Tilt mixer

Claim 1

In an impeller type mixer, the combination of: a cylindrical container having an axis and an open top and being supported on a first support means; said first support means for said container mounted on a flat horizontally extending base plate; said first support means comprising a pivotally mounted cradle type member connected to an upright base member and having at least one pair of parallel, horizontal, circular bands connected together at intervals around the circumference thereof by vertical connecting straps with a clamp thereon holding said container upright in place in said cradle member, said container being positionable in and laterally removable from said first support means; a cover for said container for closing said open top; at least one impeller and hydraulic drive motor mounted on said cover, with said impeller projecting into said container when said cover is mounted thereon; a second support means for said cover, said second support comprising a vertical telescopic, hydraulic cylinder and piston having attached at the top thereof a horizontal elongate frame member, said cover, impeller and drive motor being suspended from and connectible to and disconnectible from said frame member of said second support; said hydraulic cylinder and piston being capable of moving between upper and lower positions when said container axis is in the vertical position, with said impeller lifted clear of said container when said cover is connected to said second support and said second support is in said upper position; a tilting mechanism connected between said base member and said first support means and being capable of tilting said first support means with said container therein and with said cover on said container and without said cover, said cover when on said tilted container being disconnected from said frame member to permit tilting of said frame member and cover, and said cover when not on said tilted container being connected to said frame member and lifted clear of said container by said cylinder and piston, said motor and impeller being operable when said cover is on said container both when said container axis is vertical and tilted; and a hydraulic power source mounted on said base plate with flexible hydraulic conduits leading from said power source and supplying power to said drive motor.