Abstract: An agitator which includes a rotary shaft fixedly provided at a free end thereof with a stirring rotor and an electric motor disposed in the vicinity of a head portion of the rotary shaft. A portion of the rotary shaft extending within the casing of the electric motor is extended through a hollow shaft, and the rotary shaft and the hollow shaft are journaled in bearings at upper and lower ends of the casing. The rotor of the electric motor is fixed to a middle portion of the hollow shaft, and the rotary shaft and the hollow shaft are interlocked with each other by a gear reduction mechanism. The agitator has a compact construction, facilitates maintenance work, and demonstrates excellent performance in agitating materials in a deep agitation tank or in agitating a liquid having a high viscosity.

Abstract: A mechanism for drying and frying meat including a pot supported on a base for receiving the meat to be dried and fried, a tube rotatably disposed on the upper portion of the pot, a stirrer coupled to the tube by a pair of beams and rotatable along the curved inner surface of the pot, a rod rotatably supported between the beams, a number of extensions fixed on the rod and rotatable about the rod in order to stir the meat received in the pot.

Abstract: A popcorn popper (10) for more effectively popping popcorn by agitating the popcorn during the heating process with a floating stirring system, the floating stirring system being designed to avoid jamming while the popcorn is being agitated and popped and to draw unpopped kernels to the center of the popping surface, including those kernels which tend to remain about the periphery. The popcorn popper (10) includes a popcorn receptacle (12) into which unpopped kernels are placed for popping. The lid assembly (14) includes a pair of doors (54 and 56) attached to a spine (40), the spine (40) being releasably secured to the popcorn receptacle (12). A stirring assembly (16) is provided for agitating the popcorn in the popcorn receptacle (12) and includes a handle (80) for gripping the popper (10), a cooperating drive shaft (94) and stirring shaft (124), and a floating stirring rod (138) for engaging the popcorn kernels, the floating stirring rod (138) being driven by the cooperating shafts (94 and 124).

Abstract: The laboratory apparatus is used for separating gaseous, liquid and solid substances from gas samples (for example air) to be trace analyzed. It comprises a vessel and a mixer insert with nozzles. The gas fed into the mixer insert emerges from the nozzles at high speed into an absorption liquid held in the vessel so that intensive mixing and hence high absorption of the substances takes place. After passing through the liquid the gas leaves the vessel via an outlet. The substances absorbed in the liquid are available for analysis.

Abstract: A mixer impeller, which is adapted to mix and blend liquids and liquid suspensions in industrial and commmercial applications and is subject to forces which tend to work the impeller loose from attachment with its driving shaft, is secured to the shaft by collars (locking rings) which are threaded on the ends of hubs from which the blades of the impeller extend. In order to secure the attachment of the collars to the hub, a locking key is inserted between the collar and the shaft. The inner periphery of the collars are tapered outwardly away from the shaft. The neck of the locking key has portions which are deflected against these tapered inner peripheries when a pin is inserted through the neck of the locking key. A ramp on the collar mates with a ramp on the key to prevent reverse rotation (working loose) of the collar. The impeller is restrained against axial movement by the collar and against rotational movement by being keyed to the shaft and restricted by the ramp on the collar.

Abstract: A machine specifically for making milkshakes and malts out of hard ice-cream in sixty seconds or less. The ice-cream and ingredients are placed in a container that can be locked and sealed to the underside of a housing designed especially for that purpose. Inside the housing are two gearmotors--one is used to rotate a shaft and mixing head at a given R.P.M. and torque. This gearmotor, with shaft and mixing head, is positioned vertically above the container and supported between two diametrically opposed rods, in a manner that permits easy vertical movement of the mixing head within the container. A second gearmotor provides the necessary R.P.M. and torque for this vertical movement. Secured to a mounting plate in the upper part of the housing; this second gearmotor, is linked to the first gearmotor by means of a rotor arm and rod member connected to a stud on the first gearmotor.

Abstract: A tank truck is provided for transporting a variety of fluids such as water, petroleum products or drilling mud and includes an agitator comprising a pair of horizontally disposed longitudinally aligned agitator elements each including a longitudinally extending helical flight. The agitators are supported at their adjacent ends by means of a releasable and removable bearing and by outboard bearings at the ends of the tank which allow limited articulation of the augers to facilitate their removal with portions of the auger shafts extending outwardly beyond the outboard bearings to reversible drive motors which turn the augers during operation in the same or opposite directions so that different modes of operation can be used for transporting the fluid by both augers in the same or opposite directions. The invention also includes pivotable spray heads mounted in the tank for washing the tank with heat exchangers provided for transferring engine heat to the tank contents and to the washing fluid.

Abstract: Mixing device for powdered, granular and/or paste materials, having a conical mixing tank (1) with vertical axis which narrows towards the bottom, and in said mixing tank at least one mixing screw (2), which through drive units disposed outside the mixing tank (1), by means of a transmission arm (15) to be rotated in a horizontal plane, can rotate about its own axis and can revolve along the wall of the mixing tank, the shaft of the mixing screw (2) at the top end being provided with a gear wheel (3) which meshes with a gear wheel (4) with vertical shaft, which has a smaller diameter than the gear wheel (3) on the mixing screw (2) whereby the gear wheel (4) with vertical shaft is connected by means of a belt connection (7) or the like in the arm (15) to a central vertical shaft (9) which by means of a reducing transmission (10, 11, 12) is coupled to the drive unit (13) for rotation of the mixing screw (2).

Abstract: A mixer that includes separate connectable motor and mixing housings, which motor housing includes an electric motor that turns an output shaft that extends into the mixing housing. The mixing housing is open to admit a cup containing a material for mixing, which mixing is accomplished by turning the motor output shaft whereto the handle end of a spoon is releasable mounted. The spoon head end is for turning in the material, which spoon mounting is a longitudinal slot in the output shaft end to accommodate the spoon handle end fitted therein and a close fitting resilient sleeve telescoped over that output shaft end, the resilient sleeve interior adhering to the spoon handle edges.

Abstract: A mixing tank for a liquid is disclosed with a built-in agitator having a shaft extending through an upper wall of the tank for engagement with a drive motor module. For shipping purposes, the shaft opening is sealed against leakage of the liquid by a seal ring which is compressed by a seal clamp between a collar fixedly mounted on the shaft and a fixed member on the upper wall of the tank. When the agitator is operated at a work station to mix the liquid, the seal clamp is released and the agitator shaft is driven by the drive motor module. In order to prevent liquid leakage around the shaft during shaft rotation, a rotor is mounted on the shaft inside the tank and the liquid which migrates up the shaft to the rotor is thrown outwardly thereby.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved mixing arrangement for securing the blade to the shank of a mixing apparatus. The blade includes a borehole which overlies and surrounds a substantial portion of the shank so as to substantially reduce direct abrasive contact of the shank. Accordingly, the shank has longer life. Further the blade is mounted and secured by a single bolt which when unsecured allows the blade to be axially moved off the shank from an upright position which is most easily accessible by a person performing maintenance on the mixing apparatus.

Abstract: A mixer for attachment to a tank which can be removed therefrom without the necessity of emptying the tank. The mixer includes a mixer frame (18) with bearings and sealings disposed inside a shield (56) surrounding the mixer frame. Frame and shield extend into the mixing tank and are attached to the wall of the tank so that the mixer is detachable from the tank in such a way that, of the moving parts of the mixer, only the mixing member (64, 66) remains inside the tank (80).

Abstract: An upright mixing machine has one or more rotary vertical mixing tools having blades beneath a gear case for transmissions which orbit and/or rotate the tools. The gear case has an upper section which is rotatably installed in a housing, and a lower section which can be separated from the upper section to be thereupon lowered by an elevator for the purpose of convenient inspection of bearings, seals, gears and/or other parts which necessitate frequent inspection, cleaning, other maintenance or replacement. The elevator also serves to raise and lower a vessel for batches of material or materials to be mixed by the mixing tool or tools. At least one section of the gear case has one or more observation windows which are accessible for observation and manipulation of parts within the respective section not later than upon detachment of the lower section from and its lowering beneath the upper section.

Abstract: A food mixing appliance having two sets of rotatable spindles, each set detachably receiving a pair of mixing implements which are retained by a manually operable retainer slidably movable in two directions to permit sequential insertion and retention of both implements in either pair. The appliance further including a detachable connection between a mixing head and a support column including an axle having a cutaway portion separating two journal portions, which axle is engaged by parallel spaced walls and a retaining wall extending from one of such spaced walls a distance equal to said cutaway portion.

Abstract: Mixing vessel for sterile fluids, having a closed recess forming an integral part of the bottom wall of said vessel. An externally mounted rotatable drive unit on said vessel has means for establishing a magnetic coupling with an impeller inside the vessel. The hub of said impeller is cup-shaped and supported on bearing means on the inner end of the recess with a certain radial play to the wall of said recess, coaxially with said coupling means, and has substantially radially extending passageways between inner and outer hub surfaces.

Abstract: An adjustable agitator assembly having a hexagonal shaft to which is attached a hexagonal hub. A mounting block is attached to the hub at the desired locations. The mounting block has a receptacle to receive the splined shaft of a paddle. The splines allow the orientation of the paddle to be changed to many different discrete positions while at the same time preventing the paddle shaft from slipping. Seals are used to prevent penetration of the contacts between the various parts of the assembly by the media which is stirred.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in machines for processing frozen comestibles of the type in which a frozen comestible is placed in a mixing cup and the mixing cup is moved toward an auger which mixes the frozen comestible into a smooth, soft material. The improvements comprise a chain driven drive for moving the mixing cup toward the auger. Further improvement include spring biased mounting means for mounting the auger of the machine to the drive shaft of the machine. An additional improvement comprises means for circulating cooled air from a freezer located adjacent to the mixing machine through the housing of the mixing machine to cool the mixing cup and the auger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for the processing of foodstuffs or for the preparation of liquid or pasty pharmaceutical and chemical products, with a bowl, through the bowl bottom of which there leads a motor shaft, protruding perpendicularly into the bowl, of a motor arranged underneath the bowl, and with a shaft seal sealing off the motor shaft vacuum-tightly from the bowl bottom.A cap-shaped seal support is pushed onto the free end of the motor shaft and resets underneath the fitted bowl on a shoulder of the motor shaft and engages at a clear distance labyrinth-like with a lower peripheral cap rim over a stationary housing ring enclosing the motor shaft. The seal support is pushed over and contacts an O-ring which lies in an annular groove of the motor shaft. In the upper section of the seal support, a V-ring is loosely inserted as a sealing ring, and encloses the shaft passage in the bowl bottom with an upper V-member.

Abstract: The screw conveyor has at least one feed and mixing screw having a plurality of vanes extending radially from a shaft arranged in at least one series like a coil or spiral. In particular, the screw conveyor can have at least two substantially equal motorized feed and mixing screws rotating in opposite rotational directions and positioned substantially parallel with each other in a common trough. The screws are located beside each other spaced so that the vanes of one screw engage in the gaps between the vanes of the neighboring screw. To maintain at least as thorough a mixing of bulk materials as was the case heretofore while achieving a reduction in the structural length of the screw conveyor the screws are each provided with more than one helical flight of vanes.

Abstract: A machine for the production of granita and in particular of the type called Sicilian granita comprising a container with a predominately horizontal development in which rotate motorized means for stirring the mixture contained therein in contact with a wall chilled by a refrigerating circuit and means of delivery of said mixture from said container. Said chilled wall is cylindrical in form and said means of stirring the mixture comprise a first rotating cylindrical screw propeller placed inside and axially with said cylinder and a second rotating cylindrical screw propeller placed axially with and wound externally around said cylinder, said screw propellers being rotated by a motor to impart opposed thrusts to the mixture so as to bring about circulation of the liquid in one direction inside the cylinder and the opposite direction outside thereof.The mixture container is accomplished in a single piece preferably of transparent material and completely removable from the machine to facilitate cleaning.

Abstract: A mixing device for liquids is described, wherein improved control of the mix is achieved by restructuring the components so that the character of the mix can be observed easily and corrections effected simultaneously. The disperser/mixer incorporates a moveable and rotatable support structure attached to a piston-in-cylinder arrangement. Hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or a combination thereof in the cylinder is controlled from a unit on the support structure, rather than the base, through a modified piston fixed to the support structure and containing a passageway for hydraulic fluid, rather than through the cylinder.

Abstract: A mixer which provides axial flow in a non-uniform flow field, such as may be established by gas which is sparged into a medium being mixed in a tank, and provides large axial flow volume without flooding and withstands variable loads on the blades thereof, thereby providing for reliable operation. The mixer impeller is made up of paddle shaped blades, which near their tips (e.g., at 90% of the radius of the impeller from its axis of rotation) are of a width at least 40% of the impeller'a diameter. The blades also having camber, twist and flat sections. The flat sections being at least in the center area of the base of the blades. The hub for attaching the blades to the shaft of the mixer has radially extending arms with flat surfaces. The base of the blades are spaced from the shaft to define areas therebetween.

Abstract: A shut off seal in a device having a rotatable shaft extending through a nozzle side entry structure of a tank is provided by means of a slidable stuffing box housing which can be moved by jack screws into engagement with a sealing collar fastened to the shaft inboard of the housing. The arrangement enables the changing of the packing about the shaft without draining the tank.

Abstract: A horizontally oriented mortar mixing drum 11 fabricated of polyethylene material having an elemental cylindrical segment opening through which mortar materials to be mixed may be deposited into or poured from. A perimeter frame having base elemental frame member 15, diametric wall frame members 16 and polyethylene grate 20 is provided for enhancing resistance to torsional stress on drum 11. Wear resistant liner 12 and side panels 13 and 14 cover the interior surface of drum 11. Paddle shaft 18 is rotatably and axially supported within drum 11 and has paddle stubs 28 attached to and extending radially therefrom. Polyethylene mixing paddles 19 are sleeved onto paddle stubs 28 to complete improved mortar mixing drum assembly 10.

Abstract: Grain stirring apparatus includes a stirrer and a stirrer drive motor which are supported on a carrier which is reciprocably movable along a rotatable shaft, the shaft being supported on a carriage for movement in a direction transverse to the movement of the carrier along the shaft. A roller frictionally engages the shaft and is supported on a support member which is supported on the carrier for shiftable pivotal movement about a fixed shift axis between two positions, for effecting reciprocable rectilinear movement of the stirrer carrier along the shaft. The roller support member includes a gear which is meshed with a pair of gears which are journalled on the carrier for rotation about axes in fixed relation to the carrier and which carry members for engagement with members which project from the shaft, to shift the support member from one position to the other.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the care of contact lenses in which the process comprises supporting contact lenses on a lens holder within a treatment container provided with a motor-driven stirrer and introducing into the container a liquid, e.g.

Abstract: A bearing and seal assembly 10 for a mortar mixer having attached to mortar mixer frame 36 a stationary cylindrical housing 14 for rotatably receiving and supporting a hollow cylindrical drum support shaft 11 attached to mortar drum end wall 18. The stationary frame 14 and drum support shaft 11 defining cylindrical cavity 48 between them into which lubricating grease can be injected through grease fitting 25 in stationary housing 14. The drum support shaft 11 further having ball bearing assembly 49 contained therein for rotatably supporting paddle shaft 12 which is positioned coaxial with drum support shaft 11. The drum support shaft 11 further having a spring biased plurality of grease seals 30 sealing the cavity within drum support shaft 11 around paddle shaft 12 between ball bearing assembly 49 and grease seals 30. Hole 21 is provided in drum support shaft 11 for injection of grease from cylindrical cavity 48 between drum support shaft 11 and stationary housing 14 into the drum support shaft cavity.

Abstract: A mixing device (2) provided with a motor (12) received in a work portion (3) for driving a mixer rod (7) is adapted to be assembled without the need for screw-threaded connections and adhesives. For this purpose, the individual components (12, 19, 24, 4, 60, 70) are so relatively arranged and equipped with noses and projections for interengagement or latching that, after all components are fitted together, a completely assembled mixing device (2) is obtained which is totally enclosed in its outer circumferential contour.

Abstract: There is provided a continuous flow type homogenizer. The homogenizer comprises, a tubular container having at upper end thereof an inlet for introducing tissue to be homogenized and at lower end thereof an outlet for discharging the homogenized tissue, a pestle disposed freely rotatable in the tubular container with a clearance defined between the inner surface of the tubular container and the peripheral surface of the pestle, a rotation shaft driving means connected to a rotation shaft of the pestle, a speed setting means for setting the rotation speed of the pestle, and a speed controlling means for controlling the speed of the rotation shaft with a predetermined speed gradient with respect to a speed value set by the speed setting means.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a particle processing apparatus to be used in a wide field including food, medical and chemical industries either for granulating or coating particles on a disk by rotating the disk in a barrel equipped with scrapers or for blending the particles in the barrel by rotating blades in the barrel. The particle processing apparatus comprises: a barrel for accommodating particles to be processed; a disk-shaped rotating member having an outer circumference of V-shaped section and including processing means for processing the particles in the barrel when the rotating member is rotated; rotating means for rotating the rotating member; and an annular bearing member having an inner circumference of V-shaped section for bearing the rotating member in a rotatable manner with a small gap between its inner circumference and the outer circumference of the rotating member.

Abstract: The invention relates to mixing apparatus with a mixing vessel consisting of two vessel parts of which the first vessel part is constructed so as to be transportable and the second vessel part bears a rotatable mixing tool the hub of which is releasably coupled to the drive shaft (11) of a drive motor. The first vessel part is covered by the second vessel part even in its transport state. This mixing apparatus permits a rapid change of product while avoiding cleaning work on the second vessel part and the mixing tool.

Abstract: A kneader includes a vessel having an upper cover, at least one mixing blade provided in the vessel for mixing or kneading a powder material supplied in the vessel, sealing means for sealing between the vessel and ends of a shaft of the mixing blade extending through the vessel, bearings for supporting the shaft of the mixing blade on both the sides, blade driving means provided at one end of the shaft of the mixing blade. Each of the sealing means is provided on a side of the vessel with at least one air purge opening through which air is caused to flow toward the shaft of the mixing blade or into an interior of the vessel to form the sealing means as an air sealing construction, thereby completely preventing the powder material to be mixed from leaking through clearances between the vessel and the shaft by jetting air from the air sealing construction into the vessel.

Abstract: An epicyclic mixing system for materials held in a tank is provided having dual concentric sun shafts which both orbit a pair of planetary drive shafts having mixing implements at their bottom ends and act to rotate the pair of planetary drive shafts about their own axes. The two concentric shafts are connected to dual drivers through separate drive systems so that the shafts can be selectively operated at different rotating speeds.Another epicyclic mixing system includes upper and lower housings driven about a central axis that extends through the upper housing by a sun drive shaft. The lower housing is adjustably secured to the upper housing. A first planetary drive shaft extends through the upper housing and a second planetary drive shaft extends through the lower housing. The first drive shaft is driven by a fixed sun gear about which the lower housing rotates so as to rotate the first drive shaft, which rotates the second drive shaft by way of a gear train.

Abstract: A baffle for protecting a bottom bearing assembly used as a stabilizer for an agitator shaft operating in a tank-like vessel containing a liquid hostile to bearing components. The baffle defines a pressurized gaseous chamber for isolating the bearing from the liquid in the vessel. Gas under pressure delivered to and maintained in the chamber prevents invasive entry of liquid from the vessel. The apparatus includes an open top bearing-encircling casing which is sealed at its lower end to a bottom wall of the vessel. A pipe in the form of an inverted bucket coaxial with and sleeved over to overlap and encircle an open top of the casing is open at its lower end and is sealed at its upper end to the agitator shaft for rotation therewith. Spaced radially outwardly of an outer wall of the casing, the pipe defines with the casing a restricted annular channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing foodstuffs comprises a bowl having a hole in its bottom, a removable cover for closing the bowl, and a rotary cutter positioned in the lower portion of the bowl and having a central bore. A coupling shaft extends through the central bore of the rotary cutter and the hole in the bowl bottom to effect rotation of the rotary cutter when the removable cover is placed on the bowl, the upper end of the coupling shaft being journalled on the under side of the removable cover and the lower end of the coupling shaft being detachably coupled to a drive means. Resilient means is associated with the rotary cutter and cooperates with the bowl for connecting the rotary cutter to the bowl in the axial direction of the coupling shaft.

Abstract: A pin mixer for mixing particulate solids having a rotor with a plurality of radially extending pins removably attached thereto. The pins form a plurality of axially and angularly staggered helices along the rotor, and pins adjacent the inlet of the mixer are interconnected by a solid ribbon. Adjustable fluid nozzles are provided in the inlet for mixing fluids with the solid particulate material. The pin mixer has a pair of bearings, a pair of seals located inwardly from the bearings, and a pair of discs attached to the rotor thereof. A first pressure source may be connected between each bearing and seal to assure that leakage across the seals is away from the bearings, and a second pressure source connected between each seal and respective disc so that leakage between the disc and shell is away from the seals. The rotor has a pair of detachable stub shafts, and a means is provided to quickly change the rotor and shell without disturbing the connection to the power source.

Abstract: A beater of the type that includes a whisk assembly that rotates inside a bowl closed by a lid. The whisk assembly is mounted in a shell which rotates slowly inside the bowl. A seal is provided between the shell and a drive shaft mechanism. The seal is activated in response to movement of the lid off the bowl.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples is disclosed, such sampling apparatus being particularly useful in connection with dissolution testing of various products. The apparatus includes a plurality of sampling containers each having a chamber therein for receipt of a fluid, and a drive device for simultaneously moving the plurality of sample containers to a sampling station. First fluid conduits are provided for each of the sampling containers for conducting a fluid into each of the sampling containers when the sampling containers are positioned at the sampling station, and second fluid conduits are provided for each of the sampling containers for withdrawing a sample fluid from each of the sampling containers when the sampling containers are positioned at the sampling station.

Abstract: The stirrer vessel and stirrer shaft of a stirring apparatus are heated and carry an enamel coating on the surfaces coming into contact with the product. In order to prevent destruction of this enamel coating when the stirrer shaft is severely stressed, elastic intermediate members are arranged between a rigid support shaft and a shaft casing. The stuffing box is also held on the stirrer vessel by a further elastic intermediate member. An elastic packing between the fixed part of the stirrer vessel and the vessel cover fixed to the drive casing balances forces which are transferred from the vessel wall to the drive casing.

Abstract: A splatter shield is provided for use with a conventional portable mixer having a speed control switch and a pair of laterally spaced drive sockets. A pair of beaters each includes one end portion adapted to be detachably secured within the drive sockets, a shaft having a generally circular member for keeping the ingredients being mixed out of the drive sockets, and beater blades at the opposite end portion. A mixing bowl holds ingredients to be mixed by the beater blades and a splatter shield having a flat bottom is operably disposed on the rim of the bowl for preventing the escape of ingredients therefrom when the mixer is in operation. The shield is preferably made of polypropylene for ease of cleaning, unbreakability and chip-proof characteristics. A central portion of the top integral surface is raised and reinforcing ribs are disposed about the periphery of the top shield surface and radially in toward the raised portion.

Abstract: An improved process for dewaxing waxy hydrocarbon oils, wherein said waxy oil is introduced at a temperature above its cloud point into a direct chilling zone divided into a plurality of stages, passing said waxy oil from stage-to-stage of said chilling zone, introducing a cold dewaxing solvent into at least a portion of said stages, maintaining a high degree of agitation in at least a portion of the stages containing solvent and waxy oil, thereby effecting substantially instantaneous mixing thereof while cooling said solvent-waxy oil mixture, preferably at a rate of from about 1.degree. to 8.degree. F./min.

Abstract: The lower support for single screw mixer of this invention is comprised of a support shaft rotatably secured in the bottom of a mixer having an inverted, truncated cone configuration. A connecting shaft is rotatably disposed within a bearing housing fixed to the lower end of the screw flight shaft disposed along the periphery of the mixer. The screw is attached to an orbit arm which rotates about the center axis of the mixer and through which the screw is rotated at relatively high speeds. Such relatively high speeds, however, are not, by virture of the bearing arrangement contained within the bearing housing fixed to the screw, imparted to the connecting shaft. The support shaft 20 and connecting shaft 36 are connected to one another by a pin arrangement which accommodates deflections imparted to the screw by the forces encountered during mixing.

Abstract: A worm mixer is disclosed in which a cover is mounted to a substantially conically shaped vessel with a vertical axis defining a chamber for the mixing of materials. The cover is mounted on the vessel so as to allow rotation of the cover and vessel relative to each other. An elongated mixing worm is mounted to the cover at an off center location and extends within the chamber. The drive while rotating the worm about its axis is connected to an upper end of the worm which extends through the cover. The lead through of the worm through the cover is sealed and at least one bearing is provided rotatably journalling the worm about its axis near the upper end of the worm. The worm bearing and drive means are mounted exclusively outside of the chamber.

Abstract: An electric drill powered paint stirrer for stirring paint in a conventional paint marketing can of the kind normally closed for sale by a lid. A second lid is substitutable on the can for the marketing lid and has a central opening. A stirring rod assembly is releasably securable in the second lid. The assembly comprises a bushing element having a reduced diameter externally threaded and extending from a shoulder. The bushing has a central through bore. The second lid opening is of diameter to snugly receive the threaded bushing end therethrough but not the shoulder. The assembly further includes a stirring rod having an upstanding shank extending upward through the bushing. The rod has upper and lower radially widened portions closely flanking the upper and lower ends of the bushing for axially locating the shank in the bushing. The rod has a bottom portion depending from the shank and sized to lie close to the can peripheral wall and bottom for stirring paint in the marketing can.

Abstract: In a self-supporting stirrer for mixing a bed of free-flowing solids, the lower end of the stirring device, facing the bottom of the stirred vessel, passes into a hub. The hub is located on a vertical drive shaft which extends through the bottom of the stirred vessel and consists of shaft sections detachably joined to one another. The drive shaft itself is carried in a cage attached to the bottom of the stirred vessel and can be adjusted vertically by means of a lifting device. This opens or closes an annular gap between a centering cone, provided at the bottom of the stirred vessel, and a conically recessed ring, inserted in the hub. In this way, the need to empty the vessel, for example when carrying out maintenance or repair work, is avoided.

Abstract: A mixing device having a flow path therethrough for material to be mixed includes a first plurality of radially extending, tapered rollers disposed between a first pair of relatively rotating raceways for subjecting the material to a milling action, a plurality of sets of alternately encountered stationary and moving teeth disposed in adjacent parallel planes for subjecting the material to a shearing action, and a second plurality of radially extending, tapered rollers disposed between a second pair of relatively rotating raceways for subjecting the material to a further milling action. The arrangement is such that a predetermined axial spacing between adjacent sets of the teeth is continuously maintained by means of the rollers and raceways.

Abstract: A vertically standing, slender, cylindrical flow container with an upper intake connection for crushed raw sludge already heated to a pasteurization temperature and a lower outlet connection for pasteurized sludge. A slowly rotating guide member is incorporated into the container coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the latter and is driven by an electric motor via a reduction gear. The tube-like guide member core is provided with a plurality of continuous, helically-wound blades which extend from top to bottom and which, with respect to the direction of rotation of the guide member, form front and rear helical deflectors for the sludge. The helically wound blades also subdivide the circular cross-section of the passage of the container into a plurality of helically-wound individual channels.

Abstract: A multi-chamber pack comprising at least two chambers separated by a frangible partition and externally operable means for breaking the partition, and means for mixing the contents of the chambers. The mixing means are formed by an agitator element operative by rotation, more particularly one or more vanes, said element being disposed rotatably in one of the chambers. An actuating element is disposed rotatably on the outside of the pack and is coupled to the agitator element so as to rotate therewith and serves to drive the latter. The means for breaking the partition are in the form of a push rod fixed to an inwardly deformable wall part of the pack.

Abstract: An aluminium/dross separator comprising a container or drum having one or more mixer blades mounted therein, drive means being provided to produce relative rotary movement of the container and blades characterized in that the drive means are positioned below and/or, to the side of, the container and do not extend over the top thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing photographic film disks immerses the disks in a plurality of baths of treatment solutions, one bath after another, spins the disks about a horizontal axis of rotation during successive immersions to agitate the disks in the baths, and spins the disks between successive immersions to remove excess solution from the disks. A horizontally supported spindle is used to accumulate the disks for high density processing, while a transport mechanism conveys the spindle between the baths and between first and second rotary drives to agitate and remove the excess solution from the disks, respectively, in accordance with an appropriate processing sequence.