TEST TUBE HAVING INTEGRAL MIXING MEANS

• US 3,578,291 A
• Filed: 09/26/1969
• Issued: 05/11/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oberli Rudolf
• Original Assignee: Oberli Rudolf
• Inventors: OBERLI RUDOLF
• Application Number:
  US04/861,251
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• US Class Current: 366/211
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/10 with a mixing receptacle rotating alternately in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se

Abstract

A test tube for mixing liquids, characterized by the provision of integral stirring means extending longitudinally from the bottom wall in spaced relation to the sidewall of the tube. The stirring means preferably is of knifelike configuration including a longitudinal edge adjacent and spaced from the internal surface of the sidewall whereby upon oscillation of the test tube about its longitudinal axis, a vortex is formed adjacent the edge to effect rapid thorough mixing. Preferably the test tube has a capacity of between about 0.5 and 5 milliliters and is designed for disposal after a single use.

Claims

1. In a test tube adapted for mixing a liquid and including integral bottom 4 and tubular sidEwall 3 portions defining a cavity within the milliliter range, the improvement wherein said test tube includes at least one stirring portion 6, 6'"'"''"'"' arranged in coaxially spaced relation within said tubular portion and integrally connected at one end with said bottom portion, said stirring portion having a knifelike configuration including in transverse cross section at least one radially outwardly extending pointed portion defining a longitudinal edge 7, 7'"'"''"'"' adjacent and spaced form the inner wall surface of said tubular portion, whereby when said test tube is oscillated about its longitudinal axis, a vortex is formed in the gap 8, 8'"'"''"'"' adjacent the edge to effect rapid mixing of the liquid in the test tube.

2. A test tube as defined in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of said cylindrical sidewall portion is smooth.

3. A test tube as defined in claim 2, wherein the opposed sidewall surfaces of said stirring portion are smooth.

4. A test tube as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface carried by said bottom wall defining the bottom of said cavity is planar and arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said test tube.

5. A test tube as defined in claim 1, wherein the stirring means has a double knife edge configuration including a pair of symmetrical pointed portions extending diametrically radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the test tube to define longitudinal edges adjacent and spaced form the inner surface of said sidewall portion, respectively.

6. A test tube as defined in claim 1, wherein the test tube has a capacity of between 0.5 and 5 milliliters, and further including means for oscillating said tube about its longitudinal axis through an angle of about + or - 40 radians at a frequency of oscillation of from 5 to 10 cycles per second.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the length and the internal diameter of the tubular sidewall portion are about 5.0 centimeters and 1.3 centimeters, respectively.