Enclosed offset pail mixer

Abstract

The enclosed offset pail mixer is an invention which allows for safe, efficient and clean mixing of liquid solutions and liquid mechanical mixtures. The mixer includes a moveable head assembly that is constrained to two positions. In the operating position, the mixer geometry substantially encloses the moving parts of the mixer, preventing personnel from coming in contact with moving parts. The geometry also acts to contain dusts and vapors. A safety control circuit ensures that the impeller motor will not operate unless the vessel and the shroud are both in their respective operating position. In the operating position, the impeller shaft axis is strategically offset from the vessel axis to reduce large vortices and associated aeration. When the movable head is in the retracted position, the impeller is positioned over a removable drip cup to prevent residue from dripping on the floor or machine frame.

Claims

1. An enclosed offset open-top vessel mixer comprising: a frame; and a linkaqe arrangement; and a movable head assembly comprising: a shroud; and an exhaust port; and a motor; and an impeller and shaft assembly; and a controls circuit comprising: a start button; and a stop button; and a vessel position sensor; and a shroud position sensor; and a controller; and a drip tray; and a removable drip cup; and an open-top vessel; and a volume of liquid; wherein the frame is configured to mount on a level floor; and the frame acts as a rigid connection point for the linkage arrangement; and the linkage arrangement physically supports the moveable head assembly; and the linkage arrangement constrains the motion of the moveable head assembly; and the exhaust port is a penetration through the shroud; and the motor mounts to the shroud; and the impeller and shaft assembly mounts to the motor; and constrained motion of the moveable head assembly is configured to positon the impeller and shaft assembly to an operating position in which a centerline of the impeller and shaft assembly is offset from a center of the vessel; and the constrained motion of the moveable head assembly positions the impeller and shaft assembly to a retracted position in which the impeller and shaft assembly is directly above the removable drip cup; and the start button and stop button are mount on the frame; and the vessel position sensor is mounted on the frame; and the shroud position sensor mounted on the frame; and the controller is mounted on the frame; and the controller is interconnected with the stop button, the vessel position sensor and the shroud position sensor; and the drip tray is supported on the frame; and the removable drip cup is supported by the drip tray; and the open-top vessel locates in front of the frame such that the drip tray overhangs the open-top vessel.

2. The enclosed offset open-top vessel mixer of claim 1, wherein the shroud acts to enclose the open-top vessel to prevent personnel from accessing the impeller and shaft assembly while the movable head assembly is in an operating position and the shroud acts as a dust and vapor containment boundary and the exhaust port can be used as an evacuation point to remove dust or vapor generated during operation of the mixer.

3. The enclosed offset open-top vessel mixer of claim 1, wherein the controller sends power to the motor when the start button is momentarily pressed and thereafter fire controller continues to provide power to the motor until the vessel position sensor detects the absence of the vessel, OR until the shroud position sensor detects that the head is NOT in an operating position, OR until the stop button is pressed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING VIEWS

(1) FIG. 1: APPARATUS SECTION VIEW IN OPERATING POSITION (Cross sectional representation of the Enclosed Offset Pail Mixer while retracted)

(2) FIG. 2: APPARATUS SECTION VIEW IN RETRACTED POSITION (Cross sectional representation of the Enclosed Offset Pail Mixer while operating)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(3) Referring now in detail to FIG. 1 (apparatus section view in operating position), numbered features are described as follows: 1 is an open-top vessel. 2 is a volume of liquid solution or liquid mechanical mixture contained within the open-top vessel. 3 is an impeller and shaft assembly which rotates causing the volume of liquid to be mixed. 4 represents the impeller and shaft offset from the centerline of the vessel to promote random and irregular mixing of the volume of liquid without creating a single large vortex, and to reduce ingress of atmospheric air into the mixture. 5 is motor which imparts rotational speed and torque to the impeller and shaft assembly. 6 is a shroud which supports the rotor assembly and substantially encloses the volume around the vessel during mixing, preventing personnel from contacting moving parts and acting to contain dusts and vapors. 7 is a linkage arrangement which constrains the motion of the head relative to the rigid frame such that the axis of the impeller shaft and the axis of the open-top vessel are offset properly when the head is in the operating position, and such that the axis of the impeller shaft is aligned with the removable drip cup when the head is in the retracted position. 8 is a sensor which detects that the open-top vessel is in operating position. 9 is a sensor which detects that the shroud is fully lowered in the operating position. 10 is a start button to initiate motor rotation. 11 is a stop button to stop rotation of the motor. 12 is a controller which interrupts the motor's energy source IF the pail sensor detects that the pail is absent OR the head position sensor detects that the head is not fully lowered OR the stop button is pressed. 13 is a sturdy frame to which all of the system's components are mounted. 14 is a level floor or stand for supporting the entire apparatus. 15 is an exhaust port for connecting to an external evacuation system for removing dust or vapor which may be created during mixing.

(4) Referring now in detail to FIG. 2 (apparatus section view in retracted position), numbered features are described as follows: 1 is the open-top vessel being introduced to its operating position. 6 is the shroud in the retracted position. 16 is a replaceable drip cup to catch media which may drip from the impeller and shaft assembly. 17 is an integrated drip tray which supports the drip container and extends over the perimeter of the opening of the vessel to prevent media from dripping on the floor while the head subassembly is traversing and/or pivoting between the operating position and the retracted position.

(5) The apparatus can be constructed with varying geometry to accommodate vessels of different shapes and sizes. The apparatus can be made to operate using a motor powered by either electrical energy, or compressed air energy, or hydraulic fluid energy.

(6) The materials of construction of the apparatus are not restricted, provided that they are structurally sturdy enough to perform as intended, and compatible with their environment.