MIXING VESSEL WITH LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR LOCKING A MIXING ASSEMBLY IN STORAGE POSITION AND MIXING IMPELLER WITH CENTRAL DISC-LIKE MEMBER

Abstract

A mixing vessel for accommodating components to be mixed has a container with at least one mounting depression in a side wall of the container. The mounting depression is adapted so that a mixing impeller housing of a mixing impeller is at least partly insertable, in which at least one magnet is housed for being magnetically connectable to a drive device to be driven. A locking assembly is attachable to the mounting depression from outside for locking the mixing impeller in a storage position, in which the mixing impeller is not rotatable. The locking assembly has a magnetically active element that is adapted to interact with the magnet of the mixing impeller.

Claims

1. A mixing vessel for accommodating components to be mixed, comprising: a container, which has at least one mounting depression in a side wall of the container, wherein the mounting depression is adapted such that a mixing impeller housing of a mixing impeller is at least partly insertable, in which at least one magnet is housed for being magnetically connectable to a drive device to be driven; and a locking assembly being attachable to the mounting depression from outside for locking the mixing impeller in a storage position, in which the mixing impeller is not rotatable, wherein the locking assembly comprises a magnetically active element, which is adapted to interact with the at least one magnet of the mixing impeller.

2. The mixing vessel of claim 1, wherein the magnetically active element comprises a magnet or is formed of steel.

3. The mixing vessel of claim 1, wherein the magnetically active element at least partly covers a bottom surface of the mounting depression of the container.

4. The mixing vessel of claim 1, wherein the mounting depression comprises at least one recess, in which a mounting protrusion of the mixing impeller is insertable in the storage position.

5. The mixing vessel of claim 1, at least a portion of a bottom surface of the mounting depression is patterned.

6. The mixing vessel of claim 5, wherein the patterned surface comprises inclined surfaces intersecting in a center of the mounting depression.

7. The mixing vessel of claim 1, wherein a central protrusion projects from a center of a bottom surface of the mounting depression for being engageable with a corresponding central mixing impeller recess in a center of the mixing impeller, wherein the central protrusion has at least partly a polygonal circumferential surface.

8. A system comprising: a mixing vessel comprising a container, which has at least one mounting depression in a side wall of the container; at least one mixing impeller comprising a mixing impeller housing, in which at least one magnet is housed and which is magnetically connectable to a drive device to be driven, and at least one mixing blade attached to the mixing impeller housing so that components are mixed when rotating the mixing impeller; a locking assembly being attachable to the mounting depression from outside for locking the mixing impeller in a storage position, in which the mixing impeller is not rotatable, wherein the mixing impeller housing is at least partly inserted in the mounting depression, and wherein the locking assembly comprises a magnetically active element, which is adapted to interact with the at least one magnet of the mixing impeller.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnetically active element comprises a magnet or is formed of steel.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the magnetically active element at least partly covers a bottom surface of the mounting depression of the container.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the mounting depression comprises at least one recess and the mixing impeller comprises a mounting protrusion, which are engageable in the storage position.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein a bottom surface of the mounting depression comprises inclined surfaces intersecting in a center of the mounting depression, which are engageable with corresponding surfaces of a bottom surface of the mixing impeller in the storage position of the mixing impeller such that a rotational movement of the mixing impeller is prevented.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein a central protrusion projects from a center of a bottom surface of the mounting depression for being engageable with a corresponding central mixing impeller recess in a center of the mixing impeller in the storage position of the mixing impeller such that a rotational movement of the mixing impeller is prevented, wherein the central protrusion has at least partly a polygonal circumferential surface.

14. A method of assembling, comprising: providing a mixing vessel comprising a container, which has at least one mounting depression in a side wall of the container; providing at least one mixing impeller comprising a mixing impeller housing, in which at least one magnet is housed and which is magnetically connectable to a drive device to be driven, and at least one mixing blade attached to the mixing impeller housing so that components are mixed when rotating the mixing impeller; inserting the mixing impeller housing at least partly into the mounting depression of the mixing vessel; and attaching a locking assembly, to the mounting depression from outside for locking the mixing impeller in a storage position, in which the mixing impeller is not rotatable, wherein the locking assembly comprises a magnetically active element, which is adapted to interact with the at least one magnet of the mixing impeller.

15. A mixing impeller for mixing components in a single-use mixing vessel, comprising: a disc-like member having a center through which a rotation axis of the mixing impeller extends; a mixing impeller housing attached to a first side of the disc-like member, wherein the mixing impeller housing houses at least one magnet and is adapted to be insertable in a mounting depression of the single-use mixing vessel, wherein the at least one magnet is magnetically connectable to a drive device to be driven; and at least one mixing blade attached to the disc-like member, such that the at least one mixing blade extends from the disc-like member and mixes the components to be mixed when rotating the mixing impeller.

16. The mixing impeller of claim 15, wherein the at least one mixing blade is arranged on the disc-like member and extends axially with respect to the rotation axis from the disc-like member.

17. The mixing impeller of claim 15, wherein the disc-like member is flat or is conical to the top of the disc-like member or is dome-shaped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] FIG. 1 Is a cross-sectional perspective view of a mixing impeller being inserted in a mounting depression of a mixing vessel.

[0082] FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller of FIG. 1 with the mixing impeller in the storage position.

[0083] FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller of FIG. 1 with the mixing impeller in the mixing position.

[0084] FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the mixing impeller inserted in the mounting depression and oriented to show the bottom of the mixing impeller and showing a first option for additionally blocking rotational movement of the mixing impeller in the storage position.

[0085] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the mixing impeller inserted in the mounting depression and oriented to show the bottom of the mounting depression of FIG. 3a.

[0086] FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional perspective view similar to FIG. 3b, but showing a second option for additionally blocking a rotational movement of the mixing impeller in the storage position.

[0087] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional perspective view similar to FIG. 3a, but showing the second option for additionally blocking a rotational movement of the mixing impeller in the storage position.

[0088] FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional perspective view similar to FIG. 4a, but showing a third option for additionally blocking a rotational movement of the mixing impeller in the storage position.

[0089] FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional perspective view similar to FIG. 4a, but showing a third option for additionally blocking a rotational movement of the mixing impeller in the storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a mixing impeller 1 for mixing components in a mixing vessel 100 that is partly shown.

[0091] The mixing impeller 1 comprises a first subassembly 3 and a second subassembly 5 that are formed separately, but that are connectable by means of an engagement mechanism.

[0092] The first subassembly 3 comprises a mixing impeller housing 7, which preferably has a circular shape and/or is made of plastic. Inside of said mixing impeller housing 7, at least one accommodation space 9 is provided for accommodating a magnet 11. If more than one accommodation space 9 is formed in the first subassembly 3, preferably each of said accommodation spaces 9 is filled with a magnet 11. In the case of FIG. 1, one accommodation space 9 is formed in the mixing impeller housing 7 having a ring-shape. A ring-shaped magnet 11 is inserted into said accommodation space 9. The size of the accommodation space 9 preferably corresponds to the size of the magnet 11 so that the magnet 11 is not able to shift inside of the accommodation space 9 when rotating the mixing impeller 1. The number, size, shape and arrangement of the at least one magnet depends of the drive device with which the magnet 11 is to be coupled magnetically to be driven. For example, the magnet 11 of FIG. 1 could work as a follower magnet. A motor outside of the mixing vessel 100 could comprise a drive magnet. If the drive magnet driven by the motor rotates, the follower magnet 11 being magnetically coupled with the drive magnet also rotates. The drive magnet, however, might also consist of a plurality of drive magnets which are arranged in a circle. In this case, the follower magnet 11 in the first subassembly 3 would have to comprise the same number of magnets, which are arranged similarly. Preferably, the at least one magnet is fully encapsulated in the mixing impeller housing 7 such that any contact between the components to be mixed and the magnet 11 can be prevented.

[0093] Further, at least one upper recess is provided in an upper side 13 of the mixing impeller housing 7, which faces the second subassembly 5 in the mounted state. The at least one recess penetrates the mixing impeller housing 7 substantially along a rotation axis RA of the mixing impeller 1. In the case of FIG. 1, the recess is formed as a through hole 15 that extends from the upper side 13 towards a lower side 17 of the first subassembly 3 along the rotation axis RA. The ring-shaped magnet 11 surrounds the through hole 15.

[0094] The through hole 15 is described further herein. However, it is pointed out that the following information also applies for a recess.

[0095] At least one protrusion 19 is provided in the through hole 15 and at least partly extends along the circumferential wall 21 of the through hole 15. The protrusion 19 may be formed as a bulge or, as in the case of FIG. 1, as a step. As shown in FIG. 1, the through hole 15 is separated into an upper portion 23 and a lower portion 25 separated by the protrusion 19. The upper portion 23 is closer to the second subassembly 5 in the mounted state and preferably has a smaller cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis RA, while the lower portion 25 has a wider cross-section.

[0096] The second subassembly 5 may comprise of a disc-like member 27, which is rotationally symmetrical and preferably circular. The rotation axis RA extends through a center of the disc-like member. At least one mixing blade 29 is attached to the disc-like member 27. Preferably, the second subassembly 5 is formed of plastic and/or all elements of the second subassembly 5 are formed unitarily. The at least one mixing blade 29 is arranged on a top side 30 of the disc-like member 27 and, as shown in FIG. 1, extend axially from the disc-like member 27 with respect to the rotation axis RA. The mixing blade 29 may have a variety of shapes, sizes and/or arrangement. For example, the mixing blade 29 may be flat or curved. As shown in FIG. 1, the mixing blade 29 is arranged on the disc-like member 27 so that it does not extend beyond the disc-like member 27 in a radial direction. Preferably, mixing blades 29 are arranged on the disc-like member 27 so that they intersect at the rotation axis RA of the mixing impeller 1. If more than one mixing blade 29 is arranged on the disc-like member 27, the mixing blades 29 may differ in their shapes and size. As the second subassembly 5 is connectable to the first subassembly 3, the configuration of the second subassembly 5 is chosen selectively according to the mixing application, i.e. with respect to the components to be mixed. This can be done e.g. by a person who assembles e.g. a single-use mixing vessel or by the user who has extending skills regarding this matter when using a reusable mixing vessel.

[0097] Although the disc-like member 27 is shown in a flat configuration in FIG. 1, the disc-like member 27 may be conical or dome-shaped.

[0098] At least one engagement member 33 is arranged at a lower side 31 of the disc-like member 27, which faces the first subassembly 3 in the mounted state. In the case of FIG. 1, the engagement member 33 is formed as a rod. A free end 35 of the engagement member 33 defines an enlarged end portion 37 that preferably has the shape of a mushroom head. Furthermore, the engagement member 33 may taper towards the free end 35, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0099] In order to connect the first and second subassemblies 3 and 5, the at least one engagement member 33 is insertable into the through hole 15 of the first subassembly 3. Preferably, the through hole 15 has a size and shape such that at least partly a force fit and/or tight fit appears between the first and second subassemblies 3 and 5. Thus, the first and second subassemblies 3 and 5 are connected/engaged so that a reliable connection is provided.

[0100] The engagement member 33 is inserted into the through hole 15 such that the enlarged end portion 37 of the engagement member 33 engages the protrusion 19. Preferably, the enlarged end portion 37 tapers toward its free end so that the enlarged end portion 37 is able to easily pass the narrow upper portion 23 of the through hole 15 when being inserted. In particular, the enlarged end portion 37 of the engagement member 33 may be compressible so that the enlarged end portion 37 is able to pass the upper portion 23 of the through hole 15. The enlarged end portion 37 may expand again after passing the upper portion 23.

[0101] Thus, a snap-fit mechanism is provided and allows an easy connection between the first and second subassembly 3 and 5 to be done manually by the user or a person when assembling the mixing vessel. Moreover, this connection may be releasable so that the second subassembly 5 can be removed and exchanged by another second subassembly 5. In other words, the user can selectively chose the second subassembly 5 having the perfect geometry (especially with respect to the mixing blades) for the relevant mixing application to be carried out by the mixing impeller 1. The first subassembly 3, which contains the expensive magnet 11, however, remains in the mixing vessel.

[0102] Although the first and the second subassembly 3 and 5 are connected via the above described snap-fit mechanism in FIG. 1, it is also possible that the first and second subassembly 3 and 5 are connected by gluing or ultrasonically welding.

[0103] FIG. 1 shows a state in which the mixing impeller 1 in its mounted state (the first and second subassembly 3 and 5 are connected) is inserted in a mixing vessel 100, which is partly shown. In particular, the mixing impeller housing 7 may be inserted at least partly into a mounting depression 102 of the mixing vessel 100, which is preferably in a bottom surface of the mixing vessel 100. The portion of the mixing vessel 100 that has the mounting depression 102 may be formed as a rigid portion when the mixing vessel 100 is a single-use mixing vessel 100 formed as a flexible bag. The rigid portion is e.g. ultrasonically welded to the flexible portion of the side of the mixing vessel 100 by means of a flange portion.

[0104] A central protrusion 104 may be provided in the mounting recess 102 and may be configured such that it is at least partly insertable into the through hole 15 of the mixing impeller housing 7 in order to hold the mixing impeller 1 reliably in the mixing vessel 100 in a storage position.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 1, the disc-like member 27 has a larger diameter than the diameter of the mounting depression 102 of the mixing vessel 100. Accordingly, the disc-like member 27 fully covers the mounting depression 102, so that no powder is able to fall into the mounting depression 102, which may be dispensed into the mixing vessel 100 from above. Thus, the starting torque of the mixing impeller 1 is increased. Further, it prevents a potentially hazardous contact between the flexible side wall material of the mixing vessel 100 and the mixing blades 29 when the flexible mixing vessel 100 is folded underneath the mixing blades 29. Moreover, the disc-like member 27 stiffens the otherwise unsupported mixing blades 29, thereby reducing deflection and possible breakage.

[0106] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller 1 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2a, the mixing impeller 1 is in its storage position, in which the mixing impeller 1 is not rotating (for example when delivering the single-use mixing vessel 100 together with the inserted mixing impeller 1 to the user). In particular, a bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller 1 rests on a bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102. When e.g. delivering the mixing vessel 100 together with the inserted mixing impeller 1 to the user, both elements are moved so that the mixing impeller 1 usually cannot reliably be held in this storage position. Therefore, a locking assembly is attached to an outer side of the mounting depression 102 preferably below the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102. The locking assembly comprises at least one magnetically active element 41 that may comprise a magnet (i.e. a permanent magnet) or is made of steel.

[0107] The magnetically active element 41 is adapted to attract the magnet 11 inside of the mixing impeller 1 so that the mixing impeller 1 is held at a fixed position inside of the mounting depression 102.

[0108] In FIG. 2a, the magnetically active element 41 is formed as a plate, which extends over the whole area of the locking assembly. However, it is also possible to form the locking assembly as a cap that is put over the mounting depression 102 from outside and the magnetically active element 41 covers at least partly the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102. The remaining portion of the locking assembly where no magnetically active element 41 is present may be made from plastic.

[0109] FIG. 2b shows the same mixing impeller 1, however, in its mixing position. The locking assembly is not present so that the mixing impeller 1 is freely rotatable. The magnet 11 of the mixing impeller 1 is magnetically connected to a drive device (not shown) disposed outside of the mixing vessel 100 and operative to rotate the mixing impeller 1. Thus, the mixing impeller 1 is lifted slightly inside the mounting depression 102 so that the bottom surface of the mixing impeller housing 39 is no longer in contact with the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102. In other words, the mixing impeller 1 is levitating in the mounting depression 102.

[0110] Further means may be provided in the mixing impeller 1 and the mounting depression 102 to improve the holding force for holding the mixing impeller 1 in the storage position, especially with respect to the prevention of any rotational movements in the storage position. These means may be used alternatively or in addition to each other.

[0111] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a first option for preventing any rotational movements of the mixing impeller 1 in the storage position.

[0112] FIG. 3a shows a partial cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller 1 inserted in the mounting depression 102, but turned such that the bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller housing 7 is visible.

[0113] At least one mounting protrusion 43 is at the bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller housing 7 and projects towards the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 of the mixing vessel 100. In FIG. 3a, two mounting protrusions 43 are shown and both have an elongated rectangular shape. It is, however, also possible that the mounting protrusions 43 have a different shape like e.g. circular, triangular or hexagonal shape. Preferably and as shown in FIG. 3a, the mounting protrusions 43 are arranged circularly around the rotation axis RA of the mixing impeller 1.

[0114] FIG. 3b shows the partial cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller 1 inserted in the mounting depression 102 of FIG. 3a but turned such that a bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 is visible.

[0115] FIG. 3b shows that the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 provides at least one recess 108 into which the at least one mounting protrusion 43 of the mixing impeller 1 is insertable in the storage position. Preferably, the number, shape and/or size of the recesses 108 and the mounting protrusions 43 correspond to each other so that they can perfectly engage with each other. As soon as the magnetically active element 41 attracts the mixing impeller 1 towards its storage position so that the bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller housing 7 rests on the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102, the recesses 108 are engageable with the mounting protrusions 43. Even if they are not leveled initially so that they are engageable, at least after a short rotation of the mixing impeller 1, the engagement is achieved. The higher the number of mounting protrusions 43 and recesses 108 is the faster the engagement position is reached.

[0116] A further possibility of restricting any rotational movement of the mixing impeller 1 in the storage position is shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

[0117] FIG. 4a shows a partial cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller 1 inserted in the mounting depression 102 but turned such that a bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 is visible.

[0118] As already described above, in the center of the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 the central protrusion 104 for engaging with the through hole 15 of the mixing impeller 1 in the storage position is provided. Preferably, the remaining portion of the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 that surrounds the central protrusion 104 includes at least one inclined surface 110. In particular, the inclined surface 110 is arranged diagonally with respect to an extension direction of the central protrusion that corresponds to the rotation axis RA of the mixing impeller 1. As shown in FIG. 4a, a plurality of inclined surfaces 110 may be provided at the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 such that a folded pattern exists. The inclined surfaces 110 intersect at the center of the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102. In particular, plural folds are provided, whose height and/or width are preferably identical. It is, however, also possible that the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 is patterned differently, e.g. in a waveform.

[0119] FIG. 4b shows a partial cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller 1 of FIG. 4a inserted in the mounting depression 102 but turned such that the bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller housing 7 is visible.

[0120] Based on this view it can be seen that the bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller housing 7 has a corresponding shape so that the bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller 7 is engageable with the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 in the storage position of the mixing impeller 1. Even if they are not leveled initially so that they are engageable, at least after a short rotation of the mixing impeller 1, the engagement is achieved.

[0121] A further possibility of restricting any rotational movement of the mixing impeller 1 in the storage position is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

[0122] FIGS. 5a and 5b show a cross-sectional view of the mixing impeller 1 inserted in the mounting depression 102 but turned and illustrated such that the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 is visible.

[0123] As best shown in FIG. 5b where the mixing impeller is in the mixing position, the central protrusion 104 on the bottom surface 106 of the mounting depression 102 has at least partly a polygonal circumferential surface 112. In particular, the central protrusion 104 may have e.g. a quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal or octagonal shape in cross-section.

[0124] Further, as shown in FIG. 5b, a portion of the circumferential wall 21 of the through hole 15 of the mixing impeller housing 7 has a corresponding wall shape, so that the central protrusion 104 can engage with said portion of the through hole 15 in the storage position of the mixing impeller 1. FIG. 5a) shows the engaged state.

[0125] Although FIGS. 5a and 5b show the mixing impeller housing 7 with a through hole 15. It is also possible that a recess is formed in the bottom surface 39 of the mixing impeller 1. The recess would be correspondingly formed.