) of the type having a rotating magnet, whereby the centrifuge (2) spins freely on the base (18) by virtue of the magnetic interaction between the rotating magnet and the magnetic member (25).

Abstract: A mixing machine for tumbling a rack which carries a plurality of volumetric glassware tubes containing chemical solutions. The machine includes a stand which rotatively supports a tumbler box adapted to closely receive the rack. The tumbler box includes a floor and a lid which engage the ends of the volumetric tubes to prevent them from shifting in the tumbler box and to hold rubber stoppers in place in the tubes. The tumbler box is rotated by an electric motor having a timing switch and a cam switch that stops the box in an upright position.

Abstract: An improved rotary retort for cooking food products in sealed containers. The retort comprises a vessel including a substantially cylindrical shell and a pair of heads respectively closing the ends of the shell. A support for carrying the sealed containers is rotatably mounted within the vessel. The support includes at least one U-shaped channel member having integral lips located on the upstanding portions of the U-shaped channel, whereby a plurality of sealed containers received in the channel are retained in the channel by the lips. The support is rotated in the vessel, and the interior of the vessel is selectively heated and cooled as the support is rotated to accomplish complete processing of the food products within the sealed containers.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube holder which not only provides support for the tubes in a vertical orientation when placed on a workbench, but also horizontal and radial support when the tubes are placed in a centrifuge rotor. The tube holder has at least two sections which are pivotally connected to allow for upright or vertical orientation of the tubes when placed on a workbench. The two sections can be pivotally oriented with respect to each other to place the tubes horizontally in a centrifuge rotor at different radial angles with respect to each other with reference to the spin axis of the rotor. The holder also incorporates means for securely holding the tubes within the holder while they are being transported, so that the holder can be inverted without the escape of the tubes. On the other hand, the biasing or securing means for the tubes in the holder is eliminated when the holder is at rest on the workbench to permit convenient and easy insertion or removal of the centrifuge tubes.

Abstract: Rotary shaking culture measuring method and apparatus characterizes in that culture tubes are disposed radially and at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and an inclined turntable is disposed at a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to a horizontal reference plane, a central shaft of the inclined turntable serves as a driving shaft whereby a turning motion in a continuous or intermittently indexing form is imparted to the turntable. In addition, the culture tubes revolve along an inclined circular orbit described by such turning motion, and the substance being cultured within the tubes is shaked and cultured by a reciprocative motion of inertial resultant force of centrifugal force and gravity. Furthermore, in a certain position of the turntable the growth of the substance being cultured within all the culture tubes is measured with the lapse of time by a signal obtained at every fixed cycle.

Abstract: A tumbling machine for tumbling and agitating foodstuffs, for example, meat, fish, etc., under vacuum. The foodstuffs are placed in evacuable containers provided with wheels permitting the use of the containers as transport means. The tumbling machine has a substantially U-shaped frame which rotates around a horizontal axis in preferably interval-programmed rotation. For insertion and removal of the containers in the frame, the U-shaped frame is so positioned as to present its open end to the floor of the machine. In that position, the container is rolled into the frame along guide rails defining its lateral location. The depth of entry of the container into the frame is limited by the cooperation of symmetrically spaced guides on the outside of the containers, a pair of opposite guides on the containers cooperating with suitably positioned stops on the rotatable frame that limit the maximum entry of the containers and correctly position the containers with respect to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for tinting caulk which has been prepackaged in cylindrical caulking tubes having a removable piston in one end of the tube and a fixed nozzle extending from the opposite end. The apparatus being securable in a reciprocating mixer of the type used for mixing paint. The apparatus has a generally cylindrical face member with a plurality of flanges extending perpendicular from the base member and each engageable with the bottom end of a caulking tube to position the tube perpendicular to the base member. A top member is provided with a plurality of holes defined therein through which the nozzles on the top end of the caulking tubes will extend and which are positionable in registry with the flanges on the base member so as to hold the caulking tubes from both the top and the bottom. A plurality of pivotal rods extend from the base member to the top member and are securable to the top member to hold the top member rigid relative to the bottom member and maintain the caulking tubes in position.

Abstract: In an electrically operated household appliance, such as a foodstuff mincer or grinder, of the kind which comprises a casing the top of which supports a working bowl which is closed by a removable cover and in which rotate cutters driven by an electric motor which is disposed inside the casing and is controlled by at least one switch which has an operating key situated on the top part of the casing and is actuated by a skirt extending downwards from the cover. The cover comprises two parts connected telescopically, one part being constituted by the skirt and being displaceable relative to the other part which is a cap, between a lower position in which the skirt brings the operating key into the working position thereof, and an upper position in which the operating key is in its position of rest.