US2392731A

US2392731A - Paint mixer

Info

Publication number: US2392731A
Application number: US513217A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fox Mitchell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-12-07
Filing date: 1943-12-07
Publication date: 1946-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1963-01-08

Description

M. FOX

PAINT MIXER Jan. 8, 1946.

Filed Dec. 7, 1945 INVENTOR.

M ITC H E L L Fox XMM A TTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 8, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE' geszns PAINT Mitche l. Fo tafford, Ea Application December 7, 1943, Serial N- 513,217

mains- This invention relates generally to agitators and more particularly toan improved construe tier! ofagitator or stirring device f oruse in connection with containers such as are employed in the shipment, storage "and dispensation of paint and other viscous'liguids, the agitator of the present invention being intended for use primarily with, although not necessarily limitedto, containers of mgderate size, such as those having a capacity of five gallons.

The successful handling of viscous liquids'such as paints and the like, when storedv in relatively large receptacles, such as five gallon receptacles, has presented serious difficulties due to the fact that" s the mixturesettles, a sediment is formed in the'bottom of the container which must be brought back into suspension if the mixture is to serve its intended purposes in themost efilcaimi' n erthe present invention including means which operate effectively and efiioiently to insure rapid anduniiorm dispersion of the settled sediment throughout the liquid bod-y of the mixture.

Still another and'important object of the present in've 'tion is to provide a paint mixer having 'n agitator element which is so constructed that produces spaced'oo'ncentric zones of the container within which the mixer i "installed for u'sejbut also insures effective downwardboring of the agitator element into "e settled sediment in the bottom of the conwhereby to efiectively stir "and lift the sa e" for"'unif orrn dispersion throughout the time 6f the mixture? 'Othei objects and "advantages of the present it n61: only agitation in tainer invention and economieseffeeted incident to the 99 @1 5 2mg operation of'theagitator conlz q i ats r's jelea itt a mbc ie kie principles of the present in option will appear e hereinafter, it; beingunders'toodthat substantially in the camrec i "as a i au ment or he 1 It as hereinafte were a mine d awin an as finall m te out in tiieappendeu claims.

1 4 l5. ill

nexpensively by a simple stamping operation, f

ent invention installed for use in a container for paint or the like;

Figure 21s a vertical sectional view through the container showing'the agitator element in side elevation;

Fligure 3 is a transverse sectional view ofthe agitator element as taken on the line 3:3 of Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sectional views taken respectively on the iinesllrfl and 5:5 Oi Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a 'side elevational view of a. C09: tainer, partly broken away, showing the agitator elementofthe present invention installed in-the container and the means for securing it a ainst vertical or axial displacement during rotation thereof. .7

Referring now to the drawing, it will he observed that the agitator of the present invention is shown installed for use in a container [0 of the type customarily employed for paints or other such heavy bodied liquids; this type of container being generally"providedwithan annular lip or head H at the upper edge thereof. The mixing or agitator 'of the present invention, designated generally by the, reference numeral 12, essentially consists of an agitator element L3 preferably stamped out of fiat sheet metal to the upper edge of which is secured, in any, suitable manner, an operating handle assembly IQ for rotating the agitator element about its central vertical a ds. Referring first to the agitator element I; it will be noted that it is generally in the fer h rectangular plate of such size as to be read l accommodated within the container. ID, the tra s verse over-all dimension of this agitator ele being only somewhat less than the dianie H the container 10, while its ove -e1 hei ht so, 8 what exceeds half the effective depth of the con,- t'ainer. As most clearly appears in Eigures 2 tov 5i, theplate of which the agitator element l is formed is so formed as to. pro 'de it with a plugrality of laterally spaced ve allyv extendin blades or vanes l5, l6 I1, l8 l9, a d my, th vanes l5 and 211 so formed alon the i lli gite ve uc lly extending edges of the plate helps 'op'pos tlif turned with respect to the flat plane or the main body-of the plate. The vanes l6 and I1, which are next adjacent to the outermQSt vane 15, are wardly turned in the same direc on as ea van l5,whilethe vanes d ja'cent the outermost vane 2Q, are. outwardly turned in the same general direction as the latter.

By reason of this construction, the. agitator len ent 13 is respectively provided at its apposite s d s with pDositely en in cha ne s. nd 22, one of these channels 2| being formed is vth outwardly diverging pair, of vanes. 15, @1191 the other channel 21193: the outwardlydiv vanes I1 and I8, disposed between the oppositely presenting channels 2| and 22 and to either side of the central vertical axis of rotation of the agitator element, constitute independent stirring blades forthe unit. Where the agitator element 3 is formed of a sheet metal stamping,the several blades or vanes 5, l6, H, 8, l9 and 20 are preferably formed as integral elements by pressing them out of the normal fiat plane of the sheet metal of which the agitator element is formed, thus providing a pair of vertically extending relatively large openings 23 and'24 spaced laterally to either side of the central axis of rotation of the agitator.

As is indicated most clearly in Figure 3, the agitator unit is adapted to be rotated about its central vertical axis in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow, and it will be apparent that function as means for sweeping through the mass of material to be agitated, also to reenforce and impart rigidit to the agitator element. 'To further strengthen and rigidify the agitator element its upper edge is laterally turned toprovide a horizontally extending flange 26 to which is secured, in any suitable manner, the operating when the agitator unit is so'rotated, the channels 2| and, 22 will sweep through the outer portion of the material contained in the container l0, whilethe intermediate blades l1 and I8 will sweep through the central portion of the material, thereby setting up in the container concentric zones of agitation in the material undergoing agitation;

. In order to facilitate this agitation and insure uniform dispersion of the solids throughout the liquid body of the mixture, the agitator element 3, in addition'to the

large openings

23 and 24, which are formed between the several pairs of agitator vanes or blades, is additionally provided with'a series of smaller openings 25 formed in groups respectively disposed between each pair of f the said blades or vanes. These smaller openings i.

are arranged in vertically spaced relation to form a given group thereof, it being noted that one such" group of vertically spaced openings '25 is provided in the base of the channel 2| formed by the pair of blades l5 and |6,-the second groupof thesevertically spaced openings is provided in the base of the channel 22 formed'by the

blades

19 and 20, while the thirdgroup of vertically spaced, openings is formed in the immediate reionof the verticalaxis of rotation of the agitator element, that'is, between the intermediate pair of oppositely turnediblades or vanes l1 and I8. Preferably, these openings '25 are formed by so cutting and stamping the sheet material as to provide struck-out tabs or tongue-like elements 26 which'extend angularly with respect to the plane of the main flat body portion of the agitator element. Inthis connection, it is-important to observe that these struck-out tabs 26 are all similarly inclined upwardly and outwardly from their points of attachment to the main body of 7 the agitator element, and that the group of tabs immediately associated with the channel 2| formed by the blades l5 and I6 project in .ODDO- 1 v V g site direction from the said'blades, or, in other words, rearwardly of the said channel 2|. Similarly, the group of tabs immediately associated with the channel 22 formed-by the pair of vanes or blades l9 and 20 project'in a-direction oppositely from the latter or rearwardly'of the channel, 2 2. The group of tabs immediately associated with the intermediate pair of blades I! and I8 'may project in either direction or they may be dispensed with entirely, thereby leaving the central flat part of the agitator element with a plurality of unrestricted apertures of any suitable size, shape and number.

The several vanes or blades l 5 to 20, extending as they do vertically of the main plate ofthe] agitator, serve, in addition to their'principal handle assembly designated generally by the reference numeral I4; This handle assembly preferably includes a vertically extending post or shaft 21- to the upper end of which is suitably .central vertical axis of rotation of the latter closely approximates the vertical axis of the shaft. Fitted loosely on the shaft 21 is a bearing sleve 3| centrally secured to a transversely extending strap member 32 to provide, in efifect, a pair

oi'oppositely extending arms

32 and 32 the free ends of which are upwardly ofiset, as at 33, and equipped with hook-shaped bolts 34 whereby to firmly secure the opposite ends of the strap member to the annular bead or rim H of the containerl 0, as shown in Figure 3. When this strap member is properly clamped in position extending diametricall across the top of the container, the sleeve l4 carried thereby provides a substantial vertical bearing within which the shaft 21 is free to rotate and shift axially, thus permitting the agitator element l3 to be raised and lowered during rotation thereof and so mak ing it possible to more effectively attack and stir up the solid mass settled in the bottom of the container.

Preferably, the shaft21 is providedwith an annular groove 35 into which is adaptedto be projected a set screw 36 for holding theagitator element I3 fixed-against axial displacement while.

permitting it to be freely rotated. This set screw 36 may be projected through one or the other of several vertically spaced threaded holes 31 tapped transversely through the wall of the sleeve 3| so' as to secure the agitator for'rotation at various adjusted elevations, as, for example, inFigure 6, wherein the agitator is shown supported for rotation in its uppermost elevated position. J 7

If desired, the agitator l3 may be provided with an auxiliary stirrer blade 38 which is loosely secured to the bottom thereof by a headed pin 39,

the blade 38'being longitudinally :slotted, as; at

4!), to permit. it to be extendedlaterally to one side of the agitator for .eifectively sweeping through the chime corners of the container and stirring up such settled pigment as might otherwise remain embedded therein, Also, this auxiliary blade 38 serves as a means for increasing the effectiveness of the agitator unit when used in over-size containers. 'It will be noted that the auxiliary blade is loosely held in a generally horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3, by virtue of the engagement of the upper edge 4|,

thereof by the lower ends of the blades or vanes l8 and 20 which project across the plane of the blade38. I V

j In the operation of the agitator, after the same has been secured tothecontainer as shownand described, and the set screw 36-withdrawnso as to permit the shaft 21 to freely shift axially within its bearing sleeve 3|, the agitator element I3 is lowered into the material to be mixed so that its lower edge rests upon or is disposed somewhat beneath the surface of the solid material settled in the bottom of the container. Thereupon, upon rotation of the operating handle 28, the agitator element I3 is caused torotate and so gradually scrapes away and stirs up the settled sediment and starts it back into suspension. Preferably, when it is intended to initially attack the sedimentation in the bottom of the container, the operator bears down upon the handle simultaneously as he effects rotation of the agitator about its central axis of rotation, thereby exerting a downward cutting pressure which acts to quickly and expeditiously attack and disperse the sediment settled in the bottom of the drum. As this solid material is loosened by the cutting action of the several vertically extending blades or vanes of the agitator element I3, it is caused to rise in the container by the swirling action of the agitator element and is forced through and so dispersed by the

various openings

23, 24 and 25 formed in the latter. The several inclined tabs or tongue-like elements 26 greatly facilitate this dispersion of the solid materials throughout the liquid body of the mixture and, due to their inclination, serve as miniature propeller elements to propel the mass upwardly as the agitator is rotated about its central axis of rotation. At the Same time, these inclined tabs 26, particularly those immediately associated with the outer channels 2| and 22 provide thrust surfaces against which the mass of the material being agitated reacts to force the agitator downwardly toward the bottom of the container as it is rotated by the handle 28. In this manner, the agitator, during rotation thereof, is caused to be forced gradually downwardly into the settled pigment from the top to the bottom thereof, in consequence of which the settled solid content of the material is rapidly and effectively dispersed to render the mixture suitable for use.

While in its preferred construction, the agitator of the present invention is constructed of sheet metal, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit it to such construction and that it may well be made and formed of other suitable materials, such as various plastics which lend themselves readily to molding operations by which the agitator element 13 may be molded of such plastics as a unit. Also, the several vertically extending blades or vanes and the several vertically spaced tabs or tongue-like elements necessarily do not have to be formed as integral elements of the main plate, but instead may be separately formed and secured thereto to provide an agitator having all of the operating characteristics of the integrally formed unit. Accordingly, it will be understood that the agitator of the present invention is susceptible of being modified in various respects without departing from the general principles or real spirit of the invention and it is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly as well as specifically as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. An agitator adapted to be removably inserted within a container for paint or the like comprising a substantially flat main body member adapted for rotation about a vertical axis lying in the plane of said member and located centrally between its opposite side edges, said body member being provided with a pair of oppositely presenting channels respectively constituting the opposite side marginal portions of the agitator, the side walls of each channel being struck out of the main body member to provide a plurality of laterally spaced sections respectively constituting the basal walls of said channels, said basal walls of the channels being each provided with a series of vertically spaced restricted apertures.

2. In an agitator of the character defined in claim 1 wherein the said vertically spaced apertures each have associated therewith a tab pro- 'ecting from the said basal wall portion of the channel and rearwardly thereof.

3. An agitator adapted to be removably inserted within a container for paint or other such material to be agitated comprising a substantially flat main body member adapted for rotation about a vertical axis lying approximately in the plane of said body member, said body member being provided with a pair of integral flanges projecting outwardly of the flat plane of said body member to form a vertically disposed channel presenting generally in the direction of rotation of the agitator, the base portion of said channel being provided with a series of vertically spaced apertures through which the material, swept into the channel upon rotation of the agitator, is discharged.

4. An agitator adapted to be removably inserted within a container for paint or other such material to be agitated comprising a substantially flat main body member adapted for rotation about a vertical axis lying approximately in the plane of said body member, said body member being provided with a pair of flanges projecting outwardly of the flat plane of said body member to form a vertically disposed channel presenting generally in the direction of rotation of the agitator and having a base wall portion interconnecting said flanges and disposed in the plane of said main body member, the base portion of said channel being provided with a series of vertically spaced apertures through which the material, swept into the channel upon rotation of the agitator, is discharged, and means operatively asso- [ciated with each of said apertures for imparting an upwardly directed thrust to the material discharged through said apertures.

5. An agitator adapted to be removably inserted within a container for paint or the like comprising a, substantially flat main body member adapted for rotation about a vertical axis lyingin the plane of said member and located centrally between its opposite edges, said body member being provided with a pair of oppositely presenting channels'respectively constituting the opposite side marginal portions of the agitator and with a pair of reversely projecting flanges located between said channels and respectively disposed to either side of the axis of rotation of the agitator, the flange immediately adjacent each channel presenting in the same direction as the mouth of said channel and being separated therefrom by an opening formed in the main body member of the agitator, the side walls of said channels and the reversely projecting flanges aforesaid being all struck out of the main body member of the agitator, and the basal wall portions of each of said oppositely presenting channels and the portion of the body member disposed between said reversely projecting flanges being each provided with a series of vertically spaced apertures.

MITCHELL FOX.