Systems and devices for mixing substances and methods of making same
A mixing apparatus including a kinetic energy source, a mixing tank, a pivot guide, and transfer shaft is used to drive a mixing paddle through a circular path within a tank without substantial shaft rotation. Sleeved and sleeveless mixing paddles are provided in combination with sealable mixing tanks. A volumetric compensation system responsive to tank wall deflection is used to maintain the internal volume of a mixing tank within predetermined limits. One mixing apparatus includes multiple mixing shafts and paddles coupled to at least one kinetic energy source. Methods for fabricating sleeved paddle-containing mixing apparatuses are further provided.
1. A mixing apparatus comprising:
a hollow mixing tank having at least one interior wall bounding an internal volume;
a first rod insertion element disposed along a surface of the mixing tank; and
a first sleeveless mixing paddle adapted to engage a first support rod extending through the first rod insertion element and mechanically coupleable to receive kinetic energy from at least one kinetic energy source, the first mixing paddle having at least one widened paddle portion that is wider than a nominal diameter or cross-sectional width of the first support rod;
wherein the first rod insertion element inhibits continuous rotation of the first support rod about a longitudinal axis thereof and serves to isolate the internal volume from a surrounding environment;
wherein the first rod insertion element comprises a first reinforcing flange affixed to the first support rod, and comprises a first non-rotating sealed joint between the first reinforcing flange and the at least one interior wall; and
wherein the mixing apparatus is adapted for coupling with a gas source, and the mixing apparatus further comprises a filter medium arranged to eliminate biological contaminants from gas supplied to the internal volume from the gas source.
2. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first mixing paddle includes a first narrow paddle portion that is narrower than the at least one widened paddle portion of the first mixing paddle, and that extends from the at least one widened paddle portion of the first mixing paddle toward the first rod insertion element.
3. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mixing tank comprises a polymeric film.
4. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mixing tank defines at least one resealable access port.
5. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first reinforcing flange comprises a polymeric sheet.
6. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first non-rotating sealed joint comprises a welded joint.
7. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , adapted for movement of the first paddle within the internal volume through a defined path at a nonzero angle relative to an axis perpendicular to the first rod insertion element without continuous rotation of the first support rod.
8. The mixing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the defined path comprises a substantially circular path.
9. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a volumetric compensation system adapted to maintain the internal volume of the mixing tank within predetermined limits.
10. The mixing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first support rod is hollow.
11. A method utilizing a mixing apparatus according to claim 1 , the method comprising supplying at least two materials to the internal volume, and operating the kinetic energy source to move the mixing paddle within the internal volume to combine at least two materials to form a mixture.
12. A mixing apparatus comprising:
a mixing tank including at least one wall comprising a polymeric film and bounding an internal volume;
a mixing paddle within the internal volume and engaged to a support rod or shaft extending through the at least one wall; and
a mixing mechanism comprising a motor arranged to rotate an offset coupling, wherein the offset coupling is coupled to the support rod or shaft, and
wherein the motor and offset coupling are arranged to move the support rod or shaft with a pivotal motion to cause the mixing paddle to move within the internal volume.
13. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the polymeric film is substantially transparent.
14. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the mixing paddle is sleeveless and is arranged to directly contact any contents contained in the internal volume.
15. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the mixing tank defines at least one of a resealable access port and a drain port.
16. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a reinforcing flange affixed to the support rod or shaft and affixed to a wall of the mixing tank, and a non-rotating sealed joint between the reinforcing flange and the wall.
17. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the mixing tank comprises a mixing bag.
18. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the mechanism is arranged to cause the mixing paddle to move in an arcuate path within the internal volume without continuous rotation of the support rod or shaft about a longitudinal axis of the support rod or shaft.
19. A mixing apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the arcuate path is substantially circular.
20. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a support frame arranged to support the mixing tank and the mixing mechanism.
21. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the mixing paddle comprises at least one widened portion that is wider than a nominal diameter or width of the support rod or shaft.
22. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the support rod or shaft is hollow.
23. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a pivot guide arranged below the offset coupling, wherein the pivot guide is arranged to engage the support rod or shaft.
24. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , adapted for coupling with a gas source, the apparatus further comprising a filter medium arranged to eliminate biological contaminants from gas supplied to the internal volume from the gas source.
25. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a computer processor arranged to control operation of the mixing mechanism.
26. A method utilizing a mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , the method comprising supplying at least two materials to the internal volume, and operating the mixing mechanism to combine at least two materials to form a mixture.
27. A mixing apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a volumetric compensation system adapted to maintain the internal volume of the mixing tank within predetermined limits.
28. The mixing apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the volumetric compensation system is responsive to tank wall deflection.