# US 11,110,412 B2 · Method and apparatus for linear and rotational container agitation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,110,412 B2 - Document ID: US11110412B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/981,179 - Filed: 2018-05-16 - Published: 2018-12-06 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-05-30 - Assignees: Instrumentation Laboratory Company - Applicants: Instrumentation Laboratory Company - Inventors: Renen Bassik - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110412B2 ## CPC - B01F 31/25: the containers being submitted to a combination of movements other than within a horizontal plane, e.g. rectilinear and pivoting movement (with a receptacle submitted to a combination of movements, i.e. at least one movement being vibratory or oscillatory B01F31/50) - B01F 31/50: with a receptacle submitted to a combination of movements, i.e. at least one vibratory or oscillatory movement - B01F 35/3204: {Motor driven, i.e. by means of an electric or IC motor} - F16H 25/122: {Gearings with helical grooves and automatic reversal} - G01N 1/38: Diluting, dispersing or mixing samples - B01F 2035/352: {Bearings} - B01F 2101/23: Mixing of laboratory samples e.g. in preparation of analysing or testing properties of materials - G01N 2001/386: {Other diluting or mixing processes} - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) - F16H: GEARING - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the linear actuator member is configured to alternatingly push the carrier toward the distal surface or pull the carrier away from the distal surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the linear actuator member is operatively coupled to a controlled motor mechanism and configured to move linearly in response to a force applied by the controlled motor mechanism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising controller circuitry in communication with the controlled motor mechanism, the controller circuitry being configured to provide a controlled input signal to the motor mechanism to achieve a predetermined agitation profile of the carrier. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein engagement between the one or more track follower members and the internal helical track causes the carrier to rotate through a predetermined angular displacement based on a pitch of the internal helical track. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carrier is removable from the cage structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more track follower members extend from the circumferential outer surface toward the cage structure. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cage structure has a generally cylindrical form. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cage structure comprises one or more vertical frame members configured to define a linear path for the carrier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the linear actuator member is configured to apply the linear actuating force periodically to move the carrier toward the distal surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the linear actuator member is operatively coupled to a controlled motor mechanism and is configured to move linearly in response to a force applied by the controlled motor mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising controller circuitry in communication with the controlled motor mechanism, the controller circuitry being configured to provide a controlled input signal to the controlled motor mechanism to achieve a predetermined agitation profile of the carrier. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein engagement between the one or more track follower members and the external helical track causes the carrier to rotate through a predetermined angular displacement based on a pitch of the external helical track. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more track follower members extend inwardly toward the carrier. ### Claim 16 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. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more track follower members extend from the circumferential outer surface toward the cage structure. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more track follower members extend inwardly from the inner surface toward the carrier. ### Claim 21 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.