Bladed liquid agitator

A physically independent agitator for insertion in a liquid container is disclosed. An example agitator includes a central body having sufficient density to be immersed in the liquid in the container. The agitator includes a plurality of blades supported by the body. Each of the blades has a proximal end attached to the body, and an outer edge having a triangular cross section. The blades are propelled by the liquid to cause the agitator to spin when the container is shaken.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an agitator for a liquid container and more specifically to a bladed agitator that is spun by shaking the container to cause the liquid to propel the blades and thereby agitate the liquid.

BACKGROUND

Liquid containers such as water bottles are often used for powdered compositions such as dietary supplements, drink mixes, and baby formulas. For example, water may be poured into the water bottle and such substances may be added to the water. Such substances are mixed with the water to form a composition. Other substances such as salad dressings, soups, etc. may be combined by such a process. The powdered composition often clumps forming aggregations of powder surrounded by a thick layer of paste that inhibits liquid from penetrating into the clump. These clumps may float, sink to the bottom of the container, or remain suspended at some level in the fluid. Powder may also stick to the sides or bottom of a container and resist mixing by simple shaking. One solution is to use a stirrer to mix the powder with the liquid. However, such a mechanism requires the user to keep the bottle open to stir the liquid. This process may be inconvenient and may have to be repeated if the mixed liquid is not immediately consumed as the clumps may reform or the substances may separate from the liquid.

Another solution is the insertion of an agitator that is sealed with the liquid in the bottle. The agitator allows a user to shake the bottle and results in dispersion of clumps and aggregations on the container walls as the agitator moves in the liquid. However, current agitators suffer from the fact that a user must continue to shake the bottle to keep the agitator functioning to disperse the powder in the liquid. The requirement for continuous shaking of the bottle is burdensome to the user.

Thus, there is a need for an agitator that may be inserted in a liquid container and allows agitation of liquid and additives by shaking a bottle. There is a further need for an agitator that remains orientated in one position relative to the liquid level. There is a further need for an agitator that has dynamic movement independent of attachment to a liquid container. There is also a need for an agitator that maintains the agitation motion even after a liquid bottle has stopped being shaken.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One disclosed example is

The foregoing and additional aspects and implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments and/or aspects, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided next.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1Ais a side view of a liquid container assembly100that includes a liquid container102, a lid104, and an agitator106.FIG. 1Bis a top perspective view of the liquid container assembly100. The liquid container102in this example is cylindrical in shape having an outer surface110, a closed bottom112, and an interior compartment114. The interior compartment114is accessible via an open end116. In this example, the liquid container102may be a water bottle that holds water or other liquids. The open end116is defined by a collar118that includes exterior threads120. The lid104includes interior threads130that mate with the exterior threads120of the collar118to seal the container102.FIG. 1Cis a top perspective view of the liquid container102after the lid104is attached to seal the container102.

The liquid container102in this example is cylindrical and has a central vertical axis140. The closed bottom112is generally flat, allowing the liquid container102to be rested on any flat surface. However, although the liquid container102is cylindrical in this example, it may be any shape that allows convenient retention of a volume of liquid. Further, there may be any number of mechanisms to attach the lid104to the container102to create a water-tight seal. For example, the lid104may be a plug shape or the lid may be articulated via an attachment to the body of the liquid container102.

Liquid is poured into the container102through the open end116. Additives such as powders may also be added to the liquid from the open end116. Alternatively, additives may be added to the container102before the liquid is poured into the container102. The container102is sealed through attachment of the lid104on the collar118. The container102may be composed of any water-proof material such as plastic, ceramic, glass, or metal.

In the operation of the example dual propeller agitator106inFIG. 1, the user shakes the liquid container102along the vertical axis140inFIG. 1. The agitator106moves vertically inside the container102roughly along the vertical axis140when the container102is held substantially upright and spins from the impact of the liquid on the propellers thereby agitating the liquid in the container102as shown inFIGS. 1D and 1E. The dual propeller agitator106allows the mixing of the liquid with the powder or other types of additives through agitation of the liquid and the additives. The agitator106may be fabricated with suitable materials such as plastics, metals, composites, woods, rubber, or silicone.

The container102may be transparent or opaque. A transparent container102may be desirable for a user to observe the dynamic spinning movement of the agitator106when the container102is shaken. The user may also put the container102on a flat surface after shaking and the agitator106will remain spinning for a while.

FIG. 2Ais a perspective top view of the example agitator106,FIG. 2Bis a perspective bottom view of the example agitator106,FIG. 2Cis a side view of the example agitator106, andFIG. 2Dis a top view of the agitator106. The agitator106includes a top propeller210and a bottom propeller212. The two propellers210and212are attached by a rod214. The top propeller210includes a number of angled blades220extending from a semi-spherical top hub222. The top hub222includes a top cylindrical body224with an open end226and an opposite closed semi-spherical end228. Each of the angled propeller blades220are attached to the exterior of the top cylindrical body224. The surfaces of the propeller blades220are angled relative to the rod214and the top cylindrical body in order to contact the liquid propelled by the up and down motion of shaking the container102. A series of support vanes230extend from the interior of the top cylindrical body224to support a cylindrical socket232extending from the interior of the closed end228. The cylindrical socket232is connected to one end of the rod214.

Similarly, the bottom propeller212includes a number of angled blades240extending from a semi-spherical bottom hub242. The bottom hub242includes a bottom cylindrical body244with an open end246and an opposite closed semi-spherical end248. Each of the angled propeller blades240are attached to the exterior of the bottom cylindrical body244. A series of support vanes250extend from the interior of the bottom cylindrical body244to support a cylindrical socket252extending from the interior of the closed end248. The cylindrical socket252is connected to the opposite end of the rod214from the socket232.

When the agitator106is inserted in the liquid in the container102and shaken, the motion of the liquid impacts the angled blades220and240causing both propellers210and212to spin relative to the liquid around an axis parallel to the rod214. In this manner, the liquid and any additives are agitated and mixed. The semi-spherical end248of the bottom hub242allows the agitator106to continue spinning longer if it contacts the closed bottom end112of the container102. In this example, the propellers210and212have six blades220and240respectively. The blades in this example are roughly triangular in shape. Of course different numbers of blades may be used. In addition, the propellers210and212may have the same or different numbers of blades. The shapes of the blades220and240may also be of different shapes to provide maximum contact with the liquid.

There are a number of techniques to assure the agitator106spins generally along the vertical axis140of the container102and as long as possible. The average density of the agitator106may be adjusted. The average density equals its total mass (weight) divided by its total volume. If the density is lower than the density of the liquid such as water, the agitator106will float on the liquid. If the density is higher than the liquid, the agitator106will stay at the bottom of the container102in relation to the liquid. Different average densities from using different materials used to construct the agitator106may cause different spinning behavior.

A second technique is to use the side walls of the container102to prevent the agitator106from turning upside down when the agitator106moves toward the top and bottom of the container102. For example, the rod214of the agitator106may be made sufficiently long relative to the diameter of the container102to prevent the agitator106from turning over.

A third technique is to allow the agitator to maintain its own stability by adjusting the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of the agitator106. During the shaking and especially after the user stops shaking and holds the container102straight or put the container102on a flat surface, the agitator106will be able to stay up straight and spin perfectly when it sinks to the bottom of the container102. In case the agitator106is turned upside down by the shaking motion, it will be able to turn itself back to the correct orientation. The critical design factors are the positions of the center of gravity and the center of buoyancy. One or both of these centers may be adjusted during design of the agitator106. The center of gravity (COG) is the point in a body around which the resultant torque due to gravity forces vanishes. Buoyancy also known as upthrust is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object. Buoyancy is the weight of displaced fluid and the center of buoyancy of an object is the centroid of the displaced volume of fluid. In this example, the agitator106is designed for rotational stability. Rotational stability depends on the relative lines of action of forces on an object. The upward buoyancy force on an object acts through the center of buoyancy, being the centroid of the displaced volume of fluid. The weight force on the object acts through its center of gravity. The object will be stable if the center of gravity is beneath the center of buoyancy because any angular displacement will then produce a “righting moment.” There may be different designs to lower the position of the agitator106in the liquid. For example, the density of the material may be selected to be denser than the liquid in order to submerge the agitator106. The density of the material may be selected to be less dense than the liquid so the agitator106floats or partially floats in the liquid. One or more of above factors could be used in the design of the agitator106. For example, the ability to stay stable during spin could be the result of the side-wall effect from the container102or self-stability by center of gravity and/or center of buoyancy adjustment in the agitator106.

In this example, the overall density of the agitator106is designed to be suspended or submerged in the body of the liquid such that the agitator106does not float at the surface of the liquid but also does not sink to the closed bottom112of the container102. In this example, the relative weight of the top and bottom propellers210and212of the agitator106may be the same and the rod214is of sufficient length relative to the diameter of the container102that prevents the agitator106from tumbling over in the container102.

As explained above, there are other ways to insure the correct orientation of the agitator106so the agitator106does not tumble over in the container102. For example, the bottom propeller212of the agitator106may be made denser than the top propeller210. Thus, the bottom propeller212will be generally oriented under the top propeller210regardless of how the agitator106is moved in the liquid. This may be accomplished by fabrication of the bottom propeller212with a denser material in the bottom hub242than the top hub222of the top propeller210. Alternatively, the propeller blades240of the bottom propeller212may be a denser material than the propeller blades220of the top propeller210. Alternatively, the blades240of the bottom propeller212may have a larger surface area than that of the blades220of the top propeller210. Alternatively, the length of the blades220and240may be of sufficient length to be inserted in the container102but prevent the agitator106from tumbling over because of the sidewalls of the container102. The bottom hub242may be fabricated as a solid piece or the spaces between the support vanes250may be filled in order to make the bottom hub242heavier than the top hub222. The top propeller210may also have hollow areas cut into the propeller blades220to make it lighter than the bottom propeller212.

Variations of the dual propeller agitator similar to the agitator106may be used with the container102. For example,FIG. 3Ashows a perspective view of another example dual propeller agitator300having a top propeller310and a bottom propeller312.FIG. 3Bshows a side view of the agitator300andFIG. 3Cshows a top view of the agitator300. The propellers310and312are connected via a rod314. The top propeller310has a series of propeller blades320that are connected to a top cylindrical hub322. The bottom propeller312has a series of propeller blades340that are connected to a bottom cylindrical hub342. The ends of the rod314extend through the propellers310and312and are connected to respective top and bottom spheres330and350. Similar to the dual propeller agitator106described above, the agitator300may be designed to allow vertical orientation when immersed in liquid. For example, the interior of the bottom sphere350is a solid while the top sphere330is hollow, thus facilitating orientation of the agitator300in the liquid. The bottom sphere350allows the agitator300to remain spinning if the sphere350contacts the bottom of the container.

FIG. 4Ashows a perspective view of another example dual propeller agitator400having a top propeller410and a bottom propeller412.FIG. 4Bshows a side view of the agitator400andFIG. 4Cshows a top view of the agitator400. The propellers410and412are connected via a rod414. The top propeller410has a series of propeller blades420that are connected to a top cylindrical hub422. The bottom propeller412has a series of propeller blades440that are connected to a bottom cylindrical hub442. Similar to the hubs inFIG. 2A-2B, the hubs422and442have an interior surface. Support vanes are mounted between the interior surface of the hubs422and442that connect the exterior walls to a socket. The ends of the rod414are inserted in the sockets of the top and bottom hubs422and442respectively. The closed ends of the top and bottom hubs422and442are connected to respective top and bottom spheres430and450. Similar to the agitator106described above, the agitator400may be designed to allow vertical orientation when immersed in liquid. For example, the interior of the bottom sphere450is a solid while the top sphere430is hollow, thus facilitating orientation of the agitator400in the liquid. The bottom sphere450allows the agitator400to remain spinning if the sphere450contacts the bottom of the container.

FIG. 5Ashows a perspective view of another example dual propeller agitator500having a top propeller510and a bottom propeller512.FIG. 5Bshows a side view of the agitator500andFIG. 5Cshows a top view of the agitator500. The propellers510and512are connected via a rod514. The top propeller510has a series of propeller blades520that are connected to a cylindrical hub522. The bottom propeller512has a series of propeller blades540that are connected to a cylindrical hub542. Similar to the hubs inFIG. 2A-2B, the hubs522and542have an interior surface having support vanes that connect the exterior walls to a socket. The ends of the rod514are inserted in the sockets of the top and bottom hubs522and542respectively. The ends of the rod514extend from the hubs522and542to respective top and bottom needle shaped ends530and550. Similar to the agitator106described above, the agitator500may be designed to allow vertical orientation when immersed in liquid. The bottom end550allows the agitator500to remain spinning if the tip of the needle end550contacts the bottom of the container.

FIG. 6Ashows a perspective view of another example dual propeller agitator600having a top propeller610and a bottom propeller612.FIG. 6Bshows a side view of the agitator600andFIG. 6Cshows a bottom view of the agitator600. The propellers610and612are connected via a rod614. The top propeller610has a series of propeller blades620that are connected to a top cylindrical hub622. The bottom propeller612has a series of propeller blades640that are connected to a bottom cylindrical hub642. Similar to the hubs inFIG. 2A-2B, the hubs622and642have an interior surface having support vanes that connect the exterior walls to a socket. One end of the rod614is inserted through the socket of the top hub622and a tip630extends from the top propeller610. The other end of the rod614extends through the socket of the bottom hub642and is attached to lateral arms644. The lateral arms644extend perpendicular to the rod614and are attached to a ring650. The ring650has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the propeller blades640. Similar to the agitator106described above, the agitator600may be designed to allow vertical orientation when immersed in liquid. The ring650is of a sufficient diameter to prevent the agitator600from being tipped over in the liquid container. The ring650is also used to adjust the center of gravity of the agitator600to allow vertical orientation.

FIG. 7Ashows a perspective view of another example two propeller agitator700having a top propeller710and a bottom propeller712.FIG. 7Bshows a side view of the agitator700andFIG. 7Cshows a top view of the agitator700. The propellers710and712are connected via a rod714. The top propeller710has a series of propeller blades720that are connected to a top cylindrical hub722. The bottom propeller712has a series of propeller blades740that are connected to a bottom cylindrical hub742. Similar to the hubs inFIG. 2A-2B, the hubs722and742have an interior surface having support vanes that connect the exterior walls to a socket. The ends of the rod714are inserted through the sockets of the top and bottom hubs722and742respectively. The top end of the rod714is connected to lateral support arms724that support a ring730that has a diameter roughly the same as the propeller blades720. The bottom end of the rod714is connected to lateral support arms744that support a ring750having a diameter roughly the same as the propeller blades740. Similar to the agitator106described above, the agitator700may be designed to allow vertical orientation when immersed in liquid. In this example, the bottom ring750is solid throughout while the top ring730is hollow to adjust the buoyancy and gravity of the agitator700to remain in a vertical orientation when immersed in liquid.

The above described agitators all include propellers having six blades. As explained above, there may be propellers with different numbers of blades and blades of different shapes.FIG. 8Ais an example propeller800that has eight blades802attached to a cylindrical hub804. As may be seen inFIG. 8A, the blades802are shaped differently than the blades of the propellers of the agitators shown inFIGS. 2-7. It is to be understood that there may be any number of differently shaped blades used in any of these examples to cause the agitation of the liquid. The propeller800may be used instead of the propellers of the agitators shown inFIGS. 2-7.FIG. 8Bshows an example dual propeller agitator820similar to the agitator106inFIGS. 2A-2Dwith eight bladed top and bottom propellers.FIG. 8Cshows an example dual propeller agitator830similar to the agitator300inFIGS. 3A-3Ewith eight bladed top and bottom propellers.FIG. 8Dshows an example dual propeller agitator840similar to the agitator400inFIGS. 4A-4Ewith eight bladed top and bottom propellers.FIG. 8Eshows an example dual propeller agitator850similar to the agitator500inFIGS. 5A-5Cwith eight bladed top and bottom propellers.FIG. 8Fshows an example dual propeller agitator860similar to the agitator600inFIGS. 6A-6Cwith eight bladed top and bottom propellers.FIG. 8Gshows an example dual propeller agitator870similar to the agitator700inFIGS. 7A-7Cwith eight bladed top and bottom propellers. The shapes of the blades may also be constructed to be contained in a turbine structure for each of the example agitators.

FIG. 9Ais an exploded perspective view of a liquid container assembly900that includes a liquid container902, a lid904, and an example single propeller agitator906.FIG. 9Bis a perspective view of the agitator906inserted in the sealed liquid container902, andFIG. 9Cis a side view of the agitator906inserted in the sealed liquid container902. The liquid container902in this example is cylindrical in shape having an outer surface910, a closed bottom912, and an interior compartment914. The interior compartment914is accessible via an open end916. The open end916is defined by a collar918that includes exterior threads. The lid904includes interior threads that mate with the exterior threads when the lid904is attached to the liquid container902.

Liquid is poured into the container902through the open end916. Additives such as powders may also be added to the liquid. The container902is sealed through attachment of the lid904. In the operation of the example agitator906inFIG. 9, the user shakes the liquid container902along a vertical axis920inFIG. 9C. The agitator906moves vertically inside the container902and spins, thereby agitating the liquid in the container902. The agitator906allows the mixing of the liquid with the powder or other types of additives with the liquid.

FIG. 9Dshows a top perspective view of the agitator906.FIG. 9Eshows a bottom perspective view of the agitator906,FIG. 9Fshows a side view of the agitator906, andFIG. 9Gshows a top view of the agitator906. The agitator906includes a single propeller922that has a cylindrical hub924with a series of propeller blades926extending from the cylindrical hub924. Top and bottom spheres930and940are installed on the top and bottom of the cylindrical hub924. Similar to the agitator106described above, the agitator906may be designed to allow vertical orientation when immersed in liquid. For example, the interior of the bottom sphere940is a solid while the top sphere930is hollow, thus facilitating orientation of the agitator906in the liquid. The bottom sphere940allows the agitator906to remain spinning if the sphere940contacts the bottom of the container902.

FIG. 10Ais a perspective top view of another example agitator1000,FIG. 10Bis a perspective bottom view of the example agitator1000,FIG. 10Cis a side view of the example agitator1000,FIG. 10Dis a top view of the example agitator1000, andFIG. 10Eis a bottom view of the agitator1000. The agitator1000includes a spherical body1010. A series of four blades1020,1022,1024, and1026are attached circumferentially on the spherical body1010. The blades1020,1022,1024, and1026are roughly rectangular in shape and mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal plane in order to provide area for contact with liquid to rotate the agitator1000. The spherical body1010is mounted on a cylindrical base member1030. The agitator1000may be weighted so the cylindrical base member1030is always oriented at the bottom of a container. The spherical body1010may have a designated mass that allows it to be suspended when immersed in the liquid in the container. The height and the diameter of the body1010make it possible to use the side wall of the container to prevent the agitator1000from being turned upside down. As will be explained below, the body1010may have other shapes for aesthetic purposes. The body1010could be used to adjust the buoyancy and gravity, such as by having an upper part with lower density and a bottom part that has higher density.

FIG. 10Fis a perspective bottom view of another example agitator1050with modified blades. The agitator1050includes a spherical body1052. A series of four blades1060,1062,1064, and1066are attached circumferentially on the spherical body1052. The blades1060,1062,1064, and1066are roughly rectangular in shape and mounted at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. Each of the blades1060,1062,1064, and1066has a number of holes1070. The holes1070divert the liquid through the holes1070to assist in the agitation of the liquid. The holes1070also allow adjustment of the force to spin the agitator1050and therefore the spinning behavior of the agitator1050.

Different numbers of propellers may be used rather that than the two propeller arrangement in the agitators shown inFIGS. 2-7.FIG. 11Ais a perspective view of a three propeller agitator1100.FIG. 11Bis a side view of the three propeller agitator1100. The agitator1100includes a top propeller1110, a middle propeller1112, and a bottom propeller1114. The propellers1110,1112, and1114are attached to a rod1116. The top propeller1110includes a number of angled blades1120extending from a semi-spherical top hub1122. The top hub1122includes a socket for receiving one end of the rod1116. The middle propeller1112includes a number of angled blades1130extending from a middle cylindrical hub1132. The rod1116extends through the middle cylindrical hub1132. The bottom propeller1114includes a number of angled blades1140extending from a bottom semi-spherical hub1142. The bottom hub1142receives the other end of the rod1116.

When the agitator1100is inserted in the liquid in a container such as the container102inFIG. 1and shaken, the motion of the liquid impacts the blades1120,1130, and1140causing the propellers1110,1112, and1114to spin relative to the liquid around an axis parallel to the rod1116. In this manner, the liquid and any additives are agitated and mixed. The semi-spherical end of the bottom hub1142allows the agitator1110to continue spinning longer if it contacts the closed bottom end of the container. In this example, the propellers1110,1112, and1114have six blades1120,1130, and1140respectively. The blades in this example are roughly triangular in shape. Of course different numbers of blades may be used. In addition, the propellers1110,1112, and1114may have the same or different numbers of blades. The shapes of the blades1120,1130, and1140may also be of different shapes to provide maximum contact with the liquid. As with the previous examples, the agitator1100may be designed to be vertically orientated when immersed in liquid so the top propeller1110is at the top and the bottom propeller1114is at the bottom. In this example, the top hub1122is hollow while the bottom hub1142is solid to facilitate this orientation.

Other examples of agitators with three propellers are shown inFIGS. 11C-11G.FIG. 11Cis a perspective view andFIG. 11Dis a side view of an example three propeller agitator1160that has spheres mounted at the top and the bottom of the agitator1160similar to the agitator300shown inFIG. 3A-3C.FIG. 11Eis a perspective view andFIG. 11Fis a side view of an example three propeller agitator1170that has spheres mounted in contact with the top and the bottom propellers similar to the agitator400shown inFIG. 4A-4C.FIG. 11Gis a perspective view of a three propeller agitator1180that has propellers with eight blades similar to the agitator1160inFIG. 11C.

Still other examples of agitators with three propellers are shown inFIGS. 12A-12G.FIG. 12Ais a perspective view andFIG. 12Bis a side view of an example three propeller agitator1200that has the ends of the rod extending from the top and bottom propellers similar to the agitator500shown inFIG. 5A-5C.FIG. 12Cis a perspective view andFIG. 12Dis a side view of an example three propeller agitator1210that has a ring mounted at the bottom of the agitator1210similar to the agitator600shown inFIG. 6A-6C.FIG. 12Eis a perspective view andFIG. 12Fis a side view of an example three propeller agitator1220that includes rings mounted outside of the top and the bottom propellers similar to the agitator700shown inFIG. 7A-7C.FIG. 12Gis a perspective view of a three propeller agitator1230that has propellers with eight blades similar to the agitator1210inFIG. 12C.

Another example of a propeller based agitator may be an agitator with a single propeller.FIG. 13Ais a perspective view andFIG. 13Bis a side view of one example of a single propeller agitator1300. The single propeller agitator1300includes spheres on the top and the bottom ends of a rod similar to the dual propeller agitator300shown inFIGS. 3A-3E.FIG. 13Cis a perspective view andFIG. 13Dis a side view of an example single propeller agitator1320that has a ring mounted at the bottom of the agitator1320similar to the dual propeller agitator600shown inFIG. 6A-6C.FIG. 13Eis a perspective view andFIG. 13Fis a side view of an example single propeller agitator1330that includes rings mounted outside of the propeller similar to the dual propeller agitator700shown inFIG. 7A-7C.FIG. 13Gis a perspective view of a single propeller agitator1340that has eight blades in an arrangement similar to the six bladed propeller of the agitator1310inFIG. 13C.FIG. 13His a perspective view of a single propeller agitator1350that has eight blades in an arrangement similar to the six bladed propeller of the agitator906inFIGS. 13D-13F.

FIG. 14Ais an exploded perspective view of a liquid container assembly1400that includes a liquid container1402, a lid1404, and another example single propeller agitator1406.FIG. 14Bis a perspective view of the agitator1406inserted in the sealed liquid container1402andFIG. 14Cis a side view of the agitator1406inserted in the sealed liquid container1402. The liquid container1402in this example is cylindrical in shape having an outer surface1410, a closed bottom1412, and an interior compartment1414. The interior compartment1414is accessible via an open end1416. The open end1416is defined by a collar1418that includes exterior threads. The lid1404includes interior threads that mate with the exterior threads when the lid1404is attached to the liquid container1402.

Liquid is poured into the container1402through the open end1416. Additives such as powders may also be added to the liquid. The container1402is sealed through attachment of the lid1404. In the operation of the example agitator1406inFIG. 14A-14C, the user shakes the liquid container1402along a vertical axis1420inFIG. 14C. The agitator1406moves vertically inside the container1402and spins, thereby agitating the liquid in the container1402. The agitator1406allows the mixing of the liquid with the powder or other types of additives with the liquid.

FIG. 14Dshows a top perspective view of the agitator1406andFIG. 14Eshows a side view of the agitator1406. The agitator1406includes a single propeller1420, a rod1422, and a float element such as a top sphere1424. The propeller1420is oriented opposite the top sphere1424. The propeller1420includes a cylindrical body1432that supports angled propeller blades1430. The cylindrical body1432includes an open end1436and an opposite closed semi-spherical end1438. The propeller blades1430are angled relative to the rod1422in order to contact the liquid propelled by the up and down motion of shaking the container1402. A series of support vanes1440extend from the interior of the top cylindrical body1432to support a cylindrical socket1442extending from the interior of the closed end1438. The cylindrical socket1442is connected to one end of the rod1422.

The agitator1406may be designed to allow vertical orientation of the sphere1424above the propeller1420when immersed in liquid. For example, the propeller1420may have greater mass than the sphere1424, thus facilitating orientation of the agitator1406in the liquid. The closed spherical end1438allows the agitator1406to remain spinning if the end1438contacts the bottom of the container1402. In this example, the float element may have another shape, other than the sphere1424, that functions to allow vertical orientation of the float element above the propeller1420when immersed in liquid. In addition, the rod1422may be of sufficient length relative to the diameter of the container1402to prevent the agitator1406from turning over.

As explained above, a weight mechanism may be applied to the example propeller agitators to adjust the centroid of the agitator to balance and stabilize it and enable the propeller to “stand” in the liquid within the container. In this example, the propeller would be oriented above the weight mechanism. A buoyancy mechanism such as a float element may be applied to the example propeller agitators to adjust the centroid of the agitator to balance stabilize it and enable the propeller to be oriented relative to the liquid within a container. One example of this is the sphere1424shown inFIG. 14A-14E.

One or more circular wires may be added to connect the edge of the propeller blades to enhance the propeller structure and enable the propeller to be oriented in a certain position relative to the liquid. The wire or any other parts to make the agitator wider or longer use the side wall to prevent the agitator from being turned upside down. The wire is thus attached to an outer edge of each of the plurality of blades and the wire defines a perimeter of a circle. The angle that the propeller blades are mounted relative to the mounting hubs may be adjusted for different agitation effects.

The above described agitators may be altered for other stirring mechanisms. For example all of the above described propeller agitators may be connected to a long rod for hand blending or mixing of the liquid inside a container by moving the propeller up and down and/or spin. Alternatively, the propeller agitators may be connected to a long rod that is driven by an electric motor for blending or mixing of the liquid inside the container by rotating the rod and thereby the propeller or propellers to agitate the liquid.

FIG. 15is a side view of a liquid container assembly1500that includes a liquid container1502, a lid1504, and another example agitator1506. The liquid container1502in this example is cylindrical in shape having an outer surface1510, a closed bottom1512, and an interior compartment1514. The interior compartment1514is accessible via an open end1516. In this example, the liquid container1502may be a water bottle that holds water or other liquids. The open end1516is defined by a collar1518that includes exterior threads1520. The lid1504includes interior threads that mate with the exterior threads1520of the collar1518to seal the container1502. The agitator1506is physically independent from the liquid container1502and therefore none of the component parts of the agitator1506are attached to the liquid container1502. Thus, the agitator1506may move freely in relation to the liquid container1502when it is inserted in liquid contained by the liquid container1502.

The liquid container1502in this example is cylindrical and has a central vertical axis1540. The closed bottom1512is generally flat, allowing the liquid container1502to be rested on any flat surface. However, although the liquid container1502is cylindrical in this example, it may be any shape that allows convenient retention of a volume of liquid. Further, there may be any number of mechanisms to attach the lid1504to the container1502to create a water-tight seal.

Liquid is poured into the container1502through the open end1516. Additives such as powders may also be added to the liquid from the open end1516. Alternatively, additives may be added to the container1502before the liquid is poured into the container1502. The container1502is sealed through attachment of the lid1504on the collar5118. The container5102may be composed of any water-proof material such as plastic, ceramic, glass, or metal.

In the operation of the example agitator1506inFIG. 15, the user shakes the liquid container1502. The agitator1506moves vertically inside the container1502roughly along a vertical axis1540when the container102is held substantially upright and spins from the impact of the liquid on the blades thereby agitating the liquid in the container1502. The agitator1506allows the mixing of the liquid with the powder or other types of additives through agitation of the liquid and the additives. The agitator1506may be fabricated with suitable materials such as plastics, metals, composites, woods, rubber, or silicone.

FIGS. 16A-16Gare different views of the triple bladed agitator1506inFIG. 15.FIG. 16Ais a perspective view of the triple bladed agitator shown inFIG. 15.FIG. 16Bis a side view of the triple bladed agitator1506.FIG. 16Cis a cutaway side view along line16C-16C′ in the triple bladed agitator1506inFIG. 16B.FIG. 16Dis a top perspective view of the agitator1506inFIG. 16A.FIG. 16Eis a bottom perspective view of the agitator1506inFIG. 16A.FIG. 16Fis a top view of the agitator inFIG. 16A.FIG. 16Gis a bottom view of the agitator inFIG. 16A.

The agitator1506includes a cylindrical main body1600. The main body1600supports three blades1610,1612, and1614. The blades1610,1612, and1614are identical in shape in this example. In this example, the blades1610,1612, and1614are spaced equally radially from each other on the cylindrical main body1600. In the following figures, each of the blades have identical components that will be described in reference to the blade1610.

As shown inFIG. 16B, each of the blades such as the blade1610have a triangular cross-sectional shaped outer edge1620. Each blade, such as the blade1610, has two opposite sides1622and1624. The blade1610includes an inner proximal end1626that is attached to the main body1600. One of the sides1622is largely flat and defines one of the sides of the triangular shaped outer edge1620. The other side1624is formed by two sloped surfaces1630and1632that each define the other two sides of the triangular shaped outer edge1620. The surface of the outer edge1620is composed of two sloped surfaces1634and1636that are joined.

Each blade such as the blade1610has a two section top section having a distal portion1640, and a proximal portion1642that defines an angle projecting from the surface of the central cylinder1600. The proximal portion1642is also located at an angle from one end of the distal portion1640. The other end of the distal portion1640is joined to the outer edge1620. Each blade such as the blade1610has two-piece bottom section having a distal portion1644and a proximal portion1646that defines an angle projecting from the surface of the central cylinder1600. The proximal portion1646is also located at an angle from one end of the distal portion1644. The other end of the distal portions1644is joined to the outer edge1620. In this example, the top section and the bottom section of the blade1610are symmetrical.

The cylindrical central body1600includes a cylindrical outer surface1650. The central body1600includes a closed end1652and an opposite open end1654. An inner surface1656is accessible from the open end1654.