The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods of mixing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods of dynamic mixing.
Dynamic mixing can include agitation of substances without invasive mixer components extending into the substance, such as stirring rods. Rotational mixers can include a rotation and/or or oscillation component to assist in mixing the substances. Appropriate geometries for effective and efficient mixing can depend on process variables.
The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an asymmetric rotation mixer may include a basket configured to receive a catch for holding in relative position a metered dispenser containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation of the metered dispenser by the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer. In some embodiments, the catch may include a catch body configured for engagement within the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may be formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis. The catch may include a cavity defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the metered dispenser stationary relative to the catch body and defining a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the metered dispenser. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of 20 degrees to 70 degrees.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a catch for holding in relative position a metered dispenser containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation of a metered dispenser by a basket of an asymmetric rotation mixer, may include a catch body configured for engagement within the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may be formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis. The catch may include a cavity defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the metered dispenser stationary relative to the catch body and defining a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the metered dispenser. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of 20 degrees to 70 degrees.
Additional features alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims and those described in detail below, can comprise patentable subject matter. Others will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
The drawings disclose exemplary embodiments in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.
Dynamic mixing, such as rotation mixing, can provide effective, non-invasive mixing of substance. Asymmetric rotation mixing can be particularly fast and effective by imposing centrifugal (centripetal) force on the substance(s) to be mixed. Various containers can be selected for containing the substance(s) to be mixed and undergoing the asymmetric rotation.
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Examples of suitable rotational mixers can be found within U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,099,160 and 6,755,565 each issued to Flackett, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein, including, but not limited to those, portions disclosing devices, systems, and methods for mixing and associated components and accessories. Such dual axis rotation mixing including asymmetric rotation may be referred to as planetary mixing and/or centrifugal mixing, although these terms may not be entirely accurate and are not intended to limit mixing parameters such as the direction of rotation about each of the dual axes, speed, and/or other geometry relationships.
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In the illustrative embodiment, the rotation speed about the secondary axis 17 is proportional to the speed about the primary axis 15 at a ratio within the range of about 1:1 to about 1:5 (primary:secondary), but in some embodiments, may be in the range of about 1:0.9 to about 1:2.0. In some embodiments, the rotation speed about the secondary axis 17 may be independent. In the illustrative embodiment, the rotation about the primary axis 15 is clockwise (viewed from above, such as in
Container 28 is illustratively formed of plastic. In some embodiments, the container 28 may include any suitable material, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, tin, aluminum, steel, and/or silicon dioxide. The volume of substance within the container is illustratively within the range of about 0.1 ml to about 20000 ml.
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The present disclosure include devices, systems, and methods for maintaining mixing containers at a specific position relative to horizontal to provide geometric advantages in rotational mixing. In some embodiments, the basket 18 may be omitted and the catch 26 engaged directly with the drive of the mixer 12. The foregoing descriptions of the angle β of the container 28 relative to horizontal can alternatively be expressed as an angle φ between line L and secondary axis 17. Angle φ is illustratively about 90 degrees, but in some embodiments, the angle φ can be any value from about 0 to about 179 degrees. Angles herein may be expressed relative any particular reference frame.
An aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or more of the following clauses: a mixer catch for holding in relative position a metered dispenser containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation of the metered dispenser by a basket of an asymmetric rotation mixer. The mixer catch may include a catch body configured for engagement within the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may be formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis. A cavity may be defined in the catch body. The cavity may be configured to receive and maintain the metered dispenser stationary relative to the catch body and to define a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the metered dispenser. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be within the range of about 30 to about 50 degrees.
In some embodiments, the primary axis may extend through the catch body. The primary axis is offset from a centroid of the catch body by a distance within the range of about 3 to about 20 centimeters. The catch body may be formed to have a cylindrical shape extending along the secondary axis. The catch body may be tapered for at least a portion of its extent along the secondary axis. In some embodiments, the catch body may include a circumferential ledge formed on an upper end.
In some embodiments, the cavity may be formed to have an I shape. The cavity may be defined at least partly by an endwall having a depression formed therein. In some embodiments, the dispenser may have an ovular cross-section and the depression includes curvature formed to accommodate the dispenser.
Another aspect of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following clauses: an asymmetric rotation mixer may include a basket for holding in relative position a receptacle containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and about a secondary axis of asymmetric rotation. The mixer may include a mixer catch including a catch body configured for engagement within the basket to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about the primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about the secondary axis. A cavity may be defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the receptacle stationary relative to the catch body and to define a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the receptacle. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of about 20 to about 70 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be within the range of 30 to 50 degrees.
In some embodiments, the primary axis may extend through the catch body. The primary axis may be offset from a centroid of the catch by a distance within the range of about 3 to about 20 centimeters. In some embodiments, the speed of rotation about the primary axis may be within the range of about 300 to about 1200 RPM. In some embodiments, the speed of rotation about the secondary axis may be proportional to the speed of rotation of about the primary axis by a ratio within the range of about 1:1 to about 1:3. Rotation about the primary axis may be clockwise. Rotation about the primary axis may counter clockwise. In some embodiments, the metered dispenser may contain a volume of substance for mixing within the range of about 0.1 to about 20000 ml.
Another aspect of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following clauses: a method of asymmetrical rotation mixing may include arranging a metered dispenser within a complimentary cavity of a mixer catch, and rotating the catch about a primary axis and about a secondary axis oriented at an angle relative to the primary axis within the range of about 40 to about 60 degrees. A longitudinal dimension of the dispenser may be arranged generally perpendicular to the secondary axis.
The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are contemplated and non-limiting:
Clause 1: A mixer catch for holding in relative position a metered dispenser containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation of the metered dispenser by a basket of an asymmetric rotation mixer, the mixer catch comprising: (a) a catch body configured for engagement within the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer to receive asymmetric rotation, the catch body formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis; and (b) a cavity defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the metered dispenser stationary relative to the catch body and defining a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the metered dispenser, wherein the primary axis is vertical and the longitudinal dimension of the cavity is oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of about 20 degrees to about 70 degrees.
Clause 2: The mixer catch of Clause 1, wherein the angle is within the range of about 30 to about 50 degrees.
Clause 3: The mixer catch of Clause 1, wherein the primary axis extends through the catch body.
Clause 4: The mixer catch of Clause 1, wherein the primary axis is offset from a centroid of the catch body by a distance within the range of about 3 to about 20 centimeters.
Clause 5: The mixer catch of Clause 1, wherein the catch body is formed to have a cylindrical shape extending along the secondary axis.
Clause 6: The mixer catch of Clause 5, wherein the catch body is tapered for at least a portion of its extent along the secondary axis.
Clause 7: The mixer catch of Clause 6, wherein the catch body includes a circumferential ledge formed on an upper end.
Clause 8: The mixer catch of Clause 1, wherein the cavity is formed to have an I shape.
Clause 9: The mixer catch of Clause 1, wherein the cavity is defined at least partly by an endwall having a depression formed therein.
Clause 10: The mixer catch of Clause 9, wherein the dispenser has an ovular cross-section and the depression includes curvature formed to accommodate the dispenser.
Clause 11: An asymmetric rotation mixer comprising: (a) a basket for holding in relative position a receptacle containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and about a secondary axis of asymmetric rotation; (b) a mixer catch including a catch body configured for engagement within the basket to receive asymmetric rotation, the catch body formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about the primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about the secondary axis; and (c) a cavity defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the receptacle stationary relative to the catch body and defining a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the receptacle, wherein the primary axis is vertical and the longitudinal dimension of the cavity is oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of about 20 to about 70 degrees.
Clause 12: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 11, wherein the angle is within the range of 30 to 50 degrees.
Clause 13: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 11, wherein the primary axis extends through the catch body.
Clause 14: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 11, wherein the primary axis is offset from a centroid of the catch by a distance within the range of about 3 to about 20 centimeters.
Clause 15: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 11, wherein the speed of rotation about the primary axis is within the range of about 300 to about 1200 RPM.
Clause 16: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 15, wherein the speed of rotation about the secondary axis is proportional to the speed of rotation of about the primary axis by a ratio within the range of about 1:1 to about 1:3.
Clause 17: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 11, wherein rotation about the primary axis is clockwise.
Clause 18: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 11, wherein rotation about the primary axis is counter clockwise.
Clause 19: The asymmetric rotation mixer of Clause 11, wherein the metered dispenser contains a volume of substance for mixing within the range of about 0.1 to about 20000 ml.
Clause 20: A method of asymmetrical rotation mixing comprising: (a) arranging a metered dispenser within a complimentary cavity of a mixer catch; and (b) rotating the catch about a primary axis and about a secondary axis oriented at an angle relative to the primary axis within the range of about 40 to about 60 degrees, wherein a longitudinal dimension of the dispenser is arranged generally perpendicular to the secondary axis.
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
This application claims benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/517,616, filed Jun. 9, 2017, entitled METERED DISPENSER CATCH FOR ASYMMETRIC ROTATION MIXER, and commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62517616 | Jun 2017 | US |