Mixing Element for Container Assemblies

Abstract

A container assembly with improved mixing dynamics for mixing substances in preparation for injection by an injection device or for the dispersion of additives in the collection and analysis of biological samples is disclosed. In one configuration, the container assembly includes a first mixing element protruding into an interior of a container. With the container rotated about its longitudinal axis, the first mixing element forms at least one vortex which effectuates mixing of a first substance provided within the container interior and a second substance provided within the container interior.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container assembly comprising:
 a container having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and defining a container interior, the container defining a container longitudinal axis;   a first closure sealing the first end of the container;   a second closure sealing the second end of the container; and   a first mixing element protruding into the container interior and a second mixing element protruding into the container interior, the first and second mixing elements located at opposite ends of the container, whereby, with the container rotated about the container longitudinal axis, the first and second mixing elements form at least one vortex which effectuates mixing of a first substance provided within the container interior and a second substance provided within the container interior.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first mixing element is located on a portion of the first closure. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first mixing element is located on a portion of the second closure. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first mixing element is located on an internal surface of the sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first mixing element forms an asymmetric mixing pattern within at least one of the first and second substances provided within the container interior. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a second mixing element protruding into the container interior, whereby, with the container rotated about the container longitudinal axis, the first mixing element and the second mixing element form the at least one vortex which effectuates mixing of the first substance and the second substance within the container assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first mixing element comprises at least one mixing fin. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one mixing fin comprises:
 a top portion;   a bottom portion;   a first mixing face extending from the bottom portion to the top portion at a first angle; and   a second mixing face extending from the bottom portion to the top portion at a second angle.   
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first angle equals the second angle. 
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle. 
     
     
         11 . The container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first angle is less than the second angle. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first mixing face and the second mixing face have the same shape. 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first mixing face has a first shape and the second mixing face has a second shape, the second shape being different than the first shape. 
     
     
         14 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first mixing element comprises three mixing fins equally spaced about a circumference of a portion of the first closure. 
     
     
         15 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first mixing element comprises at least one inclined surface of a portion of the first closure. 
     
     
         16 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first substance within the container interior. 
     
     
         17 . The container assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a second substance within the container interior.