Device for mixing, stirring and preparing a homogeneous mixture of liquid product

Abstract

The present invention describes a rotating mixing/stirring device that includes a shaft (1) connectable to a rotational drive element, the rotating shaft (1) having sufficient length to accommodate at least one integral, substantially orthogonal blade or impeller (5). The blade or impeller (5) is driven to rotate by the rotating shaft (1) and thereby mix and stir any liquid in which the device is used. The blade or impeller (5) includes a plurality of apertures (6) arranged perpendicular to the rotating shaft (1) and these apertures are tapered.

Claims

1. A mixing device, comprising: a longitudinal shaft having a first end and a second end, a loop with an inner surface and an outer surface, and at least one elongated blade or impeller, the first end connectable to a rotational drive mechanism, the second end attached to the outer surface of the loop, the elongated blade or impeller mounted across the loop, leaving a bottom portion of the loop exposed to provide a spacing element configured to rest against a base of a container of liquid product and to agitate any settled or separated liquid or solid components while also maintaining the elongated blade or impeller above the base of the container, thereby allowing the elongated blade or impeller to rotate freely without colliding with or scraping the base of the container, wherein the elongated blade or impeller has a plurality of tapered apertures arranged along its length and the tapered apertures extend through the blade or impeller and are tapered on opposing sides of the blade or impeller.

2. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the blade or impeller has rounded edges on its sides.

3. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the loop is beveled.

4. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal shaft and the blade or impeller is made from a material strong enough to withstand pressures endured during a mixing process.

5. The mixing device according to claim 4, wherein the longitudinal shaft and the blade or impeller are made from stainless steel.

6. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal shaft and the loop are arranged to lie in the same plane.

7. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the rotational drive mechanism is a variable speed drill.

8. The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing device is configured to be placed into the container of the liquid product and upon rotation of the longitudinal shaft and elongated blade or impeller, the liquid product is forced through the tapered apertures increasing its velocity, inducing drag forces around the elongated blade or impeller and inducing circulating forces which produce a cyclone effect.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front view of the mixing device, comprising a main rotating shaft leading to an orthogonal impeller with integrated tapered apertures;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view the mixing device shown in FIG. 1, indicating the forces imposed on the product to be mixed by the impeller during rotation of the mixing device and subsequent mixing of the liquid product;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the front view of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1 inserted into a container of liquid product, indicating the forces created during operation of the mixing device and the subsequent fluid motion of the liquid as it passes through the impeller and creates a swirling, cyclonic motion of the liquid product within the container.

(5) Referring to FIG. 1, the rotating mixing device consists of a rotating shaft 1 at the base of which is a loop 2 and across the centre of the loop is a blade or impeller 5 fixed substantially orthogonal to the rotating shaft 1. The loop 2 forms the free end of the rotating shaft 1. The blade or impeller 5 has a plurality of tapered apertures 6 arranged along its length that are tapered on opposing sides of the blade or impeller 5. At the base of the blade or impeller 5, the lower half of the loop has a curved or bevelled edge 3.

(6) If the container (not shown) is wider than the width of the impeller 5, the rotating mixing device of the invention can be easily moved around within the container to help evenly mix liquid products of greater viscosity without causing damage to the container. The lower half of the loop with bevelled edge 3 can remain in contact (resting) on the base of the container even whilst the mixing device is being moved around and this makes the device particularly useful for those people who do not have sufficient strength to support the weight of the rotational drive element.

(7) In use, as shown in FIG. 2, the impeller 5 of the mixing device rotates through the liquid and drag forces F.sub.1 cause the liquid to pass above and below the impeller 5 and the pressure and drag force exerted on the liquid and solids entrained therein cause cavitation behind the impeller 5 bringing the liquid and solids together with force and thereby mixing the product. At the same time the liquid is also being forced through the tapered holes 6 in the impeller 5 and the rotation of the mixing device causes the incompressible liquid forced through the tapered holes to increase in velocity from V.sub.1 to V.sub.2. The combination of drag force, cavitation and increased velocity exerted on the liquid allows for a thorough mixing process regardless of the viscosity of the liquid product.

(8) As part of the mixing process, when the lower part of the bevelled loop 3 lying below the impeller 5, rests against the base of the container of liquid product to be mixed and is rotated, the subsequent forces agitate any settled or separated liquid or solid components and incorporates them into the mixture whilst the bevelled loop 3 keeps the impeller 5 above the base of the container (not shown) allowing the impeller 5 to rotate freely, without colliding with or scraping the bottom of the container. The contact between the base of the loop and the bottom of the container is enhanced by the bevelled edge of the loop 3, which forms the contact surface with the bottom of the container and thereby prevents damage even during rotation of the device.

(9) Finally, FIG. 3 shows the further forces occurring during operation of the mixing device of the present invention. The rotation of the impeller 5 of the mixing device creates a cyclone effect 8 on the liquid product 10 in the container 15 drawing the liquid from the top of the vessel F.sub.2 to the bottom as it naturally moves from high-pressure to low-pressure and subsequently through the collision of molecules forces the mixed liquid 10 back up the sides of the container F.sub.3 before bringing it down again F.sub.2 to create the cyclone effect 8. This circulating or swirling motion of the liquid product 10 repeats to effect the mixing process over and over again until the user is satisfied with the mixture.

(10) In order to appreciate the benefits and ease of use of the device according to the invention for a user, the applicants hereby describe its simple operating instructions. Upon first use, the user simply removes the device from its fold over, envelope style package which is discarded and preferably recycled. One end of the blade or impeller may then be used to open the container, making the use of a separate screwdriver for this task redundant.

(11) The end of the shaft opposite to the blade or impeller is inserted into the chuck of a conventional drill (preferably a variable speed drill) as far as possible, and then the chuck is tightened as usual. Without starting the drill, the mixing device is lowered into the centre of the fluid or liquid until the loop at the free end of the shaft rests on the base of the container. Whilst holding the container, the user simply starts the rotation of the drill at low speed (if possible) in a clockwise direction building up the rotation speed until the entire mixture is in motion and a cyclone effect is observed. This speed is maintained until the liquid product is thoroughly mixed. For use with thicker products or products in larger containers, the mixing device may require moving around the container to ensure that all the liquid product has been through the mixing process.

(12) Once the user is happy with the mixture, the drill may be stopped, whilst keeping the mixing device submerged within the liquid. Once the rotation has stopped, the mixing device may be removed from the liquid, whilst removing any excess product from the mixing device when holding it over the container. Once removed from the drill, the mixing device is simply cleaned by submerging it in a recommended cleaning agent, or solvent. For some applications, a user may also want to scrub the mixing device or wipe it with a cloth during the cleaning process, and this is made simpler by the mixing device according to the invention, because it is arranged solely in one plane and can therefore be laid on a flat surface before scrubbing or wiping with a cloth.

(13) The reason that a variable speed drill is preferred, is because starting the mixing device at high-speed within the container may cause splashes or spills of product from the container. Also, rotation of the mixing device before inserting it into the product to be mixed or immediately after removing it from the container and whilst still covered in the mixed product will cause splattering of splashes of product.

(14) Although not explicitly disclosed, the person skilled in the art will easily be able to modify the design of the impeller 5 and/or tapered holes 6 therein as required to effect successful mixing of liquids of different viscosities and constituent parts.