A mixing agitator, for industrial use in mixing processes, that overcomes disadvantages associated with glass coated mixing agitators in the prior art. In particular, the mixing agitator includes a glass coated metal hub radially symmetrical about a central axis. The hub is at least partially embedded within a fluorinated polymer. The fluorinated polymer extends beyond the hub and forms agitator blades that may be reinforced. The hub has a centrally located receiving portion for receiving a drive shaft for rotating the agitator. The agitator is lighter weight than prior art glass coated steel agitators yet still has excellent chemical resistance and good temperature resistance. The agitator of the invention reduces likelihood of glass damage and permits agitator blade shapes not useable by glass coated agitators in the prior art. The invention also includes a mixing apparatus incorporating the hub and a method for mixing using the agitator.

A stirrer shaft for a microwave oven includes a shaft body configured to connect between a stirrer motor on a first end of the shaft body, and a set of stirrer blades spaced apart from the stirrer motor. The stirrer body includes a flow passage therethrough for equalizing pressure in a sealed stirrer cavity of the microwave oven.

A stirrer shaft for a microwave oven includes a shaft body configured to connect between a stirrer motor on a first end of the shaft body, and a set of stirrer blades spaced apart from the stirrer motor. The stirrer body includes a flow passage therethrough for equalizing pressure in a sealed stirrer cavity of the microwave oven.

A fluid mixing system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber. A flexible bag is disposed within the chamber of the support housing, the flexible bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment. An impeller is disposed within the chamber of the flexible bag. A drive shaft is coupled with the impeller such that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the impeller. A drive motor assembly is coupled with the draft shaft and is adapted to rotate the drive shaft. An adjustable arm assembly is coupled with the drive motor assembly and is adapted to move the drive motor assembly which in turn moves the position of the drive shaft and impeller. An electrical controller can control movement of the adjustable arm.

A method of coating particles includes dispensing particles into a vacuum chamber to form a particle bed in at least a lower portion of the chamber that forms a half-cylinder, evacuating the chamber through a vacuum port in an upper portion of the chamber, rotating a paddle assembly such that a plurality of paddles orbit a drive shaft to stir the particles in the particle bed, injecting a reactant or precursor gas through a plurality of channels into the lower portion of the chamber as the paddle assembly rotates to coat the particles, and injecting the reactant or precursor gas or a purge gas through the plurality of channels at a sufficiently high velocity such that the reactant or precursor a purge gas de-agglomerates particles in the particle bed.

A method for operating a bioreactor includes passing a drive shaft into a first tubular connector and a second tubular connector projecting from the first tubular connector, the first tubular connector and the second tubular connector being at least partially disposed within a container, the first tubular connector being more flexible than the second tubular connector, the second tubular connector having a length that comprises at least 20% of a combined length of the first tubular connector and the second tubular connector. Rotating the drive shaft so as to rotate the first tubular connector and the second tubular connector within the container.

A liquid mixing system includes a support housing at least partially bounding a compartment. A mount is secured to the support housing. A drive motor assembly is configured to engage a drive shaft for moving the drive shaft within the compartment of the support housing. A four bar linkage system extends between the mount and the drive motor assembly, the four bar linkage system being movable between a first position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a first elevation and a second position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.

A reactor for coating particles includes a stationary vacuum chamber that has a lower portion that forms a half-cylinder and an upper portion and that holds a bed of particles to be coated, a vacuum port in the upper portion of the chamber, a paddle assembly, and a gas injection assembly that includes a vaporizer to convert a first liquid to a first reactant or precursor gas, a manifold to receive the first reactant or precursor gas from the vaporizer, and a plurality of channels leading from the manifold to a plurality of apertures located in the lower portion of the chamber.

A micro puree machine including a housing, a power shaft, a bowl assembly and a platform. The power shaft extends from the housing. The bowl assembly including at least one locking bowl element. The platform includes at least one complementary locking platform element that is configured to engage the at least one locking bowl element such that rotation of the bowl assembly relative to the platform is prevented at times the bowl assembly is positioned thereon. The platform is rotatable from a first position to a second position relative to the housing such that the platform raises the bowl assembly towards the power shaft during the rotation of the bowl assembly and platform. The raising of the bowl assembly facilitates connection between the power shaft and a blade assembly that is positioned in a lid assembly on the bowl assembly.

A liquid mixing system includes a support housing at least partially bounding a compartment. A mount is secured to the support housing. A drive motor assembly is configured to engage a drive shaft for moving the drive shaft within the compartment of the support housing. A four bar linkage system extends between the mount and the drive motor assembly, the four bar linkage system being movable between a first position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a first elevation and a second position wherein the drive motor assembly is disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation.