Mortar mixer with triple eight mixing action

Abstract

A mixer for mortar, plaster, fireproofing material and the like utilizing a plurality of mixing paddles supported from a horizontal shaft in a pivotal mixing drum. Six paddles are mounted on the shaft and are oriented in a unique arrangement by which they rotate in a triple eight mixing action constantly dividing and recombining the mixture again and again thereby resulting in a smooth, uniform mix. The paddles are provided with blades arranged so that material in the end of the drum is pushed half way to the middle of the drum by the first blade. The second blade pushes material from the center of the drum halfway toward the end. The next following blade then cuts the resulting pile into two approximately equal parts and pushes one part that has been cut from the pile toward the opposite end of the drum. This action occurs simultaneously at both ends of the drum every time the paddle shaft revolves 360.degree. and up to 50 cycles per minute depending, of course, upon the rotational speed of the paddle shaft. The blades incorporated into the mixer provide an interrupted or staggered spiral which results in dividing, separating and recombining the materials which results in reduced rolling of the mix inasmuch as the interrupted force against the drum end will reduce the tendency of the mix to roll which is caused in a conventional mixer by the horizontal force on the mix being negated by the drum end so that all force will be exerted in a vertical direction.