Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for processing material having a chamber (100), a rotatably driven shaft (104) extending within the chamber to which is attached at least one element (110) which engages the material (102) in the chamber during rotation thereof and a drive mechanism (150, 170, 200 and 250) for rotating the driven shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) with a central shaft (32) equipped with single or multiple-mixing elements (36) projecting perpendicularly from the shaft. Multiple processing zones (14-18) have adjustable openings (24) for introducing the product through adjacent processing zones for thermal treatment or conducting thermal reactions. A heating or cooling jackets (63 and 129) permits thermal control of the processing within the chamber. Additional thermal treatment can be achieved with micro-wave, infrared, hot gas or other available heating or cooling sources. The chamber is closed during vacuum or pressure processing by using rotary locks or double valving. A controlled dwell time in the chamber is accomplished with the adjustment of the opening of the weirs. The rotational velocity of the elements plays a major role in maintaining the material in the desired processing zone or causing advancement between adjacent zones.

Abstract: A multipurpose mixer useful for performing horizontal and vertical mixing operations with a single apparatus. Mixing element assemblies are replaceable by removal of a first end of a drum. The mixing operations are performed by rotation of an axially disposed drive shaft located within the drum which accepts the removable mixing element assemblies when the first end is removed. The drum is rotatable through a plurality of angular positions around an axis of rotation orthogonal to the driver shaft. The drum is lockable in any one of a plurality of angular orientations including horizontal and vertical orientations of the drive shaft.

Abstract: The high intensity mixer utilizing a single speed motor of this invention includes a concentric pair of vertical shafts mounted in the mixer. In one embodiment a driven pulley is directly attached to the outer shaft which mounts the lower set of mixing tools and runs whenever the motor is running. The inner shaft bears the upper mixing tool and may be coupled to the outer shaft by any appropriate manual, pneumatic, fluid, centrifugal, electro-magnetic or air operated clutch means. Engagement and disengagement of the upper mixing tool may be accomplished by manual means or automatic means. Where automatic means are used they may be coupled to sensors reading temperature, amperage or other appropriate conditions.In an exemplary operation the inner and outer shafts are clutched together so as to drive both the upper and lower mixing blades at the outset.