Abstract: A structural component for a device for the treatment of melts, especially of glass melts, having a base body of metal or of a metal alloy and a cooling system in which a cooling medium is led through the structural component for the leading-off of heat. The base body is provided with a coating of a material the decomposition temperature of which lies below the temperature of the melt, and the cooling system is designed and arranged in such manner that the temperature of the boundary layer of the melt that immediately surrounds the structural component lies below the decomposition temperature of the coating material.

Abstract: In a method for reproducible dissolution of a pharmaceutical product in a dissolution medium contained within a vessel, a flow regime characterized by high turbidity and low bulk movement of dissolution medium is induced within the vessel. Simultaneously, solid particles of the pharmaceutical product on a bottom portion of the vessel are mechanically dispersed. Induction of the flow regime and mechanical dispersion of solid particles may be accomplished by a brush body adapted to sweep a bottom portion of the vessel. The brush body is repeatably biased into contact with the bottom portion of the vessel, and caused to rotate in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A reactor produces a gas-in-liquid emulsion for providing increased interfacial contact area between the liquid and the gas for improved reaction of the gas with the liquid, or more rapid solution or reaction of a difficulty to dissolve or immiscible gas in or with a liquid. The reactor is suitable for a continuous or batch type process. Rotor and stator cylindrical members are mounted for relative rotation one to the other and have opposing surfaces spaced to form an annular processing passage. The gap distance between the opposing surfaces and the relative rotation rate of the cylindrical members are such as to cause formation of a gas-in-liquid emulsion of the gas in the liquid, as the liquid and gas pass through the processing passage.

Abstract: A dissolution test apparatus comprises a spindle head assembly interconnected between first and second lateral support members. The lateral support members are translatable along a first axis, and the spindle head assembly is translatable along a second axis, such that the spindle head assembly is movable from a front, operative position at which test procedures are effected, to a rear position at which access to the dissolution test apparatus is enhanced. The spindle head assembly includes a dosage delivery mechanism including an actuatable dosage unit-retaining member. A front portion of the dissolution test apparatus has a tapered width to accommodate a triangular or trapezoidal array of test vessels, resulting in high visibility of the vessels.

Abstract: A tool has: a tubular casing (11); and drive shaft (13); and a centering and guiding element (15) for the drive shaft (13). The tubular casing (11) and the drive shaft (13) are provided, at the same first end, with removable means (21, 25) for locking to the machine body (3) and releasable means (45) for coupling to a main shaft (41) of the machine, respectively. The centering and guiding element (15) has removable means (71, 73) for fixing to the tubular casing (11). The locating element (15) is mounted in the tubular casing (11) at the side of the first end, and the fixing means (71, 73) thereof are suitable for being locked in a correct fixing position by complementary locking means (47) provided on the machine (3) when the tubular casing (11) is fixed to the machine body (3).

Abstract: Process for the continuous preparation of thermoplastically processable polyurethane elastomers with improved softening properties is disclosed. The process is carried out in a tubular reactor at a ratio of the circumferential speed of the stirrer (in m/sec) in the tubular reactor and the throughput (in g/sec) of >0.03 m/g.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing a specimen (e.g., a biological fluid specimen) in an upstanding container having an internal mixer with a cavity defined by an upstanding annular wall. The annular wall of the mixer is engaged by a movable holder, which is elevated along with the engaged mixer sufficiently to prevent contact of the mixer with the container during mixing. The mixer is then moved to mix the specimen. The holder, which may include an expanding collet that fits within the cavity of the mixer, preferably rotates the mixer to stir the specimen. When mixing is complete, the holder is disengaged from the mixer. A controller coordinates all actions of the holder.

Abstract: A plastic disruption and homogenization device. The device has rotor that is axially disposed within a stator. The stator and the rotor have several teeth to aid the disruption and homogenization process. The device consists of plastic material that allows the rotor to rotate smoothly without the use of bearings.

Abstract: The developer agitating member has a shaft portion, a spiral rib and an inclined rib protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and provided in the spiral rib in the axial direction of the shaft portion. As a result, in a developing apparatus, a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus, the developer agitating member can efficiently agitate and convey a developer.

Abstract: A mixer and a method for mixing and press-sliding a mixture of an ion-conducting polymer or a raw material of the ion-conducting polymer with a powdered substance 11 are disclosed. Due to the effective press-sliding process of this invention, the powdered substance 11 is effectively coated with the ion-conducting polymer 12.

Abstract: An agitator tank, used in industrial processing, that includes a tank having a substantially cylindrical interior chamber operable for containment of a material to be processed, two sets of counter-rotating blades disposed within the interior chamber of the tank and mounted on concentric axes, motor drives for each set of blades and, preferably, a turbine disposed in the base of the tank for resuspending settled material for processing. The two sets of blades include a first set of central blades which rotate counterclockwise; and a second set of peripheral blades mounted on a cylindrical frame which rotates clockwise, both sets of blades being mounted on separate, independent axes that are both centered on a single geometric axis of the cylindrical interior chamber of the tank.

Abstract: A reactor produces a gas-in-liquid emulsion for providing increased interfacial contact area between the liquid and the gas for improved reaction of the gas with the liquid, or more rapid solution or reaction of a difficulty to dissolve or immiscible gas in or with a liquid. The reactor is suitable for a continuous or batch type process. Rotor and stator cylindrical members are mounted for relative rotation one to the other and have opposing surfaces spaced to form an annular processing passage. The gap distance between the opposing surfaces and the relative rotation rate of the cylindrical members are such as to cause formation of a gas-in-liquid emulsion of the gas in the liquid, as the liquid and gas pass through the processing passage.

Abstract: A container for blender includes a cup and a stainless steel hollow cylindrical member. The cylindrical member has an L-shaped upper rim and an annular bottom having an L-shaped inner edge. The cylindrical member is integrally fitted in a lower part of the cup when the latter is injection-molded with the L-shaped upper rim and the L-shaped inner edge of the annular bottom imbedded in peripheral wall and bottom wall of the cup, respectively. The cylindrical member protects the cup against direct contacting with and colliding by rigid materials being crushed in the cup, and accordingly eliminates tiny chips of the cup that would otherwise be produced due to such colliding.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for mixing and stirring paints and the like having an axial shaft with a means for moving the liquid mounted on the axial shaft and a cage-like frame surrounding the means for moving the liquid and surrounding at least a portion of the axial shaft, and a combination device for mixing and stirring paints and the like and for holding a roller paint brush cover for cleaning.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing materials employ two cylindrical members, one mounted within the other, defining an annular processing chamber. Preferably, the outer member is stationery (stator), while the inner rotates (rotor). The radial spacing between the stator inner surface and the rotor outer surface is equal to or less than the back-to-back radial thicknesses of the two laminar boundary layers formed on the two surfaces by the material being processed. The surfaces are made smooth, as by buffing to a finish of not more than 10 microinches. This structure inhibits formation of Taylor vortices in the processing passage, which cause unstable flow and consequent incomplete mixing. Preferably, the relative velocity between rotor and stator surfaces is at least 1.2 meters per second. The surfaces may be coated with catalysts. Transducers may be provided to apply processing energy, such as microwave, light or ultrasonic waves, through the stator wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the homogeneous mixing of a finely dispersed solid phase with a fluid in a vessel (12), whereby a means (11) for mixing the solid phase (13) is moveably arranged in the vessel (12) and whereby the diameter of the means (11) is 70-99% of the inner diameter of the vessel (12). Further, the present invention comprises an array, which comprises a plurality of devices according to the invention for the parallel homogeneous mixing of a plurality of solid phases with the same or different fluids.

Abstract: A reactor produces a gas-in-liquid emulsion for providing increased interfacial contact area between the liquid and the gas for improved reaction of the gas with the liquid, or more rapid solution or reaction of a difficulty soluble or immiscible gas in or with a liquid. The reactor is suitable for a continuous or batch type process. Rotor and stator cylindrical members are mounted for rotation relative to one another and have opposing surfaces spaced to form an annular processing passage. The gap distance between the opposing surfaces and the relative rotation rate of the cylindrical members are such as to form a gas-in-liquid emulsion of the gas in the liquid. The liquid and gas pass through the processing passage, changing into the gas-in-liquid emulsion.

Abstract: A window allows the introduction of radiation energy into an annular processing chamber filled with a material to be processed. The chamber is formed from coaxial cylinder members rapidly rotating relative to one another. The chamber can be thin enough so that it is short compared to the penetration depth of the radiation through the material, providing even exposure of the material to the radiation. Also, eddies created in the material by the relative rotation enhances the even exposure. When the material inside the annular processing chamber is opaque, resulting in an insignificant penetration depth, the eddies still insure that the material is evenly exposed to the irradiation.

Abstract: A more efficient process and method for dispersing gas or other fluids into a liquid which may have solid suspension. More particularly, the process includes maximizing the transfer of oxygen by an impeller by selecting a Froude Number value and/or Surface Power Density value and analyzing these two relative to the desired Standard Aeration Efficiency value desired for the impeller.

Abstract: A mixing system includes a portioning device for sequentially supplying batches of a specified quantity of foodstuffs at a supply location. A mixing device includes a number of mixing chambers which can be sequentially aligned with the foodstuff supply location. A dispenser is provided for dispensing measured quantities of an additive at an additive supply location spaced from the foodstuff supply location. The mixing chambers are movable about a closed path so as to be sequentially brought into alignment with the foodstuff supply location and the additive supply location. A control system controls operation of the portion device, mixing device and dispenser. A packaging device is disposed downstream to the supply location and below the mixing device for packaging the batch of foodstuffs in a bag. Each mixing chamber is operable above the packaging device to discharge its contents into the packaging device.

Abstract: A mixing device for low speed precision mixing of contents of a vessel has a support member adapted to be rotatably supported in spaced relationship from a bottom portion of the vessel and separated therefrom by a gap, and a brush assembly depending from the support member for sliding engagement with the bottom portion of the vessel. Low speed rotation of the support member within the vessel causes the brush assembly to sweep the bottom portion of the vessel while mixing the contents of the vessel. The brush assembly can be made of a resilient coil or a plurality of filamentary or lamellar elements, affixed to the support member. This device provides controlled and repeatable mixing and is well suited for use in drug dissolution measurement apparatuses used for assessing drug release characteristics of solid oral pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A fluid mixing device, for the continuous mixing of two or more fluids, having a mixing chamber which has fluid contact surfaces defining an internal chamber region, a fluid inlet, for feeding fluid into the chamber region, a fluid outlet, for feeding fluid out of the chamber region, and a fluid mixer within the chamber region which is capable of inducing mixing of two or more fluids within a mixing region. The mixing chamber is configured so that the dead volume within the chamber region is filled in such a way that the mixing region corresponds to the chamber region. A fluid inlet valve for use in the fluid mixing device has entrance and exit aperture sealing means which are adapted to allow passage of fluid respectively into and out of a body portion of the valve, according to a specified pressure differential between the pressure externally of the entrance aperture and the pressure externally of the exit aperture.

Abstract: In an emulsification device, in particular for emulsifying water in a fuel, a rotor is received in a stator and rotatably supported by a dual support. The liquid to be emulsified is swirled by the rotor rotating in the stator, whereby the rotor and the stator forming a milling gap which has a width that is smaller than 30 mm.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and apparatus are provided for accomplishing mixing of chemistries, such as those used in polishing materials used in semiconductor manufacturing. A manifold is provided that combines chemistries with a mixing element, for example, so that the stability of the chemical solution can be maintained so as to facilitate polishing. The mixing element can be oriented in a stationary position, or alternatively, it can be agitated.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking vessel to receive ingredients to be heated, stirred and cooked, an electric heater associated with the cooking vessel to heat the ingredients, and a drive motor and stirring blade. The appliance also includes provision for maintaining a tilted configuration of the cooking vessel during cooking and stirring. The appliance is particularly suited to unattended cooking of stir-fry and also for stirring of sauces and soup.

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.

Abstract: A blender base that may be used with a food processor container, a blender container, and a single use beverage container. The blender container includes a novel blade unit having a food processor-style blade and blender type blades. Programs with preprogrammed motor commands for desired operations are stored in memory and may be selected by a user on a user interface. The user interface may include a liquid crystal display, or function switches and light emitting diodes. Upon selection of a particular pre-defined function, the microcontroller retrieves the appropriate program from the read only memory and specifies the preprogrammed motor commands to accomplish the selected function.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mixing small volumes of reaction components. In one application, a plurality of removable vessels are placed in a parallel reactor, and reaction components are delivered to each vessel. An impeller is rotated in each vessel to mix the components. Each impeller has a rotary shaft and at least one blade on the shaft for placement in the reaction components. The blade is dimensioned so that one rotation of the impeller causes the blade to sweep out a sweep volume representing a large amount of the fill volume of the vessel.

Abstract: Handheld electric beater-mixer including a body (2) containing a drive motor (7), a rotatable coupling device (26) connected to the shaft of the motor and adapted for the securement and driving of a mixer foot (38), which coupling device (26) communicates with the outside through a coupling opening (32), and a closure (35) associated with this coupling opening (32), wherein the closure (35) is formed by at least two flaps (46) movable between a closure position in which they are near each other, and an open position in which they are spaced from each other toward the interior of the body (2), under the direct action of the mixer foot (38) during engagement of this latter in the opening (32), the flaps (46) returning automatically to the closure position after withdrawal of the mixer foot (38).

Abstract: A method of densifying a bulk particulate material includes at least partially confining the bulk particulate material, and rotating a rotatable member submerged under the bulk particulate material about an axis of rotation to cause movement of the material particles essentially towards or away from the axis or rotation, thereby to provide a densified bulk particulate material. The method is particularly suitable for densifying silica fume. The invention extends to apparatus for densifying a bulk particulate material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing materials employ two cylindrical members, one mounted within the other, defining an annular processing chamber. Preferably, the outer member is stationery (stator), while the inner rotates (rotor). The radial spacing between the stator inner surface and the rotor outer surface is equal to or less than the back-to-back radial thicknesses of the two laminar boundary layers formed on the two surfaces by the material being processed. The surfaces are made smooth, as by buffing to a finish of not more than 10 microinches. This structure inhibits formation of Taylor vortices in the processing passage, which cause unstable flow and consequent incomplete mixing. Preferably, the relative velocity between rotor and stator surfaces is at least 1.2 meters per second. The surfaces may be coated with catalysts. Transducers may be provided to apply processing energy, such as microwave, light or ultrasonic waves, through the stator wall.

Abstract: A coupling for a blender comprises first and second clutches. The first clutch is connected to a blender motor and is adapted to be rotatably driven by operation of the motor. The second clutch is connected to a rotatable cutter assembly inside a blender jar. The first and second clutches each comprise a plurality of teeth, and each tooth comprises a drive face. Each drive face has a negative draft.

Abstract: A fluid holding apparatus including a vessel capable of holding a load including a fluid and a sensor coupled to the vessel. The sensor is operable to sense the load held by the vessel and to generate a signal having a relation to the load. The fluid holding apparatus further includes a controller electrically coupled to the sensor. The controller is operable to initiate a control signal in response to a variation in the load.

Abstract: A mixing bag usable in chemical and bioprocessing procedures that is hermetically sealed about a tube that is closed within the bag but extends out through a seal and adapted to receive a rotatable rigid rod of a predetermined shape for mixing the materials in the bag.

Abstract: A food mixer includes a whipping attachment 60. The attachment includes an elongated impeller 20 that engages a drive of the mixer at the lower surface of a container 10. The attachment also includes a plurality of nested wire-shaped elements 22 attached to a side of the impeller. Because the elements are nested, they travel at a different angular velocities resulting in improved whipping, agitating and mixing characteristics.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the structural agglomeration of aerogel particles. The method comprises the steps of feeding aerogel particles to a mixing apparatus. A binder also is added to the mixing apparatus. After thorough mixing agglomerates from the mixing apparatus optionally are separated according to their size.

Abstract: An agitator comprises a main body for supporting rotatably a rotary shaft, a chuck for connecting detachably an agitating rod with the rotary shaft, starting means for starting the rotation of the rotary shaft when the chuck is covered with a chuck cover, and locking means for locking rotary shaft when the chuck is not covered with the chuck cover. The chuck cover is removed from the main body when an external force larger than a predetermined value is applied to the chuck cover. The starting means comprises a permanent magnet provided on the outer periphery of a disk hub and a magnetic sensor provided on the main body so that an output is generated to start the driving source only when the chuck cover is moved to cover the chuck. The locking means comprises a hole formed in the rotary shaft, an eccentric cam to be rotated by the chuck cover, and a lock pin which is moved by the eccentric cam so as to be inserted into the hole of the rotary shaft when the chuck is not covered with the chuck cover.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing materials employ two cylindrical members, one mounted within the other, defining an annular processing chamber. Preferably, the outer member is stationery (stator), while the inner rotates (rotor). The radial spacing between the stator inner surface and the rotor outer surface is equal to or less than the back-to-back radial thicknesses of the two laminar boundary layers formed on the two surfaces by the material being processed. The surfaces are made smooth, as by buffing to a finish of not more than 10 microinches. This structure inhibits formation of Taylor vortices in the processing passage, which cause unstable flow and consequent incomplete mixing. Preferably, the relative velocity between rotor and stator surfaces is at least 1.2 meters per second. The surfaces may be coated with catalysts. Transducers may be provided to apply processing energy, such as microwave, light or ultrasonic waves, through the stator wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing liquids or liquids (9) with particles (8) without the aeration of the liquid. The liquid and/or particles (8) opposed in a vessel (2) having an upper end (4) and a lower end (5) and a containing wall (3) extending between the upper and lower ends. A mechanical rotating means (6) disposed adjacent the upper end (4) and submerged in the liquid (9) is used to induce a rotational flow directed radially outward from a central region of the vessel towards the containing wall (3) to establish a swirling flow. The flow is characterised by an outer annular region (11) of moderate rotational flow adjacent the containing wall (3) moving from the upper end (4) toward the lower end (5), an inward flow adjacent the lower end of the vessel (2) and an inner core (12) of rotational flow about the central region of the vessel (2).

Abstract: A mixing bag usable in chemical and bioprocessing procedures that is hermetically sealed about a tube that is closed within the bag but extends out through a seal and adapted to receive a rotatable rigid rod of a predetermined shape for mixing the materials in the bag.

Abstract: An automated interior finishing system utilizes an apparatus having an upper section for mixing material, and a lower section for conveying the material. The upper section has a mixing compartment and a separate washing/storage compartment. Each compartment has a hinged lid that forms an air-tight seal. The mixing compartment has a shaft with an auger for mixing compound with water. The lower section has a motor for driving a progressive cavity pump, which receives mixed material from the mixing compartment. The pump delivers a smooth and uniform supply of material through an external supply hose. The apparatus is used as one component of an overall automated interior finishing system and method for completing surface finishes. For example, one end of the supply hose is connected to the outlet end of the pump for delivering mixed material to a hand tool at the opposite end, such as a flat taper.

Abstract: High levels of treated fumed silica, processing fluid and high molecular weight silicone polymer are continuously compounded into a homogeneous silica filled heat-vulcanizable silicone composition by forming a premix in a continuous annular layer mixer and continuously discharging the premix into a compounding apparatus for compounding to form the filled heat-vulcanizable silicone composition.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a stirrer apparatus for glass melts. A stirring element and a stirrer shaft are provided, each comprised of a metal or a metal alloy having a high melting point temperature. A drive shaft for the stirring element comprises a different metallic material, for example an ODS alloy on the basis of iron or nickel. The junction between the stirrer shaft and the drive shaft is located approximately in the region in which the level of the surface of the glass melt is located during use. The end portion of the drive shaft or the end portion of the stirrer shaft, which can be covered by the melt during use, are isolated by a platinum casing.

Abstract: In a continuous process for producing filler-containing silicone compositions (P), a silicone composition (E) comprising filler (F1) is mixed with filler (F2).

Abstract: A dual shear mixing element for use in a chemical reactor. The device may be used in processes where liquids of different temperatures need to be thoroughly mixed in a short period of time and solute must stay in solution. The present invention is particularly useful in the solution polymerization of polyolefins, especially in the medium pressure process for the preparation of linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing superabsorbent foam wherein the method includes forming a reaction mixture comprising a superabsorbent foam forming composition, stirring, and applying mechanical waves to form a superabsorbent foam.

Abstract: A food processor that is operable in a dough mixing mode and in at least one other mixing mode. When in the dough mixing mode, the mixing impeller is driven at a continuous speed in the range of about 1,400 to about 1,600 rpm and preferably form about 1,400 rpm to about 1,550 rpm. When i8n the other mixing mode, the impeller is driven at a speed in excess of 1,600 rpm. The impeller has a blade assembly with an upper blade and a lower blade that are offset vertically and sloped toward one another to thereby slice a relatively wide swath of the dough ball during mixing.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus has a cooking vessel (1), a bottom heater (3) for heating the bottom (13) of the cooking vessel, a heat exchanging jacket (5) for passing steam to exchange heat with the body of the cooking vessel, a fluid source (7) for supplying and draining the steam to and from the heat exchanging jacket, a weighing unit (9) for detecting the gross weight of the cooking vessel and heat exchanging jacket, a memory (11) for storing a reference weight change corresponding to a water-content change, and a controller (11) for controlling the bottom heater and fluid source to attain the reference weight change.

Abstract: An automated nucleic acid compaction device for analyzing and compacting a nucleic acid complex into unimolecular nucleic acid particles. Broadly, the device includes a container support and agitation system; a measuring and testing system; and a dispensing system; all controlled by a control system. The control system controls the support and agitation system and the dispensing system based either on a predetermined formulation or by analysis of feedback data provided by the measuring and testing system. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a real-time measuring and mixing instrument operating in a closed loop system. The preferred embodiment also comprises a monitoring system including a submersible probe which is positioned in the batch solution to provide data to a controller. Once a desired level of nucleic acid compaction is reached, as detected by the monitoring system, the controller stops the dispensing and mixing agitating systems.