Patent Description:
Dynamic mixing, such as rotation mixing, can provide effective, non-invasive mixing of substances or formulations, and without mixer components extending into the substance, such as stirring rods. Rotational mixers can include a rotation and/or or oscillation component to assist in mixing the substances. Dual Asymmetric Centrifugal (DAC) mixing can be particularly fast and effective by imposing centrifugal (centripetal) force in multiple directions on the substance(s) to be mixed. Various containers can be selected for containing the substance(s) to be mixed and undergoing the DAC rotation.

<CIT> describes a method and device for mixing liquid, flowable or powdery materials, in particular for mixing automobile repair varnishes for use in spray guns. The device has a rotary arm rotatably mounted on a frame. A drive device is provided for a rotary drive of the rotary arm and a rotary drive of a mixture receptacle. <CIT> describes a device for mixing fluid, and powdered, flowable materials, particularly for mixing automotive refinish coatings for use with spray guns, having a first component mounted rotatably on a frame, having a second component bearing or forming a mixing product receptacle mounted rotatably on the first component and having at least one drive device for a rotary drive of the first component and a rotary drive of the mixing product receptacle. <CIT> describes a mixing device for mixing liquid, flowable or powdery materials comprising a pivoted first component, with a second component pivoted on the first component, with a drive mechanism for generating a rotational movement of the first component.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a rotation mixer may include a housing, a drive unit coupled to the housing, a carriage mounted on the drive unit for rotation relative to the housing, and a basket mounted for rotation relative to the carriage. The basket may receive material to be mixed. The carriage may include an arm and a drive line coupled to the arm. The arm may be mounted on the drive unit for rotation about a first axis relative to the housing, and the drive line may convert rotation of the arm into rotation of the basket about a second axis relative to the arm during use of the rotation mixer. The second axis may be arranged at an oblique angle relative to the first axis.

In illustrative embodiments, the drive line may include a belt and a plurality of pulleys coupled to the arm. The belt may be routed around the pulleys and engage with a ring gear coupled to the basket and a transfer gear coupled to the housing. The transfer gear may be fixed against rotation about the first axis.

In illustrative embodiments, the arm may include opposite first and second ends and a support body extending between the first and second ends. The basket may be mounted to the first end and the support body may be mounted to the drive unit. A counterweight may be coupled to the second end. A bore may extend into the support body to receive a shaft of the drive unit.

In illustrative embodiments, the plurality of pulleys may include six pulleys. Four pulleys may be coupled adjacent to the bore, and two of the pulleys may be coupled adjacent to the second end.

In illustrative embodiments, a tensioner may be coupled to the arm and arranged to adjust a tension in the belt. The tensioner may include a frame coupled to the arm and an adjustment mechanism coupled between the arm and the frame for selective movement of the frame relative to the arm. Two pulleys of the plurality of pulleys may be coupled to the frame for movement with the frame relative to the arm.

The drawings disclose exemplary embodiments in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (for example, cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, or the like) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "up" and "down", "upper" and "lower" as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (for example, "horizontally", "upwardly", or the like), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to a number of illustrative embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

In the illustrative embodiment, a rotation mixer <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, a drive unit <NUM> coupled to housing <NUM>, a carriage <NUM> (sometimes referred to as an arm) mounted on drive unit <NUM> for rotation relative to housing <NUM>, and a basket <NUM> mounted for rotation relative to carriage <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, basket <NUM> is shaped and designed to receive a holder <NUM> with a material container <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, basket <NUM> receives material container <NUM> directly as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. A material to be mixed <NUM> is received in material container <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, rotation mixer <NUM> is arranged as a Dual Asymmetric Centrifugal (DAC) rotation mixer.

Carriage <NUM> in accordance with the present invention includes an arm <NUM> and a drive line <NUM> coupled to arm <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Carriage <NUM> is mounted on drive unit <NUM>, such as an electric motor, for rotation about a first axis A in a rotational direction (indicated by arrow <NUM>) relative to housing <NUM> during use of rotation mixer <NUM>. Basket <NUM> is arranged for rotation about a second axis B in a rotational direction (indicated by arrow <NUM>) during use of rotation mixer <NUM>. Axis B is arranged at an oblique angle relative to axis A. A transfer gear <NUM> is coupled to housing <NUM> and fixed against rotation about axis A. Drive line <NUM> engages with transfer gear <NUM> and a ring gear <NUM> coupled to basket <NUM> to convert rotation of arm <NUM> about axis A into rotation of basket <NUM> about axis B. In the illustrative embodiment, carriage <NUM> and basket <NUM> rotate in opposite rotational directions <NUM> and <NUM> around their respective axes A, B. For example, in the perspective of <FIG>, carriage <NUM> rotates counter-clockwise around axis A while basket <NUM> rotates clockwise around axis B.

Examples of some rotational mixers can be found within <CIT> and <CIT>. Such dual axis rotation mixing including asymmetric rotation may be referred to as planetary mixing and/or centrifugal mixing, although these terms may not be entirely accurate and are not intended to limit mixing parameters such as the direction of rotation about each of the dual axes, speed, and/or other geometry relationships.

Arm <NUM> includes a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM> spaced apart from first end <NUM>, and a support body <NUM> extending between first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Basket <NUM> is coupled to first end <NUM> and arranged for rotation relative to arm <NUM>. For example, basket <NUM> can be coupled to a spindle <NUM> engaged with one or more bearings <NUM> mounted in first end <NUM> to support basket <NUM> on arm <NUM> while allowing rotation about axis B as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, one or more counterweights <NUM> are coupled to second end <NUM> of arm <NUM> to balance carriage <NUM>. For example, counterweights <NUM> can be arranged to align a center of gravity of carriage <NUM> along axis A.

A shaft <NUM> of drive unit <NUM> engages with support body <NUM> of arm <NUM> and a fastener <NUM>, such as a bolt, engages with arm <NUM> and shaft <NUM> to hold arm <NUM> on drive unit <NUM> as suggested in <FIG> and <FIG>. Arm <NUM> is shown separated from shaft <NUM> in <FIG> and mounted on shaft <NUM> in <FIG>. In the illustrative embodiment, a bore <NUM> is formed into support body <NUM> and sized to receive at least a portion of shaft <NUM> therein as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, a press fit is formed between shaft <NUM> and bore <NUM>. In some embodiments, a key <NUM> engages with arm <NUM> and shaft <NUM> to block rotation of shaft <NUM> relative to arm <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of fastener <NUM> is narrower than bore <NUM> (as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>) and extends through bore <NUM> to engage with shaft <NUM>. In some embodiments, bore <NUM> is threaded to receive a removal tool having a threaded end to engage with the threads of bore <NUM> and force arm <NUM> off of shaft <NUM>.

Drive line <NUM> includes a belt <NUM> and a plurality of pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> coupled to arm <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Belt <NUM> is formed as a continuous loop along a length direction L (<FIG>) and routed around pulleys <NUM>-<NUM>, transfer gear <NUM>, and ring gear <NUM>. In some embodiments, belt <NUM> is formed to define ribs or teeth for engaging with corresponding ribs or teeth on gears <NUM>, <NUM>. Pulleys <NUM>-<NUM> guide belt <NUM> between transfer gear <NUM> and ring gear <NUM>. In the illustrative embodiment, the plurality of pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> includes a pair of first pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> coupled to support body <NUM>, a pair of second pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> coupled to second end <NUM>, and a pair of third pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> coupled to first end <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Belt <NUM> extends from ring gear <NUM> (coupled to basket <NUM>) to first pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, extends from first pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> to second pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, extends from second pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> to third pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, and extends from third pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> to transfer gear <NUM> (coupled with housing <NUM>). First pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged substantially perpendicular to axis A, and second pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> and third pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged substantially parallel to axis A.

Belt <NUM> flexes and twists between various orientations during movement along pulleys <NUM>-<NUM> and gears <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, from the perspective of <FIG> and <FIG>, belt <NUM> twists across a width direction W (<FIG>) of belt <NUM> from a substantially vertical orientation at ring gear <NUM> (e.g., width direction W arranged substantially parallel to axis B) to a substantially horizontal orientation at pulley <NUM> (e.g., width direction W arranged substantially perpendicular to axis A and/or axis B) and back to a substantially vertical orientation at pulley <NUM> (e.g., width direction W arranged substantially parallel to axis A). Pulley <NUM> is spaced apart from ring gear <NUM>, and pulley <NUM> is spaced apart from pulley <NUM>, to allow belt <NUM> to twist along a substantial distance, such as from adjacent first end <NUM> of arm <NUM> to adjacent bore <NUM> and from adjacent bore <NUM> to adjacent second end <NUM>. These distances are longer than in other devices, such as the one found within <CIT>, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The arrangement of pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> relative to ring gear <NUM> also limit an amount of twist on belt <NUM>. For example, belt <NUM> twists about <NUM> degrees or less from the orientation on ring gear <NUM> to the orientation on pulley <NUM>. Belt <NUM> then twists back <NUM> degrees from the orientation on pulley <NUM> to the orientation on pulley <NUM>, resulting in a total twist on belt <NUM> of about <NUM> degrees from ring gear <NUM> to pulley <NUM> as compared to about <NUM> degrees of total twist on belts used in other devices. Twisting of belt <NUM> by more than <NUM> degrees but less than <NUM> degrees is also contemplated by the present invention.

The arrangement of drive line <NUM>, including the spacing and orientation of pulleys <NUM>-<NUM>, limits wear on belt <NUM>. The use of six pulleys <NUM>-<NUM> in drive line <NUM>, as compared to four pulleys used in other devices, further limits wear on belt <NUM> and limits stresses experienced at each pulley <NUM>-<NUM>. An overall length of belt <NUM> is also longer than belts in other devices, further reducing wear on belt <NUM>, as contact points with the pulleys or turns and twists on any point along belt <NUM> occur less often as the belt <NUM> travels through the pulley system. Arrangement of pulleys <NUM>-<NUM> and subsequently routing of belt <NUM> on pulleys <NUM>-<NUM> also allows first end <NUM> of arm <NUM> and basket <NUM> to be arranged closer to drive unit <NUM> relative to second end <NUM>, thereby moving a center of gravity of carriage <NUM> closer to drive unit <NUM> compared to other devices. First end <NUM> of the arm <NUM> can further be lowered closer to drive unit <NUM> in the housing <NUM>, thereby permitting basket <NUM> to sit lower in the housing <NUM>, reducing gravitational forces acting on the basket <NUM> during the mixing process. These advantages that can provide for a reduction of materials, cost and complexity of the carriage <NUM> and/or an increase in durability of the carriage <NUM>.

In the illustrative embodiment, a tensioner <NUM> is coupled to arm <NUM> and configured for adjusting a tension along belt <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Tensioner <NUM> allows adjustment of tension in belt <NUM> to levels sufficient for efficient operation of drive line <NUM> while minimizing stress on pulleys <NUM>-<NUM>. Tensioner <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> coupled to second end <NUM> of arm <NUM> and an adjustment mechanism <NUM> coupled between arm <NUM> and frame <NUM> for selective movement of frame <NUM> relative to arm <NUM>. Pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted to frame <NUM> for movement with frame <NUM> relative to arm <NUM>. In some embodiments, adjustment mechanism <NUM> includes a threaded fastener <NUM>, such as a bolt, engaged with arm <NUM> and extending into a threaded hole <NUM> of frame <NUM> to drive movement of frame <NUM> with rotation of fastener <NUM>. In some embodiments, fasteners <NUM> extend through slots <NUM> of frame <NUM> to hold frame <NUM> on arm <NUM> and allow sliding movement of frame <NUM> relative to arm <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, fasteners engage with caps <NUM> to couple fasteners <NUM> with arm <NUM>. A cover plate <NUM> is coupled to arm <NUM> to block access to drive line <NUM> during operation of rotational mixer <NUM>. In some embodiments, a weight of frame <NUM> allows smaller counterweights <NUM> to be used compared to other devices. Tensioner <NUM> can illustratively act as a counter mass to the basket <NUM> on arm <NUM> during rotation of arm <NUM> about axis A.

Additional views of carriage <NUM> can be seen in <FIG>.

Substances or formulations that can be mixed in rotation mixer <NUM> include, but are not limited to, fluids, semi-fluids, suspensions, colloids, gels, pastes, articles, granules, powders, other flowable material, and mixtures or combinations of at least two of the foregoing. Examples of materials that can be mixed include, but are not limited to, creams, epoxies, inks, adhesives, sealants, and coatings.

Claim 1:
A carriage (<NUM>) arranged for rotation about a first axis (A) in a rotation mixer (<NUM>), the carriage (<NUM>) comprising:
an arm (<NUM>) including a first end (<NUM>), a second end (<NUM>) spaced apart from first end (<NUM>), and a support body (<NUM>) extending between the first and second ends (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a drive line (<NUM>) including a plurality of pulleys (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the arm (<NUM>) and a belt (<NUM>) routed around the pulleys, and
a basket (<NUM>) mounted on the first end (<NUM>) of the arm (<NUM>) for rotation relative to the arm (<NUM>) about a second axis (B) arranged at an oblique angle relative to the first axis (A),
wherein the belt (<NUM>) is formed as a continuous loop along a length direction (L) of the belt (<NUM>), the belt (<NUM>) is coupled to the basket (<NUM>) such that rotation of the arm (<NUM>) about the first axis (A) drives rotation of the basket (<NUM>) about the second axis (B), and the plurality of pulleys (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are arranged such that the belt (<NUM>) twists across a width direction (W) of the belt (<NUM>) less than about <NUM> degrees throughout the drive line (<NUM>), and characterized in that the plurality of pulleys (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes a pair of first pulleys (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the support body (<NUM>) of the arm (<NUM>), a pair of second pulleys (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the second end (<NUM>) of the arm (<NUM>), and a pair of third pulleys (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the first end (<NUM>) of the arm (<NUM>).