Patent ID: 8152708
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: B04B

Abstract:
1. A centrifuge comprising a rotor mounted for rotation, a frame pivotally attached to said rotor and that receives a processing unit, a decant ring movable with respect to said rotor between a first position wherein it is positioned to hold said processing unit in an orientation whereby a supernatant in one chamber of said processing unit will drain by gravity into a second chamber of said processing unit while said rotor is rotating by engaging a portion of said processing unit and a second position wherein it does not engage said processing unit, said decant ring being stationary in the direction of rotation of said rotor and providing a surface on which said processing unit slides when in said orientation, wherein said frame is positioned with respect to said decant ring such that said frame is spaced from said decant ring by a distance so that when said decant ring is in said first position and the processing unit is received in said frame is in said orientation, an upper edge of the processing unit extending above the top of the frame engages the decant ring whereby sliding engagement of said decant ring holds the processing unit in said orientation and allows said supernatant to drain into said second chamber.