With Rotatable Or Oscillatable Stirrer Patents (Class 366/194)
  • Patent number: 11073321
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a body which includes a storage compartment, an ice maker provided in the storage compartment and configured to form ice, an ice bucket in which the ice formed by the ice maker is stored, and an auger provided in the ice bucket and configured to include a rotating shaft and an extension portion radially extended from the rotating shaft while being spirally extended along the rotating shaft. Here, the extension portion includes a plurality of transfer portions configured to include perimeter edges spirally extended and side edges radially extended and to be arranged to allow the perimeter edges to form a continuous spiral shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung Ki Park, Min Seob Yook
  • Publication number: 20150138914
    Abstract: A feed mixing and dispensing apparatus includes a container mountable on a transport. The container has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, a pair of opposite end walls, a pair of opposite side walls and a base wail and a top opening. The longitudinal axis extends substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the container, while the transverse axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the travel of the container. A mixing shaft connected to a drive means is rotatably mounted inside the container and comprises mixing members for breaking up and mixing the feed. The mixing shaft extends between the side wails substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. A feed discharge arrangement is provided for discharging the mixed feed from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Samuel Hughes
  • Publication number: 20150016212
    Abstract: A system for mixing a fluid in a tank includes a mixer assembly, a housing, and an actuator. The mixer assembly has a motor, a shaft, and an impeller. The housing is disposed in a side wall of the tank. The housing has sufficient volume to contain the impeller. The actuator is configured to retract the mixer assembly and draw the impeller into the housing. The mixer assembly has a first conformation and a second conformation. In the first conformation the impeller is disposed in a main portion of the tank and configured to mix the fluid in response to rotation of the impeller via the motor and shaft. In the second conformation the impeller is disposed in the housing and out of the main portion of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Creathorn, Bernd Gigas, Michael McCarroll
  • Publication number: 20140366396
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a polishing pad includes a housing including a body, an interconnection portion, and a discharging portion, and a stirrer located in the housing, the stirrer mixing a polishing pad composition and a pore forming material with each other. A diameter of the discharging portion is in a range of about 9 mm to about 16 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Youngjun JANG, Bong-Su AHN, Jin-Su JEONG, Jungsik CHOI
  • Patent number: 8905628
    Abstract: A blending and dispensing appliance is provided which includes a blending container, a housing having a recess for receiving and supporting the blending container, and an agitator to agitate contents placed therein. A conduit is disposed on an outer sidewall of the blending container and fluidly connected to the blending container. An auger is disposed in the conduit and is rotated within the conduit when a dispensing arm is depressed. The rotating auger extrudes blended contents through the conduit from the blending container to a dispensing spout for further directing the blended contents into a beverage container. A motorized base containing both an agitator and auger motor selectively provide rotary power to the agitator and auger, respectively. A control system is provided for controlling the operation of auger and the agitator so that the contents placed into the beverage container are blended to a desired consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Ledger, Augusto Picozza, David Swett
  • Patent number: 8701941
    Abstract: A container for dispensing food products can include a clump decimator portion for breaking up food clumps. In one embodiment, a container comprises a container portion having an open interior and an open top and a cover for selectively covering the open top. The cover can include a cover base portion and a rotatable top portion configured to be coupled on top of the base portion. The cover base portion can include a plurality of dispensing apertures for allowing a food product to be dispensed therethrough. The rotatable top portion can be selectively rotatable relative to the cover base portion and the container portion. The clump decimator portion can extend downwardly and radially from the top portion through the cover base portion and into the container portion. The clump decimator can rotate as the rotatable top portion is rotated to agitate the contents of the container portion while they are being dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Federal Molding Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Fuller, James G. Skakoon
  • Patent number: 8672194
    Abstract: The present invention regards a hopper structure for containing and treating loose material, which includes a tubular section, upper in use, a lower tapered section equipped with a suitable discharge mouth, a support device for at least the upper tubular section, and a guide device designed to allow the lower section to move between a closed position against the upper section and an open position removed from the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Moretto S.p.A.
    Inventor: Renato Moretto
  • Patent number: 8591096
    Abstract: A variable height blender system is disclosed that includes an industrial blender carried by a first lift and a second lift for moving the blender up and down into any of various vertical positions. The variable height blender system includes drive controls for independently controlling movement of the first and second lifts, and a synchronizer in communication with at least one of the first and second drive controls for synchronizing the movement of the first and second lifts to maintain the batch blender substantially level. The synchronizer includes a level sensor that senses a tilt of the batch blender with respect to a local gravity vector and sends level reading signals to the synchronizer for use in independently adjusting the speeds of the first and/or second lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eirich Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Bongratz
  • Patent number: 8465197
    Abstract: The present invention has its application in the field of devices and methods for the product physical and chemical mixing and refers particularly to a cartridge for sterile mixing of a two-phase compound. The cartridge includes a first tubular body defining a first collection chamber for a solid phase, a second tubular body defining a second collection chamber for a liquid phase, means for transferring the liquid phase from the second to the first chamber, means for mixing the phases. The means for mixing comprise means for agitating acting on the mixture inside the first chamber with the first tubular body in substantially stationary conditions, so as to favor the dispersion of the solid phase inside the liquid phase thus obtaining a compound with uniform physical and mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tecres S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Faccioli, Renzo Soffiatti
  • Patent number: 8444787
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for introducing a wet gypsum accelerator or other high viscosity production additive to an aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum in a discharge apparatus downstream of a stucco mixer in which the dispersion was prepared. These methods and systems are useful in the production of various gypsum products such as board including wallboard and ceiling tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: James R. Wittbold, W. David Song
  • Patent number: 8353622
    Abstract: A cartridge in which bone cement is mixed and from which the cement is discharged. A blade with plural vanes is disposed in the cartridge for mixing the cement. A piston located in one end of the cartridge is actuated to push the mixed cement out of the cartridge. The blade has plural vanes, one for scraping cement off the side of the cartridge, one for scraping cement off the piston and one for scraping cement off the end of the cartridge opposite the end in which the piston is normally located. The blade is collapsible so that when the piston is actuated the blade compresses to allow the cement in the cartridge to be pushed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce D. Henniges, Christopher M. Tague, Jared P. Coffeen, Christopher S. Brockman, Marshall K. Proulx
  • Patent number: 8322909
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mixer for producing a paste by mixing components, comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis, a rear end, and a front end provided with a discharge opening; and a mixing chamber formed in said housing and having an entry side facing said rear end of said housing. The initial content of the mixing chamber is diverted from the discharge opening, and the subsequent content of the mixing chamber is extrudable from the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Gramann, Ingo W. Wagner, Kai R. Huble
  • Publication number: 20120287748
    Abstract: A gypsum slurry mixer includes a stationary part delimiting a mixing chamber including an upper part with a supply orifice, a lower part, a lateral part with an outlet orifice defining on the lateral part two end points and the outlet orifice is located within the angular sector formed by the centre of the stationary part and by the 2 points; a smooth movable part having an axis of rotation arranged in the stationary part; and an outlet system including a tubular element oriented tangentially to the stationary part along an axis of which the projection in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation is located within the sector formed by the acute angle between the projections, in the perpendicular plane, of the two tangents to the lateral part passing through the end points; and a collecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LAFARGE GYPSUM INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Fabrice Pourcel, Fabrice Marandeau, Olga Volkova
  • Patent number: 8148480
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stirred-tank reactor and to a method for carrying out a polymerization reaction of unsaturated monomers using a stirred-tank reactor. According to the invention, said stirred-tank reactor is characterized in that the product discharge point is designed as the central base outlet that is at least partially traversed by the agitator shaft. Said polymerization is performed continuously under positive pressure, so that the stirred-tank reactor is operated hydrodynamically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Evonik Roehm GmbH
    Inventors: Ruediger Carloff, Joachim Heid, Olaf Pickenaecker
  • Patent number: 8091473
    Abstract: A juice extractor capable of extracting juice from vegetables, fruits or soymilk from beans is disclosed. The extractor includes a housing having a draff outlet port and a juice outlet port, a screw having an upper rotary shaft inserted in a rotary shaft hole of the housing and a lower rotary shaft with a plurality of screw spirals formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a mesh drum for extracting the juice toward the juice outlet port, and a rotary brush mounted between the housing and the mesh drum and having a brush holder. Various nutrients and intrinsic flavor contained in the vegetables or fruits are maintained to the fullest extent by employing a very low speed screw of a squeezing mode. Also, since the housing accommodating the screw is vertically fixed to an upper portion of a drive unit, the material is automatically moved downward without pressing the material down, and the draff is discharged while squeezing and grinding the materials put in an inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Young-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8061889
    Abstract: A mixer mount for mounting a mixer to a sprayer cart includes a mixer clamp, a mixer bracket mount, a mixer bracket pivot and a support assembly. The mixer clamp is connected to the mixer bracket mount. The mixer bracket mount is connected to a mixer bracket pivot at a pivot point. The mixer bracket pivot slidably engages in the support assembly so that the distance between the mixer clamp and the support assembly may be changed. The support assembly is capable of connecting to a sprayer cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Barry W. Mattson, James C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8047702
    Abstract: A high shear mixer in a holding tank is used in a continuous flow process. Flow rate of material into and out of the holding tank establishes residence time in contact with shearing elements. A batch shear mixer is used in a tank that has continuous flow into the bottom and out of the top. A level controller controls a valve or a positive displacement pump at the inlet. The mixing chamber is sized for the maximum needed residence time, slowing the flow increases the residence time. In an open tank lower inlet pump and upper outlet pump are coordinated. Incoming flow rate matches outgoing flow for continuous processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: William J. LoPresti
  • Patent number: 7871195
    Abstract: A mixing device configured to blend food. The mixing device includes a base enclosing a motor. A jar is removably mounted to the base for containing food. A collar is removably mounted between the base and the jar. A dispensing spout is removably mounted to the collar. Further, a splash guard is removably mounted to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Atle Larsen, Ernest B. Pryor, Jr., Mark C. Steiner
  • Patent number: 7717612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously mixing ingredients of a flour-and-water-based food dough comprising two mixing tools rotatably mounted one above the other about an axis of rotation, wherein the top tools is embodied in the form of a helix extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to said axis of rotation in such a way that the ingredient mixture is produced, the lower tool comprises at least one radial arm provided with a leading surface inclined with respect to the axis of rotation and an enclosure is provided with a mixed dough discharge opening which is arranged in the peripheral side part of a mixing space and in front of the lower tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: VMI
    Inventors: Gérard Fisson, Laurent Jaunet, Ricard Pascal
  • Patent number: 7695682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing appliance pertaining to a chemical or biochemical analyser and comprising a pipette having a head, a body and a free end. The head of the pipette is fixed to a head supporting block. The inventive mixing appliance comprises driving elements for triggering the oscillation of the free end of the pipette. Said driving elements consist of an actuating unit that is fixed to a frame, both elements being associated with a guiding block provided with an eccentric block that is mounted in such a way as to rotate freely about an axis and is in contact with the body of the pipette. The head supporting block is mounted in such a way as to rotate freely in the frame about an axis perpendicular to the plane in which the pipette oscillates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Maxmat SA
    Inventors: André Chojnacki, Jeanet Randrianarivo
  • Patent number: 7490975
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and system for mixing castable polyurethanes and polyureas and for prolonging the dispensing time for dispensing them into a golf ball mold for application to a golf ball sub-assembly. A nozzle framework includes support housing heaters and heater adaptors for each dispensing port to delay the onset of drool and improve cut off in the dispensing tubes. The combination of fluorinated dispensing ports, the heating of the polyureas or polyurethanes, and inclusion of a capillary orifice in each dispensing port significantly prolongs the time before the advent of drool is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Puniello, Shawn Ricci, Peter L. Serdahl, Timothy S. Correia, John T. Davies
  • Patent number: 7461970
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus comprises first and second opposing mixing members rotatable relative to one another about an axis and which have facing surfaces which extend away from the axis and which define a mixing chamber therebetween. Means are provided for rotating at least one of the mixing members to provide relative rotation between the first and second mixing members in a first rotational direction. An array of mixing formations on at least one of said surfaces interact to mix material within the mixing chamber and are configured to propel material within the mixing chamber towards the axis. The number of mixing formations on at least one of the surfaces increases with radial distance from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Watson Brown HSM Ltd
    Inventor: Christopher Brown
  • Patent number: 7431494
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a disposable and flexible mixing tank, configurable as a bag, having a sealed sleeve therein for arrangement of a mixing device. The volume of the mixing tank is defined by an inner wall of the mixing tank and an inner wall of the sleeve. The mixing tank may be used to mix, store, reconstitute and/or dispense materials therein. Draining of a mixture may be aided with pressurized gas. Heating or cooling of the contents of a mixing tank may be accomplished with a thermal exchange fluid disposed within a thermal exchange vessel and in thermal communication with the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pascal Zambaux
  • Patent number: 7384186
    Abstract: A mountable reusable paint container is configured for mounting on a wall and includes one or more separate storage compartments formed in a downward sloping configuration with each compartment having a spigot coupled at the base for dispensing the stored paint product. The paint container further includes molded air tight lids configured for fitting over each of the compartments. Each of the paint containers preferably have a stirring mechanism formed within the lid which extends into the paint container when the lid is positioned over the paint container. The stirring device extends downward into the reusable paint container and includes a top handle portion, a threaded distance rod and a bottom fin portion. The bottom fin portion includes a plurality of small evenly spaced fins formed of plastic which rotate with the stirring device in the paint container when the top handle portion is manually activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy J Williams
  • Publication number: 20080031087
    Abstract: A dispensing blender for blending foodstuff and dispensing foodstuff therefrom. The dispensing blender includes a base enclosing a motor, a jar removably mountable to the base, a collar removably mountable between the base and the jar and a dispensing spout mounted to the collar. At least a portion of the dispensing spout is movable to an open position wherein foodstuff within the jar is able to flow from the jar, through the collar and out of the dispensing spout and a closed position wherein the foodstuff is blocked from flowing out of the dispensing spout. A cup actuation lever mounted to the base is movable to a dispensing position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the open position and a resting position wherein the dispensing spout is urged to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: HAMILTON BEACH/PROCTOR-SILEX, INC.
    Inventor: Ernest B. Pryor
  • Patent number: 7311436
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Biomaterial Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Barker, Roy B. Bogert, John P. Carr, James W. Nelson, Linda M. Trebing, Damian Bianchi
  • Patent number: 7296919
    Abstract: A method for providing a smoothly mixed slurry to a web is provided which includes inserting calcined gypsum and water into a mixer (12), agitating the contents of the mixer (12) to form an aqueous dispersion of the calcined gysum, and passing the agitated contents from an outlet (20) of the mixer (12) into a slurry dispensing apparatus (22) including a flexible, resilient conduit (24). Additionally, the method includes the step of creating a back-pressure on the mixture in the slurry dispensing apparatus by constricting the conduit (24). The constricting of the conduit (24) is effected by a constrictor valve (28) located on the conduit (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Bruce Lynn Petersen, Richard James Haszel, James R. Wittbold
  • Patent number: 7246937
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and system for mixing castable polyurethanes for dispensing into a golf ball mold for application to a golf ball sub-assembly. The apparatus comprises a mixing block for merging together at least two polyurethane components, then a temperature control chamber to remove excess heat that is produced by the exothermic reaction resulting from the mixing of the urethane components. The mixing of the components is by passing the components through a tortuous mixing path created by a disposable static mixer element. The mixed components are dispensed into the golf ball mold by a multiple lead nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Mark R. Verronneau, Richard T. Dix, David W. Sauerbrey, Christopher Cavallaro, Paul A. Puniello
  • Patent number: 7230037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the continuous mixing of at least one polyol component and at least one isocyanate component and optionally additives to form a polyurethane reaction mixture in a stirrer mixer with an axially conveying stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Hennecke GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Michael Sulzbach, Reiner Raffel, Jürgen Wirth, Wolfgang Pawlik, Florian Thiebes, Lothar Röhrig
  • Patent number: 7172335
    Abstract: An automatic mashed potato system for efficiently and automatically creating seasoned mashed potatoes. The automatic mashed potato system includes a housing unit having an upper cavity with a closure, a seasoning unit within the closure, a fluid collection tray removably positioned within the housing unit, a heating container positioned within the housing unit, a mixing container removably positioned within the heating container, and a mashing apparatus extending from the closure. Potatoes and water are placed within the mixing container and the heating container heats the potatoes until the potatoes are softened. An automated drain within the mixing container drains the water, then the seasoning unit inputs seasons into the mixing container and the mashing apparatus thereafter mashes the potatoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Carmina F. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7121715
    Abstract: A liftable blender assembly has a container, which is easily filled and emptied in that it may be loaded with ingredients from the top, may cause the ingredients to mix or react, may be raised and then may be emptied from the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Eirich Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard W. Bongratz
  • Patent number: 7025493
    Abstract: A chemical supply system includes at least two supply pipes for supplying at least two different chemicals; a mixing unit connected to the supply pipes for mixing at least two different chemicals to form a chemical mixture, an exhausting unit for exhausing the chemical mixture externally; and a filtering unit provided between the mixing unit and the exhausting unit for filtering the chemical mixture to prevent chemical particles having more than a predetermined size from being exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ki Min, Yong-Sun Ko, In-Seak Hwang
  • Patent number: 6997600
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for intermittent agitation of particulate matter. In some embodiments, a mechanical agitator is intermittently activated within in a particulate-matter-delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Process Control Corporation
    Inventor: Alan Edward Landers
  • Patent number: 6984063
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing and dispensing components. The methods and apparatus of the invention are particularly advantageous to mix the components of radiopaque bone cement and inject the resulting radiopaque bone cement into skeletal structures. The apparatus of the invention comprises: (1) a sealed mixing chamber for mixing components; (2) a dispensing chamber isolated from the sealed mixing chamber; (3) a controllable portal to open a flow path between the sealed mixing chamber and the dispensing chamber so that the dispensing chamber can receive the mixed components after they are mixed; and (4) a drive mechanism associated with the dispensing chamber to force the mixed contents from the dispensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Biomaterial Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Barker, Roy B. Bogert, John P. Carr, James W. Nelson, Linda M. Trebing, Damian Bianchi
  • Patent number: 6874930
    Abstract: An apparatus configured for connection to a mixer for receiving a slurry and altering the flow characteristics of the slurry includes a conduit having a main inlet in slurry receiving communication with the mixer outlet and extending to a spout for discharging the slurry, at least one conduit restrictor associated with the conduit for creating back-pressure between the conduit restrictor and the mixer outlet for keeping the mixer full, and at least one pressure reducer associated with the discharge spout and configured for reducing the pressure of the slurry dispensed from the discharge spout. The apparatus is configured for maintaining a generally laminar flow from the mixer outlet to the discharge spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: James R. Wittbold, Amit P. Duvedi, Michael P. Shake, Mark K. Hemphill, Wayne A. Fleming
  • Patent number: 6808305
    Abstract: A powered in-line blender for mixing additives to sludges or other flowable liquid/solid mixtures. The blender is particularly useful in a method of blending polymer to municipal sewage sludges to improve the dewatering characteristics, and thus improving total costs for dewatering, handling, and disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Sharpe Mixers, Inc.
    Inventors: Phil E. Sharpe, Jay G. Dinnison, Steven Drury
  • Patent number: 6789935
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the vertical mixing of gaseous, liquid, powdery and/or pasty products using, for example, a hollow shaft and inner shaft arranged in a housing, whereby paddle-shaped mixing tools are provided on the hollow shaft and on the inner shaft there is provided a discharge device arranged below an outlet of the mixer. The mixer is thereby completely filled in the operating state and the product and additives are pressed onto the inner wall of the housing by means of the mixing tools. The product flows continuously downwards under the force of gravity and acts against the partly backward-conveying paddles. The continuous product flow is regulated using a rotary slide valve provided at the outlet. The mixer is especially suitable as a dosing device and/or for lubricating extruder and/or expander products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Buhler Ag
    Inventors: Heinz Binder, Andrea Hermsmeyer, Philipp Hanimann
  • Patent number: 6685886
    Abstract: A fluid bed processing system for particles with an agitation system includes a product chamber with an interior and a plurality of elongated structures. The elongated structures extend at least partially across the interior of the product chamber and are positioned in the product chamber where the particles are located. The fluid bed processing system also includes a system for engaging the elongated structures to agitate the particles in the product chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bisgrove, Ryszard Braun, Robert C. Fewkes
  • Patent number: 6663276
    Abstract: An agitator assembly for agitating a substance in a container comprises a container, a magnetic drive device, and an agitator element. The magnetic drive device is disposed adjacent to an outside surface of a lateral wall of the container. The agitator element is disposed in the container and is magnetically coupled with the magnetic drive device for self-supported rotation about a central longitudinal axis. The agitator element includes an agitator body, a first magnet mounted at the agitator body, and a second magnet mounted at the agitator body and circumferentially spaced from the first magnet. The agitator element substantially centered about the central longitudinal axis and supported at a substantially constant axial position within the container by the magnetic drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Lane Yale
  • Patent number: 6652133
    Abstract: A kneading and mixing machine for dough, foodstuffs or the like includes a tub driven in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation, at least one rotatable tool entering into the latter and driven in rotation about an axis parallel to the tub's axis of rotation, and a closing body closing a coaxial bottom opening in the tub bottom which, in order to discharge a finished tub content, can be moved vertically by means of a lifting device to a mid-position and then can be swung by means of an actuator about a horizontal axis to a discharge position, wherein the closing body can be moved upward from its closing position to the mid-position and can then be swung within the tub to the discharge position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Diosna Dierks Soehne GmbH
    Inventor: Mohammad Hashem Ghanizadeh Khoub
  • Publication number: 20030117890
    Abstract: A blender mixes a liquid and a quantity of particulate solids for use in hydrocarbon well operations. The blender is mounted on a vehicle having a suction manifold of rectangular tubing. The long side of the rectangular tubing is vertical, is positioned on one side of the vehicle and provides a large number of inlet connections which, in use, connect to hoses leading to tanks filled with a frac liquid or the like. The discharge manifold may be a mirror image of the suction manifold. The rectangular suction manifold tubing provides greater spacing between the inlet connections and greater volume throughput in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Michael P. Dearing, Scott A. Toler, Daniel R. King
  • Publication number: 20030117891
    Abstract: An apparatus configured for connection to a mixer for receiving a slurry and altering the flow characteristics of the slurry includes a conduit having a main inlet in slurry receiving communication with the mixer outlet and extending to a spout for discharging the slurry, at least one conduit restrictor associated with the conduit for creating back-pressure between the conduit restrictor and the mixer outlet for keeping the mixer full, and at least one pressure reducer associated with the discharge spout and configured for reducing the pressure of the slurry dispensed from the discharge spout. The apparatus is configured for maintaining a generally laminar flow from the mixer outlet to the discharge spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: James R. Wittbold, Amit P. Duvedi, Michael P. Shake, Mark K. Hemphill, Wayne A. Fleming
  • Patent number: 6572259
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed to automatically maintain a desired back pressure on a slurry to facilitate the proper operation of pumping equipment and to eliminate or diminish scaling or other buildup in piping and related equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Burnett Lime Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Burnett, Wade Burnett, Hugh Burnett, Norton E. Cater
  • Publication number: 20030090958
    Abstract: A dispenser for a soft-serve food product includes a housing having a dispensing chute and a piston having a head positioned therewithin. A lateral wall, the piston head, and a front door define an enclosed hollow space. The head is slidable within the lateral wall for squeezing a deformable container to dispense product through the chute. A system for preparing and dispensing a soft-serve food product includes a tempering freezer for raising a temperature of the food product from hard-frozen to a condition for soft-serve dispensing. An apparatus for packaging a soft-serve confection into a multiple-serving-size container for transport includes a blender for blending ingredients together to form a blended product and a device for transferring the blended product into a deformable container. The deformable container filled with the blended product is transferred into a substantially rigid mold and frozen to a hardened state for transport and retention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Eric R. Miller, William Brown
  • Publication number: 20020191486
    Abstract: A chemical supply system includes at least two supply pipes for supplying at least two different chemicals; a mixing unit connected to the supply pipes for mixing at least two different chemicals to form a chemical mixture, an exhausting unit for exhausing the chemical mixture externally; and a filtering unit provided between the mixing unit and the exhausting unit for filtering the chemical mixture to prevent chemical particles having more than a predetermined size from being exhausted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Samsung ELECTRONICS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ki Min, Yong-Sun Ko, In-Seak Hwang
  • Patent number: 6494609
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering an additive-enhanced slurry for use in making gypsum wallboard, and configured for connection to a centrifugal mixer with a tangential discharge outlet, includes a conduit having a main inlet in slurry receiving communication with the mixer outlet and extending to a discharge spout for discharging the slurry proximate a wallboard forming area. At least one volume restrictor is associated with the conduit for creating back pressure between the volume restrictor and the outlet for keeping the mixer fill, and at least one pressure reducer associated with the discharge spout and configured for reducing the pressure of the slurry dispensed from the discharge spout. The apparatus is configured for maintaining a generally laminar flow from the mixer outlet to the discharge spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: James R. Wittbold, Amit P. Duvedi, Mark K. Hemphill, Wayne A. Fleming, Wilford Gary Pittman, Kirk S. Moore, Christopher Nelson
  • Publication number: 20010018931
    Abstract: This invention relates to a storage tank for a viscous oil containing easily polymerizable compounds. A storage tank of the present invention for strong viscous oil containing easily polymerizable compounds, comprising a bottom plate 12, a side wall 13, a draw-off pipe 3 and a inlet pipe 2. The bottom plate 12 slopes downward toward the draw-off pipe 3 and an angle of downward inclination of the bottom plate 12 is gradient at least 1/200. It becomes possible by the present inventive storage tank to effectively prevent the polymerization of the easily polymerizable compounds contained in the waste oil within the storage tank and the clogging of a pipe is suppressed considerably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Yuichi Ijiri, Yukihiro Matsumoto, Sei Nakahara, Fumio Munechika
  • Patent number: 6250794
    Abstract: An agitator for an ice cream making apparatus includes a shaft defining a vertical axis, left and right arms, a primary blade member, diametrically opposed left and right limbs, an extruding screw member, and an auxiliary blade member disposed above the primary blade member. The primary blade member is rotatable relative to the auxiliary blade member, which is held fast when the shaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Olivia Huang
  • Publication number: 20010002987
    Abstract: A fluid bed processing system for particles with an agitation system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a product chamber with an interior and a plurality of elongated structures. The elongated structures extend at least partially across the interior of the product chamber and are positioned in the product chamber where the particles are located. The fluid bed processing system also includes a system for engaging the elongated structures to agitate the particles in the product chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventors: BRUCE A. BISGROVE, RYSZARD BRAUN, ROBERT C. FEWKES
  • Patent number: RE43418
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a disposable and flexible mixing tank, configurable as a bag, having a sealed sleeve therein for arrangement of a mixing device. The volume of the mixing tank is defined by an inner wall of the mixing tank and an inner wall of the sleeve. The mixing tank may be used to mix, store, reconstitute and/or dispense materials therein. Draining of a mixture may be aided with pressurized gas. Heating or cooling of the contents of a mixing tank may be accomplished with a thermal exchange fluid disposed within a thermal exchange vessel and in thermal communication with the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: ATMI BVBA
    Inventor: Jean-Pascal Zambaux