Mixing apparatus and method
AssigneeAstraZeneca UK Limited
InventorsAli Mohammad Afnan, Robert Symes Chisholm
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Abstract
Apparatus for mixing a number of components comprising a vessel for receiving the components, drive means for rotating or oscillating the vessel about an axis to effect mixing of the components within the vessel, and at least one spectroscopic monitoring means for repeatedly scanning the mixture to obtain data for use in monitoring changes in the spectroscopic profile of the mixture as mixing proceeds, the monitoring means by mounted off-axis relative to the axis about which the vessel is rotatable or oscillatable.
Claims46
Apparatus for mixing a number of components comprising a vessel for receiving the components, drive means for rotating or oscillating the vessel about an axis to effect mixing of the components within the vessel, and at least one spectroscopic monitoring means for repeatedly scanning the mixture to obtain data for use in monitoring changes in the spectroscopic profile of the mixture as mixing proceeds, in which the monitoring means is provided directly on-board the vessel or at least in part on a structure which rotates or oscillates with the vessel, the monitoring means being mounted off-axis relative to the axis about which the vessel is rotatable or oscillatable.
Apparatus for mixing a number of components, comprising a mixing zone for receiving the components, means for mixing of the components within the mixing zone, and at least one spectroscopic monitoring means for repeatedly scanning the mixture within or downstream of the mixing zone to obtain and record data for use in monitoring changes in the spectroscopic profile of the mixture as mixing proceeds, means responsive to the monitoring means for modifying the mixing process when the spectroscopic data obtain signifies attainment of a desired level of mixing and data acquisition means for collecting recorded data from the monitoring means, the data acquisition means having a docking station with which the monitoring means can be docked on completion of the mixing process to allow transfer of recorded data from the monitoring means to the data acquisition means, in which the monitoring means is in the form of a portable unit adapted for detachable mounting on a wall of the mixing zone so that, on completion of the mixing cycle, the monitoring means can be dismounted and transported to the docking station.
An Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) provided with a window enabling scanning of the contents thereof by a spectroscopic monitoring means mountable on the IBC.
Apparatus for mixing a number of components, comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet for receiving the components and means for effecting feed of the components from the inlet to the outlet while effecting mixing thereof, means for feeding the components to the inlet while mixing is taking place and means for collecting the mixture from the outlet while mixing is taking place, the housing being provided with at least one near infrared spectroscopic monitoring means arranged to repeatedly scan the mixture within the mixing zone or downstream of the outlet to obtain data for use in monitoring changes in the spectroscopic profile of the mixture.
A method of mixing a number of components, comprising introducing the components into a mixing vessel, rotating or oscillating the mixing vessel to effect mixing of the components and non-invasively monitoring mixing by collecting spectroscopic data from the mixture during rotation of oscillation of the vessel, in which monitoring is effected by monitoring means mounted for rotation or oscillation with the vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.