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US 11,110,412 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for linear and rotational container agitation
AssigneeInstrumentation Laboratory Company
InventorRenen Bassik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linear actuator member applies a vertical force to a vessel or to a holding apparatus in which a vessel is contained. A linear to angular motion constraining member such as a cage structure having a helical track translates linearly directed force and motion applied by the linear actuator member into a combined linear and rotational motion of the vessel. The combined vertical and rotational motion of the vessel in response to the vertical force is repeatable according to a predefined agitation pattern for mixing components in the vessel.
Claims21
An apparatus for agitating a carrier, the apparatus comprising:
- the carrier;
- a cage structure configured to constrain linear travel of the carrier to a path parallel to a central axis of the cage structure, wherein the carrier is at least partially inserted in the cage structure, and wherein the cage structure includes an internal helical track;
- the carrier comprising a circumferential outer surface, the circumferential outer surface comprising one or more track follower members extending from the circumferential outer surface, wherein the one or more track follower members extend into the internal helical track and are configured to travel within the internal helical track when the carrier is displaced linearly with respect to the cage structure;
- a return member installed between a bottom surface of the carrier and a distal surface of the apparatus, wherein the return member is configured to be compressed when the carrier is moved toward the distal surface in response to a linear actuating force, and wherein the return member applies a return force to the carrier which causes the carrier to be displaced away from the distal surface when the linear actuating force is removed or relaxed;
- and
- a linear actuator member engaged against a surface of the carrier and configured to periodically apply the linear actuating force to move the carrier toward the distal surface of the apparatus;
- wherein the linear actuator member comprises a bearing member configured to apply the linear actuating force to the surface of the carrier while also allowing angular displacement of the carrier relative to the cage structure.
4 more elements
An apparatus for agitating a carrier, the apparatus comprising:
- the carrier having an outer surface defining an external helical track;
- a cage structure configured to constrain linear travel of the carrier to a path parallel to a central axis of the cage structure, the cage structure comprising an inner surface and one or more track follower members extending inwardly from the inner surface and engaging the external helical track, wherein the one or more track follower members are configured to stay within the external helical track when the carrier is displaced linearly with respect to the cage structure thereby causing angular displacement of the carrier;
- a return member installed between a bottom surface of the carrier and a distal surface of the apparatus, wherein the return member is configured to be compressed when the carrier is moved toward the distal surface in response to a linear actuating force, and wherein the return member applies a return force to the carrier which causes the carrier to be displaced away from the distal surface when the linear actuating force is removed or relaxed;
- and
- a linear actuator member engaged against a surface of the carrier and configured to periodically apply the linear actuating force to move the carrier toward the distal surface of the apparatus,
- wherein the linear actuator member comprises a bearing member configured to apply the linear actuating force to the surface of the carrier while also allowing angular displacement of the carrier relative to the cage structure.
3 more elements
A method for agitating a carrier, comprising:
- depositing a substance to be agitated into a carrier that is engageable with a cage structure, wherein the cage structure is configured to constrain linear travel of the carrier to a path parallel to a central axis of the cage structure, and wherein the cage structure includes a track follower member;
- alternatingly applying and releasing a linear actuating force to the carrier using a linear actuator member engaged against the carrier, the linear actuating force being applied using a bearing member on the linear actuator member, the bearing member allowing angular displacement of the carrier relative to the cage structure, wherein the linear actuating force causes the carrier to move linearly relative to the cage structure, and wherein engagement between the track follower member on the cage structure and an internal helical track on the carrier causes rotation of the carrier about the central axis;
- and
- applying a return spring force to the carrier by a return member abutting a bottom surface of the carrier, the return spring force opposing the linear actuating force and causing the carrier to move linearly relative to the cage structure when the linear actuating force is released.
1 more element
An apparatus for agitating a carrier, the apparatus comprising:
- the carrier;
- a cage structure configured to constrain linear travel of the carrier to a path parallel to a central axis of the cage structure, wherein the carrier is at least partially inserted in the cage structure, and wherein the cage structure includes an internal helical track;
- a circumferential outer surface of the carrier and one or more track follower members extending from the circumferential outer surface, wherein the one or more track follower members extend into the internal helical track and are configured to travel within the internal helical track when the carrier is displaced linearly with respect to the cage structure;
- a linear actuator member engaged against the carrier and configured to periodically apply a linear actuating force to move the carrier toward a distal surface of the apparatus;
- and
- a bearing member configured on the linear actuator member to apply a linear force to a bearing surface of the carrier while also allowing angular displacement of the carrier relative to the cage structure.
3 more elements
An apparatus for agitating a carrier, the apparatus comprising:
- the carrier having an outer surface defining an external helical track;
- a cage structure configured to constrain linear travel of the carrier to a path parallel to a central axis of the cage structure, the cage structure comprising an inner surface and one or more track follower members extending inwardly from the inner surface and engaging the external helical track, wherein the one or more track follower members are configured to stay within the external helical track when the carrier is displaced linearly with respect to the cage structure thereby causing angular displacement of the carrier;
- a linear actuator member engaged against the carrier and configured to periodically apply a linear actuating force to move the carrier toward a distal surface of the apparatus;
- and
- a bearing member configured on the linear actuator member to apply a linear force to a bearing surface of the carrier while also allowing angular displacement of the carrier relative to the cage structure.
2 more elements
A method for agitating a carrier, comprising:
- depositing a substance to be agitated into the carrier that is engageable with a cage structure, wherein the cage structure is configured to constrain linear travel of the carrier to a path parallel to a central axis of the cage structure, and wherein the cage structure includes an internal helical track;
- alternatingly applying and releasing a linear actuating force to the carrier with a linear actuator member engaged against the carrier, wherein the linear actuating force causes the carrier to move linearly relative to the cage structure, and wherein engagement between a track follower member and the internal helical track causes rotation of the carrier about the central axis;
- and
- applying a linear force with a bearing member configured on the linear actuator member while also allowing angular displacement of the carrier relative to the cage structure.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.