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
A method of mixing a plurality of components, comprising:
- a) introducing components into a mixing vessel;
- b) mixing said components by rotating or oscillating the mixing vessel;
- and
- c) using a monitor to non-invasively monitor the contents of the vessel during said mixing, said monitor collecting spectroscopic data, wherein said monitor rotates or oscillates with the mixing vessel.
A method of mixing a plurality of components, comprising:
- a) introducing components into a mixing vessel;
- b) mixing said components by rotating or oscillating the mixing vessel;
- c) non-invasively monitoring the contents of the vessel during said mixing with a monitor that collects spectroscopic data, and
- d) storing said spectroscopic data on a data storage device, wherein said data storage device is mounted on said oscillating or rotating mixing vessel.
An apparatus for mixing a plurality of components, comprising:
- a) a vessel for receiving the components,
- b) a drive means for rotating or oscillating the vessel about an axis to effect mixing of the components within the vessel;
- and
- c) at least one spectroscopic monitor connected to the vessel for rotation or oscillation therewith, wherein said monitor is capable of obtaining data for a spectroscopic profile as mixing proceeds.
An apparatus for mixing a plurality of components, comprising:
- a) a mixer;
- b) at least one spectroscopic monitor for repeatedly scanning the contents of the mixer to obtain and record data for use in monitoring changes in the spectroscopic profile;
- wherein the monitor is a portable unit adapted for detachable mounting on a wall of the mixer that, on completion of the mixing cycle, the monitor can be dismounted and transported to the docking station
- c) a control device in communication with said at least one spectroscopic monitor to control mixing;
- and
- d) a docking station for receiving said monitor and allowing transfer of data from the monitor to a data acquisition device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.