Mixing apparatus having central and planetary mixing elements

1. A mixing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.;

b) a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well;

c) a planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear;

d) a central mixing element positioned substantially at a center of the mixing well; and

e) a wiping element adapted to concurrently engage an inner surface of the mixing well and the planetary mixing element

wherein the planetary mixing element revolves around the central mixing element.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to provide sufficient shear force to mix a mixture characterized by a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second is achieved within 90 seconds of an onset of mixing.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising:

f) a cover engageable by the mixing well and adapted for closure thereof.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the cover includes a locking ring.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is adapted for manual operation.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the wiping element is adapted to concurrently engage an inner surface of the mixing well and the planetary mixing element.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising:

e) a wiping element adapted to concurrently engage an inner surface of the mixing well, the planetary mixing element and the central mixing element.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the central mixing element rotates about its own axis.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element rotate in opposite directions.

11. A mixing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a) a mixing well characterized by an internal volume not exceeding 100 ml.;

b) a central mixing element deployed substantially at a center of the mixing well;

c) at least one planetary mixing element which revolves around the central mixing element;

wherein a first distance (d 1 ) between the central mixing element and the planetary mixing element is substantially equivalent to a second distance (d 2 ) between the planetary mixing element and an inner surface of the mixing well.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the planetary mixing element is adapted for manual operation.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the planetary mixing element and central mixing element are adapted to provide sufficient shear force to mix a mixture characterized by a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second.

14. A method of mixing components of a viscous mixture, the method comprising:

a) placing the components in a mixing well characterized by an inner volume of not more than 100 ml;

b) deploying a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well, at least one planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear, and a central mixing element in the mixing well; and

c) operating the drive mechanism to cause the planetary mixing element to both rotate about its own axis and revolve around the central mixing element in order to mix the components to form a mixture;

wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to provide sufficient shear force to mix a mixture characterized by a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second.

15. A method according to claim 14 , comprising:

d) engaging a wiping element to at least one of the mixing elements such that withdrawal of the mixing element from the mixing well causes the wiping element to wipe mixture from the mixing element.

16. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second is achieved within 90 seconds of an onset of mixing.

17. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the drive mechanism is a manual drive mechanism and the method comprises manually operating the drive mechanism.

18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to provide sufficient shear force to mix a mixture characterized by a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second.

19. A method of mixing components of a viscous mixture, the method comprising:

a) placing the components in a mixing well characterized by an inner volume of not more than 100 ml;

b) deploying a drive mechanism including a stationary circumferential gear on an inner surface of the mixing well, at least one planetary mixing element driven by a mixing element gear which engages the stationary circumferential gear, and a central mixing element in the mixing well; and

c) operating the drive mechanism to cause the planetary mixing element to both rotate about its own axis and revolve around the central mixing element in order to mix the components to form a mixture;

wherein the drive mechanism is a manual drive mechanism and the method comprises manually operating the drive mechanism.

20. A method according to claim 19 , comprising:

d) engaging a wiping element to at least one of the mixing elements such that withdrawal of the mixing element from the mixing well causes the wiping element to wipe mixture from the mixing element.

21. A method according to claim 19 , wherein the manual drive mechanism supplies a sufficient force to cause the planetary mixing element to move through a mixture characterized by a viscosity of at least 500 Pascal-second.

22. A method according to claim 21 , wherein the viscosity of at least 500 Pascal/second is achieved within 90 seconds of an onset of mixing.