Disposable Vibro Mixer with Flexible Plastic Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibro mixers face challenges in cleaning and sterilization due to steel contact surfaces, have inefficient mixing quality, especially in biopharmaceutical applications, and require complex rotary seals and high costs, while disposable containers with magnetic stirrers suffer from limited homogeneity and non-plastic material disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
A vibro mixer with a flexible plastic container and a detachably connected solid drive shaft, where the drive shaft is sealed within a flexible inner hose and securely attached to the mixer plate, allowing for easy replacement and reuse, and the entire system is hermetically sealed to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel contact surfaces are used in traditional vibro mixers, then mechanical strength and stability are improved, but cleaning and sterilization become difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the contact surfaces from steel to plastic, transforming the system from non-disposable to disposable. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by making the mixer easily cleanable and sterilizable through disposal, while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength for the intended application lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a disposable plastic mixer design where the entire mixing device is made of plastic and intended for single-use. This eliminates cleaning and sterilization requirements entirely, as the mixer is discarded after one use, resolving the contradiction between mechanical durability and ease of cleaning/sterilization.
2Ease of manufacture
If disposable containers with magnetic stirrers are used, then cleaning requirements are reduced, but mixing homogeneity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration through a vibrating mixer plate instead of magnetic stirring. The vibration mechanism creates effective mixing action that achieves superior homogeneity compared to magnetic stirrers, while maintaining the disposable container design that eliminates cleaning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based stirring system with a mechanically vibrated mixing system. This substitution achieves better mixing homogeneity through direct mechanical contact and vibration, while maintaining the disposable nature of the container.
3Reliability
If complex rotary seals are used in reusable mixers, then mechanical stability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex rotary seal component by transitioning to a disposable design where the mixer shaft and container are integrated or easily connected without requiring sealed rotary joints. This removes the source of complexity while maintaining adequate mechanical stability for single-use applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mixing system into disposable components that can be easily assembled and discarded, eliminating the need for complex sealed connections. The mixer shaft and container are designed as separate but easily connectable components, reducing overall device complexity.
4Loss of substance
If solid plastic mixers are used, then disposal costs are reduced, but mechanical stability during mixing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction where the mixer shaft is made of plastic for disposability and cost-effectiveness, while the mixing plate incorporates steel elements or steel-reinforced plastic to provide the necessary mechanical stability and durability during the mixing process. This composite approach balances disposal cost reduction with maintenance of mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material qualities to different parts of the mixer: the shaft is made of disposable plastic for cost-effectiveness, while the mixing plate (the part requiring mechanical stability during operation) is made of or reinforced with steel. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between disposal cost and mechanical stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design provides high mixing efficiency and quality, reduces disposal costs, and allows for quick product changes with flexible and cost-effective disposable containers, suitable for biopharmaceutical applications by ensuring mechanical stability and easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration drive (1) and a drive shaft (2) connected to the vibration drive (1), by means of which vertical vibrations are transmitted to the mixer plate (9)
Implementation Method 2
the electromagnet is operated with mains current, which generates an alternating field in the vertical direction and thus vertically attracts a magnetizable steel plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for mixing liquids, liquids with gases, or solids, consisting of a container (6) in the form of a disposable container and a drive shaft (2). The container (6) consists of a flexible plastic, and the drive shaft (2) is provided with a mixer plate (9) on the lower end of the drive shaft. The simplified vibromixer with a single use of the stirring or mixing container has a high mixing efficiency and mixing quality. The stirring power is introduced into the media to be stirred homogenously and with gentle shear stress. This is particularly useful in the preparation of medicines in the pharmaceutical industry, in biological applications such as fermentation processes, and in the cultivation of microorganisms in bioreactors but also in fields of application where mixing efficiency and quality with a high process flexibility are required in general. The mixing container (6) according to the invention allows a simple installation in the support container (5), can be removed in a simple manner after use, and can be completely disposed of or recycled. By using process-compatible flexible plastics, the system can be used with a high degree of compatibility and sterility.