# US 9,517,440 B2 · Sample mixing device

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- Number: US 9,517,440 B2
- Document ID: US9517440B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/283,709
- Filed: 2011-10-28
- Published: 2012-05-03
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-01
- Assignees: CTC Analytics AG
- Applicants: Beat Luethi; Kai Schueler
- Inventors: Beat Luethi; Kai Schueler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517440B2

## CPC

- B01F 31/201: {Holders therefor}
- B01F 31/26: {the containers being submitted to a wobbling movement}
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)

## Abstract

A device (1) for mixing a sample, in particular for an automatic chemical analysis instrument, comprises a receptacle device with at least two moveably guided container receptacles (21-24, 31.1), with each container receptacle (21-24, 31.1) comprising a support region for holding a sample container (41-44). The support regions of the two container receptacles (21-24, 31.1) are arranged at different heights in an operational state of the device (1).

## Claims

### Claim 1

Device for mixing a sample comprising:
a movable basic body having at least a first support region and a second support region formed as recesses thereon for holding at least a first and a second sample container, the recesses each having a support surface for supporting a respective one of the sample containers;
a guidance device arranged above the movable basic body and formed as a diaphragm with at least a first opening and a second opening for laterally guiding the at least first and second sample containers;
a cylindrical platform inserted into one of the recesses that forms a support surface for supporting a respective sample container, wherein a vertical distance between the diaphragm and the support surface of at least one of the recesses and a vertical distance between the diaphragm and the support surface of the platform are different;
wherein in an operational state the movable basic body undergoes motion relative to the guidance device by a drive unit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Device according to claim 1, wherein the platform is embodied in an interchangeable fashion into one or more of said recesses.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Device according to claim 2, wherein the platform is interchangeable via a threaded connection between the platform and a respective recess.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Device according to claim 1, wherein said moveable basic body is put into an eccentric translational orbital motion in the operational state by said drive unit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

Device according to claim 4, wherein said moveable basic body is put into a circular eccentric translational orbital motion in the operational state by said drive unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Device according to claim 1, wherein a center point of each of the first and second openings is, in a rest position, arranged perpendicularly above a center point of the respective support region or container receptacle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

Device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is coupled to the moveable basic body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

Device according to claim 7, wherein the device comprises a control unit for controlling the drive unit.