A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

A paint can and paint can mixing system effectively and cleanly mixes and stirs paint within the can by using a bottom mounted crank connected through the bottom of the can by a shaft which rotates a stirring member within the can. The crank is conveniently configured to be stored beneath the bottom of the paint can and to be pivoted downward when mixing of the paint within the can is desired. A shallow sidewall circumscribes the bottom of the paint can. The sidewall encloses a space in which the crank is located in its stored position. This allows easy and space saving stacking of the paint cans.

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.

High thermal transfer, hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) include 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) may also be of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). Structure (88, 90) is provided for delivery of heat exchange media (e.g., steam) into the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) and the hollow fighting (132, 134, 194). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes a forward, reverse pitch section (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to be used as complemental pairs as a part of twin screw processing devices (20), and are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the devices (20), without adding additional moisture.

A bag assembly for use with a heat exchanger includes a flexible bag having of one or more sheets of polymeric material, the bag having a first end that bounds a first compartment and an opposing second end that bounds a second compartment, a support structure being disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment so that the first compartment is separated and isolated from the second compartment. A first inlet port, a first outlet port, and a first drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the first compartment. A second inlet port, a second outlet port, and a second drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the second compartment.

A fluid mixing system includes a flexible bag having a first end, an opposing second end, and an interior surface bounding a compartment. A first rotational assembly includes a first casing mounted to the first end of the flexible bag and a first hub rotatably mounted to the first casing. A second rotational assembly includes a second casing mounted to the second end of the flexible bag and a second hub rotatably mounted to the second casing. An elongated member has a first end coupled with the first hub and an opposing second end coupled with the second hub, the connector being flexible and having a uniform flexibility along its entire length. A first impeller is mounted to the connector.

A method for processing a fluid includes removably securing a retention member to a vessel that bounds a chamber; inserting a collapsible bag within the chamber of the vessel; securing the bag to the retention member so that the bag is supported within the chamber of the vessel; and dispensing a fluid into a compartment of the collapsible bag supported within the chamber of the vessel. The fluid can be mixed within bag while the bag is disposed within the vessel.

A method for filtering a gas includes passing a gas into a compartment of a casing that includes a polymeric film, the casing having: a first sleeve having a first outlet opening, a first filter being at least partially disposed within the first sleeve so that gas passing through the first sleeve must pass through the first filter; and a second sleeve having an second outlet opening, a second filter being at least partially disposed within the second sleeve so that gas passing through the second sleeve must pass through the second filter, the second sleeve being closed so that the gas passing into the compartment of the casing passes through the first sleeve and the first filter and directly contacts at least a portion of the first sleeve comprised of the polymeric film but does not pass through the second sleeve. Opening the second sleeve when a predetermined condition is met so that the gas passes through the second sleeve and the second filter.

A method for filtering a gas includes passing a gas into a compartment of a casing that includes a polymeric film, the casing having: a first sleeve having a first outlet opening, a first filter being at least partially disposed within the first sleeve so that gas passing through the first sleeve must pass through the first filter; and a second sleeve having an second outlet opening, a second filter being at least partially disposed within the second sleeve so that gas passing through the second sleeve must pass through the second filter, the second sleeve being closed so that the gas passing into the compartment of the casing passes through the first sleeve and the first filter and directly contacts at least a portion of the first sleeve comprised of the polymeric film but does not pass through the second sleeve. Opening the second sleeve when a predetermined condition is met so that the gas passes through the second sleeve and the second filter.

A machine used for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, specifically ice cream, comprises a container for processing liquid or semi-liquid base products by means of a stirring device driven by a motor. The stirring device comprises an external mixing structure to which a shaft is fixed so that the motor can drive it in rotation. Keyed to the shaft are scraping elements which scrape the product off the inside walls of the processing container.