Patent ID: 7399112

Claim:
A mixing apparatus for use with a vessel having a contiguous sidewall substantially centered about and defining a longitudinal axis, the mixing apparatus comprising: a base plate removably mountable atop the vessel; a table frame removably mountable atop the base plate; a housing removably mountable atop the table frame; a mixing head comprising a generally annular blade body for immersion into the fluids to be mixed within the vessel, the blade body having a centrally positioned hub member defining a substantially vertically directed hub axis, said hub member being attached to and surrounded by a ring portion defining an orifice having a centre of symmetry; a drive shaft for supporting the mixing head within the vessel and extending from the hub member to the housing; a reciprocating drive assembly mounted substantially within the housing, the reciprocating drive assembly being operatively connectable to the drive shaft for imparting reciprocating longitudinal movement to the mixing head; a linear bearing assembly mounted on the table frame in proximal relation to the housing with the drive shaft operatively slidable within said linear bearing assembly; wherein the mixing apparatus is positionable atop the vessel with the drive shaft, hub axis and centre of symmetry all being substantially aligned with said longitudinal axis; and wherein the housing has a housing base plate adjacent its lower end, the table frame has a top plate adjacent its upper end, and wherein the housing is mountable atop the top plate in removable contacting relation therewith.