Abstract: An epoxy mixing and dispensing apparatus for continuously mixing epoxy and dispensing it to a surface to be coated including: a movable carriage; a first dump bucket assembly mounted at a first end portion of said carriage for rotating and dumping a first bucket; a second dump bucket assembly mounted at a second end of said carriage for rotating and dumping a second bucket; an epoxy mixing assembly having a power driven epoxy mixer for mixing epoxy ingredients in said buckets; mixer placement and support apparatus for facilitating movement of said mixer between said buckets and for supporting said mixer in various operation positions; and controls for independently controlling first and second power driven bucket rotation devices and said power driven epoxy mixer.

Abstract: Mixing apparatus having a mixing vessel which is pivotable by 180.degree. about a horizontal axis and has a stationary stirrer drive motor. Such mixing apparatus is distinguished by a simple construction. Furthermore, the speed of rotation of the stirrer shaft can be optimally adapted to the mixing process by means of reduction gears between the stationary drive motor and the stirrer.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a revolving cage (4) provided with two plates (20,21) effective to be rotated about the central axis whereof and to receive and hold a product vessel to be processed (33), and two electric motors (13,17) effective to rotate, individually and with a different transmission ratio, the cage driving pulley (10), the operation of either one or the other motor depending on the height of the product vessel (33) with respect to a threshold height.

Abstract: A kitchen machine comprises a U-shaped housing having a base and oppositely disposed, upwardly extending sides. A cover is pivotally connected to one end edge of the base, the cover being rotatable to a position constituting an extension of such base to serve as a support for a bowl. A driving unit includes a housing and a motor unit, the driving-unit housing being rotatably connected to the upper portion of each side of the U-shaped housing; the motor unit having its own housing. A detachable handle is provided for the motor unit. First means is associated with the detachable handle for attaching the handle to the motor unit to enable the motor unit to be arranged in the driving-unit housing and to be removed therefrom. Second means is associated with the motor unit for locking the motor unit in the driving-unit housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing particulate material carried in separable containers or process modules rotated with the longitudinal axis thereof at an angle other than 90.degree. to the axis of rotation thereof so that the container rotates asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof. The containers have mixing or process bars rotatably mounted therein and extending also at an angle other than 90.degree. so as to be horizontal when the container is in position for asymmetrical rotation during mixing operations. A docking station of the apparatus has a column connected to the drive shaft at the angle other than 90.degree., an upper arm and a lower arm which is connected to the column and to actuators which tilt the lower arm from a horizontal, container receiving position to a position essentially parallel to the upper arm for clamping the container therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic insulin stirring device includes an electric motor mounted in a housing and coupled by speed reduction gearing to a horizontally disposed drive shaft. An insulin bottle receptacle is mounted in offset alignment on the drive shaft at an acute angle, preferably about 5.degree., relative to the drive shaft. A thumbscrew holds the insulin container in the receptacle and the motor rotates the drive shaft to simultaneously turn the insulin container in rotation and cyclically longitudinally rock the container relative to the drive shaft, thereby moving the insulin container ends in concentric orbits about the drive shaft axis. Automated stirring of the insulin suspension is achieved without generating bubbles in the insulin suspension and without the need for manual rolling of the insulin bottle.

Abstract: In a kneading machine including a fixed support structure, a kneading trough supported centrally for rotation about a vertical axis by the fixed support structure, and a rotary kneading tool located within the kneading trough, the kneading tool is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis. The machine is also provided with fixed counter-members which cooperate with the kneading tool.

Abstract: An emulsification tester for determining the amount of water a known amount of material such as printers ink or shellac will absorb when agitated or mixed a precise number of times and in a precise manner is disclosed. As is well known by those skilled in the art, certain materials, especially materials such as shellac and printers ink, will not function properly unless these materials have the ability to absorb a proper amount of water. That is, the material must be able to absorb a minimum amount of water but must not absorb an excess amount of water. The tester of this invention allows a precise amount of water and a material to be tested (such as printer ink) to be agitated by mixer blades rotating at a precise selected speed and for a precise number of revolutions.

Abstract: A magnetic stirring arrangement for stirring sample material held within a cylindrical glass sample container for assay. A stirring element within the container is retained in a fixed orientation by an external magnetic field. The container and the contents thereof are rotated in place causing the container contents to be stirred by rotational motion around and past the fixed stirring element.

Abstract: A fluid-containing means for each bore of a centrifuge rotor is disclosed which combines a self-capped tube and a floating cap resting on the top of the tube and arranged to resist deformation of the tube by the centrifugal forces developed therein. The floating cap has an annular skirt which engages the top of the tube and which is sufficiently thick in cross-section to prevent deformation of the floating cap. The floating cap is formed from a relatively light plastic, having a density less than that of the centrifuged fluid, thereby preventing bottoming of the floating cap in the bore in the event of rupture of the tube.

Abstract: A photo-processing drum with non-reusable chemicals, for use in daylight conditions, for processing photo-sensitive surfaces with flexible supports, which drum is constituted by two concentric cylinders, closed at one end by the same bottom wall. A flange closes at the other end, a passage provided between the two cylinders and a removable and light-tight cover fits into the free end of the inner cylinder. An axial orifice permits the introduction into the drum of the processing solutions. A slot, made in the wall of the inner cylinder and a joining surface allow the solution contained in the said cylinder to flow into the said passage and to be drained through a draining outlet, when the drum is rotated in one direction. The processing solutions are stirred during the processing step, by rotating the drum in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A rotary gravity mixer for inducing turbulence in a liquid preparation such as developing lacquer to produce a substantially uniform suspension of pigment within the liquid vehicle of the preparation is disclosed. A container of the preparation is held in eccentric relation within an open ended cylindrical carrier by a cylindrical clasp. The carrier cylinder is received by a pair of roller bars which define a turn cradle for supporting the carrier cylinder for rotary movement. The open ended cylindrical clasp extends transversely through the carrier and is anchored to the carrier on opposite ends whereby its longitudinal axis is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carrier. The clasp is a relatively smaller diameter, cylindrical sidewall section which is severed along its length to permit the clasp to be spread upon to receive the container and which holds the container in resilient gripping engagement.

Abstract: A cage of spaced rods is proportioned to fit a gallon can of paint. A stand of formed rod supports the cage and an electrical, gear-reduction motor. The motor is connected to the cage, and a can of paint to be mixed within the cage is rotated about its axis by operation of the motor. A rotational speed of 25 to 30 revolutions per minute is fast enough to mix paint in a moderate amount of time with this inexpensive mixer.

Abstract: A blender for dental impression materials - alginates and dental stones, for example--is provided with a multispeed electric motor for actuating a turntable through a speed reducing geartrain. The turntable surmounts a substantially rectangular enclosure for the drive components. A handgrip for the user is provided in a narrow end of the enclosure, near a control switch for the drive motor. A flexible rubber bowl is removably mounted on the turntable and receives the materials to be blended. Elastomeric support strips along the base of the enclosure are carried over an angled rear panel of the lower half of the housing, so as to provide nonskid support means as the enclosure is tilted to facilitate the blending process by moving the rotational axis of the bowl away from the vertical.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for mixing fluids in sealed containers, such as blood samples in test tubes or the like, is disclosed which includes a support structure on which a motor-driven rotatable mixing disc is mounted. The disc is provided with integral recesses in the shape of the sealed containers to be agitated and is disposed at an angle such that the containers are retained in the recesses by gravity. In the preferred embodiment, the recesses are radially disposed on the disc and are so designed as to receive interchangeably a plurality of lengths of test tubes.

Abstract: A docking station for rotating a container to mix the materials therein. The docking station includes fluid actuated cylinders which are operative to retain the container thereon during rotation. The cylinders are actuated by a mechanism which is energized when the container is received on the docking station. Additionally, means supporting containers with round sides so that they can be rotated by the docking station is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a system are disclosed for storing and transporting material as well as conducting required batch processing operations on the material within a container having exterior fittings designed for use in conjunction with a quick connect-disconnect docking station. A member of the docking station is capable of interlocking with containers of different size and shapes in a positive self-positioning manner. Blending, mixing, chemical reaction, and reconstituting of liquid and/or solid material in each container or inverting of a container itself can then be accomplished without having to transfer the material to additional process equipment. In addition to the significant materials handling advantages obtained, the apparatus and system virtually eliminate pollution and contamination problems for batch processing operations.