Patent Publication Number: US-2015071027-A1

Title: Portable stirring device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No:  61 / 832 , 638 , filed 7 Jun. 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel and useful stirring apparatus for mixing or agitating fluids in a container. 
     Fluids and mixtures, such as foodstuffs, are often placed in a container and need to be mixed or stirred in order to complete a particular preparation processes. Due to variations in viscosity of a particular fluid mixture, it is important that all levels of the mixture within a container be stirred or agitated. 
     In the case of a foodstuff, a failure to stir the ingredients in a container while cooking may result in an unevenly cooked product or scorching of the contents at the bottom of the container. 
     Currently there are certain commercial stirring devices that are used to stir the contents of the container. For example the Robo Stir device is placed on the bottom of the container and contains three plastic rotating legs to stir the contents. However, the Robo Stir device has limited use due to low power capacity and fragile construction. Another commercial device, known as the Ardente Stirrer attaches to the top of a pot or container that includes paddles that extend downwardly into the container for rotation. However, the Ardente Stirrer is limited to particular containers having handles. 
     In addition, many other stirring and agitating devices have been proposed in the past. For example, United States Design Patent Des421,616 shows a mixing device that clamps to the top of the container and includes a shaft chuck which allows a mixing terminus to extend into the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,369 describes a stirring mechanism in which a battery operated roller is mounted to move about the top rim of a container to allow a motor and mixing arms to extend into the container to sweep the contents of the container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,321 shows a container stirring device that sits on a surface adjacent the container and includes a stirring implement in the form of a perforated paddle to move within the container. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,501, 5,613,425, and 6,113,258 describe container fluid mixers that straddle the top portion of the container and permit the extension of stirrers downwardly therefrom. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,901 and 2,707,622 illustrate stirring mixer that affix to the side of a container and permit the use of beaters to be immersed within the contents of the container. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,140,315, 2,209,287, 2,805,843, 2,828,114, 3,068,186, 3,905,585, 5,332,310, and 6,749,331 teach mixing devices that clip on or clamp on to the side of a container and allow the extension of mixing arms into the contents of the container. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,167,536, and 6,286,990, show agitating and mixing devices that include stirring ends that pivot relative to a central shaft and include flanges that extend upwardly along the side of the container. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,576,089, 5,617,774, describes stirring apparatuses that include arms extending from a central shaft that pivot and may be moved upwardly towards the central shaft when not in use. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,533,805 and 5,653,536 utilize stirrers that are free-standing or wall mounted and include adjustable arms and terminal stirring mechanisms. 
     A mixing apparatus that is capable of self-adjusting its position to mix the contents of different sized containers, and includes stirring portions that automatically position according to the level of the liquid within the container would be a notable advance in the field of food and chemical preparations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful stirring apparatus for agitating fluids in a container is herein provided. 
     The stirring apparatus of the present invention utilizes a motor including a rotating output shaft. Motor is operated by a source of power, preferably in the form of battery pack that removeably connects to the motor to activate the same. The motor may be mounted on a housing that supports the motor and source of power. In addition, a clamp may be slidably supported on the housing for adjusting the distance between the clamp and motor. The clamp would be employed to hold the apparatus of the present invention to the container holding the fluid being agitated. 
     A bar is also employed in the present invention and is removably connected to the rotating output shaft of the motor. A first arm is linked to the bar for rotation. First arm includes a first section and a second section. The first and second sections of the first arm are moveable relative to one another to allow extension and retraction of the first arm relative to the bar. In certain embodiments, the first and second sections may be slidable relative to one another, such that the second section of the first arm is supported in such slidable relationship by the first section of the first arm. The first arm may also include a flange, vane, or fin that extends outwardly from the second section of the first arm. 
     A second arm is also provided in the apparatus of the present invention and is linked to the first bar for rotation in the same manner as the first arm. The second arm also includes first and second sections that may be slidably connected to one another such that the first section of the second arm supports the second section of the second arm. The second arm may also be provided with a flange that extends outwardly from the second arm. 
     A stop is also provided in conjunction with the second arm to prevent the second arm from rotating downwardly relative to the bar to form an orthogonal angle with the bar. In other words, the axes of the bar and the second arm would form an acute angle relative to one another. The stop may be provided by the formation of a plate fixed to the bar that engages a notch in the first section of the second arm. 
     In addition, the apparatus may include a housing which is connected to the motor and a clamp that is moveably supported by the housing. In this manner, the apparatus would be supported by a container for the fluid being stirred and allow for the bar associated with the motor to be positioned as desired relative to the open mouth of the container. The clamp may take the form of a pair of jaws, one of which is spring loaded, that are manually operable through a lever. 
     It may be apparent that a novel and useful stirring apparatus for agitating a fluid in a container has been hereinabove described. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stirring apparatus for agitating a fluid in a container that mounts to the container and is adjustable to provide even thorough stirring of the contents of the container. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a stirring apparatus for agitating a fluid in a container utilizing first and second arms that are connected to a bar and a stop mechanism that permits the separation of the first and second arms from one another into zones vertically separated in the fluid found in the container. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a stirring apparatus for agitating a fluid in a container that prevents uneven mixing of the fluid in the container and scorching of the fluid contents of the container where the application of heat to the container is involved. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a stirring apparatus for agitating a fluid in a container that is relatively simple to use and very efficient in mixing the contents of the container, where the mixing arms within the container lie at various depths within the container. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a stirring apparatus for agitating a fluid in a container that is adaptable to containers having various widths and depths. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stirring apparatus for agitating a fluid in a container that includes an adjustment mechanism that operates horizontally and vertically relative to the orientation of the container. 
     The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a top right perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention in place within a container. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the stirring terminus associated with the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the stirring terminus associated with the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front elevational view of the stop mechanism for the second arm of the stirring terminus associated with the apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention mounted to a container where a container is shown in section. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus of the present invention during the adjustable position of the clamp. 
         FIG. 7  is yet another side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention showing the adjustable clamp in another position from that shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which should be taken in conjunction with the above described drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings. 
     An embodiment of the invention as a whole is depicted in the drawing by reference character  10 . The stirring apparatus  10  includes, as one of its elements, a motor  12  which may be a DC Motor of conventional configuration. Motor  12  may take the form of a 12-volt DC Motor having a torque of 2 Kg-cm and a rotational capacity of approximately fifty revolutions per minute. Motor  12  rotates an output shaft  14  according to directional arrow  16 , FIGS.  1  and  5 - 7 . Motor  12  is electrically connected to a source of power  18  which may take the form of a battery such as a rechargeable 8.4 volt NiMh unit. Battery  18  may be removable from a housing  20  which connects to motor  12 . 
     A clamp  22  is formed by a hollow cylindrical base  24  that forms a jaw  26  which interacts with a jaw  28 , the latter pivoting about a spring loaded pin  30 . Spring loaded pin  30  biases jaw  28  to the side portion  32  of a container  34 , best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Cylindrical base portion  24  of clamp  22  is capable of sliding along the exterior surface  36  of housing  20 , thus, being able to position the rotating shaft  14  within container  34  as desired. Grip or lever  38  permits the user to remove stirring apparatus  10  from container  34  and to reposition the same on container  34  as desired. Set screw  40  holds clamp  22  and, thus, motor  12  in position along outer surface  36  of housing  20 . Directional arrow  42  depicts the movement of clamp  22  relative to housing  20 ,  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it may be observed that a stirring terminus  44  is shown. Stirring terminus  44  includes a bar  46  which generally lies along axis  48 ,  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Bar  46  is formed with a first portion  50  and a second portion  52 . First portion  50  and second portion  52  of bar  46  positioned in a telescopic relationship. That is to say, first portion  50  of bar  46  is moveable within a cavity  54  of second portion  52  and a protuberance  56  holds first portion  50  of bar  46  within cavity  54 . Directional arrow  58  indicates the relative movement between first portion  50  and second portion  52  of bar  46 . 
     Referring again, to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it may be apparent that stirring terminus  44  includes a first arm  60  and a second arm  62 . First and second arms  60  and  62  are rotatably linked to second portion  52  of bar  46  via pivot pin  64 . That is to say, arms  60  and  62  may rotate towards or away from bar  46 , the importance of which will be discussed as the specification continues. 
     First arm  60  is provided with a first section  66  and a second section  68 . First and second sections  66  and  68  are moveable relative to one another, specifically in a slidable relationship. A flange or fin  70  is located a tip of second section  68  of first arm  60  and hydrodynamically serves to propel second section  68  outwards from first section as when shaft  14  rotates. 
     Second arm  62  also includes a first section  72  that is slidably connected to second section  74 . Fin  76  lies at the end or tip of second section  74  of second arm  62 . As may be seen on  FIG. 2 , a channel  82  of second section  74  of second arm  62  slidably engages tongue  84  of first section  72  of second arm  62 . A similar mechanism allows the hydrodynamic sliding relationship between first section  66  and second section  68  of first arm  60 , depicted by directional arrow  80 . In this manner, first and second arms  60  and  62  conform to containers of varying widths or diameters. It should be realized at first portion  50  of bar  46  include the necessary fitting to be held outwardly from shaft  14  of motor  12 , and may be of a conventional configuration, in this regard. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a stop  86  is shown to limit the rotational travel of second arm  62  relative to bar  46 . Again, referring to  FIG. 2 , it may be seen that an angle A is formed by stop  86 . That is to say, arm  62  may extend outwardly from bar  46  at angle A or at any lesser angle, relative to axes  48  and  88  of bar  46  and second arm  62 , respectively. Bar  86  may take the form of a plate fixed to the end  92  of second portion  52  of bar  46 . A notch  94  in first section of first arm  62  engages plate  90  to hold second arm  60  in the position depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
     In operation, the user places stirring apparatus  10  on side  32  of container  34  shown in  FIG. 5 . Clamp  22  clips to side  32  of container  34  to allow motor  12  to be positioned above container  34  relative to fluid contents  96  found within container, as shown in  FIG. 5 . At this point, arm  60  lies against the bottom and the side  32  of container  34  while second arm  62  extends outwardly from bar  36  at angle A shown in  FIG. 2 . Motor  12  turns according to directional arrow  16  while stirring terminus  44  moves in the same manner, according to directional arrow  100 . It should be noted that second arm  62  of stirring terminus  44  moves upwardly or downwardly to the surface  102  of fluid contents  96 , and no further. It is believed this action is due to the lifting action of flange or fin  76  passing through fluid contents  96 . First arm  60  will remain at the bottom of  98  of container  34  due to the weight of first arm  60  and the pitch of first and second sections  66  and  68 ,  FIG. 3 . It should be noted that first arm  60  will form an obtuse angle width axis  48  of stirring terminus  44 , when axis  48  is not normal to bottom  98  of container  34 ,  FIG. 5 . Thus, the fluid contents  96  are agitated throughout its depth between surface  102  and bottom  98  of container  34  during the stirring motion effected by stirring apparatus  10 . Should surface  102  of fluid contents  96  move toward bottom  98  of container  34  through attrition or otherwise, second arm  62  will move downwardly relative to side  32  of container  34 , through the slidable interaction between first section  72  and second section of second arm  62 . Also, should container  32  include a theoretical side portion  104 ,  FIG. 5 , first arm  60  will tend to slide up the side of  104  according to dashed line  106 . In this manner, stirring apparatus  10  adjusts to particular depths and widths of containers and to the levels of the fluid contents  96  within such containers. The biasing of arms  60  and  62  through the mechanism hereinabove described will ensure a proper stirring of the fluid contents  96  during the stirring processes, the movement of which is indicated by directional arrow  100 . 
     While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.