IES980575A2 - A Mixing Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a power tool attachment which can be used to mix both wet and dry mixtures of cement, plaster, animal food stuffs and the like. The power tool attachment has a shaft for connection to rotating means and an end plate located at the opposite end of the shaft from the engagement means, as well as mixing blade which is located between the engagement means and the end plate which comprises a plurality of baffles. The invention also relates to a mixing device having a receptacle and a power tool attachment as described. <Figure 1>

Description

The present invention relates to a device for mixing materials rapidly and thoroughly. In particular, the device can be used to mix materials such as cement, plaster, animal feedstuffs and the like.

RULE 23 Traditionally, cement is mixed in one of two ways. If the amount required is small the cement is usually mixed manually using a shovel to fold together the constituents. Alternatively if the amount of cement required is larger, it is usual to employ a motorised cement mixer. Such cement mixers have a rotating drum into which the constituent materials are loaded, the rotating action of the drum causing the constituents to be mixed together. There are usually a number of blades attached to the inside of the drum to ensure that a thorough mixing of the constituents is achieved. When mixing cement, by either of the methods described above, it is usual to mix all of the dry constituents (dry mixing), cement, sand, gravel and the like, before adding water to this dry mixture (the ensuing mixing process being wet mixing). On the other hand, plaster, for providing a smooth finish on walls and ceilings, is usually prepared by adding the plaster to a quantity of water in a bucket. The reason for this is that the consistency of plaster is much different to that of cement, plaster usually being prepared in a form which is much lower in viscosity than cement.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mixing device which can be used to mix, thoroughly and efficiently, both wet and dry mixtures.

The mixing device of the present invention may typically be used for example in the preparation of cement, plaster and the like, to mix amounts less than the amounts which would be mixed in a conventional motorised cement mixer. However, the speed and efficiency of the present invention is such that several smaller batches of cement may be mixed using the invention in the same time which a conventional cement mixer would take to mix one larger batch. In addition, the mixing device of the present invention is less wasteful than conventional mixers in that there is less splashing of the material being mixed during the mixing process.

S/Ul INT CL IE 980575 - 2 In a first embodiment, the present invention comprises a mixing device having a receptacle into which the materials to be mixed are placed and a power tool attachment, characterised in that the attachment comprises: a shaft, having at one end, engagement means for connecting said shaft to means for rotating the attachment; an end plate, located at the opposite end of the shaft from said engagement means; and a mixing blade, 'located at the shaft between the engagement means and the end plate, comprising a plurality of baffles.

In a second embodiment, the present invention comprises a power tool attachment for use in a mixing device, characterised in that the attachment comprises: a shaft, having at one end, engagement means shaft to means for rotating the attachment; an end plate, located at the opposite end of engagement means; and a mixing blade, located on the shaft between and the end plate, comprising a plurality of for connecting said the shaft from said the engagement means baffles.

Preferably, the outer edges of each baffle are set at an angle such that one edge lies below the plane of the mixing blade and the other edge lies above the plane. The mixing blade may be located at any position along the shaft between the engagement means and the end plate which allows for efficient mixing. Preferably, the mixing blade is located between 2 cm (0.78 inch) and 17.5 cm (7 inch) from the end plate, most preferably 10 cm (4 inch) from the end plate. The minimum distance of the mixing blade from the end plate will of course be governed by the size and angle of the plurality of baffles which make up Hie blade.

The angle of the baffles making up the mixing blade, with respect to the plane perpendicular to the shaft, hereinafter referred to as the baffle angle, may be any angle which allows for efficient mixing. Preferably, the baffle angle is 28° to 32° with respect to the plane perpendicular to the shaft.

IE 980575 - 3 In a particular embodiment the diameter of the blades is 52 mm and the distance between the blades and, the end plate is 37 mm.

The ratio of the distance between the engagement means and the blades and the blades and the end plate is 35 to 1.

The means for rotating the attachment may be a standard power tool such as an electric drill of the type used by a D-I-Y enthusiast.

The end plate may be provided with a plurality of apertures.

These allow the mixture to pass through the end plate and promote efficient mixing. The end plate itself prevents or reduces damage to the receptacle and helps to keep the entire device upright.

The attachment and its use as mentioned in relation to either of the above embodiments will now be described in more detail with respect to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the attachment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the attachment shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the device comprises a shaft (1) which is provided with engagement means (2) engagable with a means for rotating the device such as an electric drill. At the other end of the shaft there is an end plate (3) which is provided with a plurality of apertures (4). The plate (3) is circular in shape and the apertures (4) are arranged radially about the plate (3). Between plate (3) and engagement means (2) a mixing blade (5) is located on the shaft(l).

The mixing blade (5) comprises a plurality of baffles (6). In the embodiment shown in Figures, the outer edges of each baffle (6) are angled such that one edge lies below the plane of the mixing blade (5) and the other edge lies above the plane.

In use, the power tool attachment of the invention is connected to a means, such as an electric drill (not shown), for rotating the attachment via the engagement means (2). The attachment is then placed into a receptacle, such as a bucket (also not shown), containing the material to be mixed. The apertures (4) in the end plate (3) IE 980575 - 4 allow the end plate to be pushed through the material in the receptacle, immersing the mixing blade (5) in the material to be mixed. With the end plate (3) resting on the bottom of the receptacle, the means for rotating the attachment may be actuated causing the shaft (1), and the mixing blade (5), located thereon, to rotate. Rotation of the mixing blade (5) in this manner causes the material in the receptacle to be mixed in a thorough manner.

Rotation of the attachment in the manner described above results in the thorough and efficient mixing of materials, be they wet or dry.

Claims (5)

1. A mixing device having a receptacle into which materials to be mixed are placed and a power tool attachment, characterised in that the attachment comprises: a shaft (1), having at one end, engagement means (2) for connecting said shaft (1) to means for rotating the attachment; an end plate (3), located at the opposite end of the shaft (1) from said engagement means (2); and a mixing blade (5), located on the shaft (1) between the engagement means (2) and the end plate (3), comprising a plurality of baffles (6).

2. Λ power tool attachment for use in a nixing device, characterised in that the attachment comprises: a shaft (1), having at one end, engagement means (2) for connecting said shaft (1) to means for rotating the attachment; an end plate (3), located at the opposite end of the shaft (1) from said engagement means (2); and a mixing blade (5), located on the shaft (1) between the engagement means (2) and the end plate (3), comprising a plurality of baffles (6).

3. Λ power tool attachment according to claim 2, characterised in that the baffles (6) making up the mixing blade (5) are angled with respect to the plane perpendicular to the shaft (1), preferably at between 28° and 32°.

4. A power tool attachment according to either of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that, the mixing blade (5) is located between 2 cm (0.78 inch) and 17.5 cm (7 inch) from the end plate (3).

5. Λ power tool attachment according to any of claims 2-4, substantially as described with respect to the accompanying drawings.