Mixing assembly for mixing a product

A mixing assembly includes a container having a wall that defines an interior chamber within which a product to be mixed is received. A mixing structure is received within the interior chamber and mixes the product. The mixing structure has a body portion that extends along a body axis between a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion. The first end of the body portion has a first cross-sectional size. The second end of the body has a second cross-sectional size that is larger than the first cross-sectional size. The body portion has a wall that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. The wall defines a channel that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant application is directed towards a mixing assembly. For example, the instant application is directed towards a mixing assembly for mixing a product.

BACKGROUND

Mixing assemblies may be used to mix a product. A mixing assembly may be used, for example, to mix a heterogeneous product into a homogeneous product.

SUMMARY

In an example, a mixing assembly comprises a container having a wall that defines an interior chamber within which a product to be mixed is received. The mixing assembly comprises a mixing structure configured to be received within the interior chamber and mix the product. The mixing structure has a body portion that extends along a body axis between a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion. The first end of the body portion has a first cross-sectional size. The second end of the body has a second cross-sectional size that is larger than the first cross-sectional size. The body portion has a wall that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. The wall defines a channel that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. The wall has a wall length, along a wall axis that is substantially parallel to the body axis, between a first edge of the wall and a second edge of the wall. The channel has a channel length, along a channel axis that is substantially parallel to the body axis, between the first edge of the wall and a third edge of the wall, the wall length larger than the channel length.

In an example, a mixing assembly comprises a container having a wall that defines an interior chamber within which a product to be mixed is received. A mixing structure is configured to be received within the interior chamber and mix the product. The mixing structure is movable within the container with respect to the wall. The mixing structure has a body portion that extends along a body axis between a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion. The first end of the body portion has a first cross-sectional size. The second end of the body has a second cross-sectional size that is larger than the first cross-sectional size. The body portion has a wall that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. The wall defines a channel that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. The product flows through the channel to mix the product as the mixing structure moves within the container.

In an example, a mixing assembly comprises a container having a wall that defines an interior chamber within which a product to be mixed is received. A mixing structure is configured to be received within the interior chamber and mix the product. The mixing structure has a body portion that extends along a body axis between a first end of the body portion and a second end of the body portion. The first end of the body portion has a first cross-sectional size. The second end of the body has a second cross-sectional size that is larger than the first cross-sectional size. The body portion has a wall that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. The wall defines a channel that extends helically about the body axis between the first end and the second end. A transverse axis that perpendicularly intersects the body axis does not intersect the channel at opposing sides of the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, an example mixing assembly100is illustrated. The mixing assembly100can be used to assist in mixing a heterogeneous product into a substantially homogeneous product. For example, the mixing assembly100may contain a substantially heterogeneous, unmixed product comprising a liquid (e.g., water, milk, juice, etc.) and a non-liquid (e.g., a powder, a protein powder, a dietary supplement, etc.). The mixing assembly100can assist in mixing the liquid and the non-liquid so as to form a substantially homogeneous mixture.

The mixing assembly100may comprise a container102. The container102has a wall104that defines an interior chamber106within which a product (e.g., a liquid (e.g., water, milk, juice, etc.) and a non-liquid (e.g., a powder, a protein powder, a dietary supplement, etc.)) to be mixed is received. In an example, the mixing assembly100can be shaken by a user to assist in the mixing. The container102comprises any number of resilient, non-flexible materials, that are resistant to corrosion, breakage, fracturing, leakage, etc. For example, the container102may comprise plastics, composite materials, or the like.

The mixing assembly100may comprise a cover110. The cover110can selectively shield an opening defined by the wall104of the container102. In an example, the cover110may comprise a removable cap that can be selectively attached to the container102or removed from the container102. In the illustrated example, the cover110has a cap112. The cap112can selectively cover an opening defined within the cover110. The cap112can be attached in any number of ways to the cover110, such as by a hinge, or the like. In some examples, a holder114can be provided in attachment to the container102. The holder114comprises a loop defining an opening that facilitates holding of the mixing assembly100by the user.

Referring toFIG. 3, an example of a mixing structure300is illustrated. The mixing structure300is configured to be received within the interior chamber106of the container102and mix the product. In an example, the mixing structure300is movable within the interior chamber106of the container102with respect to the wall104. The mixing structure300can move freely within the interior chamber106. As such, when the mixing assembly100is moved, shook, rotated, etc. by a user, the mixing structure300can cause a vortex flow of the product within the container102, thus facilitating mixing of the product.

The mixing structure300can comprise a body portion302. The body portion302has a substantially conical shape. While the body portion302may comprise any number of different materials, in an example, the body portion302may comprise a plastic material, a composite material, etc. The body portion302is substantially rigid so as to reduce the likelihood of deformation, bending, etc. when the body portion302is moved within the container102and makes contact with the wall104of the container102.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the mixing structure300is further illustrated. In this example, the body portion302can extend along a body axis400between a first end402of the body portion302and a second end404of the body portion302. The body portion302extends concentrically about the body axis400, such that the body axis400extends through a center of the body portion302between the first end402and the second end404of the body portion302.

The mixing structure300can have a varying cross-sectional size along the body axis400. For example, the first end402of the body portion302can have a first cross-sectional size406. The second end404of the body portion302can have a second cross-sectional size408. In an example, the second cross-sectional size408may be larger than the first cross-sectional size406. That is, the body portion302can have a tapered shape along the body axis400, such that the body portion302has an increasing cross-sectional size from the first end402to the second end404.

The second cross-sectional size408may be less than a cross-sectional size of the container102, such that the mixing structure300can be received within the interior chamber106of the container102. In an example, a length of the mixing structure300(e.g., as measured between the first end402and the second end404) can be greater than the cross-sectional size of the container102. As such, when a user inserts the mixing structure300into the interior chamber106, the mixing structure300is limited from being inverted. That is, the mixing structure300may be inserted such that the first end402of the mixing structure300faces a bottom of the container102while the second end404of the mixing structure300may face a top (e.g., an opening and the cover110) of the container102. In such an example, due to the dimensions of the mixing structure300, the relative positions of the first end402and the second end404with respect to the container102may remain in place, despite the container102being moved, shaken, rotated, etc. Accordingly, in the previous example, when the container102is moved, shaken, rotated, etc., the first end402of the mixing structure300may remain facing the bottom of the container102while the second end404of the mixing structure300may remain facing the top of the container102.

In the illustrated example, the first end402of the body portion302can define a substantially conically shaped tip410. The tip410can be substantially solid and may be free of voids, openings, channels, etc. The tip410may have a rounded end, such that the tip410can access corners of the container102. In this way, the tip410can function to remove non-liquid portions of the product from the corners of the container102and improve mixing of the product. The mixing structure300can be oriented such that the first end402of the body portion302faces a bottom of the container102(e.g., opposite the opening and the cover110at the top). Such an orientation allows for the tip410to engage and contact the lower corners of the container102, such that the tip410can remove non-liquid portions of the product that adhere to, are stuck within, etc. the lower corners of the container102.

The body portion302comprises a wall420that extends helically about the body axis400between the first end402and the second end404. In this example, the wall420can define a channel422(e.g., an opening, a void, etc.) that extends helically about the body axis400between the first end402and the second end404. By extending helically, the wall420and the channel422can have a first cross-sectional size at a first location (e.g., adjacent to the first end402), and a second cross-sectional size at a second location (e.g., adjacent to the second end404). The first cross-sectional size may be less than the second cross-sectional size. The wall420and the channel422can extend and/or wrap around the body axis400with a constantly increasing cross-sectional size from the first end402towards the second end404.

The wall420can have a wall length424, along a wall axis426that is substantially parallel to the body axis400, between a first edge430of the wall420and a second edge432of the wall420. In an example, the channel422can have a channel length434, along a channel axis436that is substantially parallel to the body axis400and/or the wall axis426, between the first edge430of the wall420and a third edge442of the wall420. In an example, the first edge430and the second edge432define opposing edges of the wall at a location along the wall axis426. The first edge430and the third edge442can define opposing edges of the channel422at a location along the channel axis436. In this example, there may not be a portion of the wall located between the first edge430and the third edge442, such that the first edge430and the third edge442are separated from each other by the channel422.

In an example, the wall length424of the wall420may be larger than the channel length434of the channel422. That is, as measured along the wall axis426, the wall420can have a length (e.g., the wall length424) that is larger than a length (e.g., the channel length434) of the channel422, as measured along the channel axis436. In an example, the wall length424may be substantially constant between the first end402and the second end404. Likewise, in an example, the channel length434may be substantially constant between the first end402and the second end404. In other examples, the dimensions of the wall420and/or the channel422are not so limited. For example, the wall420can have a non-constant wall length424between the first end402and the second end404, such that the wall420can have an increasing, a decreasing, etc. wall length424. Likewise, in an example, the channel422can have a non-constant channel length434between the first end402and the second end404, such that the channel422can have an increasing, a decreasing, etc. channel length434.

In an example, the surface area of an exterior surface of the body portion302(e.g., of the solid portions) can comprise at least about 50% of a total possible surface area of the body portion302(e.g., the solid portions and the channels422). The surface area may be represented as:
A=πr(r+√{square root over ((h2+r2))}

In the above equation, the surface area is defined by the variable A. The radius of the second end404of the body portion302is defined by r. The length (e.g., or height) of the body portion302between the first end402and the second end404is defined by h. In the illustrated example, the radius (r) is identified with reference number427. The length of the body portion302(h) is defined with the reference number428.

In an example, a surface area of the channel422as defined between the wall420may be less than about 50% of a total possible possible surface area of the body portion302(e.g., the solid portions and the channels422). In such an example, the surface area of an exterior surface of the body portion302(e.g., of the solid portions) may be larger than the surface area of the channel422as defined between the wall420. In another example, the surface area of an exterior surface of the body portion302(e.g., of the solid portions) can comprise at least about 60% of a total possible surface area of the body portion302(e.g., the solid portions and the channels422).

In this way, the body portion302of the mixing structure300may be substantially solid but for the channel422. As a result, mixing of the product is improved. For example, the product may contact the wall420and/or other solid portions of the body portion302, with a reduced likelihood of the product passing through the channel422without contact the wall420.

The channel422can extend between a first channel end450and a second channel end452. In an example, the first channel end450of the channel422may be spaced a first channel distance454from the first end402of the body portion302. The first channel distance454may be substantially equal to the channel length434. In an example, the second channel end452of the channel422may be spaced a second channel distance456from the second end404of the body portion302. The second channel distance456may be less than the channel length434of the channel422.

In an example, the first channel end450of the channel422may be axially offset from the second channel end452of the channel422. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, an axis may intersect the first channel end450, with the axis extending substantially parallel to the body axis400. In such an example, the axis may not intersect the second channel end452. Rather, the second channel end452may be offset from the first channel end450, such that the first channel end450and the second channel end452do not lie in an axis that is substantially parallel to the body axis400. This offset of the first channel end450and the second channel end452can assist in mixing the product.

An angle460can be defined between a first side462of the body portion302and a second side464of the body portion302that is opposite the first side462. In an example, the angle460may be between about 15 degrees to about 45 degrees. The angle460allows for the mixing structure300to access corners of the container102, such that the tip410can function to remove the non-liquid portions of the product.

In an example, the body portion302can define a substantially planar outer surface466between the first end402and the second end404. The outer surface466can comprise the first side462, the second side464, etc. By being substantially planar, the outer surface466can assist in mixing the product by contact and scraping an interior surface of the wall104of the container102. As an example, the tip410of the body portion302can contact and/or scrape against a corner of the container102. Concurrently, the outer surface466can contact the wall104of the container102. The outer surface466may be substantially parallel to and in contact with the wall104. As such, the mixing structure300can move in flush contact with the wall104as the container102is moved, shaken, rotated, etc. In such an example, the mixing structure300can function to remove non-liquid portions of the product (e.g., powder, etc.) from the wall104, such as by scraping the wall104.

The body portion302may comprise a second end base470located at the second end404of the body portion302. The second end base470can define a solid area of the body portion302between the channel422and the second end404. The second end base470can have a second base length472as measured from the second end404. The second base length472can be measured along a second base axis476that extends between the first end402and the second end404, with the second base axis476substantially parallel to the body axis400. In this example, the second base length472may be larger than the wall length424. Similarly, in this example, the second base length472may be larger than the channel length434. In the illustrated example, the second base length472may be larger than a sum of the wall length424and the channel length434.

At another circumferential location, the second end base470can have a third base length478as measured from the second end404. The third base length478can be measured along a third base axis480that extends between the first end402and the second end404, with the third base axis480substantially parallel to the body axis400. In this example, the third base length478may be less than the wall length424. In this example, the third base length478may be less than the channel length434. In the illustrated example, the third base length478may be less than the second base length472.

The second end base470can assist in mixing the product within the container102. For example, the second end base470has the non-constant base length (e.g., the second base length472, the third base length478, etc.) at different circumferential locations about the second end404of the body portion302. As the mixing structure300is rotated, product can contact the second end base470and pass through the channel422at the second channel end452.

Turning toFIG. 6, a bottom of the mixing assembly100is illustrated. In this example, the mixing structure300can be received within the interior chamber106of the container102. The mixing structure300may be freely movable within the interior chamber106. As such, a user can move the container102, such as by rotating, shaking, etc. the container102. As the user moves/rotates/shakes the container102, the conically shaped tip410may engage corners of the container102. This engagement can reduce the likelihood of product settling in the corners and not mixing. Instead, the conically shaped tip410can cause the product in the corners of the container102to be mixed/blended.

In addition, the outer surface466of the mixing structure300is substantially planar, such that the outer surface466can be substantially flush with and in contact with the wall104of the container102. As the user moves/rotates/shakes the container102, the outer surface466can contact/engage the wall104of the container. This engagement can reduce the likelihood of product adhering to the wall104and not mixing properly. Instead, the outer surface466can function to remove at least some of the product that adheres to the wall104, thus facilitating mixing of the product.

The structure of the mixing structure300can allow for some of the product to flow through the channel422. As the product flows through the channel422, the product is mixed. In addition, the mixing structure300can rotate within the interior chamber106of the container102. This rotation can cause a vortex, in which the product rotates about an axis. The formation of the vortex by the mixing structure300can further cause mixing of the product. As such, due to the mixing assembly100being moved/shaken/rotated, the mixing structure300can cause the product located within the interior chamber106to be mixed from a heterogeneous composition to a homogeneous composition.

Many modifications may be made to the instant disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter. Unless specified otherwise, “first,” “second,” or the like are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first location and a second location correspond to location A and location B or two different or two identical locations or the same location.

Moreover, “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, illustration, etc., and not necessarily as advantageous. As used in this application, “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. In addition, “a” and “an” as used in this application are to be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Also, at least one of A and B or the like means A or B or both A and B. Furthermore, to the extent that “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to “comprising”.