A method of heating and mixing contents is disclosed that combines heating and agitating of a bottle and its contents in order to achieve even warming, as well as, mixing the contents of the bottle.

A stirring device includes a tray configured to hold an ink container filled with ink, a support member configured to support the tray, a rotary member configured to support the support member, and a pedestal configured to rotatably support the rotary member, in which the tray and the support member are engaged with each other by engagement portions provided on the tray and the support member (engagement cut-out portion, engagement convex portion).

The present invention provides a device and a method for automated liquid exchange in a horizontally rotating container that may be applied in automated sample treatment by using chemical solutions, in sequential order. Such applications include biomolecule staining on solid support or fixed samples such as western blot or tissue slice processing. Such sequential chemical reactions are usually performed on flat surfaces. Alternatively, these reactions can be completed with much less volume of reagents in horizontally rotating containers. Yet, it is difficult to automate these processes in rotating containers since the required tubing would twist due to the continuous rotation of the container. The present invention solves the problem of twisting of tubing by leading them through a stationary tubing carrier that passes through the rotating container. Hence, the rotation of the tubing, and therefore twisting, is avoided, thus enabling automated liquid exchange of various chemical solutions in rotating containers.

An agitation device includes a holder that holds a cartridge containing a liquid on a placement surface angled with respect to a horizontal plane; and a rotator that rotates the holder to agitate the liquid.

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.

A container assembly with improved mixing dynamics for mixing substances in preparation for injection by an injection device or for the dispersion of additives in the collection and analysis of biological samples is disclosed. In one configuration, the container assembly includes a first mixing element protruding into an interior of a container. With the container rotated about its longitudinal axis, the first mixing element forms at least one vortex which effectuates mixing of a first substance provided within the container interior and a second substance provided within the container interior.

A drinking vessel for holding liquids, having a base engaged with a rotation platform, the rotation platform having two parts in rotational engagement and configured to enable the drinking vessel to spin.

An apparatus is provided that is configured to be used with a container having contents to permit mixing of the contents of the container. The apparatus includes a main body having a geometrical shape having an open end, a closed end, and a longitudinally extending bore or opening extending from the open end to the closed end. The opening or bore is configured to receive at least a portion of a container. A shaft is generally orthogonally positioned from a portion of the closed end. The shaft is configured to be received by a rotational device. The mixing apparatus can be used to mix various sized containers containing contents having one or more materials to be mixed. The container is not attached to any portion of the main body and the container is configured to rotate freely and independently of the main body during an operation of the rotational device.

Disclosed in the present invention is a blood sample analyzer, including a sample conveying device, a first agitating device, a second agitating device and a controller, etc. When the first agitating device drives a sample container placed in a sample container accommodating hole to agitate a blood sample, a bottom of the sample container is kept lower than an opening of the sample container. In addition, the present invention further discloses a blood sample agitating device, a blood sample analysis method, a blood sample agitating method, and a computer storage medium.

Described herein are devices and methods for rotating a container (e.g., a capped tube containing a sample). The disclosure provides devices and methods of rotating a container using one motor, resulting in a less complex device. The device moves and rotates a container rotating member which in turn is used to rotate a container. The devices can be used in automated analytical instruments (e.g., automated blood analyzers) that automatically transport and detect the identity of sample containers. The devices can also be used in instruments that automatically spin sample containers to mix or homogenize the sample.