Systems and methods for heating and mixing fluids
AssigneeAffymetrix, Inc.
InventorsRichard P. Watts, Stephen D. Mitchell, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mixing system comprises an elongate rotatable shaft having a rotational axis. A plurality of holding members extend radially outward from the shaft and are configured to rotate with the shaft. The system further includes a plurality of carriers that are insertable between two of the holding members. Each of the carriers includes a plurality of grooves, pairs of which are adapted to receive a cartridge having a chamber for holding a liquid.
Claims38
A mixing system comprising:
- an elongate rotatable shaft having a horizontal rotational axis;
- a plurality of holding members extending radially outward from the shaft and rotatable therewith;
- a plurality of carriers that are insertable between two of the holding members, wherein each of the carriers is adapted to receive a plurality of cartridges that each include a chamber for holding a liquid, wherein rotation of the shaft rotates the carriers about the rotational axis to mix the liquid within the cartridge.
A carrier that is adapted to hold a plurality of cartridges, the carrier comprising:
- a carrier body having a bottom, a plurality of sides, an open top, a projection extending outward from opposite ones of the sides to facilitate coupling of the carrier body to a mixing device, wherein the carrier body is adapted to receive a plurality of cartridges that each include a chamber for holding a liquid, with the cartridges being generally parallel to each other.
A heating and mixing system comprising:
- a heated oven having an interior and a motor;
- an elongate rotatable shaft having a rotational axis, wherein the shaft is disposed horizontally across the interior of the oven and is coupled to the motor;
- a plurality of holding members extending radially outward from the shaft and rotatable therewith;
- a plurality of carriers that are insertable between two of the holding members, wherein each of the carriers is adapted to receive a plurality of cartridge that each include a chamber for holding a liquid, wherein rotation of the shaft rotates the carriers about the rotational axis to mix the liquid within the cartridges.
A method for heating and mixing a liquid, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of cartridges that each have a chamber at least partially filled with a liquid;
- placing the cartridges into a plurality of carriers;
- inserting the carriers between a pair of holding members that extend radially outward from a shaft having a horizontal rotational axis;
- and
- rotating the shaft to rotate the cartridges around the rotational axis to mix the liquid within the chambers.
A mixing system comprising:
- an elongate rotatable shaft having a rotational axis;
- a plurality of holding members extending radially outward from the shaft and rotatable therewith;
- a plurality of carriers that are insertable between two of the holding members, wherein each of the carriers is adapted to receive a plurality of cartridges that each include a chamber for holding a liquid, wherein rotation of the shaft rotates the carriers about the rotational axis to mix the liquid within the cartridges;
- and
- a plurality of holding bars extending between the holding members, wherein the holding bars are configured to be placed adjacent a top end of the cartridges that extend above the top end of the carriers to hold the cartridges within the carriers when the shaft is rotated.
A mixing system comprising:
- an elongate rotatable shaft having a rotational axis;
- three holding members extending radially outward from the shaft and rotatable therewith;
- and
- a plurality of carriers that are insertable between two of the holding members, a middle one of the holding members including slots for carriers positioned on opposite sides of the middle holding member;
- wherein each of the carriers is adapted to receive a plurality of cartridges that each include a chamber for holding a liquid, wherein rotation of the shaft rotates the carriers about the rotational axis to mix the liquid within the cartridges.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.