A tube management system includes an elongated rack extending between a first end and an opposing second end; an elongated first shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the first shaft being secured to the rack; a securing structure secured to the first shaft; a collapsible bag bounding a chamber; and a tubular member projecting from the collapsible bag, wherein the securing structure at least partially encircles the tubular member.

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 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 portable drill accessory that is configured to be operably coupled to a portable drill and facilitate mixing or blending of ingredients disposed within the container of the present invention. The present invention includes a container having an interior volume that is sealably coupled to a base housing. The base housing has operably mounted above the upper surface thereof a mixing blade. Disposed in the base housing is a gear assembly wherein the gear assembly is configured to provide rotational movement of the mixing blade. The gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear that are oriented at a perpendicular angle with respect to each other. The first gear includes a portion operably coupled to the mixing blade. The second gear includes a shaft portion that is configured to be operably coupled to a drill chuck.

A portable drill accessory that is configured to be operably coupled to a portable drill and facilitate mixing or blending of ingredients disposed within the container of the present invention. The present invention includes a container having an interior volume that is sealably coupled to a base housing. The base housing has operably mounted above the upper surface thereof a mixing blade. Disposed in the base housing is a gear assembly wherein the gear assembly is configured to provide rotational movement of the mixing blade. The gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear that are oriented at a perpendicular angle with respect to each other. The first gear includes a portion operably coupled to the mixing blade. The second gear includes a shaft portion that is configured to be operably coupled to a drill chuck.

Apparatus and methods for food production including a food preconditioner (228) operable to heat and partially pre-cook food ingredients, and a twin screw extruder (20) operable to further cook the preconditioned ingredients to create final food products. The extruder (20) includes a pair of hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) having elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) is also of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes forward, reverse pitch sections (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the extruders (20), without adding additional moisture.

Apparatus and methods for food production including a food preconditioner (228) operable to heat and partially pre-cook food ingredients, and a twin screw extruder (20) operable to further cook the preconditioned ingredients to create final food products. The extruder (20) includes a pair of hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) having elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) is also of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes forward, reverse pitch sections (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the extruders (20), without adding additional moisture.

A fluid mixing system includes a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment; a retainer coupled to the second end of the flexible bag, the retainer having a retention cavity formed thereon that communicates with the compartment of the flexible bag; and an elongated member having a first end rotatably coupled to the first end of the flexible bag and an opposing second end freely disposed within the retention cavity of the retainer so that the second end of the elongated member can rotate within the retention cavity relative to the retainer.

A fluid mixing system includes a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment; a retainer coupled to the second end of the flexible bag, the retainer having a retention cavity formed thereon that communicates with the compartment of the flexible bag; and an elongated member having a first end rotatably coupled to the first end of the flexible bag and an opposing second end freely disposed within the retention cavity of the retainer so that the second end of the elongated member can rotate within the retention cavity relative to the retainer.

A mixing shaft has a tool holder rotatable about a tool axis and at least one mixing blade. The tool holder includes at least one recess in which a mixing blade portion of the at least one mixing blade is received. A clamping member inserted into the recess is configured to fix the mixing blade portion in the recess. The recess includes a first and a second recess portion. The mixing blade portion is arranged in the first recess portion and the clamping member is arranged at least partly in the second recess portion, wherein the first recess portion and the second recess portion are arranged adjacently in one plane extending perpendicularly to the tool axis.