Apparatus for indexing and agitating fluid containers

摘要

An apparatus configured for mixing the contents of one or more fluid containers includes a fluid container support platform configured to hold one or more fluid containers. The fluid container support platform is configured to index the container to one or more specified locations and to be moved in an orbital path about an orbital center independently of the rotation about the central axis of rotation. The apparatus further includes an indexing drive system configured to effect indexing movement of the container support platform and a vortex drive system configured to effect powered orbital movement of the container support platform about the orbital center. An evaporation limiting insert placed within containers reduces exposure of the fluid contents of the container to atmospheric air, thereby reducing susceptibility of the fluid contents to evaporation.

主权项

1. A fluid container mixing apparatus comprising:
a container support platform configured to hold one or more fluid containers, wherein the container support platform is constructed and arranged to be movable in such a manner to index the fluid containers to sequentially place each of the containers in one or more predetermined positions and to be movable in an orbital path about an orbital center; an indexing drive system configured to effect powered indexing movement of the container support platform; and a vortex drive system configured to effect powered movement of the container support platform in the orbital path, wherein the vortex drive system comprises:
a vortex drive motor;a vortexing pulley coupled to the vortex drive motor to effect powered rotation of the vortexing pulley;first, second, and third vortexing idler pulleys;an eccentric coupling associated with each of the vortexing idler pulleys, each of the eccentric couplings extending from the associated vortexing idler pulley at a position that is offset with respect to an axis of rotation of the associated vortexing idler pulley; anda belt coupling the vortexing pulley to the first and second vortexing idler pulleys so that rotation of the vortexing pulley imparts rotation to the first and second vortexing idler pulleys,wherein the container support platform is coupled to the eccentric couplings of the vortexing idler pulleys such that rotation of the first and second vortexing idler pulleys imparts powered movement of the container support platform in the orbital path via the eccentric couplings, and wherein the third vortexing idler pulley is a follower pulley that rotates with the powered movement of the container support platform in the orbital path but is not coupled to the vortexing pulley by the belt coupling the vortexing pulley to the first and second vortexing idler pulleys.