A power-operated salt pellet mixing device includes a hand-operable power tool provided with a first elongated shank. A second elongated shank is spaced from the first shank. The device further includes a coupling threadably attachable to the first shank and the second shank respectively such that the first and second shank can be rotated in sync. An agitator head is removably secured to the second shank and is rotatable in alternating directions. Such an agitator head is engageable with a salt bridge. The agitator head includes a central portion situated orthogonal to the second shank. A plurality of oppositely spaced flange portions are integral with the central portion and extend downwardly therefrom. Such flange portions are disposed orthogonal to the central portion and parallel to the second shank.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to mixing devices and, more particularly, to a power operated salt pellet mixing device.

2. Prior Art

Domestic water softeners remove hardness from raw water by passing it through a tank containing a liquid treatment medium bed, typically formed of resin beads. A salt solution, that is brine, is passed through the resin bed to restore its softening capacity. The brine is formed in a container that is connected by a liquid flow passage to the tank containing the resin beads. The flow of liquid through the liquid flow passage is regulated by a control valve that is actuated by an electronic regeneration control circuit.

Salt, typically in the form of chunks or pellets, is placed in the container. Under the control of the electronic regeneration control circuit, the control valve allows a predetermined amount of water to enter the container. Provided enough salt is present, the water and salt form a saturated salt solution, or brine, which is the regenerant for the resin bed. Again, under the control of the electronic regeneration control circuit, the control valve is actuated to cause the brine to be withdrawn from the container and circulated through, and thereby regenerate, the resin in the tank.

The amount of salt remaining in the container is reduced each time a portion of the salt is dissolved to form a regenerant. The supply of salt will become exhausted after a number of regeneration cycles, unless additional salt is placed in the container. Such that the salt supply will not become exhausted, it is desirable to provide some type of alarm to indicate that the salt supply is close to being exhausted. Such an alarm may be formed as a part of the electronic regeneration control circuit.

When loosely compacted salt pellets or cube-style salt is used in a resin, it may form tiny crystals of evaporated salt, which are similar to table salt. These crystals may bond, creating a thick mass in the brine tank. This phenomenon, commonly known as ‘mushing’, may interrupt brine production. Brine production is the most important element for refreshing of the resin beads in a water softener. Without brine production, a water softener is not able produce soft water.

Accordingly, a need remains for a power-operable salt pellet mixing device to break masses of salt crystals formed in salt tanks and overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a tool for breaking up crystallized salt in water softeners. Such a tool would be small in size, convenient, efficient and simple to use and includes a drill for easy and powerful operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a power-operable salt pellet mixing device. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a device for penetrating through a salt bridge formed within a water-softening storage tank. Such a device includes a hand-operable power tool provided with a chuck and a first elongated shank having proximal and distal end portions removably securable to the chuck and axially positioned away therefrom respectively. The distal end portion has a threaded outer surface. A second elongated shank is spaced from the first shank and has proximal and distal end portions axially aligned with the first shank respectively. The proximal and distal end portions of the second shank each have a threaded outer surface.

The device further includes a coupling having a hollow threaded core and axially opposed end portions threadably attachable to the distal end portion of the first shank and the proximal end portion of the second shank respectively such that the first and second shank can be rotated in sync during operating conditions. An agitator head is removably secured to the distal end portion of the second shank and is rotatable in alternating directions. Such an agitator head is engageable with the salt bridge for causing salt particulates to separate and scatter from a humidified solid state.

The device preferably further includes a pair of nuts and a pair of washers sandwiched therebetween respectively. The nuts are threadably secured to the distal end portion of the second shank wherein the nuts are oppositely spaced above and below the agitator head and axially aligned with the first and second shanks.

The agitator head preferably includes a central portion situated orthogonal to the second shank and extending outwardly therefrom along a linear plane. A plurality of oppositely spaced flange portions are integral with the central portion and preferably extend downwardly therefrom along linear paths respectively. Such flange portions are disposed orthogonal to the central portion and parallel to the second shank.

The central portion preferably has a longitudinal length greater than a longitudinal length of each of the flange portions. The longitudinal lengths of the flange portions are equal for providing a balanced rotational movement about the second shank. Such flange portions preferably have arcuate bottom end portions provided with equal radii for reducing the likelihood of damaging the salt tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device of this invention is referred to generally inFIGS. 1-3by the reference numeral10and is intended to provide a power-operable salt pellet mixing device. It should be understood that the device10may be used to mix and break-up many different types of organic substances and should not be limited to only salt pellets. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a device10for penetrating through a salt bridge formed within a water-softening storage tank.

Initially referring toFIG. 1, such a device10includes a hand-operable power tool20provided with a chuck21and a first elongated shank22having proximal23and distal24end portions removably securable to the chuck21and axially positioned away therefrom respectively. Such a power tool20enables a user to easily break up masses of crystallized salt without having to bend over the tank, thus straining or overexerting themselves. The distal end portion24has a threaded outer surface25.

A second elongated shank26is spaced from the first shank22and has proximal23A and distal24A end portions axially aligned with the first shank22respectively. The proximal23A and distal24A end portions of the second shank26each have a threaded outer surface27for being easily attached to the coupling28(described herein below). The shanks22,26are preferably formed from steel and aluminum for their strength and durability, but may, of course, be formed from other durable metals. Of course, a single elongated shank may be used in place of the shanks22,26as well known in the industry, however, the use of shanks22,26enables a manufacturer to package and ship the device10in a smaller package, thus saving packaging costs and oversize shipping costs.

Referring toFIG. 2, the device10further includes a coupling28having a hollow threaded core and axially opposed end portions28A,28B threadably attachable to the distal end portion24of the first shank22and the proximal end portion23A of the second shank26respectively such that the first22and second26shank can be rotated in sync during operating conditions. Such a coupling28enables the drill20to rotate the agitator head3Q (described herein below) so that masses of crystallized salt are easily broken up with little effort. An agitator head30is removably secured to the distal end portion24A of the second shank26and is rotatable in alternating directions. Such an agitator head30is engageable with the salt bridge for causing salt particulates to separate and scatter from a humidified solid state.

Referring toFIG. 3, the device10further preferably includes a pair of nuts31and a pair of washers32sandwiched therebetween respectively. The nuts31are threadably secured to the distal end portion24A of the second shank26wherein the nuts31are oppositely spaced above and below the agitator head30and axially aligned with the first22and second26shanks. Advantageously, this allows a user to quickly and easily change the agitator head30should such a need arise.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the agitator head30preferably includes a central portion33situated orthogonal to the second shank26and extending outwardly therefrom along a linear plane. A plurality of oppositely spaced flange portions34are integral with the central portion33and preferably extend downwardly therefrom along linear paths respectively, as best shown inFIG. 1. Such flange portions34are disposed orthogonal to the central portion33and parallel to the second shank26. Advantageously, the flange portions34are effective at breaking up clumps of salt particulates so that “mushing” is kept to a minimum within the tank.

The central portion33has a longitudinal length greater than a longitudinal length of each of the flange portions34. The longitudinal lengths of the flange portions34are equal for providing a balanced rotational movement about the second shank26. Such flange portions34preferably have arcuate bottom end portions35provided with equal radii for reducing the likelihood of damaging the salt tank, as best shown inFIG. 2. Damage to the tank could result in water leakage, thus rendering the tank inoperable.