Patent ID: 7334936

Claim:
A method of mixing fluid comprising: isolating a fluid to be mixed in a container; providing a mixing structure comprising: a shaft extending along an axis; a first support mounted to said shaft for rotation therewith, said first support having a top side and a bottom side, a number of first vanes mounted for rotation with said first support and extending outwardly from said top side of said first support, said first vanes having an inner edge and an outer edge, said first vanes having a first end and a second end, said first vanes spaced apart from one another and defining openings there between through which fluid may flow, said first ends of said first vanes connected to said first support and said first vanes at said second ends thereof defining a first open end of said mixing structure; and a second support selectively connected to said first support, said second support having a top side and a bottom side, a number of second vanes mounted for rotation with said second support and extending outwardly from said bottom side of said second support, said second vanes having an inner edge and an outer edge, said second vanes having a first end and a second end, said second vanes spaced apart from one another and defining openings there between through which fluid may flow, said first ends of said second vanes connected to said second support and said second vanes at said second ends thereof defining a second open end of said mixing structure; connecting said second support to said first support, whereby said second vanes extend in generally an opposing direction from said first vanes; positioning at least a portion of said mixing structure in said container containing fluid to be mixed; and rotating said mixing structure within said fluid within said container, drawing said fluid through said first and second open ends into said mixing structure, expelling said fluid radially outward towards said inner edges of said first and second vanes, shearing said fluid as it impacts said inner edges of said first and second vanes and passes through said opening between said first and second vanes, and trapping undispersed materials when such materials are present within said fluid with said first and second vanes.