Abstract:
A portable, self-retaining apparatus, system and method for mixing fluids in a container is disclosed. The self-retaining, portable fluid mixing apparatus is capable of being connected to a container and retained thereon without the aid of a user during use. The self-retaining fluid mixing device, system and method of the disclosure may be used in various capacities to mix a wide variety of fluids having a wide variety of viscosities. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to any particular type of fluid or viscosity, but an example of the fluids that may be mixed include flavoring syrups and thickeners used for shaved ice confectioneries. The mixer or apparatus can be quickly attached to and detached from a container without the use of extraneous, cumbersome fasteners. The torque caused by operation of the motor causes the apparatus and system to lock in place during use, such that when the torque is released, the apparatus may be quickly and easily removed from the container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates generally to fluid mixing devices, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to a self-retaining, portable fluid mixing device capable of being connected to a container and retained thereon without the aid of a user. 
     The self-retaining fluid mixing device and method of the disclosure may be used in various capacities to mix a wide variety of fluids having a wide variety of viscosities. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to any particular type of fluid or viscosity. An example of fluids that may be mixed by the self-retaining device of the disclosure include flavoring syrups and thickeners used for shaved ice confectioneries. As disclosed herein below, the mixer or apparatus of the disclosure can be quickly attached to and detached from a container without the use of extraneous, cumbersome fasteners. The torque caused by operation of the motor causes the apparatus and system to lock in place during use, such that when the torque is released, the apparatus may be quickly and easily removed from the container. 
     A variety of machines have been developed, described and are widely known for mixing fluids. However, despite the advantages of such machines, improvements are still being sought. Machines in the marketplace may have limitations such as, cumbersome procedures requiring the user to hold onto or grasp the machine while in use requiring unnecessary human capital to mix the fluids, large machines that are difficult to manually carry or move from one location to another in a timely manner, or because the machine is heavy and unwieldy such that the user may not easily move the machine from one container to another. Such machines tend to cause slowness to the overall operation, which may be disadvantageous in industries where speed is required. For example, slow machines or machines that require large amounts of human capital to operate can reduce the efficiency of a business. In various industries, for example a shaved ice business or any other business in the concessions industry, it is important for the success of that business to move customers through a waiting line quickly to finalize the sale of a confectionary product to customers. In the example of a shaved ice business, the ability to quickly mix flavor syrups on the job site is imperative to the success of a shaved ice concession stand, especially in locations where time is of the essence, for example at a halftime break at a sporting event or other intermission. Otherwise, when mixing flavors or other fluids consumes too much time the business will lose out on the opportunity to make a sale because the break is either over or the customers are tired of waiting in long lines. 
     Machines in the marketplace may thus be characterized by several disadvantages that may be addressed by the disclosure. The disclosure minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein. 
     The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base, or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a self-retaining apparatus and system for mixing fluids in a container made in accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of a mixing paddle used as part of the self-retaining apparatus and system for mixing fluids in a container made in accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of a mixing saddle used as part of the self-retaining apparatus and system for mixing fluids in a container made in accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the mixing saddle seated in the container and that used as part of the self-retaining apparatus and system for mixing fluids in said container made in accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 5-14  illustrate the method of use of an embodiment of the apparatus and system disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed. 
     Before the apparatus, system and methods for mixing fluids in a container are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
     In describing and claiming the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. 
     It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. 
     As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. 
     As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure. 
     As used herein, the term “motor” refers to a power source that imparts torque; or any rotating pneumatic or air motor, which does mechanical work by expanding compressed air; or any electromagnetic device used to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy; whether or not the power source, motor or electromagnetic device is housed within or as part of another device, such as a drill or other mechanical device. 
     As used herein, the term “proximal” shall refer broadly to the concept of a nearest portion. 
     As used herein, the term “distal” shall generally refer to the opposite of proximal, and thus to the concept of a further portion, or a furthest portion, depending upon the context. 
     Referring now to the drawings and specifically to  FIGS. 1-4 , a self-retaining apparatus and system for mixing fluids within a container is illustrated. The self-retaining apparatus  100  for mixing fluids within a container  200  may comprise a frame member  110  and a mixing paddle  120 . As illustrated best in  FIG. 1 , the frame member  110  may be mechanically coupled to a motor  1000  via a fastening member  130  or other coupling device. The mixing paddle  120  may be mechanically coupled to the motor  1000  via a coupling device  1010 . In an embodiment, the motor  1000  may be an electric motor contained in a standard power drill or cordless drill. In an embodiment, the motor  1000  may be any electric motor, including but not limited to a three phase, alternating current, or direct current electric motor. In an embodiment, the motor  1000  may be a pneumatic or air motor. 
     The frame member  110  may comprise a saddle  112  and a securing plate  114  for connecting the frame member  110  to a handle  202  or other portion of the container  200  and retaining the frame member  110  with respect to the container  200  (illustrated best in  FIG. 4 ). The container  200  may be a 5 gallon container that is commonly used in the field of confectionary products, such as shaved ice products to store and dispense flavoring syrups or concentrate. The frame member  110  may further comprise a slot  116  that may be configured and dimensioned to interact with and contact the handle  202  or other portion of the container  200 , to thereby connect and retain the frame member  110  in a definite location with respect to the container  200  without requiring a user to physically hold or otherwise maintain the apparatus  100  in place while the motor  1000  is in use. 
     It will be appreciated that in an embodiment, the slot  116  may be substantially formed in or as part of the securing plate  114  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 . The slot  116  may comprise a sidewall  116   a  that substantially defines the boundary and shape of the slot  116 . When in use, the slot  116  may interact with the handle  202  or other portion of the container  200 , such that when the motor  1000  is actuated or operated, the torque caused by the operation of the motor  1000  forces the sidewall  116   a  defining the slot  116  to move into contact with the handle  202  or other portion of the container  200  to thereby retain the frame member  110  in a certain location without requiring a user to grasp and hold the self-retaining apparatus  100  during use. As noted more fully below, the structure and design of the frame member  110  allows a user to quickly and easily connect and lock the entire device and system, including the frame member  110  and the mixing paddle  120 , to the container  200  or jug and thereafter release and move the entire device and system from one container  200  to another for quick and efficient mixing. 
     The securing plate  114  may comprise a substantially planar first portion or surface  115  that may have an end that forms or defines a top portion of the slot  116  (illustrated best in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The securing plate  114  may further comprise a substantially planar second portion or surface  117 . The second portion or surface  117  may be formed at an angle θ with respect to the first portion or surface  115 , such that the first portion  115  and the second portion  117  are not co-planar. The angle θ formed between the first portion  115  and the second portion  117  may fall within a range of about ten degrees and about thirty degrees, or about fifteen degrees to about twenty-five degrees, or about twenty degrees. The first portion  115  and the second portion  117  may be used to anchor or support the frame member  110  in a substantially upright position with respect to the container  200  (illustrated best in  FIG. 4 ), such that the mixing paddle  120  may be located directly into the container to mix fluids contained therein. It will be appreciated that portions of the saddle  112  may also be used to support the frame member  110  with respect to the container  200 , such that virtually no assistance by the user is required, other than the initial set-up and take-down of the apparatus or system with respect to the container  200 . 
     In an embodiment, to retain the frame member  110  when torque is applied to the drive shaft  124  and plurality of paddles or blades  122 , the slot  116  is provided. The slot  116  may be positioned between the securing plate  114  on one side and the saddle  112  on the other side, such that the slot  116  is structurally supported. The slot  116  may be formed such that when torque is applied, the torque forces the structural supports of the frame member  110  into contact with portions of the container  200 , such as a base of the handle  202 . The slot may be defined by portions of the saddle  112  and the securing plate  114  (illustrated best in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The slot  116  may be located proximally with respect to the saddle  112  and distally with respect to the second portion  117  of the securing plate  114 . Additionally, the slot  116  may be located at a base of the first portion  115  of the securing plate  114 . 
     The slot  116  may comprise a ratio between a length L 1  of the slot  116  to a length L 2  of the securing plate  114  that is within a range of about 0.15 to about 0.75, or within a range of about 0.20 to about 0.50, or within a range of about 0.25 to about 0.30. 
     The saddle  112  may comprise a first portion  112   a  having a curved surface for engaging a housing for the motor  1000 , and a second portion  112   b , which may comprise a tubular portion, for interacting with or receiving a portion of the housing of the motor  1000  therein. The curved surface may comprise a friction member, such as a rubber padding material, used to hold the motor  1000  with respect to the frame member  110 . The second portion  112   b  may comprise a coupling device for coupling the frame member  110  to a portion of the container  200 , which leads to an opening  202  of said container  200 . More specifically, the second portion  112   b  of the saddle  112  may be coupled to a lip  204  of the opening  202  of the container  200  (illustrated best in  FIGS. 4-14 ), such that the second portion  112   b  in combination with the securing plate  114  may interact with the container  200  to retain the apparatus with respect to the container  200 . 
     In an embodiment, the tubular portion of the second portion  112   b  may be sized and shaped to fit around or within the lip  204  of the container  200  to help structurally support the frame member  110 . It will be appreciated that the saddle  112  may be configured and dimensioned to couple, attach or otherwise connect the frame member  110  to the motor  1000  and to the container  200 . The tubular portion may be inserted over the threads of the opening of the container  200  (illustrated in  FIGS. 4-14 ) without threadedly engaging the opening. The tubular portion assists in securing the motor  1000 , such that movement of the motor is limited and such that the mixing paddle  120  is located and oriented in the desired position with respect to the space of the container. 
     When the frame member  110  is attached to the container  200  (illustrated best in  FIG. 4 ), the saddle  112  may be in a substantially upright position as illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that in order to center the mixing paddle  120  within the center of the space in the container  200  (so as to not bump the side of the container thereby causing potential contamination during the mixing process), the saddle  112  and the frame member  110  generally must be offset due to the location of the lip of the opening of the container  200 . Accordingly, the saddle  112  may comprise an axis A-A as illustrated in  FIG. 4  that forms an angle π with respect to an imaginary horizontal line B-B that is parallel to an axis of the handle  202  of the container  200 , wherein the angle is greater than ninety degrees and may be between a range of about ninety-five degrees to about one-hundred and twenty degrees. It will be appreciated that the angle may be any angle that is greater than ninety degrees and may be modified in order to locate the plurality of blades  122  near the center of the space inside the container in order to create enough chaotic mixing to sufficiently mix the fluid inside the container. 
     In addition, a ratio between a length L 3  of the saddle  112  to the length L 2  of the securing plate  114  may exist that may be within a range of about 1 to about 1.25, or between a range of about 1.10 and about 1.20. 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mixing paddle  120  may comprise a plurality of blades  122  and a drive shaft  124 . The plurality of blades  122  may be in mechanical communication with the drive shaft  124 . The drive shaft  124  may be in mechanical communication with the motor  1000 , such that when the motor  1000  is actuated the drive shaft  124  rotates thereby imparting torque from the motor  1000  to the plurality of blades  122  due to the mechanical communication between the motor  1000 , drive shaft  124  and plurality of blades  122 . 
     It will be appreciated that the plurality of blades  122  may be manufactured from any suitable material, including but not limited to rubber or other polymeric materials, metal, metal alloys, or other suitably strong material that is sufficient for mixing fluids. In addition, when mixing food grade fluids, such as flavoring syrups and concentrates, the plurality of blades  122  should be manufactured from food grade materials. 
     The drive shaft  124  may comprise a length L 4  that may be sufficiently long to extend the plurality of blades  122  into the middle space of the container  200  in order to create a chaotic or turbulent mixing within the container. For example, the length L 3  may be within a range of about eight to about sixteen inches, or may be about twelve inches if used with a 5 gallon container that is commonly found and used in the flavored syrup industry. However, it will be appreciated that the length L 3  may be larger or smaller than the specified range and may be dictated by the size of the container used. 
     The plurality of blades  122  may be configured and dimensioned to cause chaotic or turbulent flow in the container when torque is applied. Further, the plurality of blades  122  may comprise an overall diameter that is dictated by the diameter of the opening of the container  200 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the diameter of the plurality of blades  122  corresponds with the diameter and size of the opening of the container  200 . Thus, as the size of the diameter of the opening of the container  200  increases or decreases, the overall diameter of the plurality of blades  122  will increase or decrease, such that the blades fit through the opening and into the container, but have a great enough surface area to create chaotic or turbulent flow. Accordingly, each of the blades  122  may comprise a length L 5  that is within a range of about 50 millimeters to about 150 millimeters, and may be within a range of about 75 millimeters to about 95 millimeters or may be about 80 millimeters to about 85 millimeters. Additionally, each of the blades  122  may comprise a width W 1  that is within a range of about 10 millimeters to about 30 millimeters or may be about 18 millimeters. 
     The disclosure also contemplates a system for mixing fluids within a container  200 . The system may comprise a motorized device, such as a drill for example, that is capable of providing torque. The system may also comprise a self-retaining apparatus that may itself comprise a frame member  110  that is mechanically coupled to a motor  1000 . The frame member  110  may comprise a saddle  112  and a securing plate  114  for connecting and retaining the frame member  110  with respect to a container  200 . The system may also comprise a mixing paddle  120 . The mixing paddle  120  may comprise a plurality of blades  122  and a drive shaft  124 . The plurality of blades  122  may be in mechanical communication with the drive shaft  124 . In turn, the drive shaft  124  may be in mechanical communication with the motor  1000 , such that when the motor  1000  is actuated or operated the drive shaft  124  rotates thereby imparting torque from the motor  1000  to the plurality of blades  122  due to the mechanical communication between the motor  1000 , drive shaft  124  and plurality of blades  122 . It will be appreciated that the frame member  110  may comprise a slot  116  that may be configured and dimensioned to interact with and contact a portion of the container  200  to thereby connect and retain the frame member  110  in a certain location with respect to the container  200  without requiring a user to grasp and hold the self-retaining apparatus in place during use. 
     When the fluid product, such as a flavoring agent or a flavoring syrup comprised of water and sugar, is mixed in the container  200 , the motor  1000  is initially turned off. When the motor  1000  is operated or actuated, the torque caused by the motor operates to force the frame member  110  to lock into position with respect to the handle  202  of the container as discussed above. When the motor is turned off the torque is also removed from the apparatus, thereby releasing the load placed thereon and essentially unlocking the apparatus from the handle  202  of the container  200 . With the apparatus in a freed state, the apparatus can be easily removed and located on the next container or jug for mixing additional fluids. There is no need for any extraneous fasteners or further mechanical attachments or couplers other than the structures disclosed herein, such as screws, bolts, and the like, to secure the apparatus to the container. Thus, the apparatus is a self-retaining apparatus that is simple in design and operation. The apparatus also provides significant time savings because a single operator is able to prepare the next, second container containing the fluid to be mixed, while the apparatus is operating and mixing the fluid in the first container (illustrated best in  FIGS. 5-14 ). 
       FIGS. 5-14  illustrate the method of use of an embodiment of the apparatus and system disclosed herein.  FIG. 5  illustrates a user adding an ingredient to a fluid mixture in a second container in preparation for mixing, while the apparatus and system is in use in a first container.  FIGS. 6 and 10  illustrate the apparatus and system locked in place with respect to the container and handle.  FIGS. 7 and 11  illustrate the apparatus and system being unlocked and removed from engagement with the handle of the container.  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the apparatus and system being removed from the first container, while  FIG. 12  illustrates the apparatus and system being inserted into the second container.  FIGS. 8, 9  and  12  also illustrate the diameter of the entirety of the blades with respect to the diameter of the opening of the container.  FIG. 13  illustrates the apparatus and system being attached and locked into place with respect to the container and handle.  FIG. 14  illustrates the apparatus and system in use while the motor is actuated and providing torque to the apparatus and system. 
     In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a useful method of mixing fluids in a container may comprise: 
     attaching a self-retaining apparatus for mixing fluids to a container, wherein the apparatus comprises:
         a frame member that is mechanically coupled to a motor, wherein the frame member comprises a saddle and a securing plate for connecting and retaining the frame member with respect to a container; and   a mixing paddle comprising a plurality of blades and a drive shaft, wherein the plurality of blades are in mechanical communication with the drive shaft and wherein the drive shaft is in mechanical communication with the motor;   wherein the frame member comprises a slot that is configured and dimensioned to interact with and contact a portion of the container to thereby connect and retain the frame member in a certain location with respect to the container without requiring a user to grasp and hold the self-retaining apparatus; and       

     actuating a motor such that the drive shaft of the mixing paddle is caused to rotate thereby imparting torque from the motor to the plurality of blades due to the mechanical communication between the motor, drive shaft and plurality of blades. 
     It will be appreciated that all numbers, degrees, percentages, and the like that fall within or between the ranges disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of the disclosure as if each number, degree, percentage and the like was individually disclosed. For example, in an embodiment, the angle θ has been disclosed as being formed between the first portion  115  and the second portion  117  and that such angle θ may fall within a range of about ten degrees and about thirty degrees. All angles falling within the range of about ten degrees to about thirty degrees are to be considered individually disclosed, such that eleven degrees, twelve degrees, thirteen degrees, fourteen degrees and so on are all disclosed as part of the disclosure and fall within the specified range, whether the exact number, degree or percentage is exactly specified or not. 
     Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate the advantages provide by the features of the disclosure. For example, it is a potential feature of the disclosure to provide a portable, self-retaining fluid mixing apparatus, system and method that is simple in design and manufacture. Another potential feature of the disclosure is to provide such a fluid mixing apparatus that is self-retaining and capable of being used with a first container while the user is attending to the needs of a second container. It is a further potential feature of the disclosure, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a mixing fluid apparatus and system that is portable and capable of being carried by hand. 
     In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the disclosure. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the disclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.