Abstract: A lifting assistance apparatus includes a vertically-suspended lift control device configured to selectively linearly retract, linearly extend, or hold a retractable load-bearing feature, a lifting attachment attached to the retractable load-bearing feature, where the lifting attachment includes an angled portion having two horizontally opposed lifting arms connected via a member and configured to fit to a container with a protrusion, such that the two lifting arms when positioned directly below the protrusion are configured to selectively contact and lift the container as the lifting attachment is at least partially lifted by a retraction of the load-bearing feature, and a graspable portion configured to permit a user to select a horizontal position and height of the container using the control device by moving the container vertically and/or horizontally, where the control device operates to provide assistance to the user when moving the container in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A multi-axis mixing apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing and a controller operatively connected to a first motor and a second motor. The apparatus includes a frame supporting the first motor configured to selectively rotate a rotatable assembly. The rotatable assembly supports and provides an operative connection to the second motor configured to selectively rotate a rotatable sub-assembly. The rotatable sub-assembly includes a mechanism configured to receive and hold a container containing contents to be mixed, and the controller is configured to independently operate the first and second motors to mix the contents.

Abstract: A self-balancing adapter for use with a mixer, the adapter having a body configured to interface with the mixer as a unit, the body having a front and a back, left and right edges, a top and a bottom, and a vertical axis passing through the top and the bottom, where the front has at least a first recess configured to receive and hold a first vessel substantially within the body; and the adapter having at least one movable counterweight configured to be displaced when the first vessel is received in the first recess such that the movable weight at least partially offsets a weight of the first vessel within the body with respect to the vertical axis.

Abstract: A paint container holder for use in a paint mixer, the paint container holder capable of receiving a paint container with a square, tapered square or cylindrical shape.