Abstract:
A stirrer for mixing an additive into a liquid has a handle extending upward from a flattened, generally planar mixing element. Although the connection may take other forms, the embodiments shown have the mixing element extending up from the central portion of the mixing element. The handle is connected generally perpendicular to the plane of the mixing element. An alternate embodiment shows the handle connected to the mixing element at an angle of approximately 75 degrees from the plane of the mixing element. The mixing element may be virtually any planar shape, however, a generally round shape is optimal to match most standard drinking glasses.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a stirrer. More particularly it relates to a stirrer for mixing a dry powder into a liquid. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mixing dry ingredients into a liquid may be performed for may reasons. One of the most common is combining an additive to a drink. A dry additive may take the form of a sweetener or creamer for coffee, a natural fiber such as METAMUCIL™ a drink mix such as cocoa or apple cider mix, etc. When mixing in the dry additive, the user generally would like to mix until the combination is fully blended and clump free. However, as we all know from experience, it can be difficult to avoid clumps and lumps when combining a powder with a liquid. 
     Presently, a user typically uses a spoon to measure and then mix in the dry ingredient. Other users may use other stirring implements, such as the cylindrical solid or tubular coffee stirrers. However, these stirring implements are generally not very effective and the mixing process takes too long and/or the dry ingredient is not fully incorporated into the liquid. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a stirrer that can easily and effectively mix an additive or ingredient into a liquid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention takes the form of a stirrer for mixing an additive into a liquid. The stirrer has a handle extending upward from a flattened, generally planar mixing element. Although the connection may take other forms, the embodiments shown have the mixing element extending up from the central portion of the mixing element. The handle is connected generally perpendicular to the plane of the mixing element. An alternate embodiment shows the handle connected to the mixing element at an angle of approximately 75 degrees from the plane of the mixing element. The mixing element may be virtually any planar shape, however, a generally round shape is optimal to match most standard drinking glasses. Other objects and advantages of the invention will no doubt occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the stirrer. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the stirrer. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of the stirrer having a top depression and grooves in the bottom. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the second embodiment of the stirrer. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the stirrer. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the stirrer having a suspension hole. 
     FIG. 7 is an assembled view of the third embodiment of the stirrer. 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the third embodiment of the stirrer. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the stirrer with an oval handle. 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the fourth embodiment. 
     FIG. 11 is side view of a fifth embodiment having a slanted handle. 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of the fifth embodiment. 
     FIGS. 13-17 show alternate configurations of the mixing element. 
     FIG. 18 is a sixth embodiment having a knurled handle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a side view and FIG. 2 a top view of the stirrer  10 . The stirrer  10  has two main parts: a handle  12  and a mixing element  14 . The handle  12  extends upward from a central portion  28  on the top planar surface  22  of the mixing element. In most embodiments, the mixing element  14  is in the form of a round disk. Although other sizes may be used, for most standard drinking glasses, which range from about 2 to 4 inches in diameter, a mixing element  14  with a diameter of approximately 1 to 3¾ inches is preferred, more preferably between 1¼ and 2 inches, most preferably between 1½ and 2¼ inches. The embodiment shown uses a round disk with a diameter of approximately 1¾ inches. The edge  26  of the mixing element  14  may be rounded or slanted towards the top or the bottom of the element  14 . 
     A user may use the mixing element  14  to scoop an amount of a dry ingredient to be added to the liquid and drop the dry ingredient into the liquid in a mixing and/or drinking vessel. The mixing element is then placed into the liquid near the bottom of the vessel and moved vigorously up and down. Optimally, the bottom surface  24  of the mixing element  14  should touch the bottom of the vessel and/or press the dry ingredient against the bottom of the vessel, thereby using the impact to break apart any larger clumps of the dry ingredient. The vigorous mixing action agitates the liquid creating a swirling motion without causing the spill over the rim of the glass, thereby allowing quick, effective mixing of the dry ingredient into the liquid. 
     The design shown also has the advantage of being easily cleaned. All of the surfaces of the stirrer  10  are smooth and without deep cavities or crevasses that could retain food particles. For especially easy cleaning a user may fill the mixing vessel with water (preferably warm and slightly soapy) and performing the same mixing action. Any residue remaining will likely be in suspension at this point and the soapy water and residue may be rinsed off. Now, both the stirrer  10  and the mixing vessel are clean and ready to be used again. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view, FIG. 4 a top view and FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the stirrer  10 . In this embodiment, the top surface  22  of the mixing element  14  has a rim  30  extending around the periphery thereof, thereby creating a depression  16  in the top  22 . The depression  16  may be used to scoop larger quantities of dry ingredient. The second embodiment also has one or more optional grooves  18  in the bottom surface  24  of the mixing element  14 . The grooves  18  are to inhibit any chance of a vacuum forming between the bottom surface  24  of the mixing element  14  and the bottom of the vessel. The groove(s)  18  may be linear and perpendicular to one another, as shown, or form any other configuration, as long as the ends of the groove  18  reach the edge of the mixing element  14 . 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view, FIG. 7 an assembled view and FIG. 8 a top view of a third embodiment of the stirrer  10 . The third embodiment of the stirrer  10  has a hole  20  in the upper end of an alternate handle  12   a . The hole  20  is provided to allow the user to suspend the stirrer  10  from a nail, hook or other projection. In this case, the stirrer  10  is assembled from two separately manufactured pieces: a mixing disk  14   a  and a detachable handle  12   a . The pieces  12   a ,  14   a  may be attached by welding, threading, hot staking, gluing, press-fitting or other suitable mechanical or chemical attachments. Alternately, the stirrer  10  may be formed from a single molded or machined part. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view and FIG. 10 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the stirrer  10 . In the fourth embodiment, the cross section of the handle  12   b  is elongated to form an oval or rectangle or other non-round shape, thereby creating an easily gripped shape. 
     FIG. 11 is side view and FIG. 12 a top view of a fifth embodiment of the stirrer  10 . The handle  12   c  of the fifth embodiment is slanted from vertical with respect to the top planar surface  22  of the mixing disk  14   c . The slanted handle  12   c  may provide a better or more ergonomical grip for moving the stirrer  10  in the up and down motion. The slant of the handle  12   c  may be anywhere from approximately 75 to 90 degrees, preferably between 80 and 90 degrees and more preferably between 85 and 90 degrees. 
     The mixing element may take other forms. For example, FIGS. 13-17 show a few possible alternate configurations of the mixing element  14 . In FIG. 13, the mixing element  14  is oval. FIGS. 14-16 show different sizes of a rounded diamond shape. In FIG. 17, the mixing element  14  is generally round with rounded lobes extending out therefrom. 
     FIG. 18 shows a sixth embodiment of the stirrer  10  having a knurled handle  12   d . The handle  12   d  may have knurls or ridges  34 , as shown, or any other projection extending outward from the surface of the handle  12   d . The projections  34  may also be created by depressions in the surface of the handle  12   d . The projection(s)  34  provide improved traction for the user gripping the handle  12   d , thereby improving the ease of motion when using the device  10 . Alternately, the handle  12   d  could include a coating or be formed of non-slip or slip-resistant material to improve gripping. The sixth embodiment also includes the optional suspension hole  20 . 
     For mixing of food products, the stirrer  10  may be made from any non-toxic, reasonably durable material, such as plastic, metal and wood. If used with non-food items, the stirrer  10  could be created from other materials. 
     Many features have been listed with particular configurations, options, and embodiments. Any one or more of the features described may be added to or combined with any of the other embodiments or other standard devices to create alternate combinations and embodiments. 
     Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only one possible embodiment of the invention. Other embodiments and modifications will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art. For example, although the stirrer  10  is especially well suited for mixing dry ingredients into a liquid, other mixing processes may also benefit from the present invention. For example, mixing of syrups, honey or other thick liquid into water or other beverage may be expedited by mixing with the present invention. In other variations, the handle  12  may be attached to the side  26  or periphery of the mixing element  14  or near the edge  26  of the mixing element. Thus, the examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.