Abstract: A method of manufacturing a static-mixing element, which method comprises forming selected subassemblies of the static-mixing element, having at least two layers of mixing blade elements, in a lattice-type structure, assembling the subassemblies in position in a fixture, joining the subassemblies together, to form the static-mixing element or one or more subassembly modules, and then joining the subassembly modules together, to form the entire static-mixing element. The subassemblies may be prepared of metal, by investment-casting or sintering, or a plastic or ceramic, by molding, and the subassemblies and subassembly modules formed by welding, sintering, bonding or fusing.

Abstract: An interchangeable injection screw for use in an injection molding machine is disclosed. It comprises: (a) an interchangeable feeding section, an interchangeable compression-and-melting section, an interchangeable metering-and-mixing section, and an interchangeable screw head, wherein the interchangeable feeding section, the interchangeable compression-and-melting section, the interchangeable metering-and-mixing section and the interchangeable screw head can severed from each other; (b) a splined shalt integrally formed with the interchangeable feeding section and extending in front thereof so as to sleevedly receive, in order from the feeding section, the compression-and-melting section and the interchangeable metering-and-mixing section; and (c) a screw means for affixing the interchangeable screw head to the splined shalt so as to form a complete injection screw.

Abstract: In a method for preparing coffee drinks with the help of a plurality of coffee powder portions arranged along a transporting tape, a single coffee powder portion is removed from a storage container by pulling out the transporting tape to such an extent that the following coffee powder portions remain in the container. Then, the tape is cut behind the first coffee powder portion, and the new initial portion of the transporting tape is fixed in the region of the outlet opening of the container. In this way, the unused coffee powder portions remain fresh and keep their full flavor, even during an extended storage period.The coffee machine suitable for performing this method comprises a two part brewing chamber. One portion of the brewing chamber is not only movable to and fro the other portion, but also rotatable and furthermore equipped with a catch member for grasping the initial portion of the transporting tape.

Abstract: A twin extruder has a material supplying section, a conveying section, a kneading section, a degassing section, and a discharging section. In the conveying section and the neading section, a plurality of grooves are formed in each of two walls arcuate in cross section of a cylinder which define an internal hole in the cylinder, and/or a cut is formed at each of the junctions of the walls of the cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for brewing a drink, such as coffee. The apparatus comprises a chamber for accommodating a mixture of water and a ground product to be extracted, the chamber having a perforated base on which a strip of filter material can be laid. There is structure on one side of the base for moving the strip of filter material over the base after a quantity of drink has been brewed and has been removed via the piece of filter material. The structure for moving the strip of filter material comprise a separate transport unit, and fixing structure is provided for fixing the transport unit to one of two opposing sides of the base, as desired. The structure for moving the strip of filter material can also comprise a separate guide unit, which is fixed in each case to that side of the base which is opposite to the side where the transport unit is located. A supply unit for filter material can also be fitted at the side of the base where the guide unit is located.

Abstract: A stirrer is disclosed herein for mixing ingredients in a pot wherein the stirrer includes a housing enclosing a battery-operated motor driving a downwardly depending drive shaft to which a stir paddle is detachably connected via an offset link so that the paddle revolves about the central axis of the housing but offset therefrom. A releasable mounting arrangement attaches the housing to the rim of the pot so that the drive shaft is centered thereon allowing the paddle to revolve without striking the wall of the pot. The mounting arrangement includes self-adjusting, spring-bias arms having end clamps detachably coupled with the pot rim. Push button and dial controls with circuit networks carried on the housing selectively control time, speed and other operating parameters.

Abstract: In a mixing drum (16) of a vehicle mixer is supported a coaxial pipe (24) which together with a closure element (36) and a feeding hopper (42) forms a constructional unit. The pipe (24) is supported by two bearings of the mixing drum (16) so as to be relatively rotatable and longitudinally displaceable. The closure element (36) serves for closing a tail opening (20) of the drum (16) and can be adjusted axially with the central pipe (24) by means of an adjusting device in order to open or close the tail opening (20) of the drum. The pipe (24) extends nearly over the entire length of the mixing drum and ensures the vibration-free bearing of the closure element so that between it and the drum mouth during driving, no relative shifts can occur which would damage the drum mouth sealing. The constructional unit can be pulled as a unit from the mixing drum so that maintenance work can readily be carried out.

Abstract: An umbilicus conveys fluid between a stationary body and a rotating body in a small, compact operating environment. The umbilicus comprises an elongated body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle region between the proximal and distal ends. A first support block is attached to the proximal end. A second support block is attached to the distal end. The first support block includes a strain relief sleeve. The umbilicus is otherwise free of any other strain relief sleeve. A thrust bearing member in the middle region spaced apart from the strain relief sleeve and the distal end. The umbilicus is otherwise free of any other thrust bearing member. The thrust bearing member has an inner annular body, an outer annular body about the inner annular body, and an array of ball bearings between the inner and outer annular bodies. The ball bearings support the inner annular body for rotation relative to the outer annular body.

Abstract: A beverage brewing apparatus which includes a substance dispensing device and a brewing device. The brewing apparatus includes a receptacle for receiving a brewing substance from the substance dispensing device, a movable chute positioned between the substance dispensing device and the receptacle, and a water dispensing system operatively associated with the brewing device and selectively communicating with the receptacle for delivering water to a brewing substance retained therein. Additionally, a drive assembly is provided to operatively displace the water dispensing device relative to the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is positioned in communication with the receptacle, the chute is moved out of communication with the receptacle. When the water dispensing device is removed from communication with the receptacle, the chute is placed in communication with the receptacle.

Abstract: A rotatably driveable enhanced-flow impeller system is provided for pumping at least one liquid in a tank through an outlet port thereof. A radial flow impeller has a first impeller face disposed proximate the bottom of the tank and proximate or extending into an inlet port for liquids in the tank bottom. The radial flow impeller has a plurality of blades with radially outermost blade tips terminating along a blade terminating circle. Disposed adjacent a second opposing face of the radial flow impeller is a radial flow extension plate which preferably extends radially outwardly along the second face by a radial distance beyond the blade terminating circle. The radial flow extension plate may be fixedly attached to the second impeller face.

Abstract: A mixing device includes a plurality of elongated ampules mounted on a rotatable support with the longitudinal axis of each ampule inclined inwardly toward the rotational axis of the rotatable support. When the mixing device rotates about the rotational support, centrifugal force causes fluid in each ampule to move toward the end farthest away from the rotatable support. A bubble in each ampule then moves toward the opposite end. In one embodiment, the rotational support is inclined so that the end of each ampule positioned farthest from the rotational support is positioned sufficiently above the other end so that the bubble rises to the end farther from the support in at least one position as the support rotates. As a result, a bubble in each ampule moves back and forth between the ends of the ampule as the rotatable support rotates to mix respective fluids in the ampules.

Abstract: An orbital shaking device (56) for use with a magnetic stirring device having a driving magnet (52) mounted on the motor shaft of an electric motor (54). The orbital shaking device comprises a base structure (58, 60) and a outer plate (62) arranged in parallel alignment and each of which is provided with support means on opposing faces thereof. The support means (96, 102) on the opposing faces are adapted to allow orbital movement of the outer plate (62) relative to the stationary base plate (60) in its own plane. The outer plate (60) is also associated with a driven magnet (66) and orbital movement of the outer plate is effected by magnetic coupling of the driven magnet (66) on the outer plate to the driving magnet (52) of the magnetic stirring device. A reduction gearing means (76) is provided through which the outer plate (62) is driven by the driven magnetic field means (66) to increase torque applied thereto.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a coffee maker for the preheating and keeping warm of cups, including a support surface (3) for cups (7, 8) and a heat source (2) delivering heat also to the cups (7, 8) resting on the support surface (3), wherein water held in a water reservoir (1) is heatable by means of the heat source (2) to a temperature such that vapors and/or steam are formed. Discharge orifices (9, 10) are provided in the support surface (3) for passage of the vapors and/or steam therethrough to circulate around the cups (7, 8) resting on the support surface (3), thereby heating them. In this manner, the cups are preheated readily and kept warm durably. In addition, the discharge orifices (9, 10) in the support surface may be closable by a spring-loaded flap structure (19) or a valve, a flap structure (19) or a valve being movable to an open position by the weight of a cup (7, 8).

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing liquids such as ink and paint includes a support platform having a plurality of rotating spindle and support tray combinations. Each tray is adapted to receive and support a respective open container or bucket containing ink or paint to be mixed, while each spindle is coupled to and rotationally driven by a respective hydraulic motor. A blade positioned within each container thoroughly mixes the container's contents as the container rotates. Hydraulic motor control allows each container to be rotated at a selected fixed RPM or at a continuously variable RPM for improved control of mixing of the materials within the container. By controlling mixer RPM, increased quantities of the ingredients may be mixed within the tub without spilling the contents, while also permitting faster, more thorough mixing of the ingredients. Each support tray is adapted to receive either a large container such as on the order of 15 gallons or a 3.5 gallon kit adaptor to mix smaller portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a continuous product stream of lime slurry to a job site which is located remote from a permanent lime production plant utilizes a primary and auxiliary tank which are mounted on a portable frame structure. Lime and water are mixed in the primary tank to form a lime slurry. The lime slurry is then introduced into the auxiliary tank. A product stream of lime slurry is drawn from the primary tank until it is depleted. Lime slurry is then drawn from the auxiliary tank to supply a continuous stream of lime slurry to the job site while the primary tank is being refilled with lime and water to form a second lime slurry. The second lime slurry is then introduced into the auxiliary tank so that it is filled again and a second product stream of lime slurry is drawn from the primary tank. The process is repeated until a desired amount of lime slurry is supplied to the job site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for effectively proportioning a mixture of compressible and non-compressible fluids, wherein the resulting mixture has an almost constant density. The present invention is particularly useful for admixing supercritical fluids with polymeric coating compositions for various spray applications.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing a processing medium with the pulp suspension within a bin is disclosed, the apparatus including a housing attached to a wall of the bin, a rotary shaft extending through the housing with a propeller attached to the shaft by means of a hub, and a nozzle surrounding the propeller for directing the pulp suspension from an inlet in the nozzle to the propeller. The housing includes a dilution chamber for the processing medium and an outlet from the dilution chamber for directing the processing medium towards the hub, and includes a gap separating the outlet aperture from the hub so that the processing medium can be contacted with the pulp suspension before the pulp suspension reaches the propeller.

Abstract: A motorized mixer for mixing bone cement for use in attachment of prosthetics and method for using the mixer. The mixer comprises a mixing chamber, a liner in the mixing chamber, an impeller within the liner, a motor for driving the impeller and programmable means for regulating the operations of the motor.

Abstract: A water purification device used in connection with the brewing of coffee in an automatic drip coffee maker has an annular sleeve contained within the moveable basket of the coffee maker. The water purification device has an activated charcoal resin operable to filter and purify hot water flowing from the coffee maker through the annular sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings to allow lateral movement of the water and steam away from the annular sleeve.

Abstract: A coffeemaker has a housing with a water reservoir, a top cover defining a fill port leading to the reservoir, and a heating chamber below the water reservoir. The housing includes a platform on which a thermal carafe can be placed in readiness for brewing. An automatic drip heater assembly pumps heated water to a brew basket which is removably mounted in brew basket holder pivotally mounted on the housing. The coffeemaker is used with a thermal carafe having a housing which houses an insulated container, preferably a double-walled vacuum bottle. A removable top lid is threadedly connected to the top of the carafe housing and has a gasket which, when the carafe top lid is threaded completely onto the housing, is in heat sealing relation to an opening to the insulated container.