Centrifuge with pivot-out, easy-load processing chamber
First Claim
1. A centrifuge comprisinga rotating element,a drive mechanism coupled to the rotating element to rotate the rotating element about a rotational axis,a processing element having an axis, anda hinge coupling the processing element to the rotating element for rotation with the rotating element about the rotational axis, the hinge also permitting pivotal movement of the processing element between an operating position, in which the axis of the processing element lies in coaxial orientation with the rotational axis, and an access position, in which the processing element is cantilevered from the hinge and the axis of the processing element lies outside coaxial orientation with the rotational axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A centrifuge comprising a yoke element that rotates about a rotational axis and a processing chamber having an axis. The processing chamber includes a bowl element, a spool element, and a mechanism for joining the spool and bowl elements for relative movement between a mutually cooperating position for centrifugal processing and a mutually separated position for loading. A hinge attaches the processing chamber to the yoke element for pivotal movement between an operating position and an access position. In the operating position, the spool and bowl elements are in their mutually cooperating position and oriented for rotation with the yoke element about the rotational axis. In the access position, the processing chamber axis lies outside the axis of rotation and the spool and bowl elements are oriented for movement from their mutually cooperating position into their mutually separated position.
79 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A centrifuge comprising
a rotating element, a drive mechanism coupled to the rotating element to rotate the rotating element about a rotational axis, a processing element having an axis, and a hinge coupling the processing element to the rotating element for rotation with the rotating element about the rotational axis, the hinge also permitting pivotal movement of the processing element between an operating position, in which the axis of the processing element lies in coaxial orientation with the rotational axis, and an access position, in which the processing element is cantilevered from the hinge and the axis of the processing element lies outside coaxial orientation with the rotational axis.
Specification