Vortexer

• US 7,296,924 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc. (Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Czarnek, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Soohoo; Tony G.
• Application Number:
  US11/059,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20050180258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 366/213, 366/208, 366/218
• US Class Current: 366/208
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/22 with supporting means moving in a horizontal plane, e.g. describing an orbital path for moving the containers about an axis which intersects the receptacle axis at an angle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/27 the vibrations being caused by electromagnets

Abstract

A vortexer that includes a base, a plurality of electromagnets mounted in the base, a holder having a body formed, at least in part, of magnetic material pivotably supported on the base and spaced above the electromagnets, a power source and a device in communication with the electromagnets and the power source for selectively activating and deactivating each electromagnet with power from the power source, whereupon the holder pivotably moves toward at least one of the electromagnets when activated.

Claims

1. A vortexer comprising:

a plurality of electromagnets;

a body pivotally supported above said electromagnets by a shaft, wherein said body includes magnetic material;

a power source;

a device in communication with said electromagnets and said power source for selectively activating each electromagnet with power from said power source, whereupon said body is pivotally attracted toward each electromagnet when activated, wherein;

said electromagnets are arranged around said shaft;

said body includes a peripheral lip that extends away from one side thereof;

said body includes a protrusion spaced from said lip and extending away from said body in the same direction as said lip; and

said body is pivotably supported on said shaft via a bore in said protrusion where said shaft is received.

2. The vortexer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electromagnets are circumferentially arranged around said shaft.

3. The vortexer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body is disk shaped.

4. The vortexer as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the body includes a member spaced from said lip and extending away from said body in a direction opposite said lip; and

said member includes a bore therein configured to receive a container.

5. The vortexer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said peripheral lip, said member and said protrusion are integral with said body.

6. The vortexer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a ring mounted around said electromagnets and in spaced relation to said lip, wherein a portion of said lip contacts said ring in response to activation of one of said electromagnets.

7. The vortexer as claimed in claim 6, wherein said device includes a controller for selectively activating said electromagnets in a predetermined sequence such that consecutive portions of said lip sequentially contact said ring whereupon said body wobbles.

8. The vortexer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an elastic bearing surrounding the protrusion for providing resistance to the pivotable movement of said body.

9. A vortexer comprising:

a shaft;

a plurality of electromagnets positioned around said shaft;

a holder pivotally supported by said shaft above said electromagnets;

a power source; and

a controller in communication with said electromagnets and said power source, said controller configured to selectively activate each electromagnet with power from the power source whereupon said holder pivots, wherein;

said holder includes a peripheral lip that extends away from one side thereof;

said holder includes a protrusion spaced from said lip and extending away from said body in the same direction as said lip; and

said holder is pivotably supported on said shaft via a bore in said protrusion where said shaft is received.