Description:As Enclosed , Claims:We Claim:
1. Apparatus (1) for mixing a particulate material with a liquid in a container adapted for tumble blending, the apparatus comprising a mixing device (2) and a liquid injection nozzle (3), the mixing device (2) including mixer elements (4) adapted to mix a particulate material by mechanical action, characterised in that the nozzle (3) is disposed to direct liquid in the direction of the mixer elements when mixing is taking place, there being means (5) to prevent ingress of material into the nozzle, wherein the means to prevent ingress of material into the nozzle comprises a closure of an outlet of the nozzle, the apparatus further including control means to trigger opening of the closure when a container including the apparatus is in a position in which the nozzle (3) is immersed in material in the container, wherein the closure is reciprocated between open and closed positions by an actuator, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a pressure sensor, the apparatus further including liquid storage and delivery means for storage and delivery of liquid to the nozzle, the liquid storage and delivery means comprising a storage container and a pump adapted to enable delivery of some or all of a fixed volume of liquid, wherein the liquid delivery means is controlled to deliver a desired volume of liquid by measuring elapsed delivery time.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a container suitable for tumble blending.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, disposed in a removable closure or in a wall of a container suitable for tumble blending.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the closure is openable by ejection of liquid from the nozzle.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the control means comprising a timer to time opening of the closure in relation to immersion, and a sensor to sense attitude of the container to control opening.

6. A tumble blending system, comprising a tumble blender and apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method of mixing a particulate material and a liquid in a container, the method using apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising simultaneously rotating the container whilst mechanically mixing the contents and adding liquid, the method including the step of adding the liquid in the direction of mixer elements of the container while mixing is taking place, and operating a liquid addition device to add liquid only while the nozzle is immersed.

8. A method according to claim 7, including the step of carrying out a dry blending phase before liquid addition commences.

9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the step of liquid addition is controlled by measuring container rotation time and adding liquid when rotation to an appropriate container position to ensure nozzle immersion has occurred.

Dated this: 26.03.2024

[Digitally Signed]
[RITAM NARAYAN RAWAL]
IN/PA-2055
OF REMFRY & SAGAR
ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANT[s]