Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing a corrosive mixture is provided. The apparatus having a lid for sealing an opening to the mixing vessel. The lid easily and quickly operated in addition to providing a secure pressure tight seal. It is necessary for the lid to be easily and conveniently operated to assure use of the lid.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing a content of a bag in combination with a collection member, the blending device comprising a casing defining a chamber and comprising a mixer and a door. The collection member is adapted to receive therein a bag with a content to be mixed by the blending device and is adapted to be installed in the blending device. When the collection member and the bag are positioned in the chamber and the door is closed, the mixer is operated to act on the bag and cause the content thereof. If the bag ruptures while in the blending device, its content will be collected by the collection member. The collection member is detachably secured at an upper end thereof to the blending device. The collection member typically takes the form of a flexible collection bag that is open-ended at its upper end.

Abstract: A mixer/sifter combination includes a counter-stand type mixer together with a sifter attachment that is designed to be coupled to the mixer via the mixer's aperture that rotates a typical beater so that the mixer can be used to perform sifting functions. The sifter attachment includes a coupler rod that connects to the mixer, various gears that reduce the rate of rotation of a sifter beater attached to the gears and disposed within a sifter cup of the sifter attachment. The sifter attachment may include a second coupler rod that also connects to the mixer.

Abstract: A mixer/sifter combination includes an electric, hand mixer together with a sifter attachment that is designed to be coupled to the mixer via the mixer's aperture that rotates a typical beater so that the mixer can be used to perform sifting functions. The sifter attachment includes a coupler rod that connects to the mixer, various gears that reduce the rate of rotation of a sifter beater attached to the gears and disposed within a sifter cup of the sifter attachment.

Abstract: A five gallon bucket holder platform for mixing a variety of compounds and/or painting mixtures is a substantially rectangular box structure having a top, a bottom and four sides made perpendicular to the bottom and top surfaces. The top surface portion has disposed therein a substantially central circular aperture for frictionally retaining a bucket containing material to be mixed therein. In operation the user mounts the platform and inserts a bucket with mixing material within the aperture for subsequent manual or motor-tool driven mixing.

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 device for holding a container (bucket) containing material to be mixed without the need for an operator to hold the container comprises a frame having multiple rings. An upper ring and a lower ring are attached to vertical connectors. Horizontal connectors extend from the lower ring across the diameter to position the bottom of a bucket. The vertical connectors are attached on one edge to the lower ring and on another edge to the horizontal connectors connecting the lower ring. The vertical supports are attached on one upper edge to the upper ring with one free edge that forms a fin that extends into the interior diameter of the device. Supports extend from the vertical connectors below the lower ring. Each support has a tapered side terminating in a point. The device sits on the supports. A bucket of material to be mixed is held within the frame of the device. Means for mixing is applied to the material for mixing the material.

Abstract: A device for effecting motion of liquid droplets on a surface through the use of electrostatic field force includes a single substrate on which are disposed a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. The surface on which the liquid droplets are deposited is fabricated from a material that facilitates motion of the liquid droplets.

Abstract: A body (1) for cutting and mixing wagons for plant products is disclosed, comprising a base (2) with a plurality of walls (3a, 3b, 3c) defining a room (4) adapted to receive the plant products to be cut and mixed through one or more screws arranged inside the body (1). The walls (3a, 3b, 3c) are removably connected to each other and to the base (2) through connection means (7, 8).

Abstract: Apparatus for providing motive power comprises first and second communicating columns (10, 14) of liquid, the liquid in the second column being substantially the same as in the first column but containing a finely divided material to increase its specific gravity relative to the liquid in the first column, means (28) for maintaining the finely divided material in suspension in the second column, whereby liquid height in the respective columns is different, so that liquid from the first column overflows into the second column, means for converting energy from resultant movement of liquid into motive power and means (26) for returning the liquid to the first column.

Abstract: A twin shaft “compulsory mixer” having a capacity in the range of twelve cubic yards has a static mixing chamber bottom defined from two horizontally disposed and interfering cylindrical shapes. Two centrally disposed elongate rectilinear discharge gates are each defined from an end in the bottom of the static mixing chamber to abut at the middle of the static mixing chamber. At the middle bottom of the static mixing chamber, a tensioning rod is placed extending normally across the abutted ends of the two rectilinear slots. Two eccentrically mounted elongate rectilinear gates are mounted for movement into and out of sealing relation to the rectilinear slot centrally of the static mixing chamber. These gates are mounted centrally of the mixing chamber to a pillow block and spherical bearing arrangement and actuated at the respective static mixer chamber ends by conventional piston drives. Reducing the gates in length, reduces deflection making chamber sealing possible.

Abstract: In a food processor (1) with a drivable apparatus part (17) provided for interacting with a material which is to be processed and with driving means (9) for driving the drivable apparatus part (17), said driving means (9) comprising at least one driving part (11,12,13,14,15), either a driving part (11,12,13,14,15) of the driving means (9) or the drivable apparatus part (17) is used for driving a sifter device (27).

Abstract: A household appliance, in particular, a kitchen machine, includes a planetary gear disposed between an electric drive unit and an output shaft or drive shaft of the appliance and the stationary toothed ring of which is supported on the housing of the appliance by support arms (13) projecting radially outwardly on the outer circumference of the toothed ring. Good damping of the noise originating from the planetary gear is achieved by virtue of the fact that an elastic element preventing direct contact between the support arms and the fixing locations is respectively inserted between the support arms and the fixing locations on the housing.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling to a power tool having a motor with about 2000 W power, the adapter including a transmission for coupling the motor of the power tool to a poker, so as to convert the power tool to the power supply for a concrete vibrator, and a method for making a concrete vibrator, the method including mounting an adapter on a power tool having a motor with about 2000 W power, and coupling the adapter to a poker, thereby converting the power tool to a concrete vibrator.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention particularly provides microsystem platforms for achieving efficient mixing of one or a plurality of fluids on the surface of the platform when fluid flow is motivated by centripetal force produce by rotation.

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: An apparatus (10) and methods for securing a container (70) while mixing viscous material located therein are provided. The apparatus (10) includes a portable holder device (12) and a retention device (14) secured to one another such that apparatus (10) can receive and prevent the rotation of the container (70). The portable holder device (12) includes a platform portion (22) to receive the weight of the user (11) and a container support portion (24) to receive the container (70). In the most preferred form, the portable holder device (12) is in the form of a hexagonal shaped, planar base. The container (70) includes at least one abutment (76) to cooperate with the retention device (14) to prevent rotation of the container (70) during a mixing operation. In the most preferred form, the retention device (14) is in the form of first and second bars (17, 19) having upper ends which are slideably received in slots (66) of container handle hinge assemblies (63).

Abstract: An electroösmotic mixing device and a method for mixing one or more fluids for use in meso- or microfluidic device applications. The mixing device provides batch or continuous mixing of one or more fluids in meso- or microfluidic channels. An electric field is generated in the channel in substantial contact with chargeable surfaces therein. No alterations of the geometry of existing flow paths need be made, and the degree of mixing in the device can be controlled by the length of the electrodes, the flow rate past the electrodes, and the voltage applied to those electrodes. The degree of mixing is affected by choice of materials for the chargeable surface (in some cases by the selection of materials or coatings for channel walls) and the ionic strength of the fluids and the type and concentration of ions in the fluids. The ionic strength of fluids to be mixed is sufficiently low to allow electroosmotic flow.

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: The inventive micromixer for mixing liquid, viscous or gaseous phases has a housing bottom part (2) and a housing top part (3) which lie closely against each other via connecting surfaces (6, 7). Two delivery channels (1a, 1b) and an outlet channel (5) open out into the dividing surface between the two connecting surface (6, 7). Channel grooves (9, 10) which cross each other several times are formed in one connecting surfaces (6) and provide a mixing section for the phases being mixed.

Abstract: A micro mixer for liquid, viscous or gaseous phases with two adjacent housing parts (1,2) disposed on a parting plane (3). Capillary tubes (7) forming line connections are inserted into cross holes (6) in the top part of the housing (1) by welding, for instance, and run into the parting plane (3). The other free ends of the capillary tubes (7) are bent apart and respectively bear a screw connection.

Abstract: A humidification system (A) for humidifying a dry hydrocarbon stream includes a column (10) which defines an interior cavity (20). The cavity is partially filled with a bed (12) of a packing material (40) and a layer of water (20), leaving a headspace above the water. An inlet (52) adjacent a lower end of the cavity receives a dry hydrocarbon stream which is broken up by the packing material and dissolves water as it passes therethrough. Entrained water droplets fall out of the wet blend in a disengagement zone (70) above the water layer leaving the hydrocarbon stream humidified yet substantially free of liquid water in an upper region (72) of the column.

Abstract: A novel electrokinetic instability (EKI) micromixer and method takes advantage of the EKI to effect active rapid stirring of confluent microstreams of biomolecules without moving parts or complex microfabrication processes. The EKI is induced using an alternating current (A/C) electric field. Within seconds, the randomly fluctuating, three-dimensional velocity field created by the EKI rapidly and effectively stirs an initially heterogeneous solution and generates a homogeneous solution that is useful in a variety of biochemical and bioanalytical systems. Microfabricated on a glass substrate, the inventive EKI micromixer can be easily and advantageously integrated in molecular diagnostics apparatuses and systems, such as a chip-based “Lab-on-a-Chip” microfluidic device.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention particularly provides microsystem platforms for achieving efficient mixing of one or a plurality of fluids on the surface of the platform when fluid flow is motivated by centripetal force produce by rotation.

Abstract: A method for continuously preparing a medium formulation mixes a diluent with a plurality of chemically incompatible concentrate solutions in such a manner that none of the ingredients of the concentrate solutions chemically react in an adverse manner. The method utilizes a static mixing chamber to add the concentrate solutions to the diluent stream sufficiently in advance of one another so that adverse chemical reactions do not occur. The method also adjusts a pH level of the diluent prior to adding any of the concentrate solutions to the diluent.

Abstract: The adapter (3) is provided for a static mixer (1) to carry out a shaped dispensing of a viscid mixture from the mixer. The adapter is formed in the shape of a plastic injection-molded part such that it is mountable on a discharge orifice (11) of the mixer. It forms a passage with a variable cross-section with a wall (33), with the flow of the mixture being guidable though said passage to a slit-shaped outlet opening (4). The passage wall (33) is provided with linear cutting aids (40) on the outside which extend at least approximately parallel to the slit direction of the outlet opening (4). The passage wall can be cut through along these cutting aids so that a new, slit-shaped outlet opening (4a) is created which is shorter than the original outlet opening in the slit direction. The linear cutting aids are arranged such that the newly made outlet openings have pre-set cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: The drum of the drum unit has a plurality of jacket walls. One jacket wall is designed as a freely pivotable lid. A cam disk is located in the drum. In certain positions the lid rests at its free end on the cam disk such that it is controlled by same. When the drum rotates in one direction, the cam disk blocks the lid in its open position such that an automatic discharging of the drum takes place. At a rotating in the opposite direction the lid remains closed due to its force of gravity, so that neither a manual manipulation nor operating apparatuses for a moving of the lid are needed.

Abstract: A housing for micromixers has two flat circular disk-shaped housing parts situated adjacent to each other in a parting plane. Each of the housing parts has a truncated cone surface on its peripheral edge. A multipart clamping ring which can be tightened in the peripheral direction encompasses the two housing parts and is adjacent to the truncated cone surfaces.

Abstract: An adapter for coupling to a power tool having a motor with about 2000 W power, the adapter including a transmission for coupling the motor of the power tool to a poker, so as to convert the power tool to the power supply for a concrete vibrator, and a method for making a concrete vibrator, the method including mounting an adapter on a power tool having a motor with about 2000 W power, and coupling the adapter to a poker, thereby converting the power tool to a concrete vibrator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuous production of pigment flushes and an apparatus for carrying out the process. In the process of the invention, the pigment press cake is first fluidized. The fluidized press cake and a hydrophobic liquid organic medium are fed into a twin screw extruder. The kneading of the organic medium and press cake between the twin screws flushes the pigment into the organic medium. The water phase and flushed pigment phase are separated by removing at least part of the water phase through a vent in the extruder. An impediment to the flow of material downstream of the water vent causes the flush to accumulate in the vented section for a period of time sufficient to remove the desired amount of the water phase. The flush works over the impediment and passes downstream to where vacuum is applied to remove residual water from the flush. The flush may be further combined with other ink ingredients to form an ink product.

Abstract: A shield, used during industrial material mixing operations for preventing material splatter around the mixing container. They shield is generally formed as a ring that snaps to the top of a conventional bucket. The ring includes an upwardly projecting funnel. The funnel captures materials that have been projected from the bucket during a mixing sequence. The shield is made of a form retaining, bendable or malleable material, such as plastic, or soft metals. This allows for the dried-on materials to be easily and quickly cleaned from the shield. Alternatively, the shield may include a plurality of weak seams provided in uniform intervals along its height for removing a portion of the shield for cleaning or reduction in size when required by a limiting work environment. A pull tab quickly and easily removes the funnel portion at the weak seam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for continuous production of pigment flushes and an apparatus for carrying out the process. In the process of the invention, the pigment press cake is first fluidized. The fluidized press cake and a hydrophobic liquid organic medium are fed into a twin screw extruder. The kneading of the organic medium and press cake between the twin screws flushes the pigment into the organic medium. The water phase and flushed pigment phase are separated by removing at least part of the water phase through a vent in the extruder. An impediment to the flow of material downstream of the water vent causes the flush to accumulate in the vented section for a period of time sufficient to remove the desired amount of the water phase. The flush works over the impediment and passes downstream to where vacuum is applied to remove residual water from the flush. The flush may be further combined with other ink ingredients to form an ink product.

Abstract: A jig is described that is suitable for mounting in a paint shaker. The jig includes a first (top) section and a second (bottom) section. Each of the top section and the bottom section includes a respective substantially cylindrical frame having a respective outer surface and an inner surface. Each respective inner surface has a plurality of respective openings for holding tubular containers, such as caulking tubes. The top section and the bottom section fit together in direct, seating contact to form a substantially cylindrical jig capable of holding a plurality of caulking tubes. The bottom section also has a plurality of third openings for receiving nozzle portions of the caulking tubes. When the top section and the bottom section are fitted together, with caulking tubes contained therein, nozzles of the caulking tubes do not project out from the top section.

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: A liner for use in a mixing container which is adapted to receive a mixing shaft having an open tubular distal end and having mixing members mounted thereon for mixing materials disposed in the container, includes a tubular sleeve substantially closed at a first end thereof by an end wall and open at a second end thereof, and an elongated substantially rigid protrusion fixed to the interior of the sleeve end wall centrally of the sleeve end wall, extending toward the second end of the sleeve, and adapted to receive thereon the open tubular distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A blending device for mixing the contents of a plastic bag comprises a casing defining a mixing chamber in which are disposed paddles or the like for acting on the bag and mix the contents thereof, and having a pivotable door for providing access to the chamber and positioning a bag and its contents in this chamber. The door includes a lower container which extends inwardly towards the casing such as to be located in the casing's mixing chamber when the door is a closed position such that spillage resulting from a rupture of the bag in the blending machine is collected in the door's bottom container. Preferably, the door can be easily and completely disconnected from the casing the facilitating the cleaning thereof, for instance following a collection by the container thereof of a spillage.

Abstract: A drum insulating device for a concrete truck for insulating ready mix concrete trucks. The drum insulating device for a concrete truck includes a sheet of material having a pair of outer layers and an inner layer and further having a first portion and a second portion and being adapted to be securely fastened about a mixing drum of a concrete truck with fasteners; and also includes fastening members for fastening the first and second portions together.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for dynamic in-line mixing of feedstocks in various delivery systems. The apparatus of the present invention includes an agitator housed within the delivery conduit that is constructed and arranged to impart motion to feedstock passing through the delivery conduit to a discharge device. The method of the present invention is particularly well suited for maintaining metals and other solids in suspension during delivery for specialized coating and/or painting applications. Systems employing the apparatus and method of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for mixing a hardener and sealant within a cartridge assembly having a handle rotatably and reciprocably mounted therein. The adapter includes a cylindrical base having a first flat surface provided with a coupling pin extending substantially perpendicular thereto. The coupling pin is adapted to be chucked into a power drill. The base has a second flat surface provided with a plurality of spaced apart, headed elements engageable with the cartridge assembly handle. The adapter is constructed and arranged to transfer rotary motion from the drill to the handle to enable mixing of the sealant and hardener together.

Abstract: A combination bar and beverage mixing device includes a base panel with a vertical shelf support attached thereto. Extending from the shelf support are upper and lower horizontal shelves. A blender assembly is slidably mounted on a horizontal track that is disposed between the upper and lower shelves. As the blender assembly is slid along the track, a mixing container is automatically rotated to mix a beverage received therein.

Abstract: A cover for the inlet hopper for a cement mixing truck that is constructed of a sheet material body that is to be draped over the access opening of the inlet hopper and fixed in position by a pair of stretchable cords which are used as attachments to connect to the cement mixing truck structure. The body also includes an elongated rod which causes the upper surface of the body to assume a domed configuration when in use. The peripheral edge of the body includes an elastic cord which is to bind against the exterior surface of the inlet hopper.

Abstract: An automated device for periodically revitalizing potpourri can be placed in a potpourri container. The device includes a mixing element for mixing potpourri and an aerosol canister containing a fragrance oil for adding fragrance to the potpourri. A battery powered motor periodically rotates the mixing element to stir the potpourri and activates the aerosol canister to dispense the fragrance oil into the potpourri. The device thus uniformly mixes the fragrance into the potpourri. Electric timer circuitry is provided to activate the device on a preset periodic basis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently and rapidly mixing liquids in a system operating in the creeping flow regime such as would be encountered in capillary-based systems. By applying an electric field to each liquid, the present invention is capable of mixing together fluid streams in capillary-based systems, where mechanical or turbulent stirring cannot be used, to produce a homogeneous liquid.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system mixes a fluid using predominantly planar laminar flow. The microelectromechanical system includes a mixing chamber and a set of valves to establish the planar laminar flow in the mixing chamber. In one embodiment, bubble-controlled pumps are operated with bubble-controlled valves to establish the predominantly planar laminar flow in the mixing chamber. The bubble-controlled pumps and valves may be used to establish a pulsed double-dipole flow field in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Shear mixing apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed for producing small gas bubbles of a diameter of less than about 0.1 millimeters in a liquid, whereby mass transfer of the gas into the liquid is improved (as compared to the mass transfer achieved by conventional large bubble generators under the same circumstances) in applications benefiting by such improved mass transfer, involving injecting a gas under pressure via one or more orifices into a liquid that is flowing at a velocity sufficient to cause bubbles formed at the orifice(s) to subdivide to the desired small bubble size.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing and packaging liquid materials, comprising a number of assemblies which in turn include a number of modules, each mounted on a frame for lifting, transporting and positioning the associated module.

Abstract: A micromachined, high Reynolds number, sub-millisecond liquid mixer for the study of chemical reaction kinetics. This bulk micromachined silicon mixer is capable of initiating and quenching chemical reactions in intervals as short as 100 .mu.s. The mixer chip contains two tee mixers connected by one channel which serves as a reaction chamber. Each tee mixer consists of opposing channels where liquids meet head-on and exit into a third channel forming the base of a "T".

Abstract: A concrete placer for attachment to a skid steer loader which runs only off the auxiliary hydraulics and electric power of the skid steer loader. The concrete placer comprises a hopper, a concrete pump frame, two concrete pumping cylinders, and a small hydraulic cylinder and swing valve assembly which together control movement of a swing valve to alternately receive concrete from each of the two concrete pumping cylinders and discharge it from a porthole in the hopper.

Abstract: A mixing head has traces of the reactive mixture of synthetic resin components removed therefrom by insertion into a housing or rinsing flange into which a rinsing liquid, e.g. hot water, is forced via nozzles or orifices trained inwardly of the plane of the mixing head. The mixture of rinsing liquid and removed residue is passed through a bag filter in which the residue is collected and the rinsing liquid is recirculated.

Abstract: A device for controlling pressure in a flowing viscous mass includes an inlet, a guiding element having a receiving capacity for the mass flowing from the inlet, a piston movable within the guiding element, and a receptacle which telescopically slides over the inlet when the piston moves.