Apparatus for stirring solutions in small vessels

• US 4,530,606 A
• Filed: 09/30/1982
• Issued: 07/23/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Linda L. Hopkins, Thomas R. Hopkins
• Original Assignee: Linda L. Hopkins, Thomas R. Hopkins
• Inventors: Hopkins, Thomas R., Hopkins, Linda L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jenkins, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dahlberg, Arthur D.
• Application Number:
  US06/429,151
• Time in Patent Office: 1,027 Days
• Field of Search: 366/129, 366/130, 366/241, 366/247, 366/248, 366/249, 366/251, 366/279, 366/289, 366/305, 366/342, 366/343, 366/605, 366/117, 366/118, 366/120, 366/250, 403/333, 403/334
• US Class Current: 366/129
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/00 Mixers with rotary stirring devices in fixed receptacles magnetic mixers B01F33/45; Kneaders
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 31/85 with a vibrating element inside the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/5011 portable during use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/32005 Type of drive
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/3204 Motor driven, i.e. by means of an electric or IC motor

Abstract

A small, light-weight stirring apparatus for stirring liquid solutions and suspension comprises a power source, a rotable or vibratory motor and an inexpensive, disposable hollow stirring shaft made of a polymeric material. The inexpensive hollow stirrer is disposed after each stirring operation, thus obviating cleaning of the stirrer.

Claims

1. A stirring apparatus comprising:

(a) an electrically powered drive device having a rotable drive shaft;

(b) connecting means fixedly mounted on said drive shaft; and

(c) a hollow, polymeric, tubular agitating shaft being fixedly attached at one end to said drive shaft by said connecting means, said agitating shaft being open at the end not attached to said drive shaft.

2. A stirring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrically powered drive device is an electric motor;

the connecting means has two opposite ends and has the shape of a slightly tapered, conical finger;

the agitating shaft has two open ends;

the first end of said connecting means having the larger diameter is fixed to said drive shaft with a coupling; and

the other end of said connecting means is inserted into one open end of said agitating shaft so as to fixedly hold said agitating shaft by friction and wall distortion.

3. A stirring apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said electric motor is powered by an electric battery.

4. A stirring apparatus according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said agitating shaft is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyallomer, polypropylylene, polymethylpentene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyfluoroethylenepropylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, polycarbonate, phenylene oxide resin, phenylene sulfide resin, polystyrene, styreneacrylonitrite copolymer, polyacrylic, nylon (polyamide), polyvinychloride, acetal resin polymer and cellulosic polysaccharide.

5. A stirring apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said agitating shaft has a plurality of slits at the distal end that is not attached to said drive shaft.

6. A stirring apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said electric motor is actuated by a switch.