The invention relates to a heatable mixer (1) for composite products based on thermoplastic material(s), having an elongated structure defining a longitudinal processing path between an inlet and an outlet and comprising a heated trough (3) wherein two mutually interpenetrating parallel twin screws (4 and 4) are mounted, forming member(s) for dimensionally reducing, heating and moving the products to be treated which are inserted at the inlet, each screw (4, 4′) comprising a heated and driven support shaft (5) arranged in the travelling direction (DT). Mixer (1) characterised in that the thread (4″) of each screw (4, 4) is an interrupted or discontinuous thread and comprises, over at least a major portion of the length of the relevant screw (4, 4′), a plurality of first blades (6) in the form of flat and smooth plates which are separated from each other axially and radially and all arranged according to a constant.

The invention relates to a heatable mixer (1) for composite products based on thermoplastic material(s), having an elongated structure defining a longitudinal processing path between an inlet and an outlet and comprising a heated trough (3) wherein two mutually interpenetrating parallel twin screws (4 and 4) are mounted, forming member(s) for dimensionally reducing, heating and moving the products to be treated which are inserted at the inlet, each screw (4, 4′) comprising a heated and driven support shaft (5) arranged in the travelling direction (DT). Mixer (1) characterised in that the thread (4″) of each screw (4, 4) is an interrupted or discontinuous thread and comprises, over at least a major portion of the length of the relevant screw (4, 4′), a plurality of first blades (6) in the form of flat and smooth plates which are separated from each other axially and radially and all arranged according to a constant.

A mixing apparatus includes a housing that includes a first end wall, a second end wall, and a top wall that at least partially define a cavity of the housing. The apparatus also includes a pair of rollers extending from the first end wall to the second end wall and coupled to the housing such that each roller is rotatable relative to the housing. The apparatus also includes a motor positioned in the cavity and enclosed within the housing, the motor operatively coupled to a first roller of the pair of rollers and configured to drive the first roller to rotate for rotating the container. The motor is operatively coupleable to a power source to drive the first roller of the pair of rollers.

A mixing apparatus includes a housing that includes a first end wall, a second end wall, and a top wall that at least partially define a cavity of the housing. The apparatus also includes a pair of rollers extending from the first end wall to the second end wall and coupled to the housing such that each roller is rotatable relative to the housing. The apparatus also includes a motor positioned in the cavity and enclosed within the housing, the motor operatively coupled to a first roller of the pair of rollers and configured to drive the first roller to rotate for rotating the container. The motor is operatively coupleable to a power source to drive the first roller of the pair of rollers.

An apparatus for accommodating a beverage includes an outer vessel defining a vessel cavity for receiving a cooling agent, a container having a lid and a beverage receptacle and a port. The lid is configured for engagement with the outer vessel to releasably mount the container to the outer vessel. The beverage receptacle defines a receptacle chamber for accommodating a liquid beverage for consumption by a user. The receptacle chamber is isolated from the vessel cavity. The beverage receptacle comprises a thermal conductive material and is at least partially disposed within the vessel cavity of the outer vessel when the container is mounted to the outer vessel whereby thermal energy is transferred from the cooling agent to the liquid beverage. The port defines a port opening in fluid communication with the receptacle chamber to permit distribution of the liquid beverage to the user. The outer vessel and mounted container may be positioned within a freezing apparatus to freeze the cooling agent, e.g., water about the beverage receptacle.

An apparatus configured to process foodstuff materials can include an exterior tube, an inner shaft, and multiple differently shaped protrusions. The exterior tube can have a foodstuff inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis, and can be configured to facilitate the conveyance of foodstuff materials along a material passage from the foodstuff inlet to the outlet. The inner shaft can be located within the exterior tube, can extend along the longitudinal axis, and can combine with the exterior tube to define the material passage. The inner shaft can be configured to be rotationally driven. The multiple differently shaped protrusions can be coupled to and extend from the inner shaft, and these differently shaped protrusions can be configured to process the foodstuff materials when the inner shaft is rotationally driven. Processing can include conveying, agitating, and/or hydrating the foodstuff materials.

An apparatus configured to process foodstuff materials can include an exterior tube, an inner shaft, and multiple differently shaped protrusions. The exterior tube can have a foodstuff inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis, and can be configured to facilitate the conveyance of foodstuff materials along a material passage from the foodstuff inlet to the outlet. The inner shaft can be located within the exterior tube, can extend along the longitudinal axis, and can combine with the exterior tube to define the material passage. The inner shaft can be configured to be rotationally driven. The multiple differently shaped protrusions can be coupled to and extend from the inner shaft, and these differently shaped protrusions can be configured to process the foodstuff materials when the inner shaft is rotationally driven. Processing can include conveying, agitating, and/or hydrating the foodstuff materials.

Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

An apparatus, method, and sample vessel for recombining a sample fluid. The sample fluid is received in a sample vessel. Sample parameters are recreated in the sample vessel. The sample fluid is agitated within the sample vessel. Optical measurements of the sample fluid are performed within the sample vessel utilizing one or more optical sensors. A determination is made whether recombination is complete in response to the optical measurements of the sample fluid performed by the one or more optical sensors.

A mixing unit (100) for mixing of fluids is disclosed. The mixing unit (100) includes a mixing chamber (102) for holding one or more fluids and a driving assembly (104) operatively engaged to the mixing chamber (102). The driving assembly (104) is configured to oscillate the mixing chamber (102) for mixing the one or more fluids. The mixing chamber (102) of the mixing unit (100) enables better mixing of fluids in a convenient manner. Further less amount of cleaning fluids may be only required for cleaning the mixing chamber (102) after the mixing process. The mixing unit (100) can be used for mixing amino acids with different fluids however this unit can be used for mixing other fluids as well.