Abstract: A rotor to establish a swirling flow in liquid(s) contained in a vessel. In one form the rotor includes two parallel spaced apart discs. An array of vanes is interposed between the discs. One of the discs is annular to define an inlet to the array of vanes. The inlet controls the size of an inner core region of the swirling flow. In another form the rotor has at least two hollow spokes directed radially outwardly from the central hub. The spokes each have a passage with an inlet directed toward the hub and a radially directed outlet. Rotation of the rotor produces a flow through the spokes that contributes to the rotational radially outward flow that establishes the swirling flow. In another form of the invention the rotor includes at least two blades directed radially outwardly from a central hub. The blades include at least one surface inclined to the direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An impeller and shield for a mixing apparatus. A mixing member has upper and lower opposite faces and one or more apertures therethrough. Each of the apertures has an upper periphery defined by an edge of the lower face and a lower periphery defined by an edge of the upper face. The mixing member is preferably an otherwise substantially planar disc having a hole through the center for receiving a motor driven shaft. Preferably, a separate shield member having upper and lower opposite surfaces and an aperture therethrough for receiving the shaft of the motor driven impeller is provided. The impeller and shield are used in combination to minimize the escape of particulate matter into the surrounding air during a mixing operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.

Abstract: This invention provides a mixing chamber that utilizes several tined cylinders to convey materials through the mixing chamber for applying liquid additives to the materials. Each of the tined cylinders includes a number of spring biased tines extending from the surface of the cylinder. The tined cylinders are arranged within the mixing chamber such that, as the tined cylinders rotate about an axis, the spring biased tines engage the materials within the mixing chamber and “sweep” them along towards a discharge opening of the mixing chamber. As the materials are conveyed through the mixing chamber, an additive liquid, typically containing various chemicals, colorants, dies, and/or paints, is sprayed onto the materials. In this manner, liquid additives are applied to materials more evenly and more thoroughly, resulting in a more consistent finished product.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of the shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extending from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38,40) to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: A screw-threaded impeller 50 having a mixing device 55 thereon is provided in a container 10 of a food processor. A drive unit adjacent the bottom of the container is adapted to move the impeller in both a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. During rotation, food placed within the container is lifted away from the mixing device when the impeller is rotated in one direction and is directed toward the mixing device when the impeller is rotated in the other direction. The mixing device includes a horizontal cutting blade 52 extending perpendicular to the impeller and a scooping blade 51 extending downwardly at an angle from the impeller. In order to lift over obstacles, the mixing device is spring mounted or can move along the helical protrusion toward the upper end of the impeller.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing particles in a liquid or semi-liquid medium, such as ceramic reinforcing particles in a molten metal or metal alloy matrix for the production of stir-cast metal matrix composite (MMC) materials. The particles can be introduced under the surface of the matrix by feeding the particles through the inner passage of a rotatable hollow impeller tube. The impeller tube is terminated at its lower end by an impeller head that includes teeth positioned proximate to an impeller base. The particles enter the matrix through a shear region in and around the volume between the impeller base and the impeller head. The rotating impeller and the high shear force thereby created wet the particles in the composite matrix and effect homogenization of the composite matrix. The present invention may be practiced either under vacuum or atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of the shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extending from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38,40) to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rapid production of concrete having a grout slurry forming device, a cyclonic mixer for aggregate and a weighing device for feeding weighed amounts of aggregate to the cyclonic mixer. The slurry forming device including, subjecting fine particles in a liquid to the action of one or more rotating disc shaped blades, arranged to create within the slurry alternating areas of high and low pressures, thereby breaking up agglomerations. The cyclonic mixer includes, a hopper in which at least two conveyors simultaneously transport aggregate streams tangentially into, in opposite directions inducing helical mixing paths. The weighing device including, an aggregate weigher wherein a number of aggregate storage bins selectively releases aggregate onto a variable speed controlled conveyor. Intimately mixed concrete being formed from the simultaneous release of the grout slurry into the cyclonic mixer combining with the mixing aggregate.

Abstract: An impeller and shield for a mixing apparatus. A mixing member has upper and lower opposite faces and one or more apertures therethrough. Each of the apertures has an upper periphery defined by an edge of the lower face and a lower periphery defined by an edge of the upper face. The mixing member is preferably an otherwise substantially planar disc having a hole through the center for receiving a motor driven shaft.

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.

Abstract: A fluid handling device to assist in the mixing or separation of two or more fluids utilizing a stack of two types of alternating plates. A first plate has an aperture; a second plate has peripheral spaces around which the fluids may flow. Both types of plates are provided with a plurality of projections that serve to space the plates apart and to provide additional turbulence to the fluids as they flow around the projections. The fluids are forced to proceed back and forth through the alternating plates. The plates may be designed to fit within a housing of circular or polygonal cross-section. The projections may be tapered or non-tapered. The projections may be circular or polygonal in cross-section. Further the heights of the projections may vary to adjust the separation between adjacent pairs of plates to obtain the appropriate degree of turbulence for optimum mixing or separation of the fluids.

Abstract: Continuous mixing apparatus provide rapid production of a mixture of high uniformity, low viscosity, low density, high stability after mixing, without an increase in amounts of subsequently supplied liquids. Continuous production of liquid or liquid containing mixtures consists of (i) continuously loading the apparatus casing with materials of different types which are flowable such as different liquids or a powder and a liquid, (ii) mixing the components between independently rotating upper and lower bladed disk turbine impellers to form a coarse mixture, and (iii) mixing the coarse mixture with an additional portion of a liquid being continuously supplied to the casing. The apparatus includes upper and lower bladed disk turbine impellers disposed in a mixing chamber within a casing. The impellers are capable of being rotated independently at different rotational speeds. A plurality of blades are attached to the impellers. Upper and lower ring shaped baffles extend from the inner wall of the casing.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of the shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extending from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38, 40) to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: A continous mixing apparatus has an upper rotary disk and a lower rotary disk able to rotate independently of one another. A plurality of scrapers are attached to the upper and lower sides of the upper and lower rotary disks. Scrapers on the lower side of the lower rotary disk have a notch enabling the scrapers to pass over a lower ring plate in the mixer. Material to be mixed is supplied to an upper portion of the mixer, and the product is discharged from a lower portion of the mixer. The device is constructed to enable any subsequently replenished liquids to not rise to the top of the mixing apparatus. The device produces a mixture that is uniform, highly stable, and that has a small particle size or a low viscosity which can be manufactured quickly.

Abstract: A porous paste, especially a plaster paste or slurry for producing sandwich-type plasterboard, is made in a disk-shaped mixer having a rotor rotatable in a mixing chamber by introducing compressed air or other pressurizable gas through a wall or bottom segment directly into the chamber so that the incoming pressurized gas meets the mixture with a shearing action along the wall or bottom.

Abstract: Continuous mixing apparatus provide rapid production of a mixture of high uniformity, low viscosity, low density, high stability after mixing, without an increase in amounts of subsequently supplied liquids. Continuous production of liquid or liquid containing mixtures consists of (i) continuously loading the apparatus casing with materials of different types which are flowable such as different liquids or a powder and a liquid, (ii) mixing the components between independently rotating upper and lower bladed disk turbine impellers to form a coarse mixture, and (iii) mixing the coarse mixture with an additional portion of a liquid being continuously supplied to the casing.

Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.

Abstract: A continuous mixing apparatus in which subsequently replenished liquid does not rise to the top of the mixing apparatus, and a mixture that is uniform, highly stable, and has either a small particle size or a low viscosity, can be manufactured quickly.

Abstract: A stirring blade unit includes a perforated cylinder formed around the an internal stirring blade so as to be rotated together with the stirring shaft. The perforated cylinder has perforations which are approximately 30 to 50% of the area of the top and bottom surface of the perforated cylinder. The internal stirring blade unit uses a discharge type stirring blade unit used for gas-liquid mixing of a general fermentation tank. Thus, the gas-liquid flow discharged from the blade unit in the horizontal direction hits the perforated cylinder formed around the blade unit certainly. Due to this hitting of the gas-liquid flow against the perforated cylinder, the pressure of the flow is changed significantly to refine the gas bubbles so that the gas absorption property is improved. The stirring blade unit is suitable for gas-liquid mixing necessary for such as, fermentation, aeration, and reaction (hydrogenation and oxidation) tanks.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for mixing viscous fluids. The mixing apparatus comprises a cage located on or along a shaft. The cage comprises a support with top and bottom sides. A number of vanes extend from one or both sides of the support. In one embodiment, the vanes are generally located near an outer edge of the support. The method comprises rotating the mixing apparatus in a container of fluid.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of the shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extending from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38, 40) to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.

Abstract: A method for improving extraction and separation of a component from a fluid. The method comprises forming a multi-phase fluid system, the multi-phase fluid system comprising at least a first phase having at least one extractable component and a second phase having an attraction for the extractable component, mixing the multi-phase fluid system at a first mixing intensity, mixing the multi-phase fluid system at least a second mixing intensity less than the first mixing intensity, and allowing the multi-phase fluid system to settle. In this process, the mixing intensity is reduced step-wise, resulting in lower entrainment of the extractable component in the fluid and faster separation of the phases.

Abstract: An impeller for use with apparatus to enhance mixing of a gas and a liquid, as used for example in froth flotation apparatus, having a substantially upright portion (11) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (17), and a plurality of vanes (12) extending outwardly therefrom, at least some of the vanes (12) having an upper part (19) adapted to induce liquid flow generally downwardly towards the impeller and a lower part (20) adapted to induce liquid flow generally upwardly towards the impeller, wherein the impeller further comprises barrier means (14) at least partially dividing the upper and lower parts, and a gas input situated on the same side of the barrier means (14) as the lower part (20). The barrier means (14) may comprise a flange like member in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation (17) and may intersect, or be integral with at least part of the vanes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile apparatus for the production of water based liquid paints from pulverulent constituents and water. The apparatus comprises a traveling frame, a mixing container, a mixing unit for mixing the pulverulent constituents and water, a metering unit for metering the pulverulent constituents into the mixing container, and a switching unit for controlling the metering and the mixing. The dissolver comprises a shaft and a dissolver disc having a ratio d/D of the diameter d of the dissolver disc to the diameter D of the mixing container of about 0.3 to 0.5, with the shaft being dimensioned so that during the mixing operation, the dissolver disc can be lowered to a distance b from the bottom of the mixing container of about 0.3 d to about 0.7 d.

Abstract: The present invention is a mixing device and a method of mixing viscous fluids with a mixing device. The mixing device includes a shaft and a support mounted for rotation with the shaft. A plurality of vanes extend from the support and are mounted for rotation with the shaft, the vanes extending generally parallel to the shaft and positioned radially outward from the shaft. The vanes have a sloping inner edge which is positioned closer to the shaft at a first portion of the vane than a second portion of the vane. In use, the mixing device is located in a viscous fluid and the shaft is rotated, thereby effecting rotation of the vanes, causing fluid to move through the vanes and mix the fluid.

Abstract: A porous paste, especially a plaster paste or slurry for producing sandwich-type plasterboard, is made in a disk-shaped mixer having a rotor rotatable in a mixing chamber by introducing compressed air or other pressurizable gas through a wall or bottom segment directly into the chamber so that the incoming pressurized gas meets the mixture with a shearing action along the wall or bottom.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for mixing viscous fluids. The mixing apparatus comprises a cage located at the end of a shaft. The cage comprises a central circular disc with an outer edge and top and bottom sides. A number of vanes extend from one or both sides of the disc, the vanes spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The method comprises rotating the mixing apparatus in a container of fluid.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of a shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extend from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38, 40) to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously tempering chocolate masses and the like includes a plurality of tempering chambers (17) including tempering surfaces (18) and being interconnected for the flow of a tempering medium. A plurality of mass chambers (7) is interconnected for the flow of the mass to be tempered, each of the mass chambers (7) being arranged between the tempering surfaces (18) of the tempering chambers (17). A plurality of driven mixing discs (6) has a radius, a circumference, an outer diameter, an inner diameter, a top side (10) and a bottom side (11). The mixing discs (6) are arranged inside the mass chambers (7), and they include openings (22) allowing for a passage of the mass to be tempered from the bottom side (11) toward the top side (10). A majority of mixing blades (12) is arranged at the top sides (10) and at the bottom sides (11) of the mixing discs (6) without continuous channels being formed between the mixing blades (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously reducing the viscosity of molten moldable polymeric material uses shear vibration under extensional flow to cause disentanglement. One or more station treatment cavities are defined by a gap composed of two closely separated surfaces in relative motion with each other at given speed and/or submitted to relative oscillations, with given frequency and amplitude to produce a shear deformation on the molten moldable material and a controlled variation of the gap dimension. The surface have a contour profile of ribs and/or bumps and/or grooves over which the molten moldable material can flow and/or can be dragged and/or is being pushed through and/or pumped through. The treatment cavities have an inlet through which the molten moldable material can pass into, and an outlet through which it can exit each treatment cavity.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of a shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extend from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38, 40) to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: A mixer 10 comprises a disc 32 having peripheral edge 35, which is formed in a circular profile concentric with inner circumferential surface 25 of annular outer wall 23; lower pins 50 provided with rear bulged portions 73 extend backward of the rotational direction R; and upper pins 60 provided with front bulged portion 72′ which extends forward of the rotational direction. A disc without a toothed formation on its peripheral edge zone can prevent the slurry from depositing on the outer periphery of the disc. Front and rear bulged portions 72′, 73 occupy a rearward area of the lower pin and a forward area of the upper pin so as not to provide retentive regions for the slurry, which might otherwise have caused a vortex or turbulent flow of the slurry. Accordingly, the deposition of slurry on the lower and upper pins can be prevented from occurring.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing delicate materials, has a rotor extending into a vessel for containing a quantity of material to be mixed, a support associated with the vessel, the mixing rotor mounted on the support for positioning in the vessel, the rotor comprising a rotatable shaft, a plurality of disc packs made up of a plurality of circular discs, each disc having an aperture in a center thereof, and means for mounting the discs on the shaft in axially spaced relation for enabling liquid to flow into the center of the discs and outward between the discs, and a motor drivingly connected to the rotor for rotating the rotor.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus (20) in a container (42) of fluid (44). The mixing apparatus comprises a cage (21) located at the end of a shaft (22). The cage (21) comprises a central circular disc (24) with an outer edge (43) and top (38) and bottom (40) sides. A number of vanes (26) extend from each side of the disc (24), the vanes (26) spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes (26) are connected by a hoop (38, 40) to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for mixing black liquor from cellulose production with ash from flue gases which is generated on combustion of black liquor. The mixing apparatus contains a cylindrical tank, a stirrer mechanism having a propeller secured on the upper part of a vertical shaft, rotating baffles secured on the lower part of the shaft, and stationary, vertical, radial baffles arranged around, and at a distance from, the rotating baffles. The invention also provides a method for mixing black liquor and ash.

Abstract: A method of mixing viscous fluids is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mixing apparatus in a container of fluid. The mixing apparatus comprises a cage located at the end of a shaft. The cage comprises a central circular disc with an outer edge and top and bottom sides. A number of vanes extend from each side of the plate, the vanes spacedly located near the outer edge of the plate. The free ends of the vanes are connected by a hoop to maintain their spaced relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for deagglomerating powder in a mixture of liquid and powder, which contains a mixing tank, a rotatable shaft, at least two agitator disks connected to such shaft, and a vortex suppressor disposed above the topmost of such disks at a distance which is from about 30 to about 60 percent of the inside diameter of the mixing tank. The mixing tank has a height which is from about 9 inches to about 20 feet, and an inside diameter of from about 3 inches to about 3 feet; and the ratio of such height to such inside diameter is at least about 3/1. The distance between the agitator disks is from about 50 to about 200 percent of the diameter of the first agitator disk; each of such disks contains from about 4 to about 12 teeth attached around its periphery; the frontal area of each of said teeth is from about 0.02 to about 1.5 square inches; and each of such teeth is so attached that it forms an angle between the front face of the tooth and the radius of said disk of from about 5 to about 45 degrees.

Abstract: A stirring element (10), especially a gasing stirring element for stirring liquids and introducing a gas, preferably air, to the liquids. The stirring element has a hub (12) for attachment to a stirring shaft and a support disk (14) joined to the hub (12), a plurality of stirring blades (16) being attached to a peripheral edge of the support disk (14). To achieve a low output power coefficient, each stirring blade (16) is made of a wedge-shape that is directed in the direction of rotary motion of the stirring element (10). Preferably, radially inner end sections (22, 24) of two sides (18, 20) of the stirring blade (16) are angled relative to sides (18, 20) outwardly with reference to the direction of rotary motion of the stirring element (10). The stirring element (10) simplifies gas feed and prevents clogs. By providing the support disk (14) with a conical shape having a ring of teeth (26) on its outer edge, a uniform distribution and good dispersion of the gas bubbles is obtainable.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously extracting a wax component contained in a solid residue with a solvent, in which method, the solid residue obtained from the juice of sugar cane is used as a raw material. To make the extraction time uniform and to obtain the wax at a high efficiency of extraction, the solid residue and an organic solvent for extraction are mixed under shear force and agitated in directions perpendicular to the flow direction. The mixing is conducted under an agitated flow condition so as to form a substantially plug flow in the flow direction.

Abstract: A materials mixer, suitable for mixing concrete, comprises a generally cylindrical housing (10) which houses a mixing chamber (15) consisting of an upper, dry mixing chamber portion (2), a central, wet mixing chamber portion (3) and a lower, discharge chamber portion (4). The materials mixer has an entrance (20) for materials to be mixed and an exit (25) for the complete mixture, between which are a plurality of rotating members (30, 40, 50, 60) which disrupt the flow of materials through the chamber (15) causing mixing of the materials. The shape of the mixing chamber is defined by a plurality of baffle plates (11, 12, 16) which help determine the path of the materials though the chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pulsator of a washing machine. A rotating plate which rotates by a driving part, is provided. A plurality of vanes are radially positioned at a predetermined distance apart from each other on the rotating plate. An irregular water flow generating part rotatably mounted on the rotating plate, is provided for generating an irregular water flow. When the rotating plate rotates, the irregular water flow generating part rotates in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the rotating plate to change a regular washing water flow generated by the plurality of vanes into an irregular water flow. The washing ability of the washing machine is improved and the tangling of clothing can be prevented. Further, the manufacturing cost of the washing machine can be reduced.

Abstract: A milkshake machine or similar apparatus uses the grinding and shredding principles employed by conventional impeller-type waster disposers. The milkshake machine has a housing that defines an upper grinding chamber and a lower receiving chamber separated by a rotatable impeller disk that mixes together and drives ingredients to be mixed against shredding surfaces on the inner wall of the grinding chamber. The receiving chamber has a discharge outlet, and a return inlet is provided in the housing above the grinding chamber. A discharge conduit is connected at one end to the discharge outlet at has a return port and a discharge spout at its opposite end. A return conduit is connected at one end to the return port of the discharge conduit and at its opposite end to the return inlet. A valve mechanism is provided to divert the mixed and ground ingredients expelled into the discharge conduit either into the return conduit and back into the grinding chamber or out of the discharge spout.

Abstract: An impeller assembly for agitating a fluid contained in a vessel and dispersing a gas introduced therein. The impeller assembly includes an impeller having a plurality of generally radially extending blades. Each of the blades includes diverging upper and lower sheet-like portions having generally radially extending leading edges. The upper and lower portions are joined to form a generally V-shaped cross-section with a trailing vertex. The width of the upper portion of each blade is greater than the width of the lower portion of the blade such that the upper portion leading edge extends forwardly of the lower portion leading edge, thus producing an upper portion overhang to capture and disperse rising gas bubbles. The impeller assembly further comprises a drive assembly for rotating the impeller assembly.

Abstract: An agitator blade comprises one or more cylindrical local agitators which have inner fabrics therein and are radially mounted on a mounting frame, which in turn is secured to an agitator shaft. The inner fabrics can include, for example, one or more twisted plates, one or more orifice plates, a plurality of bent plates, which are disposed in an alternately inverted relationship with one another so that the facing bent peripheral side of the adjacent bent plates cross each other, a plurality of flat plates or one or more net-like sheets. The agitator shaft is rotated by a motor to drive the local agitators to mix the fluid throughly. When applied for agitation and mixing processes, the agitator blade of this invention can realize a high degree of mixing easily and reliably in a short period of time and with a small driving power. Further, the construction of this agitator blade is simple.

Abstract: A device and method for generating a frothed milk product from a milk composition employs a planar agitator blade having opposed, smooth flat faces extending perpendicularly of a longitudinal axis of rotation, and a smooth cylindrical outer wall between the flat faces; the outer wall has a circumferential length significantly greater than the distance between the opposed faces. The device produces thick milk shakes even when employing no-fat or low fat milk or yogurt in place of normal homogeneous milk. A blender having a blender blade with opposed flat surfaces and a smooth cylindrical outer blade wall, and having ribs extending radially outwardly along the opposed surfaces, serves to puree fruit or vegetable morsels with the milk composition, to produce fruit or vegetable flavoured milk shakes.

Abstract: In injection of steam, gas or liquid into a fluid product in an injection apparatus having a substantially disc-shaped rotor (5) and having a central product inlet (10) and a peripheral product outlet (11), the injection is carried out in a limited zone (13) above the disc-shaped rotor (5) at a distance from both said inlet (10) and said outlet (11), the fluid product being also exposed to a radial displacement effect and a tangential dispersion effect. The fluid product may be a liquid with considerable variation of dry solids content and viscosity. The injection apparatus comprises at least one cylindrical wall (7, 8) projecting upwards from the disc-shaped rotor (5), which wall projects between coaxial cylindrical walls (14, 15) projecting downwards from an overlying stator cover (9).

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for use in a pen-type medicament injector includes a cartridge for holding a medicament suspension with an open end and an opposite capped end configured to receive a needle therethrough to permit the exit of the medicament suspension, and includes a plunger sized to be received and to seal the open end and to be telescopically movable therein, and the plunger defining a top surface and including at least one monolithic mixing vane formed therefrom and extending from the top surface and inwardly of the cartridge when the plunger is sealingly engaged with the open end.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating solid, liquid and/or gaseous materials with an activator with at least three coaxially arranged paddle rows (3, 4, 5) which are drivable in a contrarotating manner with beater paddles (6) having set angles of incidence (6), with the circumferential speed of the outer paddle rows (3, 4, 5) being between 70 m per sec. and 160 m per sec. In order to increase the extent of the achievable activation of the particles of the material and thus the performance of the apparatus and the quality of the manufactured products it is provided that the width (b.sub.1, b.sub.2, b.sub.3) of the paddle rows (3, 4, 5) decreases outwardly by at least 2%, preferably by at least 5% and maximally by not more than 10%.