Abstract: Agitation mechanisms for homogenization devices for processing sample materials in tubes that are secured by tube holders to the agitation mechanisms. Each agitation mechanism includes a first rotary member having a first fixed rotational axis, a second rotary member having a second fixed rotational axis, and a connecting member that extends between them, is rotationally mounted to them at third and fourth non-fixed rotational axes, and to which the tube holder is mounted, with the first and third rotational axes defining a first offset, and with the second and fourth rotational axes defining a second offset. When the first rotary member is driven through rotation, the sample in the tube in the tube holder on the connecting member is driven through a nonlinearly reciprocating motion profile to produce a grinding shear action to better homogenize the samples. Other disclosed embodiments produce linearly reciprocating motion profiles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for using a SWING-type mixing device (1) and to a SWING-type mixing device (1), in which a main turning axle (2) of the mixing device is turned back and forth, that is in turns to a first direction all the way to a first turning point (FT) and to a second direction all the way to a second turning point (ST). According to the invention, power transmission to the main turning axle (2) can be produced by terminating power transmission to one direction slightly before the turning point, by letting mass inertia of the apparatus handle the turning of the direction of movement at the turning point and by starting power transmission to the opposite direction of the first slightly after the turning point.

Abstract: An apparatus for cultivating cells utilizing wave motion comprising a container, a retaining member configured to retain the container, a drive assembly for swiveling the container with respect to the substantially horizontal pivot axis and to swivel, such that during swiveling the pivot axis follows a cyclical closed-loop path.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixing device for mixing, in particular, contents of laboratory vessels. The mixing device has a receiving device for receiving mixtures, a drive for setting the receiving device in a mixing movement relative to a chassis in which the receiving device moves on a closed path, and a bearing for guiding the receiving device in the mixing movement. The bearing has at least two supports, each with two bearing areas spaced apart from each other and having at least substantially no translatory and at least two rotational degrees of freedom. One bearing area bears the support at the chassis, and the other bearing area bears the receiving device at the support. The bearing has a guidance device, which guides the rotation of the receiving device relative to the chassis during the mixing movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaking sample containers, especially micro titer plates, and to a shaking apparatus, comprising an oscillating plate holding the sample containers and an exciter drive for generating the oscillating movement of the oscillating plate. The oscillating plate is made to oscillate in resonance oscillation, with the oscillating plate being connected in a flexurally rigid manner with an apparatus base preferably by at least four spring elements which consist of several individual springs and is held in an oscillating plane.

Abstract: A solder paste mixer includes a housing, a vibration mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and a fixture for fixing a solder paste jar. The housing defines a receiving space, and the vibration mechanism and the rotating mechanism are retained within the receiving space. The fixture can be vibrated by the vibration mechanism and rotated by the rotating mechanism.

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.

Abstract: A cocktail shaker uses a motor to cause a container to be shaken. The shaker includes a following member coupled to a following device that is engaged in a directional mechanism, such as a slot or rod. The directional mechanism defines the path and angle of the motion imparted to the container. The throw is defined by the mechanism that transforms rotational motion of a motor to a shaking motion of the container. A mechanism for transforming rotational motion to a shaking motion may include a rotational member and an attachment member pivotally coupled to the rotational member on one end and coupled to the device holding the container on the other end. A combination of throw, path, and motor speed are capable of providing a mechanism for shaking the container that is similar to shaking the container by hand. For example, the motor speed and duration of shaking may be continuously variable or discretely selectable, which may be selected by the user.

Abstract: An experimental mixing device may comprise a driving source, an eccentric member, a control member and a mixing member. The control member may be selective installed in the experimental mixing device and be configured to adjust the mixing member, thereby providing various operational motions of the mixing member, for example an orbital motion, a see-saw motion, a 3-D twist motion, or a crank motion. The use of the control member may eliminate the need of separating the mixing member from the experimental mixing device. Thereby, the experimental mixing device may have adjustable patterns and quantity of the mixing motion and lead to easy usage and manufacture.

Abstract: A paint mixer support and tray apparatus providing a pounding station for reclosing a paint container having friction fit lid. The support allows for vertically supporting up to two paint mixers, each supported on a separate horizontal plate. The tray is movable between a horizontal operating position wherein the paint container may be placed on the tray and the lid pounded down against the container, and a vertical storage position wherein the tray is pivoted up out of the way, where it may rest against a paint mixer, retained there by magnets. In the absence of an upper paint mixer, the tray may be further pivoted to rest against the upper plate resulting in a shipping position for the tray and stand. The tray may have a pair of arms in contact with the stand to support the tray in the operating position.

Abstract: A paint shaker and motor therefor. A yoke has at a first end a clamp for clamping a paint can and at a second end, is pivotally connected to a linkage assembly that converts the linear motion of a reciprocating linear motor to an arcing motion of the yoke. The motor includes a cylinder and a piston that is spring biased toward an inlet end of the cylinder. Compressed air enters the inlet end and a passageway through the piston for conducting the compressed air to a valve having a displaceable stopper, wherein the compressed air seats the stopper in the valve and thereby closes the valve, so that air pressure moves the piston toward an outlet end of the cylinder. The outlet end of the cylinder includes a projection against which the piston drives the stopper so as to unseat the stopper in the valve and thereby open the valve, permitting the spring bias to return the piston toward the inlet end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A paint shaker and motor therefor. A yoke has at a first end a clamp for clamping a paint can and at a second end, is pivotally connected to a linkage assembly that converts the linear motion of a reciprocating linear motor to an arcing motion of the yoke. The motor includes a cylinder and a piston that is spring biased toward an inlet end of the cylinder. Compressed air enters the inlet end and a passageway through the piston for conducting the compressed air to a valve having a displaceable stopper, wherein the compressed air seats the stopper in the valve and thereby closes the valve, so that air pressure moves the piston toward an outlet end of the cylinder. The outlet end of the cylinder includes a projection against which the piston drives the stopper so as to unseat the stopper in the valve and thereby open the valve, permitting the spring bias to return the piston toward the inlet end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A mixing system, apparatus and/or method. Pathogen reduction of and/or mixing storage solutions into blood or blood components are useful purposes for these. Squeezing or clapping devices may be used to activate the mixing process, as may rotational devices or laterally movable, rotational and/or orbital devices. Constriction elements may also be used to create useful vortex mixing actions. Photoradiation may be provided while the components continue to be mixed together for pathogen reduction of blood or blood components.

Abstract: A support platform for handling fermentation tanks, particularly alcoholic fermentation tanks, characterised in that it comprises a fixed bedplate (10), preferably of stainless steel, a swingable frame (11) mounted upon said bedplate (10) and hinged on a horizontal axle (12), a turnable frame (13) that may be turned on a vertical central axis, said turnable frame being connected to said swingable frame by means of a conventional center plate (14), as well as means for swinging said swingable frame (11) and means for turning said turnable frame (13).

Abstract: The present invention reveals an apparatus for mechanically finger vortexing microcentrifuge tubes. The apparatus is made of a box; a tube-holding rack having a frame, where the top of a microcentrifuge tube is held in a pivotal position; a base plate having a plurality of upright ribs, where the ribs cause a pull-and-release action either directly or indirectly on a microcentrifuge tube; a wheel, where the wheel is connected to an armature and where the armature is connected to the base plate; and a motor with a shaft, where the shaft is connected to the wheel. In the operation of the apparatus, the motor and the shaft impart a circular motion to the wheel and the armature transposes the circular motion of the motor-wheel to a reciprocating motion on the base plate. The reciprocating motion of the base plate causes the ribs to mix the contents of the microcentrifuge tubes.

Abstract: A fluid mixing device provides a gentle rotating and concurrent back and forth motion to agitate a fluid. The device has a receptacle with a shaft extending downwardly from a location off center of its bottom to a link arm which is pivotally attached to a reciprocating drive means. A second embodiment of the invention adds a back and forth rotation of the receptacle about its center by attaching a gear to the bottom of the receptacle about its center and providing a partial inside ring gear along which the gear on the receptacle moves pursuant to the reciprocating movement of the shaft. The device is particularly useful for the mixing of biological solutions from lyophilized materials without creating undesirable foams.

Abstract: A rotary drum dryer is provided which will dissipate heat from the drum and which will allow the drum to expand. The rotary drum dryer includes an elongate cylindrical drum which rotates on a base and a tire assembly mounted to the drum. The tire assembly includes a band extending circumferencially around the drum and being radially spaced from the drum and a circumferential tire mounted on the band. A plurality of linkage assemblies are spaced around the drum to physically connect the tire assembly to the drum and a plurality of gussets which maintain a desired spacing between the tire assembly and the drum to allow the drum to move relative to the tire assembly. The gussets each include a gusset body having a top edge and a notch formed in the top edge. The gussets act as vanes to dissipate heat from the drum before the heat reaches the tire assembly.

Abstract: A bath shaker (10) is provided for agitating liquid baths. The bath shaker (10) incorporates a "flexible parallelogram" mode of movement wherein a bath shelf (20) is attached to and supported by two, parallel opposing flexible arms (112). Present on each flexible arm (112) is a first attachment portion (124) sandwichedly held by an upright extension (120) and a first hold plate (110), the arrangement causing the first attachment portion (124) to serve as a flexible hinge. A drive mechanism (16) produces a reciprocating action of the bath shelf (20) through the use of an eccentric (80) and a pivoting lever (46) attached to both the eccentric (80) and the bath shelf (20). The flexible parallelogram arrangement defines the reciprocating motion to be substantially rectilinear and makes for an entirely noiseless mode of travel, while producing an extremely smooth transition between reciprocations.

Abstract: A mixing assembly is provided which mixes liquids within a container. The mixing assembly has a vertically extending support frame enclosed within an outer cabinet. Attached to at least one crank which is in turn attached to the support frame, is a vertically extending rigid frame. A rotary drive apparatus rotates the crank to cause the rigid frame to orbit in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis. The mixing apparatus also includes an attachment device which removably attaches the container to the rigid frame. When the attachment device is in a lower position, the attachment device urges an upper support member against the top of the container to clamp the container between the upper support member and a lower support member. The attachment device also includes a spring to move the upper support member upward and off the top of the container when the attachment device is not locked in a lower position.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting samples in crucibles above burners while moving the crucibles to mix the contents. The crucibles are supported by movable shafts on a movable subframe. The shafts can oscillate in a horizontal plane to mix the contents of the crucible. The subframe can also oscillate vertically to mix the contents of the crucible. The crucible mixing pattern is the sum of the horizontal and the vertical motion applied to the crucible. The crucible can be moved back away from the burner to add additional material to the crucible. The crucible can be moved forward, away from the burner, to pour the melted sample into either a heated casting dish or a container containing a solution. Nothing is added to or poured from the crucible while over the burners.

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.