CA1081208A - Wobble plate mixer for liquid charges - Google Patents
Wobble plate mixer for liquid chargesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1081208A CA1081208A CA285,824A CA285824A CA1081208A CA 1081208 A CA1081208 A CA 1081208A CA 285824 A CA285824 A CA 285824A CA 1081208 A CA1081208 A CA 1081208A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- charge
- volume
- frame
- section
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F17/00—Washing machines having receptacles, stationary for washing purposes, wherein the washing action is effected solely by circulation or agitation of the washing liquid
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
- B01F31/30—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms comprising a receptacle to only a part of which the shaking, oscillating, or vibrating movement is imparted
- B01F31/31—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms comprising a receptacle to only a part of which the shaking, oscillating, or vibrating movement is imparted using receptacles with deformable parts, e.g. membranes, to which a motion is imparted
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A mixer for a charge of predetermined volume of a liquid-like consistency comprises a frame, a composite container means on the frame for the charge, and a lower flexible section with a lower chamber of variable volume and having an upper perimetrical edge. An upper rigid section is provided, with an upper chamber of fixed volume that has a rigid cylindrical wall with a lower perimetrical edge. An attachment joins the lower and upper sections together at the edges. A wobble plate is mounted on the bottom of the flexible section. A wobble drive is rotatably journaled in a lower portion of the frame and has a drive relationship with the wobble plate. A motor is mounted on the frame at a location below and exterior relative to the container means. The motor has a single direction driving connection with the wobble drive whereby to impart an oscillatory motion to the flexible section and the charge.
A connection is provided between the upper rigid section and the frame, the connection being at a location spaced from the lower perimetrical edge. The volume of the lower chamber is less than the volume of the charge, and the aggregate volumes of the chambers respectively in the lower and upper sections are such as to provide a liquid level intermedi-ate upper and lower ends of the upper rigid section, the charge being adapted to shift cyclically between the chambers during an operation in response to action of the wobble plate.
A mixer for a charge of predetermined volume of a liquid-like consistency comprises a frame, a composite container means on the frame for the charge, and a lower flexible section with a lower chamber of variable volume and having an upper perimetrical edge. An upper rigid section is provided, with an upper chamber of fixed volume that has a rigid cylindrical wall with a lower perimetrical edge. An attachment joins the lower and upper sections together at the edges. A wobble plate is mounted on the bottom of the flexible section. A wobble drive is rotatably journaled in a lower portion of the frame and has a drive relationship with the wobble plate. A motor is mounted on the frame at a location below and exterior relative to the container means. The motor has a single direction driving connection with the wobble drive whereby to impart an oscillatory motion to the flexible section and the charge.
A connection is provided between the upper rigid section and the frame, the connection being at a location spaced from the lower perimetrical edge. The volume of the lower chamber is less than the volume of the charge, and the aggregate volumes of the chambers respectively in the lower and upper sections are such as to provide a liquid level intermedi-ate upper and lower ends of the upper rigid section, the charge being adapted to shift cyclically between the chambers during an operation in response to action of the wobble plate.
Description
~08~
The present invention relates to a mi~er and particu-larly to the application of the wobble principle as applied to a flexible mixing container.
Although the wobble principle has been made use of in mixing such ingredients as concrete, such mi~ers are not always capable of being effectively and economically produced in small sizes such, for example, as might be useful in mixing laboratory samples or in another field in the washing of clothes. For more sophisticated mixing of many of the more recent plastic materi-als, some loaded with fillers, and with various rapid set uptimes, aided by heat and catalysts, slow motion but rapidly effective mixing techni~ues need to be made use of. There is further, in sundry industrial processes, need for a washing machine capable of washing both hard and soft objects where the washing takes place in presence of liquid, liquid detergent, or other washing media, and for the washing of various materials, both hard objects and soft objects such as fabric. It is also necessary in some types of laboratory conditioning operations to wash or agitate a li~uid in the presence of a vacuum, in the presence of a pressure above atmospheric, and perhaps in other assorted special environments.
The present invention provides a mixer for a charge of predetermined volume of a liquid-like consistency, said mixer comprising a frame, a composite container means on the frame for said charge comprising a lower flexible section with a lower chamber of variable volume and having an upper perimetrical edge, an upper rigid section with an upper chamber of fixed volume having a rigid cylindrical wall with a lower perimetrical edge, and an attachment joining said lower and upper sections together at said edges; a wobble plate mounted on the bottom of the flexible section; a wobble drive rotatably journaled in a lower portion of said frama and having a drive relationship with
The present invention relates to a mi~er and particu-larly to the application of the wobble principle as applied to a flexible mixing container.
Although the wobble principle has been made use of in mixing such ingredients as concrete, such mi~ers are not always capable of being effectively and economically produced in small sizes such, for example, as might be useful in mixing laboratory samples or in another field in the washing of clothes. For more sophisticated mixing of many of the more recent plastic materi-als, some loaded with fillers, and with various rapid set uptimes, aided by heat and catalysts, slow motion but rapidly effective mixing techni~ues need to be made use of. There is further, in sundry industrial processes, need for a washing machine capable of washing both hard and soft objects where the washing takes place in presence of liquid, liquid detergent, or other washing media, and for the washing of various materials, both hard objects and soft objects such as fabric. It is also necessary in some types of laboratory conditioning operations to wash or agitate a li~uid in the presence of a vacuum, in the presence of a pressure above atmospheric, and perhaps in other assorted special environments.
The present invention provides a mixer for a charge of predetermined volume of a liquid-like consistency, said mixer comprising a frame, a composite container means on the frame for said charge comprising a lower flexible section with a lower chamber of variable volume and having an upper perimetrical edge, an upper rigid section with an upper chamber of fixed volume having a rigid cylindrical wall with a lower perimetrical edge, and an attachment joining said lower and upper sections together at said edges; a wobble plate mounted on the bottom of the flexible section; a wobble drive rotatably journaled in a lower portion of said frama and having a drive relationship with
- 2 - ~
said wobble plate; a motor on said frame at a location below and exterior relative to sai~ container means, said motor haviny a single directi.on driving connection with the wobble drive where-by to impart an oscillatory motion to the flexible section and the charge, a connection between the upper rigid section and the frame, the connection being at a location spaced from the lower perimetrical edge, the volume of the lower chamber being less than the volume of the charge; and the aggregate volumes of the chambers respectively in the lower and upper sections being such as to provide a liquid level intermediate upper and lower ends of the upper rigid section, the charge being adapted to shift cyclically between said chambers during an operation in response to action of said wobble plate, the height of the upper chamber between upper and lower ends being greater than the height of the lower chamber between the center o the wobble plate and the upper perimetrical edge of the lower flexible section, and wherein there is provided an agitator post centra- :
lly mounted on the wobble plate and having an effective length in excess of said height of the lower flexible section.
The features and objects of the present invention will :
be best understood from the following description of embodiments of the invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the device set up and ready for operation;
FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of the device showing a liquid-like charge of material in the inner moving container preparatory to the conditioning operation;
. FIGURE ~ is a longitudinal sectional view of a somewhat simpler version of the conditioner picture in Figure 3; and FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another form of the invention.
In one of a variety of forms of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration, there is shown in Figure 1 a frame indicated generally by the reference ~har-acter 10 consisting of a base 11 and upright legs 12 and 13 stiffened by braces 14 and 15 respectively. A yoke 16 con-sisting of a platform 17 and arms 18 and 19 is tiltably supported on the legs 12 and 13 by employment of a pivot connection 20 for the arm 18 and a pivot connection 21 for the arm 19. A handle 22 may be employed to tilt the yoke and its load, when desired.
Supported by the yoke on the platform 17 is a hous-ing 25 having a bottom wall 26 and a side wall 27, the side wall housing a chamber 28.
At the upper end of the housing 25 is a section 27' joined to the housing 25 by a flexible band 29. The section 27' is attached to an annular band 30 on which are lugs 30' by which the section 27' is supported at the tops of the arms 18 and 19. Also supported by the annular band 30 is an agitating container indicated generally by the reference character 31.
-It is of material significance that the container ;
be a two-part construction, which consists of two sections, namely an upper rigid section 32 and a lower flexible sec-tion 33. ;~
In the form of the invention of Figure 1 as in the other forms of the invention the object is to mix, wash or otherwise condition a specific charge of material in batch lots. Although the volume of the charge may vary to some extent, there is a relationship to the volume of the con-tainer which should be observed. Obviously the aggregate volume of the upper rigid section and the lower flexible section must exceed the volume of the charge. Of greater importance is that he volume of the charge be in excess of the volume of the lower flexible section. This means that the volume of the upper rigid section be at least comparable to that of the lower flexible section though preferably greater by a measurable amount.
Where the upper rigid,section has a cylindrical form and the lower flexible section is connected directly to it and has at that point substantially the same cylindri-cal form, the depth of the upper rigid section will bematerially greater than the depth of the lower flexible section.
With the relationship as described, the charge will occupy both sections, and experience a different mixing effect in each, portions of the charge passing cyclically out of one section and into the other and then returning.
By having a substantial portion of the charge in the upper rigid section at all times, the lower flexible section will be re~uired to move only a smaller fraction of the charge duriny its cyclical wobble operation while portions of the charge merely change places in the container as a whole.
The result is a more thorough, more rapid mixing or washing operation, as the case may be, without, however, requiring any more appreciable speed up in the oscillatory wobble motion.
~0~31%~3 In the embodiment of Figure 1 the liq~lid level of the charge will normally be somewhere near the mid portion of the upper rigid section. If a fold-in type of mixing is to be done, as where solid ingredients are to be mixed with a liquid mass, the level may be below the free end of such agitator post 46 as may be employed. For washing operations the upper rigid section may be almost full.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention of Figure 1, the upper edge of the lower flexible section is anchored to the lower edge of the upper rigid section by a band 34. A cover 35 provided with a handle 36 is shown and there may be provided a seal 37 which makes a sealing con-nection with an upper rim 3B of the rigid section 32.
Fastened to the bottom of the lower flexible sec-tion is a wobble assembly indicated generally by the refer-ence character 39. The wobble assembly consists of an inner plate 40 and an outer plate 41, outer perimeters of which secure between them an annular edge 42 of the lower flexible section by means of bolts 43. To give the charge an ade- ~;
quate lift when the wobble plate 40 is oscillated, it is advisable to have the diameter of the wobble relativley ;~
large as compared to the diameter of the lower flexible section measured, for example, at the upper perimetrical edge.
An electric motor 50 is hung on the under side of the platform 17 and connected thereto by a casing 51 housing a gear reducer. A drive shaft 52 from the gear reducer extends upwardly through a hole 53 into the chamber 28. A ~
liquid-tight packing 54 forms a rotating seal, being held ' down by a flange 55 secured by screws 56.
L2~
On the upper end of the drive shaft 52 is a fitting 57 providing a~ offset head 58. A tilted shaft 59 extending obliquely upwardly from the offset head is rotatably con-tained in a disc 45 which is anchored to the inner plate 40.
An agitator post 46 secured to the inner plate 40 by a bolt 47 extends into the interior of the container 31 and moves with the wobble assembly 39. A relatively short post is shownO Occasions may, however, be such as to re-quire a much longer post extending well into the upper rigid section.
By rotation of the fitting 57 and offset head 58 at a relatively slow speed achi~eved by employment of the gear reducer, an oscillating movement or wobble motion is imparted to the disc 45 and, accordingly, to the bottom of the lower flexible section 33 and its contents. Oscillation as described provides the agitation for the conditioning, cleaning or mixing of a charge in the container 31.
Where some special condition is desired as, for example, conditioning in the presence of a vacuum, there may be provided a vacuum line 60 in communication with the chamber 28 in the housing 25. A vent 61 protected by a baffle 62 is in communication with the interior o~ the con-tainer 31 to equalize pressure between the exterior and the interior of the flexible section 33 thereby permitting it to operate freely as long as the containers are being subjected to a vacuum condition. Conversely, a pressure condition could be maintained through the same line 60.
After conditioning of the charge within the con-tainer 31 by the wobble motion described, the charge can be discharged after ~irst removing the cover 35 by manipulating ~151lZ~)~
the handle 22 in order to tilt the yoke and consequently the container 31 to a partially inverted position whereby the contents can be discharged. In this tilting operation the entire apparatus, namely the yoke, the container 31, and motor 50 is tilted about the axis of rotation of the pivot connections, 20 and 21. By so balancing the assembly that the greater load is on the side occupied by the electric motor 50, when the container 31 is loaded with a charge~
the yoke will always tend to assume the position of Figure 1 which may be designated as upright position with the ?
cover 35 at the top.
In a second embodiment1 of the invention shown in Figure 3, the frame consists of a cylindrical base 65 in which a chamber 66 houses an electric motor 67 with its gear reducer 68 arranged to drive a drive shaft 69. A
conical clutch 70 when in engagement transfers the drive to a driven shaft 71 which extends through the bottom 72 of a housing indicated generally by the reference character 73 embodied in part in a cylindrical wall 74. A seal 76' at~ached to the bottom 72 above an opening 76 therein accom-modates the driven shaft permitting it to rotate freely.
At the upper end of the driven shaft is a fitting 77 haviny an offset head 78 on which is a tilted shaft 79 forming part of the wobble action. The tilted shaft 79 is rotatably secured in a disc 80 which is part of an inner plate 81.
The inner plate 81 and an outer plate 82 hold between them an annular edge 83 of a flexible section ~, the flexible section being part of a container indicated generally by .... . .
the reference character 85, of which a rigid section 86 forms the other part. The upper edge of the flexible section is anchored to the lower edge of the rigid section by means of a band 87.
For mounting the container in the housing 74 there is provided a partition 88 on which is an annular flange 89, the rigid section 86 being secured to the annular flange 89 by welding or other appropriate attachment.
In addition to providing a support for the container 85, the partition 88 divides the interior of the housing 73 into an upper chamber 90 and a lower chamber 91. The con-tainer 85 is in communication with the upper chamber 90 notonly by reason of the rigid section having an open top, but also by use of the multiplici~y of perforations 92 which ex-tend through the wall of the rigid section. If desired the flexible section 84 may be provided with perforations 184 to communicate with the lower chamber 91. A solenoid actuated drain valve 93 is adapted to be opened and closed by remote control when the liquid contents of the container are to be discharged. After the liquid contents pass through the open drain valve into the lower chamber 91, they can be discharged therefrom by a discharge valve 94.
As pictured by way of example, the machine is set up for washing a charge consisting of bundles 98 of fabric in a detergent liquid 97. It will be appreciated, however, that this is by way of example only inasmuch as the charge could be solid objects or virtually any type or description of article which might need conditioning, as for example, washing, dyeing, impregnating, bleaching, softening, etc.
Here the volume of the charge is about twice the volume of the lower flexible section, and the liquid level is near the top of the upper rigid section.
_g_ 2V~3 A lid 99 is shown closing the top of the container 73 where an occasion might require conditioning under special designated pressure as, for example, either a vacuum or negative pressure on the one hand, or a positive pressure on the other hand. On other occasions the chamber 90 may be filled with a selected gas of some predetermined mixture.
After the charge has been conditioned, as suggested in the foregoing description, and it should become desirable to rid the bundles 98 of surplus moisture, there is an arrangement built into the housing 73 making it possible to spin dry the contents. To accomplish this an annular bearing comprising upper and lower races 103 and 104 serves to mount the housing 73 on the cylindrical base 65. A gear train consisting oE a large gear 105 on the drive shaft 69 meshing with a small gear 106 on a driven shaft 107 is made use of to rotate the driven shaft 107 at a relatively higher speed. The driven shaft is journaled on a bracket 108.
A second drive shaft 109 in axial alignment with the driven shaft 107 has~a magnetic clutch 110 associated ;
therewith the second drive shaft being rotatably mounted in a bracket 111. On the second drive shaft 109 is a pulley 112 over which passes a belt 113, the belt passing over a pulley 114 on the drive shaft 71. The pulley 114 is made fast to the bottom 72 of the housing 73 so that when the pulley 114 is rotated, the housing 73 will be rotated. When `
the housing 73 is being rotated at the higher speed made possible by the gear ratios of the gears 105 and 106, the clutch 70 i9 disengaged by manipulation of the plunger 115 `~
and rocker arm 116 in a substantially conventional fashion.
Holes 88' through the partition 88 allow liquid to .. . .
:~ - . .
entirely surround both upper and lower portions o~ the container ~5. A seal 76' effectively seals the opening 76 through which the drive shaft 71 passes. In the form of in-vention of Figure 4 which resembles Figure 3 as to its general aspects, a partition 188 which carries the upper rigid section 86 of a container 85' on the cylindrical wall 74 is imperforate. Holes 184 through the lower flexible section 84' permit liquid to pass freely between the interior of container 85' and the lower chamber 91. A housing 118 contains a fixed outer bearing ring 119 and an inner bearing ring 119' attached to the upper rigid section 86 so that if need be the container 85' is free to rotate. A discharge valve 94' drains the upper chamber 90.
In the form of invention of Figure 5, spin dry is accomplished in a different fashion. To make this possible an annular bearing 120 is made use of. One bearing ring 121 is mounted on a partition 122, and a second bearing ring 123 is secured to a bushing 12g anchored in a platform 125.
The partition 122 is at the top of a base 126 on a supporting surface 127. More particularly the partition is the bottom of a housing 128, the housing forming a chamber 129 for a reservoir of liquid 130.
Within the chamber 129 is an agitating container indicated generally by the reference character 131. In this form of the invention the agitating container 131 has a rigid upper section 132 and a flexible lower section 133 secured to the upper section by a band 134. A rotating yoke 135, of which the platform 125 is part, has arms 136 and -- 137, the tops of which have plates 138 and 139 to which the F~ r ~o~ t;o~9 upper section 132 is anchored. ~ ~o~a~- 140 allow the --11-- ~.
. . - . .
10~ 8 liquid 130 to pass into the container 131 and a lid 141 keeps the liquid from splashing out.
At the bottom of the lower section a s~lenoid actuated discharge valve 143 can be opened to completely drain the container when needed. To empty the chamber 129 a drain valve 146 is provided.
~or agitating the contents 147 of the containQr 131 while the yoke 135 remains stationary, use is made of a wobble assembly 150. As in other forms of the invention, the wobble assembly consists of an inner plate 151 and an outer plate 152 which clamp between them an annular edge 153 of ~he lower section.
Power for the operation is provided by a motor 155 in the base 126 acting through a speed reducer 156 to rotate a motor shaft 157. A fitting 158 on the shaft 157 has an offset head 159 on which is a freely rotating shaft 160 journaled in a disc 161, the disc being part of the inner plate 151.
A bearing unit 162 secured by a flange 163 to the underside of the partition 122 contains a bearing 164 which rotatably supports the shaft 157, the shaft extending throuyh an opening 165 in which is a seal 166. -Where a spin dry action is desired, there is em-ployed a clutch 170 of substantially conventional construc-tion mounted in the bushing 124, and, when desired, operated by electronic means (not shown) from an exterior station.
Action of the clutch is to interconnect the shaft 157 and the yoke 135 so that the yoke and all that is mounted on it rotates.
In this form of the device perforations 168 may be provided in the flexible lower s~ction 133.
The motor 155 may, for example, be a two-speed motor controlled by an appropriate motor switch 171 whereby when the device is being used for conditioning such, for ex-ample, as washing, the low speed rate is employed. Whenthe spin dry operation is to take place, the motor can be shifted to high speed operation. Consequently, the rotation of the yoke 135 at the relatively higher speed spins the container 131 thereby to rid the bundles of presence of liquid by operation of centrifugal force. Such liquid as maybe thus spun from the bundles can again be drained off through the drain valve 146.
While the invention has herein been shown and des-cribed in what is conceived to be a practical and effective embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.
said wobble plate; a motor on said frame at a location below and exterior relative to sai~ container means, said motor haviny a single directi.on driving connection with the wobble drive where-by to impart an oscillatory motion to the flexible section and the charge, a connection between the upper rigid section and the frame, the connection being at a location spaced from the lower perimetrical edge, the volume of the lower chamber being less than the volume of the charge; and the aggregate volumes of the chambers respectively in the lower and upper sections being such as to provide a liquid level intermediate upper and lower ends of the upper rigid section, the charge being adapted to shift cyclically between said chambers during an operation in response to action of said wobble plate, the height of the upper chamber between upper and lower ends being greater than the height of the lower chamber between the center o the wobble plate and the upper perimetrical edge of the lower flexible section, and wherein there is provided an agitator post centra- :
lly mounted on the wobble plate and having an effective length in excess of said height of the lower flexible section.
The features and objects of the present invention will :
be best understood from the following description of embodiments of the invention by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the device set up and ready for operation;
FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of the device showing a liquid-like charge of material in the inner moving container preparatory to the conditioning operation;
. FIGURE ~ is a longitudinal sectional view of a somewhat simpler version of the conditioner picture in Figure 3; and FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of still another form of the invention.
In one of a variety of forms of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration, there is shown in Figure 1 a frame indicated generally by the reference ~har-acter 10 consisting of a base 11 and upright legs 12 and 13 stiffened by braces 14 and 15 respectively. A yoke 16 con-sisting of a platform 17 and arms 18 and 19 is tiltably supported on the legs 12 and 13 by employment of a pivot connection 20 for the arm 18 and a pivot connection 21 for the arm 19. A handle 22 may be employed to tilt the yoke and its load, when desired.
Supported by the yoke on the platform 17 is a hous-ing 25 having a bottom wall 26 and a side wall 27, the side wall housing a chamber 28.
At the upper end of the housing 25 is a section 27' joined to the housing 25 by a flexible band 29. The section 27' is attached to an annular band 30 on which are lugs 30' by which the section 27' is supported at the tops of the arms 18 and 19. Also supported by the annular band 30 is an agitating container indicated generally by the reference character 31.
-It is of material significance that the container ;
be a two-part construction, which consists of two sections, namely an upper rigid section 32 and a lower flexible sec-tion 33. ;~
In the form of the invention of Figure 1 as in the other forms of the invention the object is to mix, wash or otherwise condition a specific charge of material in batch lots. Although the volume of the charge may vary to some extent, there is a relationship to the volume of the con-tainer which should be observed. Obviously the aggregate volume of the upper rigid section and the lower flexible section must exceed the volume of the charge. Of greater importance is that he volume of the charge be in excess of the volume of the lower flexible section. This means that the volume of the upper rigid section be at least comparable to that of the lower flexible section though preferably greater by a measurable amount.
Where the upper rigid,section has a cylindrical form and the lower flexible section is connected directly to it and has at that point substantially the same cylindri-cal form, the depth of the upper rigid section will bematerially greater than the depth of the lower flexible section.
With the relationship as described, the charge will occupy both sections, and experience a different mixing effect in each, portions of the charge passing cyclically out of one section and into the other and then returning.
By having a substantial portion of the charge in the upper rigid section at all times, the lower flexible section will be re~uired to move only a smaller fraction of the charge duriny its cyclical wobble operation while portions of the charge merely change places in the container as a whole.
The result is a more thorough, more rapid mixing or washing operation, as the case may be, without, however, requiring any more appreciable speed up in the oscillatory wobble motion.
~0~31%~3 In the embodiment of Figure 1 the liq~lid level of the charge will normally be somewhere near the mid portion of the upper rigid section. If a fold-in type of mixing is to be done, as where solid ingredients are to be mixed with a liquid mass, the level may be below the free end of such agitator post 46 as may be employed. For washing operations the upper rigid section may be almost full.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention of Figure 1, the upper edge of the lower flexible section is anchored to the lower edge of the upper rigid section by a band 34. A cover 35 provided with a handle 36 is shown and there may be provided a seal 37 which makes a sealing con-nection with an upper rim 3B of the rigid section 32.
Fastened to the bottom of the lower flexible sec-tion is a wobble assembly indicated generally by the refer-ence character 39. The wobble assembly consists of an inner plate 40 and an outer plate 41, outer perimeters of which secure between them an annular edge 42 of the lower flexible section by means of bolts 43. To give the charge an ade- ~;
quate lift when the wobble plate 40 is oscillated, it is advisable to have the diameter of the wobble relativley ;~
large as compared to the diameter of the lower flexible section measured, for example, at the upper perimetrical edge.
An electric motor 50 is hung on the under side of the platform 17 and connected thereto by a casing 51 housing a gear reducer. A drive shaft 52 from the gear reducer extends upwardly through a hole 53 into the chamber 28. A ~
liquid-tight packing 54 forms a rotating seal, being held ' down by a flange 55 secured by screws 56.
L2~
On the upper end of the drive shaft 52 is a fitting 57 providing a~ offset head 58. A tilted shaft 59 extending obliquely upwardly from the offset head is rotatably con-tained in a disc 45 which is anchored to the inner plate 40.
An agitator post 46 secured to the inner plate 40 by a bolt 47 extends into the interior of the container 31 and moves with the wobble assembly 39. A relatively short post is shownO Occasions may, however, be such as to re-quire a much longer post extending well into the upper rigid section.
By rotation of the fitting 57 and offset head 58 at a relatively slow speed achi~eved by employment of the gear reducer, an oscillating movement or wobble motion is imparted to the disc 45 and, accordingly, to the bottom of the lower flexible section 33 and its contents. Oscillation as described provides the agitation for the conditioning, cleaning or mixing of a charge in the container 31.
Where some special condition is desired as, for example, conditioning in the presence of a vacuum, there may be provided a vacuum line 60 in communication with the chamber 28 in the housing 25. A vent 61 protected by a baffle 62 is in communication with the interior o~ the con-tainer 31 to equalize pressure between the exterior and the interior of the flexible section 33 thereby permitting it to operate freely as long as the containers are being subjected to a vacuum condition. Conversely, a pressure condition could be maintained through the same line 60.
After conditioning of the charge within the con-tainer 31 by the wobble motion described, the charge can be discharged after ~irst removing the cover 35 by manipulating ~151lZ~)~
the handle 22 in order to tilt the yoke and consequently the container 31 to a partially inverted position whereby the contents can be discharged. In this tilting operation the entire apparatus, namely the yoke, the container 31, and motor 50 is tilted about the axis of rotation of the pivot connections, 20 and 21. By so balancing the assembly that the greater load is on the side occupied by the electric motor 50, when the container 31 is loaded with a charge~
the yoke will always tend to assume the position of Figure 1 which may be designated as upright position with the ?
cover 35 at the top.
In a second embodiment1 of the invention shown in Figure 3, the frame consists of a cylindrical base 65 in which a chamber 66 houses an electric motor 67 with its gear reducer 68 arranged to drive a drive shaft 69. A
conical clutch 70 when in engagement transfers the drive to a driven shaft 71 which extends through the bottom 72 of a housing indicated generally by the reference character 73 embodied in part in a cylindrical wall 74. A seal 76' at~ached to the bottom 72 above an opening 76 therein accom-modates the driven shaft permitting it to rotate freely.
At the upper end of the driven shaft is a fitting 77 haviny an offset head 78 on which is a tilted shaft 79 forming part of the wobble action. The tilted shaft 79 is rotatably secured in a disc 80 which is part of an inner plate 81.
The inner plate 81 and an outer plate 82 hold between them an annular edge 83 of a flexible section ~, the flexible section being part of a container indicated generally by .... . .
the reference character 85, of which a rigid section 86 forms the other part. The upper edge of the flexible section is anchored to the lower edge of the rigid section by means of a band 87.
For mounting the container in the housing 74 there is provided a partition 88 on which is an annular flange 89, the rigid section 86 being secured to the annular flange 89 by welding or other appropriate attachment.
In addition to providing a support for the container 85, the partition 88 divides the interior of the housing 73 into an upper chamber 90 and a lower chamber 91. The con-tainer 85 is in communication with the upper chamber 90 notonly by reason of the rigid section having an open top, but also by use of the multiplici~y of perforations 92 which ex-tend through the wall of the rigid section. If desired the flexible section 84 may be provided with perforations 184 to communicate with the lower chamber 91. A solenoid actuated drain valve 93 is adapted to be opened and closed by remote control when the liquid contents of the container are to be discharged. After the liquid contents pass through the open drain valve into the lower chamber 91, they can be discharged therefrom by a discharge valve 94.
As pictured by way of example, the machine is set up for washing a charge consisting of bundles 98 of fabric in a detergent liquid 97. It will be appreciated, however, that this is by way of example only inasmuch as the charge could be solid objects or virtually any type or description of article which might need conditioning, as for example, washing, dyeing, impregnating, bleaching, softening, etc.
Here the volume of the charge is about twice the volume of the lower flexible section, and the liquid level is near the top of the upper rigid section.
_g_ 2V~3 A lid 99 is shown closing the top of the container 73 where an occasion might require conditioning under special designated pressure as, for example, either a vacuum or negative pressure on the one hand, or a positive pressure on the other hand. On other occasions the chamber 90 may be filled with a selected gas of some predetermined mixture.
After the charge has been conditioned, as suggested in the foregoing description, and it should become desirable to rid the bundles 98 of surplus moisture, there is an arrangement built into the housing 73 making it possible to spin dry the contents. To accomplish this an annular bearing comprising upper and lower races 103 and 104 serves to mount the housing 73 on the cylindrical base 65. A gear train consisting oE a large gear 105 on the drive shaft 69 meshing with a small gear 106 on a driven shaft 107 is made use of to rotate the driven shaft 107 at a relatively higher speed. The driven shaft is journaled on a bracket 108.
A second drive shaft 109 in axial alignment with the driven shaft 107 has~a magnetic clutch 110 associated ;
therewith the second drive shaft being rotatably mounted in a bracket 111. On the second drive shaft 109 is a pulley 112 over which passes a belt 113, the belt passing over a pulley 114 on the drive shaft 71. The pulley 114 is made fast to the bottom 72 of the housing 73 so that when the pulley 114 is rotated, the housing 73 will be rotated. When `
the housing 73 is being rotated at the higher speed made possible by the gear ratios of the gears 105 and 106, the clutch 70 i9 disengaged by manipulation of the plunger 115 `~
and rocker arm 116 in a substantially conventional fashion.
Holes 88' through the partition 88 allow liquid to .. . .
:~ - . .
entirely surround both upper and lower portions o~ the container ~5. A seal 76' effectively seals the opening 76 through which the drive shaft 71 passes. In the form of in-vention of Figure 4 which resembles Figure 3 as to its general aspects, a partition 188 which carries the upper rigid section 86 of a container 85' on the cylindrical wall 74 is imperforate. Holes 184 through the lower flexible section 84' permit liquid to pass freely between the interior of container 85' and the lower chamber 91. A housing 118 contains a fixed outer bearing ring 119 and an inner bearing ring 119' attached to the upper rigid section 86 so that if need be the container 85' is free to rotate. A discharge valve 94' drains the upper chamber 90.
In the form of invention of Figure 5, spin dry is accomplished in a different fashion. To make this possible an annular bearing 120 is made use of. One bearing ring 121 is mounted on a partition 122, and a second bearing ring 123 is secured to a bushing 12g anchored in a platform 125.
The partition 122 is at the top of a base 126 on a supporting surface 127. More particularly the partition is the bottom of a housing 128, the housing forming a chamber 129 for a reservoir of liquid 130.
Within the chamber 129 is an agitating container indicated generally by the reference character 131. In this form of the invention the agitating container 131 has a rigid upper section 132 and a flexible lower section 133 secured to the upper section by a band 134. A rotating yoke 135, of which the platform 125 is part, has arms 136 and -- 137, the tops of which have plates 138 and 139 to which the F~ r ~o~ t;o~9 upper section 132 is anchored. ~ ~o~a~- 140 allow the --11-- ~.
. . - . .
10~ 8 liquid 130 to pass into the container 131 and a lid 141 keeps the liquid from splashing out.
At the bottom of the lower section a s~lenoid actuated discharge valve 143 can be opened to completely drain the container when needed. To empty the chamber 129 a drain valve 146 is provided.
~or agitating the contents 147 of the containQr 131 while the yoke 135 remains stationary, use is made of a wobble assembly 150. As in other forms of the invention, the wobble assembly consists of an inner plate 151 and an outer plate 152 which clamp between them an annular edge 153 of ~he lower section.
Power for the operation is provided by a motor 155 in the base 126 acting through a speed reducer 156 to rotate a motor shaft 157. A fitting 158 on the shaft 157 has an offset head 159 on which is a freely rotating shaft 160 journaled in a disc 161, the disc being part of the inner plate 151.
A bearing unit 162 secured by a flange 163 to the underside of the partition 122 contains a bearing 164 which rotatably supports the shaft 157, the shaft extending throuyh an opening 165 in which is a seal 166. -Where a spin dry action is desired, there is em-ployed a clutch 170 of substantially conventional construc-tion mounted in the bushing 124, and, when desired, operated by electronic means (not shown) from an exterior station.
Action of the clutch is to interconnect the shaft 157 and the yoke 135 so that the yoke and all that is mounted on it rotates.
In this form of the device perforations 168 may be provided in the flexible lower s~ction 133.
The motor 155 may, for example, be a two-speed motor controlled by an appropriate motor switch 171 whereby when the device is being used for conditioning such, for ex-ample, as washing, the low speed rate is employed. Whenthe spin dry operation is to take place, the motor can be shifted to high speed operation. Consequently, the rotation of the yoke 135 at the relatively higher speed spins the container 131 thereby to rid the bundles of presence of liquid by operation of centrifugal force. Such liquid as maybe thus spun from the bundles can again be drained off through the drain valve 146.
While the invention has herein been shown and des-cribed in what is conceived to be a practical and effective embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.
Claims (3)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A mixer for a charge of predetermined volume of a liquid-like consistency, said mixer comprising a frame, a com-posite container means on the frame for said charge comprising a lower flexible section with a lower chamber of variable volume and having an upper perimetrical edge, an upper rigid section with an upper chamber of fixed volume having a rigid cylindrical wall with a lower perimetrical edge, and an attachment joining said lower and upper sections together at said edges; a wobble plate mounted on the bottom of the flexible section; a wobble drive rotatably journaled in a lower portion of said frame and having a drive relationship with said wobble plate; a motor on said frame at a location below and exterior relative to said container means; said motor having a single direction driving connection with the wobble drive whereby to impart an oscilla-tory motion to the flexible section and the charge, a connection between the upper rigid section and the frame, the connection being at a location spaced from the lower perimetrical edge, the volume of the lower chamber being less than the volume of the charge; and the aggregate volumes of the chambers respectively in the lower and upper sections being such as to provide a liquid level intermediate upper and lower ends of the upper rigid section, the charge being adapted to shift cyclically between said chambers during an operation in response to action of said wobble plate, the height of the upper chamber between upper and lower ends being greater than the height of the lower chamber between the center of the wobble plate and the upper perimetrical edge of the lower flexible section, and wherein there is provided an agitator post centrally mounted on the wobble plate and having an effective length in excess of said height of the lower flexible section.
2. A mixer for a charge as in claim 1, wherein the volume of the upper chamber is greater than the volume of said lower chamber.
3. A mixer for a charge as in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the wobble plate is at least one-half the diameter of the lower flexible section at the upper perimetrical edge.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA328,236A CA1105449A (en) | 1977-06-29 | 1979-05-24 | Composite wobble plate mixer with recirculating jacket |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/811,163 US4112518A (en) | 1973-05-29 | 1977-06-29 | Mixer for liquid charges |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1081208A true CA1081208A (en) | 1980-07-08 |
Family
ID=25205747
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA285,824A Expired CA1081208A (en) | 1977-06-29 | 1977-08-31 | Wobble plate mixer for liquid charges |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5413066A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1081208A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2739497A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1589028A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5439810Y2 (en) * | 1976-02-27 | 1979-11-24 | ||
| JPS6183698U (en) * | 1984-11-07 | 1986-06-02 | ||
| DE4102296A1 (en) * | 1991-01-26 | 1991-08-22 | Schuhmaschinen Compart Gmbh | Forming homogeneous mixt. of liq. and powdered materials - by harmonic sinusoidal movements in superimposed planes in motor-driven spring-mounted container |
| JP5451600B2 (en) * | 2007-06-04 | 2014-03-26 | ジーイー・ヘルスケア・バイオサイエンス・バイオプロセス・コーポレイション | Device for mixing the contents of a container |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3132848A (en) * | 1961-05-22 | 1964-05-12 | Garlinghouse Brothers | Quick mixer |
| GB1418980A (en) * | 1973-03-13 | 1975-12-24 | Garlinghouse Brothers | Agitator mixer assembly |
| JPS52127670A (en) * | 1976-04-19 | 1977-10-26 | Kenichi Yamashita | Bottom plate with projection of oscillating vessel |
-
1977
- 1977-08-16 GB GB34354/77A patent/GB1589028A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-08-30 DE DE19772739497 patent/DE2739497A1/en active Granted
- 1977-08-30 JP JP10411277A patent/JPS5413066A/en active Pending
- 1977-08-31 CA CA285,824A patent/CA1081208A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB1589028A (en) | 1981-05-07 |
| DE2739497A1 (en) | 1979-01-04 |
| JPS5413066A (en) | 1979-01-31 |
| DE2739497C2 (en) | 1987-07-16 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4112518A (en) | Mixer for liquid charges | |
| US5399013A (en) | Mixing device | |
| US4468938A (en) | Tubless washing machine | |
| US3952557A (en) | Wobble washing machine | |
| US6115863A (en) | Drive system for a vertical axis washer | |
| CA2510260A1 (en) | Clothes washer accelerating systems and methods | |
| CA1081208A (en) | Wobble plate mixer for liquid charges | |
| US4631934A (en) | Washing machine | |
| US3464674A (en) | Vibrator | |
| US4440004A (en) | Wobble washer | |
| JPH08323093A (en) | Power transmission for washing machine | |
| US7757323B2 (en) | Belt drive washer | |
| CA1105449A (en) | Composite wobble plate mixer with recirculating jacket | |
| JP3088067B2 (en) | Defoaming stirrer | |
| US4095288A (en) | Variable agitator mixer | |
| US5142887A (en) | Resonant wave-jet agitator washing machine | |
| US2622425A (en) | Self-contained agitator for washing clothes | |
| CA2446623C (en) | Clothes washer wash cycle method and apparatus | |
| US2637187A (en) | Washing machine with a rotatable tub and a concentric basket | |
| US20180274158A1 (en) | Washing machine appliance with a tub counterweight | |
| JPH0323197B2 (en) | ||
| JPS6012888B2 (en) | processing equipment | |
| WO1996023925A1 (en) | Top loading vertical axis washing/drying machine | |
| JPS62286527A (en) | Mixing and defoaming method and device for mixture of powder and liquid of different specific gravity values such as 'diotansy' (phonetic) | |
| RU2085640C1 (en) | Washing machine |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |