Патент USA US2392731

Jan. 8, 1946.
M. FOX
2,392,731
PAINT MIXER .
Filed Dec. 7, 1945
INVENTOR.
M ITC H E L L Fox
XMM
A TTORNEY.
2,392,731;
Patented Jan. 8, 1946
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE'
gesznsi
Mitchell.
PAINT
Fox, Stafford, Ea
Application December 7, 1943, Serial N0-v 513,217
5 mains (01. 259-107)
ent invention installed for, use in a container for
This invention relates generally to agitators
and more particularly to~ an improved construe;
paint or the like;
'
the container showing'the agitator element in
nection 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 pri
marily with, although not necessarily limited‘to,
containers of mgderate size, such as those having
' '
Figure 21s a vertical ‘sectional view through
tier! of- agitator or stirring device flor- use in con
side elevation;
'
'
>
'
Fligure 3 is a transverse sectional view of- the
agitator element as’ taken on the line 3:3 of
Figure 2;
‘ '
'
'
'
Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sectional views
The successful handling of viscous liquids'such
taken respectively on‘ the iines‘llr? and 5:5 Oi
Figure 2; and
as paints and the like, when storedv in relatively
large receptacles, such as ?ve gallon receptacles,
has“ presented serious dif?culties due to the fact
tainer, ‘partly broken away, showing the agitator
that" s the mixture‘settles, a sediment is formed
vertical or axial displacement during rotation
a capacity of ?ve gallons.
'
'
10
Figure 6 is a 'side elevational view of a. C09:
elementof- the present invention installed in-the
container and the means for securing it against
in the'bottom of the container which must be
brought back into suspension if the mixture is
to serve its intended purposes in themost e?lca
ciimi's menner-
‘
thereof.
installed for use in a container [0 of the type
customarilyiemployed‘ for paints or other such
invention to‘ provide an‘ inexpensive and yet
heavy bodied liquids; this type of container being
generally"provided‘withan annular lip or head
or
H agitator
at the upper‘
'of theedge
present
thereof.
invention,
The mixing
designated
generally by the, reference numeral 12, essentially
consists of‘ an, agitator ‘element L3 preferably
highly efficient ‘agitator which is adapted to be
removably installed, at will, within the‘container
without necessitating the used: any special tools
or any alteration oi the container ‘structure.
' A vfurther object of the present‘invention is
be constructed substantially entirely of sheet
metal and which, therefore, may be produced
.7
that the agitator of the present invention is shown
’
I_ is among the principal vobjects of the present
to provide an agitator of such design thatit 'may
’
Referring now to the drawing, it will he observed
~ stamped out of ?at sheet metal to the upper edge
of which is secured, in any, suitable manner, an
‘nexpensively by a simple stamping operation, f‘ operating handle assembly IQ for rotating the
agitator element about its central vertical aids.
the ‘agitatoras constructed in accordance with
Referring ?rst to the agitator element I; it
the present invention including means which
will be noted that it is generally in the fer
h
operate effectively and efiioiently to insure rapid
rectangular
plate
of
such
size
as
to
be
readil
ac
and‘uniiorm dispersion of the settled ‘sediment
commodated within the container. ID, the tra s’;
throughout the liquid, bod-y of the mixture.
verse over-all dimension of this agitator ele
‘ Still another and'important object of the pres‘
being only, somewhat less than the dianie
ent in'vev 'tion' is to provide a paint mixer having
‘ 'n agitator element which is so constructed that
it ‘n61: only produces spaced'oo'ncentric zones of
agitation in 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 con
_, whereby to e?ectively stir "and lift the
tainer
sa
e" for"'unif_orrn dispersion throughout the
time
6f the mixture’? '
"
‘
‘
'Othei‘ objects and "advantages of the present
40
H
the container 10, while its over-e11. height so, 8
what exceeds half the effective depth of the con,
t'ainer. As most clearly appears in Eigures 2 tov 5i,
the’plate of which the agitator element l_'§r is
formed is so formed as to. pro, 'de it with a plug
45
rality of laterally spaced ve, allyv extending
blades or vanes l5, l6”, I1, l8’, l9, and my, the vanes
l5 and 211 so formed along the illliwgite veruc ‘lly
extending edges of the plate helps‘ 'op'pos télif
turned with respect to the flat plane or the main
body-of the plate‘. The vanes l6 and I1, which are
invention-‘and? economies’effeeted incident to the
next
wardly
adjacent
turned to
in the
the outermQSt
same direcvanes.
‘on as15,eaare van
99
@1051, ‘2mg operation of'theagitator con‘
élz ,0 q in atséor'sljeleaévitt and embcdvieg‘tkie 59 l5,whilethe vanes
‘id,
principles" of the present in option will” appear ja'cent the‘ outermost vane_,, 2Q, _l are. outwardly
e
hereinafter, it; beingunders'toodthat
'
, ,
‘substantially in’ the cam
-.
recoil" "as native ar
turned in the same general direction as the latter.
By reason of this construction, the. agitator le
nient 13 is respectively provided at its apposite
augment or the 1) Its as hereinafter were, 5,5 sides with OpDositely presenting channels. ‘é’;l ‘and
as?
mine drawing and as finally mated
out in tiieappendeu claims.
"
‘
" ’
‘£1,416.11. l5. illus
22, one of these channels 2|‘ being formed is vth
outwardly diverging pair, of vanes. 15, @1191
the other channel 21193: the outwardlydiv
an 'lzf'venes l9v and-10.
qepesitela tamed ’
2
2,392,731
,
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 sev
function as means for sweeping through the mass
of material to be agitated, also to reenforce and
impart rigidity to the agitator element. 'To fur
ther strengthen and rigidify the agitator element
its upper edge is laterally turned toprovide a
horizontally extending ?ange 26a to which is
eral blades or vanes | 5, l6, H, | 8, l9 and 20 are - ' secured, in any suitable manner, the operating
preferably formed as integral elements by press
handle assembly designated generally by the
ing them out of the normal ?at plane of the sheet
reference , numeral I4; This handle assembly
metal of which the agitator element is formed, 10 preferably includes a vertically extending post or
thus‘ providing a pair of vertically extending rel
shaft 21- to the upper end of which is suitably '
atively large openings 23 and'24 spaced laterally
secured a crankihandle 28, the lower end of the
to either side of the central axis of rotation of ,
the agitator. "
shaft 21 being rigidly secured to a ?at base plate
dicated by the‘ arrow, and it will be apparent that
as by welding or otherwise, to the ?ange 263
29 which in turn is adapted to be secured, as by
As is indicated most clearly in Figure 3, the 15 the bolts 30 or otherwise, to the ?ange2|iil of
agitator unit is adapted to be vrotated about‘ its
the agitator element. If desired, the lower end
central vertical axis in the clockwise direction in
of. the ‘vertical shaft 21 may be directly secured,
when the agitator unit is so'rotated, the channels . without the interposition of the plate 29, it, being
2| and, 22 will sweep through the’ outer portion 20 merely necessary that the shaft 21 be so located
of the material contained in the container l0,
whilethe intermediate blades l1 and I8 will
' sweep through the central portion of the mate
' rial, thereby setting up in the container concen
tric zones of agitation in the material undergoing
agitation;
'
"
‘
‘
. '7 In order to facilitate this agitation and insure
centrally of. the agitator element -| 3 that the
.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 ex
tending strap member 32 to provide, in e?fect, a
pair oi'oppositely extending. arms 3211 and 32b,
uniform dispersion of the solids throughout the
. the free ends of which are upwardly o?s‘et, as at
liquid body of the mixture,» the agitator element
33, and equipped with hook-shaped bolts >34
| 3, in addition'to the large openings 23 and 24, 30 whereby to ?rmly secure the opposite ends of the
which are formed between the several pairs of
strap member to the annular bead or rim’ H
agitator vanes or blades, is additionally provided '
of the containerl 0, as shown in Figure 3. When
with'a series of smaller openings 25 formediin
this strap member is properly clamped in posi
groups respectively disposed between each pair‘ of
tion extending diametrically across the top of the
f the said blades or vanes. These smaller openings i. container, the sleeve l4 carried thereby provides
are arranged in vertically spaced relation to form
a substantial vertical bearing within which the
a given group thereof, it being noted that one
shaft 21 is free to rotate and shift axially, thus
such" group of vertically spaced‘ openings '25 is
permitting the agitator element l3 to be raised
provided in the base of ‘the channel 2| formed by , , and lowered during rotation thereof and so mak_
. the pair of blades l5 and |6,-the second group‘of so ing it possible to more effectively attack and stir
thesevertically spaced openings is provided ‘in
up the solid mass settled in the bottom of the
the base of the channel 22 formed'byrthe blades
19 and 20, while the thirdgroup of vertically
Preferably, the shaft‘21 is providedwith an
spaced, openings is formed in the immediate re
annular groove 35 into which is adaptedto be
‘gionof the verticalaxis of rotation of the agitator 45 projected a set screw 36 for holding theagitator
element, vthat'is, between the intermediate pair of
element I3 ?xed-against axial displacement while.
oppositely turnediblades or vanes l1 and I8.
permitting it to be freely rotated. This set screw
container.
‘
_
.
-
'- Preferably, these, openings '25 are formed by so
36 may be projected through one or the other of
cutting and stamping the sheet‘ material as to
several
vertically spaced threaded holes .31 tapped
‘a provide struck-out tabs or tongue-like elements 50 transversely through the wall of the sleeve 3| so'
26 which'extend angularly with respect to the
as to secure the agitator. for'rotation at various
plane of the main flat body portion of the ‘agi
adjusted elevations, as, for example, inFigure 6,
tator element. In‘this connection, it is-important
wherein the agitator is shown supported for
to observe that these struck-out tabs 26 are all
rotation in its uppermost’ elevated position.
J7
similarly inclined upwardly and outwardly from
If desired, the agitator l3 may be provided with
their points of attachment to the main body of
an auxiliary stirrer blade 38 which is loosely
7 the agitator element, and that the group of tabs secured to the bottom thereof by a headed pin 39,
immediately associated with the channel 2|
the blade 38'being longitudinally :slotted, as; at
,formed by the blades l5 and I6 project in .ODDO- 1 -, 4!), to permit. it to be extendedlaterally to one
site direction from the said'blades, or, in other
side of the agitator for/.eifectively sweeping
words, ‘rearwardly of the said channel 2|. Sim
through the chime corners of the container and
ilarly, the group of tabs immediately associated
stirring up such settled pigment as might other
with the channel 22 formed-by the pair of vanes
wise remain embedded therein, Also, this auxil
v
V
g
"60
or blades l9 and 20 project'in a-direction oppo-‘ ~65 '
sitely from the latter or rearwardly'of the chan
' nel, 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 cen
tral ?at part of the agitator element with a plu
rality 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 of- the]
agitator, serve, in addition to their'principal 75
iary 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 vir
tue, 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
3
2,392,731
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
being provided with a pair of oppositely present
ing channels respectively constituting the oppo
site side marginal portions of the agitator, the
that its lower edge rests upon or is disposed
somewhat beneath the surface of the solid mate
rial settled in the bottom of the container.
Thereupon, upon rotation of the operating handle
erally spaced sections respectively constituting
side walls of each channel being struck out of the
main body member to provide a plurality of lat
the basal walls of said channels, said basal walls
of the channels being each provided with a series
of vertically spaced restricted apertures.
and so gradually scrapes away and stirs up the
2. In an agitator of the character de?ned in
10
settled sediment and starts it back into suspen
28, the ‘agitator element I3 is caused to- rotate
sion. 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
claim 1 wherein the said vertically spaced aper
tures each have associated therewith a tab pro
J'ecting from the said basal wall portion of the
channel and rearwardly thereof.
3. An agitator adapted to be removably in
the agitator about its central axis of rotation, 16
serted within a‘ container for paint or other such
thereby exerting a downward cutting pressure
material to be agitated comprising a substantially
which acts to quickly and expeditiously attack
?at main body member adapted for rotation about
and disperse the sediment settled in the bottom
a vertical axis lying approximately in the plane
of the drum. As this solid material is loosened
of said body member, said body member being
20
by the cutting action of the several vertically
provided with a pair of integral ?anges projecting
extending blades or vanes of the agitator ele
outwardly of the ?at plane of said body member
ment I3, it is caused to rise in the container by
to form a vertically disposed channel presenting
the swirling action of the agitator element and
generally in the direction of rotation of the agi
is forced through and so dispersed by the vari
tator, the base portion of said channel being pro
ous openings 23, 24 and 25 formed in the latter.
vided with a series of vertically spaced apertures
The several inclined tabs or tongue-like elements
through which the material, swept into the chan
26 greatly facilitate this dispersion of the solid
nel upon rotation of the agitator, is discharged.
materials throughout the liquid body of the mix
4. An agitator adapted to be removably in
ture and, due to their inclination, serve as minia
serted
within a container for paint or other such
ture propeller elements to propel the mass ‘up
material to be agitated comprising a substantially
wardly as the agitator is rotated about its cen
flat main body member adapted for rotation about
tral axis of rotation. At the Same time, these
a vertical axis lying approximately in the plane
inclined tabs 26, particularly those immediately
of
said body member, said body member being
associated with the outer channels 2| and 22
provide thrust surfaces against which the mass 35 provided with a pair of ?anges projecting out
wardly of the flat plane of said body member to
of the material being agitated reacts to force the
form a vertically disposed channel presenting
agitator downwardly toward the bottom of the
generally in the direction of rotation of the agi
container as it is rotated by the handle 28. In
tator and having a base wall portion intercon
this manner, the agitator, during rotation there
of, is caused to be forced gradually downwardly 40 necting said flanges and disposed in the plane of
said main body member, the base portion of said
into the settled pigment from the top to the bot
channel being provided with a series of vertically
tom thereof, in consequence of which the settled
spaced apertures through which the material,
solid content of the material is rapidly and
swept into the channel upon rotation of the agi
effectively dispersed to render the mixture suit
able for use.
45 tator, is discharged, and means operatively asso
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
[ciated with each of said apertures for imparting
an upwardly directed thrust to the material dis
charged through said apertures.
5. An agitator adapted
to limit it to such construction and that it may
serted within a container
well be made and formed of other suitable mate 50 comprising
a, substantially
rials, such as various plastics which lend them
ber
adapted
for rotation
selves readily to molding operations by which the
agitator element 13 may be molded of such plas
to be removably in
for paint or the like
?at main body mem
about a vertical axis
lyingin the plane of said member and located
centrally between its opposite edges, said body
tics as a unit. Also, the several vertically ex
member being provided with a pair of oppositely
tending blades or vanes and the several vertically 55 presenting channels'respectively constituting the
spaced tabs or tongue-like elements necessarily
do not have to be formed as integral elements of
opposite side marginal portions of the agitator
and with a pair of reversely projecting ?anges
the main plate, but instead may be separately
located between said channels and respectively
formed and secured thereto to provide an agi
disposed to either side of the axis of rotation of
tator having all of the operating characteristics 60 the
agitator, the ?ange immediately adjacent
of the integrally formed unit. Accordingly, it will
each channel presenting in the same direction as
be understood that the agitator of the present
the mouth of said channel and being separated
invention is susceptible of being modi?ed in ‘vari
therefrom by an opening formed in the main body
ous respects without departing from the general
member of the agitator, the side walls of said
principles or real spirit of the invention and it 65 channels and the reversely projecting flanges
is accordingly intended to claim the same broadly
aforesaid being all struck out of the main body
as well as speci?cally as indicated by the appended
member of the agitator, and the basal wall por
claims.
tions of each of said oppositely presenting chan
What is claimed as new and useful is:
nels and the portion of the body member disposed
1. An agitator adapted to be removably inserted 70 between said reversely projecting ?anges being
within a container for paint or the like compris
ing a substantially ?at main body member adapt
ed for rotation about a vertical axis lying in the
plane of said member and located centrally be
tween its opposite side edges, said body member 75
each provided with a series of vertically spaced
apertures.
MITCHELL FOX.