The invention relates to mortar mixing system for preparing mortar from a mortar base product, e.g. a cement based mortar base product, and a liquid, e.g. water.

A mortar mixing system is e.g. known from LIS2001/0048636. This mortar mixing system has a frame in which a funnel-shaped tank and a mixer are arranged. The funnel-shaped tank supplies a mortar base product to the mixer, in which mixer the mortar base product is mixed with added water for a pre-determined amount of time at a pre-determined mixing intensity so as to prepare a batch mortar of a desired mixing quality. It is a disadvantage of this system that achieving said mixing quality is cumbersome and/or that the achieved mixing quality is insufficiently uniform.

It is object of the invention to provide an alternative mixing system. It is a further object of the invention to provide a mixing system that facilitates convenient and reliable preparation of a variety of mortars.

This object is achieved with a mortar mixing system for preparing mortar from a mortar base product and a liquid, the mixing system comprising: a mixing device comprising a mixer, a motor for driving the mixer, and a liquid supply assembly for supplying the liquid, the mixing device being adapted to execute a mixing protocol for mixing the mortar base product and the liquid, an exchangeable container configured to contain or containing the mortar base product, which container is configured to be releasably coupled with the mixing device whilst containing the mortar based product, and wherein, optionally, the container is further provided with a mortar base product identifier, a control system configured to control the mixing device to execute the mixing protocol, wherein the mixing system is configured to supply the mortar base product from the container to the mixing device, wherein the exchangeable container is configured to be to be stacked on top of the mixing device and to be releasably coupled with the mixing device, and wherein the mixing system comprises a flow promotion device for promoting the supply of mortar base product from the container to the mixing device.

Advantageously, the exchangeability of the container allows for the mixing system to comprise a plurality of exchangeable containers - which could each contain or be configured to contain a different mortar base product. In practical embodiments, the mixing system comprises a plurality of exchangeable containers.

As is preferred, the exchangeable container is configured to be releasably coupled with the mixing device whilst containing the mortar based product. This allows for the container which has been filled with said product to be transported, and for the exchangeable container to be (re)filled both on-site and elsewhere, e.g. at the factory or a storage container distanced from the mixing device. This is particularly advantageous for refilling the container off-site at a quality controlled factory base.

The exchangeable container being releasably coupled with the mixing device further allows for the mixing device to remain on-site, whilst the container is being exchanged e.g. to be (re)filled.

The mixing system comprises a flow promotion device for promoting the supply of mortar base product from the container to the mixing device.

Preferably, a motor for the flow promotion device is integrated in the mixing device and the flow promotion device which is driven by the motor, e.g. comprising one or more blades, is movably mounted in the exchangeable container. This is advantageous as it aids the supply of mortar base product, and/or the dosage thereof, to the mixing device. With such a flow promotion device this supply may e.g. have a steady flow and/or a more uniform dosage of the mortar base product to the mixing device. For example, the flow promotion device might be configured to provide a certain flow rate. In addition such a flow promotion device allows for supplying the mortar base product out of the stacked container to the mixing device below the container without having to solely rely on a gravity induced flow of mortar base product. For example, the exchangeable container may have a reservoir for containing the mortar base product, wherein the reservoir has a substantially flat base. The latter is particularly practical for transport as this allows for a compact design of the container.

Preferably, the flow promotion device comprises one or more blades which are mounted movably in the container, e.g. rotatably, and a motor for driving the motion of the one or more blades. This is advantageous for regulating the supply of mortar base product that is contained in the container. The presence of the one or more movable blades in the container allows to overcome problems related to compacting of the mortar based product in the container. For example, when the exchangeable container is filled off-site and the transported to the site where the mixer device is arranged, e.g. by a road vehicle, vibrations during transportation may cause compacting of the mortar based product in the container. The one or more blades loosen the product before entering the mixer device below the container. Compacting may also be caused by storage of a filled container over a prolonged period.

Preferably, a motor for the flow promotion device, e.g. for driving of the one or more blades, is integrated in the mixing device. This allows for a relatively simple and light-weight design for the exchangeable container as fewer components are to be arranged thereon or therein. For example, the motor for driving of the one or more blades mounted movably in the container is integrated in the mixing device.

The exchangeable container is configured to be releasably coupled with the mixing device and to be stacked on top of the mixing device, e.g. by lifting the container on top of the mixing device by using a fork-lift and/or a crane.

Preferably, the container is provided with openings for engaging a fork-lift such that the container may be lifted to be stacked on top of the mixing device.

Preferably, the mixing system comprises a locking assembly for releasably coupling the exchangeable container stacked on the mixing device, e.g. the assembly comprising twist locks, e.g. twist locks such as used for ISO-containers. In a locked state, wherein the exchangeable container is coupled with the mixing device, e.g. by means of the twist locks, this allows for handling, e.g. lifting, the exchangeable container and the mixing device as a whole.

A mixing protocol involves, e.g., a mixing duration, a mixing intensity, and/or an amount of liquid that is to be added to the mortar base product and/or at what rate said liquid is to be added. The liquid may e.g. be water or water mixed with an additive, or first water is added and later one or more additives.

The mixing protocol may, e.g., be stored in the control system and/or in an identifier that is provided on the container.

The mixing system according to the invention facilitates convenient and reliable preparation of a variety of mortars from a variety of mortar base products. As, advantageously, the exchangeability of the container allows for the mixing system to comprise a plurality of exchangeable containers - which could each be configured to contain a different mortar base product - whilst the control system allows for assuring the desired mixing quality of the mortar that is to be prepared from any of the mortar base products.

The exchangeable container may in embodiments even be exchanged whilst the mixing device is in operation on-site, e.g. when the mixing device is in the process of preparing a mortar.

The exchangeable container, e.g., contains or is configured to contain between 200 kg and 1500 kg, preferably between 600 - 1000 kg of mortar base product. Such a container may be used to prepare multiple batches of mortar from the mortar base product, e.g. between 20L and 60L of prepared mortar per batch.

In an embodiment, the exchangeable container is moisture proof such that the mortar base product to be contained in the container may be prevented from undesirable absorbing of moisture. This is advantageous for the shelf life of the mortar base product and/or for the supply of mortar base product to the mixer as it prevents clumping of the mortar base product.

The control system is or may be configured to wirelessly recognise the mortar base product identifier and/or to wirelessly control the mixing device to execute the mixing protocol.

In an embodiment, the control system and/or identifier is wirelessly connected with a remote server and/or remote computer such that any data from said control system and/or identifier may be relayed to said remote server and/or remote computer. For example, data relating to the amount of mortar base product being contained in the exchangeable container. Said amount e.g. being determined from a weight measurement of a sensor in the container and/or the mixing device.

For example, a weighing device is integrated in the mixing device, e.g. including one or more load cells, and configured to weigh the container stacked on top of the mixing device. This, for example, allows to determine in terms of weight the amount of mortar base product that is supplied to the mixing device. It may also allow to determine how much, in terms of weight, of the mortar base product has remained in a container when no more of the product is needed, e.g. container being returned to the factory and the user being reimbursed for the remaining product. In coupling the exchangeable container with the mixing device, preferably, an outlet of the exchangeable container is connected with an inlet of the mixing device, e.g. an outlet opening in the container being aligned with an inlet opening in the mixing device.

In an embodiment, the exchangeable container and the mixing device are provided with mating alignment members for aligning the container and the mixing device when the container is stacked onto the mixing device.

The exchangeable container may be provided with a resealable filling opening, such as an opening being covered by a lid, for filling the container, e.g. from a storage container, or from a bag, e.g. a so-called big bag or cubic bag.

In an embodiment, the mortar base product identifier is reprogrammable. This allows for the same exchangeable container to be used for different types of mortar base product, e.g. the reprogramming being done when (re)fi Hing the container.

In an embodiment, the mortar base product identifier is stored is an RFID tag, e.g. an NFC tag, and the control system has an RFID reader, e.g. an NFC reader, e.g. mounted on the mixing device. Such an NFC tag and NFC reader, for example, allows for relaying data from the tag to the reader and/or writing the data onto the tag or reader, and vice versa.

Alternatively, the identifier may e.g. be a tag, a barcode, or a smart card, being coupled with and/or physically mounted in or on the exchangeable container. The control system being provided with a reader to read said identifier.

In an embodiment, the control system is configured to store multiple mixing protocols and is, preferably, configured to select the mixing protocol corresponding to the mortar base product that is identified by the identifier from the stored mixing protocols. Alternatively, or additionally, the identifier is configured to store one or more mixing protocols, and the control system is configured to read said one or more mixing protocols.

In a practical embodiment, the control system is configured to adjust the mixing protocol based on a further parameter, wherein the control system comprises a sensor for measuring said further parameter, e.g. temperature of the mortar base product and/or of the environment, or the moisture level of the mortar base product and/or of the environment.

In another embodiment, the control system is configured to use an algorithm to determine the mixing protocol corresponding to the mortar base product that is identified by the recognised identifier, wherein the identified mortar base product is one of a set of parameters for said algorithm.

In a practical embodiment, the control system comprises a sensor for measuring a further parameter of the set of parameters for said algorithm, e.g. temperature of the mortar base product and/or the environment, or the moisture level of the mortar base product and/or the environment.

In an embodiment, the control system comprises one or more sensors to measure the consistency of the mortar being prepared. The control system may further be configured to determine whether the mortar is of a desired consistency, by comparing the measured consistency with the desired consistency, which may be stored in the control system and/or the identifier. The control system may further be configured to determine based on the measured consistency as compared with the desired consistency whether the mixing protocol is to be considered completed, or whether further mixing is required.

In an embodiment, the mixing system is provided with a signalling device signalling to a user when the mortar being prepared from mixing the mortar base product and the liquid is ready for use, e.g. upon completion of the mixing protocol. The signalling device may e.g. comprise a visual or auditory cue, e.g. via a smartphone. Alternatively, or additionally, the signalling device may give a warning to a user when the environmental circumstances, e.g. temperature, are such that the mortar base product and/or the mixing protocol may require adjustment.

In an embodiment, the control system is configured for logging data related to the mixing of a batch of mortar, e.g. storing the mortar base product identifier, the executed mixing protocol, the date/time of the mixing of the batch, and possibly one or more other details/parameters, e.g. as discussed herein, related to the mixing of the batch of mortar. Logging of such data, in combination with the inventive system allows for optimized quality and control thereof.

In an embodiment, the exchangeable container and/or the mixing device provided with a valve, the valve being adapted to move from a closed position to an opened position after, e.g. upon, coupling the container with the mixing device, and from the opened position to the closed position after, e.g. upon, decoupling the container from the mixing device. The valve of the exchangeable container and/or the mixing device may be operated manually and/or electronically. In an embodiment, the liquid supply assembly comprises a liquid reservoir that is integrated in the mixing device. This reservoir may act as a buffer for the liquid supply, e.g. a water buffer. Alternatively, or additionally the reservoir may be used as an emergency water supply. The liquid reservoir may e.g. contain between 10L - 50L of liquid. Typically preparing a batch of mortar from the mortar base product requires between 10 - 20 L of liquid. This liquid reservoir may e.g. be used as a buffer between an external liquid supply and the mixer, or as an emergency water supply, e.g. if the mixing system falls without a source for such an external liquid supply . For example for a liquid supply assembly which has an auxiliary liquid supply by connecting the mixing device to the water mains. Additionally, or alternatively, the liquid reservoir being integrated in the mixing device allows for a self-contained mixing system.

Liquid contained in the liquid reservoir may be monitored such that input can be given to the control system, such that e.g. at insufficient amounts of liquid to prepare a batch of mortar, a signalling device could give a warning to a user that there are insufficient amounts of liquid.

The mixing system may further comprise a secondary liquid supply assembly for supplying a secondary liquid, e.g. an additive such as a retardant, to the mixer. The secondary liquid may be mixed with the liquid supplied by the liquid supply assembly prior to entry thereof to the mixer, or the secondary liquid may be a separate supply to the mixer.

In an embodiment, the mixer is mounted movably in the mixing device such that the mixer can move between an operative position and a cleaning position in which the mixer protrudes from an outer casing of mixing device. This allows for easy access to the mixer when cleaning.

In an embodiment, the mixing system further comprises a storage container for filling of the exchangeable container, the storage container being configured to store a mortar base product and having a storage mortar base product identifier, wherein the control system is configured to recognise the storage mortar base product identifier and to compare said identifier with the mortar base product identifier of the exchangeable container. For example, the storage container is dimensioned to store therein multiple times the volume of product that can be stored in a single exchangeable container, e.g. more than ten times, e.g. more than 20.000 kg, e.g. between 20.000 and 36.000 kg of mortar based product.

The invention further relates to a method for preparing mortar from a mortar base product and a liquid with a mixing system according to the invention. In an embodiment, the method comprises the step of exchanging the exchangeable container for another when the mixing device is in operation.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a mortar mixing system for preparing mortar from a mortar base product and a liquid, the mixing system comprising: a mixing device comprising a mixer, a motor for driving the mixer, and a liquid supply assembly for supplying the liquid, the mixing device being adapted to execute a mixing protocol for mixing the mortar base product and the liquid, an exchangeable container configured to contain or containing the mortar base product, which container is configured to be releasably coupled with the mixing device whilst containing the mortar based product, and wherein the container is further provided with a mortar base product identifier, wherein the mixing system is configured to supply the mortar base product from the container to the mixing device, a control system configured to: o input, e.g. recognise, the mortar base product identifier, o determine the mixing protocol corresponding to the mortar base product that is identified by the recognised identifier, o control the mixing device to execute said mixing protocol.

The second aspect of the invention further relates to a method for preparing mortar from a mortar base product and a liquid with a mixing system according to the second aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: o inputting, e.g. recognising, the mortar base product identifier, o determining a mixing protocol corresponding to said identifier, o controlling the mixing device to execute said mixing protocol.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: o recognising the storage mortar base product identifier, o comparing the recognised identifier with the mortar base product identifier of the exchangeable container, o determine if these identifiers match.

In an embodiment, the exchangeable container is configured to be releasably coupled with the mixing device whilst containing the mortar based product. This allows for the container to be transported whilst being filled with said product, and for the exchangeable container to be (re)filled both on-site and elsewhere, e.g. at the factory or a storage container distanced from the mixing device. The exchangeable container being releasably coupled with the mixing device further allows for the mixing device to remain on-site, whilst the container is being exchanged, e.g. to be (re)filled. The exchangeable container may even be exchanged whilst the mixing device is in operation, e.g. when the mixing device is in the process of preparing a mortar.

The system and/or method of the second aspect of the invention may further comprise one or more of the technical features discussed herein with reference to the first aspect of the invention, including one or more of the technical features described in the claimset, e.g. in the subclaims.

The invention will be explained further with reference to the drawings, in which like reference symbols designate like parts. In these drawings:

- Fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of a mixing system according to the invention in an uncoupled state,

- Fig. 2 partially shows a view in perspective of an inner part of the mixing system of Fig. 1 ,

- Fig. 3 partially shows a view in perspective of an inner part of the mixing system of Fig. 1 , the mixing system being in a coupled state,

- Fig. 4 shows a view in perspective of the exchangeable container of the mixing system of Fig. 1,

- Fig. 5 shows a variant of the container of figure 4,

- Fig. 6 shows the container of figure 5 with the mixer device on which the container is to be stacked.

Figures 1-3 show an example of a mortar mixing system 1 for preparing mortar from a mortar base product and a liquid.

The mixing system 1 comprises: a mixing device 50 comprising a mixer 51 , a motor 58 for driving the mixer 51 , and a liquid supply assembly for supplying the liquid, the mixing device 50 being adapted to execute a mixing protocol for mixing the mortar base product and the liquid, an exchangeable container 10 configured to contain or containing the mortar base product, which container 10 is configured to be releasably coupled with the mixing device 50 whilst containing the mortar based product, a control system configured to control the mixing device 50 to execute the mixing protocol, here a controller with control panel 53. The mixing system 1 is configured to supply the mortar base product from the stacked container 10 to the mixing device 50 on top of which the container 10 is stacked, preferably whilst containing the mortar based product in the container 10.

In embodiments, the container 10 is further provided with a mortar base product identifier, e.g. a RFID.

The control system 53 may be configured to: o input, e.g. recognise, the mortar base product identifier, o determine the mixing protocol corresponding to the mortar base product that is identified by the recognised identifier, o control the mixing device to execute said mixing protocol.

The exchangeable container 10 has an outer frame 11 and a reservoir 12 for containing the mortar base product. The reservoir 12 has a substantially flat base 20 (shown in Fig. 4).

It can be seen in Figs. 1-3 that the exchangeable container 10 is releasably coupled with the mixing device 50 and is configured to be stacked on top of the mixing device 50.

The exchangeable container 10 is here provided with openings 23 for engaging a fork-lift such that the container 10 may easily be lifted to be stacked on top of the mixing device 50.

The exchangeable container 10 is provided with a valve 13, the valve being adapted to move from a closed position to an opened position (shown in Fig. 2 and 3) upon coupling the container with the mixing device 50, and from the opened position to the closed position upon decoupling the container 10 from the mixing device 50. Opening of the valve 13 can be done manually, for example.

The mixing system 1 comprises a locking assembly, here having twist locks 54, for releasably coupling the exchangeable container 10 to the mixing device 50. Here four twist-locks 54 are present, each at a corner of the container 10.

In coupling the exchangeable container 10 with the mixing device 50, an outlet opening 19 (shown in Fig. 4) of the exchangeable container 10 is connected with an inlet opening 56 of the mixing device 50 via respective connections 14 and 57, wherein the outlet opening 19 in the container 10 is being aligned with the inlet opening 56 in the mixing device 50. The opening 19 in the base 20 is covered by a grid 15 at such a distance that the blades 17 when being rotated about an axis defined by the shaft 18 can sweep along the base 20 underneath said grid 15. This grid prevents a column of mortar base product falling into the opening 19 when moving the valve 13 from the closed position to the opened position.

The mixing system 1 further comprises a flow promotion device 16 for promoting the supply of mortar base product from the container 10 to the mixing device 50. The flow promotion device 16 comprises one or more blades 17 mounted movably, here rotatably, in the container 10 and a motor 60 for driving the motion of the blades 17, here through a shaft 18.

The exchangeable container 10 and the mixing device 50 are provided with mating alignment members 55 and 22 for aligning the container 10 when it is stacked onto the mixing device 50. In this embodiment, the alignment of members 55 and 22 is coaxial with the axis defined by rotational shaft 18 for the blades 17 of flow promotion device 16.

The exchangeable container 10 is provided with a resealable opening for filling the container 10, which opening is here being covered by a lid 21 , e.g. for filling from a storage container, or from a bag. The opening and lid 21 are present at the top of the container 10.

The mixer 51 defines a mixing chamber 52 in which the mortar base product can be mixed with liquid.

The liquid supply assembly comprises a liquid reservoir 61 that is integrated in the mixing device 50. For example, the reservoir 61 is dimensioned to hold a buffer of between 10 and 50 litres of water.

The mixer 51 is mounted movably in the mixing device 50 such that the mixer 51 can move between an operative position (shown in Figs. 2-3) and a cleaning position (shown in Fig. 1) in which the mixer 51 protrudes from an outer casing 59 of mixing device 50.

The mortar base product identifier may be reprogrammable. The mortar base product identifier may be an RFID tag and the control system may have an RFID reader.

The control system 53 may be operated by a control panel 53, which e.g. has a start and stop button, and/or an interface for a user to communicate a desired quantity of mortar. The control system 53 may be configured to store multiple mixing protocols, and may be configured to select the mixing protocol corresponding to the mortar base product that is identified by the recognised identifier from the stored mixing protocols.

The control system may be configured to adjust the mixing protocol based on a further parameter, wherein the control system comprises a sensor for measuring said further parameter, e.g. temperature of the mortar base product and/or the environment, or the moisture level of the mortar base product and/or the environment.

Alternatively, or additionally, the control system 53 is configured to use an algorithm to determine the mixing protocol corresponding to the mortar base product that is identified by the recognised identifier, wherein the identified mortar base product is one of a set of parameters for said algorithm. The control system may comprise a sensor for measuring a further parameter of the set of parameters for said algorithm, e.g. temperature of the mortar base product and/or the environment, or the moisture level of the mortar base product and/or the environment.

In figures 5, 6, instead of grid 15 just above the outlet, a grid 90 with perforations, e.g. a perforated plate, extends across the reservoir of the container 10 so that a space is defined between the grid 90 and the substantially flat base 20 of the reservoir. The one or more movable blades 17 are moved by the motor 60, located on the mixer device 50, within this space, underneath the grid 90. As shown the one or more blades 17 revolve about a vertical axis, driven by drive shaft 17 on the same axis. The grid 90 avoids undue compaction of mortar base product in the lower region of the reservoir and enhances uniformity of outflow of product towards the mixing device 50 when the one or more blades 17 are being moved.