Patent ID: 7819793

Claim:
An apparatus for separating at least one volume of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, the apparatus comprising: a centrifuging means having a rotation axis, comprising: a first containing means for storing a liquid at a distance from the rotation axis, whereby the storage of a liquid in the first containing means can cause an unbalance of the centrifuging means; a second containing means for storing a liquid at a distance from the rotation axis, whereby the storage of a liquid in the second containing means can cause an unbalance of the centrifuging means; a liquid transferring means for transferring a liquid between at least one of the first containing means and the second containing means whereby the transfer of a liquid can cause an unbalance of the centrifuging means; wherein the transferring means transfers a liquid from at least one satellite bag contained in the second containing means into at least one separation bag contained in the first containing means; wherein the transferring means comprises a support means for supporting at least one satellite bag within the second containing means so that the supported satellite bag has a lower portion that is closer to the axis of rotation than an upper portion thereof by which the supported satellite bag is connected to the separation bag, and so that a liquid contained in the supported satellite bag drains from the supported satellite bag into the separation bag under centrifugation forces when the rotor is rotated at a transfer rotation speed; wherein the support means comprises: a wall that is inclined with respect to the rotation axis; a securing means for securing an upper portion of the supported satellite bag to an upper part of the inclined wall so that the supported satellite bag containing a liquid that is secured to the inclined wall by the securing means is adjacent to the inclined wall; and a balancing means for substantially neutralizing an unbalance of the centrifuging means as it occurs.