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US 3,944,188 AGranted
Concentrating vortex shaker
AssigneeBuchler Instruments, Div. of Searle Analytic, Inc.
InventorsBernard Parker, Otto Gross, Joseph Buchler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A concentrating vortex shaker for the simultaneous shaking and concentration of a multiplicity of liquid samples comprises a heat-conductive block having a plurality of openings for receiving laboratory vessels containing sample liquids and removably mounted on a base provided with an adjustable eccentric drive for displacing the block in a gyrating motion. An airtight cover is removably mounted on the block and forms a chamber above the samples which can be controllably evacuated. The samples can be heated or cooled by a temperature-controlled liquid which is fed through a channel formed in the block or heated by an adjustable electrical heater provided in the block mounting or cooled by a cooling plate, upon which the block mounts.
Claims11
a shaker apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a heat-conductive block movably mounted on said base;
- drive means on said base for displacing said block in gyrating motion;
- said block having a plurality of openings for receiving sample vessels;
- an airtight cover on said block, overlying said openings and forming a chamber above said block;
- suction means for creating a vacuum in said chamber;
- and
- control means for adjusting the temperature of said block, said control means for adjusting the temperature of said block comprising:
- a heater assembly carrying and in contact with said block, said heater assembly being provided with a resistance-type heater and a temperature sensor;
- and
- a control connected with said heater and said sensor for adjusting the temperature of said assembly.
8 more elements
A shaker apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a heat-conductive block movably mounted on said base;
- drive means on said base for displacing said block in gyrating motion;
- a plurality of openings formed in said block for receiving sample vessels;
- an airtight cover on said block, overlying said openings and forming a chamber above said block;
- suction means for creating a vacuum in said chamber;
- and
- control means for adjusting the temperature of said block, said suction means comprising:
- a passageway formed in said block and communicating between said chamber and a vacuum source;
- and
- means for adjusting and monitoring the rate at which a vacuum is created in said chamber, said adjusting and monitoring means comprising:
- a duct communicating between said chamber and said vacuum source;
- a first solenoid valve normally closed for controlling the flow of air in said duct between said chamber and said vacuum source;
- a second solenoid valve normally open for feeding atmosphere air to said duct between said first solenoid valve and said vacuum source;
- a nozzle in said duct for limitedly feeding a flow of air past said first solenoid valve;
- means for energizing said vacuum source and said second solenoid valve into a closed position simultaneously;
- means responsive to a predetermined level of air pressure in said duct between said chamber and said first solenoid valve for energizing said first solenoid valve into an open position;
- and
- a vacuum gauge communicating with said duct between said first solenoid valve and said chamber.
16 more elements
A shaker apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a heat-conductive block movably mounted on said base;
- drive means on said base for displacing said block in gyrating motion;
- a plurality of openings formed in said block for receiving sample vessels;
- an airtight cover on said block, overlying said openings and forming a chamber above said block;
- suction means for creating a vaccum in said chamber;
- and
- control means for adjusting the temperature of said block, said control means including a heater assembly carrying said block;
- said block being removably mounted on said heater assembly by a single removable central fastening member provided with a manually-grippable top;
- and
- an indexing pin provided on said heater assembly and engageable with said block for orientation thereof.
8 more elements
A shaker apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a heat-conductive block movably mounted on said base;
- drive means on said base for displacing said block in gyrating motion;
- a plurality of openings formed in said block for receiving sample vessels;
- an airtight cover on said block, overlying said openings and forming a chamber above said block;
- suction means for creating a vacuum in said chamber;
- and
- control means for adjusting the temperature of said block, said drive means including a drive shaft journaled on said base and rotated by a motor;
- a mounting plate removably carrying said block;
- an eccentric fixed to said drive shaft and rotatably supporting said mounting plate;
- a plurality of springs connected with said mounting plate and said base for resiliently biasing said plate against rotation;
- a counterweight fixed to said eccentric for dynamically balancing said block;
- and
- a control for adjusting the speed of said motor;
- said control means for adjusting the temperature of said block comprises:
- a channel formed in said heat-conductive block;
- means for feeding a temperature-controlled liquid through said channel;
- a heater assembly carrying and in contact with said block, said heater assembly being provided with a resistance-type heater and a temperature sensor;
- and
- a control connected with said heater and said sensor for adjusting the temperature of said assembly;
- said suction means comprises:
- a passageway formed in said block and communicating between said chamber and a vacuum source;
- a valve between said passageway and said vacuum source for adjusting the rate at which a vacuum is created in said chamber;
- a vacuum gauge between said valve and said chamber for monitoring a vacuum created in said chamber;
- said cover is removably attached on said block by catches provided on said block;
- said cover is transparent;
- said block is removably mounted on said heater assembly by a single removable central fastening member provided with a manually-grippable top;
- and
- an indexing pin is provided on said heater assembly and engageable with said block for orientation thereof.
26 more elements
A vortex shaker comprising:
- a base;
- a motor in said base;
- a heat-conductive block mounted movably on said base and connected to said motor for gyratory movement of said block by said motor, said block being formed with a plurality of upwardly open pockets adapted to receive sample vessels;
- means for selectively heating and cooling said block to vary the temperature thereof;
- a cover detachably engaging said block and enclosing said pockets while forming a hermetic seal with said block while defining a chamber above said pockets common to all said pockets;
- suction means communicating with said chamber for inducing a suction therein;
- and
- control means connected to said suction means for regulating the generation of suction in said chamber to prevent bumping of said liquid in said vessels.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.