Use of a bubble paddle tumble stirrer to mix the contents of a vessel while the contents are being removed
First Claim
1. A method of mixing the contents of a vessel while said contents are being removed therefrom, comprising the steps of:
- (a) using as said vessel, a vessel in which a bubble-paddle tumble stirrer having a linear array of rounded-edge blades is disposed horizontally for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the array, wherein the vessel contour at one side of the array defines openings at nodes between the blades for enabling said mixed vessel contents to be removed from within said openings by use of removal means inserted into said openings; and
(b) rotating the stirrer to mix said vessel contents while said contents are being removed from the vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The contents of a vessel are mixed while the contents are being removed from the vessel. A bubble-paddle tumble stirrer having at least one linear array of rounded-edge blades is disposed horizontally in the vessel for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the array. The vessel contour defines openings at nodes between the blades for enabling the mixed vessel contents to be removed from within the openings by use of pipettes inserted into the openings. The openings extend to the bottom of the vessel. The vessel contour also defines a protrusion that closely matches the edge profile of the linear array of blades for defining a narrow duct when the edges of the blades rotate adjacent the matching vessel protrusion to thereby enhance turbulence in the vessel contents as the stirrer is being rotated.
76 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of mixing the contents of a vessel while said contents are being removed therefrom, comprising the steps of:
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(a) using as said vessel, a vessel in which a bubble-paddle tumble stirrer having a linear array of rounded-edge blades is disposed horizontally for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the array, wherein the vessel contour at one side of the array defines openings at nodes between the blades for enabling said mixed vessel contents to be removed from within said openings by use of removal means inserted into said openings; and
(b) rotating the stirrer to mix said vessel contents while said contents are being removed from the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
(c) so disposing the vessel within a varying magnetic field as to cause the stirrer to rotate.
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11. A method according to claim 10, wherein step (c) comprises the step of:
(d) so disposing the vessel within a rotating magnetic field of a rotary magnet.
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12. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of:
(c) using a magnetic coupling disposed at an end of the array to rotate the stirrer.
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13. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of:
(c) from time to time, reversing the direction of said rotation.
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14. A device for use in mixing the contents of a vessel while said contents are being removed therefrom, comprising:
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a vessel; and
a bubble-paddle tumble stirrer having a linear array of rounded-edge blades disposed horizontally in the vessel for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the array to thereby mix the contents of said vessel;
wherein the vessel contour at one side of the array defines openings at nodes between the blades for enabling said mixed contents to be removed from within said openings by use of removal means inserted into said openings while the stirrer is being rotated to mix said vessel contents. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
means for rotating the stirrer to thereby mix said vessel contents.
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28. A device according to claim 14, further comprising:
means for from time to time reversing the direction of said rotation.
Specification