Mixing apparatus and method
AssigneeAstra Zeneca 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.
Claims28
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.
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) monitoring the contents of the vessel during said mixing by means of a monitor which rotates or oscillates with the 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;
- and
- c) monitoring the contents of the vessel during said mixing, wherein said mixing vessel has an axis of symmetry about which it is substantially symmetrical;
- and said mixing vessel is rotated or oscillated about an axis that extends obliquely relative to said axis of symmetry.
A method of mixing a plurality of components, comprising:
- a) introducing at least one component into a mixing zone;
- b) mixing said at least one component, while monitoring at least one condition by collecting spectroscopic data, to form a mixture;
- and
- c) mixing in at least one additional component to said mixture while monitoring said at least one condition.
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;
- 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.
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 a 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 being mounted off-axis relative to the axis about which the vessel is rotatable or oscillatable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.