Abstract:
A liftable blender assembly has a container, which is easily filled and emptied in that it may be loaded with ingredients from the top, may cause the ingredients to mix or react, may be raised and then may be emptied from the bottom.

Description:
This invention relates to a blender and more particularly to a variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly having a batch blender mounted within a lifting system, which can be easily filled with ingredients to be mixed or reacted, and easily emptied after a desired procedure to provide a product is performed on the ingredients in the liftable blender. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   With a mixer, especially an industrial batch mixer, it is very desirable to easily load and empty the mixer. When the mixer is loaded, various ingredients are added. Each ingredient, by itself, is usually easily handled. After the ingredients are mixed, at least a physical intermixture takes place. Also, a chemical reaction may take place. For the sake of discussion, it is assumed that both of these procedures form a product. 
   Whatever happens between the ingredients in the mixer to form a product, that product must be recovered from the mixer. It is very desirable to empty the mixer or recover the product in an appropriate fashion. Since the product is usually heavier than the ingredients, that extra weight renders that recovery difficult. 
   Adding ingredients to or removing a product from a batch mixer creates a number of ergonomic problems. Lifting of heavy items is always difficult and can be dangerous. Efficiently removing a product from a batch mixer requires great care and efficiency in order to have an effective procedure. 
   Customarily, a batch mixer can require stairs or a platform in order to provide appropriate access thereto. Such structures greatly increase the amount of floor space required for a batch mixer. If an efficient batch mixer can be developed, which minimizes the use of floor space, great advantages are obtained. 
   Various types of ancillary equipment are usually required for a batch mixer. Such equipment takes up space and complicates the manufacturing process. Any reduction in such equipment also offers great advantages. 
   Furthermore, recovery of a product and adding of a plurality of ingredients combine to cause a substantial number of problems. That which can assist in the recovery of a product can interfere with the addition of ingredients function. That which can assist with the addition of ingredients function can interfere with the recovery of a product. 
   It is also well recognized that the ingredients added to the mixer can require a variety of different parameters for the structure of the mixer. For example, if concrete is being made, heavy-duty characteristics are more critical than sanitary characteristics. If a food product is being formed, sanitary characteristics become extremely critical. 
   Many times, accessibility to a batch mixer is limited. Such limitations interfere with the use of that mixer and complicate the manufacturing process. For example, in a food system, it is critical for that mixer to be easily cleaned. So if accessibility to a batch mixer can be improved, the batch mixer becomes much easier to clean. 
   Whatever product is formed by the mixer, an efficient recovery mechanism offers a great advantage. In other words, if the product may be advanced to the next step in the process, in an efficient manner, great advantages are attained. If recovery gets the product to a point of use efficiently, costs can be reduced and other advantages obtained. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a liftable blender, which allows for top loading of raw materials and bottom recovery of a product. 
   A further objective of this invention is the provision of a liftable blender with a lifting system to facilitate product recovery. 
   Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a liftable blender utilizing one operator. 
   A still further objective of this invention is the provision of an ergonomic liftable blender. 
   Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a liftable blender, which saves space. 
   Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a liftable blender with a low-profile, loading position. 
   Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of an accessible liftable blender. 
   Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of an accessible liftable blender, which may be easily cleaned. 
   In addition, an objective of this invention is the provision of an accessible liftable blender with the capability of mixing products while the receiver is in a low position. 
   These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a liftable blender which is easily filled and emptied in that it may be loaded with ingredients from the top, may cause the ingredients to mix or react, may be raised and then may be emptied from the bottom. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram for a variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side view of a variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an end plan view of a batch blender  110  for variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a top plan view of a batch blender  110  for variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  of this invention. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of a variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  of this invention in discharge position  180 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of a variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  of this invention in loading position  200 . 
   

   Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly of this invention has a batch blender mounted within a lifting system. The batch blender includes a container and an agitator mounted in the container. 
   The lifting system permits the batch blender to be lowered for filling and raised for the purpose of discharging materials contained therein. Also, the batch blender may achieve mixing of materials therein by rotation of an agitator mounted therein. Such rotation moves the materials or ingredients therein in at least one specific direction in order to form a desired product. 
   The agitator may have a variety of tools mounted thereon in order to achieved a desired type of mixing. Preferably, the blender has a chopping mechanism or a horizontal agitator mounted therein. This horizontal agitator rotates about a horizontal axis. The types of tools mounted on the agitator are empirically determined, based on the properties of the ingredients being mixed. 
   However, the preferred mixing of materials therein is achieved by rotation of an agitator mounted therein. The blender has a horizontal agitator that rotates at least partially in at least one direction. A variety of tools may be attached to the agitator. The particular types of tools on the agitator are selected to create a mixing mechanism that is best suited to the physical properties of the ingredients being mixed. 
   The bottom of the blender has a closeable discharge mechanism to control the flow of a finished product out of the blender. At the top of the blender is a sealable cover, which is removable or openable in order to add ingredients. 
   With the batch blender in its lowest position, the cover may be opened. As many ingredients as desired are then inserted into the blender. The ingredients are added thereto, and then mixed or reacted by an agitator, mounted within the blender in the appropriate fashion in order to form a product. 
   After a product is formed, the lifting system raises the blender. An appropriate device for receiving the product is placed under the discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism is opened, and the product passes into that appropriate device by gravity or other means. 
   For the batch blender, to assist with the mixing, the container for the batch blender has a base and a cover. An agitator or appropriate mixing device is mounted in the base in a standard fashion. The base of the batch blender is preferably arcuate on an elongated cross-section. Within the elongated cross-section is a closeable discharge mechanism such as a discharge chute. At the top of the batch blender is a sealable cover, which is removable or openable in order to add ingredients to the batch blender. 
   With the batch blender below the lifting level of the operator, the cover may be opened. As many ingredients as desired are then inserted into the batch blender. The cover is closed in a sealable fashion, in order to contain the ingredients therein. The ingredients are then agitated within the batch blender in the appropriate fashion, in order to form a product. 
   After the product is formed, the lifting system raises a batch blender. An appropriate device for receiving the product, which has been formed in the batch blender, is placed under the chute. The closeable discharge mechanism is opened, and the product passes into that appropriate device. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  has batch blender  110  mounted on lifting carriage assembly  140  in its lowest position, that is loading position  200 . Batch blender  110  includes a container  120 , which has a receiver  122  releasably closeable by sealable cover  126 . 
   Hydraulic lifts assembly  148 , on either end of batch blender  110 , positions batch blender  110  for loading container  120  with raw ingredients, or for removal of a product formed from the raw ingredients within batch blender  110 , as desired. Such a product formation is accomplished without the operator having to climb or to perform a high lifting operation. 
   Adding  FIG. 2  to the consideration, variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100  has batch blender  110  mounted on lifting carriage assembly  140  and is in the highest position, that is discharge position  180 . Container  120  has a base or receiver  122  with an open top  124 . Open top  124  is closed by sealable cover  126 . Receiver  122  has an arcuate base  128  oppositely disposed from open top  124 . Within arcuate base  128 , is a closeable discharge mechanism such as sealable chute  130 . 
   In operation, the variable height and multiple position batch blender assembly  100 , and specifically container  120  has sealable cover  126  removed from receiver  122 . Ingredients (not shown) are added to receiver  122 . Sealable cover  126  is replaced in order to close receiver  122 . Batch blender  110  causes mixing of ingredients to form a product. Lifting carriage assembly  140  raises batch blender  110 , in order to permit a barrel  132  or other product collection device to be placed under sealable chute  130 . Sealable chute  130  is opened thereby allowing the product to flow into barrel  132 . 
   With the further consideration of  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 , the relationship of batch blender  110  to lifting carriage assembly  140  becomes more clear. The lifting carriage assembly  140  includes a first parallel side arm  142  and a second parallel side arm  144 , which are substantially perpendicular to floor  146 . Within first parallel side arm  142  and second parallel side arm  144  are hydraulic lifts  148 . 
   With  FIG. 4 , the position of chopper  134  communicating with container  120  and receiver  122  becomes clear. Chopper  134  drives mixing tool  136 , which assists with mixing or reacting of ingredients within batch blender  110 . Chopper  134  communicates with receiver  122  through chopper aperture  138  in receiver  122  in a standard fashion. 
   Top cross member  150  holds first parallel side arm  142  and second parallel side arm  144  in proper position and cooperates therewith in order to support batch blender  110  for liftable blender  100  thereon, by interconnecting the top ends thereof. Batch blender  110  is moved upwardly by hydraulic lifts  148  to discharge position  180  ( FIG. 6 ). A downward movement of batch blender  110  is moved by hydraulic lifts  148  provides loading position  200  ( FIG. 7 ). 
   Batch blender  110  is connected at each end to hydraulic lifts  148  in a standard fashion. The hydraulic lift  148  in each of first parallel side arm  142  and of second parallel side arm  144  are coordinated in a standard fashion to keep the horizontal geometric axis of batch blender  110  substantially parallel to floor  146 , whether batch blender  110  is in discharge position  180  ( FIG. 6 ) or loading position  200 . 
   Barrel  132  may be replaced by any suitable container. Such a suitable container may be moved into position with any suitable device. If a heavy product is anticipated, a forklift or other such machine of the desired of the desired lifting capability may be used. Barrel  132  may be replaced by a series of smaller containers if desired, as is clear from a consideration of  FIG. 1 . 
   This application; taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined; provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure. 
   Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.