# US 8,540,177 B2 · Vertical feed mixer having cutout edge

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- Number: US 8,540,177 B2
- Document ID: US8540177B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/949,759
- Filed: 2010-11-18
- Published: 2011-11-24
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-11-20
- Assignees: Penta Tmr Inc.
- Applicants: John Baker
- Inventors: John Baker
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540177B2

## CPC

- B01F 27/9212: with conical helices
- A01K 5/004: {with mixing or shredding element rotating on vertical axis}
- B01F 27/172: for cutting, e.g. with knives
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS

## Abstract

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a vertical feed mixer including a hopper for holding a composition to be mixed that contains strands of feed material. A vertically oriented mixing member is positioned in the hopper, wherein the mixing member includes a helical member and a shaft and is rotatable about a vertical axis in a direction to promote an upward flow of the composition to be mixed proximate the shaft. The helical member has an outer helical edge, a cutting blade at the outer helical edge and a cutout at the outer helical edge. The cutout and the cutting blade cooperate with each other to reduce mixing power consumption and improve mixing action.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vertical feed mixer comprising:
a) a hopper for holding a composition to be mixed; and,
b) a vertically oriented mixing member positioned in the hopper, wherein the mixing member includes a helical member and a shaft and is rotatable about a vertical axis in a direction to promote an upward flow of the composition to be mixed proximate the shaft, wherein the helical member has an outer helical edge, a cutting blade along the outer helical edge and a cutout along the outer helical edge, wherein the cutout has an arcuate shape and provides an aperture for passage of the composition.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the cutout comprises a concave portion and a convex portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 2, wherein the cutout has a cutout trailing portion, the cutout trailing portion comprising the convex portion and merging smoothly with the outer helical edge.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the cutout comprises a cutout leading end, a cutout trailing end, a leading portion proximal the leading end and a trailing portion proximal the trailing end, the maximum distance between the cutout and the hopper wall being closer to the leading end and defining a nexus between the leading portion and the trailing portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 4, wherein the trailing portion has a greater length than the leading portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the cutting blade has an angle of from 0 to 8 degrees with respect to a tangent from the outer helical edge.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the angle is from greater than 0 to 8 degrees.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein the cutout has an angle of from 0 to 40 degrees with respect to a tangent from the outer helical edge.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 8, wherein the angle is from greater than 0 to 40 degrees.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of cutting blades and at least a cutout between two cutting blades.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 10, wherein there is a plurality of cutouts alternating with the plurality of cutting blades along the helical edge.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 11, wherein there are at least three cutouts.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 12, wherein there are at least four cutting blades.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein there is a cutout immediately leeward of a cutting blade.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The vertical feed mixer according to claim 1, wherein there is a cutting blade immediately leeward of a cutout.