Abstract: The vessel of a mixing device accommodates a mixing tool having suitable blades fixed to a hub. A rotary drive shaft extends into the vessel and is coupled to the hub in such manner as to rotate the tool while enabling the tool selectively to be displaced axially on the shaft between an operative position in which the blades are in close proximity to the base wall of the vessel, and an inoperative position in which the blades are spaced sufficiently from the base wall to provide access for cleaning. Axial displacement of the tool is controlled through external actuation of a threaded lifting device provided within the hub and acting between the hub and shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device the mixing container of which consists of two bowl-shaped vessel parts, at least one stop element being fixed on the transport support and a clamping or draw-in device which can be brought into clamping engagement with the stop element being provided on the guide fork in such a way that the transport support with the first vessel part can be drawn into the starting position of the mixing vessel and locked there.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing device with a mixing vessel which can be pivoted by 180.degree. between a starting position and a mixing position. The vessel part which is permanently connected to the pivot shaft includes an extraction mechanism by means of which any dust-laden gases present in the vessel can be extracted before the vessel is opened. A preferred further embodiment of the invention facilitates the delivery of protective gas to the mixing vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing powdered or granular materials wherein a mixing vessel having a vertical axis is rotated 180.degree. about a horizontal axis from an initial upright position to an inverted mixing position, then rotated to an intermediate position angularly spaced from the initial position by an acute angle, and then returned to the initial position. The movement of the vessel from the initial position to the mixing position is faster than its movement from the mixing position to the intermediate position so that, when the vessel reaches the intermediate position, the surface of the material forms an angle to the vertical that is less than the acute angle. The vessel is maintained in the intermediate position for such a period of time that, when the vessel returns to its initial position, the surface of the material is substantially horizontal.