Abstract: An improved paint mixer of the type rotating a paint container about a tumbling axis and a perpendicular spin axis, the improvements of a clamp assembly and lock, splash guards protecting a range-of-travel of upright clamp portions, low friction guide plates, an adjustable height strike plate and roller, a rigid gear assembly, an offset in the clamp to return the paint container to an upright position after mixing, and a relief in a raised portion on a lower plate of the clamp for assisting loading and unloading of the paint container.

Abstract: An improved paint mixer of the type rotating a paint container about a tumbling axis and a perpendicular spin axis, the improvements of a clamp assembly and lock, splash guards protecting a range-of-travel of upright clamp portions, low friction guide plates, an adjustable height strike plate and roller, a rigid gear assembly, an offset in the clamp to return the paint container to an upright position after mixing, and a relief in a raised portion on a lower plate of the clamp for assisting loading and unloading of the paint container.

Abstract: An improved paint mixer of the type rotating a paint container about a tumbling axis and a perpendicular spin axis, the improvements of a clamp assembly and lock, splash guards protecting a range-of-travel of upright clamp portions, low friction guide plates, an adjustable height strike plate and roller, a rigid gear assembly, an offset in the clamp to return the paint container to an upright position after mixing, and a relief in a raised portion on a lower plate of the clamp for assisting loading and unloading of the paint container.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for balancing paint mixers including pivotably supporting a mixing frame assembly and suspending the assembly by at least one spring for mixing a liquid coating using both spin and orbital rotational movements and adjusting the lowest rotational resonant frequencies of the mixing frame assembly to be substantially below the lower of a pair of forcing function frequencies corresponding to the spin and orbit velocities. Optionally one or more dampers may be used to damp pivoting movement of the mixing frame assembly.

Abstract: An improved paint mixer of the type rotating a paint container about a tumbling axis and a perpendicular spin axis, the improvements of a clamp assembly and lock, splash guards protecting a range-of-travel of upright clamp portions, low friction guide plates, an adjustable height strike plate and roller, a rigid gear assembly, an offset in the clamp to return the paint container to an upright position after mixing, and a relief in a raised portion on a lower plate of the clamp for assisting loading and unloading of the paint container.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting paint containers into and out of paint mixers of the type supported by a generally horizontal surface and including at least one side, the lifting apparatus having a pair of rigidly connected arms, each including a proximal end pivotably connected to a support structure and a distal end extending from the support structure, a mechanical link in the form of a strap and hook connected to a cross member connecting each of the pair of arms for lifting and lowering a paint bucket into and out of the paint mixer and a pair of gas springs connected between the support structure and the lifting arms for urging the lifting attachment upwards. The support structure may be separate from the paint mixer and may include sliding as well as pivoting movement between the arms and the support structure.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for balancing paint mixers including pivotably supporting a mixing frame assembly and suspending the assembly by at least one spring for mixing a liquid coating using both spin and orbital rotational movements and adjusting the lowest rotational resonant frequencies of the mixing frame assembly to be substantially below the lower of a pair of forcing function frequencies corresponding to the spin and orbit velocities. Optionally one or more dampers may be used to damp pivoting movement of the mixing frame assembly.

Abstract: An improved suspension apparatus and method for damping vibration arising in liquid vortex mixers of the type pivotably supporting a mixing frame assembly and suspending the assembly by at least one spring for mixing a liquid coating using both spin and orbital rotational movements. A pivoting support is located between the mixing frame assembly and a base. A damper in the form of an annular ring is used to damp pivoting movement of the mixing frame assembly. Various pivoting mounts may be used to pivotably support the mixing frame on a base. A bushing provides accommodation of a misaligned spring mounting end turn using a V-groove to retain the spring mounting end turn, and may include an eccentric feature to allow adjustment of the spring mounting length.

Abstract: A gyroscopic paint mixer having a ratcheting lead screw paint container clamp and lock with a pawl releasably engaging an axial relief in the lead screw. A clamping frame is driven by a shaft maintained in concentricity with a stationary ring gear by an antifriction bearing mounted between the shaft and ring gear. A support plate has a peripheral lip forming a first recess sized to position either a generally square paint container or a generally D-shaped paint container. The support plate has a second recess to position a cylindrical paint container concentric to a spin axis.

Abstract: A paint mixing machine having at least two axes for spinning either of a cylindrical or rectangular paint container to mix the paint in the container. The machine includes a stationary base frame carrying a mixing apparatus and an intermediate frame between the stationary base frame and the mixing apparatus. The intermediate frame is connected to the mixing apparatus and the stationary base frame by a plurality of vibration isolators. The intermediate frame includes damping weight to balance the deflection of the damping isolators. The base may also include one or more damping weights.

Abstract: A lifting attachment for lifting paint containers into and out of paint mixers of the type supported by a generally horizontal surface and including at least one side, the lifting attachment having a pair of rigidly connected arms, each including a proximal end pivotably connected to a paint mixer and a distal end extending beyond the side of the paint mixer, a mechanical link in the form of a strap and hook connected to a cross member intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the arms for lifting and lowering a paint bucket into and out of the paint mixer and a pair of gas springs connected between the paint mixer and the lifting arms for urging the lifting attachment vertically upwards.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically determining which of at least two forces to apply to a paint container in a mixing apparatus that is capable of clamping various sized paint containers. A clamp motor drives a clamping apparatus toward a paint container and a current rise signals engagement of the clamp with the container, whereupon a selection is made from a predetermined set of forces to apply to the container based on the time of energization and voltage applied to the clamp motor.

Abstract: A lifting attachment for lifting paint containers into and out of paint mixers of the type supported by a generally horizontal surface and including at least one side, the lifting attachment having a pair of rigidly connected arms, each including a proximal end pivotably connected to a paint mixer and a distal end extending beyond the side of the paint mixer, a mechanical link in the form of a strap and hook connected to a cross member intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the arms for lifting and lowering a paint bucket into and out of the paint mixer and a pair of gas springs connected between the paint mixer and the lifting arms for urging the lifting attachment vertically upwards.

Abstract: A keyed paint container holder for paint mixers having a pivoting interlock key movable with respect to a paint container receptacle of the holder for orienting a rectangular footprint paint container to have a handle of the paint container in a corner of the holder adjacent the interlock key. The interlock key has first and second portions and is pivotable with respect to the holder to at least first and second positions and, optionally, to a third position. The holder accepts a cylindrical paint container as an alternative to the rectangular footprint paint container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixing apparatus and method for mixing fluent material such as paint or the like in a container. The apparatus includes a main frame and a subframe movably connected to the main frame. A drive motor is mounted on the main frame, and a container receiving and securing support is mounted on the subframe. A transmission mounted on the main frame operably connects the motor and the subframe, and converts the rotary output of the motor to a circular motion of the subframe. In operation, the circular motion agitates the fluent material in the container to mix it in a short period without producing the destructive forces leading to mechanical breakdowns associated with other mixers.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for providing gyroscopic movement to a mixing container via a direct drive system including a fixed ring gear, a planetary gear engaging the ring gear and a mechanism for rotating the container both about a center drive axis and an orbiting axis which is angularly displaced from the center drive axis. The invention also relates to a mechanism for facilitating insertion and removal of the container from the mixing apparatus including a mixer chassis and a top lid and lid closure assembly which are pivotally connected to a portion of the mixer chassis.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for providing gyroscopic movement to a mixing container via a direct drive system including a fixed ring gear, a planetary gear engaging the ring gear and a mechanism for rotating the container both about a center drive axis and an orbiting axis which is angularly displaced from the center drive axis. The invention also relates to a mechanism for facilitating insertion and removal of the container from the mixing apparatus including a mixer chassis and a top lid and lid closure assembly which are pivotally connected to a portion of the mixer chassis.