Apparatus for mixing particulate materials

Claim 2

Apparatus for mixing powdered or granular materials and automatically discharging the mixed materials in a continuous stream, said apparatus comprising, a. an elongated, horizontally disposed tubular member having an outlet opening at one end thereof, b. a paddle wheel within the tubular member and extending substantially the full length of the tubular member, c. power means for rotating the paddle wheel, and d. means for vibrating the tubular member and paddle wheel in a horizontal plane, the intensity of said vibrations being such as to fluidize the materials contained within the tubular member.

Claim 3

The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is closed at the ends and has a semicircular bottom portion, wherein the said outlet opening is formed in an end wall of the tubular member at the lower portion thereof, and wherein the paddle wheel is disposed within the semicircular bottom portion of the tubular member.

Claim 4

The invention as recited in claim 2, wherein the paddle wheel comprises a plurality of axially spaced spiders secured to a first shaft rotatable in bearings carried by the end walls of the tubular member, and flat bars secured to the end portions of the spiders.

Claim 5

The invention as recited in claim 3, wherein the said tubular member is secured to a supporting member vibrationally supported on a base; wherein the said power means for rotating the paddle wheel is a motor secured to the said base and mechanically coupled to the said first shaft; and wherein the said means for vibrating the tubular member and paddle wheel are eccentric weights carried by a second shaft rotatable in bearings and driven by a second motor, the bearings for said second shaft being carried by a rigid member secured to the said supporting member and vibrationally isolated from the said base.

Claim 6

Apparatus for mixing powdered or granular materials comprising, a. a base, b. an elongated tubular member having a semicircular bottom portion provided with an outlet opening at one end thereof, c. means forming an inlet opening at the other end of the tubular member, d. a first shaft extending through the tubular member and having radially extending spiders secured thereto, said shaft being substantially concentric with the said bottom portion of the tubular member, e. flat bars secured to the end portions of said spiders, f. means supporting the tubular member on said base, said means permitting axial vibration of the tubular member, g. a rigid member secured to the tubular member and carrying bearings, said member being supported on the base by rubber-in-shear vibration isolating means, h. a second shaft rotatable in said bearings and carrying an eccentric weight, i. a first motor carried by the said rigid member and having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the said second shaft, and j. a second motor carried by the base and having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the said first shaft.

Claim 7

Apparatus for mixing powdered or granular materials comprising, a. a base, b. an elongated tubular member having a semicircular bottom portion provided with an outlet opening at one end thereof, c. means forming an inlet opening at the other end of the tubular member, d. a first shaft extending through the tubular member and having radially extending spiders secured thereto, said shaft being substantially concentric with the said bottom portion of the tubular member, e. flat bars secured to the end portions of said spiders, f. means supporting the tubular member on said base, said means permitting axial vibration of the tubular member, g. a rigid member secured to the tubular member and carrying bearings, said member being supported on the base by rubber-in-shear vibration isolating means, h. a second shaft rotatable in said bearings and carrying an eccentric weight, i. a first motor carried by the said rigid member and having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the said second shaft, and j. a second motor carried by the base and having a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the said first shaft.