Patent ID: 7946753

Claim:
A rotatable mixing device comprising a leading helical mixing element; a trailing helical mixing element; a number N intermediate helical mixing elements, where N is an integer of 0 or greater; and a number X means for connecting (connecting means), where X equals 1 plus N; the helical mixing elements having a twisted ribbon-shape and the same direction of twist (i.e., handedness); the rotatable mixing device being configured in such a way that the leading, intermediate, and trailing helical mixing elements are axially aligned with and in sequential operative connection to each other, each operative connection between adjacent helical mixing elements independently comprising one of the connecting means; each helical mixing element independently being characterizable as having spaced-apart leading and trailing edges; a longitudinal axis; a length (L e ) along its longitudinal axis; an angle of twist (T e ) of from 90 degrees) (°) to 360° about its longitudinal axis; a diameter (D e ) perpendicular to its longitudinal axis; and being dimensioned so as to establish a configuration of the helical mixing element characterizable by a mathematical relationship between each L e and D e of D e ≦L e ≦2D e ; adjacent helical mixing elements and the connecting means through which they are connected are configured in such a way so as to dispose the leading edge of one of the adjacent helical mixing elements within a separation distance (S a ) of and at an offset angle (α a ) to the trailing edge of the other of the adjacent helical mixing elements so as to independently establish relative spacing and orientation between the adjacent helical mixing elements characterizable by a mathematical relationship between S a and each of their L e of 0L e ≦S a ≦L e and a value for α a of from 0° to 90°, respectively.