Mixing apparatus

Claim 2

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, said first and third arms being coaxially cylindrical and having a smooth inner surface, (b) a carrier material intake insert having a smooth cylindrical outer surface slidingly received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving carrier material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, and (d) a discharge insert having a smooth cylindrical outer surface slidingly received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, said discharge insert and said carrier material insert having stop means engageable with the receiving arms to define a fixed, axially spaced gap between said inserts.

Claim 3

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving carrier material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) said base material intake insert being slidingly received within said second arm and being interchangeable with a like insert adapted to received a different base material.

Claim 4

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving carrier material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) said base material intake insert being slidingly received within said second arm and being interchangeable with a like insert adapted to received a different base material.

Claim 5

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) the passage through the discharge insert including an inner portion converging from the inlet orifice and an outer portion diverging to the outlet orifice, said portions having converging and diverging lengths together equal to at least the greater portion of the length of the passage.

Claim 6

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) the passage through the discharge insert including an inner portion converging from the inlet orifice and an outer portion diverging to the outlet orifice, said portions having converging and diverging lengths together equal to at least the greater portion of the length of the passage.

Claim 7

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arm, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) the outlet orifice of the carrier material intake insert being of substantially smaller maximum diameter than the inlet orifice of the discharge insert, and (f) the space between the carrier material intake insert outlet orifice and the discharge insert inlet orifice defining a venturi throat.

Claim 8

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arm, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) the outlet orifice of the carrier material intake insert being of substantially smaller maximum diameter than the inlet orifice of the discharge insert, and (f) the space between the carrier material intake insert outlet orifice and the discharge insert inlet orifice defining a venturi throat.

Claim 9

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving carrier material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, (c) the space between the carrier material intake insert outlet orifice and the discharge insert inlet orifice defining a venturi throat, and (f) the passage through the base material intake insert having an outlet orifice with a flow axis disposed between the outlet orifice of the carrier material intake insert and the inlet orifice of the discharge insert.

Claim 10

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving carrier material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, (c) the space between the carrier material intake insert outlet orifice and the discharge insert inlet orifice defining a venturi throat, and (f) the passage through the base material intake insert having an outlet orifice with a flow axis disposed between the outlet orifice of the carrier material intake insert and the inlet orifice of the discharge insert.

Claim 11

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arm, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) the passage through the base material insert including a portion converging from the inlet orifice toward, and coaxial with, the outlet orifice.

Claim 12

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arm, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, and (e) the passage through the base material insert including a portion converging from the inlet orifice toward, and coaxial with, the outlet orifice.

Claim 13

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arm, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, (e) said carrier material intake insert including an inner portion received in sliding relation within said first arm and an outer longitudinally aligned handgrip portion having stop means operatively engageable with said first arm to predetermine the location of the outlet orifice thereof within the hollow section, and (f) said discharge insert including an inner portion received in sliding relation within said third arm and an outer longitudinally aligned handgrip portion having stop means operatively engageable with said third arm to predetermine the location of the inlet orifice thereof within the hollow section.

Claim 14

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arm, (b) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) a base material intake insert received within said second arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (d) a discharge insert received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material insert, and an outlet orifice, (e) said carrier material intake insert including an inner portion received in sliding relation within said first arm and an outer longitudinally aligned handgrip portion having stop means operatively engageable with said first arm to predetermine the location of the outlet orifice thereof within the hollow section, and (f) said discharge insert including an inner portion received in sliding relation within said third arm and an outer longitudinally aligned handgrip portion having stop means operatively engageable with said third arm to predetermine the location of the inlet orifice thereof within the hollow section.

Claim 15

A mixing device as defined in claim 7, in which: (g) manual, variable control valve means is connected to the second arm outwardly of the base material intake insert to vary and control flow through said insert.

Claim 16

In a mixing apparatus for incorporating base material into a carrier material: (a) first container means for the carrier material including an outlet opening and an inlet opening, (b) second container means for base material, including an outlet opening, (c) conduit means including: (1) a first portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of said first container, (2) a second portion having an inlet port and an outlet port said inlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of the second container, and (3) a third portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said outlet port being operatively connected to the inlet opening of the first container (d) pump means disposed in one of said first and third portions of the conduit means, (e) a mixing device including: (1) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (2) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the first portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (3) a base material intake insert received within said second arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the second portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, and (4) a discharge insert received within said third arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and an outlet orifice connected to the inlet port of the third portion of the conduit means.

Claim 17

In a mixing apparatus for incorporating base material into a carrier material: (a) first container means for the carrier material including an outlet opening and an inlet opening, (b) second container means for base material, including an outlet opening, (c) conduit means including: (1) a first portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of said first container, (2) a second portion having an inlet port and an outlet port said inlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of the second container, and (3) a third portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said outlet port being operatively connected to the inlet opening of the first container (d) pump means disposed in one of said first and third portions of the conduit means, (e) a mixing device including: (1) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (2) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the first portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (3) a base material intake insert received within said second arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the second portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, and (4) a discharge insert received within said third arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and an outlet orifice connected to the inlet port of the third portion of the conduit means.

Claim 18

A mixing device as defined in claim 9, in which: (f) a manual flow control valve is disposed in said second portion of the conduit means to control flow through the base material insert.

Claim 19

In a mixing apparatus for incorporating base material into a carrier material: (a) first container means for the carrier material including an outlet opening, (b) second container means for base material, including an outlet opening, (c) conduit means including: (1) a first portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of said first container, (2) a second portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said outlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of the second container, and (3) a third portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, (d) pump means disposed in one of said first and third portions of the conduit means, (e) a mixing device including: (1) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (2) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the first portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (3) a base material intake insert received within said second arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the second portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, and (4) a discharge insert received within said third arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and an outlet orifice connected to the inlet port of the third portion of the conduit means, (f) the pump means and the mixing device being mounted to a trolley, and (g) the pump means being a centrifugal pump disposed in the first conduit portion and having an outlet port said pump being rotatable relative to the trolley to selectively determine the orientation of said outlet port.

Claim 20

In a mixing apparatus for incorporating base material into a carrier material: (a) first container means for the carrier material including an outlet opening, (b) second container means for base material, including an outlet opening, (c) conduit means including: (1) a first portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said inlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of said first container, (2) a second portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, said outlet port being operatively connected to the outlet opening of the second container, and (3) a third portion having an inlet port and an outlet port, (d) pump means disposed in one of said first and third portions of the conduit means, (e) a mixing device including: (1) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, (2) a carrier material intake insert received within said first arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the first portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (3) a base material intake insert received within said second arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough providing an inlet orifice operatively connected to the outlet port of the second portion of the conduit means and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, and (4) a discharge insert received within said third arm, said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and an outlet orifice connected to the inlet port of the third portion of the conduit means, (f) the pump means and the mixing device being mounted to a trolley, and (g) the pump means being a centrifugal pump disposed in the first conduit portion and having an outlet port said pump being rotatable relative to the trolley to selectively determine the orientation of said outlet port.

Claim 21

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, said first and third arms being coaxially cylindrical and having a smooth inner surface, (b) a carrier material intake insert having a smooth cylindrical outer surface slidingly received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving carrier material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) said second arm having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, and (d) a discharge insert having a smooth cylindrical outer surface slidingly received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material passage, and an outlet orifice, said discharge insert and said carrier material insert having stop means engageable with the receiving arms to define a fixed, axially spaced gap between said inserts.

Claim 22

A mixing device for incorporating base material into a carrier material, the device comprising: (a) a substantially hollow section including a first arm, a second arm and a third arm, said second arm being disposed intermediate and communicating with said first and third arms, said first and third arms being coaxially cylindrical and having a smooth inner surface, (b) a carrier material intake insert having a smooth cylindrical outer surface slidingly received within said first arm said insert having a substantially unrestricted passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving carrier material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, (c) said second arm having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice receiving base material and an outlet orifice communicating with the interior of the hollow section, and (d) a discharge insert having a smooth cylindrical outer surface slidingly received within said third arm said insert having a passage extending therethrough and providing an inlet orifice, communicating with the interior of the hollow section and disposed in spaced relation from the outlet orifice of the carrier material insert and the outlet orifice of the base material passage, and an outlet orifice, said discharge insert and said carrier material insert having stop means engageable with the receiving arms to define a fixed, axially spaced gap between said inserts.