Abstract: An agitator assembly includes an agitator body, a shaft and a blocking part. The shaft is assembled to the agitator body and extends through a lead-through in the agitator body into the vessel, when assembled for use, and includes a sealing to seal the rotatable shaft. The blocking part arranged at the agitator body and including a shaft opening through which the shaft is arranged to extend, a mating surface to mate with the shaft which, when brought together by axial movement of the blocking part, provides a seal between the blocking part and the shaft, and the mating surface arranged at an axial distance from the sealing in the lead-through, and when brought together by the axial movement of the blocking part, provides a seal between the blocking part and the agitator body, and that the blocking part provides a closed space around the lead-through in the agitator body.

Abstract: A modular portable toilet apparatus includes a rotary agitator unit having a pair of angled rollers engaging a flexible bowl lined by a replaceable liner bag to mix waste and a reagent therein. The apparatus includes a frame unit and a toilet unit supported by the frame unit. A bowl unit is positioned in the toilet unit along with agitator unit and a power unit including an agitator motor to drive the agitator unit to rotate against the bowl.

Abstract: An improved bearing or bushing body extraction from a stuffing box using jack screws is provided. The bearing or bushing seal body includes at least one jack screw on each half of a split body. The jack screw passes axially through the sidewall of the body to the inner flange of the stuffing box and turning the jack screw against the inner flange to lift the body from the stuffing box. A single inner threaded or double threaded insert with a reverse outer thread and standard inner thread is inserted into the bottom wall of the body so that the body may be installed flush against the inner flange. By turning the jack screw through the insert and against the flange, the seal body is pushed out rather than pulled.

Abstract: A probe holder (1), for positioning at least one probe (50) such that the probe (50) at least partially engages in a system (100) for biotechnological uses, comprises a holder base (10) for positioning the probe holder (1) on the system (100) for biotechnological uses and at least one probe positioning means (20), which is designed to position the at least one probe (50) such that the probe (50) extends in a probe extension direction (S; S1, S2, S3, S4). The probe positioning means (20) is positioned on the holder base (10) such that the position of the probe (50) is variably adjustable in a probe extension direction (S; S1, S2, S3, S4).

Abstract: A dynamic mixer for mixing a multi-component material includes a mixing rotor capable of being rotated about an axis of rotation, the mixing rotor having a coupling socket configured at an end thereof. The coupling socket has a reception space configured to receive at least a part of a polygonal shaped coupling plug of a drive shaft to transfer torque from the drive shaft to the mixing rotor. The reception space has an inner length in the direction of the axis of rotation and has an inner surface extending over the inner length and surrounding the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A stirring apparatus includes a case that houses fiber pieces containing fibers, and a rotary body that is disposed inside the case and that stirs the fiber pieces, in which the rotary body includes a rotary portion that forms a portion of a bottom surface of the case and that rotates, and blades that stand upright on the rotary portion.

Abstract: Attrition mills and propeller shaft assemblies therefor are described having features for enhanced installation and maintenance. Some embodiments include propellers having enhanced material processing characteristics.

Abstract: To simplify the handling of a dispersing device (1) and for the unique identification of dispersing tools (5) that are connectable to a drive unit (3) of the dispersing device (1), it is provided that the dispersing tool (5) has a transponder (10) and the dispersing device has a transmitter-receiver unit (11) for reading out the transponder (10).

Abstract: A photo-resistor draw device includes a photo-resistor bottle, a sealing cover arranged on an inlet of the bottle, an air tube passing through the sealing cover and being inserted within the photo-resistor bottle, and a photo-resistor draw tube. The photo-resistor bottle further includes a stirring component for stirring the photo-resistors. As the novel photo-resistor draw device includes the stirring component for preventing the high-precision photo-resistor from being subsided. Not only the stability of the color filter products may be enhanced, but also the defects may be eliminated. As such, the yield rate of the products is improved.

Abstract: A seal system (1) for use in mixing apparatus (2) comprising a rotating shaft (3) which passes through a fixed structure (4), the seal system (1) being adapted both to prevent egress of content from the apparatus, and to resist ingress of material into the seal system.

Abstract: A mechanically driven agitator for use in bioprocessing, including a seal housing providing an integral seal around the agitator shaft is provided. Additionally, a fluid mixing assembly comprising a container and the agitator, as well as a support assembly for supporting the fluid mixing assembly, the support assembly further comprising a mounting assembly for lockably engaging the seal housing, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of fine particles is provided. The method uses at least two types of fluids to be processed, a raw material fluid containing at least one type of fine particle raw material and a fluid for treating the fine particle raw material. Fine particles are obtained by mixing the fluids to be processed in a thin film fluid formed between at least two processing surfaces which are disposed to be faced with each other so as to be able to approach to and separate from each other, at least one of which rotates relative to the other. The production of the fine particles is increased by introducing the raw material fluid from the centers of the processing surfaces.

Abstract: A fluid mixing system includes a container, such as a flexible bag, bounding a compartment. A flexible drive line is disposed within the compartment, the drive line having a first end rotatably connected to a first end of the container and an opposing second end rotatably connected to a second end of the container. At least one mixing element, such as an impeller, is coupled with the flexible drive line. Rotation of the drive line facilitates rotation of the impeller within the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing tank contents including sedimentary material is disclosed. The apparatus includes an agitator connected to a support including a plurality of detachable sections. The apparatus further includes a frame adjacent an opening in a top of the tank. The apparatus also includes an actuatable connector for interconnecting the frame to the support. The connector is configured to be actuated in order to lift a first portion of the support above the frame while a second portion of the support below the frame is maintained, to thereby cause a gap between the first portion and the second portion enabling at least one of the detachable sections to be inserted into the gap. The apparatus also includes at least one actuator for causing the connector to lift the first portion in order to cause the gap, and for lowering the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A device (1) that is used to disperse or homogenize according to the flow-through principle, that includes at least one tool having a rotor (2) and a stator (3), expediently, several tools of this type that are arranged in an axial manner behind one another, that are arranged in a chamber (4) through which a medium that is to be treated flows. The rotor(s) is/are driven by a motor (6) via a magnetic coupling (5) and the magnetic coupling (5) has a stationary separating can (9) between a drive-sided, rotationally-driven drive coupling part (7) and a driven coupling part (8), such that expensive cooled shaft seals can be avoided. The drive coupling part (7) that is on the drive side engages in a recess-shaped or hollow cylindrical driven coupling part (8) that is on the driven side and the separating can (9) is arranged between the coupling parts. As a result, the driven coupling part (8) and the separating can are cooled by the medium that is processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing tank contents including sedimentary material is disclosed. The apparatus includes an agitator connected to a support including a plurality of detachable sections. The apparatus further includes a frame adjacent an opening in a top of the tank. The apparatus also includes an actuatable connector for interconnecting the frame to the support. The connector is configured to be actuated in order to lift a first portion of the support above the frame while a second portion of the support below the frame is maintained, to thereby cause a gap between the first portion and the second portion enabling at least one of the detachable sections to be inserted into the gap. The apparatus also includes at least one actuator for causing the connector to lift the first portion in order to cause the gap, and for lowering the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A stirring apparatus for agitating fluids in a container utilizing a motor powered by a source of power. The motor includes an output shaft that is connected to a bar. The bar supports, at its terminus, first and second arms that extend outwardly. Flanges are positioned on each of the arms and act hydrodynamically to adjust the length of such arms according to the diameter of a particular container. One arm is stopped to form an angular orientation between such arm and the bar connected to the output shaft of the motor.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for mixing of particulate filling material into a consumer ice mass. The arrangement comprises a housing with at least one supply opening for the consumer ice mass, at least one inlet for the filling material to a cavity in the housing, an outlet opening, and a rotor cylinder with one or more rotor blades for the mixing-in of the consumer ice mass and the filling material by rotation. The rotor blades create a number of cells in the cavity by being pressed against the surface of the cavity. The rotor cylinder is supported from two opposing sides of the cavity by bearings in the form of a rear bearing and a front bearing. Furthermore, a rotor blade for use in such an arrangement and a method using such an arrangement are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a homogenizing mixer including: a container having an internal space so that materials whose properties differ are contained therein; a fixed frame that is disposed so as to be fixed at the bottom of the container, and communicates from the inside of the container; an agitating unit that is disposed in the fixed frame, so as to be lifted up and down by medium of an lifting unit, and that agitates the materials contained in the container; a driving unit that is disposed on the bottom of the agitating unit for transferring a rotational driving force for the agitating unit; and a discharging unit that is coupled to the agitating unit and discharging a homogenized material to the outside of the mixer.

Abstract: An internal batch mixer is provided with: a casing within which a material is mixed; a door which opens and closes a material discharge opening of the casing by being rotated about the axis thereof and closes the material discharge opening when in a closed state; and a latch mechanism which, when the material is mixed in the casing, holds the door in a latched state, the latched state being a state in which the material discharge opening is being closed by the door and cannot be opened, and which, when the material having been mixed in the casing is discharged from the inside of the casing, releases the door from the latched state. The latch mechanism is provided with a linear actuator which has a movable section capable of moving linearly and moves the movable section to the door side to supply power to the latch member, the power causing the latch member to move to the door side, and a linear sensor for measuring the distance of linear movement of the movable section caused by the linear actuator.

Abstract: A dynamic mixer for a plurality of fluid components contains a housing and a rotor element which is rotatably arranged in the housing, with the housing having one inlet opening for at least one component each and at least one outlet opening. A ring-shaped intermediate space is provided between the rotor element and the housing in which a mixing element connected to the rotor element is arranged. A seal for sealing the rotor element in the mixer housing is provided at the bearing location of the rotor element in the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support. A mixing container is disposed in the support, where the mixing container is configured to retain materials. A driver assembly is configured to protrude through the support and into the mixing container. The mixing container includes a paddle, the driver assembly is configured to be attached to the paddle, where the driver assembly is configured to oscillate the paddle in a back and forth direction at a set angle in order to mix the materials in the mixing container.

Abstract: A gear box for a reciprocating kneader. A primary rotational gear is attached to a gear box primary shaft and rotates in concert therewith. A secondary rotational gear is engaged with the primary rotation gear and rotates therewith. A secondary shaft is attached to the secondary rotational gear and rotates therewith. A primary oscillation gear is attached to the gear box primary shaft and rotates therewith. A secondary oscillation gear is rotationally engaged with the primary oscillation gear and rotates on the secondary shaft. An eccentric is coupled to the secondary oscillation gear and rotates in concert therewith. A yoke is engaged with the eccentric and oscillates on an axis perpendicular to the secondary shaft in response to the lobe. The gearbox secondary shaft moves along its axis in concert with yoke oscillation. A housing is pivotally attached to the yoke and pivotally attached to a casing at a casing.

Abstract: A machine (10) for mixing food products includes a motor (22) which turns a hollow shaft assembly (28) that carries an agitator (40). The agitator (40) has an I-beam shaped stem (41) with a blade (43) in the shape of the bowl of a spoon on one end of the stem (41). A socket (44) is formed at the other end of the stem (41) and has a bottom surface (45). An assembly (70) for releasing the agitator (40) from the shaft assembly (28) includes a solenoid (71) which pivots an arm (74) that engages a plunger (80). The plunger (80) includes a pin (81) which is received in the hollow shaft assembly (28) and which engages the bottom surface (45) of the socket (44) of the agitator (40) upon activation of the solenoid (71) to release the agitator (40) from the hollow shaft assembly (28).

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing tank contents including sedimentary material is disclosed. The apparatus includes an agitator connected to a support including a plurality of detachable sections. The apparatus further includes a frame adjacent an opening in a top of the tank. The apparatus also includes an actuatable connector for interconnecting the frame to the support. The connector is configured to be actuated in order to lift a first portion of the support above the frame while a second portion of the support below the frame is maintained, to thereby cause a gap between the first portion and the second portion enabling at least one of the detachable sections to be inserted into the gap. The apparatus also includes at least one actuator for causing the connector to lift the first portion in order to cause the gap, and for lowering the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A gearbox is provided having an integrated breather system. The output shaft of the gearbox has integrated therein a breather bore with a top port in the top end of the output shaft and a bottom end in the side of the output shaft. The top end is in communication with the atmosphere while the bottom end is in communication with the inner oil reservoir of the gearbox. By incorporating the breather directly into the output shaft, air locking is reduced or even prevented. Further, the distance between the maximum and minimum oil fill levels is increased thereby allowing for a reduction in accidental over or under filling of the gearbox. In addition, accidental spillage of oil into the environment is reduced as the top breather port exists on top of the gearbox and may optionally include a breather line extending further upward. The reduction in air locking allows for increased accuracy in oil filling as well as reduced maintenance on the gearbox.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a support. A mixing container is disposed in the support, where the mixing container is configured to retain materials. A driver assembly is configured to protrude through the support and into the mixing container. The mixing container includes a paddle, the driver assembly is configured to be attached to the paddle, where the driver assembly is configured to oscillate the paddle in a back and forth direction at a set angle in order to mix the materials in the mixing container.

Abstract: A beater attachable to a drive motor for rotatingly driving the beater. The beater comprises a drive shaft having a distal end adapted to be coupled to the drive motor, and a beater head. The beater further including a beater head that is releasingly coupled to the drive shaft, so as to couple the beater head to the drive shaft along different relative positions thereof.

Abstract: A method of mixing including providing a flexible container which comprises at least two components, assembling the components from outside the flexible container to form a centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with at least one impeller, whereby the integrity of the flexible container is maintained, filling the flexible container having the centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with one or more ingredients of the contents to be mixed; engaging a magnetic element of the centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with an external magnetic drive element; analyzing the contents of the flexible container using at least one sensor or a sampling line on the flexible container; and draining the contents of the flexible container through a drain port at the bottom of the flexible container.

Abstract: A device for guiding a strip through a liquid contained in a tank, includes an immersed diverting roller, in particular a roller immersed in a bath of liquid metal such as zinc, mounted rotatably about an axis on two aligned supporting shafts extending through two respective side walls of the tank, and each rotating in a centering bearing positioned outside of the tank. Each bearing of one shaft of the roller includes two rotary supporting members mounted in a fixed housing and spaced apart from each other, namely an outer supporting member and an inner supporting member. The housing of the bearing is held against a support plane formed on the wall and perpendicular to the axis of a hole through which the shaft passes. The wall has measures for centering the housing on the axis.

Abstract: A blender for home or commercial use that is rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing with a front housing door that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen food or beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, the cup and cupholder will be lifted together for blending in a balanced, linear motion by an elevator assembly. Dual lead screws or a dual belt drive are preferably used in the elevator assembly to achieve this balanced, linear motion. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly continues to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen food or beverage.

Abstract: An ice agitation system includes an adaptor and an ice agitator. The adaptor includes a disk portion and an auger mounting channel. The auger mounting channel is configured to mount to a shaft of an auger such that the adaptor rotates with the shaft of the auger. The auger mounting channel extends in a direction parallel to and offset from a center axis of a disk formed by the disk portion. The ice agitator includes a hook and an arm that extends from the hook away from the center axis of the disk. The hook is mounted to the disk.

Abstract: A lead through for fluid tight connection of a mixer assembly to a roof of a fluid housing digestion tank, including a first element presenting a central opening and an axially extending center axis, and a second element presenting a central opening and an axially extending center axis. The extension of the center axis of the second element is adjustable in relation to the extension of the center axis of the first element. The lead through includes a device for making an interface fluid tight located at the interface between the first element and the second element. Positioning members are arranged to determine the mutual positions of the first element and the second element in the axial direction, and some of the positioning members are constituted by mutually independent adjustment members, which are located on the opposite side of the device for making an interface fluid tight.

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.

Abstract: A device for mixing and dispensing dental materials is provided, comprising a drive shaft for driving a mixer. The mixer is placeable on the drive shaft in a first and a second position, wherein in the first position a guiding section of the drive shaft is mated with an engagement section of the mixer, but an engagement section of the drive shaft is not engaged with the engagement section of the mixer, and in the second position the engagement section of the drive shaft is also engaged with the engagement section of the mixer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stirring installation (1) for stirring a liquid and/or a paste in a container (10), comprising an actuating means (5) arranged outside the container (10) and a stirring means (2, 8, 9) arranged inside the container (10) comprising at least two blades (2). The stirring means (2, 8, 9) is rotatably coupled to the actuating means (5) by a coupling element (3), in such a way that the blades (2) are movably attached with a first end to at least a bearing (4) of the coupling element (3). During a rotation of the coupling element (3), the blades (2) are pivotable around the bearing (4) due to the influence of the centrifugal force. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for stirring a liquid in the container (10) by means of the stirring installation (1).

Abstract: A bioreactor processing unit (10) includes at least one cell culture module (200) comprising: a base (202) including a receiving station (204) for removably receiving a plurality of bioreactor vessels (400) at respective locations (206); and a clamp plate (240). The clamp plate (240) is removably connectable to the base (202). The system further includes a drive mechanism (226) and multiple fluid conduits. When the system is to be used for an experiment run, vessels (400) are loaded into the receiving station (204) and the clamp plate (240) is connected to the base (202), forming a connection between the drive mechanism and the vessels, for transmitting input motion from the drive mechanism (226) into multiple rotary motion outputs for turning a stirrer (416) in each vessel (400).

Abstract: A dynamic mixer for mixing flowable media, which has a mixing chamber in a multipart housing is described. A plurality of inlets and an outlet of the mixing chamber are arranged on the housing, and a mixing shaft having a mixer section projects into the mixing chamber. The mixing shaft is mounted in a sliding bearing in the housing by means of a bearing section and passes through the housing with a drive section for coupling to a drive. To avoid dead spaces within the housing, the housing has a sealing hole for accommodating the drive section of the mixing shaft and a bearing hole for mounting the bearing section of the mixing shaft, where the sealing hole has a greater diameter than the bearing hole in order to accommodate a sealing means.

Abstract: In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a mixing device (10) comprising a bowl structure (12) for receiving material. A connector (14) is provided for allowing a motor (16) to turn a mixing implement (18) within the bowl structure (12). The connector (14) is arranged to allow the mixing implement (18) to move by rotating away from the central axis (24) of the bowl structure (12) in a desirable manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mixer for concrete and similar mixtures, of the type composed of a parallelepiped tank (2) internally provided with one or more mixing shafts (3), each of them driven into rotation by a corresponding motor unit (UM) in external position with respect to the tank (2), which comprises, with the necessary connections, an electric motor (4), a gear motor (6) and an intermediate gear (7) interfaced with the end of the corresponding mixing shaft (3), characterised by the fact that the electrical motor (4) and the corresponding gear motor (6) of each motor unit (UM) are fixed to a single bearing frame (8) that is hung to the border of the tank (2) by means of one or more hinges (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for the immersed operation below a surface of a liquid (F), particularly for the immersed operation in a clearing basin, having a drive shaft (5) guided out of a housing, wherein the drive shaft (5) is guided through an axial face seal (12, 13) received in a sealing chamber (10) for sealing the housing against penetrating liquid. In order to improve the service life of the seal, the invention provides that a line (22) is connected to the sealing chamber (10) for receiving an oil supply and is guided to above the surface of the liquid (F).

Abstract: Mixing system comprising: a flexible bag (28) with a mixing device (1) comprising a magnetic impeller; and an alignment facilitation device adapted to facilitate alignment between the magnetic impeller and a magnetic driver (36) located external to the system. Specific flexible bag and hardware therefore.

Abstract: A food mixer (10) includes a rotatable shaft (18) which carries a coupler (21) having an aperture (25) therein. An agitator (22) is configured as a spoon having a bowl (27) and a stem (26). The stem (26) is received in the aperture (25) and in one embodiment a flexible tab (32) at the end of the stem (26) is engaged by a lug (37) in the aperture (25) to attach the agitator (22) to the coupler (21). In another embodiment, flexible tines (52) have lugs (53) which are received in a bore (46) in a coupler (41) to attach the agitator (42) to the coupler (41).

Abstract: A unitary cover is adapted for use with a tubular container having an open end with a cylindrical connecting bead at the open end. The unitary cover comprises a central circular wall. An annular flange is at a periphery of the central circular wall comprising a downwardly opening U-shaped channel receivable on the cylindrical connecting bead. A bung opening is provided through the central circular wall. A rib network depends downwardly from the central circular wall surrounding the bung opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer assembly for agitating material in a digestion tank (1), comprising a drive unit (7, 8, 9) and an output shaft (10) extending from said drive unit, which output shaft is arranged to hang down into said digestion tank (1) rotatably suspended from the drive unit. According to the invention the mixer assembly (6) furthermore comprises a stabilizer (12) comprising a swivel (13) and at least one resilient element (14) connected to said swivel (13), the stabilizer (12) being connected to the lower end of the output shaft (10) of the mixer assembly (6) and being arranged to be connected to a floor (2) of said digestion tank.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing at least two-components of a dental material comprises a mixing rotor with a coupling for coupling with a drive shaft for driving the mixing rotor. Further a device for dispensing at least two components of a dental material comprises a drive shaft for driving a mixing rotor of a mixer. The coupling of the mixer and/or the device comprises at least one guiding ridge which preferably facilitates coupling to the drive shaft.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus including a kinetic energy source, a mixing tank, a pivot guide, and transfer shaft is used to drive a mixing paddle through a circular path within a tank without substantial shaft rotation. Sleeved and sleeveless mixing paddles are provided in combination with sealable mixing tanks. A volumetric compensation system responsive to tank wall deflection is used to maintain the internal volume of a mixing tank within predetermined limits. One mixing apparatus includes multiple mixing shafts and paddles coupled to at least one kinetic energy source. Methods for fabricating sleeved paddle-containing mixing apparatuses are further provided.

Abstract: A stirrer unit includes a reaction vessel having an inlet port, a shaft stirrer having a stirrer blade and a stirrer shaft connected to the stirrer blade, and an adapter defining a passage. The adapter is configured to be inserted into the inlet port and releasably fastened to the inlet port using a fastening device so that, in a connected state, the stirrer blade and a part of the stirrer shaft is disposed inside the reaction vessel. Furthermore, in the connected state, an immersion depth to which the stirrer shaft extends into the reaction vessel is adjustable and securable using a locking device in at least two positions that are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertical agitator for wastewater and the like received in a sedimentation tank, wherein an agitator tool (5) is mounted on a drive shaft (4) extending vertically from a drive (1) mounted above a tank floor (2), wherein a free end (E2) of a shaft section (7) extending from the agitator tool (5) in the direction of the tank floor (2) is held in a safety bearing (14), wherein the safety bearing (14) is held in a retaining device (8) supported on the tank floor (2), wherein the retaining device (8) comprises a receiving section (9) for a receiving device (12) receiving the safety bearing (14). In order to simplify installation, the invention proposes that the receiving section (9) comprises a recess (11) opening in a substantially horizontal direction for laterally inserting the shaft section (7).

Abstract: An agitator for a fermenter, a fermenter and method of operating a fermenter are provided. The agitator has an agitator shaft which stands roughly vertically in the fermenter. Because of this, the substrate in the fermenter is circulated in horizontal planes. This allows the formation of several layered decomposition zones. In addition, the agitator is preferably designed so that it may be removed upwards from the fermenter during continuing operation. This means that it is not necessary to empty the fermenter for maintenance work on the agitator.