Patent Abstract:
A driving head for a stirrer can is provided. The stirrer can includes a cover with a rotatable plate having upwardly projecting fingers and further includes a stirrer inside the stirrer can. The driving head is mounted beneath a hollow shelf, includes a driven shaft and a blade fixedly connected to the driven shaft. The blade engages the fingers for driving the stirrer inside the stirrer can. A swan-neck shaped body having an upper portion, connected to the shelf, and a lower portion is provided. The lower portion of the body comprises a grip for engaging the rotatable plate of the stirrer can. The driven shaft projects through the upper portion of the body. A device for preventing rotation of the stirrer can is provided.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to those cabinets for stirrer cans of the type as used for the storing of cans that contain paints etc. to be maintained under stirring. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The cabinets that are currently used comprise a plurality of shelves arranged one above the other, and having a bottom portion that is provided with driving heads of the small blade type, which driving heads cooperate with fingers arranged on the cover of each can and used for driving a shaft passing through this cover and supporting a stirring screw or the like. 
     In order to prevent rotation of the cans on the shelves, fixed or movable protruding pins are provided, which are used for securely retaining the base of the can. These protruding pins are often harmful and can cause damage to the cans, particularly when the same are made of synthetic material. 
     The protruding pins or other means for locking the cans have also the important drawback that they make difficult the cleaning of the shelves to which they are fixedly connected. Moreover, in case of leakage of the can, the apertures provided in the shelves for making or positioning the protruding pins allow flow of paint from one shelf to another shelf. 
     The invention relates to a new driving head for stirrer cans which allow the use of smooth shelves without any particular member to be provided on these shelves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, the driving head for stirrer cans each comprising a small blade driven by a first shaft and cooperating with fingers for driving a second shaft of a stirrer located in a can, is characterized in that the fingers protrude from a plate engaged in a grip that is a part of a body having a general shape like a swan-neck which is arranged beneath a shelf, this body having an upper portion that is penetrated by the first shaft that carries and drives the small blade as well as means that prevent rotation of each stirrer can. 
     A driving head for a stirrer can, the stirrer can comprising a cover with a rotatable plate having upwardly projecting fingers and further comprising a stirrer inside the stirrer can, the driving head mounted beneath a hollow shelf, according to the present invention is primarily characterized by:
         a driven shaft;   a blade fixedly connected to the driven shaft;   the blade engaging the fingers for driving the stirrer inside the stirrer can;   a swan-neck shaped body having an upper portion connected to the shelf and a lower portion;   the lower portion of the body comprising a grip for engaging the rotatable plate of the stirrer can;   the driven shaft projecting through the upper portion of the body; and   means for preventing rotation of the stirrer can.       

     The driving head may further comprise anti-friction means positioned between the grip and the rotatable plate. 
     The body preferably comprises a protecting hub of a substantially circular shape positioned closely above the blade. 
     The driving head may also comprise a drive pulley connected to the driven shaft, the drive pulley positioned within the hollow shelf, wherein the hub comprises a sleeve and a bearing member mounted in the sleeve and wherein the driven shaft is guided in the bearing member. 
     The driving head may also include a spindle connected to an end of the shaft below the hub, the blade pivotably connected to the spindle, the blade having a bottom portion with a concave cutout to prevent wedging the fingers of the operator. 
     Preferably, the means for preventing rotation of the stirrer can is a pivotable stirrup connected to the body, the stirrup engaging a portion of the cover of the stirrer can for limiting rotation of the stirrer can after placement on a shelf below the hollow shelf to which the body is connected. 
     The body preferably comprises a bearing member and the stirrup is connected to the bearing member, the stirrup comprising a yoke with studs for connecting the stirrup to the bearing member. 
     The grip advantageously has means for supporting the cover and the stirrer can. 
     The means for supporting are lugs connected to the bottom side of the grip and projecting inwardly. 
     The cover has preferably a bottom portion and the hollow shelf has a grip support for engaging the bottom portion of the cover. 
     The present invention also relates to a stirrer can for cooperation with a driving head mounted beneath a shelf. The stirrer can according to the present invention comprises:
         a can container;   a cover for closing the can container;   a rotatable plate mounted on the cover;   the rotatable plate having upwardly projecting fingers;   a stirrer connected to the rotatable plate and positioned inside the can container;   the fingers engaged by the driving head when the stirrer can is positioned on a shelf beneath the hollow shelf on which the stirrer head is mounted.       

     The can may further comprise a spring with a first and a second end, the stirrer comprising a shaft and a stirring screw at an end of the shaft remote from the cover, the spring coaxially placed on the shaft and supported with the first end at a bottom side of the cover and with the second end at the stirring screw. 
     The invention also relates to a cabinet for stirrer cans. The cabinet according to the present invention is primarily characterized by:
         a plurality of hollow shelves spaced one atop the other;   each hollow shelf having a smooth surface;   each hollow shelf having connected thereto a plurality of driving heads;   each one of the driving heads comprised of:
           a) a driven shaft and a blade fixedly connected to the driven shaft, the blade engaging a stirrer of a stirrer can for driving the stirrer inside the stirrer can;   b) a swan-neck shaped body having an upper portion connected to the hollow shelf and a lower portion;   c) the lower portion of the body comprising a grip for engaging the rotatable plate of the stirrer can;   d) the driven shaft projecting through the upper portion of the body;   e) a drive pulley connected to the drive shaft and positioned inside the hollow shelf;   f) a drive means for driving at least one of the drive pulleys; and   e) means for preventing rotation of the stirrer can.   
               

     At least one of the hollow shelves has a bottom portion with two levels, such that the driving heads connected to the bottom portion are at different levels. 
     The shelves comprise raising members for raising the stirrer cans to a desired level. 
     Various other features of the invention will moreover be revealed from the following detailed disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are shown, as non limitative examples, in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cabinet that comprises driving heads for stirrer cans, according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a very enlarged partial cross-section taken substantially along line II—II of the  FIG. 1 , showing certain portions of the stirring head in elevation; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the driving head, according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 4-7  are elevations, partly in cross-section, diagrammatically showing how to position a stirrer can; 
         FIG. 8  is a very enlarged cross-section taken along line VIII—VIII of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section similar to  FIG. 8  but showing a stirrer can engaged with the driving head; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic partial cross-section showing a development of a cabinet that applies the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a development of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating the development of the invention according to  FIG. 11  in an other embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a cabinet that includes upright members  1  and  2  with shelves  3  being arranged between the upright elements  1  and  2  and which are formed by hollow bodies as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Stirring heads  4  are protruding beneath the shelves  3 . 
     Each of the stirring heads  4  is driven by a pulley  5  arranged within a shelf  3 . The various pulleys corresponding to each stirring head are themselves driven, for example, by means of a common belt  6 . 
     The pulleys  5  are mounted on a shaft  7  carried by a bearing member  8  arranged in each of the stirring heads  4  that comprises therefor a sleeve  9 . 
     As shown in particular in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the stirring heads are, preferably, formed by molded parts of plastic material or metal, the body  10  of which has the general shape of a swan-neck ending in a grip  11  having the shape of an outer collar made integrally with the body  10  or attached thereto. The grip  11  is a resilient part and has on an angular opening which is slightly greater than 180°. This grip  11  is advantageously made of an antifriction material or is coated with such an antifriction material. 
     The body  10  defines a bearing member  10 a formed, for example, of a small socket made by molding, used for articulating a stirrup  12  that is advantageously made of molded material and compromises a yoke  12 a with arms that have studs or protrusions (not shown) that form an axle articulated in the bearing member  10 a. 
     This embodiment enables to position the stirrup  12  by snapping it into place, the stirrup  12  having to be able to pivot as this is shown in the following description. 
     In the example as shown, the stirrup  12  comprises two arms  12 b. The stirrup  12  could however comprised  only one arm (as would appear to the viewer in the side view of  FIG. 2 ) or be made by another means preventing a rotation on the cans as this is discussed hereinafter. 
     The drawings, in particular  FIG. 2  show that the shaft  7  has a lower portion carrying a spindle  13  on which is articulated a small blade  14 , preferably made of plastic material but which may also be made of metal, which small blade  14  is for example snapped on the spindle  13  in order to be easily mounted and dismounted if it is necessary to change it. In any case, the small blade  14  is mounted for being able to pivot about the spindle  13 . Moreover, the small blade  14  is provided with a concavity  14 a at its bottom portion so as to present a possible wedging of the fingers of the operator as described hereinafter. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show that the body  10  of the driving head advantageously defines, above the small blade  14 , a hub  15  which is approximately circular and has a diameter greater than the width of the small blade  14 . 
     This arrangement makes it impossible for an operator to get a finger caught between a top portion of the small blade  14  and the body  10 , in particular the hub  15 , which is thus a safety measure preventing any risk of injury. Moreover, the hub  15  is used for fixing the body  10  under the shelf  3  by means of rivets or other equivalent means. 
     The stirring cans, such as the can  16 , are comprised of a can container  16 ′ with a cover  17  that is penetrated by a shaft  18 . The cover  17  has a top portion provided with various protruding parts, and in particular a pouring nose  19  as well as a working handle  20 . 
     The shaft  18  has an upper portion provided with a circular plate  22  which is fixed by means of a tightening screw  22 a and has a centering ring  21 . The centering ring  21  has an annular shape, and the diameter of the centering ring  21  corresponds substantially to the diameter defined by the grip  11 . The centering ring  21  can rotate freely or is made of an antifriction material, or still is coated with an antifriction material. 
     The plate  22  is provided with two protruding fingers  23  and with cans or ramps  24 . 
     As shown in the drawings, in particular in  FIGS. 3-9 , the cans  16  provided with their cover  17  are placed on one of the shelves  3 , for example the shelf  3 a, and are progressively pushed as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  in order that the centering ring  21  will enter inside the grip  11 . 
     When a can  16  is positioned, the rotation of the small blade  14 , driven by the shaft  7 , causes the small blade  14  to necessarily bear by its two ends against both of the protruding fingers  23 , which results in driving the plate  22  and, consequently, the shaft  18  of the respective can. The concavity  14 a of the small blade  14  prevents any risk of wedging by staying with the fingers  23 . Moreover, the presence of the cams or ramps  24  that are sloped in the direction of rotation of the plate  22  aids to the raising of the small blade  14  that continuously rotates. 
       FIG. 5  shows that before engagement of the centering ring  21  in the grip  11 , the stirrup  12  is substantially maintained vertically. Advancing the can  16  which slides on the shelf  3 a causes the stirrup  12  to pivot as shown in  FIG. 6.  As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the region between the stirring head  4  and the shelf  3 a where the can is to be inserted is free of obstructions that would restrain insertion of the can or the cover to a single orientation about its axis. As soon as the plate  22 ( FIG. 3 ) is driven in rotation by the small blade  14  and fingers  23 , the can  16 , because its angular orientation is not fixed, is possibly rotated a little bit, but in any case, one attachment  19 , for example the pouring nose, will limit the possible rotation of the can, of which only the shaft  18  continues to be driven, which is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ,  FIG. 7  showing the can in its final resting orientation. 
       FIG. 7  shows moreover that the invention enables to cause cans, having various heights, to be driven by any one of the stirring heads  4 . It is then sufficient to position a raising member  25  on the shelf  3 a. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a development showing that the bottom portion of a shelf  3 b may comprise two stirring heads  4  arranged at various levels, these offset stirring heads enabling to drive the stirring shafts of cans  16 a,  16 b of various heights, preferably positioned one behind the other or staggered one relative to the other for facilitating access to a rear row. 
       FIG. 11  shows a development of the invention according to which the grip  11  is insidely provided, at its lower portion, with lugs or other supporting means  26  that protrude inwardly. The means  26  are adapted for bearing against the bottom portion of a protruding portion of the cover  17  or, as shown, against the bottom portion of the centering ring  21 . The cover  17  covering the can  16  is positioned in the grip  11  as described above. 
     In this embodiment, a unit formed by the can, the cover and the driving mechanism is thus suspended by the grip  11  without the can  16  being supported on a shelf  3 . As previously, the can  16  is prevented from rotating by means of the stirrup  12 , and the shelves  3  can be manufactured for having a top portion which is smooth and easily cleanable. 
     For preventing an axial displacement of the shaft  18  that drives the stirring screw  18 a, it is advantageous to position a spring  27  engaged on the shaft  18  and bearing, on the one hand, on the bottom portion of the cover  17  and, on the other hand, on the stirring screw  18 a. The strength of the spring  27  is chosen according to the weight of the can  16  and the product contained therein. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an other variant which shows that the bottom portion of the shelves  3  defines a bent edge  28  for grip supports  29 , each provided to clamp a can  16  by bearing against the bottom portion of the cover  17 . 
     It is advantageous that the grip supports  29  which are made of a resilient material will be covered with an elastomeric material or the like so to form, on the one hand, a protection and, on the other hand, end protrusions  30  for retaining the can  16 . The grip supports  29  are arcuate and have an angular opening greater than 180°. 
     It is moreover possible that the centering ring  21  is attached to the plate  22  and, in case, will be spaced therefrom by a ball bearing or the like in order that there is no friction between the plate  22  and the grip  11 . 
     The invention is not restricted to the embodiments shown and described in detail, since various modification thereof can be carried thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as shown in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1