Planetary mixing apparatus

An apparatus for mixing molding sand so as to prepare a fluid molding sand mixture comprises:

• a mixing vessel having an elongated sidewall portion extending about an axis (A), a top cover and a bottom base which together define a mixing chamber;
• drive means disposed about said axis (A) within said mixing chamber;
• first mixing means located radially of said drive means about an axis (B) substantially parallel to said axis (A);
• coupling means located between said drive means and said first mixing means for drivingly connecting said drive means to said first fixing means;
• motor means for driving said drive means for orbiting said first mixing means about axis (A) as said first mixing means rotates about axis (B);
• said drive means includes a first drive shaft connected to said coupling means for orbiting said first mixing means about axis (A) and a second drive shaft concentric with said first drive shaft and connected to said coupling means for rotating said first mixing means about axis (B);
• second mixing means fixed to said first drive shaft wherein said second mixing means rotates about axis (A) as said first mixing means orbits about axis (A);
• and
• said coupling means includes a first gear unit positioned between said motor means and said first drive shaft and a second gear unit positioned between said second drive shaft and a centrifugal shaft of said first mixing means for rotating said first mixing means about axis (B).