Abstract:
An electromechanical apparatus and method are disclosed for agitating and conditioning fluids such as paint, polish, dyes, and the like in containers. An electrical motor generates a rotational driving force, which is reduced by a pulley system and applied to a cam drive shaft. The cam drive shaft rotationally drives a drive cam, which contains an offset drive dog. The drive cam mechanically engages and cooperates with a drive block via the drive dog to convert the rotational driving motion to a driving motion having rotational and reciprocal components. This driving motion is applied to a drive shaft, which in turn is coupled to a holder for a fluid container. The driving motion induces a vortex-like action in a fluid contained in the container thereby agitating and conditioning the fluid.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a regular patent application which is related to and claims priority to provisional application No. 60/262,946 entitled Fluid Agitator And Conditioner naming as inventor James F. Robertson and filed Jan. 19, 2001. That application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if set forth herein in full. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to apparatus for agitating and conditioning fluids and more specifically to an electromechanical apparatus for agitating and conditioning paints, dyes, polishes and the like.  
           [0004]    2. Statement of Related Art  
           [0005]    Water and oil-based paints are used by hobbyists, craftsmen, artists, and others to build models, create crafts, for tole painting, and to create works of art, among other things. Similarly, cosmetologists and beauticians use colored polishes and paints to adorn finger and toe nails.  
           [0006]    Typically, such users of fluid paints and polishes neither need nor desire large quantities of the paints and polishes they use. Large quantities tend to be expensive and difficult to store and handle. Often, only relatively small quantities are needed for application to models, crafts and the like. Additionally, at least some such paints are of a quality that render them quite expensive. Thus, it is common for such paints and polishes to be sold, purchased, used and stored in relatively small containers. A very common container, for example, is an approximately two-ounce bottle with a threaded top and cap.  
           [0007]    Such paints and polishes typically comprise one or more constituents, such as pigments or coloring agents. These are mixed in suspension with a base such as water, oil, alcohol, some other thinner, or a combination thereof. A common characteristic of many such paints and polishes is that as they sit unused in their storage containers, the constituents tend to separate. Such separation can result in poor surface coverage, streaking, uneven coloration and other problems. Thus, it is usually desirable if not necessary before usage to agitate the paint or polish to remix the constituents. Typically, this can be done quite simply by manually shaking the small container in which the paint or polish is stored.  
           [0008]    However, manual agitation is not always a suitable or even an available solution. Certain users suffering from arthritic conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress injuries may not be physically able to achieve adequate manual agitation. In other instances, for example some beauty shops and the like, far too many containers may require agitation on a regular basis for manual agitation to be practicable. Even when manual agitation is possible and practicable, the forces generated by manual agitation tend to be nonuniform in terms of direction and magnitude. This can lead to the undesirable introduction of air bubbles into the paint or polish.  
           [0009]    Various electromechanical paint-shaking apparatuses have been developed over the years. However, these have tended to be directed to the agitation of large quantities of paints in relatively large volume containers such as gallon or greater cans. Such apparatuses have tended to be large and bulky, not very portable, and quite expensive. Moreover, little thought has been given to the condition in which such agitation apparatuses leave the paint or other contents of the containers. For example, such apparatuses generally provide relatively rigorous agitation that tends to introduce air bubbles into the paint, similarly to manual agitation in the case of smaller containers. In short, such paint-shaking apparatuses are generally unsuitable for use with specialty and decorative paints, polishes, and the like, which are typically stored in small volume containers, such as the two-ounce bottles referred to previously.  
           [0010]    What is needed therefore, is an apparatus capable of and suitable for automatically agitating paints and polishes of the type typically sold and stored in relatively small containers, such as two ounce bottles, without requiring manual agitation.  
           [0011]    There is a further need for such an apparatus that is relatively inexpensive, compact, and portable.  
           [0012]    There is a further need for such an apparatus that agitates the contents of a container in such a fashion as to also condition the contents by reducing the introduction of air bubbles.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    The present invention is embodied in an electromechanical apparatus that provides agitation and conditioning of relatively small containers of specialty and decorative fluid paints and polishes. The electromechanical agitation and conditioning apparatus of the invention comprises a drive motor coupled to a flexible, movable container-holder. The drive motor is coupled to the container-holder by a drive reduction mechanism, an offset-cam mechanism for converting rotational drive motion to a combination linear and vertical reciprocating agitation motion, and a drive shaft. This agitation motion applied to the container produces a vortex-like agitation of the contents, which provides conditioning as well as agitation. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a fluid container agitator and conditioner comprising a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the fluid container agitator and conditioner of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the fluid container agitator and conditioner of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 a  is a side elevation view of a preferred first drive pulley.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 b  is a side elevation view of a preferred second drive pulley.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of a preferred drive camshaft.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 a  is a side cutaway view of a preferred drive cam.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 b  is an end elevation view of the preferred drive cam of FIG. 6 a.    
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a preferred drive dog mechanism.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 a  is a side cutaway view of a preferred drive block mechanism.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 b  is an end elevation view of the preferred drive block mechanism of FIG. 8 a.    
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 c  is a side elevation view of a preferred assembly of the camshaft, drive cam, drive dog and drive block of FIGS. 6 b ,  7 ,  8   a  and  8   b.    
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 a  is a side cutaway view of a preferred drive block shaft.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 b  is an end elevation view of the preferred drive block shaft of FIG. 9 a.    
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 a  is a top plan view of a preferred container holder.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 b  is a front elevation view of the preferred container holder of FIG. 10 a.    
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is a side cutaway view of a typical container graphically showing the vortex-like agitation of the container contents produced by the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0031]    A detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment follows with reference to the drawings, in which like components are identified by like references. The following description is not intended to be limiting in nature but is rather exemplary, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 3 , a fluid agitator and conditioning apparatus  100  comprising a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The apparatus  100  preferably comprises a compact, relatively thin, flat, rectangular base plate  110 . The base plate  110  is preferably constructed of aluminum or a similar rigid, strong, but lightweight material. Soft rubber suction cups  115  are preferably mounted adjacent each of the four comers of the bottom surface of the base plate  110  to permit the base plate to be selectively, removably adhered to a support surface (not shown), such as the top of a work table or bench. The suction cups  115  may be mounted to the base plate  110  in any suitable fashion. Alternatively, soft rubber feet or the like could be used for this purpose if desired.  
         [0033]    A drive motor  120  is preferably mounted to the top surface of the base plate  110  via a conventional motor mount  122  in any suitable fashion. The preferred drive motor  120  is relatively small and light in weight. Additionally, since the invention is specifically directed to agitation and conditioning of relatively small volumes of fluids in small containers, e.g., two-ounce bottles, it is preferred that the drive motor  120  have relatively modest output power and nominal rotation rate so as to limit the magnitude of the agitation forces applied to the relatively small containers of interest and thereby reduce or eliminate the introduction of air bubbles into the fluids being agitated. Moreover, such a motor is likely to draw less power, to be lighter in weight, and to generate less heat, vibration, and noise than more powerful industrial motors. Accordingly, the preferred motor will be more economical to operate, more compact, and less intrusive in use than typical industrial motors. A suitable motor is a C-Frame motor such as Model C01676 commercially made and sold by Precision Electric Motor Sales of Corunna, Mich. This motor provides 3000 rpm output and is rated at 0.01 horsepower at standard 115V AC operating power.  
         [0034]    The drive motor  120  is preferably connected to and powered by a standard electrical power source such as a standard 115V wall socket (not shown). A conventional electrical switch  125  may be provided to enable the motor  120  to be manually energized and de-energized selectively without having to connect and disconnect the motor from the power source.  
         [0035]    The preferred drive motor  120  has a standard drive shaft  130 , which rotates at approximately 3000 rpm when the motor is energized. Mounted and secured to the drive shaft  130  is a first drive pulley  135 , which is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4 a . The first drive pulley  135  preferably has a bored collar  137 , the bore being sized to fit over and engage the end of the drive shaft  130 . The first drive pulley  135  may be mounted and secured to the drive shaft  130  in any suitable fashion, for example via a set screw arrangement through a bore in the collar  137 . The first drive pulley  135  is preferably constructed of a relatively strong but light-weight material such as aluminum. In the preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the first drive pulley  135  is approximately 0.75 inches. The first drive pulley is preferably formed with a center groove  140  which functions to engage and retain a drive belt  145 . The drive belt  145  is suitably a rubber O-ring which is preferably approximately 0.093 inches in diameter and 3.25 inches outer diameter.  
         [0036]    The first drive pulley  135  is drivingly engaged by the drive belt  145  with a second drive pulley  150 , the details of which are illustrated in FIG. 4 b . Similarly to first drive pulley  135 , second drive pulley  150  preferably has a bored collar  152 . The second drive pulley  150  is also preferably constructed of a relatively strong but light-weight material such as aluminum. The second drive pulley  150  is also preferably formed with a center groove  140  which functions to engage and retain drive belt  145 . In the preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of the second drive pulley  150  is greater than that of the first drive pulley  135  in order to affect a reduction in the rate of rotation of the drive motor drive shaft  130 . An outer diameter of approximately 2.0 inches has been found suitable for this embodiment and produces a reduction of approximately 3.5 times, such that the second drive pulley  150  rotates at approximately 850 rpm. First and second drive pulleys having the preferred characteristics are easily manufactured by any competent machine shop using conventional machining methods.  
         [0037]    A drive camshaft  155 , illustrated in detail in FIG. 5, preferably comprises an elongated cylindrical shaft and is manufactured of a strong, rigid, but light-weight material such as stainless steel. The drive camshaft  155  is preferably dimensioned such that one end  162  thereof fits into and is engaged by the bored collar  152  of the second drive pulley  150 . A flat  163  may be provided on one side of the drive camshaft  155  near end  162  if desired to facilitate connection with the pulley  150 . The end  162  of the drive camshaft  155  may be secured to the second drive pulley  150  in any suitable fashion, for example by inserting a set screw (not shown) through a bore in the collar  152  to engage the flat  163 . A suitable drive camshaft is readily constructed by any competent machine shop using conventional machining methods.  
         [0038]    The drive camshaft  155  extends outwardly from the second drive pulley  150  preferably passing through a pair of substantially identical bearing stand-offs  160 . Each bearing stand-off  160 , the details of which are shown in FIG. 4 c , has a substantially identical circular bore  158 , which is formed in and extends completely through the bearing stand-off  160 . The drive camshaft  155  preferably extends through the bores  158 , which are preferably dimensioned to permit free rotation of the drive camshaft  155  therein without excess play thereof. The bearing stand-offs  160  are mounted to the base plate  110  in any suitable fashion, or are integrally formed therewith, and are preferably positioned and dimensioned so that the second drive pulley  150  is substantially in line and co-planar with the first drive pulley  135 . The bearing stand-offs  160  provide support for the second drive pulley  150  and the drive camshaft  155 . In addition, the bearing stand-offs  160  permit the second drive pulley  150  and drive camshaft  155  to freely rotate when driven by the drive motor  120  via the first drive pulley  135  and pulley  145 . To facilitate such free rotation, the bores  158  through which the drive camshaft  155  extends are preferably provided with self-lubricating bushings, for example oil-impregnated bushings such as Oil-Lite brand bushings (not shown), which are commercially available from various distributors, including McGuire Bearing Company of Salem, Oreg. The bushings are suitably inserted and held in the bores  158  by a light press or friction fit. Oil-Lite type self-lubricating bushings are preferred because they are easy to use, light-weight, inexpensive and require no lubrication. However, other alternatives such as bearing rings may be used if desired.  
         [0039]    A drive cam  165 , illustrated in detail in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b , is preferably adapted to be mounted on a second end  157  of the drive camshaft  155 . The preferred drive cam  165  has a substantially cylindrically-shaped body and is constructed of a strong, rigid, but light-weight material such as stainless steel. The preferred drive cam  165  is provided with a substantially cylindrical bore  167 , which is dimensioned to fit over and engage the second end  157  of the drive camshaft  165 . The drive cam  165  may be secured to the second end  157  of the drive camshaft  165  in any suitable manner, for example by providing coincident bores through the side of the body of the drive cam  165  and adjacent the second end  157  of the drive camshaft  165  and securing the two with a set screw or the like. The outward face  170  of the drive cam  165  is preferably substantially circular in shape and is provided with a small threaded bore  172 , which is offset from the center of the face  170 .  
         [0040]    A drive dog  175 , illustrated in FIG. 7, which is preferably a small spherical ball, is preferably mounted to the face  170  of the drive cam  165 . The drive dog  175  is preferably mounted to the face  170  by providing a small threaded shaft  177  perpendicular to the surface of the ball. One end of a headless setscrew (not shown) is inserted in the threaded bore  172  and secured leaving the opposite end of the set screw exposed and protruding slightly beyond the surface of face  170 . The threaded shaft  177  of the drive dog  175  is then screwed onto the exposed end of the set screw and tightened down so that the surface of the drive dog  175  is preferably in contact with and flush with the surface of the face  170 . Because the threaded shaft  172  is offset from center of the face  170 , the drive dog  175  is offset as well. The drive dog  175  functions essentially as the lobe of the drive cam  165 . FIG. 8 c  contains a detailed illustration of the assembly of the drive camshaft  155 , the drive cam  165 , the drive dog  175 , and a drive block  180 , which is described in detail below.  
         [0041]    In the preferred embodiment, the face  170  of the drive cam  165  is approximately 0.5 inches in diameter and the protruding drive dog  175  is an approximately 0.25 inch diameter spherical ball. The drive dog  175  is preferably manufactured of stainless steel material, stainless material being preferred for such characteristics as long wear and resistance to corrosion and material deformation. The drive dog may be readily fabricated by any competent machinist using conventional machining methods. The drive dog  175  is preferably mounted approximately 0.09 inches offset from the center of the face  170 . It has been found that varying the amount the drive dog  175  is offset from the center of the cam face affects the magnitude and character of the agitation forces applied to the container to be agitated. Those skilled in the art will thus realize that while an offset of approximately 0.09 inches is presently preferred, other values of offset can certainly be used as desired without varying from the basic concepts of the invention.  
         [0042]    Drive dog  175  is adapted to be seated in and engaged by a drive block  180 , the details of which are illustrated in FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b . Drive block  180  is preferably fabricated of a very rigid, hard material, such as brass. Like the stainless steel selected for construction of the drive dog  175 , brass is preferred for fabrication of the drive block  180  due to its excellent wear characteristics, as well as its resistance to material deformation. In the preferred embodiment, the drive block  180  is formed in a substantially elongated rectangular shape. One face  182  of the drive block is preferably provided with a beveled edge  184 . A bore  186  is preferably provided in the face  182  and extends partially into the body of the drive block  180  along the longitudinal axis thereof. Preferably, the bore  186  and drive dog  175  are dimensioned relative to one another such that drive dog  175  can be inserted at least partially into bore  186  but remain relatively free to move rotationally therein without significant restriction or obstruction. To facilitate free movement of the drive dog  175  relative to the drive block  180 , to reduce friction between the drive dog  175  and drive block  180 , and to preserve the drive dog  175  and drive block  180 , it is preferred to pack the bore  186  at least partially with silicon grease.  
         [0043]    As shown in FIG. 8 c , it is preferred that the drive cam  165  and the drive block  180  are positioned relative to one another such that the face  182  of the drive block does not contact the face  170  of the drive cam. At the same time, however, it is preferred that the drive block  180  and drive cam  165  are positioned so that drive dog  175  is inserted far enough into the bore  186  that there is insufficient clearance or play for the drive dog  175  to become unseated from the bore  186  in operation.  
         [0044]    A second bore  190  is provided in the drive block preferably nearer an end  193  of drive block opposite face  182 . The second bore  190  is preferably oriented substantially transverse to the first bore  186  and, unlike the first bore, preferably extends completely through the body of the drive block. Finally, a third bore  192  is preferably provided in the body of the drive block transversely to and intersecting the second bore  190 . The third bore  192  is preferably smaller in diameter than the second bore  190  and also extends completely through the body of the drive block. As with other preferred components described herein, the drive block is easily fabricated by any competent machinist using conventional machining methods.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  illustrate the details of a preferred form of drive block shaft  200 . Drive block shaft  200  is preferably an elongated cylindrical rod fabricated of a strong, rigid material such as stainless steel. Drive block shaft  200  is preferably dimensioned to pass through and to be securely engaged in the second bore  190  of the drive block  180 , it being understood that the longitudinal axis of drive block shaft  200  is thereby maintained substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of drive block  180 , the longitudinal axis of drive cam  165  and the longitudinal axis of drive camshaft  155 . Drive block shaft  200  is preferably provided with two parallel bores  202  and  204 , which extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and extend completely through the shaft. One bore  202  is preferably provided adjacent a first end  206  of the shaft whereas the second bore  204  is preferably provided nearer the opposite end  208  of the shaft. The second bore  204  is preferably dimensioned essentially the same as the third bore  192  of drive block  180  so that when drive block shaft  200  is inserted through the second bore  190  of the drive block, the second bore  204  and third bore  192  can be aligned. This permits a set-screw or other suitable fastening device to be inserted through the bores  204  and  192  to fixedly engage the drive block shaft to the drive block body. Preferably, the second bore  204  is spaced from the end  208  of the drive block shaft such that at least a short section of the shaft adjacent end  208  extends outwardly from the body of the drive block  180 , while a longer section of the shaft adjacent end  206  extends outwardly from the body of the drive block  180 .  
         [0046]    A pair of identical bearing stand-off supports  210  and  215  are preferably provided with a pair of identical bores  220 , which extend completely through the respective bodies of the supports  210  and  215 , to support the drive block  180  and drive block shaft  200 . Preferably the bearing stand-offs  210  and  215  are identical to bearing stand-offs  160 . The bores  220  are preferably dimensioned to receive and engage the shaft and to permit reciprocal and rotational motion of the shaft therein. In the preferred embodiment, the reciprocal motion is substantially transverse to the plane of the drive cam and drive camshaft, and the rotational motion is about the longitidunal axis of the shaft  200 , which is transverse to the drive camshaft. The drive block shaft  200  has ends  206  and  208  and is preferably supported in the bores  220  such that the drive block is positioned substantially midway between the supports. One support  210  preferably engages and supports the shaft  200  adjacent end  208  and the other support  215  preferably engages and supports the shaft  200  adjacent end  206 . Each of the supports  210  and  215  is secured to the base plate  110  in any suitable fashion, or integrally formed therewith. Each of the supports is preferably oriented such that the bores  220  are substantially parallel to each other, are substantially co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the drive block shaft  215 , and are substantially transverse to the plane of the bore  158  of the bearing stand-off  160 . The bores  220  are also preferably at substantially the same height above the base plate  110  so that they support the drive block shaft  200  substantially horizontally. Further, the bores  220  are preferably formed at the same height as the bore  158  of the bearing stand-off  160 . Each of the bores  220  is preferably fitted with self-lubricating bushings, such as the Oil-Lite brand bushings previously identified, to facilitate free rotational movement of shaft  200  therein, and hence of the drive block  180  relative to drive cam  165  and drive cam shaft  155 . Oil-Lite brand or similar bushings are preferred for the reasons previously described with respect to bearing stand-off  160 . However, other alternatives such as bearing rings may be used for this purpose if desired.  
         [0047]    A container holder  230 , the details of which are illustrated in FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b , is preferably connected to the end  206  of the drive block shaft  200 . Container holder  230  is preferably fabricated of a relatively strong, but light-weight material such as aluminum. The preferred container holder has a substantially concave vertical back surface  228 , a substantially horizontal floor  231 , and a pair of vertical side walls  232 , which are contiguous with the back surface  228 . The floor  231  preferably defines at least a portion of a semi-circle and the back surface and side surfaces define a partially enclosed cylinder (back and sides) with an open front. Together, the floor and the back and side surfaces provide a support surface and partial enclosure for a container  250 , such as a cylindrical-shaped container, to be agitated. A pair of bores  234  or other fastening means are preferably provided in the side surfaces adjacent the open front of the partial enclosure to engage a container restraint. A preferred container restraint is a relatively tightly coiled spring  255 , the opposite ends of which are engaged by the bores  234 . The spring can be stretched as necessary to mount containers of various sizes in the container holder and the spring then acts by its natural forces to restrain the container as it is agitated. A collar  240  is integrally formed with the back surface of the container holder for connection to end  206  drive block shaft  200 . The collar  240  is provided with a bore  242  having its longitudinal axis co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the shaft and dimensioned to receive and engage end  206  of the shaft. A small bore  244  is formed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bore  242  and extends through the entire body of the collar  240 . The bore  244  is preferably dimensioned and positioned so that when the end  206  of drive block shaft  200  is inserted into the bore  242 , the bore  244  lines up with the bore  202  adjacent the end  206  of the shaft so that a set-screw or other suitable fastening device can be used to fixedly connect the shaft to the container holder.  
         [0048]    A cover  300  may be provided if desired to cover and enclose the apparatus. The cover may be secured to the base plate  110  in any suitable fashion. Preferably, an opening is formed in the cover to permit the end  206  of drive block shaft  200  and the container holder  230  to extend from the enclosed space. While a cover is not strictly necessary, in some applications it may be desirable to prevent interference with moving parts of the apparatus, to reduce noise, and/or to reduce the build-up of dirt and the like on the moving parts.  
         [0049]    Having described the structure of a preferred apparatus, attention is now turned to the operation thereof. In order to agitate and condition the contents of a container, the container is placed in the container holder  230  resting on the floor  231  thereof and restrained by the spring restraint or other suitable restraint. The power switch  125  is actuated to provide power to the drive motor  120 . The drive motor  120  drives its output shaft  130  rotationally at a rate of approximately 3000 rpm&#39;s. This in turn causes the first and second drive pulleys  135  and  150  to rotate, which in turn cause the drive cam shaft  155  and drive cam  165  to rotate. Because of the rotational reduction affected by the first and second drive pulleys, however, the drive cam shaft and drive cam rotate at approximately 850 rpm&#39;s. The drive dog  175  rotates with the drive cam  165 . However, since it is mounted offset from center of the face  170  of the drive cam, it rotates along a substantially circular path, the centerpoint of which corresponds with the center of face  170 . The drive dog acts as the lobe of the drive cam  165 . Since the drive dog  175  is partially inserted in and engaged by the drive block  180 , when it rotates along its circular path, it drives drive block  180  along a continuous circular path, which includes both vertical and horizontal components of continuously varying magnitude relative to each other. Drive block  180  is free to move along this path by virtue of its support by bearing stand-offs  210  and  215 . The path of motion of drive block  180 , including the combination of horizontal and vertical motions, is communicated by the drive block shaft  200  to the container holder  230  and provides agitation of the contents of the container  250 .  
         [0050]    As illustrated in FIG. 11, it has been found that the unique arrangement described results in a sort of vortex like agitation of the contents of a container. Thus, it has been found that the liquid contents of a container  250  undergoing agitation by the apparatus embodying the invention tend to flow up from the bottom of the container along the sidewalls and back down through the mid-section of the container, generally in the direction of arrow  260 . This vortex-like action has been found to result in superior mixing of the fluid contents, particularly where components of the contents, such as pigments, have separated after long periods of storage. In addition, the vortex-like action has been found to provide advantageous conditioning of the contents, including the suppression of air bubbles, resulting in superior coverage and quality of coverage, among other advantages.  
         [0051]    The presently preferred embodiments and operation of an apparatus embodying the present invention have been described. Persons skilled in the art will realize from the foregoing description that numerous variations and changes can be made to the arrangement of components, materials, and the like without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and while retaining the characteristic advantages and features thereof. The foregoing description is therefore intended to be exemplary in nature and not limiting of the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims as properly interpreted.