# US 10,307,751 B2 · Apparatus and method for mixing and/or mulling a sample > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,751 B2 - Document ID: US10307751B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/013,035 - Filed: 2016-02-02 - Published: 2018-05-24 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-13 - Assignees: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company - Applicants: Jean W. Beeckman; Natalie A. Fassbender; Theodore E. Datz; Chuansheng Bai; Adrienne J. Thornburg; Tilman W. Beutel - Inventors: Jean W. Beeckman; Natalie A. Fassbender; Theodore E. Datz; Chuansheng Bai; Adrienne J. Thornburg; Tilman W. Beutel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307751B2 ## CPC - B01J 37/04: Mixing {(B01J37/0009, B01J37/0018 take precedence)} - B01J 21/04: Alumina - B01J 35/40: characterised by dimensions, e.g. grain size (in a colloidal state B01J35/23; crystallite size B01J35/77) - B01J 35/61: Surface area - B01J 35/63: Pore volume - B01J 37/0009: {Use of binding agents; Moulding; Pressing; Powdering; Granulating; Addition of materials ameliorating the mechanical properties of the product catalyst} - B01J 37/0036: {Grinding} - B01J 37/0063: {Granulating} - B01J 2229/42: Addition of matrix or binder particles - C01B 33/2807: {Zeolitic silicoaluminates with a tridimensional crystalline structure possessing molecular sieve properties; Isomorphous compounds wherein a part of the aluminium ore of the silicon present may be replaced by other elements such as gallium, germanium, phosphorus; Preparation of zeolitic molecular sieves from molecular sieves of another type or from preformed reacting mixtures} - C07C 2521/04: Alumina - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C} - C07C: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS ## Abstract Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for mixing and/or mulling a sample, the apparatus comprising at least one container made of a flexible material and containing a sample, means for holding the container, and means for impacting the container, wherein the means for holding and the means for impacting are movable relative to each other, and wherein the means for holding, the means for impacting, and the container are arranged such that the means for impacting and the container can repeatedly collide, whereby an energy of collision can be imparted to the sample, thereby mixing and/or mulling the sample. Also disclosed is an assembly for performing high throughput experiments including the apparatus for mixing and/or mulling a sample and an extruder configured to receive a sample weighing less than 100 grams. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for mixing and/or mulling a sample comprising: at least one container made of a flexible material, the at least one container being suitable for containing a sample; means for holding the at least one container; and means for impacting the at least one container, wherein the means for holding and the means for impacting are movable relative to each other, wherein the means for holding is arranged to rotate and the means for impacting is stationary, or wherein both the means for holding and the means for impacting are arranged to rotate, wherein the means for holding, the means for impacting, and the at least one container are arranged such that, when the means for holding and the means for impacting are moving relative to each other, the means for impacting and the at least one container repeatedly collide, whereby an energy of collision is imparted to the sample contained in the at least one container, thereby mixing and/or mulling the sample. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein arranging the means for holding, the means for impacting, and the at least one container is performed by adapting a dimension and/or a relative position of any of the means for holding, the means for impacting, and the at least one container with respect to each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for impacting is arranged to rotate and the means for holding is stationary. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for holding comprise at least one disk mounted on a rotatable shaft, the at least one disk comprising a plurality of mounting positions, each mounting position being adapted to hold a container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for holding comprise at least one arm mounted on a rotatable shaft, the at least one arm comprising at its unmounted end a mounting position adapted to hold a container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for impacting comprise at least one arm mounted on a rotatable shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one container is suitable for containing a sample weighing less than 100 grams. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible material of the container is impermeable to any liquid contained in and/or formed by the sample. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of means for heating and means for irradiating the at least one container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for supplying an additional fluid to an enclosure of the apparatus containing the at least one container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An assembly for performing high throughput experiments comprising: an apparatus for mixing and/or mulling a sample according to claim 1; and an extruder configured to receive a sample weighing less than 100 grams. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the extruder is a single extrudate apparatus comprising a die body, a base, a plunger, means for exerting pressure on the sample, and an orifice above the base, configured such that, upon loading the sample and increasing pressure, a single extrudate emanates from the orifice. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the extruder is a laboratory extrusion tool comprising a plunger, a sample holder, an inner chamber, an extrusion die, and a die holder, configured such that, upon loading the sample and increasing pressure, the sample is extruded through the extrusion die.