System for cooling one or more materials during mixing or grinding, and method of use thereof

Abstract

A holder adapted to receive a liquid for cooling one or more materials during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials by a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer; it has a housing comprising a top, a base opposite the top and a body defining a receptacle adapted to receive the one or more materials for mixing or grinding; a chamber adapted to receive a liquid, the chamber surrounding at least in part and in proximity to the receptacle to enable cooling of the one or more materials by the liquid through vaporization of the liquid; and one or more vents located on the housing that enable vaporized liquid to escape the chamber; a method of use thereof.

Description

SYSTEM FOR COOLING ONE OR MORE MATERIALS DURING MIXING OR GRINDING, AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63 / 612,050, filed on December 19, 2023, incorporated herein by reference.Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to mixing and / or grinding one or more materials, and more particularly to centrifugal mixers for mixing and / or grinding one or more materials.Background

[0003] Dual asymmetric centrifugal mixers have been used for mixing one or more materials in any physical form, such as, powders, pastes, creams, liquids, gels, such that the sample following mixing is homogeneous. An exemplary dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer is the FLACKTEK SPEEDMIXER® device. These mixers can also be adapted for grinding when grinding media is added to the container with the one or more materials. The centrifugal force applied to the container by the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer causes mixing and or comminution between the grinding media and the one or more materials when grinding media is present in the container.

[0004] For certain applications, the one or more materials would benefit from cooling during the mixing and / or grinding process.Summary

[0005] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for cooling one or more materials during mixing and / or grinding using a mixer, such as a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. The cooling is performed using a liquid which is vaporized during the mixing and / or grinding, the vaporization caused by lowering a system pressure (e.g. through use of a vacuum pump) of a chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer having received the one or more materials. As the liquid is vaporized, heat is extracted from the one or more materials due to the endothermic nature of vaporization.

[0006] The present disclosure further relates to a holder that is adapted to receive the one or more materials to be mixed and / or ground (e.g. in some instances, in a container receiving the one or more materials, the container placed in the holder) and the liquid that cools the one or more materials through vaporization of the liquid.

[0007] A broad aspect is a holder adapted to receive a liquid for cooling one or more materialsduring mixing or grinding of the one or more materials by a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. The holder includes a housing comprising a top, a base opposite the top and a body defining a receptacle adapted to receive the one or more materials for mixing or grinding; a chamber adapted to receive a liquid, the chamber surrounding at least in part and in proximity to the receptacle to enable cooling of the one or more materials by the liquid through vaporization of the liquid; and one or more vents located on the housing that enable vaporized liquid to escape the chamber.

[0008] In some embodiments, the receptacle may be adapted to receive a container that contains the one or more materials, the receptacle thereby containing the one or more materials.

[0009] In some embodiments, the chamber may be located between an inner wall of the housing and an outer wall of the housing.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inner wall may be composed of a conductive material.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inner wall may include cavities for enabling the liquid to contact the container when the container is added to the receptacle and the liquid is present in the chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, each of the one or more vents may be formed as an opening located in a flexible diaphragm.

[0013] In some embodiments, the holder may include one or more protrusions for each of the one or more vents, wherein for each vent of the one or more vents: the vent is found on one of the one or more protrusions, each of the one or more protrusions comprising a channel that is continuous with the chamber such that a passage exists from the chamber to the vent to allow the vaporized liquid to escape the chamber through the channel and out from the vent.

[0014] In some embodiments, the holder may include a lid that is located at or joinable to the top of the housing.

[0015] In some embodiments, the lid may be joinable to the top through a screw-top mechanism.

[0016] In some embodiments, the lid may be joinable to the top by achieving a snug fit with the body.

[0017] In some embodiments, the one or more vents may be located at the top of the housing.

[0018] In some embodiments, the one or more vents may be located closer to a center axis of the housing than to the perimeter of the housing.

[0019] In some embodiments, the holder may include markings to guide a user in adding avolume of the liquid to the holder.

[0020] In some embodiments, the holder may include the liquid.

[0021] In some embodiments, the holder may include a temperature sensor for taking temperature readings related to a temperature of the one or more materials.

[0022] Another broad aspect is a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer comprising or adapted to connect to a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum within a space of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer that receives the one or more materials to be at least one of mixed and ground and the holder as defined herein; and the holder.

[0023] In some embodiments, the kit may include the vacuum pump.

[0024] Another broad aspect is a method of cooling one or more materials during mixing or grinding using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. The method includes, during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials using the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, cooling the one or more materials by vaporizing a liquid through use of a vacuum to reduce system pressure, the one or more materials exchanging heat with the liquid, the vaporization drawing out heat from the one or more materials.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method may include venting the vaporized liquid from the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer.

[0026] In some embodiments, the method may include condensing the vaporized and vented liquid to recover the vaporized liquid using a cold trap.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cold trap may include a Peltier element.

[0028] In some embodiments, the one or more materials may be located in a container placed in a holder containing the liquid.

[0029] In some embodiments, the liquid may be located in a chamber surrounding at least in part the container.

[0030] In some embodiments, the liquid may be an alcohol.

[0031] In some embodiments, the liquid may be water.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cooling may be controlled by periodically adjusting the system pressure, wherein the adjusting may be performed as a function of a comparison between a temperature of the one or more materials and a target temperature for the one or more materials.

[0033] In some embodiments, the method may include displaying the temperature of the one or more materials to a user.

[0034] Another broad aspect is one or more mixed or ground materials that have been cooled during mixing or grinding by performing the method as defined herein.

[0035] Another broad aspect is a system for a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer for modulating cooling of one or more materials during mixing or grinding by the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. The system includes a processor; memory comprising program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive input regarding a target temperature during the mixing or grinding; and periodically receive temperature data from a temperature sensor adapted to take temperature readings related to the one or more materials; compare the received temperature data to the target temperature to determine a temperature difference between a temperature of the one or more materials and the target temperature; and generate commands to adjust a vacuum to cause a change in system pressure within a chamber of the dual asymmetric mixer containing the one or more materials in accordance with the temperature difference, wherein increasing the system pressure reduces the cooling and decreasing the system pressure increases the cooling.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system may include the temperature sensor.

[0037] Another broad aspect is a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer comprising the system as defined herein.

[0038] In some embodiments, the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer may include a user input interface, wherein the input regarding the target temperature is set by a user using the user input interface.

[0039] In some embodiments, the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer may include a vacuum pump for creating the vacuum.

[0040] In some embodiments, the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer may include the holder as defined herein adapted to fit into a basket of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer.

[0041] Another broad aspect is a method of controlling temperature of one or more materials during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. The method includes repeating: receiving input regarding a target temperature during the mixing or grinding; receiving temperature data from a temperature sensor adapted to take temperature readings of the one or more materials; comparing the received temperature data to the target temperature to determine a temperature difference between a temperature of the one or more materials and the target temperature; and generating commands to adjust a vacuum to cause achange in system pressure within a chamber of the dual asymmetric mixer containing the one or more materials in accordance with the temperature difference, wherein increasing the system pressure reduces the cooling and decreasing the system pressure increases the cooling.

[0042] Another broad aspect is non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions for controlling temperature of one or more materials during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, the program instructions executable by a processing unit for repeating the following: receiving input regarding a target temperature during the mixing or grinding; receiving temperature data from a temperature sensor adapted to take temperature readings of the one or more materials; comparing the received temperature data to the target temperature to determine a temperature difference between a temperature of the one or more materials and the target temperature; and generating commands to adjust a vacuum to cause a change in system pressure within a chamber of the dual asymmetric mixer containing the one or more materials in accordance with the temperature difference, wherein increasing the system pressure reduces the cooling and decreasing the system pressure increases the cooling.

[0043] Another broad aspect is a cold trap comprising a tube defining an inlet and an outlet; and a Peltier element for performing thermoelectric cooling comprising a hot side and a cold side, the cold side of the Peltier element contacting the tube for cooling the tube and a gaseous compound travelling in the tube and for causing condensation of the compound into a liquid, thereby causing a gaseous compound that has entered the inlet of the tube to leave by the outlet of the tube as the liquid.

[0044] In some embodiments, the cold trap may include a heat sink contacting the hot side of the Peltier element.

[0045] In some embodiments, the heat sink may include a housing with two opposite open ends for enabling an air current to travel from one of the open ends to the other of the open ends, and a matrix of pores and of conductive material contained within the housing, the conductive material cooled by the air passing through the pores, the pores enabling the air to travel through the matrix.

[0046] In some embodiments, the cold trap may include a fan for creating the air current.

[0047] In some embodiments, the compound may be a liquid used for cooling one or more materials during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials using a dual asymmetriccentrifugal mixer, the cold trap joinable to an exhaust of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer to capture vaporized liquid leaving the exhaust, entering the tube in a gaseous form, and condensing into a liquid form.

[0048] In some embodiments, the cold trap may include a vessel for receiving the condensed liquid.

[0049] In some embodiments, the tube may include undulations, increasing a length of the tube that contacts the cold side of the Peltier element.

[0050] In some embodiments, the undulations may form straight portions that are interconnected by U-shaped end portions, resulting in the continuous tube, wherein at least a part of the parallel portions is contacting the cold side of the Peltier element.

[0051] In some embodiments, the straight portions may be parallel.

[0052] Another broad aspect is a kit including a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer adapted to connect to a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum within a space of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer that receives the one or more materials to be ground; and the cold trap as defined herein.

[0053] In some embodiments, the kit may include the vacuum pump.

[0054] In some embodiments, the kit may include the holder as defined herein.

[0055] In some embodiments, the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer may include the system as defined herein.

[0056] Another broad aspect is one or more mixed or ground materials while being cooled during mixing or grinding by performing the method as defined herein.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0057] The invention will be better understood by way of the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0058] Figure 1 is a drawing of an isometric view of an exemplary holder for receiving the cooling liquid and the one or more materials in accordance with the present teachings;

[0059] Figure 2 is a drawing of a side view of the exemplary holder of Figure 1;

[0060] Figure 3 is a drawing of an isometric view of another exemplary holder for receiving the cooling liquid and the one or more materials in accordance with the present teachings;

[0061] Figure 4 is a drawing of a side view of the exemplary holder of Figure 3;

[0062] Figure 5 is a drawing of an isometric view of the exemplary holder of Figure 3 with anexemplary container for receiving the one or more materials;

[0063] Figure 6 is a drawing of a cross-sectional view of the exemplary holder of Figure 3;

[0064] Figure 7 is a drawing of a side of the holder of Figure 4 for receiving the cooling liquid and the one or more materials in accordance with the present teachings;

[0065] Figure 8 is a drawing of an exemplary condensation tube of an exemplary cold trap in accordance with the present teachings;

[0066] Figure 9 is a drawing of an isometric view of an exemplary cold trap with an exemplary condensation tube and an exemplary Peltier element in accordance with the present teachings;

[0067] Figure 10 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for cooling one or more materials while the one or more materials are being mixed and / or ground in accordance with the present teachings;

[0068] Figure 11 is a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method for mixing and / or grinding one or more materials; and

[0069] Figure 12 is a flowchart diagram of an exemplary method for maintaining a target temperature during mixing and / or grinding of one or more materials.Detailed Description

[0070] The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for cooling one or more materials that are being mixed and / or ground using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, the cooling performed by vaporizing a liquid by using a vacuum source to reduce a system pressure within a chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer having received the one or more materials.

[0071] In order to accommodate the construction of the centrifugal mixer, the present disclosure describes a holder for the centrifugal mixer (e.g. dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer) which is adapted to fit in the basket of the centrifugal mixer, located in a chamber of the centrifugal mixer for receiving the one or more materials, and to receive both the liquid to be vaporized and the one or more materials to be mixed and / or ground.

[0072] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”

[0073] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0074] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and / or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0075] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the teachings. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosed embodiments.

[0076] DEFINITIONS:

[0077] In the present disclosure, by “container”, it is meant the vessel (e.g. jar) of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer that is designed to receive one or more materials to be mixed or ground by the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. The container may be added to a basket of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, either directly, or through use of an adapter designed to hold the container securely in the basket of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. The container is subject to a centrifugal force exerted by the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer.

[0078] In the present disclosure, by “dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer”, it is meant a machine that rotates an angled basket eccentrically around a central axis, while the container spins on its own axis. By “angled basket”, it is meant that the two planes of rotation are not parallel, but instead form an angle. The angled basket is located within a chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, the basket containing the one or more materials by receiving a container having received the one or more materials. Exemplary dual asymmetric centrifugal mixers include, but are not limited to, for instance, the FLACKTEK SPEEDMIXER® device, the THINKY™ mixer, the HAUSCHILD™ speed mixer, the MAZ™ mixer, etc.

[0079] In the present disclosure, by “grinding”, it is meant the action of reducing the size of one or more materials through comminution with grinding media when a centrifugal force is applied, optionally through the use of grinding media.

[0080] In the present disclosure, by “grinding media”, it is meant objects added to the container of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer to cause the grinding of the one or more materials throughcollisions between the units of grinding media, or grinding media and the shell of the container, where the granules of one or more materials are trapped between the colliding units of grinding media and / or the units of grinding media and the shell of the container, where the collision energy causes the granules to break up into smaller parts. The grinding media may be spherical, non- spherical (e.g. cylindrical, prismatic, etc.), etc.

[0081] In the present disclosure, the “liquid” may be a gel, or may be included in a gel.

[0082] In the present disclosure, by “mixing”, it is meant the action of combining one or more materials to form one substance or mass (may appear to be homogenous or heterogenous), the combining performed through the application of a centrifugal; force.

[0083] In the present disclosure, by “one or more materials”, it is meant the one or more materials that are added to the container of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer to be mixed or ground. These may be any range or combination of one or more materials that may solid, liquid, semi-solid, emulsions, etc. It will be understood that when the one or more materials are to be ground, the one or more materials will also undergo a degree of mixing while being subject to the centrifugal force.

[0084] In the present disclosure, by “system pressure”, it is meant the pressure within the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer that receives the one or more materials placed in the holder of the present teachings. The chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer may contain a basket for receiving the holder.

[0085] EXEMPLARY HOLDER FOR ENABLING A COOLING OF ONE OR MORE MATERIALS:

[0086] Reference is made to Figures 1-7, illustrating an exemplary holder 100 for enabling the cooling of one or more materials during mixing and / or grinding.

[0087] The holder 100 includes a housing 107 and one or more vents 105 located on the housing 107. The holder may include a lid 119.

[0088] The housing 107 has a base 110, a top 104 opposite the base 110, and a body 109 located between the top 104 and the base 110. The base 110 and the body 109 (and optionally the top 104) define a receptacle 101 for receiving one or more materials to be mixed and / or ground.

[0089] The housing 107 further defines a chamber 111 for receiving a liquid for cooling the one or more materials during mixing and / or grinding.

[0090] The one or more materials may be added directly into the receptacle 101, or be addedinto a container (e.g. container 200 as shown in Figure 2) that is in turn added into the receptacle 101.

[0091] The chamber 111 may be located between an inner wall 112 and an outer wall 113. The inner wall 112 may define the receptacle 101 for receiving the one or more materials. The inner wall 112 may include cavities 102 for permitting the liquid to contact a container 200 having received the one or more materials. The cavities 102 may form a grid or a basket of perforations, may be defined as the openings of a weave or basket configuration of the inner wall 112, may be of the same size, may be of different sizes, etc.

[0092] The housing 107 may have a cylindrical shape. The base 110 of the housing 107 may have a width or diameter that is greater than the width or diameter of the body 109.

[0093] In some instances, the top 104 of the housing 107 may have a diameter or width that is greater than the diameter or width of the body 109. The top 104 may be adapted to receive a lid.

[0094] In some instances, the housing 107 includes one or more markings 117 (located on an outer surface or inner surface of the housing 107) for providing an indication regarding a target volume of liquid for cooling to be added to the chamber 111.

[0095] In some instances, the housing 107, or one or more parts of the housing 107 (such as the inner wall 112) may be made from a conductive material to further permit heat transfer from the one or more materials to the liquid. In some instances, the container 200 may be composed of a conductive material.

[0096] In some instances, the top 104 may receive a lid 119, where the lid 119 may be removable from the top 104. The lid 119 may be joined to the top 104 using a screw-top mechanism, through a snug-fit achieved with the top 104, through a clamping mechanism, etc.

[0097] The one or more vents 105 are openings for permitting the vaporized liquid that cools the one or more materials to leave the housing 107. A channel of the vent 105 may connect the chamber 111 to an exit point (opening) of the vent 105, permitting gases to travel from the chamber 111 to the opening of the vent 105.

[0098] In some embodiments, the vent 105 includes a flexible diaphragm 114 at the opening of the vent 105.

[0099] In some embodiments, the holder 100 (e.g. the housing 107) may include one or more protrusions 115 (e.g. shaped as ears or exhaust shafts) defining the vent(s) 105. The one or more protrusions 115 may include a channel connecting the chamber 111 and an opening of the vent105 located in the protrusion 115.

[0100] Even though the examples provided at Figures 1-7 include two vents 105, it will be understood that the number of vents 105 (and protrusions 115) may vary (one, three, four, etc.) without departing from the present teachings.

[0101] In some instances, the one or more vents 105 are located closer to a central axis of the holder 100 running from the middle of the base 110 of the holder 100 to the top 104 of the holder 100 than to a perimeter of the top 104. In other embodiments, the one or more vents 105 are located farther from a central axis of the holder 100 running from the middle of the base 110 of the holder 100 to the top 104 of the holder 100 and closer to a perimeter of the top 104.

[0102] The protrusions 115 may be oriented on a top 104 of the housing 107 in such a way that the openings of the vents 105 are oriented towards a perimeter of the top 104 (the openings of the protrusions 115 facing away from each other).

[0103] In some instances, the protrusion 115 may be located on the lid 119.

[0104] In some instances, the chamber 111 may be continuous with the receptacle 101, where the cooling liquid may exchange between the chamber 111 and the receptacle 101. The cooling liquid may be at least part located in the receptacle 101 (i.e. when the one or more materials are provided in the container 200).

[0105] In some instances, the chamber 111 may be part of the receptacle 101 when a container 200 is used, the liquid first added to the receptacle 101, and when the container 200 is added to the receptacle 101, the space between the outer wall 113 of the chamber and the wall of the container 200 (acting as the inner wall 112) form the chamber 111 with a base of the receptacle 101.

[0106] In some instances, the chamber 111 may be located only at a base 110 of the housing 107. In some instances, the chamber 111 may be located between the outer wall 113 and the inner wall 112. In some instances, the chamber 111 may be present at or near a top 104 of the housing 107.

[0107] In some instances, the receptacle 101 may include one or more feet 106 at a base of the receptacle 101 for receiving the container 200. The one or more feet 106 create a separation between the base of the receptacle 101 and the base of the container 200, enabling the cooling liquid to pass under the container 200. In some instances, one or more feet 106 may be located around a perimeter of the base of the receptacle 101. In some instances, one or more feet 106 may be located around a center of the base of the receptacle 101. In some instances, the one or morefeet 106 may be or include an elevated ring located around a perimeter of the base of the receptacle 101. In some instances, the one or more feet 106 may extend onto a side of the receptacle 101, increasing a thickness of a wall of the receptacle 101 where the one or more feet 106 are located, as shown in Figure 6.

[0108] The liquid may have a low boiling point. Exemplary liquids include, water, alcohols (e.g. ethanol, isopropanol, methanol etc.), other solvents (acetone), etc.), or mixtures thereof, etc.

[0109] The holder 100 is adapted to be placed into a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer connected to a vacuum source. The one or more materials are added to the receptacle 101 of the holder 100 (either directly or via the container 200 that is added to the receptacle 101). Grinding media may also be added to the receptacle 101 for grinding. The dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer applies a centrifugal force to the holder 100 and to the one or more materials located therein. The one or more materials are mixed and / or ground. The temperature of the one or more materials is controlled during the mixing and / or grinding through the liquid coolant, by vaporizing part of the liquid using the vacuum pump by decreasing the system pressure within the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer occupied by the holder 100, or within the holder 100 itself. The vaporization of the liquid removes heat produced by the one or more materials, thereby cooling or maintaining a temperature of the one or more materials during the mixing and / or grinding.

[0110] EXEMPLARY COLD TRAP:

[0111] Reference is now made to Figures 8-9, illustrating an exemplary cold trap 800 for collecting and condensing vaporized liquid (e.g. the vaporized liquid used to cool one or more materials that have been mixed and / or ground using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer).

[0112] The cold trap 800 includes a tube 804 and a Peltier element 808 for contacting the tube 804.

[0113] The cold trap 800 may include a heat-transfer surface 801. The cold trap 800 may include a heat sink 805. The cold trap 800 may include a vessel 807 for receiving condensed liquid. When the cold trap 800 includes a heat sink 806, the cold trap 800 may include a source to generate an air current 806 (e.g. a fan) for cooling off the heat sink 806.

[0114] The Peltier element 808 includes a hot side and a cold side. The cold side of the Peltier element 808 contacts directly or indirectly the tube 804 (through a grid 801 to increase an area of effect of the Peltier element 808 across a surface of the tube 804). The Peltier element 808 includes a power source (not shown), such a battery, a wire for connecting to a wall-socket, a wire fortransmitting power, receiving power from the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, etc.

[0115] The tube 804 has an inlet 809 for received vaporized liquid from a source (from an outlet receiving the vaporized liquid evacuated from a chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer containing the holder 100 and the cooling liquid). The tube has an outlet 803 for collecting liquid that has condensed in the tube 804. The tube 804 may have an undular or “zig-zag” configuration. The undulations increase the length of the tube 804 that can contact the cold side of the Peltier element 808 or the heat-transfer surface 801.

[0116] In some instances, the undulations form straight portions that are interconnected by U- shaped portions. Parts of the straight portions are contacting the Peltier element 808 or the heattransfer surface 801 as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0117] In some instances, the straight portions of the tube 804 may be parallel. In some instances, some of the straight portions of the tube 804 may be parallel. In some instances, the straight portions of the tube 804 may be at an angle with respect to one another.

[0118] The inlet 809 may be connectable to a source of vaporized liquid evacuated from a chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer containing the holder 100 and the cooling liquid, or directly from the holder 100.

[0119] The heat-transfer surface 801 increases the surface area across which heat is removed from the tube 804 by the cold side of the Peltier element 808. The heat-transfer surface 801 is made from a conductive material and is contacting the tube 804 and the cold side of the Peltier element 808. The heat-transfer surface 801 may be a sheet or have a grid configuration as illustrated at Figure 8. The heat-transfer surface 801 may include perforations or have a honeycomb configuration.

[0120] The heat sink 805 contacts the hot side of the Peltier device 808. The heat sink 805 cools the hot side of the Peltier device 808 for improving cooling of the tube 804 by the Peltier device 808. The heat sink 805 may include a housing defining a top opening 806 and a bottom opening 807. The housing may contain a network or matrix of openings or pores defined within a conductive material. A source of air current 806 may generate air that passes from the bottom opening 807 of the housing, through the network or matrix of openings or pores defined within the conductive material, and out through the top opening 806. The air cools the conductive materials, and as a result lowers the temperature of the heat sink 805. The heat sink 805 receives further heat from the hot side of the Peltier element 808 to lower the temperature of the hot side of the Peltierelement 808.

[0121] The vessel 807 collects the condensed liquid leaving the outlet 803 of the tube 804. The vessel 807 may be, for instance, a bucket, a flask, an Erlenmeyer, etc. In some instances, a tube or channel may be present to recirculate the liquid captured in the vessel 807 back into the holder 100, permitting reusage of the collected cooling liquid.

[0122] The vaporized liquid enters the inlet 809 of the tube 804, travelling through the tube 804. As the vaporized liquid travels through the tube 804, the vaporized liquid is cooled by the Peltier element 808, the cold side of the Peltier element 808 directly or indirectly contacting the tube 804. As the vaporized liquid cools, the vaporized liquid condenses. The condensed liquid then exits the tube 804 at outlet 803, where the condensed liquid may be collected by the vessel 807. A vacuum is created in the tube 804 by connecting the tube 804 to a vacuum source (e.g. a vacuum pump) at port 802.

[0123] EXEMPLARY SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING A TEMPERATURE OF ONE OR MORE MATERIALS DURING MIXING AND / OR GRINDING:

[0124] Reference is now made to Figure 10, illustrating an exemplary system 1000 for maintaining a temperature of one or more materials during mixing and / or grinding using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer.

[0125] The system 1000 has at least one processor 1002, memory 1001 and at least one input / output interface 1006 for communication with the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer 1050 and / or an external computing device. The system includes a temperature sensor 1007 and a vacuum source 1003 (a vacuum pump). The system 1000 may include a user input interface 1005. The system 1000 may include a display 1004.

[0126] The processor 1002 may be a general-purpose programmable processor. In this example, the processor 1002 is shown as being unitary, but the processor 102 may also be multicore, or distributed (e.g. a multi-processor).

[0127] The computer readable memory 1001 stores program instructions and data used by the processor 1002. The computer readable memory 1001 may also store temperature readings, target temperature values, system pressure readings, etc. The memory 1001 may be non-transitory. The computer readable memory 1001, though shown as unitary for simplicity in the present example, may comprise multiple memory modules and / or caching. In particular, it may comprise several layers of memory such as a hard drive, external drive (e.g. SD card storage) or the like and a fasterand smaller RAM module. The RAM module may store data and / or program code currently being, recently being or soon to be processed by the processor 1002 as well as cache data and / or program code from a hard drive. A hard drive may store program code and be accessed to retrieve such code for execution by the processor 1002 and may be accessed by the processor 1002 to store and access data. The memory 1001 may have a recycling architecture for storing, for instance, temperature readings, system pressure readings, etc., where older data files are deleted when the memory 1001 is full or near being full, or after the older data files have been stored in memory 1001 for a certain time.

[0128] The I / O interface 1006 is in communication with the processor 1002. The I / O interface 1006 may include a network interface and may be a wired or wireless interface for establishing a remote connection with the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer 1050. For instance, the I / O interface 1006 may be an Ethernet port, a WAN port, a TCP port, a USD port, etc. In some instances, the I / O interface 1006 may also connect with an external computer for receiving, for instance, a target temperature from the external computer for purposes of mixing and / or grinding.

[0129] The processor 1002, the memory 1001 and the I / O interfaces 1003 may be linked via bus connections.

[0130] The user input interface 1005 is a device through which the user may provide input to the system 1000 (e.g. when performing a training session). A user input interface 1005 may be, or include, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a controller, a touchscreen (e.g. of display 1004), a microphone (for capturing speech or sounds from the user), an eye tracker, a motion detector, etc.

[0131] The display 1004 is a screen for sharing information to the user (e.g. current temperature of the one or more materials, a target temperature, a current system pressure, etc.) The display 1004 may be a screen for a computer, a touchscreen (where the display 1004 may also act as a user input interface 1005), etc.

[0132] The system 1000 may be, or may include (composed by processor 1002, memory 1001, etc.), a computer, such as a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a virtual- reality computer system, an extended-reality computer system, etc.

[0133] The temperature sensor 1007 generates readings of the temperature of the one or more materials, of the space within the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer 1050 having received the one or more materials, the holder 100, the container 200 and / or the cooling liquid. The temperature sensor 1007 is in communication with the processor 1002 (through a wired orwireless connection), transmitting the temperature readings to the processor 1002. In some instances, the temperature sensor may be located in the container 200, and / or in a lid of the container 200.

[0134] The vacuum pump creates a vacuum within the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer 1050 having received the one or more materials, thereby reducing the pressure of the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer 1050 having received the one or more materials. The vacuum pump 1003 is in communication with a module (e.g. pneumatic actuated valve(s), mechanically actuated valve(s), etc.), in communication with the processor 1002 (through a wired or wireless connection) for adjusting a vacuum created by the vacuum pump, the module receiving commands from the processor 1002 to adjust (increase, decrease, start generating a vacuum, stop generating a vacuum) the vacuum generated by the vacuum pump 1003.

[0135] A pressure sensor may be provided (not shown) for generating readings of the system pressure within the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer 1050 having received the one or more materials. The pressure sensor is in communication with the processor 1002 (through a wired or wireless connection), transmitting the pressure readings to the processor 1002.

[0136] The system 1000 receives a target temperature for the one or more materials during mixing and / or grinding (e.g. through the user input interface 1005 and / or through the I / O interface 1006). The processor 1002 may be configured to receive temperature readings from the temperature sensor 1007, compare the temperature values of the temperature readings with the target temperature, and cause an adjustment in the intensity of the vacuum generated by the vacuum pump 1003 (by communicating with the module that in turn adjusts the vacuum produced by the vacuum pump), for adjusting a system pressure within the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer 1050 having received the one or more materials. The adjustment of the system pressure may increase or decrease a quantity of the cooling liquid that is vaporized, where a greater vaporization of the cooling liquid results in a greater cooling of the one or more materials.

[0137] EXEMPLARY METHOD OF COOLING ONE OR MORE MATERIALS DURING MIXING AND / OR GRINDING:

[0138] Reference is now made to Figure 11, illustrating an exemplary method 1100 of cooling one or more materials during mixing and / or grinding of same using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. In some implementations, method 1100 may be carried out through use of exemplary system 1000. However, it will be understood that method 1100 may be carried out by any othersystem as described herein without departing from the present teachings.

[0139] The one or more materials are added to a receptacle of the holder, or to a container that is then added to the receptacle of the holder at step 1110. The holder contains a cooling liquid, or cooling liquid is added to the holder. The one or more materials are to be mixed and / or ground. Grinding media may also be added to the receptacle of the holder or to the container for grinding the one or more materials. The holder is positioned in a chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer within a basket for receiving a holder or container with the one or more materials to be mixed or ground.

[0140] A centrifugal force is applied by a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer to the one or more materials at step 1120, thereby causing the mixing and / or grinding to begin.

[0141] A vacuum is applied to the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer having received the one or more materials at step 1130, thereby lowering the system pressure of the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer having received the one or more materials. The lowering of the system pressure resulting from the vacuum causes the cooling liquid to vaporize at a rate as a function of the level of vacuum applied. The vaporized liquid is then vented from the chamber of the holder at step 1140 (through the vent(s) of the holder).

[0142] In some instances, the vaporized liquid, leaving the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer having received the one or more materials, may be condensed using a cold trap (e.g. cold trap 800) at step 1150. The vaporized liquid may be channeled to the cold trap. The cold trap causes the vaporized liquid to condense. The condensed liquid may then be captured, e.g., in a vessel, for reuse.

[0143] The system pressure of the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer having received the one or more materials may be adjusted at step 1160 by increasing or decreasing the intensity of the vacuum generated by the vacuum source. An increase in system pressure may slow down vaporization of the cooling liquid, and thereby reduce cooling of the one or more materials. A decrease in system pressure may increase vaporization of the cooling liquid, and thereby increase cooling of the one or more materials.

[0144] A determination to increase or decrease the vacuum may be performed from a set target temperature value for the one or more materials, and a measured temperature related to a temperature of the one or more materials.

[0145] The measured temperature of the one or more materials may be displayed at step 1170.The target temperature for the one or more materials may also be displayed.

[0146] The one or more materials, once mixed or ground, may be removed from the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer and from the receptacle of the holder at step 1180.

[0147] EXEMPLARY METHOD OF MAINTAINING TEMPERATURE OF ONE OR MORE MATERIALS DURING MIXING AND / OR GRINDING:

[0148] Reference is now made to Figure 12, illustrating an exemplary method 1200 of maintaining temperature of one or more materials during mixing and / or grinding using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer. In some implementations, method 1200 may be carried out through use of exemplary system 1000. However, it will be understood that method 1200 may be carried out by any other system as described herein without departing from the present teachings.

[0149] One or more materials are provided in a holder. A cooling liquid is provided for cooling the one or more materials. The holder is located in a chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer adapted to receive the one or more materials.

[0150] A target temperature to maintain during mixing and / or grinding is received at step 1210. In some instances, the target temperature may be received from a user input interface (where the target temperature is provided as input by a user). In some instances, the target temperature may be received from a remote computer. In some instances, the target temperature may be determined from, e.g., properties of the materials to be mixed and / ground, such as their composition, their viscosity, their melting point, etc.

[0151] In some instances, further target temperature values may be received during the course of mixing and / or grinding, where the target temperature may be adjusted (the previous target temperature value replaced by the newly-received target temperature value).

[0152] Temperature data, indicative of the temperature of the one or more materials, is received at step 1220. The temperature data may be generated by one or more sensors. The temperature data may be of the one or more materials, the holder, or of the receptacle of the chamber, receiving the one or more materials, indicative of the temperature of the one or more materials. The temperature data may be of the cooling liquid, indicative of the temperature of the one or more materials. The temperature readings may be displayed on a display for viewing by an operator. The temperature readings may be taken periodically.

[0153] A temperature difference between the target temperature value and the temperature value indicative of the temperature of the one of more materials may be determined at step 1240.The temperature difference may be determined by subtracting the target temperature value from the temperature value indicative of the temperature of the one of more materials, or vice versa.

[0154] A determination of if the target temperature is reached is performed at step 1240, by analyzing the temperature difference calculated at step 1230. For instance, if the temperature difference equals 0, or if the temperature difference falls within a temperature tolerance range (e.g. + / - 0.1% of the target temperature value), the determination may be that the target temperature has been reached by the one or more materials.

[0155] If the target temperature has been reached, a command to cause the vacuum source to maintain a vacuum intensity may be generated and transmitted to the vacuum source at step 1250, thereby causing the vacuum source to standby for further commands. In some instances, when a determination is made that the target temperature has been reached, the command may instead be to increase the pressure produced by the vacuum source (e.g. until temperature readings are received indicating that the one or more materials are heating up undesirably during the mixing and / or the grinding).

[0156] Even when a determination is made that the target temperature has been reached, temperature readings (temperature data) may continue to be received, in order to further monitor the temperature of the one or more materials, where steps 1220-1240 are repeated to adjust the vacuum intensity generated by the vacuum source, to avoid overheating, or overcooling, of the one or more materials, depending on the measured temperature difference between the target temperature value and the temperature value indicative of the temperature of the one of more materials.

[0157] Similarly, if a determination is made that the target temperature has not been reached, an adjustment of the system pressure of the chamber of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer having received the one or more materials may be made (by causing an adjustment in a vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum source). If the temperature values corresponding to the temperature readings are higher than the target temperature value, then a command may be issued to the vacuum source to cause an increase in the vacuum intensity for causing a decrease in the system pressure, thereby promoting vaporization of the cooling liquid. If the temperature values corresponding to the temperature readings are lower than the target temperature value, then a command may be issued to the vacuum source to cause a decrease in the vacuum intensity for causing an increase in the system pressure, thereby reducing vaporization of the cooling liquid.

[0158] In some embodiments, method 1200 may be performed with the assistance of a Proportional - Integral - Derivative (PID) controller.

[0159] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications may be resorted to as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and variations are to be considered within the purview and scope of the present invention.

[0160] Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawing. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above and below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings.

[0161] Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description, as well as in the experimental examples, may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A holder adapted to receive a liquid for cooling one or more materials during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials by a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, comprising: a housing comprising a top, a base opposite the top and a body defining: a receptacle adapted to receive the one or more materials for mixing or grinding; a chamber adapted to receive a liquid, the chamber surrounding at least in part and in proximity to the receptacle to enable cooling of the one or more materials by the liquid through vaporization of the liquid; and one or more vents located on the housing that enable vaporized liquid to escape the chamber.

2. The holder as defined in claim 1, wherein the receptacle is adapted to receive a container that contains the one or more materials, the receptacle thereby containing the one or more materials.

3. The holder as defined in claim 2, wherein the chamber is located between an inner wall of the housing and an outer wall of the housing.

4. The holder as defined in claim 3, wherein the inner wall is composed of a conductive material.

5. The holder as defined in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the inner wall comprises cavities for enabling the liquid to contact the container when the container is added to the receptacle and the liquid is present in the chamber.

6. The holder as defined in any one or claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the one or more vents are formed as an opening located in a flexible diaphragm.

7. The holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising one or more protrusions for each of the one or more vents, wherein for each vent of the one or more vents: the vent is found on one of the one or more protrusions, each of the one or more protrusions comprising a channel that is continuous with the chamber such that a passage exists from the chamber to the vent to allow the vaporized liquid to escape the chamber through the channel and out from the vent.

8. The holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a lid that is located at or joinable to the top of the housing.

9. The holder as defined in claim 8, wherein the lid is joinable to the top through a screw-topmechanism.

10. The holder as defined in claim 8, wherein the lid is joinable to the top by achieving a snug fit with the body.

11. The holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more vents are located at the top of the housing.

12. The holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the one or more vents are located closer to a center axis of the housing than to the perimeter of the housing.

13. The holder as defined in any one or claims 1 to 12, further comprising markings to guide a user in adding a volume of the liquid to the holder.

14. The holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising the liquid.

15. The holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a temperature sensor for taking temperature readings related to a temperature of the one or more materials.

16. A kit compri sing : a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer comprising or adapted to connect to a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum within a space of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer that receives the one or more materials to be at least one of mixed and ground and the holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15; and the holder.

17. The kit as defined in claim 16, comprising the vacuum pump.

18. A method of cooling one or more materials during mixing or grinding using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, comprising: during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials using the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, cooling the one or more materials by vaporizing a liquid through use of a vacuum to reduce system pressure, the one or more materials exchanging heat with the liquid, the vaporization drawing out heat from the one or more materials.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising venting the vaporized liquid from the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising condensing the vaporized and vented liquid to recover the vaporized liquid using a cold trap.

21. The method as defined in claim 20, wherein the cold trap comprises a Peltier element.

22. The method as defined in any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the one or more materialsare located in a container placed in a holder containing the liquid.

23. The method as defined in claim 22, wherein the liquid is located in a chamber surrounding at least in part the container.

24. The method as defined in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the liquid is alcohol.

25. The method as defined in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the liquid is water.

26. The method as defined in any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the cooling is controlled by periodically adjusting the system pressure, wherein the adjusting is performed as a function of a comparison between a temperature of the one or more materials and a target temperature for the one or more materials.

27. The method as defined in claim 26, further comprising displaying the temperature of the one or more materials to a user.

28. One or more mixed or ground materials that have been cooled during mixing or grinding by performing the method as defined in any one of claims 18 to 27.

29. A system for a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer for modulating cooling of one or more materials during mixing or grinding by the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, comprising: a processor; memory comprising program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive input regarding a target temperature during the mixing or grinding; and periodically: receive temperature data from a temperature sensor adapted to take temperature readings related to the one or more materials; compare the received temperature data to the target temperature to determine a temperature difference between a temperature of the one or more materials and the target temperature; and generate commands to adjust a vacuum to cause a change in system pressure within a chamber of the dual asymmetric mixer containing the one or more materials in accordance with the temperature difference, wherein increasing the system pressure reduces the cooling and decreasing the system pressure increases the cooling.

30. The system as defined in claim 29, further comprising the temperature sensor.

31. A dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer comprising the system as defined in claim 29 or claim30.

32. The dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer as defined in claim 31, comprising a user input interface, wherein the input regarding the target temperature is set by a user using the user input interface.

33. The dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer as defined in claim 31 or claim 32, further comprising a vacuum pump for creating the vacuum.

34. The dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer as defined in any one of claims 31 to 33, further comprising the holder as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15 adapted to fit into a basket of the dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer.

35. A method of controlling temperature of one or more materials during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, comprising: repeating: receiving input regarding a target temperature during the mixing or grinding; receiving temperature data from a temperature sensor adapted to take temperature readings of the one or more materials; comparing the received temperature data to the target temperature to determine a temperature difference between a temperature of the one or more materials and the target temperature; and generating commands to adjust a vacuum to cause a change in system pressure within a chamber of the dual asymmetric mixer containing the one or more materials in accordance with the temperature difference, wherein increasing the system pressure reduces the cooling and decreasing the system pressure increases the cooling.

36. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions for controlling temperature of one or more materials during mixing or grinding of the one or more materials using a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer, the program instructions executable by a processing unit for repeating the following: receiving input regarding a target temperature during the mixing or grinding; receiving temperature data from a temperature sensor adapted to take temperature readings of the one or more materials; comparing the received temperature data to the target temperature to determine atemperature difference between a temperature of the one or more materials and the target temperature; and generating commands to adjust a vacuum to cause a change in system pressure within a chamber of the dual asymmetric mixer containing the one or more materials in accordance with the temperature difference, wherein increasing the system pressure reduces the cooling and decreasing the system pressure increases the cooling.

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