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CLASS 366,	AGITATING
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This is the residual class for apparatus for, and corresponding methods of operating on fluid, viscous, plastic, or fluent particulate material solely for causing portions of the material to move irregularly with respect to each other so as to intermix. The material may be in motion or at rest immediately before agitation.

Apparatus for agitating articles which are treated in the same manner as fluent particulate material will also be included in this class, unless classified elsewhere.

This class (366) includes apparatus for forming colloid systems (such as suspensions, emulsions) by agitation, not elsewhere provided for. See LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS, below, for related information.

This class (366) also includes stirrers, per se, which are disclosed for use as agitators. However, see Lines With Other Classes, below, for impellers.

[Note: Patents issued prior to 1945 have not in all instances been classified by their claimed disclosure so that placement of these older patents does not necessarily indicate lines of classification.]

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

See appropriate composition classes for processes which form colloid systems (such as emulsifying or foaming), and see Class 516, Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting, for processes of making, stabilizing, breaking, or inhibiting colloid systems when such is generically claimed (no claimed art use for the composition) or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art to the composition of the colloid system.

See Class 241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, for the generically claimed subject matter of comminuting solid material in a fluid to form or improve a non-colloid suspension. Processes of forming non-colloid suspensions or dispersions of solids in fluids, and in which the ingredients of the non-colloid suspensions or dispersion are not claimed with such particularity as to form a basis for classification in Class 252, the that are an integral part therein, or some other appropriate composition class, are classified in Class 241. In general, Class 241 provides for all apparatus for forming suspensions of solids in fluids by comminution, whether such suspensions are disclosed as colloid-sized or not.

See Class 138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits, subclasses 40+ for conduit provided with a flow restrictor disclosed for use in forming emulsions of a plurality of fluids. Where such apparatus has additional combined features, such as means to feed material to the restrictor, etc., the patents have been placed in this Class 366.

See Class 127, Sugar, Starch, and Carbohydrates, subclass 14, for mixing devices for a sugar-bearing solution with other liquids or solids for promoting the separation of impurities from the solution.

See Class 366, Agitating, subclasses 69+ for apparatus which may be used for working liquid into a gel, subclasses 101+ for apparatus which includes agitation and injection of gas which may be a foam, subclasses 108+ for apparatus wherein the agitation is effected by vibratory device, subclass 176.1+ for apparatus for forming suspensions or emulsions wherein the feed means is in the form of a pump for forcing the material through a narrow restriction for the purpose of mixing the material, particularly for the purpose of emulsifying or homogenizing the material, subclasses 279+ for apparatus with rotatable stirrer which may be used for making lather or foam, cross-reference art collection 604 for mixing apparatus for making foam or lather, cross-reference art collection 605 for mixing apparatus for stirring of paint.

See Class 416, Fluid Reaction Surfaces (i.e., Impellers), appropriate subclasses for an impeller, per se, which may be useful as a stirrer but where the disclosed use is solely as an impeller, or alternatively as an impeller or stirrer.

Since agitation of material is incidental or ancillary to many apparatuses for treating material for various purposes, an agitator in combination with other means for treating material will be found in the class providing for the particular treatment. Similarly, an apparatus for treating or handling material which inherently or incidentally agitates the material will be included in the appropriate class providing for the treating or handling means. Cross references have been placed in this class (366) where the agitating mechanism claimed in combination with other treating means has been deemed to have general utility as an agitator.

Also see References To Other Classes, below, for additional lines between this class (366) and other classes and for references to the following:

Apparatus Including Agitating Incidental to or Combined with Other Primary Areas;

Agitating Apparatus Classified Elsewhere;

Feeding and Discharging Subcombinations;

Agitator Subcombinations Classified Elsewhere.

SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SECTION IV - GLOSSARY

AGITATOR

A stirrer or a deflector.

DEFLECTOR

(1) An element or device secured within and in fixed relation to the mixing chamber, or (2) a stationary device in a movable mixing chamber for diverting or separating portions of material and then permitting them to recombine so as to commingle, thus causing or assisting in agitation of the material.

MATERIAL

A mass of fluid, viscous, particulate, or plastic substance which is to be agitated.

MIXING CHAMBER

A space bounded on at least three sides by well structure within which agitation takes place. The chamber may be in the form of a trough, a conduit, or a container of any shape. A supply reservoir or a conveyor for feeding material to a mixing chamber and which includes means for agitating the material prior to its entry into the mixing chamber will not be considered a mixing chamber.

OSCILLATING

Rotating alternately in opposite directions about an axis.

RECIPROCATING RECTILINEARLY

Moving bodily back and forth in a straight line in the same path so that at any instant, all parts of the moving body move in the same direction at the same rate.

ROCKING

Moving back and forth as a result of a back and forth motion of a curved surface on a flat surface.

ROTATING

Turning in but one direction about an axis.

STIRRER

A device which is movable by an applied force and which in its movement causes agitation of material. The force may be applied manually, by movement of the material, by relative motion of the chamber, or by a power source, either directly or through a drive train.

STIRRERS, PLURAL

Two or more devices or elements which are movable bodily by an applied force and which move bodily relative to each other an in such movement cause agitation of material. Where a plurality of like or diverse stirrer elements are in fixed relation to each other and move together as a unit they will be considered a single stirrer even if the elements are adjustable relative to each other prior to agitation or are flexible so that portions thereof move relative to each other during agitation.

SUBCLASSES

1	MORTAR MIXER TYPE:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus and corresponding methods peculiarly adapted for mixing mortar, asphaltic and hydraulic cement, concretes, and the like. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 23,  Chemistry: Physical Processes,   subclass 287 for lime hydrators. 172,  Earth Working,   subclass 371 for mortar mixing hoes. 404,  Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,   appropriate subclasses for (1) highway, pathway, or walkway structure, per se, and (2) process and apparatus for making, installing, repairing, or maintaining such structure, where such structure, process or apparatus is not otherwise classifiable as either (a) specifically provided for in other loci, or (b) of such general utility as to be provided for on that basis (see section III and IV under Class 404 class definition for known collections of such nature and the particular lines of demarcation).

2	Methods:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Processes of mixing mortar, asphaltic or hydraulic cement, concrete, and the like. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 106,  Compositions: Coating or Plastic,   appropriate subclass, particularly subclasses 273+ and 638+ for processes of making mortar, asphaltic or hydraulic cement, concrete, and like which are not distinct from the compositions thereof.

3	Gas incorporating; fluid mixing, delivering, or conveying:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Processes comprising a step or steps of (1) incorporating air or gas with the product, or (2) mixing, delivering, and/or conveying the product through the medium of a fluid. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 10, for corresponding apparatus. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 406,  Conveyors: Fluid Current,   subclasses 86+ for moving material along a surface by means of or with the assistance of a fluid current issuing from the surface and incidentally agitating the material; and subclasses 136+ for agitation of material in a receptacle which feeds to a fluid current conveyor.

4	With heating or cooling:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Processes which include the steps of modifying the temperature of the material. (1) Note. The temperature modification may occur before, during, or after agitation.

5	Gas incorporating at delivery:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.  Processes which include the steps of introducing a fluid with a material at the deliver.

6	Treatment or preparation of material:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Processes which include other steps for making a material ready for mixing, or modifying a material for the purpose of facilitating the mixing. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 3, for process combinations involving gas incorporating, fluid mixing, discharging, and/or conveying. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 137,  Fluid Handling,   subclasses 3+ for fluid handling processes, including mixing plural fluids.

7	By heating or cooling:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Processes wherein the treatment or preparation is the step of modifying the temperature of the material.

8	By ingredient proportioning:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Processes wherein the treatment or preparation is the step of controlling the relative quantities of different materials which are mixed. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 16+, for corresponding apparatus. 160.1+, for feed means of general utility for feeding material in an adjustable ratio to a mixing chamber. 162.1+, for feed means of general utility for feeding material to a mixing chamber in a predetermined fixed ratio.

9	Gravity type:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein the mixing is effected by the single passage of streams of materials through intersecting paths or over baffles or the like obstructions which may be either stationary or movable, at least one of said streams being gravity impelled. (1) Note. The term "single passage" is construed to exclude mixers such as those having rotting or oscillating receptacles which effect mixing by lifting and dropping material over a baffle or baffles a plurality of times. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 336+, for similar mixers of general application.

10	With gas incorporating; fluid mixing, delivering, or conveying:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter for (1) incorporating air or gas with a material, or (2) having means for mixing, delivering and/or conveying a material through the medium of a fluid. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 3, for corresponding processes. 25, for apparatus for heating ingredients during mixing by direct application of heated cases thereto. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 222,  Dispensing,   subclasses 3+ for gas dispensing, 630+ for fluid flow discharge, and 195 for gas agitation. 406,  Conveyors: Fluid Current,   subclasses 86+ for moving material along a surface by means of or with the assistance of a fluid current issuing from the surface and incidentally agitating the material; and subclasses 136+ for agitation of material in a receptacle which feeds to a fluid current conveyor.

11	Gas incorporating at delivery nozzle:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein the medium of a fluid is introduced with the material at the delivery nozzle.

12	Into rotating mixing chamber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein the medium of a fluid is introduced into a mixing chamber which revolves about a fixed axis in one direction only.

13	With rotatable stirrer:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein the medium of a fluid is introduced into a mixing chamber which has a stirrer which turns in but one direction about an axis.

14	Plural mixing chambers:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein the mixing is effected two or more separate mixing chambers. (1) Note. The mixing chambers may be arranged to have either consecutive or alternative flow therethrough of the material being mixed, and the chambers may be concentrically arrange. (2) Note. Where agitation is provided for in a container or conveyor and which agitation is incidental to the dynamic charging of a mixing chamber from the container or conveyor. Classification is in subclasses 30+. (3) Note. For purposes of the classification, a compartmented mixing chamber is considered to be a single mixing chamber. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 13, for a compartmental type rotatable mortar mixing chamber.

15	Intercommunicating:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter wherein the plural mixing chambers are in communication with each other so that the material being mixed may flow from one chamber to another.

16	With ingredient proportioning:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including means for controlling or regulating the ratio of the ingredients to be mixed. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 8, for corresponding process. 160.1+, for mixing ratio control of general use. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 137,  Fluid Handling,   subclasses 88+ and 98+ for proportioning means, per se. 177,  Weighing Scales,   subclass 61 for a weigh chamber translatable among plural sources. 222,  Dispensing,   subclasses 57 and 129+ for dispensing of plural sources.

17	By condition sensing means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Subject matter wherein the amount of ingredients to be added to a batch of mixed ingredients in the mixing chamber is controlled or regulated by (1) means in said chamber to detect a condition of said batch (e.g., temperature, density, etc.) or (2) means external said chamber to detect a condition of the chamber, per se (e.g., change in the amount of energy required to rotate the chamber).

18	By weight:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Subject matter wherein the ratio of the ingredients to be mixed is controlled or regulated by respectively weighing a quantity of each of a said ingredients, prior to charging the mixing chamber with the same. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 141, for weighing material of general use.

19	By volume:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Subject matter wherein the ratio of the ingredients to be mixed is controlled or regulated by respectively measuring a quantity of each of said ingredients volume, prior to charging the mixing chamber with said ingredients. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 160.5, for feed means of general utility for proportioning materials fed to a mixing chamber in which the volume of material is measured.

20	By screw conveyor charging means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Subject matter wherein controlled or regulated by having a different rotational speed and/or convolution size for the screw conveyor means used to dynamically charge the mixing chamber with said ingredients.

21	By varying opening of charging means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Subject matter wherein the ratio of ingredients to be mixed is controlled or regulated by respectively adjusting the gets or valve means at each other outlet opening of the charging means to vary the size of said opening and thereby control the amount of ingredients that egress the charging means and flow into the mixing chamber.

22	With heating or drying:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including means to heat or dry a material before, during, and/or after the mixing operation. (1) Note. The material may be subjected to agitation during the preheating operation. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 14, for plural mortar mixers. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 34,  Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids,   and see the note to the main class definition for the line. 404,  Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,   subclasses 90+ , 92, 95, and 108+ for road making apparatus including heating means.

23	Heating mixing chamber and ingredient preheater:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter wherein the heating means heats the material prior to and during the mixing in a mixing chamber.

24	Heating mixing chamber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter wherein the heating means heats a mixing chamber.

25	By hot gases to interior:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 24.  Subject matter wherein the heating means is a high temperature fluid introduced within the mixing chamber.

26	With elevating means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including means for bodily raising and lowering the mixing chamber as a unit to convey the chamber from a charging station to a delivery station. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 45+, for mixer receptacles which merely tilt to dump. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 212,  Traversing Hoists,   for elevating means of that class type. 254,  Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force,   for elevating means of that class type. 414,  Material of Article Handling,   subclasses 592+ for an elevator or hoist and loading or unloading means therefor, and see the search notes of that subclass for other subclasses of that class (414) which include means for raising or lowering a load.

27	With dynamic charging and dynamic delivery:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including means for directly applying a force to a material in order to move the material toward or into the mixing chamber and forcible removing material therefrom. (1) Note. For purposes of this classification the term "charging" has been limited to positively feeding aggregates or conducting liquid to the mixer receptacle. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 16+, for proportioning and feeding of ingredients.

28	Interrelated:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 27.  Subject matter including means for mechanically or otherwise connecting the charging and delivery means to operate in a related manner. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 131+, for interrelated feed and discharge of mixers having general use.

29	With automatic control means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 28.  Subject matter including means (1) to directly control the operation of the charging and delivery means, or (2) to control the enabling or disabling of devices for manually controlling the charging and delivery means. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 235,  Registers,   subclasses 128 and 132 for rotation counters with alarm or predetermined stop mechanism.

30	With dynamic charging:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including means for directly applying force to a material in order to move the material toward or into the mixing chamber, and the corresponding methods. (1) Note. This subclass does not include those methods and devices in which material is permitted to enter the mixing chamber solely under the influence of gravity. (2) Note. The material to which the force is applied may be any one of the components of the mixture and may be liquid. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 41, for a gravity type charge hopper or chute. 76.3, for a screw conveyor for feeding material into a rubber or heavy plastic working apparatus.

31	By vibration:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Subject matter wherein the force is applied to the material by vibrating element in the path conducting the material to the mixing chamber. (1) Note. The vibrating element may be an element of the device conducting the material to the mixing chamber. (2) Note. The vibratory motion may be induced by a single striking movement upon the vibrating element.

32	Of skip or hopper:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 31.  Subject matter wherein the vibration is applied to one or more walls of a skip or hopper supplying the material to the mixing chamber.

33	Plural charge means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Subject matter having more than one charging means. (1) Note. Included herein are mixing chambers having both dynamic and static (e.g., hopper) charger means. (2) Note. If a single dynamic charge device applies force to a plurality of streams of material, classification will be in subclass 30.

34	Including dynamic liquid charge:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 33.  Subject matter wherein at least one of the charge means applies force directly to a liquid to move the liquid into the mixing chamber. (1) Note. The force applying means is generally of the pump type. Where the force applying means is of the gravitational type or is unspecified, classification will be in subclass 36 or 40, as appropriate. (2) Note. Where such force applying means is the only charge means, classification is in subclass 30.

35	Including screw conveyor:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 33.  Subject matter wherein at least one of the charge means includes a screw conveyor. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 20, for ingredient proportioning by screw conveyor charging means. 38, for a single charge by a screw conveyor.

36	Skip and liquid:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 33.  Subject matter wherein the dynamic charge means is a skip or tilting bucket, and another charge means conducts liquid to the mixing chamber. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 34, for a dynamic type liquid charge means. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 414,  Material or Article Handling,   appropriate subclasses for skip handling structure, per se.

37	Plural dynamic:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 33.  Subject matter having more than one charge means and a force is applied directly to the material in each charge means.

38	By screw conveyor:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Subject matter wherein the force applying means is a screw conveyor. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 35, for a similar device with additional charge means. 76.3, for a screw conveyor for feeding material into a rubber or heavy plastic working apparatus.

39	Skip:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Subject matter wherein the dynamic charge means is a skip or tilting bucket. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 36, for a skip and liquid charging device. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 414,  Material or Article Handling,   subclass 683 for a device for loading a concrete mixer which device includes means for swinging it in a vertical plane.

40	With liquid charge:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter including means for supplying liquid to the mixing chamber without the direct application of force to the liquid. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 30+, for dynamic charge liquid to the mixing chamber. 33+, for charge of liquid additional to the dynamic charge of other material to the mixing chamber.

41	Movable charge hopper or chute:
	Subject matter under 1 wherein material is supplied to a mixing chamber by a container or static conveyor, at least one portion of which is capable of relative motion with respect a mixing chamber.