EP0996585B1 - Device for mixing at least two flowing media - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention features an apparatus for mixing water and a beverage concentrate that includes a first passage channel passing through a housing from an inlet to an outlet, a second passage channel ending downstream in a smaller passage cross-section of the first passage channel, at least one bypass channel connected to the first passage channel, and a means for setting the passing amount of the water or the beverage concentrate.

Description

The invention relates to a device for mixing two flow media, in particular for mixing water and beverage concentrate or the like, with a first one Housing from an inlet to an outlet through-passage and at least an opening into the first passageway second passageway, wherein in the first passage, a first medium, in particular fluid, and in the second Through passage a second medium, in particular fluid, flows.

Mixing devices of the aforementioned type are used in particular for mixing drinks Use the base liquid water just before serving the beverage a concentrate, e.g. As a fruit juice concentrate, in a certain mixing ratio is added. The water can be prepared beforehand, z. B. with minerals or carbon dioxide enriched and cooled, or be taken directly from the water pipe, it is with a normal water pressure of about 1.5 to 2 bar of the device for Mixing is supplied.

For example, US 3,357,598 according to the preamble of claim 1 describes a device for mixing two flow media, being here for the preparation of mixed drinks of concentrated liquid and water flows through a mixing device in the manner of a Venturi nozzle with water and a concentrate from a right angle into the main stream opens Drilling is sucked. By sucking in the concentrate and through it achieved mixing of the two flow media is obtained at the output of the device a concentrate-water mixture.

The mixing ratios are usually over different in conventional mixing devices Cross-sectional areas of the channels set, d. H. the mixer must be for the provision of a different mixing ratio are exchanged. This is very consuming, as there are high demands on hygiene for the dispensing of drinks become.

Furthermore, results in the known mixing devices, the problem that the minimum Cross-sectional size of the channel for the concentrate is limited when concentrated fruit juice to be mixed with pulp. Since the pulp pieces through the cross section must pass through, so as not to clog this, the cross section must be have a certain minimum size. However, this results in that in the conventional mixing devices such a fruit juice is not provided in a low concentration can be.

Another problem with the known mixing devices is that the concentrates may have a different viscosity or viscosity, in particular also influenced by the different ambient temperature, so that at different Conditions different mixing ratios are obtained. at The known mixing devices, there is no way to simple and inexpensive Regulation of the mixing ratio.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a device of the aforementioned Kind of improving, such that the mixing ratio between two flow media, especially between water and a beverage concentrate, set in a simple manner irrespective of the concentrate composition, i. H. With few or many solids fractions, with high or low viscosity and the like. Possible should be. Furthermore, the mixing device should be streamlined and cost-effective be produced and ensure a safe function even in intermittent operation.

This object is achieved in that at least one bypass channel to the first passage and means for adjusting the flow rate the first and / or the second fluid are provided. That way regardless of the viscosity or of the problem that fruit pieces in the concentrate contained in a simple manner, any mixing ratio for the two Adjust fluids. In particular, the second passageway formed in the first passageway opens, have a relatively large cross section, so that the solids content the beverage concentrate can flow through the cross section unhindered, since the Mixing ratio depends only limited on the cross section of the second passageway. For the adjustment of the mixing ratio, the mixing device does not have be replaced, so that when changing the mixing ratio and no hygienic problems arise through the use of a new device. Should be the same Device another concentrate used, so can the device easy to clean due to their simple structure, which will be discussed later becomes.

To adjustment The flow rate can be with the device either the flow rate of the first fluid and / or the adjust second fluid. Since with drink mixtures the first fluid usually consists of water is formed and the majority of the mixture consists of water, the mixing ratio can be vary in a very large area. Preferably, the flow rate is the first fluid via the bypass channel or the bypass channels adjustable so that one on an adjustment in the mouth region of the second passage in could dispense with the first passageway. The confluence could therefore be constructive be easily formed while the mixing ratio is practically indirect through the bypass channels is regulated. If the second passageway opens substantially vertically into the first passage, are in defined and calculable flow conditions are provided at the mouth region, which are similar to those in Venturi nozzles. Also in the second passageway is an adjustment provided, in particular, a fine adjustment of the addition of Concentrate allows, if concentrates with low or no solids content, such as As tea, lemon concentrate and the like., Are used.

In an embodiment of the subject invention provided that the first passage channel an inlet region, a middle section and having an exit area, wherein the middle section a smaller passage area than the entrance area and the Has exit area. In this way it is achieved that in the middle section there is an increased flow velocity. The middle section is very much in relation to the inlet area and the outlet area short, for example, an extension of only 1.5 to 2 mm while the entrance area about 25 mm and the exit area about 40 can be up to 50 mm. In addition, there is a relaxation chamber in the entrance area formed, in which a substantially equal pressure prevails. This can cause fluctuations in the pressure or in the flow rate of the first fluid are balanced. Own in the area of its free end the first passageway advantageously an increasingly expanding Cross-section, whereby the initial acceleration of the flow is delayed and thus a vortex formation is reduced.

The second passage through which the beverage concentrate is supplied is, opens downstream of the small passage cross-section and substantially halfway into the first passageway. The estuary is relatively close to the middle constricted portion of the first passageway, so that fruit juice concentrate through the accelerated water flow entrained, and therefore no supply of the concentrate under Pressure needs.

In order to be able to dose the mixing ratio, the one or more bypass channels run from the entrance area of the first passageway to the exit area and have a substantially constant cross-section. They extend parallel to the central portion of the first passageway, with their upstream end into the expansion chamber and with its downstream end at a distance from the mouth of the second Open passageways in the exit area of the first passageway. The junction of each bypass channel is at an acute angle arranged to the axis of the first passageway and a taphole formed, which has a nozzle-like narrowing cross-section. As well may also be the confluence of the second passageway in the first passageway be educated. For adjusting the flow rate of the fluid through the bypass channels or the second passage are metering devices provided, which can be inserted into the mouth openings are. These metering devices can advantageously be formed by pins be, which fitted with a seated at the mouth opening Tip are formed and adjustable in transverse bores by means of a fine thread are guided. By means of the metering devices with which the opening cross-section of the bypass channel or the bypass channels can be regulated, and the opening cross-section of the second passage channel are regulated can, the mixing ratio can be adjusted arbitrarily in a simple manner. Even if the passage cross-section of the second passage channel substantially must be opened completely to allow passage of a larger one To allow quantity of fruit, is a dosage over the adjustable Bypass channels easily possible by the flow through the respective Bypass channel is precisely controlled.

To make the mixing device particularly inexpensive, the housing the mixing device preferably made of plastic and as one piece Injection molded body formed. The housing may be a fastening device have and in the region of the free channel ends connecting piece for connection of connecting hoses, concentrate containers, liquid feeds and / or the like. The connections can be known as quick-release connections be formed, which engage in corresponding grooves of the housing and their connection z. B. be sealed by an O-ring seal can. It is also conceivable that closure devices in the hose connections are provided, which the inlet to the terminal end of the hose close before a corresponding flow connection to the inventive Device is made. Additional closure devices may be formed on the device inlet side itself to return flows from one channel to another channel.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Horizontalschnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht in Richtung der Linie B-B in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht in Richtung des Pfeiles C in Fig. 1; und

Fig. 5

eine vereinfachte perspektivische Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention with reference to the drawings. Show in it

Fig. 1

a side view of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a horizontal sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

a sectional view in the direction of the line BB in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

a view in the direction of arrow C in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5

a simplified perspective view of the device according to the invention.

The inventive device 1 for mixing at least two flow media has a housing 2, which in the illustrated embodiment is made as a one-piece injection molded plastic housing.

The housing has a first passage 3 with an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 and a second passage 6 with an inlet 7 and an outlet 8.

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2, the passageway has the third an entrance area 9 with an enlarged cross-section, a middle section 10 with significantly reduced cross-section and an exit area 11th The middle section 10 is relative to the inlet region 9 and the Exit region 11 is relatively short and ensures that the in Direction of arrow 13 pressurized water in the middle section 10 is significantly accelerated to from the outlet 8 of the second passageway 6 mitzuißen in the direction of arrow 12 supplied concentrate. In the area the outlet 8 creates a considerable turbulence and in consequence its a good mixing of water and concentrate.

In Fig. 2 can also be seen that in the inlet region 9, a flash chamber 14 is provided, in which a substantially equal pressure prevails, so that pressure fluctuations in the pressure or at the flow rate of the water 13 can be balanced.

As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the through-channel 3 has at its free end in the region of the outlet a conical enlargement, the contributes to a slowing down of the flow of the mixture.

Parallel to the passage 3 a bypass channel 15 runs, which is a constant but smaller cross-section than the passageway 3 has. Of the Bypass duct opens with its upstream end into the inlet area 9 and with its downstream end in a tap hole 16, which in turn at an acute angle in the exit region 11 of the Passage channel 3 opens. This has the advantage that the water flow through the bypass 15, a direction is given, in the flow direction the flow of water through the passageway 3 is directed so that turbulence almost avoided. This can cause a backflow of Pulp particles to the middle section 10 are advantageously prevented so that no blockages can occur.

Although only one bypass channel 15 is shown in the drawing, it is conceivable that a plurality of bypass channels are provided. From Fig. 2 is also to recognize that the junctions of the bypass channels and the second passageway 6 in the first passageway 3 nozzle-shaped or frustoconical are formed so that they can form seats for pins 17, 18, which by means of fine threads in housing bores 19, 20 as far screwed are that the mouths are closed. In this way, the pins 17 form and 18 metering devices, via which the amount of water introduced through the Bypass 15 or concentrate of the channel 6 is adjustable. In this way can be achieved a very fine dosage of the mixing ratio.

For the operation of the mixing device according to the invention, the second Through channel 6 in the region of its inlet 7 with a concentrate bag connected, preferably in the manner of a plug-in cartridge or by means of a Snap connection, so that no separate sealing of the connection more must be done. The inlet 4 is in the same way with a water supply connected, and the connecting piece 21 is a pipe or a hose slipped to convey the mixed liquid to the desired location. The Seal the tube or tube takes place in a simple manner a snug fit, which are additionally secured with hose ties or the like can push the hose into the grooves 22.

When the user takes a certain amount of the mixed liquid wants, he presses a corresponding lever or pressure device, what the supply of water and concentrate to the mixing device. In simpler This way, solenoid valves can be used to open and close the supply be provided. Once water 13 through the inlet 4 in the inlet region. 9 flows, it must pass through the narrowed bore of the central portion 10, and is considerably accelerated. Depending on the setting of the pin 17 enters the water through the central portion 10 and the bypass channel 15 in the first passage 3 a. The flowing through the central portion 10th Water meets after a short distance on the outlet 8 of the second Passage channel 6, through which the concentrate is supplied. By the small one Cross section of the central portion 10 and the high flow rate the water becomes the concentrate from the second passageway 6 entrained and led to the outlet 5. The water from the bypass channel 15 or the bypass channels also passes into the exit region 11 of the first Passage channels 3, where it deals with the mixture of water and juice concentrate mixed. The resulting mixture is removed by the user. It is also possible at the end of the removal process, the middle Section 10 for a period of time to rinse off concentrate residues from the Remove mixing device. The mixing device can then be for another Concentrate can be used, in the same way a finely metered mixture can be achieved.

To adjust the mixing ratio in the cross holes 19 and 20 contained pins 17, 18 rotated so that they each in the bypass channel or passageway 6 introduced or withdrawn for the concentrate become. In this way can be with simple mechanical means the Set the mixing ratio in a wide range. This can be, for example Mixing ratios of 1: 1 to 1: 100 manufacture, z. For ice tea of 1:20, for orange juice of 1: 5, with a water pressure of 1.5 to 2 bar for Use comes. This results, based on the illustrated diameter ratios of the embodiment, an amount of 2.5 1 / min. For larger ones desired amounts, the diameter can be increased accordingly. The mixture is stable regardless of different water pressures, as the Suction is proportional to the water pressure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

mixing device

2

casing

3

first passageway

4

Inlet

5

outlet

6

second passageway

7

Inlet

8th

outlet

9

entry area

10

middle section

11

exit area

12

concentrate

13

water

14

expansion chamber

15

Bypass channel

16

branch bore

17

pen

18

pen

19

housing bore

20

housing bore

21

connecting branch

22

groove

23

fastening device

Claims (16)

1. Apparatus (1) for mixing at least two flow media, in particular for mixing water and a drink concentrate or the like, comprising a first through-duct (3) which passes through a housing (2) from an inlet (4) to an outlet (5) and has an entry region (9), a middle section (10) and an exit region (11), the middle section having a smaller passage cross section than the entry region (9) and the exit region (11), and comprising at least one second through-duct (6) which issues into the first through-duct (3), a first medium, in particular fluid, flowing in the first through-duct (3), and a second medium, in particular fluid, flowing in the second through-duct (6), comprising at least one bypass duct (15) to the first through-duct (3), which bypass duct runs from the entry region (9) of the first through-duct (3) to the exit region (11) and whose issuing opening (16) issues into the exit region (11) of the first through-duct (3), and comprising a metering device (17) for setting the throughflow rate of the first fluid through the at least one bypass duct, an issuing opening (8) in the second through-duct (6) issuing into the first through-duct (3) downstream of the smaller passage cross section of the middle section (10) and upstream of the issuing section of the bypass duct (15), characterized' by a further metering device (18) for choosing the throughflow rate of the second fluid in the second through-duct (6), the issuing section (16) of the at least one bypass duct (15) into the exit region (11) of the first throughduct (3) being formed by a tapping hole (19) running at an acute angle to the passage direction along the axis of the first through-duct.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the middle section (10) is shorter than the entry region (9) and the exit region (11).
3. Apparatus according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that an expansion chamber (14) is formed in the entry region (9).
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the exit region (11) widens increasingly, at least in the region of its free end.
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second through-duct (6) issues substantially perpendicularly into the first through-duct (3).
6. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the at least one bypass duct (15) which runs from the entry region (9) of the first through-duct (3) to the exit region (11) is substantially constant.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the at least one bypass duct (15) extends parallel to the middle section (10) of the first through-duct (3).
8. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that the upstream end of the at least one bypass duct (15) issues into the expansion chamber (14), and the downstream end of the at least one bypass duct (15) issues into the exit region (11) of the first through-duct (3) at a distance from the issuing section (8) of the second through-duct (6).
9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the issuing opening (16) of the at least one bypass duct (15) is constricted in the manner of a nozzle in the exit region (11) of the first through-duct (3).
10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering devices (17, 18) can be inserted into the issuing openings (16, 8) in the at least one bypass duct (15) and in the second through-duct (6) in the exit region (11) of the first through-duct (3).
11. Apparatus according to Claims 1 and 10, characterized in that the metering devices are formed by pins (17, 18) which are passed into tapping holes (19, 20) by means of a fine thread such that they can be adjusted.
12. Apparatus according to Claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the second through-duct (6) issues substantially perpendicularly into the first through-duct (3) by means of the tapping hole (20) in the metering device (18).
13. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) is formed from plastic.
14. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) is in the form of an integral injection-moulded element.
15. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) has a fixing device (23).
16. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) has connection pieces (21) for the connection of connecting hoses, concentrate containers, liquid inflows and/or the like in the region of the free ends of the ducts.

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