Helical Ribbon Or Strand Patents (Class 366/339)
  • Patent number: 5873302
    Abstract: A pulp wash system in which recovery of juice and sugar solids is enhanced by the provision of an in-line static mixer disposed in the line between a pump supplying pulp to a finisher and the finisher. A plurality of pulp inlet pumps and finishers may be connected in series. Further, in using a series of finishers, the liquid introduced into each finisher except for the last finisher comes from the liquid output from a subsequent or further downstream finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Guillermo T. Segredo
  • Patent number: 5632962
    Abstract: A process vessel (2) is for achieving contact between at least one fluid passing through the vessel (2) and a packing material contained therein. The process vessel (2) has a peripheral wall (8) disposed around a longitudinal axis, an inlet for permitting entry of fluid into the vessel and an outlet for permitting the exit of fluid from the vessel. A redistributor (4) is located within the vessel (2) and the redistributor (4) follows a locus (3) which extends around the inside surface (10) of the peripheral wall (8). The locus (3) is neither perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis and is preferably spiral or helical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: British Technology Group Limited
    Inventors: Salah A. Baker, Brian Waldie
  • Patent number: 5605400
    Abstract: A mixing element comprises a cylindrical passage pipe through which a liquid flows, and a plurality of blade bodies disposed inside the passage pipe. The blade bodies forms inside the passage pipe a plurality of fluid passages extending spirally and in a longitudinal direction of the passage pipe. And, a gap between the blade bodies forms an opening for communicating the fluid passages to each other. These spiral blade bodies are produced independently to the passage pipe, after that, they are joined to an inner face of the passage pipe. Thus produced fluid fixer has an extremely high mixing-agitating effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 5595712
    Abstract: An integral structure is provided for chemical processing, particularly high-speed mixing and chemical reacting, in which a plurality of laminae are joined together and having inlet and outlet ports connected by a plurality of intersecting channels formed therethrough which accommodate the passage of one or more chemicals, said laminae comprising a material selected for compatibility with the one or more chemicals, the channels being formed so that chemicals are combined at intersections therein at sufficient angles of attack and shear rates so that chemical reactions are not limited by mass transfer. Chemicals are introduced through the inlet ports and processed along the channel, with desirable product withdrawn through the outlet ports. The laminae are selected from material of groups III, IV or V of the Periodic Table. Processes of manufacture of the apparatus and processes utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Kevin H. Harbster, Joseph A. Perrotto
  • Patent number: 5525242
    Abstract: This invention relates to improved apparatus and to an improved process for the treatment of liquids, and particularly water for domestic consumption. The improved process for treating water to remove hydrogen sulfide and soluble mineral compounds while saturating the water with oxygen comprises feeding the liquid through a nozzle and contacting the liquid with an oxygen containing gas, e.g., air comprises utilizing a venturi nozzle having a nozzle extension that retains the water and air in the form of a confined stream as it is discharged therefrom. The nozzle extension preferably is equipped with restrictor means for directing water from the interior walls of the nozzle chamber toward the center and the nozzle extension directed so that the stream of water containing air is directly discharged from the nozzle extension into the water retained within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Robert C. J. Kerecz
  • Patent number: 5501804
    Abstract: In a mechanical cell for blending elastomer particles and solution into uniform mixtures, a solid core with an entrance surface, an exit surface spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the entrance surface, and a plurality of minute core passageways therebetween for flow of an elastomer-containing hydrocarbon solution from the entrance surface to the exit surface, the passageways have a characteristic dimension of predetermined size to reduce globules of elastomer to small particles distributed evenly in liquid hydrocarbon solution without plugging the passageways. Typically the passageways have a characteristic dimension of predetermined size to reduce globules of elastomer selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene, a nitrile rubber, and a copolymer of a 1,4-conjugated diene and a vinyl aromatic monomer, to small particles distributed evenly in liquid hydrocarbon solution comprising a vinyl aromatic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Hall, Michael G. O'Connell, Evelyn A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5498078
    Abstract: The mixer for double dispensing cartridges having two storage cylinders whose volumetric ratio is different from 1:1 comprises a mixer housing which is attachable to the cartridge, and a mixer element group arranged therein. The two contiguous dispensing openings of the cartridge communicate with an inlet portion which precedes the mixer element group, the inlet portion being divided into a larger inlet chamber for the first component having a greater dispensing volume and into a smaller inlet chamber for the second component having a smaller dispensing volume. The smaller inlet chamber is positioned and designed in such a manner that the first component envelops the second component at the outlet of the inlet chamber and the first edge of the first helix cuts both the first and the second component in half, and that the laterally entering second component is guided to the center of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Inventor: Wilhelm A. Keller
  • Patent number: 5490726
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for combining two components to form a coating material formulation in which one of the components is a "high volume" component comprising a resin including supercritical fluid as a diluent, and the other of the components is a "low volume" component, such as a catalyst. The relative ratio of resin to catalyst is controlled by adjusting the catalyst pressure as a function of the pressure at which the resin is supplied to ,one or more coating dispensers and by adjusting the duty cycle of a catalyst valve within the catalyst flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Davis, Harold D. Beam, Jeffrey J. Kruke
  • Patent number: 5487606
    Abstract: A mixer for double dispensing cartridges having two storage cylinders whose volume ratio is different from 1:1 comprises a mixer housing which is attachable to the cartridges, and a mixing helix group which is arranged in the mixer housing. The two dispensing openings of the cartridges communicate with an inlet portion which precedes the mixing helix group and which is divided into a larger inlet chamber for the first component having a greater dispensing volume and a smaller inlet chamber for the second component having a smaller dispensing volume. The inlet portion is constructed to stem the first component and to supply the first component to the inlet chamber of the second component and to carry the latter along. Such a mixer allows an intimate mixing of the components without the need of uselessly dispensing a certain amount of the substance first in order to attain the correct mixing ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Wilhelm A. Keller
  • Patent number: 5433084
    Abstract: An in-line mixer for mixing gas and liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Food Systems Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Kaiser, Kenneth R. Shipley, Robert Z. Whipple
  • Patent number: 5431494
    Abstract: A device for sucking and diluting a highly viscous fluid contains an outer tubular member having a suction port for sucking the highly viscous fluid therein, the outer tubular member being connected to a suction source, an inner tubular member arranged within the outer tubular member and adapted for passing a diluting luquid for diluting the highly viscous fluid therethrough, the inner tubular member having an ejection port for ejecting the diluting luquid into a space delimited between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, and a mixing device for uniformly mixing the highly viscous fluid and the diluting liquid in the space delimited between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: The Calpis Food Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katuharu Ishii, Shogo Nomura, Takeharu Seki, Kenichi Hashimoto, Sohsuke Watabe
  • Patent number: 5425581
    Abstract: A static mixer for mixing of different media comprises mixing elements arranged within a tube, at which the mixing elements are twisted to divide and divert the media. The mixer is constructed of units each comprising at least one mixing element (1) arranged within a tube part (4). The mixing element is firmly connected to the tube part along its whole length of extension. The mixing elements seen in a cross-section has wing shape with the largest cross-section in the front part (2) of the element seen in the direction of flow of the media, while the rear part (3) seen in the flow direction has a thinner cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Bengt Palm
  • Patent number: 5421650
    Abstract: An apparatus for extruding material is provided which includes a barrel and a screw. The barrel has an axis and an internal operating surface, the internal operating surface defining a barrel interior and a barrel helical thread portion which includes a plurality of grooves reducing in cross-sectional area from a maximum value to a minimum value in a direction axially opposite to the axial direction of flow of material through the barrel. The screw has an external operating surface and extending into the barrel interior, the external operating surface of the screw forming a screw helical thread portion having at least a first and second groove. Each of the first and second grooves has an upstream end, a downstream end, and a body portion extending between the upstream and downstream ends thereof, the first and second grooves being axially co-incident at at least a transition location and being at least partially axially co-extensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Paul Meyer
  • Patent number: 5399015
    Abstract: A mechanical emulsifying apparatus makes oil/water emulsions without chemicals and without moving parts. Oil is pumped at a nominal pressure axially into an emulsifying stack of alternately clockwise and anticlockwise abrupt-reversal helical spin-reversing helix disks, with integrally machined separator necks. The stack transfers partially emulsified oil/water mix from one helical disk to the next. Water is introduced directly into the emulsifying stack (for heavy oil, from the side) at a pressure higher than the oil pressure, to shear into the oil stream. The oil/water stream, as it penetrates the oil stream, follows a spin-reversing flow path through the stack. Each disk is cut with a helical pathway, alternately clockwise or anticlockwise, and with a separator neck, for an abrupt transition at a nominal 135 degree angle. The oil and water streams, partially merged, strike the transition at the separator neck between helix disks. This reverses the helical flow abruptly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventors: Xie Zhi-qiang, Liu Erh
  • Patent number: 5397001
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the microbubble flotation separation of very fine and coarse particles, especially coal, and minerals so as to produce high purity and high recovery efficiency. This is accomplished through the use of a flotation column, microbubbles, recycling of the flotation pulp, and countercurrent wash water to gently wash the froth. Also disclosed are unique processes and apparatus for generating microbubbles for flotation in a highly efficient and inexpensive manner using either a porous tube or in-line static generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignees: Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State U., Virginia Tech Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Roe-Hoan Yoon, Gregory T. Adel, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 5350233
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus dispenses a composite material blended from metered components, at least one of which may be a viscous material. The apparatus includes a blending assembly for blending the components into the composite material and for thereafter dispensing the composite material out of a dispensing nozzle. The apparatus also has metering assemblies which are in communication with a respective component and which are each switchable between a measuring mode and a discharge mode. A control system concurrently places the metering assemblies in the discharge mode, and an ejection assembly concurrently ejects the selected quantities of the components into the blending assembly and thereafter out of the dispensing nozzle. The blending assembly is disclosed to be a static or a dynamic, and, where a static system is used, a plurality of static elements are disposed in a serpentive flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Reagent Chemical & Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Sonntag, Brian Skeuse
  • Patent number: 5326164
    Abstract: A device for mixing fluid materials using chaotic flow combined with sonic energy. The device includes sine wave baffles to produce mixing by folding, stretching and breaking the material as it continuously flows and simultaneously chopping the mixed material with vorticular motion using pressure fronts produced by sonic energy generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: James R. Logan
  • Patent number: 5312185
    Abstract: Holes are formed in boundary portions of a blade member between first blade sections which are spirally twisted in a clockwise direction, between second blade sections which are spirally twisted in a counterclockwise direction and/or between the first and second blade sections thereof. Thus, the blade sections are joined to each other at portions lying on both sides of the hole. That is, the first and second blade sections are joined at two points or on both side portions and therefore the mechanical strength of the blade member is high.When the fluid passes from the first blade section into the second blade section or passes the boundary portion between the first or second blade sections, it passes the hole formed in the central portion. When the fluid flows along the spiral fluid path, it flows with a turning movement and moves between the center and the side wall of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventors: Hisao Kojima, Akio Tsubota
  • Patent number: 5307867
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising an outer tube, one or more inner tubes disposed with interstice within said outer tube, and a spiral element extending longitudinally within said inner tube(s). The spiral element is made up of a plurality of unit elements connected together with a connection angle of 0.degree.. Each of the unit elements has a twist angle of 180.degree., with the direction of twist being reversed from one to a neighboring unit element. Channeling phenomenon is effectively avoided. Heat exchange medium with Rheynolds number Re>10.sup.4 is suitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Noritake Co., Limited
    Inventors: Masayuki Yasuda, Katsuhiro Kano, Tsutomu Ueda
  • Patent number: 5277494
    Abstract: A liquid integrator apparatus for insertion into a liquid flow line, for blending together leading and lagging incremental liquid flow volumes, the apparatus including a housing attachable to the liquid flow line, a cylindrical insert in the housing, the insert having a helical groove about its outer surface. The helical groove is substantially deeper than it is wide, and has a hydraulic radius of less than about 0.04, and the helical groove is sufficiently long so as to contain a liquid volume approximately twice the volume of incremental liquid for which blending is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Graco
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Lehrke, Martin P. McCormick
  • Patent number: 5225168
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a homogeneous material from a mixture of a plurality of reactive components is disclosed. Included is an injector having first and second spaced apart end portions. The injector defines a plurality of cylindrical passages each having a predetermined length and a predetermined cross sectional area. The passages have an inlet at the first end portion and an outlet at the second end portion. Each of the reactive components is delivered at a pressure within a predetermined pressure range to the injector. The reactive components are adapted to pass through the passages, exiting the injector at respective flow velocities. A mixing tube having a first end portion, a second end portions, and a middle portion of a predetermined length is also included. The middle portion is located between the first and second end portion. The second end portion of the injector is in communication with the first end portion of the mixing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Pankaj Khosla
  • Patent number: 5222807
    Abstract: A continuous, low shear solids dissolution system involving a water supply system (100), polymer metering system (120), mixture feed tank (152), mixture pump (154), mixture conduit (172), undissolved polymer dispersal element (188), solution sieve assembly (210), and holding tank (250). The polymer-water mixture (156) is pumped through mixture conduit (172). Undissolved particles of polymer encounter dispersal elements (188) and the particles are more uniformly dispersed. Any particles which are carried undissolved out of the mixture conduit (172) are forced through sieve (214) to further disperse the polymer in the water. The undissolved polymer is completely dissolved by low shear agitation in a holding tank (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: GACO Manufacturing Division of Gaddis Petroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Preston G. Gaddis
  • Patent number: 5176448
    Abstract: A stationary material mixing apparatus for mixing various components in a fluid stream. The mixing apparatus is a biscuit placed within a conduit along the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The biscuit contains a plurality of openings therethrough where within openings are located mixing elements which induce a rotational angular velocity to the fluid stream. The material mixing apparatus is particularly effective in mixing a low viscosity component into a high viscosity fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Inventors: Leonard T. King, Leo Nelmida
  • Patent number: 5174651
    Abstract: A continuous, low shear solids dissolution system involving a water supply system (100), polymer metering system (120), mixture feed tank (152), mixture pump (154), mixture transport conduit (172), undissolved polymer dispersal element (188), solution sieve assembly (210), and holding tank (250). The polymer-water mixture (156) is pumped through mixture transport conduit (172). Undissolved particles of polymer encounter dispersal elements (188) and the particles are more uniformly dispersed. Any particles which are carried undissolved out of the mixture transport conduit (172) are forced through sieve (214) to further disperse the polymer in the water. The undissolved polymer is completely dissolved by low shear agitation in a holding tank (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Gaddis Petroleum Corporation
    Inventor: Preston G. Gaddis
  • Patent number: 5174653
    Abstract: The invention relates to motionless mixer elements having a plurality of connected baffles each with a pair of substantially symmetrical opposing major surfaces generally helically twisted along a central longitudinal axis of the baffle and an interconnection arrangement for serially releasably resiliently connecting such elements together on a common axis in desired orientations about that axis relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: TAH Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Halat, Peter Gruendeman
  • Patent number: 5171557
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for collecting reaction product solids entrained in a gaseous outflow from a reaction situs, wherein the gaseous outflow includes a condensable vapor. A condensate is formed of the condensable vapor on static mixer surfaces within a static mixer heat exchanger. The entrained reaction product solids are captured in the condensate which can be collected for further processing, such as return to the reaction situs. In production of silicon imide, optionally integrated into a production process for making silicon nitride caramic, wherein reactant feed gas comprising silicon halide and substantially inert carrier gas is reacted with liquid ammonia in a reaction vessel, silicon imide reaction product solids entrained in a gaseous outflow comprising residual carrier gas and vaporized ammonia can be captured by forming a condensate of the ammonia vapor on static mixer surfaces of a static mixer heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gary M. Crosbie, Ronald L. Predmesky, John M. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5167798
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the microbubble flotation separation of very fine and coarse particles, especially coal and minerals, so as to produce high purity and high recovery efficiency. This is accomplished through the use of a flotation column, microbubbles, recycling of the flotation pulp, and countercurrent wash water to gently wash the froth. Also disclosed are unique processes and apparatus for generating microbubbles for flotation in a highly efficient and inexpensive manner using either a porous tube or in-line static generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Roe-Hoan Yoon, Gregory T. Adel, Gerald H. Luttrell
  • Patent number: 5124035
    Abstract: A system for treating effluents such a sewage includes a mixing chamber and a separation chamber. In the mixing chamber various chemical additives are introduced in to the effluent and thoroughly mixed to act as a flocculent to extract the solid materials in the separating chamber. In the separating chamber the mixed materials are caused to flow longitudinally in a laminar flow condition to allow stratification of the liquid from the solid materials. In the mixing chamber there is provided a plurality of transverse baffles spaced longitudinally and rotated angularly relatively to a longitudinal axis of the tube. Each baffle has tapered holes to act as a venturi to mix the materials. In the separation chamber there is provided an auger flight rotating slowly which has holes through the flight thus generating a laminar flow to provide improved separation of the solid and the liquid components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventors: Patrick F. Dunne, Ralph H. Cook
  • Patent number: 5104233
    Abstract: A mixing element according to this invention comprises a passage tube through which fluids to be mixed pass, a fluid structure providing a plurality of fluid passage in the interior of the passage tube, and an auxiliary body disposed on the inner wall surface of the passage tube and at least a part of the surface of the fluid passage structure, whereby the area in contact with the fluids and the shearing force are increased, whereby the mixing effect is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 5080493
    Abstract: An assembly for mixing two different liquid components includes a container having two barrels, and an exit conduit detachably connected to the container. The exit conduit includes a static mixer along with a check valve located between the static mixer and an outlet of the exit conduit. The check valve prevents the dripping of mixed materials from the exit conduit between intended dispensing operations, and may be discarded along with the exit conduit after extended interruptions between dispensing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan G. McKown, Philip W. Claybourne, Robert J. Mariana
  • Patent number: 5071634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen peroxide by the anthraquinone process. A reaction mixture into which there are fed hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas and a working solution, i.e. an anthraquinone derivative in an organic solvent, is circulated via a tubular static mixing zone (9) which is continuous or comprises several parts, in order to hydrogenate the anthraquinone derivative in the presence of a solid catalyst, and by removing hydrogenated working solution (13) and gas (11) from the circulating reaction mixture (8). According to the invention, the reaction mixture (14) is circulated (8) via a catalyst-coated static mixing zone (9), where it is simultaneously both mixed and catalyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Kemira Oy
    Inventors: Teuvo Maunula, Eva-Liisa Mustonen, Ilkka Turunen, Pirkko Virta
  • Patent number: 5053202
    Abstract: An improved static mixer for use in a plural component dispensing apparatus is disclosed having a spacer intermediate a plurality of mixing elements to enhance the mixing and blending of the plural components. The static mixer may employ an air assist to increase the mixing energy within static mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: William P. Dwyer, Thomas P. Patrosh
  • Patent number: 5046548
    Abstract: A device for tempering and homogenizing viscous masses, particularly putty, and incorporating a combined heat exchanger and homogenizer (10), having a tubular part (12) through which the putty under pressure and tempering is caused to pass. In said tubular part (12) is provided a guiding device (16) designed compulsory to give the putty a plurality of direction changes relative to the tubular part (12). The guiding device (16) incorporates at least a first helical heat exchanger tube (17) arranged around a centrally disposed, second heat exchanger tube (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Leif Tilly
  • Patent number: 5037584
    Abstract: Carbonated liquid under pressure is conducted to a point which is at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure without excessive loss of carbonation over a helical flow path formed from a tubular member having an inner circumference and a helical insert having a threaded portion disposed within the tubular member with the threaded portion and the inner circumference together defining the helical flow path. The helical insert has an upstream end formed with a pointed nose adjacent one end of the threaded portion and a downstream end formed as a flat tail adjacent the other end of the threaded portion. The helical flow path has a predetermined length and essentially constant cross section which tends to reduce the pressure of the solution without excessive loss of carbonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Duncan M. Toll
  • Patent number: 4969747
    Abstract: A dispensing mixer unit suited for use with a dispensing gun for mixing and dispensing at least two materials through a common mixing nozzle. The dispensing mixer comprises a tubular shell having at least two compartments for separately storing the materials to be intermixed and a common mixing nozzle, with the shell surrounding the common nixing nozzle in a concentric arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventors: Laurence Colin, Edward R. Spehar, Bernard F. Harkins
  • Patent number: 4902418
    Abstract: The element is disposed in a vessel receiving a fluid flow. The vessel wall is porous at least for a proportion of the fluid and bounds an inner chamber communicating through the vessel wall with a chamber outside the vessel. The element is in the shape of a plate or tube and is so devised that the porous wall either on its own or in combination with other similarly shaped elements to form a module, forms a turbulence generator particularly in the form of a static mixer for the fluid flow. The resulting turbulence on the wall of the elements ensures that the wall remains porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Heinrich Ziegler
  • Patent number: 4878925
    Abstract: A blade is formed integrally on the inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical passage tube, thus constituting an element. A porous or meshed auxiliary body is disposed on the surface of the blade or the inner peripheral surface of the passage tube. The auxiliary body serves to increase the area in contact with the gas flowing through the element and to accelerate capture of particulates in the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 4874249
    Abstract: A mixing arrangement is provided for continuous mixing of liquids which comprise a plurality of inserts with helical surfaces disposed in a row within a conduit. The inserts each comprise a plurality of helical insert members which, at the inlet end of the inset, are in mutual contact and form a polygon at that end. The insert members extend individually from the inlet end along the conduit. The insert members are also in contact at the outlet end of the insert or at a location between the inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Ceske vysoke uceni Technicke, rektorat
    Inventors: Jan Kabatek, Pavel Ditl
  • Patent number: 4871448
    Abstract: A mechanical flotation machine comprises a flotation cell, a circulating pipe vertically installed therein, an axial impeller mounted in the lower portion of the pipe and a guide device secured to the lower end of the pipe. The guide device has an annular gap through which pulp flow generated by the impeller returns from the cell to the pipe. Vanes are installed in the annular gap to create, above the impeller, pulp flow rotating opposite to the rotation of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Gosudarstvenny Proektno-Konstruktorsky I Experimentalny Institut Po Obogatitelnomu Oborudovaniju
    Inventors: Valentin I. Dobryakov, Galina V. Zhevzhik, Valery A. Seballo, Evgeny V. Zhukov, Altar Z. Ententeev, Vyacheslav N. Struzhkov, Alexandr S. Gorbachev
  • Patent number: 4850705
    Abstract: The invention relates to motionless mixers and baffles thereof and includes a baffle having a pair of substantially symmetric opposing major surfaces generally helically twisted along a central longitudinal axis of the baffle and a first pair of substantially planar surfaces connecting the pair of major surfaces at one end of the baffle, one of the first pair of planar surface extending both substantially transversely and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The intersection of the first planar surface and one of the major surfaces forms an edge at the one end of the baffle. Such geometry enables a plurality of the baffles to be formed as a single insert unit by conventional injection molding techniques using only a pair of mold halves. The major surfaces are concave in cross-section normal to the longitudinal axis to form with a housing a pair of passages of generally ovoid (or elliptical) cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Terry A. Horner
  • Patent number: 4848920
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a static mixer for generating a substantially homogeneous media stream. The mixer has a series of angularly offset mixing elements with each element comprising a central boss portion, a plurality of ribs extending radially from the boss and defining with the periphery of the boss a plurality of substantially pie-shaped segments through which the media stream flows, and a plurality of webs for dividing each segment into two substantially equal flow areas. Each web has a first edge extending substantially radially and a second edge extending substantially circumferentially and is twisted through approximately 90.degree. from the first edge to the second edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: William R. Heathe, Pierre Pinet
  • Patent number: 4840493
    Abstract: The invention relates to motionless mixers and baffles thereof and includes a baffle having a pair of substantially symmetric opposing major surfaces generally helically twisted along a central longitudinal axis of the baffle and a first substantially planar surface connecting the pair of major surfaces at one end of the baffle, the first planar surface extending both substantially transversely and substntially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The intersection of the first planar surface and one of the major surfaces forms a knife-like edge at the one end of the baffle. Similar additional knife-like edges can be provided, a second knife-like edge on the one end of the baffle radially disposed on opposite sides of each of a pair of axes through a central longitudinal axis of the baffle to form leading edges of the baffle and a like pair of knife-like trailing edges on an opposite end of the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: Terry A. Horner
  • Patent number: 4832500
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing or otherwise agitating fluid material comprises an elongated vessel (1) to contain the material, means (6, 7, 9, 10) to impose oscillatory motion upon the material in a lengthwise direction, and a plurality of stationary obstacles (19, 35) mounted on the inner wall (2) of the vessel and arranged in sequence lengthwise. The obstacles present sharp ridge-form tips (20, 37) each ridge pointing in a direction (30) at right angles to that of the oscillating motion. Each adjacent pair of obstacles and the length of vessel wall between them define a trough-shaped space (26) in which the oscillating motion repeatedly forms vortices and then ejects those vortices vigorously into the remainder of the fluid outside the trough, so promoting the agitation of that fluid. The invention applies particularly to cylindrical vessels in which the obstacles are ring-shaped (19) or are constituted by the successive turns of a helix (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: Colin R. Brunold, Andrew W. Dickens, Jeremy C. B. Hunns, Malcolm R. Mackley, Huw R. Williams
  • Patent number: 4811786
    Abstract: An apparatus and process of mixing a gaseous phase and a liquid phase within a tubing string in a well bore is described. The apparatus and process form a homogeneous gaseous phase liquid phase mixture without requiring a blocking restriction within the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: G. N. Kamilos, D. D. Kennedy, L. J. Lederhos, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4801008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable cartridge including a chamber containing a plurality of inter-reacting components of, e.g., an adhesive system. The components are separated from each other by a barrier film formed by reaction therebetween. The components are expelled through a nozzle housing a static mixing element, the nozzle being adapted to trap the barrier film to prevent clogging. The nozzle includes a frusto-conical entry portion designed to ensure a constant mix-ratio profile between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Rich
  • Patent number: 4776704
    Abstract: A mixing and dispensing syringe having a single mixing cylinder loadable at one end with a plurality of different materials to be blended and mixed by static devices, a dispensing nozzel on the opposite end of said cylinder, a piston-like unit axially movable in the cylinder between opposite ends thereof by means of a manually-operable member connected to one end of the unit, whereby, when the unit is positioned nearest the nozzle in the cylinder and the cylinder is loaded with the materials to be mixed, movement of the unit toward the loadable end of the cylinder causes the materials to pass through a mixing device in the unit and into a common chamber or barrel of the syringe to effect partial mixing and when the unit next is moved toward the nozzle by the manual member, the partially mixed materials then pass through the static mixing device in the nozzle and are further mixed incident to being discharged from the syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Dentsply Research & Development Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Kopunek, Richard E. Welsh, Paul D. Hammesfahr
  • Patent number: 4767026
    Abstract: A dispensing device and disposable mixer for a plurality of fluids is provided in a combination in which the dispenser stores the fluids separately and delivers them to an orifice in which the fluids are maintained in separation to the point of interface between the orifice and the disposable mixer with means in the inlet end of the mixer having low resistance to the flow of the fluids for preventing cross contamination between the fluids and optionally provided with means at the inlet end of the mixer for both enhancing the mixing action downstream and for maintaining the integrity and separation between the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Inventors: Wilhelm A. Keller, Sung J. Chen
  • Patent number: 4753536
    Abstract: A portable dispensing mixer for intermixing and dispensing two contiguous streams of material in a preset volumetric ratio. The dispensing mixer includes a syringe with two compartments, discharge assembly for discharging material from the syringe and a nozzle assembly for dispensing the discharged material from a common nozzle. The nozzle assembly comprises a common nozzle, a static mixing element with an arm extending from one end and a head. The head has an end stop for stopping rotation of the arm. The mixing element is caused to rotate by the ingress of material fed through the nozzle until the arm hits the end stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Inventors: Edward R. Spehar, Bernard F. Harkins, Laurence Colin
  • Patent number: 4749527
    Abstract: An improved motionless mixer, referred to herein as a static aerator, for dissolving gases in liquids is disclosed. The static aerator incorporates a helical mixing element in which the pitch of the blade or vane of the helical mixing element decreases continuously along the length of the mixing element. The linear velocity of the flowing liquid is thereby subjected to increasing angular acceleration resulting in centrifugal force against the retaining walls. This additional pressure generated on the liquid increases the amount of gas that may be dissolved in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: Hans C. Rasmusen
  • Patent number: 4747697
    Abstract: A motionless fluid mixer for mixing two or more kinds of fluids has an elongated tubular casing into which a mixing element and a spacer are arranged in combination, the mixing element being provided with a helically twisted blade member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima