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.

A rotary bucket mixing device is disclosed. The rotary bucket mixing device includes a main body, a rotating disk assembly, a power gear assembly and a first idler assembly. The power gear assembly receives a power to drive the rotating disk assembly to rotate and thereby rotating a mixing bucket disposed on a supporting assembly of the rotating disk assembly and mixing the contents in the mixing bucket. The first idler assembly controls a rotational speed. The rotary bucket mixing device of the present disclosure provides a better support to the mixing bucket and therefore the safety during the mixing process is enhanced.

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.

A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

An assembly for insertion into a holder of a mixer, comprising: a dispenser having an exterior surface of which at least a band is symmetric about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser; and an adapter for surrounding at least the band of the exterior surface of the dispenser. The adapter comprises a closeable shell, the shell being configured to lock the dispenser in at least a region of the band so as to impede rotational slippage of the dispenser relative to the adapter about the longitudinal axis with the shell being closed. If the assembly is then locked to/engaged with the holder of a planetary mixer, this causes the assembly to undergo superimposed revolution and rotation movements in tandem with those of the holder, resulting in a desired level of mixing being imparted to the dispenser's contents, which may improve homogeneity and predictability of the mixing results.

A dispensing container and adapter system for use with a planetary mixer is disclosed. The dispensing container has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a nozzle and a removable cap to cover the nozzle. The removable cap may have a first width dimension measured along the transverse axis. The dispensing container may include a body having a second width dimension measured along the transverse axis. An adapter may receive the dispensing container. The adapter may include a cavity to receive the removable cap. The cavity may have a cavity width that exceeds the first width dimension. The adapter may also include a recess for receiving a portion of the dispensing container. The recess may extend from the cavity. At least a portion of the recess may have a width dimension smaller than both the first width dimension and the second width dimension.

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.

A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

The adapter connects an aerosol or similarly shaped can to a power tool for the purpose of mixing the contents within the can. The adapter preferably connects a reciprocating power tool, such as a reciprocating saw, to a spray paint can that is necessarily shaken before use. To secure the can to the power tool, the adapter has multiple fingers that grasp the end of an aerosol can with respective tabs. The tabs catch on a ring on the topside of the spray paint can to prevent it from breaking away from the reciprocating tool during operation. To secure the adapter to the can, a collar surrounds the fingers and tightens around the fingers to securely fasten them to the can. Accordingly, the can is held in place until the collar is released and the tabbed fingers can be pulled away from the can.

A rotation mixer including a housing, a drive unit coupled to the housing, a carriage mounted on the drive unit for rotation relative to the housing, and a basket mounted for rotation relative to the carriage. The basket receives material to be mixed. The carriage includes an arm and a drive line coupled to the arm. The arm is mounted on the drive unit for rotation about a first axis relative to the housing, and the drive line converts rotation of the arm into rotation of the basket about a second axis relative to the arm during use of the rotation mixer. The drive line illustratively includes a belt and plurality of pulleys upon which the belt travels in a continuous loop, the belt engaging with a gear on the basket to cause rotation of the basket.