Fluid mixing apparatus and methods for mixing and improving homogeneity of fluids

A pumping apparatus for portable use with portable industrial shipping containers to mix liquid-containing non-homogeneous fluids in the containers while an opening in each of the containers is sealed, comprising:

• a portable tubular pump assembly removably insertable for use within each of multiple portable industrial shipping containers to mix the fluid in each portable industrial shipping container, the pump assembly including a tubular shaped pump housing and a screw mixing shaft rotatable with respect to the pump housing, the pump housing having an exterior surface and first and second opposing end portions each suitable for passage of the fluid therethrough, the first end portion of the pump housing including at least a first opening for receiving the fluid into the pump housing and the second end portion of the pump housing including at least a second opening for emitting the fluid within the same container, the mixing shaft positioned within the pump housing to act as a screw conveyor, the pump housing and the mixing shaft forming a functional unit of the pump assembly which circulates the fluid within the container while the mixing shaft is rotating wherein, when at least the first end portion of the pump housing is inserted into a non-homogeneous portion of the fluid and the mixing shaft undergoes rotation with respect to the pump housing, a portion of the non-homogeneous fluid enters the pump housing through the first opening, exits the pump housing through the second opening and travels along the pump housing exterior surface to effect circulation and mixing of fluid circulating through the assembly thereby improving homogeneity of the fluid;
• and
• a connection interface to provide engagement between a motor and the portable tubular pump assembly to rotate the mixing shaft with the motor, the motor including a drive shaft and a housing member, where:
• (a) when the motor is engaged to turn the mixing shaft the motor housing member is not rotatable with the drive shaft, and
• (b) the connection interface comprises
• (i) a first body section configured to connect to the motor housing member;
• and
• (ii) a second body section connected to the first body section and having a configuration with which the pump housing is attachable through the second body section and the first body section to effect connection between the motor housing member and the pump housing.

A pumping apparatus for portable use with portable industrial shipping containers to mix liquid-containing non-homogeneous fluids in the containers while an opening in each of the containers is sealed, comprising:

• a portable tubular pump assembly removably insertable for use within each of multiple portable industrial shipping containers to mix the fluid in each portable industrial shipping container, the pump assembly including a pump housing and a screw mixing shaft rotatable with respect to the pump housing, the pump housing having an exterior surface and first and second opposing end portions each suitable for passage of the fluid therethrough, the first end portion including at least a first opening for receiving the fluid into the pump housing and the second end portion including at least a second opening for emitting the fluid within the same container, the mixing shaft positioned within the pump housing to act as a screw conveyor, the pump housing and the mixing shaft forming a functional unit of the pump assembly which circulates the fluid within the container while the mixing shaft is rotating, wherein, when at least the first end portion of the pump housing is inserted into a non-homogeneous portion of the fluid and the mixing shaft undergoes rotation with respect to the pump housing, a portion of the non-homogeneous fluid enters the pump housing through the first opening, exits the pump housing through the second opening and travels along the pump housing exterior surface to effect circulation and mixing of fluid circulating through the assembly thereby improving homogeneity of the fluid;
• a connection interface to provide connection between a motor and the portable tubular pump assembly and engagement to rotate the mixing shaft with the motor, the connection interface including a body section having an exterior surface of predefined shape for connection to the pump housing, the connection interface also providing a sealing engagement between said one of the containers and the pump assembly to seal the opening in the container during mixing;
• and
• a collar having a first end fixedly positionable for attachment to the second end portion of the pump housing and a second end to extend away from the housing, the collar second end having an opening along an interior surface with the opening sized and shaped to receive the exterior surface of the body section for an engagement that affixes the body section to the pump housing.