Abstract:
A mixing stabilizer designed to assist individuals who have to mix fluids in a container. The mixing stabilizer is particularly well suited to paints that have to be stirred and homogenized before use. This device allows a user to stir the contents of a five gallon or a one gallon container without using a hand or hands to stabilize the container during stirring.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The mixing stabilizer of the instant invention is designed to assist individuals who have to mix fluids in a container. The mixing stabilizer is particularly well suited to paint containers since paints generally have to be stirred and homogenized before use. Industrial paint cans are generally five gallon in size and the force required to stir a five gallon paint can, can at times, destabilize the can itself particularly when the surface upon which the can rests is not flat.  
         [0002]     The mixing stabilizer of the instant invention steadies the container against rotation caused by stirring the fluid within the container. A number of means to stabilize the can within the base of the mixing stabilizer are taught by this invention. In addition, the mixing stabilizer itself is secured from movement by foot pads or footings which can be stepped on by an individual to secure the mixing stabilizer in place while stirring occurs.  
         [0003]     Additionally, an auxiliary unit has been provided that adapts to accommodate smaller containers. Similar anti-rotation means can be employed for the auxiliary unit as well as the primary unit.  
       ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION  
       [0004]     This device will allow a user to apply both hands to a stick of other means for stirring the fluid inside the container, whereas, without the mixing stabilizer, an individual would be required to use one hand on the container to stabilize it while using the other hand to hold a mixing stick in order to stir the fluid within the container. This process of mixing is particularly awkward when larger commercial containers are used as suggested above. While individuals typically buy one gallon cans of paint, commercial operators typically use five gallon cans of paint. Stirring these larger cans can be more easily accomplished when two hands are employed in the stirring process.  
         [0005]     The mixing stabilizer disclosed herein allows the fluid containing containers to be stabilized without the use of hands, thus freeing both hands for the mixing operation.  
         [0006]     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0007]     Still other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure that follows.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The invention relates to a mixing stabilizer, for use with a first cylindrical container having a mixable fluid disposed therein. It comprises an upright base and means for impeding rotational movement of the first cylindrical container in a first circular direction relative to the base. The upright base has an inner recess with a minimum transverse dimension that is greater than the outside diameter of the first cylindrical container. The means for impeding rotational movement is attached to the base and it is removably engageable to the first cylindrical container to impede rotation as the container is rotated in the first circular direction. Thus, the fluid in the container can be mixed in the first circular direction free of movement of the first cylindrical container relative to the base.  
         [0009]     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0010]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a cut away perspective view of the mixing stabilizer of the present invention showing a first cylindrical container disposed in an upright cylindrical base and an individual, shown in phantom, standing on footings extending from an outer peripheral surface of the mixing stabilizer;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the mixing stabilizer showing an elongated strap as an exploded away means for impeding rotational movement of the first cylindrical container;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  showing an elongated strap as the means for impeding rotational movement and said strap being in a relaxed position with a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of the first cylindrical container (but without the container disposed in the mixing stabilizer);  
         [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  showing the elongated strap in a flexed position with the first cylindrical container disposed therein;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment showing a plurality of cam sets disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the base of the mixing stabilizer serving as the means for impeding rotational movement;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged plan view of a cam set taken from  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the mixing stabilizer with an elongated strap that coils upon itself when securing the container from rotational movement in the first circular direction; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mixing stabilizer of the present invention showing an auxiliary base which fits within and which is secured by the outer base to accommodate smaller mixing containers. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Without departing from the generality of the invention disclosed herein and without limiting the scope of the invention, the discussion that follows, will refer to the invention as depicted in the drawing.  
         [0020]     The preferred embodiments of the apparatus depicted in the drawing comprise a mixing stabilizer  1 , for use with a first cylindrical container  9  have a mixable fluid disposed therein, comprising an upright base  2  and means for impeding rotational movement  3  of the first cylindrical container in a first circular direction (as shown by the arrow  10  in  FIGS. 1, 3   b ,  4  and  5 ) relative to the base  2 . The upright base  2  has a predetermined height and an inner recess  32  with a minimum transverse dimension that is greater than the outside diameter of the first cylindrical container  9 . The means for impeding rotational movement  3  is attached to the base  2  and it is removably engageable to the first cylindrical container  9  as the container is rotated in the first circular direction  10 . Thus, the first cylindrical container  9  can be disposed in the mixing stabilizer  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and rotated in the first direction  10  to engage the means for impeding rotational movement  3  so that the fluid in the container can be mixed in the first circular direction free of movement of the first cylindrical container relative to the base. Furthermore, the first cylindrical container  9  disengages from the means for impeding rotational movement  3  when the first cylindrical container is rotated in a circular direction opposite the first circular direction  10 , so that the first cylindrical container can be removed from the mixing stabilizer  1 .  
         [0021]     Preferably, the upright base comprises a cylindrical base  2  with an inner peripheral surface  34  having an internal diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the first cylindrical container  9 , so that the first cylindrical container can be coaxially disposed in the cylindrical base  2 . Furthermore, the means for impeding rotational movement  3  may comprise an elongated flexible strap  4  with a proximal section  4   a  thereof attached to a portion of the inner peripheral surface  34  of the cylindrical base  2  and with a distal section  4   b  thereof extending freely in the first circular direction  10 . Additionally, the elongated strap  4  may have a width that does not exceed the predetermined height of the base, where the strap is bounded within the inner peripheral surface  34  of the cylindrical base  2 .  
         [0022]     In a preferred aspect of the mixing stabilizer  1 , the elongated strap  4  has a first surface  4   c  disposed radially inwardly relative to axis of the cylindrical base  2  and the first surface has an engagement surface  6  along at least a distal portion thereof with a high coefficient of friction for engaging the first cylindrical container  9 . The elongated strap  4  has a relaxed radius of curvature, as shown in  FIG. 3A , that is smaller than the radius of the first cylindrical container so that the first cylindrical container  9  can be inserted into the mixing stabilizer  1  as the strap  4  is flexed to an enlarged radius of curvature that is larger than the radius of the first cylindrical container, as shown in  FIG. 3B .  
         [0023]     As shown in the drawing, a preferred embodiment of the mixing stabilizer  1 , for use with a first cylindrical container have a mixable fluid disposed therein, comprises an upright cylindrical base  2  and means for impeding rotational movement  3  of the first cylindrical container  9  in a first circular direction  10  relative to the base. The upright cylindrical base  2  has a predetermined height and an inner peripheral surface  34  have an internal diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the first cylindrical container  9 . The means for impeding rotational movement  3  is attached to the base  2  and is removably engageable to the first cylindrical container  9  as the container is rotated in the first circular direction. The first cylindrical container may be disposed coaxially in the cylindrical base. The first cylindrical container  9  disengages from the means for impeding rotational movement  3  when the first cylindrical container is rotated in a circular direction opposite the first circular direction  10 , so that the first cylindrical container can be removed from the mixing stabilizer. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the means for impeding rotational movement  3  comprises an elongated flexible strap  4  with a proximal section  4   a  thereof attached to a portion of the inner peripheral surface  34  of the cylindrical base  2  and with a distal section  4   b  thereof extending freely in the first circular direction  10 .  
         [0024]     Additionally, the elongated strap  4  has a first surface  4   c  disposed radially inwardly relative to axis of the cylindrical base and the first surface has an engagement surface  6  along at least a distal portion thereof with a high coefficient of friction for engaging the first cylindrical container, as best shown in  FIG. 3A . Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the elongated strap has a relaxed radius of curvature that is smaller than the radius of the first cylindrical container  9  so that the first cylindrical container can be inserted into the mixing stabilizer  1  as the strap  4  is flexed to an enlarged radius of curvature that is larger than the radius of the first cylindrical container  9 . In this way, the first cylindrical container can be disposed in the mixing stabilizer and rotated in the first direction to engage the means for impeding rotational movement so that the fluid in the container can be mixed in the first rotational direction free of movement of the first cylindrical container relative to the base.  
         [0025]     In another preferred embodiment of the mixing stabilizer, shown in  FIG. 5 , the elongated strap  4  has a length that is longer than the circumference of the inner peripheral surface  34  of the cylindrical base  2  so that the distal section  4   b  of the elongated strap  4  coils inside the proximal section  4   a . Preferably, the elongated strap  4  has a first surface  4   c  disposed radially inwardly relative to axis of the cylindrical base and the first surface  4   c  has an engagement surface  6  along at least a distal portion  4   b  thereof with a high coefficient of friction for engaging the first cylindrical container  9 , and an unstressed radius of curvature that is slightly larger than the radius of the first cylindrical container so that the first cylindrical container can be inserted into the mixing stabilizer when the strap is unstressed and a stressed radius of curvature that is no greater than the radius of the first cylindrical container  9 , so that a first cylindrical container can be inserted into the mixing stabilizer  1  with the strap  4  having a relaxed radius of curvature, the first cylindrical container  9  can be rotated in the first circular direction  10  to engage the engagement surface  6  and coil the elongated strap  4  to the stressed radius of curvature, and impede movement of the first cylindrical container in the first rotational direction relative to the cylindrical base.  
         [0026]     Alternatively, the means for impeding rotational movement  3  of the first cylindrical container  9  in a first circular direction  10  relative to the base  2  may include at least one cam set  5  disposed along the inner peripheral surface  34  of the base  2 , wherein the stroke (i.e. the differential distance between a major axis and a minor axis of the cam) of the at least one cam set  5  is sufficient to effect a reduced internal transverse dimension of the upright base to effectively impede rotation of the first cylindrical container  9  in a first circular direction  10  relative to the base  2 .  
         [0027]     The mixing stabilizer can be further adapted for additional use with a second cylindrical container  30  having a mixable fluid disposed therein, as shown in  FIG. 6 . It may include an upright secondary cylindrical base  24  with a inner peripheral surface  22  have an internal diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the second cylindrical container  30 , and a predetermined height, and a second means for impeding rotational movement  20  of the second cylindrical container  30  in a first circular direction  10  relative to the secondary cylindrical base  30 . The secondary cylindrical base  24  may have an outer peripheral surface  18  with an outer diameter that is less than the internal diameter of the inner peripheral surface  34  of the cylindrical base  2  so that the secondary cylindrical base  24  can be removably disposed in the cylindrical base  2 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , holes  26  are provided in the second means for impeding rotational movement  20  whereby it can be attached to complementary holes  28  of the secondary cylindrical base  8 . The second means for impeding rotational movement  20  is removably engageable to the second cylindrical container  30  as the container is rotated in the first circular direction  10  in the secondary cylindrical base  24 , so that the secondary cylindrical base  24  can be disposed in the cylindrical base  2  of the mixing stabilizer  1  and rotated in the first circular direction  10  to engage the means for impeding rotational movement  6  so that the secondary cylindrical base  24  is impeded from rotating in the first circular direction  10  relative to the cylindrical base  2 , and the second cylindrical container  30  can be disposed in the secondary cylindrical base  24  and rotated in the first circular direction t 10  engage the second means for impeding rotational movement  20  of the second cylindrical container  30  relative to the secondary cylindrical base  24  so that the fluid in the second cylindrical container  30  can be mixed in the first circular direction  10  free of movement of the second cylindrical container  24  in the first circular direction relative to the cylindrical base  2 .  
         [0028]     Moreover, the mixing stabilizer  1  may further comprise at least one footing  12  extending outwardly from an outer peripheral surface  2   a  of the upright base  2 . In this way, an individual  14  mixing the fluid in the first cylindrical container  9  in the first circular direction  10  can stabilize the base  2  by standing on the at least one footing  12  so that the fluid in the container can be mixed in the first circular direction free of movement of the base. The mixing stabilizer, as shown in the drawing, may comprise two opposing footings  12  extending radially from an outer peripheral surface  2   a  of the upright base  2 , so that an individual  14  mixing the fluid in the first cylindrical container  9  in the first circular direction can stabilize the base by standing on at least one of the two opposing footings  12  so that the fluid in the container can be mixed in the first circular direction free of movement of the first base.  
         [0029]     In a mixing stabilizer  1  for use with a first cylindrical container  9  have a mixable fluid disposed therein, an alternative means for impeding rotational movement  3  of the first cylindrical container  9  n a first circular direction  10  relative to the cylindrical base  2  may be provided comprising a plurality of cam sets  5  circumferentially disposed along the inner peripheral surface  34  of the cylindrical base  2 . The means for impeding rotational movement is engageable to the first cylindrical container  9  as the container is rotated in the first direction  10 , so that the first cylindrical container can be disposed in the mixing stabilizer and rotated in the first circular direction to engage the means for impeding rotational movement so that the fluid in the container can be mixed in the first circular direction free of movement of the first cylindrical container relative to the cylindrical base. The stroke of each of the plurality of cam sets  5  is preferably sufficient to effect a reduced radial dimension of the upright cylindrical base to effectively impede rotation of the first cylindrical container in a first circular direction relative to the cylindrical base, as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4 A. Additionally, the first cylindrical container  9  disengages from the plurality of cam sets  5  when the first cylindrical container is rotated in a direction opposite the first circular direction, so that the first cylindrical container can be removed from the mixing stabilizer. The first cylindrical container may be coaxially disposed in the cylindrical base.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in a preferred embodiment of the mixing stabilizer  1  for use with a first cylindrical container  9  and a second cylindrical container  30 , with each container having a mixable fluid disposed therein, the mixing stabilizer  1  comprises an upright cylindrical base  2  with means for impeding rotational movement  3  of the first cylindrical container  9  in a first direction  10  relative to the cylindrical base  2 , and an upright secondary cylindrical base  24  with a second means for impeding rotational movement  20  of the second cylindrical container  30  in a first direction relative to the secondary cylindrical base  24 .  
         [0031]     The upright cylindrical base  2  has a predetermined height and an inner peripheral surface  34  with an internal diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the first cylindrical container  9 . The means for impeding rotational movement  3  is attached to the cylindrical base  2 , and the means for impeding rotational movement  3  is engageable to the first cylindrical container  9  as the container is rotated in the first circular direction  10 . The upright secondary cylindrical base  24  has a predetermined height and a inner peripheral surface  22  with an internal diameter that is greater than the outside diameter of the second cylindrical container  30 . The secondary cylindrical base  24  has an outer peripheral surface  18  with an outer diameter that is less than the internal diameter of the peripheral surface of the cylindrical base  2  and the secondary cylindrical base  24  is removably disposable in cylindrical base  2 . The second means for impeding rotational movement  20  of the second cylindrical container  30  in a first direction  10  relative to the secondary cylindrical base  24  is attached to the secondary cylindrical base  24 , and the second means for impeding rotational movement  20  is engageable to the second cylindrical container  30  as the container is rotated in the first circular direction  10 .  
         [0032]     Whereby, one of the first cylindrical container  9  and the secondary cylindrical base  24 , with the second cylindrical container  30  disposed in the secondary cylindrical base  24 , can be disposed in the cylindrical base  2  of the mixing stabilizer  1  and rotated in the first circular direction  10  to engage the means for impeding rotational movement  3 , so that one of the fluid in one of the first cylindrical container  9  and the second cylindrical container  30  can be mixed in said first circular direction free of movement relative to the cylindrical base.  
         [0033]     Additionally, the mixing stabilizer  1  may further comprise at least one footing  12  extending outwardly from an outer peripheral surface  2   a  of the upright cylindrical base  2  so that an individual  14  mixing the fluid in one of the first cylindrical container  9  and the second cylindrical container  30  in the first circular direction  10  can stabilize the cylindrical base  2  by standing on the at least one footing  12  so that the fluid in the container can be mixed in the first circular direction  10  free of movement of the mixing stabilizer  1 .  
         [0034]     The elongated strap of this important invention may be of two lengths. It is contemplated that their respective radial dimensions will be approximately 270° and 450°, respectively. Furthermore, as an example of the mixing stabilizer dimensions, the upright base will have an inner recess with a diameter of about twelve inches and a height of about eight inches, and with a five inch band or strap disposed therein. The footings can easily extend six inches on either side of the base. The flexible strap can be made from a rubber compound or a rubberized plastic material, and the base itself can be made of plastic or other suitable materials.  
         [0035]     While this invention has been described in connection with the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention, the preferred embodiments described and shown are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as constituting any limitations of the invention. Modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0036]     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of some or all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of some or all of its structures for the functions specified.  
         [0037]     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, that would be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.  
         [0038]     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.