MIXING APPARATUS, MIXING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MIXING SUBSTANCES IN CLOSED CONTAINERS

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a mixing apparatus, in particular for mixing substances in closed containers. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Mixing devices are known from the prior art in which, for example, ampoules can be arranged on a swiveling table which can be pivoted by means of a drive. The swiveling table comprises individual specific holders for ampoules with different diameters, or the swiveling table comprises a pattern of fingers that project from the tabletop and between which different ampoules can be arranged, with smaller ampoules rolling back and forth between the fingers when pivoting.

[0003] In another known mixing apparatus, a holder for ampoules is rotatably mounted on two sides, and the holder is pivotable by means of a drive mechanism. One ampoule can be inserted into each container receptacle of the holder.

[0004] With such mixing devices, there is a risk that the ampoules will be mixed up before or during insertion into the holder, or that they will be mixed up when being removed from the holder. Furthermore, inserting and removing the ampoules is time-consuming.

[0005] Document CN-A-107913626 discloses a mixing apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a mixing apparatus in which the risk of mix-ups is reduced and in which the insertion and removal of the containers containing substances to be mixed is facilitated.

[0007] This problem is solved by the mixing apparatus with the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the mixing apparatus, a mixing plant, and a method for operating a mixing apparatus or a mixing plant are defined by the features of further claims.

[0008] A mixing apparatus according to the invention comprises a drive unit with a drive and a shaft pivotable about a pivot axis, which is operatively connected to the drive, and a pivot mount arranged on the shaft, wherein the pivot axis is oriented essentially horizontally. The pivot mount includes a base on which receptacles are provided that extend away from the base and into which holders for containers can be inserted. With such a design, it is possible to insert the containers into the holder independently of the mixing apparatus, i.e., before inserting them into the mixing apparatus. Insertion can therefore be carried out quickly. In addition, there is no risk of mixing up the containers during insertion, since they can be arranged in a holder beforehand without time pressure.

[0009] The drive unit comprises a housing in which an electromechanical drive, with or without a gearbox, is arranged. The base can be designed as a plate or as a frame.

[0010] In one embodiment, the swivel mount can be pivoted around the pivot axis by any angle in both directions. This means, for example, that the swivel mount can be pivoted back and forth by any angle using the drive unit, or that the swivel mount can be rotated once or several times around the pivot axis in either direction. This allows for optimal mixing of all possible substances that may be contained in the containers. Powders or fluids, such as suspensions or emulsions, can therefore be mixed. For example, whole blood, i.e., blood plasma or blood serum with blood cells, can be mixed on its own or with additional substances. The substances to be mixed can be contained in test tubes or vials. Vials consist of glass or plastic containers that are sealed at the top with a lid that includes a septum.The septum consists of a soft plastic, such as PTFE or silicone, which can be pierced with a pipette needle or tip. For example, such a lid can be screwed onto the open-topped container using a threaded connection.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mixing apparatus includes a control unit with which the swivel angle, swivel speed, and swivel direction can be adjusted. Optimal mixing of the substances can be achieved by adjusting these values.

[0012] In one embodiment, the receptacles comprise first receptacles located near the shaft of the base and second receptacles located further away from the shaft. The holders can be inserted into the first receptacle with one end and into the second receptacle with the other. Thus, the position and orientation of each holder is clearly and reliably defined. Between one of the first receptacles and a second receptacle aligned with it in the direction of the pivot axis, further receptacles may be provided. These additional receptacles provide the holders with additional support or allow the insertion of shorter holders that do not extend over the entire length of the pivot receptacle.

[0013] According to the invention, the receptacles comprise projections that can extend into complementary recesses in the ends of the holders. For example, the projections are elements that extend directly from the base of the swivel receptacle. The projections can be pins, for example, pins with a circular cross-section. However, other cross-sections are also conceivable. The projections can also be T-nuts, for example, for T-slots or dovetail slots. Naturally, the receptacles can also include recesses into which complementary projections in the ends of the holders can extend, and which likewise form a pin-bore connection or a T-nut-groove connection.

[0014] In one embodiment, several receptacles are arranged side by side in a direction transverse to the pivot axis. This allows multiple identical or different holders to be inserted side by side into the pivot receptacle, enabling the contents of several containers to be mixed simultaneously. For example, the receptacles are arranged symmetrically with respect to the pivot axis.

[0015] In one embodiment, the mixing apparatus comprises first spacers that can be inserted into the receptacles and into which the container holders can be inserted, and second spacers that are arranged between the receptacles and on which the container holders can rest. The spacers increase the distance between the inserted holders and the base of the pivoting receptacle. This is advantageous when shorter containers are to be inserted into the holders and the upper end of the inserted containers should have essentially the same distance to the base as the longer containers. By varying the thickness of the spacers, it is possible to ensure that the upper ends of common containers are essentially aligned with one another when they are in the mixing apparatus.Different spacers can be arranged simultaneously on the swivel mount, allowing different vessels to be arranged in the mixing apparatus at the same time, with their upper ends essentially aligned.

[0016] In one embodiment, third receptacles are provided on the side of the receptacles on the swivel mount, with which a retaining element can be arranged fixedly or removable at least in the area between the receptacles, spaced apart from the base.

[0017] In one embodiment, the third receptacles are designed such that the retaining element can be detachably or slidably arranged within them. Accordingly, a releasable retaining element can be provided, or a sliding element can be provided with which the retaining element can be moved or pivoted in a plane.

[0018] In one embodiment, the mixing apparatus comprises a bearing unit opposite the drive unit with respect to the pivot mount, in which the pivot mount is pivotably mounted in alignment with the shaft. Due to the double-sided support of the pivot mount, the corresponding bearings and the pivot mount itself need to be dimensioned with less rigidity, thus requiring less space and reducing the mass that needs to be moved.

[0019] In one embodiment, the mixing apparatus comprises at least one holder for containers, which can be inserted into the receptacles.

[0020] In one embodiment, each holder comprises several container receptacles arranged along a longitudinal axis and formed between the two ends. The container receptacles can, for example, be countersunk holes with a circular cross-section. However, other cross-sections are also possible. Each container receptacle can include at least one lateral opening extending laterally outwards from the respective container receptacle transversely to the longitudinal axis. This at least one opening can be a slot or a window. Each container receptacle can also include two lateral openings arranged opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis, which together with the container receptacle form a passage in the holder. Each container receptacle can therefore be assigned one slot and one window, two slots, or two windows.

[0021] Each window of the holder can be equipped with a clamping tab that extends through the window into the respective container recess, thus securely clamping the inserted container in place. On the side of the holder that encompasses the windows, a tab plate can be arranged that covers all the clamping tabs.

[0022] In one embodiment, the mixing apparatus comprises at least one retention element which is arranged in the third receptacle.

[0023] In one embodiment, the retaining element comprises a perforated sheet, wherein the holes are arranged such that they are aligned with the container receptacles formed in the holder, wherein the inner dimensions of the holes are smaller than the inner dimensions of the container receptacles.

[0024] The aforementioned embodiments of the mixing apparatus can be used in any combination, provided they do not contradict each other.

[0025] A mixing system according to the invention comprises a machine stand on which a mixing apparatus according to the invention is arranged.

[0026] The mixing system can include a work surface which is arranged on the machine stand and wherein the mixing apparatus is arranged on the work surface.

[0027] In one embodiment, the mixing system includes a pipetting unit with which fluids can be added to or removed from containers located in the mixing apparatus.

[0028] In one embodiment, the pipetting unit comprises a transport unit on which pipette tips are arranged, and with which the pipette tips can be moved horizontally and / or vertically in an area above the machine stand or above the work surface.

[0029] In one embodiment, the mixing system includes a reading unit with which markings on the containers to be received by the mixing apparatus can be read. The markings can be selected from the group that includes 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes, RFID tags, and the like.

[0030] The aforementioned embodiments of the mixing system can be used in any combination, provided they do not contradict each other.

[0031] An inventive method for operating a mixing apparatus or a mixing plant comprises the following steps: Providing a mixing apparatus according to the invention; inserting a holder with containers arranged therein into the receptacles of the swivel mount; and swiveling the swivel mount about the pivot axis with the drive unit.

[0032] Insertion can be a sliding action, for example, if the swivel mount includes cylindrical pins and the holder has correspondingly complementary bores. Insertion can also be a sliding action, for example, if the swivel mount includes T-nuts and the holder has a correspondingly complementary groove.

[0033] In one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: Removing the retaining element before inserting the holder; and attaching the retaining element after inserting the holder.

[0034] For example, fasteners that secure the retaining element in the corresponding receptacles can be removed, allowing the retaining element to be lifted and placed elsewhere, independent of the mixing apparatus. Alternatively, the retaining element can be moved linearly away from the area above the swivel receptacle using a sliding mechanism. Another alternative is to pivot the retaining element away from the area above the swivel receptacle in a plane using a rotating mechanism. If the retaining element is fixed to the swivel receptacle, the holder must be inserted into the swivel receptacle beneath the retaining element, for example, along the swivel axis.

[0035] In one embodiment, the method comprises the step: The reading unit reads the markings of the containers arranged in a holder before or during insertion of the holder. If the markings are read during insertion, each container can be assigned a specific position in the holder and, consequently, in the swivel mount or mixing unit. If reading is to occur during insertion, the holder must be inserted into the swivel mount. If reading is performed before insertion, care must be taken to ensure that the holder is inserted correctly. To prevent incorrect insertion, the first and second receptacles of the swivel mount, and therefore the first and second ends of the holder, may have different designs.

[0036] In one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: Extracting fluids from the containers in the mixing apparatus after swiveling the swivel attachment; supplying fluids to the containers in the mixing apparatus before swiveling the swivel attachment.

[0037] For example, the contents of a mother tube, which may contain whole blood, can be mixed on its own or with additional substances. After mixing, a portion of the whole blood can be transferred from the mother tube to a daughter tube. The daughter tube may be empty or may contain a substance, such as a reagent. The contents of the daughter tube can then be mixed again. After mixing, the holder with the containers arranged within it can be removed from the mixing apparatus and transferred to an analyzer.

[0038] The aforementioned embodiments of the method can be used in any combination, provided they do not contradict each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted restrictively. They show Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mixing apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 the mixing apparatus of Figure 1 , without inserted holders and without a retaining element; Fig. 3 the mixing apparatus of Figure 2 with inserted holders into which containers are inserted; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a holder for containers that can be used in the mixing apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 5 a sketched perspective representation of a second embodiment of a mixing apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 6 a sketched perspective representation of a third embodiment of a mixing apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 7a sketched perspective view of a holder that can be inserted into the mixing apparatus of the second or third embodiment; Fig. 8 a sketched perspective view of a handling unit that can be inserted into the mixing apparatus of the second or third embodiment; and Fig. 9 a perspective view of a mixing plant with a mixing apparatus of Figure 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mixing apparatus according to the invention. The mixing apparatus comprises a drive unit 1 with a drive 10, which is operatively connected to a rotatable shaft 11 and can pivot or rotate the shaft about a pivot axis A. The pivot axis A is essentially horizontally oriented. A pivot mount 2 is operatively connected to the shaft 11 and can thus be pivoted about the pivot axis A by the drive 10. The pivot mount comprises a base plate 20, which includes first receptacles 21 in a region near the shaft and second receptacles 22 in a region farther from the shaft. A holder 3 can be removably arranged in each of the first receptacles 21 and in a second receptacle 22, which is aligned with the first receptacle in the direction of the pivot axis. Containers 7 can be held in the holder 3. The holder includes lateral slots 320 through which markings on the containers 7 are visible.The mixing apparatus comprises a bearing unit 5, which is arranged on the side of the pivot mount 2 opposite the drive unit 1. The pivot mount 2 is pivotally mounted in the bearing unit 5 about the pivot axis A. The bearing unit 5 is connected to and aligned with the drive unit 1 via a connecting plate 6. A retaining element 4 is removably arranged in third receptacles 25 above the holders 3 and the containers 7 held therein. The distance of the retaining element 4 to the holders 3 is dimensioned such that the surface of the retaining element 4 facing the holders 3 rests substantially against the free ends of the containers 7 held in the holders 3 or has a distance of a few millimeters, for example, 1 to 5 millimeters.Also shown is a pipetting unit 81 with a transport unit 810 and pipette tips 811, wherein the transport unit 810 has aligned the pipette tips 811 with the containers 7 and lowered the pipette tips 811 so that they protrude into the interior of the containers 7.

[0041] The Figure 2 shows the mixing apparatus of Figure 1, without inserted holders and without a retaining element. In the illustrated embodiment, the first receptacles 21 and the second receptacles 22 comprise a low area and a raised area, the low area having a smaller distance to the base plate 20 and the raised area having a larger distance to the base plate 20. Instead of the raised areas, first spacers 23 can be provided, which are placed on the low areas and increase the distance to the base plate 20. The first and second receptacles 21, 22, as well as the first spacers 23, comprise projections 210, 220 in the form of cylindrical pins. Second spacers 24 are provided on the base plate 20, which are arranged substantially uniformly between the first receptacles 21 and the second receptacles 22 of the raised areas.On the side of the swivel unit 2 facing the drive unit 1 and on the side of the swivel unit 2 facing away from the drive unit 1, a third receptacle 25 in the form of a cylindrical pin is arranged. In the raised area of ​​the receptacles, i.e., in the area of ​​the receptacles with the first spacers 23, the distance of the receptacles 3 to the base plate 20 is greater by the thickness of the third spacers 23 than in the remaining area.

[0042] The Figure 3 shows the mixing apparatus of Figure 2 with inserted holders 3 into which containers 7, 70 are inserted. The longer containers 7 are arranged with their holders 3 in the receptacles without first spacers 23, and the shorter containers 70 are arranged with identical holders 3 in the spacers 23. The first spacers 23 are aligned with the shorter containers 7 and the longer containers 70 such that the top surfaces of all containers 7, 70 are aligned with each other.

[0043] The Figure 4Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a holder 3 for containers 7 that can be used in the mixing apparatus according to the invention. The holder 3 extends essentially along a longitudinal axis L and comprises a first end 30 and a second end 31 opposite it, by means of which each holder 3 can be inserted into the first and second receptacles 21, 22 of the pivot mount 2, respectively. The two ends 30, 31 are designed as tabs that extend laterally outwards along the longitudinal axis L from the upper surface of the holder 3. The two ends 30, 31 each comprise a recess 300, 310 in the form of a through-hole with a circular cross-section. The cross-section of the bores 300, 310 is matched to the cross-section of the complementary pins 210, 220 such that the holders 3 can be inserted into and removed from the pivot mount 2 with minimal effort.Along the longitudinal axis L, container receptacles 32 in the holder 3 are formed in the form of cylindrical bores, which extend downwards from the upper side of the holder 3 over a portion of its height. Each container receptacle 32 includes a slot 320 and a window 321, both of which extend laterally outwards from the container receptacle 32, transversely to the longitudinal axis L, with the window 321 being located on the side of the container receptacle 32 opposite the slot. On the side of the holder 3 containing the windows 321, a tab plate 323 is arranged, which includes clamping tabs 322 that each project through a window 321 into the interior of the container receptacle. The clamping tabs 322 allow the containers 7 held in the holder 3 to be clamped laterally in the container receptacles 32, preventing them from falling out of the holder when it is turned upside down.

[0044] The Figure 5Figure 1 shows a sketched perspective view of a second embodiment of a mixing apparatus according to the invention. In this embodiment, the connecting plate 6 includes a recess 60 between the drive unit 1 and the bearing unit 5. The pivot mount 2 is arranged and mounted between the drive unit 1 and the bearing unit 5 such that the surface of the base plate 20 is substantially aligned with the surface of the connecting plate 6. The pivot mount 2 is freely pivotable within the recess 60 in the connecting plate 6 with the drive unit 1. The connecting plate is arranged directly on a machine stand 8. The projections 210, 220 of the first and second receptacles 21, 22 of the pivot mount 2 are designed as T-nuts extending away from the base plate 20.The T-nuts are aligned with each other with respect to the pivot axis A and are arranged side by side in rows transverse to the pivot axis A. Third receptacles 25 are arranged on the base plate 20, with which the retaining element 4 is fixedly connected to the base plate 20. The retaining element 4 in turn includes holes. In this illustration, a reading unit 82 is arranged on the connecting plate 6, on the side of the bearing unit 5, and the bearing unit includes a recess 50, which allows the reading unit 82 to detect and read markings on both sides of the bearing unit 5. With such an arrangement, the containers 7 can be inserted into the holder 3 at any position. However, care must be taken to ensure that the markings on the containers 7 are oriented in such a way that they can be read by the reading unit 82 when the holder 3 is inserted or pushed into the pivot receptacle 2.Thus, each container can be identified, and the position of each container 7 in the holder 3 can be determined. Partially shown is a pipetting unit 81 with a transport unit 810 and pipette tips 811, wherein the pipette tips 811 can be moved in the space at least above the mixing apparatus by means of the transport unit 810. This arrangement allows fluids to be added to or removed from the containers 7 held in the mixing apparatus. Accordingly, fluids can also be pipetted before or after mixing in the mixing apparatus.

[0045] The Figure 6 Figure 1 shows a sketched perspective view of a third embodiment of a mixing apparatus according to the invention. In contrast to the mixing apparatus of the Figure 5In this embodiment, no bearing unit 5 is included. Accordingly, no connecting plate 6 is required. The drive unit 1 and the reading unit 82 are arranged on a work surface 80, which is located on the machine stand 8. Receptacles 800 are provided on the work surface 80; in this embodiment, these are identical to the projections 210, 220, and the drive unit 1 and the reading unit 82 are arranged, aligned, and detachably fastened to the work surface 80 by means of these receptacles. The pivot mount 2 is supported only on the side of the shaft 11, i.e., on the side of the drive unit 1. The side of the pivot mount 2 opposite the drive unit 2 is free-floating. With this arrangement, the holders 3 with the containers 7 they hold can be inserted into the pivot mount 2 without hindrance and at any position.The detection of container 7 and its position in holder 3 can again take place during insertion, which significantly increases process reliability.

[0046] The Figure 7 Figure 1 shows a sketched perspective view of a holder 3 that can be inserted into the mixing apparatus of the second or third embodiment. The holder 3 essentially corresponds to that of the Figure 4The holder 3 extends along the longitudinal axis L, has container receptacles 32 which include a slot 320 and a window 321, and has clamping tabs 322 which are integrally formed with the tab plate 323 and which project through the windows 321 into the interior of the container receptacles 32. Additionally, the holder 3 includes a groove 33, which is located on the underside of the holder 3, i.e., on the side of the holder 3 opposite the container receptacles 32. A T-slot is shown. Alternatively, a dovetail groove or another retaining groove can be provided. The groove 33 extends along the longitudinal axis L, at least over the area of ​​the holder 3 that includes the container receptacles 32. The groove 33 is open at the first end 30 of the holder 3, so that the projections 210, 220 can be easily inserted into the groove 33.On the second side 31 of the holder 3, a handle 34 is arranged, with which the holder 3 can be easily gripped by hand. A recess 340 is provided in the handle 34, which enables the reading unit 82 to detect that the holder 3 is fully inserted into the swivel mount 2.

[0047] The Figure 8 shows a sketched perspective view of a handling unit that can be inserted into the mixing apparatus of the second or third embodiment. 9. The handling unit 9 is designed such that it holds a holder 3 according to the Figure 4can accommodate. Accordingly, first and second receptacles 92, 93 are provided, which are designed to be complementary to the first and second ends 30, 31 of the holders 3. The receptacles 92, 93 of the handling unit 9 are connected by a plate 90, which extends along the longitudinal axis L. A groove 91 is provided on the underside of the plate 90, i.e., on the side of the plate opposite the receptacles 92, 93. The groove 91 is designed as a T-slot or the like and extends at least over the area of ​​the plate 90 that lies between the two receptacles 92, 93. On the side of the first receptacle 92, the groove 91 is open to the outside. On the side of the second receptacle 93, a handle 94 with a recess 940 is provided. Spacers can be inserted into the handling unit 9, similar to those associated with the Figure 2described spacers. Alternatively, handling units 9 with differently designed plates 90, or receptacles 92,93, can be provided.

[0048] The Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a mixing plant with a mixing apparatus of Figure 1The mixing unit comprises a pivoted mixing unit and a non-pivoting mixing unit. Both units are arranged on the work surface 80 by means of receiving elements 800, which are mounted on the machine stand 8. The mixing unit further includes the pipetting unit 81 with the transport unit 810 and the pipette tips 811. The transport unit 810 can move the pipette tips 811 above the work surface 80 in a first horizontal direction X, in a second horizontal direction Y, and in a vertical direction Z. A reading unit 82 is arranged next to the mixing units on the work surface 80. The reading unit 82 is also aligned and secured to the work surface 80 by means of the receiving elements 800. Handling units 9 with handles 94 can be slid over the receiving elements 800 in front of the reading unit 82 to detect the markings on the containers 7 arranged in holders 3. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 drive unit 33 Nut 10 drive 34 Handle 11 shaft 340 Exclusion 2 Pan shot 4 Retaining element 20 Base plate 5 Storage unit 21 first recording 50 Exclusion 210 Survey 6 Connection plate 22 second recording 60 Exclusion 220 Survey 7 container 23 first spacers 70 container 24 second spacers 8 machine stand 25 third recording 80 work surface 3 holder 800 Recording elements 30 first end 81 Pipetting unit 300 Exclusion 810 Transport unit 31 second ending 811 Pipette tip 310 Exclusion 82 Reading unit 32 Container receptacle 9 Handling unit 320 slot 90 plate 321 Window 91 Nut 322 Clamping tab 92 first recording 323 Tab plate 93 second recording 94 Handle A Swivel axis 940 Exclusion L Longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A mixing apparatus comprising: a drive unit (1) having a drive (10) and having a shaft (11) which is pivotable about a substantially horizontally aligned pivot axis (A) and which is operatively connected to the drive (10), a pivotable receptacle (2) which is arranged on the shaft (11), a retainer (4), wherein the pivotable receptacle (2) comprises a base (20) on which first and second receptacles (21, 22) are provided which extend away from the base (20) and into which holders (3) for containers (7) with container receptacles (32) can be inserted, wherein third receptacles (25) are provided on the pivotable receptacle (2) on the side of the first and second receptacles (21, 22), with which third receptacles the retainer (4) is arranged fixedly or removably at least in the region between the receptacles (21, 22) at a distance from the base (20), wherein the retainer (4) comprises a perforated plate and the holes are arranged such that they are aligned flush with the container receptacles (32) of an inserted holder (3), wherein the inner dimensions of the holes are smaller than the inner dimensions of the container receptacles (32), characterized in that the first and second receptacles (21, 22) comprise elevations (210, 220) which can project into recesses (300, 310), which are complementary thereto, of the ends (30, 31) of the holders (3).

2. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivotable receptacle (2) is pivotable about the pivot axis (A) about any desired angle in both directions.

3. The mixing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a control unit with which the pivoting angle, the pivoting speed and the pivoting direction are adjustable.

4. The mixing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first receptacles (21) are arranged in a region of the base (20) close to the shaft and wherein the second receptacles (22) are arranged in a region of the base (20) remote from the shaft and wherein the holders (3) can be inserted with their first end (30) into the first receptacle (21) and wherein the holders (3) can be inserted with their second end (31) into the second receptacle (22).

5. The mixing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of first and second receptacles (21, 22) are arranged next to one another in a direction transverse to the pivot axis (A).

6. The mixing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, comprising first spacers (23) which can be inserted into the first and second receptacles (21, 22) and into which the holders (3) for the containers (7) can be inserted, and second spacers (24) which are arranged between the first and second receptacles (21, 22) and on which the holders (3) for the containers (7) can rest.

7. The mixing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the third receptacles (25) are configured such that the retainer (4) can be arranged removably or displaceably therein.

8. The mixing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a bearing unit (5) which is opposite the drive unit (1) with respect to the pivotable receptacle (2) and in which the pivotable receptacle (2) is pivotably mounted in alignment with the shaft (11).

9. The mixing apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one holder (3) for containers (7) which is inserted into the first and second receptacles (21, 22).

10. The mixing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each holder (3) comprises a plurality of container receptacles (32) which are arranged along a longitudinal axis (L) and which are formed between its two ends (30, 31).

11. A mixing plant comprising: a machine stand (8) on which a mixing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10 is arranged.

12. The mixing plant according to claim 11, comprising a pipetting unit (81) with which fluids can be supplied to or removed from containers (7) located in the mixing apparatus.

13. The mixing plant according to claim 12, wherein the pipetting unit (81) comprises a transport unit (810) on which pipette tips (811) are arranged and with which the pipette tips (811) are movable in the horizontal and / or in the vertical in a region above the machine stand (8) or above the working surface (80).

14. The mixing plant according to claim 12 or 13, comprising a reading unit (82) with which markings of the containers (7) to be received by the mixing apparatus can be read.

15. A method for operating a mixing apparatus or a mixing plant, comprising the steps: - providing a mixing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 10; - inserting a holder (3) with containers (7) arranged therein into the first and second receptacles (21, 22) of the pivotable receptacle (2); and - pivoting the pivotable receptacle (2) about the pivot axis (A) with the drive unit (1).

16. The method according to claim 15, comprising the steps: - removing the retainer (4) before inserting the holder (3); and - attaching the retainer (4) after inserting the holder (3).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, comprising the step: - reading in markings of the containers (7) arranged in a holder (3) by means of the reading unit (82) before or during inserting the holder (3).

18. The method according to one of claims 15 to 17, comprising at least one of the steps: - removing fluids from the containers (7) located in the mixing apparatus after pivoting the pivotable receptacle (2); - supplying fluids into the containers (7) located in the mixing apparatus before pivoting the pivotable receptacle (2).