Abstract:
The present invention provides a continuous blender having a drive unit assembly with a shell assembly mounting assembly and a shell assembly structured to be removably coupled to the shell assembly mounting assembly by one or more clamps. The drive unit assembly may be coupled to shell assemblies having different lengths and diameters. Thus, by changing the shell assembly coupled to the drive unit assembly, the output of the continuous blender may be dramatically changed.
Abstract:
A tumbler (14) is mounted for rotation around a trunnion (30) with a screen (20) fixedly mounted to a portion of the trunnion (30) residing within the tumbler (14). A multiple blade paddle (24) is mounted to a shaft (26) that is rotatably supported through the trunnion (30). The paddle (24) blades are formed with angular edges. As the tumbler (14) rotates and the paddle (24) rotates, powder (P) is repeatedly dropped onto the screen (20) to be sifted with the aid of the paddle (24). Rotating the tumbler (14) further drops unsifted portions of the powder (P) out of the screen (20) to mix with additional powder (P) in the tumbler (14) body. Thus, sifting and blending of powders is accomplished in one single operation.
Abstract:
Mixing of components, e.g. pharmaceutical actives and excipients, is carried out while monitoring the spectroscopic profile of the mixture during the mixing process so that the spectroscopic profile may be used to determine the point at which mixing is terminated. In one embodiment of the invention, the spectroscopic data is collected by means of a monitoring unit mounted on the mixing vessel. the mixing vessel being mounted and driven so as to rotate or oscillate mounted and thereby effect mixing of its contents and the monitoring unit being mounted for rotation or oscillation with the vessel. When the spectroscopic data indicates that mixing has progressed to a desired state, e.g. the production of a homogeneous blend, the monitoring unit transmits a signal to the drive source to terminate rotation or oscillation of the vessel.
Abstract:
A batch or continuous mixer for mixing powders, immiscible liquids, or a powder with a liquid includes one or more vibrational energy applicators which propagate vibrational energy into the mixture, causing powders to flow like liquids and breaking up liquid droplets and powder clumps. In embodiments, the vibration frequency and amplitude are selected according to properties of the mixture components. Vibrations can be propagated through container walls, impellers, or other structures within the mixing container. Vibrated structures can be flexibly supported for enhanced propagation of the vibrations. Vibrational energy can be uniform throughout the container, or focused in a desired region. Ultrasonic energy can be simultaneously applied with acoustic energy.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a continuous blender having a drive unit assembly with a shell assembly mounting assembly and a shell assembly structured to be removably coupled to the shell assembly mounting assembly by one or more clamps. The drive unit assembly may be coupled to shell assemblies having different lengths and diameters. Thus, by changing the shell assembly coupled to the drive unit assembly, the output of the continuous blender may be dramatically changed.
Abstract:
A tumbler (14) is mounted for rotation around a trunnion (30) with a screen (20) fixedly mounted to a portion of the trunnion (30) residing within the tumbler (14). A multiple blade paddle (24) is mounted to a shaft (26) that is rotatably supported through the trunnion (30). The paddle (24) blades are formed with angular edges. As the tumbler (14) rotates and the paddle (24) rotates, powder (P) is repeatedly dropped onto the screen (20) to be sifted with the aid of the paddle (24). Rotating the tumbler (14) further drops unsifted portions of the powder (P) out of the screen (20) to mix with additional powder (P) in the tumbler (14) body. Thus, sifting and blending of powders is accomplished in one single operation.
Abstract:
A blending apparatus comprises a. blender including a container having a wall, the wall including a window. The container rotates about an axis of rotation. A wireless spectrometer is mounted to the container and operates through the window, in a direction that does not intersect the axis of rotation, for obtaining a set of spectroscopic data regarding the product during an operation of the blender. In addition, a method for assaying a blended product in a blender includes mounting a wireless spectrometer to the container, rotating the container about its axis of rotation so as to blend the product; operating the wireless spectrometer through a window in the container, in a direction that does not intersect the axis of rotation, to obtain spectroscopic data regarding the product during the blending, and determining a homogeneity of the product from the spectroscopic data.
Abstract:
A study was done to compare the performance of a conventional V-blender to a V-blender that incorporates perturbations of the particle flow by rocking the mixing vessel during its normal rotation. Mixing was investigated using glass beads with sizes from 66 mu to 600 mu in vessels of approximately one liter volume. Mixture uniformity was assessed qualitatively, using two different methods. One method involved a transparent mixing vessel where it was possible to see particle flow patterns and assess the state of the mixture at its surface during the entire experiment. The second method involved disposable aluminum mixing vessels, where the mixture was solidified by infiltrating the mixture with a binder. By slicing the solidified structure, it was possible to assess the entire state of the mixture including its interior structure after the completion of each experiment. Mixture uniformity was also assessed quantitatively using image analysis of the slices. For both particles sizes, the extent of mixing was greatly enhanced using the rocking V-blender compared to the conventional V-blender.