Device for mixing and metering the contents of containers, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, and shelf or shelving adopting such a device

Claim 2

A stirring and metering device for mixing contents of containers and for metering the contents of a mixture using predetermined portions of the mixed contents of selected containers, said stirring and metering device comprising: a housing; a plurality of shelves supported by said housing; a plurality of first magnetic means arranged in a series in each of said shelves, said shelves having upper surfaces with portions shaped to define bearing surfaces surrounding each of said first magnetic means; common drive means for rotatably driving each of said first magnetic means; second magnetic means comprising magnetic means rotatably driven by said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft connected to said magnetic means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a top of a container placed on one of said bearing surfaces, the stirring shaft being supported in such manner that said magnetic means is closely spaced from said first magnetic means so that magnetic attraction therebetween presses the container on to said bearing surface; and a rod type level indicating device positioned on said housing for metering contents of a mixture using predetermined portions of the mixed contents of selected containers, the contents of the containers being mixed by the rotation of said first magnetic means prior to metering.

Claim 3

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising at least one first magnetic means; a fixed seat or housing enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing, said first magnetic means comprising a spider of permanent magnets of opposite sign, that is positive and negative, in an alternate arrangement, said first magnetic means being supported at the bottom by a support, and said magnetic cooperating means of said second magnetic means comprising a similar spider of positive and negative alternating permanent magnets, so that, in operation, the magnets of the first magnetic means and the magnets of the magnetic cooperating means of opposite sign are facing one another and directly superimposed with a substantial mutual attraction.

Claim 4

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising at least one first magnetic means; a fixed seat or housing enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing, said first magnetic means comprising a spider of permanent magnets of opposite sign, that is positive and negative, in an alternate arrangement, said first magnetic means being supported at the bottom by a support, and said magnetic cooperating means of said second magnetic means comprising a similar spider of positive and negative alternating permanent magnets, so that, in operation, the magnets of the first magnetic means and the magnets of the magnetic cooperating means of opposite sign are facing one another and directly superimposed with a substantial mutual attraction.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 2, characterized in that said magnets comprise ceramic magnets.

Claim 6

A device according to claim 2 characterized in that said magnets comprise oriented ceramic magnets transversely magnetized on the major surfaces.

Claim 7

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means; fixed means defining a plurality of superimposed shelves enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means including a main driving member and a plurality of members driven by the main driving member; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 8

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means; fixed means defining a plurality of superimposed shelves enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means including a main driving member and a plurality of members driven by the main driving member; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 9

A device according to claim 5, characterized in that said means for rotatably driving includes a drive motor for the first magnetic means, the motor being a reversal type of motor to allow alternate rotation of stirring shafts of said second magnetic means.

Claim 10

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising at least one first magnetic means; a fixed seat or housing enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means and carrying mixing blades, said stirring shaft being rotatably mounted and centered in the cover of each container, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 11

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising at least one first magnetic means; a fixed seat or housing enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means and carrying mixing blades, said stirring shaft being rotatably mounted and centered in the cover of each container, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 12

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising at least one first magnetic means having pole pieces; a fixed seat or housing enclosing said first magnetic means and including a sheet or plate closing said fixed seat or housing and forming a bearing surface for a container, the bearing surface including means defining bearing positions for containers, so as to be centered with respect to the underlying first magnetic means, the bearing positions for containers comprising a planar surface, on which ridges or raised portions having flat top surfaces are provided at each set of pole pieces of said first magnetic means, each of said ridges or raised portions having a predetermined shape corresponding to an inner portion of a container bottom spaced inside a corner edge of the container, so that said edge will rest on the planar surface and the inner bottom of the can will rest on the planar surface and the inner bottom of the container will rest on the top flat surface of the ridge or raised portion; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said, fixed seat or housing.

Claim 13

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising at least one first magnetic means having pole pieces; a fixed seat or housing enclosing said first magnetic means and including a sheet or plate closing said fixed seat or housing and forming a bearing surface for a container, the bearing surface including means defining bearing positions for containers, so as to be centered with respect to the underlying first magnetic means, the bearing positions for containers comprising a planar surface, on which ridges or raised portions having flat top surfaces are provided at each set of pole pieces of said first magnetic means, each of said ridges or raised portions having a predetermined shape corresponding to an inner portion of a container bottom spaced inside a corner edge of the container, so that said edge will rest on the planar surface and the inner bottom of the can will rest on the planar surface and the inner bottom of the container will rest on the top flat surface of the ridge or raised portion; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said, fixed seat or housing.

Claim 14

A stirring device for mixing contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means arranged in series; means for defining a heated single seat or housing forming a shelf for enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means, said driving means including a single driving member for driving all of said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 15

A stirring device for mixing contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means arranged in series; means for defining a heated single seat or housing forming a shelf for enclosing said first magnetic means; means for rotatably driving said first magnetic means, said driving means including a single driving member for driving all of said first magnetic means; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 16

A device according to claim 9, characterized in that the shelf is provided with two resistances arranged longitudinally along the sides of said seat or housing.

Claim 17

A device according to claim 10, characterized in that said resistances are shielded by asbestos sheets and the heat dispersion is laterally reduced by means of air chambers provided below said resistances.

Claim 18

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means arranged in series, means defining a shelf for enclosing said first magnetic means; means having a single driving member for rotatably driving all of said first magnetic means, said driving member comprising a belt driving said plurality of first magnetic means, said driving means including a driving pulley for driving said belt, and a single motor for driving said pulley; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 19

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means arranged in series, means defining a shelf for enclosing said first magnetic means; means having a single driving member for rotatably driving all of said first magnetic means, said driving member comprising a belt driving said plurality of first magnetic means, said driving means including a driving pulley for driving said belt, and a single motor for driving said pulley; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 20

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means arranged in series; means defining a shell for enclosing said first magnetic means; means having a single driving member for rotatably driving all of said first magnetic means; a support for each of said first magnetic means; a gear wheel secured concentrically with each of said supports, the supports being connected to the shelf in such manner that adjacent gear wheels are meshing with the gear wheels adjacent thereto; said means for rotatably driving including a driven pinion for driving one of said gear wheels; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 21

A stirring device for mixing the contents of containers or vessels, particularly for paints, dyes and the like, comprising a plurality of first magnetic means arranged in series; means defining a shell for enclosing said first magnetic means; means having a single driving member for rotatably driving all of said first magnetic means; a support for each of said first magnetic means; a gear wheel secured concentrically with each of said supports, the supports being connected to the shelf in such manner that adjacent gear wheels are meshing with the gear wheels adjacent thereto; said means for rotatably driving including a driven pinion for driving one of said gear wheels; and a second magnetic means comprising magnetic cooperating means cooperating with said first magnetic means, a stirring shaft for supporting said magnetic cooperating means, and means for rotatably supporting said stirring shaft in a cover of the container or vessel positioned on said fixed seat or housing so that said magnetic cooperating means is spaced from said first magnetic means whereby rotation of said first magnetic means is transferred to the second magnetic means, magnetic attraction between said first magnetic means and said second magnetic means holding said container pressed against said fixed seat or housing.

Claim 22

A device according to claim 13, characterized in that each gear wheel has a central hole and is secured to said fixed seat or housing forming said shelf by means of a pin which is inserted in said central hole, and then riveted on the sheet or plate forming the bottom of said seat or housing.