Patent ID: 7284900
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: B01D,B01F,B01L,B65B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for engaging and moving a mixer disposed in an uncovered, upstanding specimen container, the top of the mixer having a cavity defined by an upstanding annular wall, the apparatus comprising: a holder mounted above the uncovered, upstanding specimen container for vertical movement relative to the specimen container and adapted to releasably engage the upstanding annular wall of the mixer, which is disposed loosely in the specimen container when not engaged by the holder; a clamping actuator adapted to selectively cause the holder to engage or release the annular wall of the mixer, which is disposed in and remains in the specimen container; a vertical actuator adapted to move the holder along a vertical axis toward and away from the mixer disposed in the upstanding specimen container, and to elevate the mixer relative to the specimen container when the mixer is engaged by the holder; a mixing actuator adapted to effect movement of the holder to cause the engaged mixer to mix the specimen in the upstanding specimen container.