Axially Patents (Class 366/286)
  • Patent number: 10717059
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus for producing aqueous calcined gypsum slurry includes a housing, a rotor assembly, and an actuator system. The housing defines a mixing chamber therewithin. A top lid of the housing includes a lid ring extending along a normal axis toward a bottom thereof. The rotor assembly includes a rotor disposed within the mixing chamber and a drive shaft extending along and rotatable about the normal axis. The rotor is rotatively coupled with the drive shaft and extends radially therefrom. The upper surface of the rotor and the lid ring are separated by a lid ring gap along the normal axis. The actuator system is arranged with the rotor assembly to selectively move the rotor over a range of travel along the normal axis between a lowered position and a raised position to selectively change the lid ring gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Joseph Scaff, Lester Bell
  • Patent number: 10514329
    Abstract: A sample agitation system for an automated sampling device is described. In an example implementation, the sample agitation system includes a sample probe configured to contact a sample positioned within a sample vessel. Further, the sample agitation system includes an actuator coupled to the sample probe that is configured to stir the sample positioned within the sample vessel in one or more rotational directions. The directions may include, but are not limited to, clockwise motion, anti-clockwise motion, or the like. In some implementations, a sample probe support arm can be coupled to the sample probe and/or the actuator. The actuator can move the sample probe support arm in a translational, a rotational, and/or a vertical direction to rotate the sample probe and stir the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Elemental Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Toms
  • Patent number: 10292525
    Abstract: A fluid-agitating tank assembly is disclosed. The tank assembly includes a tank filled with a fluid, and an agitator disposed in the tank so as to be at least partially immersed in the fluid and supported by the tank in a rotatable manner about an axis. The agitator includes a double helix disposed in an upper volume of the tank and adapted to act on the fluid to transform unidirectional rotation of the agitator about the axis into a bidirectional movement of the fluid in the tank towards bottom and top portions of the tank, and at least one rotary blade projecting transversally from the axis, disposed in a lower volume of the tank, and rotating about the axis to move the fluid towards at least one lateral outlet of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SIDEL S.P.A. CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventors: Stefano D'Errico, Vincenzo Galotto
  • Patent number: 9333469
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a stirring system has a stirring assembly, a threaded leadscrew, and a multi-motion assembly adapted to travel along the leadscrew and accompanying parallel guide rods. The multi-motion assembly (i) has a timing pulley for powering the stirring assembly via a timing belt and (ii) converts the rotation of the leadscrew into either travel along the leadscrew in an engaged state or rotation of the timing pulley in a disengaged state. The multi-motion assembly includes (i) a screw-nut having an inside thread matching the leadscrew's thread and (ii) a clutch sub-assembly. The clutch sub-assembly (i) prevents the screw nut from rotating with the leadscrew in the engaged state, such that leadscrew rotation causes linear movement of the multi-motion assembly and (ii) allows the screw nut to rotate with the leadscrew in the disengaged state, such that leadscrew rotation causes corresponding rotation of the screw nut and timing pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Distek, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brinker, Michael Cai, William G. Van Ocker
  • Patent number: 9243188
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon-containing feedstocks are processed to produce useful intermediates or products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can process a petroleum-containing feedstock, such as oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, and other naturally-occurring and synthetic materials that include both hydrocarbon components and solid matter, to obtain a useful intermediate or product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: XYLECO, INC.
    Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman
  • Patent number: 9010992
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing frozen desserts has a mixing chamber, and a spindle with driving portion for rotating the spindle. The mixing chamber has two main parts having a funnel and a top chamber forming a closed mixing chamber when brought together. The spindle is accommodated through the top chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Marienlyst Eiendom AS
    Inventor: Asbjorn Rudolf Hansen, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8985841
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing tank contents including sedimentary material is disclosed. The apparatus includes an agitator connected to a support including a plurality of detachable sections. The apparatus further includes a frame adjacent an opening in a top of the tank. The apparatus also includes an actuatable connector for interconnecting the frame to the support. The connector is configured to be actuated in order to lift a first portion of the support above the frame while a second portion of the support below the frame is maintained, to thereby cause a gap between the first portion and the second portion enabling at least one of the detachable sections to be inserted into the gap. The apparatus also includes at least one actuator for causing the connector to lift the first portion in order to cause the gap, and for lowering the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Maitland Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Rumph
  • Patent number: 8985842
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing tank contents including sedimentary material is disclosed. The apparatus includes an agitator connected to a support including a plurality of detachable sections. The apparatus further includes a frame adjacent an opening in a top of the tank. The apparatus also includes an actuatable connector for interconnecting the frame to the support. The connector is configured to be actuated in order to lift a first portion of the support above the frame while a second portion of the support below the frame is maintained, to thereby cause a gap between the first portion and the second portion enabling at least one of the detachable sections to be inserted into the gap. The apparatus also includes at least one actuator for causing the connector to lift the first portion in order to cause the gap, and for lowering the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Maitland Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Rumph
  • Publication number: 20150055434
    Abstract: A device for mixing at least two fluid to pasty substances has a housing (2) with at least two openings (5, 6) for feeding the substances and with a discharge opening (8), a mixing element (3) which can rotate in the housing (2), which mixing element (3) can be displaced in the direction (17) of its axis (7) in relation to the housing (2) in order to adjust the size of a gap (18) between a conically tapering part (14) of the mixing element (3) and a likewise tapering region (15) of the housing (2) in order to adjust the shear rate in the region of the gap (18). The mixing element (3) has a region (9) in which annular ribs (11) are provided which project from the mixing element (3) and which engage between adjacent annular ribs (12) which project from the inner surface (10) of the housing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: LISEC AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventor: Leopold Mader
  • Patent number: 8944674
    Abstract: Provided is a homogenizing mixer including: a container having an internal space so that materials whose properties differ are contained therein; a fixed frame that is disposed so as to be fixed at the bottom of the container, and communicates from the inside of the container; an agitating unit that is disposed in the fixed frame, so as to be lifted up and down by medium of an lifting unit, and that agitates the materials contained in the container; a driving unit that is disposed on the bottom of the agitating unit for transferring a rotational driving force for the agitating unit; and a discharging unit that is coupled to the agitating unit and discharging a homogenized material to the outside of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Heungbo Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung Hwan Kim, Deok Gy Cho
  • Patent number: 8899825
    Abstract: A stirrer device (1a, 1b) includes at least one shaft (13), a first blade-type stirrer assembly (3) and a second blade-type stirrer assembly (2), characterized in that the blade-type stirrer assemblies are movable relative to each other in the axial direction. Also provided is a method of adjusting the above stirrer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fillon Technologies
    Inventors: Cyril Denize, Aurelien Brule
  • Patent number: 8870443
    Abstract: A flexible pouch has a mixing apparatus, the mixer shaft of which is adjustable in length for use as a bioreactor for culturing microorganisms and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Greller, Guenter Pradel
  • Patent number: 8833606
    Abstract: A device for mixing and applying a substance includes a syringe barrel, a plunger, a shaft, a mixing surface, and a locking device. The syringe barrel is preloaded with one or more components of the substance and is enclosed by a seal. The plunger has a plunger body that is displaceable within the syringe barrel, and a dispensing surface. The shaft within the plunger body has a first end and a second end, and is positioned to extend through and from the plunger body. The mixing surface is attached to the first end of the shaft. The locking device enables the mixing surface to alternate between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the mixing surface projects from the dispensing surface to promote mixing of the substance. In the retracted position, the mixing surface is retracted through the dispensing surface into the plunger body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corporation
    Inventor: Marc Miller Graham
  • Publication number: 20140198603
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing tank contents including sedimentary material is disclosed. The apparatus includes an agitator connected to a support including a plurality of detachable sections. The apparatus further includes a frame adjacent an opening in a top of the tank. The apparatus also includes an actuatable connector for interconnecting the frame to the support. The connector is configured to be actuated in order to lift a first portion of the support above the frame while a second portion of the support below the frame is maintained, to thereby cause a gap between the first portion and the second portion enabling at least one of the detachable sections to be inserted into the gap. The apparatus also includes at least one actuator for causing the connector to lift the first portion in order to cause the gap, and for lowering the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Maitland Company
    Inventor: Robert M. RUMPH
  • Publication number: 20140177383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a homogeniser having an inlet leading into a homogenisation chamber, an outlet leading out of the homogenisation chamber, a stator and a rotor head generating shear forces together with the stator, wherein the stator and the rotor head are arranged in the homogenisation chamber, a rotor shaft connected to the rotor head, and a motor driving the rotor shaft. The homogeniser is characterised by a sleeve having an internal thread and rotatably connected to the rotor head, which sleeve screws onto an external thread formed on the rotor shaft in order to adjust the dimension of the gap between the stator and the rotor head, and a fixing means arrangement for fixing the sleeve on the rotor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Porep
  • Patent number: 8757864
    Abstract: A chemical analyzer supplies a sample and a reagent into a reaction container provided with an opening mixes a fluid which is to be measured and contains the sample and reagent supplied into the reaction container, measures a property of the fluid in the reaction container, and controls the drive for the mixer. The mixer has a vertical drive machine to move the mixing tool up and down. The control unit controls the vertical drive machine to move the mixing tool up and down in the fluid to be measured in the reaction container so as to cause upward and downward flow of the fluid which is to be measured and is positioned below the mixing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Yamakawa, Hideo Enoki, Isao Yamazaki, Nobuhiro Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8714807
    Abstract: A beater attachable to a drive motor for rotatingly driving the beater. The beater comprises a drive shaft having a distal end adapted to be coupled to the drive motor, and a beater head. The beater further including a beater head that is releasingly coupled to the drive shaft, so as to couple the beater head to the drive shaft along different relative positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Heimo Obersteiner
  • Publication number: 20140113048
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instant food systems and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for preparing a hot instant food product. The method can include adding a heated liquid to a container, adding a substantially dry food product mixture to the container, wherein the volume of the dry food product mixture is equal to at least 20% of the volume of heated liquid, placing a mixing head into the container, and rotating the mixing head for a period of less than sixty seconds in order to form a fully hydrated frothed food product. In an embodiment, an instant food preparation machine is included. In an embodiment, a mixing head is included. In an embodiment, an instant food preparation kit is included. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
    Inventor: CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130265847
    Abstract: A blender including (i) a base with an interior space; (ii) a hollow central column extending upwardly from the base; (iii) a top housing mounted to the top of the column, a motor, drive transmission means and a drive shaft; (iv) an auger attached to a distal end of the drive shaft (v) a mixing bowl in coaxial alignment with the auger, (vi) a mixing bowl holder for releasably holding the mixing bowl in coaxial alignment; (vii) a ball screw drive mechanism housed within the column and for moving the mixing bowl in linear movement toward and away from the auger; and (viii) a splash guard positioned above the auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: LITTE JEM (NEW ZEALAND) LIMITED
    Inventors: Dennis James Little, Christopher John Little
  • Patent number: 8454223
    Abstract: A blender arm includes a body equipped at one end with a connection for a power unit. The blender arm further includes a rotary shaft having a tool at the end opposite to the connection end. A peripheral protection is provided around the tool. The rotary shaft with the tool is attached movably in axial direction to the body so that the tool may be positioned in a retracted position for operation or a protracted position for cleaning, without having to touch the tool with the hands. The blender arm may further include a resilient element, functionally connected to the tubular body and the rotary shaft, for moving the rotary shaft between the protracted and retracted positions. When the rotary shaft is releases, the tool automatically returns to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Lameiro Vilarino, Heimo Obersteiner
  • Patent number: 8362200
    Abstract: A process for the salt-free coagulation of polymer dispersions in a rotor/stator assembly is disclosed. The rotor/stator assembly includes a casing, a rotor shaft rotatably mounted within the casing, a rotor having a conical surface affixed to the rotor shaft, and a stator affixed to the casing and concentrically associated with the rotor. The conical surface faces a surface of the stator to form an adjustable shear gap, which is surrounded by an annular space. A polymer dispersion is fed into the assembly and conveyed through the shear gap. During this conveyance, the polymer dispersion is precipitated at a predetermined shear rate and a predetermined shear deformation. The polymer dispersion is discharged from the assembly through an outlet neck, and the assembly is flushed with water using one or more ports formed in at least one of a pipeline coupled to the axial feed neck, the stator, and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Güntherberg, Wolfgang Fischer, Manfred Radulla
  • Publication number: 20130003493
    Abstract: A retractable mixer system and a method of using the retractable mixer system to clean sludge build-up in a tank is disclosed. The retractable mixer system includes a drive shaft, a retractable propeller assembly and a motor for rotating the drive shaft and the retractable propeller assembly attached to the drive shaft. By using the retractable mixer system at an existing access point or a newly created access point, the sludge build-up may be cleaned even when the sludge level is above the access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Alton PAYNE
  • Publication number: 20120269029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a programmable mixer for producing pharmaceutical or cosmetic recipes. The mixer includes a controller, a motor-driven mixing unit having a mixing tool engaging in a mixing vessel, and a lift unit. The lift unit induces an axial relative motion between the mixing tool and the mixing vessel to displace the mixing tool in the mixing vessel at a constant lift speed. The control method includes counting the lift strokes performed by the lift unit during an initial mixing process for each mixing period, and using the identifying data determined in the initial mixing process during a repeated mixing process. The identification data matching the recipe are read in, and the number of lift strokes per mixing period determined in the initial stirring process is used for implementing the corresponding mixing period of the repeated mixing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: GAKO KONIETZKO GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Konietzko, Albrecht Konietzko
  • Patent number: 8277115
    Abstract: A guiding device for submersible motor agitators having a guiding tube and a sliding carriage for carrying a submersible motor agitator. The guiding tube is held in a pivotable lower mount and in an upper mount composed of a bracket and an adjusting lug, and the angular position of the guiding tube can be adjusted via the adjusting lug. The sliding carriage, the adjustment lug and any optional connecting lug are dimensioned in such a way that the sliding carriage carrying the submersible motor agitator can be removed from the guiding tube without disassembling the guiding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Pensler, Juergen Geinitz
  • Patent number: 8061889
    Abstract: A mixer mount for mounting a mixer to a sprayer cart includes a mixer clamp, a mixer bracket mount, a mixer bracket pivot and a support assembly. The mixer clamp is connected to the mixer bracket mount. The mixer bracket mount is connected to a mixer bracket pivot at a pivot point. The mixer bracket pivot slidably engages in the support assembly so that the distance between the mixer clamp and the support assembly may be changed. The support assembly is capable of connecting to a sprayer cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Barry W. Mattson, James C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8038338
    Abstract: A blender arm includes a tubular body equipped at one end with a connection for a power unit. The blender arm further includes a rotary shaft having a tool at the end opposite to the connection end. A peripheral protection is provided around the tool. The rotary shaft with the tool is attached movably in axial direction to the tubular body so that the tool may be positioned in a retracted position for operation or a protracted position for cleaning, without having to touch the tool with the hands. The blender arm may further include a resilient element, functionally connected to the tubular body and the rotary shaft, for moving the rotary shaft between the protracted and retracted positions. When the rotary shaft is releases, the tool automatically returns to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Maleiro Vilarino, Heimo Obersteiner
  • Publication number: 20100210804
    Abstract: A rotor/stator apparatus is proposed, with a bearing block, a casing (1), a rotor shaft mounted therein, on whose end directed toward the casing a rotor designed with a conical surface has been secured, there being a stator (2) secured within the casing and concentrically associated with the rotor, where those surfaces that face toward one another of the rotor (2) and of the stator (3) form a gap upstream of which there is an axial feed neck and downstream of which there is a radial outlet neck, where rotor and stator have been mounted so as to be capable of axial shift in order to form a gap with adjustable gap width, wherein one or more holes extending to the exterior has/have been provided in the region of the feed aperture of the rotor/stator apparatus in the feed line prior to and very close to the rotor/stator apparatus and/or in the casing (1) and/or in the stator (2), and alongside the outlet aperture at least one further hole has been provided in the annular space around the shear gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: BASF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Norbert Güntherberg, Wolfgang Fischer, Manfred Radulla
  • Patent number: 7751934
    Abstract: The invention relates to a program controlled stirrer for producing pharmaceutical or cosmetic recipes, comprising a stirring unit which consists of a stirring tool which engages with a mixing receptacle. According to the invention, the stirring unit is coupled to a micro-processor which determines the length of stirring time and stirring speed at the stirring unit in a program-controlled manner. The micro-processor executes a data-processing program with the following steps: input of variable data; input of constant data; determination of the length of stirring time and stirring speed in order to produce the desired amount of the recipe by combining the variable and constant data; conversion of the determined length of stirring time and stirring speed into corresponding first current or voltage values; control of the stirring unit with said first current or voltage values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Albrecht Konietzko
  • Publication number: 20100128560
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer for mixing a liquid in a basin, comprising a first mixer element turnable around a first axis of rotation. Furthermore, said mixer (1) comprises a second mixer element (3) turnable around a second axis of rotation, the first mixer element (2) and the second mixer element (3) being connected to each other by means of a connector (4), which is arranged to provide joint turning of the first mixer element (2) and the second mixer element (3), and that the output of at least one of said first mixer element (2) and said second mixer element (3) is adjustable. The invention also relates to a method for mixing a liquid in a basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES INC,
    Inventors: Ulf Carlsson, Jan Lundkvist
  • Patent number: 7469608
    Abstract: A dissolution tester comprising: a circular water tank having a circular cross section the tank being disposed on a base and containing constant-temperature water; a head disposed above the circular water tank, which moves up and down relative to the base; a cantilever arm for supporting the head in a cantilevered fashion and for moving the head up and down relative to the base; a vessel in which a sample and a test liquid are placed, a desired portion of the vessel being immersed into the constant-temperature water in the circular water tank; and a test-liquid agitator suspended from the head, for agitating the sample and the test liquid inside the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: JASCO Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Sekizawa, Masao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7434981
    Abstract: A metal paste, in which a filler mainly composed of metal is mixed with good dispersibility, is manufactured with good productivity at a low cost without generating a foil of the metal. A paste-like material (referred to as a paste material hereafter) containing a metal filler is fed into a gap between a pair of rotating whetstones 11 and 12 which are relatively rotated while facing with each other having a specified gap therebetween, to pass and discharge therein. The paste material is thus kneaded and dispersed. In addition, the paste material is kneaded and dispersed by suppressing the generation of a metal foil, adjusting the gap to a specified interval dg and feeding the paste material into the interval while applying thereon a predetermined positive pressure and/or negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: DOWA Electronics Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Amasaki, Shuichi Kohayashi, Yoshikazu Omoto
  • Publication number: 20080198693
    Abstract: A blender arm (10) is proposed having a tubular body (12) equipped at one end with a connection (11) for a power unit, including axially a rotary shaft (13) including a tool (15) at the end opposite to the connection end, around which tool (15) a peripheral protection (14) is established, wherein the rotary shaft (13) with the tool (15) is attached movably in axial direction to the tubular body (12) so that the tool (15) may be positioned in a retracted position (R) for operation or a protracted position (PI) for cleaning, without having to touch the tool (15) with the hands. Preferably, the blender arm (10) comprises a resilient element (27) functionally connected to the tubular body (12) and the rotary shaft (13), for moving the rotary shaft (13) from the protracted (PI) to the retracted position (R) of the tool (15). Then, as soon as one releases the rotary shaft (13), the tool (15) automatically returns to the retracted position (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Lameiro Vilarino, Heimo Obersteiner
  • Publication number: 20080181050
    Abstract: A rotor processor includes a stator chamber and a rotor mounted for rotation within the chamber. The rotor has a perimeter edge spaced closely to the interior wall of the chamber so as to define a slit or gap there between. The rotor is slidably mounted upon a rotor shaft, for movement between raised and lowered positions during operation of the processor, so as to automatically adjust the dimension of the slit, without operator intervention. As air flows from a plenum beneath the rotor, through the slit, and into the chamber, a pressure differential is created, which provides a lifting force to raise the rotor. The pressure drop is maintained relatively constant at a predetermined level after a lifting equilibrium force is achieved, regardless of the air flow volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: AARON K. BASTEN
  • Patent number: 7249879
    Abstract: A blender has a container body, a push plate, a blade assembly that is mounted on the push plate and a guide rod mounted to the container body and affixed to the push plate limiting the push plate to substantially vertical movement. A variety of well known lifting mechanisms can be mechanically actuated by the handle and can also be actuated by a squeeze mechanism where the handle travels linearly as opposed to rotationally. To overcome the stickiness drawback in blender container bodies, the present invention uses a push plate to push the contents out of the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Yunes Nabilsi
  • Patent number: 7230037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous mixing of at least one polyol component and at least one isocyanate component and optionally additives to form a polyurethane reaction mixture in a stirrer mixer with an axially conveying stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Hennecke GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sulzbach, Reiner Raffel, Jürgen Wirth, Wolfgang Pawlik, Florian Thiebes, Lothar Röhrig
  • Patent number: 7135112
    Abstract: A flocculation apparatus and method for treating colloidal suspensions. The apparatus includes a suspension inlet, a suspension outlet and an inner cone mounted centrally in a conical outer housing. The inner cone and/or the outer housing is rotatable relative to one another and a gap for through-flow of suspensions is present between the inner cone and the outer housing. In the method, continuously measuring a flock size distribution of a suspension stream passed into the flocculation apparatus is provided. Additionally provided is axially displacing the inner cone and/or outer housing as a function of the flock size distribution and the suspension volume flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Clausthaler Umwelttechnikinstitut GmbH (CUTEC-Institute)
    Inventors: Christian Schroeder, Michael Sievers
  • Patent number: 6848356
    Abstract: An improved ice cream blending apparatus has a hopper support system that incorporates a hopper guidance mechanical linkage that supports the linear motion of the hopper and translates non-linear circular motion of the operating handle into the linear motion of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Michael Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040213081
    Abstract: A compactor for the preparation of thermoplastic materials placed between two approximately disc-shaped work surfaces at least one of which is rotatably connected to a rotary driven drive shaft and to a rotatable work surface and to a sleeve that surrounds the drive shaft, which can be operated axially with the drive shaft, whereby the sleeve is fitted with an exterior screw thread, wherein the sleeve cannot rotate, and wherein the sleeve is surrounded on its exterior by a rotatably mounted component that by means of an interior screw thread meshes with the exterior screw thread on the sleeve, whereby the rotatably mounted component is capable of operation in two directions by means of a driving mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Johannes Wissing, Heinrich Wissing, Heinz Rainer Schnettler
  • Publication number: 20040196736
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus having a casing adapted for being positioned adjacent to a cook top mixing area, a motor in the casing; a power supply in the casing and coupled to the motor for driving the motor; a mixing unit supported by and extending from the casing and coupled to and driven by the motor, wherein the mixing unit is detachably and selectively insertable in part into the casing for being driven by the motor; and a base provided with or without a securing member for releasably securing the casing to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Nancy C, Bordan
  • Publication number: 20040052156
    Abstract: A dynamic mixer in which two elements are rotatable relative to each other about a predetermined axis and between which is defined a flow path extending between an inlet for materials to be mixed and an outlet. The flow path is defined between surfaces of the elements each of which surfaces defines a series of annular projections (8, 12) centred on the predetermined axis (10). The surfaces are positioned such that projections defined by one element extend into spaces between projections (12) defined by the other element. At least one cavity is formed in each projection (8, 12) to define a flow passage bridging the projection in which the cavity is formed. Each of the elements may be generally conical althrough each of the elements could be generally cylindrical or planar, providing projections in the two elements overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher John Brown
  • Patent number: 6663276
    Abstract: An agitator assembly for agitating a substance in a container comprises a container, a magnetic drive device, and an agitator element. The magnetic drive device is disposed adjacent to an outside surface of a lateral wall of the container. The agitator element is disposed in the container and is magnetically coupled with the magnetic drive device for self-supported rotation about a central longitudinal axis. The agitator element includes an agitator body, a first magnet mounted at the agitator body, and a second magnet mounted at the agitator body and circumferentially spaced from the first magnet. The agitator element substantially centered about the central longitudinal axis and supported at a substantially constant axial position within the container by the magnetic drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lane Yale
  • Patent number: 6663274
    Abstract: In a domestic appliance (1) having a housing (3) and having drive means (4) for rotationally driving at least one tool (5, 6) which is held by a holding means (17,18) and which is drivable with the aid of the drive means (4) so as to be rotated about a tool axis (31, 32), the tool (5, 6) is guided so as to be movable parallel to the direction of the tool axis (31, 32) and at least one spring means (39, 40) has been provided which resiliently loads a tool (5, 6) during rotational driving of this tool, namely towards the free end (33, 34) of the tool (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Rattenberger, Hans Peter Krall, Vincent Ten Horn, Harry Boer
  • Patent number: 6652135
    Abstract: An apparatus for safely handling and securely holding a multitude of large and heavy open topped pails, for loading ingredients into these pails, and for stirring the ingredients within these pails into a fully homogenized state. The apparatus is adapted for simple removal and easy cleaning of the stirring components, and to minimize mess and eliminate cross contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Highland Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Poitras, James V. Bengiovanni, Peter C. Lewis, Dennis A. Nickerson, Paul J. Walker, Robert A. Prebble
  • Patent number: 6647863
    Abstract: A device for preparing of mocha coffee is disclosed. The device comprises a cooking vessel, an electrical heating body electrically insulated supported relative to the cooking vessel, however, thermally coupled to the cooking vessel, and a temperature sensor. A motor driven stirrer rod (3) protrudes into the cooking vessel (2). A blade (4) of the stirrer rod (3) is effective for the stirring of the mocha coffee and is disposed immediately above the heating body (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Christoph Lang
  • Publication number: 20030193835
    Abstract: An automatic pot stirring device according to the invention includes a state of the art rechargeable battery, adjustable support arms, and a stirring paddle. An important aspect of the invention is that it can be used with various sizes of saucepans already in a cook's kitchen by adjusting the support arms and the stirring paddle. The device can be used and stored easily, and maintains an attractive design. There is no need for an electrical outlet nearby. Moreover, the device uses efficient engineering and parts to minimize manufacturing costs. The stirring paddle has a fluid dynamic design which assures efficient stirring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: James E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6616318
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing material in a container comprising a base mixing element and an upper mixing element wherein the upper mixing element can be rotatably and reciprocatably coupled to the base mixing element. The base mixing element can be formed by an elongate member that is fixed to a base plate. The upper mixing element can be formed by an elongate member, which can comprise a cylinder, that has a plurality of mixing arms fixed thereto. An aperture can be disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the elongate cylinder of the upper mixing element for allowing material to be exhausted and cleaned from within the elongate cylinder. The mixing arms can have a plurality of apertures therein, and the base plate can have a peripheral rim for maintaining the base plate spaced from the bottom surface of the container. A plurality of angled blades can be formed in the base plate for drawing material through apertures in the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Jesse M. LeBlanc, Ajay M. Pathak
  • Patent number: 6592249
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for producing and/or processing plastic material mixtures comprising a mixing head (11) which has one or several inlets (15) for the mixture constituents and in which a mixer (17) provided for mixing the constituents is rotationally driven. An outlet (22) is provided in the mixing head for ejecting the finished mixture. Said outlet can be closed or opened by the head of the mixer in the manner of a nozzle needle. To this end, the mixer is arranged in the housing (12) of the device such that it can be axially displaced. In order to prevent an abrupt opening or closing of the outlet, which can thus lead to losses in quality when using sensitive plastic materials, the invention provides that the raising and lowering of the mixer in the mixing head is effected via a mechanical cam drive (40) comprising at least one actuating cam (42) which interacts with a lifting element (60) that acts upon the mixer (17) or the shaft thereof (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: EDF Polymer-Applikation Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Hannes Hausbichler, Günter Baldauf
  • Publication number: 20030058734
    Abstract: An apparatus for safely handling and securely holding a multitude of large and heavy open topped pails, for loading ingredients into these pails, and for stirring the ingredients within these pails into a fully homogenized state. The apparatus is adapted for simple removal and easy cleaning of the stirring components, and to minimize mess and eliminate cross contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Highland Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Poitras, James V. Bengiovanni, Peter C. Lewis, Dennis A. Nickerson, Paul J. Walker, Robert A. Prebble
  • Patent number: 6449869
    Abstract: Device and method for drying a pourable products. The device includes a rotor chamber in which a rotor is arranged with a vertical rotor axis. The rotor has a central horizontal surface and, at least in its radially outer third, a conical shell which is inclined to the axis of rotation by 20° to 70°, in such a way that the end face of the conical shell has the largest diameter and is located at the top. The conical shell has, at least partially, sheet-like gas passages in the form of perforations or screens. The method for drying pourable products provides for dry gas to be fed in a sheet like manner to the products to be dried during the radially peripheral circulation of the products without the products being swirled up and being exposed to unacceptable compressive, concussive and/or frictional loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignees: Glatt Systemtechnik Dresden GmbH, KWS Saat AG
    Inventors: Frank Bretschneider, Bruno Peter, Jürgen Brückner
  • Patent number: 6450680
    Abstract: The powder mixing apparatus comprises a circular section cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis that is substantially horizontal, the body being leakproof and having two disk-shaped walls and an annular wall, the apparatus having a disk placed coaxially inside said body, the edge of said disk being substantially in contact with the annular wall so as to subdivide said body into two cylindrical compartments of substantially equal volume, said disk being provided on each of its faces with at least one blade for guiding said powder during rotation of said disk to a transfer orifice passing through said disk so as to enable at least a portion of the powder contained in one compartment to pass into the other compartment on each revolution of the disk, said blades being angularly offset, a horizontal drive shaft secured to the center of said disk serving to rotate said disk, and motor means serving to drive said drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Gérard Bertolotti, Bernard Defontaine, Christian Trevisan