Method of making mixtures and device for carrying out this method

Abstract: The mixing device (10) for mixing at least two of a plu­ rality of pressurized liquids consists of a hollow tubular member (22) defined as having a longitudinal axis, one or two open ends and an interior wall member, one of the open ends having at least two cut-out portions (28) generally symmetrically disposed about the axis, a segmental slot member (26) generally radially disposed in the hollow tu­ bular member (22) between each of the cut-out portions (28) for receiving a supporting projection (20) in locking en­ gagement therewith, and an envelope (29) mounted on and extending about each of the cut-out portions (28) for re­ ceiving and encompassing a conduit member (44) terminating at and within each of the cut-out portions (28). Each en­ velope (29) being disposed, constructed and arranged for directing one of the plurality of pressurized liquids onto a proximate area of the interior wall means thereof. The wall is cleaned by turning off the fluid flow but the blades (37) continue to be rotationally driven whereby the wall is wiped clean by the blades which push the residue out the tubular members (22).

Description: The invention relates to an improved method of making mixtures of a plurality of pressurized liquids and further to an improved mixing device for carrying out this method. Various prior art mixing devices, and the like, as well as apparatus and method of their construction in general, are found to be known, and exemplary of the U.S. prior art are the following : The U.S. -A- 4.521.544, Richard B. Kennedy, and the cited patent references therein. The U.S. -A- 4.521.544 discloses the manufacture of cellulosic compositions from cellulosic products, such as wet cellulosic products that can be formed into foamed, or rigid non-foamed, compositions, where these cellulosic products or other components thereof were pressurized liquids, the compositions being prepared by mixing the products in a mixing tank of suitable capacity with an electric mixer, and after adequate processing of the mixing stage, the mix is poured into a slab mold or walled cavity. Further the WO-A-87 06852 discloses a mixing device which has the disadvantage, that the mixing effect is not quite satisfying. An object of the invention is to provice a method of making improved mixtures of pressurised liquids, which can be achieved with a method according claim 1. Another object of the invention is a mixer device according claim 5 for carrying out the method according claim 1. These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the process and operation thereof as more fully hereinafter is described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Figure l is a front perspective view of an improved mixing device and illustrating a typical installation of the mixing device according to a preferred embodiment and best mode of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view thereof taken along lines 2-2 of Figure l and embodying the concepts of the invention; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a motor housing and a supporting base assembly of the mixing device; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the hollow tubular member and blade member thereof; Figure 5 is a top or plan view of the blade member; Figure 6 is a side or elevation view of the blade member; Figure 7 is a bottom view of the mixer device base assembly; Figure 8 is a partial sectional view of the mixer device of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a sectional view of a pressurized liquid feed line shown in its closed position; Figure lO is a sectional view of the liquid feed line according Figure 9 shown in its open position; and Figures ll and 12 are cross-sectional views showing another embodiment for closing off the tubes in a clamping arrangement. Referring now to the drawings there is shown in the Figures 1-10 an improved mixing device 10 according to a preferred embodiment and best mode of the present invention, having a motor housing 12 for encapsulating a motor (not shown), a supporting base assembly 14 including a base 16 capable of securable attachment with the motor housing 12, at least two supporting extensions 18, 18 directed downwardly beneath the base 16, and terminating in supporting extensions 20 for contacting and retaining in place a hollow tubular member 22. The hollow tubular member with its inner wall, has open ends. The hollow tubular member 22 has a segmental slot 26 in radial relation to the hollow tubular member 22 for receiving the respective supporting extensions 18, 18 between cut-out portions 28 thereof. The cut-out portions 28 are symmetrically disposed about an axis of the hollow tubular member 22 and receive the supporting extensions 18,18 in locking engaging relation therewith. Within the hollow tubular member 22 is a blade member 30 including a shaft 32 having at one end a groove 34 for snap engagement in conventional fashion with the motor for being driven thereby, and at the other end 36 of the shaft 32 are shown blades 37. The shaft 32 is disposed to extend through aperture 38 of the base 16 to the motor within the motor housing 12. The blades 37 are constructed and arranged to have generally radially and angularly portions 40 extending outwardly of the shaft 32, the blades 37 then bending into portions 42 that progressively converge tangentially toward and upon the inner wall of the hollow tubular member 22, so the blade portion 42 forms a wedge with the inner wall for urging liquids about the area into miscible engagement. The blade portion is in wedge action on rotation of the blade members 30 by only the trailing portion of the blade members 30 and the leading edge thereof is contoured away or bent away from contact with the inner wall of the hollow tubular member 22. The cut-out portions 28 are each covered with an envelope 29 mounted on and extending about each of the cut-out portions 28 for receiving and encompassing conduit 44 terminating at and within each of the envelopes 29, the envelope 29 being disposed, constructed and arranged for directing one of a plurality of pressurized liquids from source (not shown) for passing through the conduit 44 onto a proximate area of the interior wall thereof, and thence upon areas about the wedge formed by the blade portions 42 and the inner wall of the hollow tubular member 22. The envelope 29 may be constructed integrally with the hollow tubular member 22. The conduit 44 at the end proximate the source is thence connected to a flexible tube 48 to conduit 54. Flow of pressurized liquid feed line 60 shown in its closed position in Figure 9 by a handle 66 (Fig. 8) acting through a pivot 68 being raised by an operator to its open position in Figure l0. The closure 62 acts to compress the tube 48 from an open position of Figure lO to its closed position of Figure 9 acting though the pivot 68. The closure 62 held normally closed by a spring 70. In another embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12 the flexible tube 48 has outwardly external ribs 70 and 71 on oppositely disposed sides. Each of the ribs are adapted and constructed to fit into respective receiving notches 72 and 73 disposed on the movable closure 75 and the anvil 74 of the closure 62. In this way the tube 48 is forcibly parted when the closure 62 is opened and does not have to depend on its own internal elasticity. In Figure ll the tube 48 is open and in Figure 12 the tube is driven shut. In use the device of the present invention may be used to fill any of a great number of cavities with foamed material. It has been discovered that it has particular utility in filling a polyethylene bag through a suitable opening, which bag is designed to package a to-be-protected item for subsequent transport. The bottom portion of the bag is first filled to a desired level. Then the item is placed on the foamed material. Thereafter the foamed material is further dispensed thereinto around the item and at the top thereof. The opening of the bag is then sealed and the item is well supported and protected. The apparatus of the improved mixing device 10 of the invention may be so constructed and arranged in its component parts that it may be assembled as a kit or in kit form. A feature of this device is further the possibility to avoid residual build up by ceasing the introduction of any liquids on the interior wall of said hollow tubular means 20 and continuing to rotatable drive said blade means 30 whereby to clean the wall and to push any remainder from the wall.

Claims: A method of making improved mixtures of a plurality of pressurized liquids comprising the steps of directing at least two of a plurality of liquids generally onto an interior wall (20) of a hollow tubular means (22), rotatably driving a plurality of blade means (30) having a portion (42) extending to free ends (37) thereof and having a trailing edge thereof and being mounted on rotating shaft means (32) disposed within the hollow tubular means (22), the blade means (30) being constructed and arranged to have generally radial and angular leading portions (40) extending outwardly of the shaft (32), the blades (30)then being bent into trailing portions (42) that progressively converge tangentially toward and upon the inner wall of the hollow tubular member (22), so these portions (42) form a wedge with the inner wall to effect a wedge action on rotation of the blade means (30) for urging the pressurized liquids being directed upon the wedge area into miscible engagement. A method according to claim l wherein the blade means (30) is driven by an electric motor. A method according to claim l including the additional self-cleaning steps of ceasing the introduction of said plurality of liquids on the interior wall (20) of said hollow tubular means and continuing to rotatably drive said blade means (30) whereby to clean the wall and to push any remainder from the wall. A method according to claim 1 wherein the said liquids produce a foamed material and some of said material is introduced sequentially into a container, followed by inserting into said container an item to be embedded in the container, then followed by further introducing an additional quantity of said foamed material to cover said item. A mixer device for carrying out the method according claim 1 for mixing at least two of a plurality of pressurized liquids comprising hollow tubular means (22) defined as having a longitudinal axis, two open ends and an interior wall, one of the open ends having at least two cut-out portions (28) generally symmetrically disposed about the axis, segmental slot means (26) generally radially disposed in the hollow tubular means (22) between each of the cut-out portions (28) for receiving a supporting projection (20) in locking engagement therewith, and envelope means (29) mounted on and extending about each of the cut-out portions (28) for receiving and encompassing conduit means (44) terminating at and within each of the envelope means (29), the envelope means (29) being disposed, constructed and arranged for directing one of the plurality of pressurized liquids onto a proximate area of the interior wall means thereof, blade means (30) being constructed and arranged to have generally radially and angularly leading portions (40) extending outwardly of the shaft (32), the blades (30) then being bent into trailing portions (42) that progressively converge tangentially toward and upon the inner wall of the hollow tubular member (22), so that these portions (42) form a wedge with the inner wall to effect a wedge action on rotation of the blade means (30) for urging the pressurized liquids into miscible engagement. A mixer device according to claim 5 wherein the envelope means is constructed integrally with the hollow tubular means (22). A mixer device according to any one of the claims 5 or 6 wherein the hollow tubular member (22) is of a plastic material. A mixer device according to any one of the claims 5 to 7 wherein feed lines (60) for the pressurized liquids are provided which are retained normally closed. A mixer device according to any one of the claims 5 to 8 wherein the conduit means (44) includes a flexible member (48) for cooperating with a closure member (62) to cutoff and to open the conduit means (44).

Inventors: KENNEDY RICHARD B, WIDEN JEFFREY, KENNEDY, RICHARD B., WIDEN, JEFFREY
Applicants: TOTAL FOAM INC, TOTAL FOAM, INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B01F3
IPC codes: B01F7