Abstract: Side entering mixer apparatus has an impeller with an axis of rotation above and along the bottom of a tank in which the material (liquid or liquid suspension) to be mixed is disposed. In a discharge region in front of the impeller and in close proximity to the front of the impeller, there is disposed a flow straightening vane which removes substantially any radial component of flow. By removal of the radial flow component, helical flows which interact in the discharge region and cause pulsation of flow into the inlet region (between the rear surface of the impeller and the side wall of the tank from which it projects) are substantially eliminated and potentially catastrophic stress-induced failures in the side entering mixer and its seals are avoided.

Abstract: A soft serve ice cream dispensing apparatus includes a tank, a closure plate having an integrally formed dispensing chamber and a recirculation passageway and a dispensing valve. When the dispensing valve is closed, the recirculation passageway is not in communication with the dispensing chamber. This allows the apparatus to recirculate ice cream without causing it to flow through the dispensing chamber. During recirculation, the ice cream is recirculated in an open loop consisting of the recirculation passageway, a hollow tube and the tank. The hollow tube is in flow communication with the recirculation chamber, formed in the closure plate, and the interior of the tank and extends approximpately one-third of the distance into the tank. An important aspect of the invention relates to the simplicity and reduced number of parts of the recirculation system which significantly facilitates cleaning.

Abstract: A pitcher for grinding and mixing material therein including a pitcher body, a removable lid and a rotary and reciprocal shaft journaled in the lid and having an apertured grinding and mixing plate attached to one end of the shaft. The grinding and mixing plate includes a plurality of mixing holes, four equally spaced semicircular rim segments, and a set of grinding teeth located on the underside thereof facing a set of fixed grinding teeth located in a row on the bottom of the pitcher with the two sets of grinding teeth being mutually facing and interfitting. The mixer plate can be rotated to grind up frozen concentrate or reciprocated within the container to mix liquids therein. The holes in the aperture plate provide a mixing action in both the rotary and reciprocating modes of operation.

Abstract: A liquid bearing for use in rotary devices processing biological fluids is disclosed. The device has a stationary housing and a rotating cartridge. One end of the cartridge is rotatably connected to the housing. The other end is not directly connected to the housing, and, thus, is free to move laterally during rotation. The liquid bearing tends to recenter the free end of the cartridge during rotation.

Abstract: A kneader for paper products and/or similar waste products, comprising a tank provided with an impeller on the bottom, and also provided with a helix or propeller element, which is not coupled with said impeller and is apt to feed the worked product to the same impeller, said helix or propeller element being substantially disposed in an axial relation to said impeller.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for forming hydrophilic polymeric solutions wherein a vessel is provided with a mixing assembly comprised of co-axially and vertically-disposed inner and outer cylindrically-shaped wall members mounted to a bottom wall member wherein the inner wall member defines a mixing chamber and is provided with orifices about a lower portion thereof to provide fluid communication to a solution chamber defined between the wall members and wherein an upper end portion of the outer wall member defines a weir to the vessel and wherein an agitator is positioned within the mixing chamber to admixed feed hydrophilic polymer and solvent in a vortex of polymeric solution contained in the mixing chamber and to cause the polymeric solution to overflow the weir into the vessel.

Abstract: A domestic electrical appliance for food preparation has a generally cylindrical bowl and a vertical shaft rotatably mounted in this bowl. A beating/emulsifying tool of the invention is arranged to be mounted on the shaft. The tool comprises a disc arranged to extend near the bottom of the bowl and to be rotated by the vertical shaft. A series of radially directed projections are formed on one or both of the faces of the disc which can be used alone in the appliance for the preparation of emulsions such as mayonnaise. A cage can additionally be mounted in the bowl to cooperate with the disc for the effective beating of foodstuffs such as egg whites and cream.

Abstract: A homogenizer, with which the homogenization power is minimized while maintaining good homogenization, and with which at the same time the conveying power of the homogenizer is increased. This is achieved via a constant free cross-sectional area within the individual homogenizing stages, and by a hydrodynamically favorable design of the free space which surrounds the tools of the homogenizer. Baffle elements or a subsequently connected second pump stage can be provided.

Abstract: A vane shaft is suspended within a container in a pendulum or swinging fashion at its drive shaft by means of a pivotable coupling. The drive shaft can constitute the output shaft of a drive arrangement composed of a drive motor equipped with a transmission or gearing unit and supported upon a radial arm member. The drive motor together with its transmission also can be arranged in or at a central axis of the orbiting or revolving path of movement of the vane shaft, and the drive shaft can connect the drive motor equipped with the transmission with the vane shaft in the manner of a Cardan shaft. The vane shaft also can be directly suspended at the vertical output shaft of the transmission or gearing arrangement by means of a pivotable coupling. At the lower end of the vane shaft there is secured a buoyant or float body member serving for the lateral deflection of the vane shaft.

Abstract: A magnetic stirrer apparatus for culture medium and other liquids comprises a flask having a floating stirrer in it; a driving guide rod extends downwardly into the flask, and has a sliding drive connection with the floating stirrer. The driving guide rod is suspended from a bearing on the underside of the flask closure, and carries a driven magnet, which is magnetically coupled with a motor-driven magnet on the outside of the closure.

Abstract: A quickly and easily assembled, fastener-free baffle system for use with agitated reaction vessels. The novel baffle system is characterized by its ability to be disassembled into easily-cleanable parts, its lack of independent fastening means such as screws, welds, rivets, etc. and the easy interchangeability of its parts.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a housing containing a pair of apertured stators permitting flow therethrough respectively in different directions, and a bladed rotor having first and second rotor blades each cooperating with a respective stator. Rotation of the rotor blades forces material to be mixed through the stators and, because of the arrangement of the rotor blades relative to the stator apertures, produces a shearing action on the material in two different non-parallel planes.

Abstract: Stirring apparatus for stirring particles in a liquid medium comprising a cylindrical stirring vessel having a stirring rod extending within the vessel to stir its contents. The rod has a bulbous tip which describes an orbital path in the vessel to sweep out an annular trough or channel formed in the bottom of the vessel. The annular trough or channel is contoured in section to follow the flow lines set up in the medium by secondary motion stirring effects. In this way accumulation of particles due to the secondary motion, which would otherwise occur at the corners and center of the bottom of the vessel, is avoided. The apparatus is advantageously useful in cell culture research particularly for stirring microcarriers in a liquid culture medium because it becomes possible to maintain the microcarriers in uniform suspension at lower stirring speeds than heretofore possible thus avoiding damage to the growing cells and improving overall cell yield.

Abstract: Hammer mill cyclone outlet is disclosed for a grinder/mixer agricultural machine, including a hammer mill, a transfer auger and a fan for removal of airborne dust generated by the mill. The fan communicates with the mill via a duct, the mouth of the duct opening into the mill is partially covered by a resilient flap and engages with the flights of the transfer auger to move and thus prevent a build up of stationary obstructions at the mouth.

Abstract: In an apparatus for oxidizing an alkyl-substituted aromatic compound in the liquid phase with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid solvent in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, said apparatus comprising a reaction vessel, a gas exhaust port at the top of the vessel, an inlet at the bottom of the vessel for feeding said molecular oxygen-containing gas, an inlet for feeding said solvent, an inlet for feeding said catalyst, an inlet for feeding said alkyl-substituted aromatic compound, an outlet for withdrawing the oxidation reaction product, and an agitator within the vessel, said agitator consisting of a rotating shaft provided along the axial direction of the vessel and a plurality of stages of agitating blades secured to said rotating shaft at spaced intervals; the improvement wherein at least one stage of agitating blades consists of comb-like flat blades each of which is composed of a plurality of comb tooth-like pieces aligned at spaced intervals.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing and improving the quality of sauces including a mixing vessel supported on a housing, said housing having a funnel shaped inlet through which the ingredients pass. An annular rotor is rotatable with respect to a stator member, the sauce ingredients being acted on by the same to produce a smooth, improved product. A passageway provides repeat circulation of the mixture through the apparatus and a tap is provided to withdraw the completed sauce.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved, novel method and time saving food processor and process, easily assembled and cleaned, and safely operably for whipping egg whites, or cream, and making butter, in seconds, in which two elements define two flat surfaces disposed and coacting at a right angle with respect to each other in a circular container. One of the flat surfaces is centrally rotated in a horizontal plane in the circular container to centrifugally direct and progressively drive a stream of liquid food products against the other flat surface in the presence of air, at a substantially high speed and with hard impact. The other flat surface continuously redirects the flow radially inwardly to recycle it with a continuous high frequency.

Abstract: A thin, circular mixing apparatus for receiving from separate sources (1) dry calcined gypsum powder and (2) the liquid ingredients of the core of a gypsum wallboard, with the liquids being fed to a small diameter radially inward centrifugal pump portion, the dry ingredients being fed to a medium diameter circular portion into which the centrifugal pump elements continually force the liquids in an outwardly spiralling path and having a radially outermost circular portion into which the mixture is further forced in a continued outwardly spiralling path and out from which the mixture is discharged, between rotating radially outwardly projecting teeth.

Abstract: Severed metal bearing ore is placed in a vessel having a water inlet at the bottom and an outlet at the top. A propeller causes water to flow upwardly through the vessel and to be discharged through the outlet carrying gangue with it. Concentrate, which is heavier because it contains the metal to be recovered, does not rise to the level of the outlet and therefore remains in the vessel. A member, which can be floated on the top surface of the water, inhibits turbulence and suppresses the formation of a vortex, thereby contributing to the formation of a calm water region at the top of the vessel for improved separation. Water turbulence can be further inhibited by a screen placed across the vessel between the propeller and the floating member.

Abstract: A molding device for molding articles of plastic material such as ground raw meat to make hamburger patties and the like while at the same time limiting the maximum total pressure applied to the material. The device comprises a hopper for the material, a mold with a mold opening adapted to communicate with a pressure chamber for receiving pressurized material from this chamber and transfer means in the hopper for moving the material toward an exit portion of the hopper leading to this pressure chamber. In order to direct the material from the transfer means into the pressure chamber there is provided a pressure confining baffle in the hopper with sufficient clearance between the baffle and the transfer means to permit escape of material around the baffle back into the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispersing substances into one another by subjecting them to shear forces between a rotating platen and a stationary or counter-rotating platen which have opposed work surfaces interfaced and forced toward engagement with one another. An oriface leads through one platen to the other platen. A pump forces an agglomerate of substances through the channel and radially outwardly between the platens during relative rotation of the platens. The agglomerate is subjected to shear forces as it moves radially outwardly between the platens to disperse the substances to one another. The mutually dispersed substances emit at the periphery of the platens and are collected in a trough.