Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods of mixing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods of dynamic mixing.

Dynamic mixing can include agitation of substances without invasive mixer components extending into the substance, such as stirring rods. Rotational mixers can include a rotation and/or or oscillation component to assist in mixing the substances. Appropriate geometries for effective and efficient mixing can depend on process variables.

<CIT> discloses a system for the asymmetric rotation of a metered dispenser comprising a mixer, a basket, a dispenser, a catch and a cavity. <CIT> discloses a system for the asymmetric rotation of a metered dispenser comprising a mixer, a dispenser, a catch and a cavity.

The present invention is defined by a system for the asymmetric rotation of a metered dispenser according to claim <NUM>.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an asymmetric rotation mixer may include a basket configured to receive a catch for holding in relative position a metered dispenser containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation of the metered dispenser by the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer. In some embodiments, the catch may include a catch body configured for engagement within the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may be formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis. The catch may include a cavity defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the metered dispenser stationary relative to the catch body and defining a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the metered dispenser. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a catch for holding in relative position a metered dispenser containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation of a metered dispenser by a basket of an asymmetric rotation mixer, may include a catch body configured for engagement within the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may be formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis. The catch may include a cavity defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the metered dispenser stationary relative to the catch body and defining a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the metered dispenser. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.

Additional features alone or in combination with any other feature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims and those described in detail below, are disclosed. Others will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as defined in the claims.

The drawings disclose exemplary embodiments in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

Dynamic mixing, such as rotation mixing, can provide effective, non-invasive mixing of substance. Asymmetric rotation mixing can be particularly fast and effective by imposing centrifugal (centripetal) force on the substance(s) to be mixed. Various containers can be selected for containing the substance(s) to be mixed and undergoing the asymmetric rotation.

In the illustrative embodiment as shown in <FIG>, an asymmetric rotation mixer <NUM> having its hatch (door) <NUM> open to reveal a mixing chamber <NUM> for conducting asymmetric rotation mixing. The mixer <NUM> illustratively includes a rotation basket <NUM> arranged to receive mixing containers that contain one or substances for rotational mixing. The basket <NUM> is engaged with a rotation drive of the mixer <NUM> that imposes rotational forces on the basket <NUM> (and on mixing containers engaged with the basket <NUM>).

In the illustrative embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the mixer <NUM> is embodied as a dual axis rotation mixer. As discussed in additional detail herein, the mixer <NUM> illustratively rotates (or revolves; as indicated by arrows <NUM>) the basket <NUM> about a primary axis <NUM> while simultaneously rotating the basket <NUM> itself about a secondary axis <NUM> (as indicated by arrows <NUM>). The secondary axis <NUM> is illustratively defined through a centroid <NUM> (or center of mass) of the basket <NUM> (and ultimately intended to illustrate the collective centroid <NUM> of the basket with any received mixing container and its contents). The primary axis <NUM> is offset from the centroid <NUM> for asymmetric rotation of the basket <NUM> (as indicated by arrows <NUM>).

Examples of suitable rotational mixers can be found within <CIT> and <CIT> each issued to Flackett, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference herein, including, but not limited to those, portions disclosing devices, systems, and methods for mixing and associated components and accessories. Such dual axis rotation mixing including asymmetric rotation may be referred to as planetary mixing and/or centrifugal mixing, although these terms may not be entirely accurate and are not intended to limit mixing parameters such as the direction of rotation about each of the dual axes, speed, and/or other geometry relationships.

As shown in <FIG>, the mixer <NUM> is shown to be seated on a level horizontal surface. In the illustrative embodiment, the primary axis <NUM> is vertical and the secondary axis is angled relative to the primary axis <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the basket <NUM> is illustratively formed as a hollow cylinder extending along the secondary axis <NUM> in its longitudinal dimension. The basket <NUM> is thus illustratively angled relative to the primary axis <NUM> in the same manner as the secondary axis <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, as mentioned above, the primary axis <NUM> is embodied to be vertical, thus perpendicular (<NUM> degrees) to horizontal. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees from horizontal. In the illustrative embodiment, as discussed in additional detail herein relative to <FIG> and <FIG>, the secondary axis <NUM> (and thus the basket <NUM>) is arranged at an angle α from the horizontal of about <NUM> degrees. A receiver (or catch) <NUM> is engaged within the basket <NUM> holding a container <NUM> for rotational mixing.

Referring to <FIG>, the catch <NUM> is shown in exploded view with the container <NUM> for description purposes. The catch <NUM> illustratively includes a body <NUM> formed with a cylindrical shape having its central axis as the secondary axis <NUM> and extending with its longitudinal dimension oriented along the secondary axis <NUM> (the secondary axis <NUM> shown oriented vertically in <FIG> for description purposes). The catch <NUM> illustratively includes a cavity <NUM> defined in the body <NUM> and configured to receive the container <NUM> to maintain particular orientation during mixing as best shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the container <NUM> is illustratively embodied as a dosing dispenser, for example, a metered dosing dispenser for accurate and precise dosing of its contents. Examples of suitable metered dispensers include TOPI-CLICK® as marketed by DOSELOGIX® of Woodstock, Georgia; TOPI-PUMP® as marketed by Tcd, Inc. of Lucedale Mississippi; TICKER® as marketed by Biosrx, Inc. (and/or Folsom Medical Pharmacy) of Folsom, California; among others. In the illustrative embodiment, the container <NUM> includes a container body <NUM> having a generally cylindrical shape. The container body <NUM> illustratively extends longitudinally between opposite ends <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the each having larger diameter than the body <NUM>.

As illustratively shown in <FIG>, the cavity <NUM> of the catch body <NUM> is illustratively formed complimentary to the container <NUM> to hold the container <NUM> in position. In the illustrative embodiment, the container <NUM> is secured within the cavity <NUM> by press-fitting (also referred to as friction-fit, snap-fit, and/or interference-fit), and is illustratively configured for selective securing/removal by hand. In some embodiments, the container <NUM> may be retained within the cavity <NUM> by any suitable means, for example, a fastener, such as a clip, strap, cover, and/or latch.

Returning briefly to <FIG>, the cavity <NUM> illustratively includes a base channel <NUM> adapted to receive the container body <NUM>, and end channels <NUM>, <NUM> each adapted to receive an end <NUM>, <NUM> of the container <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the base channel <NUM> is formed complimentary to the container body <NUM> to form the press-fit. In some embodiments, a press-fit may be formed between at least one end channel <NUM>, <NUM> and at least one end <NUM>, <NUM>. The end channels <NUM>, <NUM> are illustratively adapted to receive either end <NUM>, <NUM> of the container <NUM>, but in some embodiments, one or more of the end channels <NUM>, <NUM> may be adapted to receive only one of the ends <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the illustrative embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the cavity <NUM> is open on a top end face (longitudinal end face) <NUM> of the catch body <NUM> and is closed by a bottom wall <NUM> of the catch body <NUM> that defines a portion of the cavity <NUM>. When seated within the cavity <NUM>, the container <NUM> illustratively engages the bottom wall <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> illustratively forms a depression <NUM> accommodating to curvature of the container <NUM>. The cavity <NUM> illustratively forms an I-shape, but in some embodiments, may have any suitable shape formed to accommodate the container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the catch body <NUM> illustratively defines holes <NUM> therein. The holes <NUM> can reduce the overall weight of the catch body <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the catch body <NUM> includes side wall <NUM> having a slight taper in the downward direction (in the orientation as shown in <FIG>) along the secondary axis <NUM>. The taper is illustratively formed complimentary to the basket <NUM> which illustratively includes complimentary interior tapering. The catch <NUM> illustratively includes a ledge <NUM> extending from an outer circumference of the side wall <NUM> of the catch body <NUM> near the top end face <NUM> of the catch body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, as mentioned above, the basket <NUM> is illustratively arranged to have the secondary axis <NUM> angled relative to horizontal (and angled relative to the primary axis <NUM>). In <FIG>, the offset between the centroid <NUM> and the axis <NUM> can better observed to create asymmetric rotation of the basket <NUM> thereabout.

Referring to <FIG>, the angle α between the basket <NUM> and horizontal (dashed line) is illustrated in a side elevation view for clarity. As mentioned above, the basket <NUM> (and accordingly, the catch <NUM> and the container <NUM>) by its secondary axis <NUM> is arranged at the angle α relative to the horizontal of about <NUM> degrees, but in some embodiments, the angle α from the horizontal may be within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees. Angling the container <NUM> for dual axis rotation can provide efficiency and effectiveness in mixing its contents.

As shown in the illustrative embodiment of <FIG>, the end <NUM> of the container <NUM> is formed as a lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is illustratively selectively secured to the body <NUM> by snap-fit engagement, but in some embodiments, may be secured by any suitable means. The lid <NUM>, as secured in place, illustratively covers the longitudinal end of the container body <NUM> which includes at least one opening for dispensing contents from within the container body <NUM>. The end <NUM> of the container <NUM> illustratively includes an adjustment dial <NUM> for incremental rotation to turn a screw shaft extending through the container body <NUM> to drive a plunger under controlled length to deliver contents of the container body through the at least one opening for metered dispensing. Other dispenser designs, methods, and/or arrangements may be used as discussed above. The longitudinal dimension of the container <NUM> is illustrated for clarity as line L having the lid <NUM> and dial 56at opposite ends thereof.

As shown in <FIG>, the cavity <NUM> formed in the catch body <NUM> receives the container <NUM> to maintain the longitudinal dimension L of the container <NUM> at an angle β relative to the horizontal. In the illustrative embodiment, the angle β relative to the horizontal is equal to the angle α, but in some embodiments, may be any suitable angle within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees. Angling the container <NUM> relative to horizontal can provide advantageous geometries for mixing substance(s) within the container <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the primary axis <NUM> is shown offset from the centroid <NUM> extending through portions of the basket <NUM>, catch <NUM>, and container <NUM>, but in some embodiments, may have a greater offset such that the primary axis <NUM> does not extend through any portions of the basket <NUM>, catch <NUM>, and container <NUM>. As mentioned previously, the offset creates the asymmetry in rotation about the primary axis <NUM>. Together with the speed of rotation about the axis <NUM>, the offset (radius of rotation) and the angle β of the container <NUM> determine the amount of centrifugal (centripetal) force applied to the substance(s) to be mixed within the container <NUM>. Other factors effecting mixing forces may include container shape/size and rotation direction. In the illustratively embodiment, the offset is within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> centimeters. The speed of rotation about the primary axis <NUM> is illustratively within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> RPM, but in some embodiments, may be within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> RPM.

In the illustrative embodiment, the rotation speed about the secondary axis <NUM> is proportional to the speed about the primary axis <NUM> at a ratio within the range of about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM> (primary:secondary) , but in some embodiments, may be in the range of about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>. In some embodiments, the rotation speed about the secondary axis <NUM> may be independent. In the illustrative embodiment, the rotation about the primary axis <NUM> is clockwise (viewed from above, such as in <FIG>) and rotation about the secondary axis <NUM> is counter clockwise, but in some embodiments, the direction of rotation for either primary and secondary axes <NUM>, <NUM> may be either clockwise or counter clockwise. As shown in <FIG>, a drive shaft connects with the basket <NUM> to drive rotation, but in some embodiments, any suitable drive may be used.

Container <NUM> is illustratively formed of plastic. In some embodiments, the container <NUM> may include any suitable material, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, tin, aluminum, steel, and/or silicon dioxide. The volume of substance within the container is illustratively within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the container <NUM> is shown empty and having body <NUM> partly transparent to show that the body <NUM> illustratively includes an ovular shape. The cavity <NUM>, namely the base channel <NUM> is illustratively formed to receive the container such that the larger dimension of the ovular shape is oriented generally vertically, but in some embodiments, may be oriented otherwise. <FIG> shows the mixer <NUM> having the basket <NUM> exaggerated out from the chamber <NUM> to illustrate the offset between the primary axis <NUM> and the centroid <NUM>, and the angle of the basket <NUM> relative to horizontal.

The present disclosure include devices, systems, and methods for maintaining mixing containers at a specific position relative to horizontal to provide geometric advantages in rotational mixing.

An aspect of the present disclosure may include a mixer catch for holding in relative position a metered dispenser containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation of the metered dispenser by a basket of an asymmetric rotation mixer. The mixer catch may include a catch body configured for engagement within the basket of the asymmetric rotation mixer to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may be formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis. A cavity may be defined in the catch body. The cavity may be configured to receive and maintain the metered dispenser stationary relative to the catch body and to define a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the metered dispenser. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees.

In some embodiments, the primary axis may extend through the catch body. The primary axis is offset from a centroid of the catch body by a distance within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> centimeters. The catch body may be formed to have a cylindrical shape extending along the secondary axis. The catch body may be tapered for at least a portion of its extent along the secondary axis. In some embodiments, the catch body may include a circumferential ledge formed on an upper end.

In some embodiments, the cavity may be formed to have an I shape. The cavity may be defined at least partly by an endwall having a depression formed therein. In some embodiments, the dispenser may have an ovular cross-section and the depression includes curvature formed to accommodate the dispenser.

Another aspect of the present disclosure may include an asymmetric rotation mixer including a basket for holding in relative position a receptacle containing substance for mixing under asymmetric rotation about a primary axis of asymmetric rotation and about a secondary axis of asymmetric rotation. The mixer may include a mixer catch including a catch body configured for engagement within the basket to receive asymmetric rotation. The catch body may formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about the primary axis of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about the secondary axis. A cavity may be defined in the catch body, the cavity configured to receive and maintain the receptacle stationary relative to the catch body and to define a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the receptacle. In some embodiments, the primary axis may be vertical. In some embodiments, the longitudinal dimension of the cavity may be oriented at an angle from horizontal, the angle being within a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> degrees. In some embodiments, the angle may be within the range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees.

In some embodiments, the primary axis may extend through the catch body. The primary axis may be offset from a centroid of the catch by a distance within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> centimeters. In some embodiments, the speed of rotation about the primary axis may be within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> RPM. In some embodiments, the speed of rotation about the secondary axis may be proportional to the speed of rotation of about the primary axis by a ratio within the range of about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>. Rotation about the primary axis may be clockwise. Rotation about the primary axis may counter clockwise. In some embodiments, the metered dispenser may contain a volume of substance for mixing within the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A system for the asymmetric rotation of a metered dispenser comprising:
(a) an asymmetric rotation mixer having a rotation drive (<NUM>), the asymmetric rotation mixer being a dual axis rotation mixer having a hatch (<NUM>) and a mixing chamber (<NUM>) for conducting asymmetric rotation mixing;
(b) a basket (<NUM>) engaged with the rotation drive of the asymmetric rotation mixer (<NUM>) and configured to receive rotational force about a primary axis (<NUM>);
(c) a metered dispenser (<NUM>) having a body and two opposing ends (<NUM>, <NUM>);
(d) a mixer catch (<NUM>) having a catch body (<NUM>) configured for engagement within the basket (<NUM>) of the asymmetric rotation mixer (<NUM>) to receive asymmetric rotation, the catch body (<NUM>) formed complimentary to the basket to maintain relative position about the primary axis (<NUM>) of asymmetric rotation and to rotate about a secondary axis (<NUM>); and
(e) a cavity (<NUM>) defined in the catch body (<NUM>), the cavity being open on a top end face of said catch body (<NUM>) and further configured to receive the metered dispenser (<NUM>) such that both opposing ends (<NUM>, <NUM>) are secured within said cavity (<NUM>), and wherein the cavity (<NUM>) is further configured to maintain the metered dispenser (<NUM>) stationary relative to the catch body (<NUM>) and defining a longitudinal dimension (line L) corresponding to the metered dispenser (<NUM>), wherein the longitudinal dimension extends along the top face of the catch body (<NUM>);
wherein the primary axis (<NUM>) is vertical and the longitudinal dimension (line L) of the cavity (<NUM>) is oriented at an angle (β) from horizontal, the angle (β) being within a range of about <NUM> degrees to about <NUM> degrees.