United States Patent
`
`19
`
`Martin et at
`
`11111111111111111111111111IOIMjR91911119911111111111111111111111111
`
`n Patent Number
`45 Date of Patent
`
`5918979
`Jul 6 1999
`
`54 COMBINATION MECHANICAL ROTATOR
`ROCKER
`75 Inventors Matthew R Martin Remsenburg
`James M Kandora Port Jefferson
`Station both of NY
`
`73 Assignee Scientific Industries Inc Bohemia
`NY
`
`21 Appl No 09027267
`Feb 20 1998
`22 Filed
`
`Related US Application Data
`
`601
`
`Provisional application No 60039396 Feb 27 1997
`51 Int C16
`BO1F 1100
`52 US Cl
`366211 366214
`58 Field of Search
`366208216
`366219
`
`56
`
`References Cited
`US PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3625485
`
`121971 Adler
`
`5167928
`
`5322358
`
`121992 Kelly et al
`61994 Coho et al
`
`Primary ExaminerCharles E Cooley
`Attorney Agent or FirmOstrolenk Faber Gerb
`LLP
`
`366208
`
`366214
`
`Soffen
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`57
`
`A combined
`
`materials includes
`
`rotator and rocker
`
`for agitating contained
`sides a drum
`a base having opposite
`
`least one object supporting
`side surface a pair of
`having at
`opposite end surfaces and a central axis passing through the
`end surfaces The drum is rotatably coupled to the opposite
`the base The drum is laterally movable
`side portions of
`along the central axis such that i in a first
`lateral position
`the drum is continuously rotatable about the central axis and
`in a second lateral position the drum swings through an
`ii
`arc about the central axis The drum is adapted to receive the
`
`contained materials in a plurality of different orientations to
`permit many different mixing motions
`
`57 Claims 8 Drawing Sheets
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`00
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`11
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`db
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`27a
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`27
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`31
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`a
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`0
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`34+
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`35c
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`CO
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`17 o
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`o
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`o
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`a 0 n 2 0
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`o
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`2e
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`ROCKING
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`ROTATE
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`US Patent
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`US Patent
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`FIG 4
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`ROCKING
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`sa
`ROTATE
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`171z
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`ROCKING0
`
`ROTATE
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`FIG 6
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`US Patent
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`5918979
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`US Patent
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`52 52
`I lo
`50 1
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`29if
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`29
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`29a
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`100
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`2 a
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`2911
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`4421
`2
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`FIG 9
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`5918979
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`1
`COMBINATION MECHANICAL ROTATOR
`ROCKER
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`This application is based on and claims priority to US
`Provisional Patent Application No 60039396 filed Feb
`entitled COMBINATION MECHANICAL
`27 1997
`ROTATOR ROCKER
`This application is related to US Provisional Patent
`Application No 60039394 filed Feb 27 1997 entitled A
`ROTATING TRIANGULAR DRUM FOR INCUBATING
`PROBES WITH MEMBRANE IMMOBILIZED
`LIGANDS
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1 Field of the Invention
`invention relates to a combination of i a
`The present
`rotator for mixing materials within containers
`supported by
`tilting a tray contain
`the rotator ii
`a rocker
`for repeatedly
`ing liquid for agitating the liquid andor washing the liquid
`over another medium in the tray and iii
`a means for
`in many different orientations to
`mounting the containers
`produce different mixing actions
`2 Related Art
`
`Rotators are used in laboratories to repeatedly invert tubes
`in order to mix the
`and like vessels containing material
`a drum
`contained material Such rotators typically include
`the tubes and a directly
`receiving
`to rotate the drum at
`gear motor
`
`having
`
`holes in it
`
`for
`
`driven variable speed
`
`various speeds
`Among known machines used
`in laboratories
`machines used to roll
`tubes machines used to shake
`tubes
`tumble tubes in a combi
`and machines used to roll andor
`
`are
`
`nation motion
`
`tilt
`
`Rockers are used in laboratories to repeatedly
`a tray
`a liquid andor material back and forth to agitate
`containing
`the material andor wash the material across another medium
`within the tray The tray is also typically driven by a variable
`speed gear motor coupled to a slider crank type mechanism
`the tray at various speeds
`to tilt
`A rotator or a rocker
`is usually driven by a DC motor with
`speed control obtained through varying the input voltage
`Some machines
`are capable of either rotating or rocking
`the material To convert between a rotator and a rocker
`the
`drum of the rotator is replaced with a platform which holds
`a tray or vice versa When acting as a rocker the tray is tilted
`the motor after
`the platform has
`by repeatedly
`reversing
`a predetermined arc in each opposite direc
`tilted through
`tion However this requires accurately gauging the platform
`orientation and requires undesired motor reversals Accu
`rately gauging tilt orientation requires costly and complex
`electrical andor mechanical
`systems Periodic reversal of a
`to increased failure modes and excessive
`motor exposes it
`wear
`
`The machines
`
`of
`
`not heretofore
`
`the prior art have
`employed a means for securing
`a container
`containing
`to be agitated which is capable of mounting the
`material
`in may different orientations
`there is a need in the art
`a combined
`Accordingly
`rotator and rocker machine which is capable of retaining
`rotation andor
`rocking in many different
`orientations and which does not suffer
`from the drawbacks
`of the prior art machines
`
`container
`
`containers
`
`for
`
`for
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention can be used as either a rotator or a rocker
`reversing the motor
`Instead of
`the platform in the
`to tilt
`rocker mode a simple mechanical means transforms the
`direct drive used by the rotator to a slider crank
`type
`mechanism used by a rocker A rotatable drum eg a tube
`is unlocked
`and shifted on its axis to engage an
`holder
`eccentric pin in a slot to transform the mechanism into a
`rocker A platform to hold various trays to be rocked is added
`to complete the transformation
`The combined rotator and rocker of the invention includes
`a base having first and second opposite side portions A drum
`is rotatably coupled to the side portions of the base The
`drum has at
`least one operative side or surface adapted for
`end
`the contained material a pair of opposite
`receiving
`surfaces toward the side portions of the base and a central
`axis passing through the end surfaces The drum is laterally
`movable along its central axis such that i in a first
`lateral
`position the drum is fully rotatable about
`the central axis
`in a second lateral position the drum may swing
`and ii
`back and forth through only a limited arc about
`the central
`axis
`
`The rotator and rocker employs a retaining device capable
`of mounting the contained material in a plurality of orien
`tations to obtain different mixing motions
`
`Other
`features and advantages of the present
`from the following description of the
`will become apparent
`invention which refers to the accompanying
`
`drawings
`
`invention
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG 1 is a perspective view of a combination rotator and
`rocker of an embodiment of the present
`invention
`FIG 2 shows a partially cut away view of the rotator and
`rocker of FIG 1
`FIG 2A shows an alternative embodiment of the rotator
`and rocker of FIG 2
`FIG 3 shows a perspective view of a combination rotator
`and rocker of an alternative
`embodiment of
`the present
`
`invention
`FIG 4 shows a perspective view of the rotator and rocker
`of FIG 3 adapted to retain tubes for end over and tumbling
`FIG 5 is a perspective
`view of the rotator and rocker of
`FIG 3 adapted to retain tubes for longitudinal
`rolling
`FIG 6 shows the rotator and rocker of FIG 3 adapted to
`receive tubes for a combination of rolling and tumbling
`FIG 7 shows a perspective view of the rotator and rocker
`of FIG 3 including elements for retaining a bag to a drum
`of the rotator and rocker
`FIG 8 is a perspective
`view of the rotator and rocker of
`FIG 3 which includes
`steel tray and
`a coated magnetic
`FIG 9 is a perspective
`and exploded view of the rotator
`and rocker of FIG 3 which includes expansion trays
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`FIG 1 shows a combined rotator and rocker 100 accord
`invention It
`ing to one embodiment of the present
`includes
`base
`a sheet metal housing 1 having a generally rectangular
`32 and opposite lateral ends 32a 32h Sides 34 and 36 are
`coupled to the ends 32a and 32b respectively and extend
`substantially perpendicularly up from the base 32
`A drum 2 has a body illustrated as having a substantially
`triangular cross section wherein the sides of the drum are
`
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`5918979
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`4
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`flat side surfaces 2a 2b 2c The
`defined by rectangular
`body has two opposite end surfaces 2d 2e However other
`shape cross sections may fall within the scope of the inven
`tion In other embodiments the drum 2 may have a square
`or another geometric shape cross section
`or
`rectangular
`formed by flat sides and also having opposite end surfaces
`The drum 2 is disposed between the spaced apart side
`portions 34 36 At least one of the side surfaces of the drum
`includes holes 3 of varying diameters
`for receiving various
`diameter tubes Each hole is or all holes
`together are
`equipped with a retaining element 4 The retaining element
`may be for example foam having
`slits for
`respective
`the tubes When the element 4 is foam it presses
`receiving
`around the tubes to secure them in the holes 3
`The retaining element 4 may alternatively be one or more
`clips 46 FIG 3 formed of plastic or a suitable metal
`
`material
`The drum 2 is adapted to receive a blot not shown Blots
`are known to include for example a high binding capacity
`membrane containing an electrophoretically separated pro
`tein andor nucleic acid mixture in a sealable plastic bag
`which is filled with a probe diluted in an incubation buffer
`The blots require agitation to assure uniform exposure of the
`membrane to the probe and to diminish unspecific binding of
`the probe to the membrane
`To receive one or more blots each side surface 2a 2b and
`2c of the drum may include
`a slot 6 along one edge for
`one or more spring clips 5 that extend across that
`receiving
`surface Preferably each side surface 2a 2b and 2c includes
`two slots 6 each
`two spring clips 5 mounted
`receiving
`therein The end of the spring clip 5 is fixed to the side
`surface 2a 2b andor 2c of the drum 2 at a slot 6 for causing
`the other end of the spring clip 5 to be biased toward the
`side surface 2a 2b andor 2c
`respective
`The spring clips 5 may be slid in or out of their slots to
`a suitable distance to clamp objects such as sealed plastic
`liquid that washes around paper blots inside
`bags containing
`the bag as the drum 2 is rotated
`The drum 2 is rotatably coupled to the side portions 34
`36 of the base along a central axis of the drum 2 such that
`the drum 2 is rotatable about
`the central axis Preferably the
`side portion 34 includes a motor housing 35 which contains
`a gear motor 9 FIG 2 speed control and mechanisms
`for
`rotating the drum 2
`FIG 2 shows a cut away view of the rotator and rocker
`100 The motor housing 35 contains a gear motor 9 coupled
`to a mounting plate 10 The gear motor includes
`an output
`11 that extends from the gear motor 9 through
`shaft
`the
`mounting plate 10 to engage for example the end portion 2d
`of the drum 2
`A large diameter gear 12 a first shaft portion 13 and a
`second portion 13a are disposed on the output shaft 11 one
`after
`the first
`shaft
`the other axially It
`is preferred that
`portion 13 have a substantially round cross section and that
`the second shaft portion 13a have a substantially hexagonal
`cross section Other shapes may be employed as will be
`apparent from the description below It
`is also preferred that
`and second shaft portions 13 13a be formed of
`the first
`
`plastic
`The large diameter gear 12 and the first and second shaft
`shaft 11 The end
`portions 13 13a rotate with the output
`surface 2d of the drum 2 facing the plate 10 includes a shaft
`the first or the second shaft
`hole 17 adapted to surround
`portions 13 13a depending upon the lateral position of the
`to the side portions 34 and 36
`drum with reference
`Specifically the drum 2 may be moved into a first
`lateral
`
`substantial
`
`round shaft
`position where the hole 17 engages the first
`portion 13 or the drum 2 may be moved into a second lateral
`position as shown where the hole 17 engages the second
`shaft portion 13a
`profiled eg hexagonal
`When the drum 2 is in the second lateral position as
`shown the second shaft portion 13a engages the shaft hole
`17 such that
`the second shaft portion 13a is capable of
`force on the drum 2 for continuously
`exerting torsional
`rotating the drum 2 in one direction about
`the central axis
`10 However when the drum 2 is in the first
`lateral position the
`round shaft portion 13 extends through the shaft hole
`first
`17 The first
`shaft portion 13 is not capable of exerting
`torsional force on the drum 2
`The shaft hole 17 and the cross section of the second shaft
`portion 13a preferably have a substantially hexagonal shape
`the second shaft portion 13a is capable of exerting a
`so that
`torsional force on the drum 2 when in the second
`substantial
`lateral position In this way the gear motor 9 drives
`the
`shaft portion 13a which positively engages the
`hexagonal
`20 hexagonal shaft hole 17 thus continuously rotating the drum
`2 The first shaft portion 13 is preferably of a round cross
`section and cannot engage the hexagonal shape shaft hole
`17 to apply torsion
`A small diameter gear 14 is coupled to the mounting plate
`its center via a stub shaft 15 The gear 14 meshes with
`10 at
`the large diameter gear 12 and rotates with respect
`to its
`center
`in an opposite direction to the rotation of the large
`diameter gear 12 A short axial
`pin 16
`eccentric
`length
`the periphery of the small diameter gear 14
`disposed near
`rotates eccentrically with respect
`to the stub shaft 15 at
`the
`center of the small diameter gear 14 when the gear 14 is
`driven by the large diameter gear 12 The eccentric pin 16 is
`of a length that when the drum 2 is in the second lateral
`position and the second shaft portion 13a is in the shaft hole
`17 the eccentric pin 16 is out of engagement with the drum
`2
`
`5
`
`is
`
`2
`
`5
`
`3
`
`3
`
`5
`
`With reference to FIG 1 the end surface 2d of the drum
`2 facing toward the mounting plate 10 includes a plurality of
`slots 7 which extend generally radially with respect
`to the
`central axis of the drum 2 When the drum 2 is slid to the left
`toward the plate 10 the first round shaft portion 13 slides
`into the shaft hole 17 and the drum is free to rotate When
`the drum 2 is further slid into the first
`lateral position the
`eccentric pin 16 enters and rotatably and slidingly engages
`a slot 7 such that
`the eccentric
`rotation of the eccentric pin
`16 as the gear 14 rotates moves the pin 16 along the slot 7
`and also pivots the slot circumferentially to rock the drum 2
`the drum 2 about
`back and forth through an arc This tilts
`the
`central axis in response to the rotation of the output shaft 11
`50 ie the rocker mode
`When the drum 2 is in the second lateral position wherein
`second shaft portion 13a is in the shaft hole
`the hexagonal
`17 however
`the relatively short eccentric pin 16 does not
`55 engage in the slot 7 and the drum 2 is only rotatable about
`the central axis in response to the torsional force applied by
`the second shaft portion 13a ie the rotator mode
`the large and small diameter gears 12 14
`is noted that
`may be replaced with pulleys 12a 14a FIG 2a
`A locking mechanism 31 is preferably disposed
`the
`opposite end of the drum 2 from the gear motor 9 The
`locking mechanism 31 alternately retains the drum 2 in the
`first or the second lateral position depending upon whether
`the machine is being used in the rotator or rocker mode
`The locking mechanism 31 includes a mounting shaft 21
`preferably formed of plastic having two axially spaced
`apart circumferential grooves 20 26 which are selectively
`
`It
`
`at
`
`40
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`45
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`60
`
`65
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`5918979
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`5
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`10
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`6
`42 Preferably the magnetized material 40 is a flexible
`rubberized magnetized material mounted to the inside sur
`surfaces 2a 2b The plate 42 is
`face of both rectangular
`steel plate which sub
`preferably a thin gauge galvanized
`stantially covers the entire surface of the magnetized mate
`rial 40 The plate
`42 is held in place by the magnetic
`attraction between the magnetized material 40 and the plate
`42 The plate 42 is adapted to close and concentrate
`the
`field from the magnetized material 40
`magnetic
`surfaces 2a 2b may be adapted to receive
`The rectangular
`tubes 44 for rotating or rocking A clip plate 48 is formed of
`a magnetically attractable material and is placed on rectan
`gular surfaces 2a 2b as desired Preferably clip plate 48 is
`made from magnetically attractable stainless steel where the
`15 magnetic attraction between the clip plate 48 and the mag
`netized material 40 holds the plate 48 firmly to the surface
`2a of the drum 2
`The clip plate 48 includes spring clips 46 for springingly
`the tubes 44 to the
`tubes 44 and firmly coupling
`20 drum 2 The clip plates 48 may be equipped with spring
`clips 46 of differing sizes to receive different size tubes 44
`Therefore the number of tubes 44 mounted to the clip plate
`on the size of the tubes 44 It
`48 may vary depending
`from the above teaching that a multitude of tubes
`apparent
`44 of different sizes may be simultaneously mounted to both
`surfaces 2a 2b of the drum 2 using one or more clip plates
`48
`
`5
`engaged with a locking bar 18 The locking bar 18 is in
`sliding engagement with the end surface 2e of the drum 2
`preferably by way of slots 22 surrounding and communi
`cating with standoffs 23 The bar 18 preferably includes an
`hole 19 which is slid into engagement with a
`oversized
`selected one of the grooves 20 26 In particular
`the thick
`ness of the locking bar 18 is of such a size as to permit an
`edge of the oversized hole 19 to engage one of the grooves
`20 26 depending on the lateral position of the drum 2 and
`the shaft 21 It
`to those
`the axial position of
`is apparent
`the oversized hole 19 may be inter
`skilled in the art that
`changed with a lever not shown which engages the groves
`20 26 as desired
`The locking bar 18 is biased by spring 25 toward engage
`ment with one or the other of the grooves 20 26 To release
`the drum 2 the locking bar 18 is depressed until
`the edge of
`the oversized hole 19 or lever comes out of the groove 26
`for example This allows the drum 2 to be slid to the left The
`locking bar 18 is released to be biased into the other groove
`20 thus locking the assembly in place to the left
`It will be apparent
`from the
`to those skilled in the art
`above teaching that
`the motor 9 and output shaft 11 may be
`to the drum 2 so that
`adapted to laterally shift with respect
`the drum 2 may remain relatively laterally stationary This
`the first and second shaft portions 13 13a to
`may permit
`move into or out of the shaft hole 17 thereby alternating
`between the rocker and rotator modes respectively
`The rotator and rocker 100 also includes
`a platform 27
`27a and a bottom surface 27b for
`having
`a top surface
`engagement with one of the side surfaces 2a 2b
`removable
`andor 2c of the drum 2 A plurality of locating pins 28
`extend from the bottom surface 27b of the platform 27 for
`engaging the retaining element 4 of the drum 2 The locating
`pins 28 extend through holes 3 and may be retained for
`example in the slots of a foam material retaining element 4
`behind the holes 3
`the retaining element 4 may include suit
`Alternatively
`able clips not shown formed of plastic or a suitable metal
`material and adapted to engage the locating pins 28 of the
`tray to secure the platform 27 to the drum 2
`Trays not shown may be placed upon the platform 27 to
`be used for washing specimens The platform 27 is suited for
`lateral position ie the
`use when the drum 2 is in the first
`rocking mode
`Advantageously the rotator and rocker 100 of the present
`invention provides a mechanism for selectively rotating or
`rocking a material without requiring the reversal of the gear
`motor or costly and complex means for determining the
`the drum 2 Further
`the invention
`precise orientation of
`large mem
`includes
`an improved apparatus for securing
`brane blots to the drum by providing spring clips on a large
`surface area of the drum for accepting the blots and sub
`jecting the blots to rotational or rocking agitation
`is now made to FIG 3 which shows
`Reference
`an
`rotator and rocker 100 in accordance with the
`alternative
`invention The rotator and rocker 100 of FIG 3 is
`present
`substantially the same as the rotator and rocker 100 of FIGS
`of the drum 2
`1 and 2 except
`for the construction
`The rotator and rocker 100 of FIG 3 includes
`a flat
`shaped drum 2 with two rectangular
`surfaces 2a 2b for
`receiving materials for rotation andor
`rocking The rectan
`gular surfaces 2a 2b are preferably made from thin gauge
`nonmagnetic stainless steel
`Located within the drum 2 and adjacent
`the rectangular
`surfaces 2a 2b are a substantially flat sheet of magnetized
`material 40 and a thin gauge magnetically attractable plate
`
`receiving
`
`25
`
`is
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`It
`
`the drum 2 may alternatively receive one
`is noted that
`or more clip plates 48 which are themselves magnetized or
`may cooperate with magnets In this case the drum 2 could
`be made of a magnetically attractable material for example
`to which the magnetized clip plates
`magnetic stainless steel
`48 would couple The magnetized material 40 and the steel
`plate 42 may then be omitted from the drum 2 Alternatively
`the drum 2 would not
`itself be magnetically attractable but
`would include the magnetically attractable plate 42 therein
`which would provide the material
`for magnetic
`attraction
`clip plates 48
`with the magnetized
`Reference is now made to FIGS 46 which show that
`tubes 44 can be mounted to the drum 2 in any orientation
`allowing for different types of motion as the drum 2 rotates
`or rocks FIG 4 shows the tubes 44 mounted to the drum 2
`to facilitate end over end tumbling when the drum is rotated
`the drum 2 is rocked the
`When
`tubes 44 are shaken
`longitudinally FIG 5 shows the tubes 44 mounted to the
`drum 2 in order to facilitate longitudinal
`rolling when the
`drum 2 is rotated When the drum 2 is rocked the tubes 44
`are shaken with a longitudinal rolling motion FIG 6 shows
`the tubes 44 mounted to the drum 2 to facilitate
`a combi
`rolling and tumbling motions
`nation of
`referred to as
`
`the
`
`wobbling
`With reference to FIG 3 the drum 2 of the rotator and
`rocker 100 may be operated in the rocking or rotating mode
`in the same way as the rotator and rocker 100 of FIGS 1 and
`2 Thus the drum 2 of FIG 3 unlocks shifts into either the
`lateral position or second lateral position and locks in
`that position to change between the rocking
`mode
`
`or rotating
`
`first
`
`Reference is now made to FIG 7 which shows the drum
`2 adapted to receive bag type containers eg blot bags 50
`Blot bag 50 is placed on for example rectangular surface 2a
`of the drum 2 Magnetically attractable strips 52 or metal
`strips preferably formed from magnetically attractable
`stainless steel are placed around the periphery of the bags
`50 The magnetic
`of the metal strips 52 to the
`attraction
`magnetized material 40 beneath the surface 2a of the drum
`
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`Page 12 of 15
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`5918979
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`It
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`It
`
`7
`2 secures the edges of the bag 50 and holds the bag 50 in
`is rotated or rocked with the drum 2
`place while it
`to those skilled in the art from the above
`is apparent
`teaching that a multitude of bags 50 may be mounted to both
`surfaces 2a 2b of the drum 2 It
`that both
`is also apparent
`bags 50 and tubes 44 may be mounted to the drum 2 at one
`time and in any orientation to achieve different mixing
`actions
`Reference is now made to FIG 8 which shows the drum
`2 adapted to receive a platform 27 The platform 27 is
`preferably formed of a coated magnetically attractable steel
`and is held in place by the attraction
`of the steel
`to the
`magnetized material 40 beneath the surface 2a of the drum
`2 It will be apparent
`to those skilled in the art that trays not
`shown of different sizes containing for example liquids
`may be placed on the platform 27 to be rocked with the
`drum 2
`Reference is now made to FIG 9 which shows a perspec
`tive and partially exploded view of the rotator and rocker
`100 adapted to receive expansion trays or platforms 29
`The expansion trays 29 are adapted to magnetically couple
`2a and 2b In
`to one or both of
`the flat side surfaces
`one or more
`trays 29 include
`the expansion
`particular
`flanges 29a and one or more tabs 29b Preferably the
`each
`one flange
`29a along
`trays 29 include
`expansion
`longitudinal side of the tray 29 It
`is also preferred that
`one tab 29b at each end of each
`tray 29 include
`expansion
`side The
`flanges 29a
`are magnetically
`longitudinal
`attractable to the magnetized material 40 within the drum 2
`tray 29 be formed from
`is preferred that
`the expansion
`magnetically attractable stainless steel
`As shown two
`trays 29 may be directly
`expansion
`coupled to each flat surface 2a and 2b of the drum 2 The
`expansion trays 29 provide additional surfaces for receiving
`blot bags 50 The blot bags 50 may be disposed on the top
`or bottom surfaces of each expansion tray 29 to maximize
`the number of blot bags 50 to be coupled to the drum 2
`One or more magnetized strips 52 are used to magneti
`cally couple the blot bags 50 to the top andor bottom
`surfaces of the expansion trays 29 As the magnetic strips 52
`are attractable
`to the magnetically
`are magnetized they
`attractable stainless steel of the expansion tray 29
`The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of
`invention has been provided for the purposes of
`the present
`illustration and description It
`intended to be exhaus
`is not
`the invention to the precise form disclosed
`tive or to limit
`Many modifications and variations are possible in light of
`the above teaching It
`is intended
`that
`the
`the scope of
`invention be limited not by this detailed description but
`rather by the claims appended hereto
`What
`is claimed is
`1 A combined rotator and rocker
`for agitating contained
`materials the rotator and rocker comprising
`a base having first and second opposite side portions
`a drum having at
`least one side surface for receiving
`the
`contained material a pair of opposing end surfaces and
`a central axis passing through the end surfaces
`to the base and also
`the drum being rotatable with respect
`laterally movable
`being
`the central
`along
`to the base between
`first and second lateral
`
`the
`
`axis with
`
`respect
`
`positions
`first means at the drum and the base adapted to permit the
`the central axis when
`drum to rock through an arc about
`the drum is in the first
`lateral position and
`the drum and the base adapted to permit
`second means at
`the drum to continuously rotate in one direction about
`the central axis when the drum is in the second lateral
`
`5
`
`8
`2 The rotator and rocker of claim 1 further comprising a
`motor disposed in the base and having an output shaft
`the
`first means comprising the output shaft being coupled to the
`the central axis when the
`drum for rocking the drum about
`drum is in the first
`lateral position
`3 The rotator and rocker of claim 2 wherein the first
`means comprises a rotatable eccentric pin coupled to the
`shaft
`for
`rotating eccentrically the eccentric
`output
`pin
`engaging one of the end surfaces of the drum for rocking the
`drum about the central axis as the eccentric pin rotates while
`in engagement with the end surface of the drum
`4 The rotator and rocker of claim 1 further comprising a
`motor disposed in the base and having an output shaft
`the
`first and the second means being coupled with the output
`shaft
`5 The rotator and rocker of claim 4 wherein the output
`a first shaft portion which is part of the first
`shaft
`includes
`means and a second shaft portion which is part of the second
`means the first and second shaft portions being at axially
`along the output shaft such that only one
`separate locations
`20 of the first and second shaft portions engages the drum at
`each of the first and second lateral positions the drum
`6 The rotator and rocker of claim 5 wherein the second
`shaft portion has a profile and one of the end surfaces of the
`drum has a corresponding profile that receives the profile of
`the second shaft portion such that rotation of
`the output
`through the second shaft portion rotates the drum
`shaft
`7 The rotator and rocker of claim 6 wherein the first shaft
`portion is not similarly profiled so that when the first shaft
`the one end surface of the drum the
`portion is received at
`rotation of the output shaft does not rotate the drum
`8 The rotator and rocker of claim 7 wherein the second
`shaft portion has a substantially hexagonal cross section and
`the first shaft portion has a substantially round cross section
`9 The rotator and rocker of claim 7 wherein the one end
`the drum includes
`a hole which receives
`surface of
`the
`second shaft portion when the drum is in the second lateral
`force on
`position such that
`the output shaft exerts torsional
`the drum for rotating the drum about
`the central axis
`10 The rotator and rocker of claim 9 wherein the hole is
`correspondingly substantially hexagonal
`in shape
`11 The rotator and rocker of claim 7 further comprising
`a first gear driven by the output shaft
`gear and including an
`a second gear driven by the first
`on the second gear
`eccentric pin located eccentrically
`the one end surface of the drum including at least one slot
`radially disposed with respect
`to the central axis the
`eccentric pin rotatably and slidingly engaging the slot
`for rocking the drum back and forth during rotation of
`shaft when the drum is in the first
`lateral
`the output
`
`is
`
`25
`
`3
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`position
`12 The rotator and rocker of claim 11 wherein the
`the same end surface of the drum as the
`eccentric pin is at
`output shaft
`13 The rotator and rocker of claim 11 wherein the
`from the
`eccentric pin is shaped and placed for disengaging
`slot when the drum is in the second lateral position
`14 The rotator and rocker of claim 7 further comprising
`a first pulley driven by the output shaft
`a second pulley driven by the first pulley and including an
`on the second pul
`eccentric pin located eccentrically
`
`ley
`the one end surface of the drum including at least one slot
`radially disposed with respect
`to the central axis the
`eccentric pin rotatably and slidingly engaging the slot
`for rocking the drum back and forth during rotation of
`shaft when the drum is in the first
`lateral
`the output
`
`position
`
`position
`
`BioRad Exhibit 2004
`IPR201700054
`Page 13 of 15
`
`

`

`5918979
`
`9
`15 The rotator and rocker of claim 1 further comprising
`a locking mechanism for alternately retaining the drum in
`one of the first and second lateral positions
`16 The rotator and rocker of claim 15 wherein one end
`surface of the drum has a hole therein the locking mecha
`nism including
`
`first
`
`ii
`
`at
`
`on the base and extending
`a mounting shaft supported
`through the hole of the drum the mounting shaft having
`and second axially spaced apart circumferential
`grooves and
`to the drum and having an edge
`a locking bar coupled
`which is selectively engageable with one of the first and
`second circumferential grooves for
`i retaining the drum in the first
`lateral position when
`the drum is shifted laterally such that
`the edge of the
`locking bar engages the first circumferential groove
`and
`retaining the drum in the second lateral position
`when the drum is shifted laterally such that
`the edge
`of the locking bar engages the second circumferen
`tial groove
`17 The rotator and rocker of claim 16 further comprising
`into one of the first
`and
`a spring biasing the locking bar
`second grooves
`18 The rotator and rocker of claim 1 wherein the at least
`one side surface of the drum includes
`a plurality of holes
`therein and a retaining element disposed behind the holes to
`receive and retain tubes
`19 The rotator and rocker of claim 18 further compris
`ing
`a platform having a top and a bottom and
`locator means at
`the bottom of the platform for engaging
`the side surface of the drum for securing the platform
`to the drum
`20 The rotator and rocker of claim 19 wherein the
`retaining element
`includes resilient foam adapted for receiv
`ing the locator means
`21 The rotator and rocker of claim 19 wherein the
`retaining element
`clip means for
`includes
`the
`receiving
`locator means
`22 The rotator and rocker of claim 21 wherein the clip
`means is formed from plastic or metal
`23 The rotator and rocker of claim 1 further comprising
`a platform having a top and a bottom and
`the bottom of the platform for engaging
`locator means at
`least one side sur