Mixing device

Abstract

Fastening arrangement (10) for a container (6), comprising: a drive coupler (48) configured to engage with a coupling element (20) on a drive shaft (5); wherein the drive coupler (48) has a groove to engage with a locking pin on the coupling element (20); the drive coupler (48) in a male funnel (42); a cover (3) for the container (6); wherein the cover (3) defines an opening to allow passage of the shaft (5); a drive shaft (5) partially covered by the drive coupler (48), wherein the drive shaft (5) is rotatable by a motor (1); and a female funnel (40) positioned inside the cover (3) to receive the drive coupler (48) and to guide the drive coupler (48) to the coupling element (20).

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 169,470, filed June 1, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to liquid mixing units. More particularly, the invention relates to a means for supplying power to a mixing unit in a container. BACKGROUND

[0003] Many industries transport, store, mix, process, and / or discharge liquids from commercially available plastic or metal bulk containers, commonly known in the trade as "loading containers," "bulk containers," or "intermediate bulk containers" (all referred to herein as "containers"). It is often desirable, and in some cases required, that the liquids stored in such containers be agitated, mixed, or blended between the time they are loaded into the containers and the time they are discharged therefrom. To achieve the desired blend, it has been necessary to open the container and employ a mixing unit with impeller blades. However, there are several complications with this approach.

[0004] Many current mixer designs are a single piece that combines the drive and shaft / impeller for installation on a vessel. Such combined units are heavy and cumbersome to install and may require lifting mechanisms or bridges to mount and deliver the mixer in and onto the vessel. Such lifting mechanisms are located in a permanent lifting location, and a single person cannot install and remove the mixer.

[0005] US 4,813,786 B describes a liquid mixing unit for mixing liquid in a container. The liquid mixing unit comprises an impeller module and a power module that can be removably attached to the impeller module using a quick-release fastener.

[0006] What is needed is a highly portable mixer that can be installed and removed independently of a lift or additional support, and that can easily deliver the power drive unit to the mixer without requiring a person to extend their arms to the opening in the vessel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A mounting assembly for a container is provided, comprising: a drive coupler configured to engage a coupling member on a drive shaft; the drive coupler having a groove for engaging a locking pin on the coupling member; the drive coupler within a male funnel; a cover for the container; the cover defining an opening to allow passage of the shaft; a drive shaft at least partially covered by the drive coupler, the drive shaft being rotatable by a motor; and a female funnel positioned within the cover to receive the drive coupler and guide the drive coupler to the coupling member.

[0008] The drive coupler may be shaped to be received by the hopper. The drive coupler and motor may be mounted to a pivoting frame configured to use a surface on the container as a pivot point. The cover may include a plurality of extensions on an exterior portion of the cover, and the drive coupler may include a locking member attachable to the extensions. The cover may be sized to serve as a guide for positioning the pivoting frame to align the drive coupler and the coupling member.

[0009] A mounting assembly is provided, comprising: a drive coupler configured to engage a coupling member on a shaft; a container, the container defining an opening to allow passage of the shaft; and a first funnel positioned in the opening to receive the drive coupler and guide the drive coupler to the coupling member.

[0010] The drive coupler is mounted on a movable frame. The movable frame has means for moving the frame from a first position, in which the drive coupler is not positionable to receive the coupling element, to a second position, in which the drive coupler is positionable to receive the coupling element.

[0011] The movable frame further includes an actuator that, when actuated, enables pivoting of the drive coupler. The actuator may be configured to actuate when the drive coupler is positionable to be received by the hopper. The drive coupler may be rotatable by a motor. The frame may include a plurality of concave rollers sized and positioned to roll along at least two stiles on the container. The container may have a neck surrounding the opening. The mounting assembly may include a cover positionable in the opening. The cover may include an extension at an exterior region of the cover, and the drive coupler may include a locking member attachable to the extension.

[0012] The mounting assembly may include an impeller attached to the shaft. The container may be configured to dissipate or redirect electrostatic discharge to ground. The mixer may comprise a material that does not accumulate electrostatic discharge. A second hopper, sized to mate with the first hopper, may surround the drive coupler.

[0013] A mounting assembly is provided, comprising: a drive coupler configured to engage a coupling member on a shaft positionable in a container, the container defining an opening to allow passage of the shaft; the drive coupler is mounted on a movable frame movable from a first position in which the drive coupler is not positionable to receive the coupling member to a second position in which the drive coupler is positionable to receive the coupling member; the frame includes an actuator that, when actuated, allows pivoting of the drive coupler, the actuator being actuable when the drive coupler is pivotally alignable with the coupling member.

[0014] The mixing assembly according to the invention allows a single person to use it in many situations. A user can simply pull off the drive assembly (without the agitator segment), allowing the mixing assembly to be installed and removed by a single person. The user is assisted in delivering the drive to the opening because the drive weight is supported by the bars or the container. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective disassembled view of it. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention in an engaged position. Fig. Figure 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a disassembled assembly according to the invention in a non-engaged position. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of it. Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention. Fig. 7 is a side cross-sectional view thereof in an engaged position. Fig. 8 is a detailed view of C in Fig. 7, which shows a locking element according to the invention. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover according to the invention. Fig. Figure 10 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the mixing assembly is mounted on a movable frame for delivering and positioning the drive. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional side view thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below, along with accompanying figures which illustrate the principles of the invention. The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any one embodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims, and the invention includes numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details are provided for purposes of example, and the invention may be practiced in accordance with the claims without some or all of these specific details. For purposes of clarity, technical material well known in the art to which the invention relates has not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention.

[0016] The term “invention” and the like means “the one or more inventions disclosed in this application” unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0017] The terms “an aspect,” “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “the embodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “particular embodiments,” “an embodiment,” “another embodiment,” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s),” unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0018] The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0019] A reference to "another embodiment" or "another aspect" when describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with any other embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0020] The terms “include,” “comprise,” and variations thereof mean “including, but not limited to,” unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0021] The terms "a," "an," and "the" mean "one or more" unless expressly stated otherwise. The term "plural" means "two or more" unless expressly stated otherwise. The term "herein" means "in the present application, including anything which may be incorporated by reference," unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0022] The term “e.g.” and similar terms mean “for example” and therefore do not limit the term or expression it explains.

[0023] The term "corresponding" and similar terms mean "taken individually." Thus, if two or more things have "corresponding" characteristics, then each such thing has its own characteristic, and these characteristics may or may not be different from each other. For example, the expression "each of two machines has a corresponding function" means that the first such machine has a function, and the second such machine also has a function. The function of the first machine may or may not be the same as the function of the second machine.

[0024] Where two or more terms or expressions are synonymous (e.g., because of an explicit statement that the terms or expressions are synonymous), instances of one such term / expression do not imply that instances of another such term / expression must have a different meaning. For example, if a statement makes the meaning of "include" synonymous with "including, but not limited to," the mere use of the phrase "including, but not limited to" does not imply that the term "include" means anything other than "including, but not limited to."

[0025] Neither the title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of this application) nor the abstract (set forth at the end of this application) should be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed invention(s) in any way. An abstract has been included in this application only because an abstract of no more than 150 words is required under 37 CFR Section 1.72(b) or similar law in other jurisdictions. The title of this application and the section headings provided in this application are for convenience only and are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way.

[0026] Numerous embodiments are described in the present application and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any way. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as will be readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural and logical modifications.Although certain features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more specific embodiments and / or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to use in the one or more specific embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0027] No embodiment of the method steps or product elements described in the present application constitutes, is essential to, or is congruent with the invention claimed herein, except as expressly stated in this specification or expressly recited in a claim.

[0028] As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figures 1 to 11, embodiments of the invention include an assembly, generally designated 10, for securing mixing media to a container 6. The mixing assembly 10 includes a "stirring segment" comprising the cover 3, the female hopper 40, the shaft 5, impellers, and the shaft coupling element 20; a drive assembly including the drive 1, the male hopper 42, and the drive coupler 48.

[0029] The mixing means may be of any type found in the art and generally comprise a driver 1 or other drive device, a rotatable shaft 5, and impellers (not shown) for mixing the contents of the container 6. In this document, the terms "mixer" and "mixing means" are used interchangeably. The container 6 is preferably made of plastic or steel and may be any of the many bulk containers available in the art. The container 6 is shaped to hold large quantities of material, usually liquids. A neck 60 may extend from the container 6 and surround an opening at the top of the container 6 through which the interior of the container 6 may be accessed.

[0030] The assembly includes a cover 3 that is generally shaped to mate with the neck 60 and that may be made of a hard, rigid material, such as a hardened plastic. The cover 3, when positioned on the neck 60, may serve as a support for the funnel 40. The cover 3 may have an inner diameter nearly equal to the outer diameter of the neck 60 so that the cover 3 can rest securely on top of the neck 60. Alternatively, the cover 3 may comprise a plate (not shown), as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,832,923 and 8,118,478.

[0031] The cover 3 has an opening sized to receive the funnel 40. Alternatively, the funnel 40 may be attached to the cover 3 by welding, or the cover 3 and funnel 40 may be manufactured as a single piece by molding or other means known in the art.

[0032] The funnel 40 has a generally conical shape with a larger circumference at its top to receive and guide the male funnel 42 and the drive coupler 48 to the coupling element 20, thereby engaging the driver 1 with the shaft 5. The female funnel 40 makes it easier for a user to guide the drive coupler 48 and the male funnel 42. The female funnel 40 is configured to act as a sleeve to guide the male funnel 42. The lower, narrower end of the funnel 40 is shaped to receive the shaft 5 and allow the shaft 5 to rotate when engaged with the drive coupler 48.

[0033] The neck 60 has external threads sized and shaped to mate with the internal threads of the cover 3 and thereby receive the cover 3, allowing the cover 3 to cover the neck 60 by engaging the threads on the container neck 60. The cover 3 may include a gasket (not shown) or other means to perform a sealing function.

[0034] The mixing shaft 5 is positionable in the container 6 through the neck 60 and the funnel 40 to reach the interior of the container 6. The shaft 5 is configured to rotate an impeller attached to the shaft 5.

[0035] The drive 1 is detachably attached to the mixing assembly by a coupling assembly. One embodiment of the coupling assembly according to the invention comprises a coupling element 20, as best shown in Fig. 1, which is positioned at the tip of the shaft 5, with drive pins 24 positioned approximately perpendicular thereto; and drive coupler 48. The drive coupler 48 may be a claw coupling element, with a slot 56 for receiving the drive pin 24 and thereby engaging the shaft 5 for rotation.

[0036] The drive coupler 48 extends downwardly from the motor 1 and can be configured to engage the shaft coupling element 20 when in position. The drive coupler 48 is shaped to fit within the male funnel 42, and when the male funnel 42 is positioned within the female funnel 40, the drive coupler 48 can at least partially cover the shaft coupling element 20 and allow the slot 56 to receive the drive pin 24.

[0037] The pivot frame 80 is positionable on top of the container 6, and the frame 80 can use the upper surface of the container 6 as a pivot point. The frame 80 can be placed at a variety of locations on the container 6. The pivot frame 80 is attached to the drive 1 and is sized and positionable so that the drive coupler 48 can be guided through the hopper 40 to the shaft coupler 20. The pivot frame 80 can have an arm 180, as shown in Fig. 6, for use in positioning the frame 80 so that the drive coupler 48 is alignable with the shaft coupler 20. The arm 180 is configured with the cover 3 to align the drive coupler 48 and the shaft coupler 20.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the cover 3 has a plurality of extensions 84, as shown in Fig. 9, to assist in securing the drive 1 to the cover 3. The extensions 84 are shaped to have an upper portion 85 and a lower portion 86 to receive locking elements 90 extending downwardly from the rotatable member 112. The locking elements 90 have an inwardly directed extension 92 for positioning beneath the extension 84 and thereby retain the drive 1 and hold it in position when it engages the shaft 5. The locking elements 90 are positionable beneath the upper portion 85 of the extension 84, and when the rotatable member 112 is rotated, the locking elements 90 rotate and the extension 92 slides downwardly to the lower portion 86. Once positioned against the lower portion 86, the locking elements 90 hold the drive 1 to the agitator segment by compression.

[0039] As in Fig. 3, in use, the drive coupler 48 is lowered and guided through the hopper 40 and the pivot frame 80 onto the coupling element 20 so that the coupling pin 24 is received through the slot 56. The male drive coupler 48 engages the coupling element 20. The locking elements 90 are positioned beneath the extensions 84. The drive 1 can then be actuated to rotate the shaft 5.

[0040] The assembly as described above is typically made of plastic and / or metal. In one embodiment of the invention, the materials used should be selected with electrostatic properties in mind so that electrical charge is not accumulated or dissipated by the mixing assembly 10.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the assembly 10 may be attached to the movable frame 100. The movable frame 100, as shown in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, may be a generally flattened surface 140 with raised edges 145 and may include concave rollers 110 sized and positioned to roll on stiles 120, which are often positioned on containers 6. In an alternative embodiment, the frame 100 may be slidable along the stiles 120 without the use of rollers 110. The handle 200 may be present and used to roll or pivot the assembly 10. The rollers 110 may be used to align the driver 1 with the hopper 40. The width of the concave wheels 110 is wider than the diameter of the stiles 120 to allow for easy placement. The concave wheels 110 naturally center themselves on the stiles 120 once in place.

[0042] The movable frame 100 can thus roll on the upper surface of the container 6 toward or away from the cover 3. The pivot frame 80 is pivotally attached to the movable frame 100 and can be pivotally mounted on opposite edges 145 of the movable frame 100. The movable frame 100 can be moved to position the drive 21 so that it can be received by the hopper 40. The movable frame 100 is dimensioned to position the drive 11 such that, when the pivot frame 80 is pivoted, the drive coupler 48 is positioned to guide it through the hopper 40 to the shaft coupler 20.

[0043] The movable frame 100 may include a trigger 180 that may be actuated upon contact with a side of the cover 3 and, when actuated, releases the pivoting frame 80 for pivoting. Actuation of the trigger 180 occurs when the movable frame 100 is in position to guide the drive coupler 48 into the hopper 40. The trigger 180 may be configured to release a lock (not shown) when actuated, thereby allowing the pivoting frame 80 to rotate.

[0044] Although the particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be appreciated that variations or modifications of the disclosed device are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the invention may be implemented using a variety of seals, valves, materials, bearings, bushings, impellers, shafts, motors, and gears.

[0045] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the elements of the various embodiments described above may be combined or removed to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the present systems, methods, and components may be modified, if necessary, to utilize systems, methods, components, and concepts to provide still further embodiments of the invention. For example, the various methods described above may omit some acts, include other acts, and / or perform acts in a different order than set forth in the illustrated embodiments.

[0046] These and other changes may be made to the present systems, methods, and articles in light of the above description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.

[0047] While certain aspects of the invention are set forth below in particular claim forms, the inventors intend to set forth the various aspects of the invention in any available claim form.

Claims

[1] Fastening arrangement (10) for a container (6), comprising: a drive coupler (48) configured to engage with a coupling element (20) on a drive shaft (5); wherein the drive coupler (48) has a groove for engaging a locking pin on the coupling element (20); the drive coupler (48) in a male funnel (42); a cover (3) for the container (6); the cover (3) defining an opening to allow passage of the shaft (5); a drive shaft (5) partially covered by the drive coupler (48), the drive shaft (5) being rotatable by a motor (1); and a female funnel (40) positioned within the cover (3) to receive the drive coupler (48) and to guide the drive coupler (48) to the coupling element (20). [2] Fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the drive coupler (48) is designed to be received by the funnel (40). [3] Fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the drive coupler (48) and the motor (1) are attached to a pivot frame (80) which is configured to use a surface on the container (6) as a pivot point. [4] Fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the cover (3) has an extension (84) on an outer region of the cover (3), and that the drive coupler (48) further comprises a locking element (90) which can be fastened to the extension (84). [5] Fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the cover (3) is dimensioned to serve as a guide for positioning the pivot frame (80) for the alignment of the drive coupler (48) and the coupling element (20). [6] Fastening arrangement (10), comprising: i. a movable frame (100); ii. a drive coupler (48) arranged on the movable frame (100) and adapted to engage a coupling element (20) on a drive shaft (5) positionable in a container (6), the container (6) defining an opening to allow the passage of the shaft (5); iii. a first funnel (40) positioned in the opening to receive the drive coupler (48) and to guide the drive coupler (48) to the coupling element (20), wherein the movable frame (100) is movable from a first position in which the drive coupler (48) is not positionable to receive the coupling element (20) to a second position in which the drive coupler (48) is positionable to receive the coupling element (20), and wherein the frame (100) further comprises an actuator which, when actuated, allows pivoting of the drive coupler (48). [7] Fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the mixer is configured to dissipate electrostatic charge. [8] Fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized by that the container (6) comprises a material that does not accumulate an electrostatic charge. [9] Fastening arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized by a second hopper (42) surrounding the drive coupler (48) and configured to be received by the first hopper (40). [10] Fastening arrangement (10), comprising: a drive coupler (48) configured to engage a coupling element (20) on a drive shaft (5) positionable in the container (6), the container (6) defining an opening to allow passage of the shaft (5); the drive coupler (48) is positioned on a movable frame (100) movable from a first position in which the drive coupler (48) is not positionable to receive the coupling element (20) to a second position in which the drive coupler (48) is positionable to receive the coupling element (20); the frame (100) includes an actuator which, when actuated, allows pivoting of the drive coupler (48); the actuator is actuable when the drive coupler (48) is pivotally alignable with the coupling element (20).

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