Patent ID: 7021123

Claim:
Method for assessing a sample liquid, comprising: mixing within a container a sample liquid and assessing the rheology of said sample liquid, said mixing and assessing comprising the use of a device having a rotatable shaft member having a generally elongate body, at least one propeller blade attached to said shaft member and having a blade face oriented to propel a liquid in a direction along said elongate shaft body when said shaft is rotated within a liquid, and at least one elongate shear-resistant member for resisting circular motion when said shaft member is rotated within the liquid, said at least one shear-resistant member being spaced at a fixed distance from, and being fixed in a fixed rotational relationship with respect to, said at least one propeller such that said at least one shear-resistant member is rotated when said at least one propeller blade is rotated, and said at least one shear-resistant member being spaced apart from and attached to said rotatable shaft member; and measuring the heat or temperature of said sample liquid over time by employing a sensor in said container.