Patent ID: 7080937
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: B01F

Abstract:
1. A mixing apparatus for mixing a flowable material, the mixing apparatus comprising: a first body having a first mating surface and a plurality of first cavities formed on the first mating surface, the plurality of first cavities being arranged along a first path to provide a variation in depth measured from the first mating surface; and a second body having a second mating surface configured to mate with the first mating surface of the first body, the second body including a plurality of second cavities formed on the second mating surface, the plurality of second cavities being arranged along a second path to provide a variation in depth measured from the second mating surface; wherein the first mating surface of the first body is mated with the second mating surface of the second body to align the first path with the second path, the first cavities fluidicly communicating with the second cavities to form an internal flow path from an inlet through the first cavities and second cavities to an outlet, the internal flow path having multiple depth turns to direct flow between the first body and the second body formed by the depth variations in the first cavities of the first body and the second cavities in the second body; wherein the first cavities are spaced from each other along the first path by first regions of zero depth measured from the first mating surface; wherein the second cavities are spaced from each other along the second path by second regions of zero depth measured from the second mating surface; and wherein the plurality of first cavities comprise at least one first cavity having a first surface turn on the first mating surface to direct flow to turn at an angle along the first surface turn, and wherein the plurality of second cavities comprise at least one second cavity having a second surface turn on the second mating surface to direct flow to turn at an angle along the second surface turn.