EP1473076B1 - Mixing device for mixing a substance with a pressurized liquid - Google Patents
Mixing device for mixing a substance with a pressurized liquid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1473076B1 EP1473076B1 EP04101798A EP04101798A EP1473076B1 EP 1473076 B1 EP1473076 B1 EP 1473076B1 EP 04101798 A EP04101798 A EP 04101798A EP 04101798 A EP04101798 A EP 04101798A EP 1473076 B1 EP1473076 B1 EP 1473076B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- compartment
- substance
- mixing
- feed
- liquid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 48
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 title claims description 20
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 30
- 241000209219 Hordeum Species 0.000 description 5
- 235000007340 Hordeum vulgare Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 5
- 240000007154 Coffea arabica Species 0.000 description 4
- 244000269722 Thea sinensis Species 0.000 description 4
- 235000020965 cold beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000012171 hot beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003381 solubilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012467 final product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006188 syrup Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020357 syrup Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/50—Mixing liquids with solids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/10—Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
- B01F25/104—Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components characterised by the arrangement of the discharge opening
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
- B01F2101/06—Mixing of food ingredients
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
- B01F2101/2202—Mixing compositions or mixers in the medical or veterinary field
Definitions
- the present invention concerns a mixing device, and the relative method, for the homogeneous mixing of a substance with a pressurized fluid.
- the device is able to be associated with an apparatus for preparing any mixture of a substance and a fluid, such as for example a solution, an emulsion, a suspension or suchlike, both of a food type, such as for example a hot or cold drink, such as coffee, tea, barley drink, tisane, and also of other nature, for example pharmaceutical or otherwise.
- the device can be used in an automatic drinks dispenser, in a domestic apparatus for preparing drinks and foodstuffs, on a coffee machine, in a laboratory or other.
- Various mixing devices are known, which are associated with an apparatus for preparing a product automatically by mixing a substance, such as for example a soluble powder, like coffee, tea, barley, or other, with a pressurized fluid, for example hot water.
- a substance such as for example a soluble powder, like coffee, tea, barley, or other
- a pressurized fluid for example hot water.
- a known device comprises as its essential parts a container, inside which a compartment is made for mixing the substance and the fluid, a distributor to feed the powdered substance and a distributor to feed the hot water.
- the distributors are arranged above the container to pour from above, respectively, the soluble substance and the hot water into the mixing compartment. In the lower zone of the compartment there is a hole through which the mixture obtained emerges.
- a rotating screw is arranged, driven by a drive member, which is made to rotate when the water and the substance to be mixed are poured in.
- Another mixing device is also known wherein, unlike the previous one, in order to mix the products during the delivery thereof, the fluid distributor is made to rotate. To be more exact, the distributor is driven by a motorized arm which makes it turn, at a high speed, in a circular trajectory.
- Both known devices have the disadvantage, however, that in order to carry out the mixing, they require the aid of a drive member to move, respectively, the rotating screw or the fluid distributor.
- the apparatus to prepare the mixture, with which one or the other of the known devices is associated must be provided with housings for the drive member and relative connection elements for the transmission of the rotary motion.
- This entails high production costs and also occupies a great deal of space inside the apparatus itself, limiting the possibility of reducing its overall dimensions.
- Another disadvantage is that, to be able to verify the correct functioning and detect possible anomalies of the drive member and of the transmission of the rotary motion, it is also necessary to provide automatic control devices and periodic reviews of the functioning thereof.
- a solubilizing apparatus which comprises a sleeve having a fluid permeable wall and two opposed openings therein, both aligned along a vertical longitudinal axis.
- a spray nozzle is disposed in flow communication with the lower opening to spray water upwardly, towards and against the inner wall of the sleeve, for swirling the internal surface of the wall and preventing the build-up of solids therealong, while the upper opening, which is larger than the lower one, is provided for receiving solids.
- the fluid permeable sleeve is disposed within a water impermeable tank, which has a lower outlet from which the solute can exit.
- a pipe and pump system is also provided for the recirculation of the solute.
- This solubilizing apparatus is specifically useful for dissolution of chemicals utilized in cleaning reverse osmosis membranes, but can not be used for preparing hot or cold drinks, such as coffee, tea, barley drink or tisane.
- the purpose of the present invention is to achieve a mixing device by means of which it is possible to perform an effective and rapid mixing of the products, without the aid of a drive member being necessary, and by means of which the times and functioning modes of the members that feed the fluid and the substances to be mixed therewith can easily be varied, according to the mixture to be obtained.
- Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to achieve these and other purposes and obtain other advantages and to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art.
- the compartment comprises at least a first part having a gradual widening in section from the bottom towards the top.
- the second feeding means are arranged in an intermediate zone between the first feeding means and the outlet means, and are able to feed the liquid into the compartment at a determinate pressure, so as to create a vortical motion, or vortex, of the liquid towards the top in the first part, in the opposite direction to the feed of the substance into the mixing compartment.
- the substance is poured directly into the first part of the compartment.
- the second fluid feeding means are arranged in the lower zone of the mixing compartment, in proximity with the outlet means, so that most of the compartment is free for the vortical rise of the liquid.
- the substance that is mixed with the liquid is advantageously, but not exclusively, of the type that is soluble in the liquid; it can be in the form of powder, also lyophilized, in the form of granules or paste, or a concentrated solution, a syrup or other.
- the device according to the invention therefore, by pouring the substance into the mixing compartment, it is possible to obtain quickly, and with a minimum energy consumption, a solution, a dispersion, an emulsion or any other type of mixed product.
- Another advantage of the mixing device according to the present invention is that the mixing of the liquid and the substance can be easily regulated by operating on the time and mode of functioning of the relative feeding means.
- the liquid is fed tangentially into the mixing compartment, so as to create a vortex, which extends peripherally upwards in the aforesaid first part of the compartment.
- the fluid feeding means are associated with means able to induce a vortical motion in the mixing compartment, such as for example spiral-shaped grooves or pipes, facing upwards.
- the mixing compartment is funnel-shaped and comprises a first upper portion shaped like a truncated cone, and a second cylindrical lower portion.
- the liquid is fed under pressure into the cylindrical portion, so that the vortical motion reaches its maximum speed in a zone connecting the cylindrical portion and the truncated cone portion.
- the latter is fed under pressure directly into the conical portion.
- the compartment is shaped like a truncated cone shape, or is goblet shaped.
- a mixing device 10 is able to be assembled inside an automatic dispenser of hot or cold drinks, to mix at least a substance, such as for example powdered coffee, with a fluid, in this case hot or cold water.
- the device 10 comprises a container 12, made for example of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), inside which is made a mixing compartment 18 which in this case has an internal volume of about 50 ml.
- a container 12 made for example of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
- ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- the device 10 also comprises a first feeding assembly 20, able to feed the substance into the compartment 18 from above, and a second feeding assembly 22, able to feed the hot or cold water into an intermediate zone of the compartment 18.
- the container 12 comprises a cylindrical outer wall 15 and an inner wall 16, shaped like a funnel, which defines the compartment 18.
- the inner wall 16 comprises in the upper zone a truncated cone portion 17, with its taper facing downwards and, in the lower zone, a cylindrical portion 19.
- the container 12 is provided with an outlet pipe 24, through which the mixture of substance and water emerges towards a delivery device, not shown in the drawings.
- the outlet pipe 24 has a reduced diameter with respect to the cylindrical portion 19, and is arranged offset along an axis Y with respect to the axis X of the compartment 18.
- a hole 14 (fig. 2), where a screw is screwed in in order to attach the device 10 to the drinks dispenser.
- the first feeding assembly 20 is substantially of a known type and comprises a conveyor pipe 26 (figs. 1 and 3), arranged above the container 12 from which, by means of a feeding-screw 27 located inside, the substance to be mixed emerges.
- the substance is able to fall in this case towards a connection zone 25 between the cylindrical portion 19 and the truncated cone portion 17.
- the functioning of the feeding-screw 27 can be regulated according to pre-set modes.
- the second feeding assembly 22 comprises a pipe 30, provided with a nozzle 31 (fig. 1), which is arranged substantially horizontal on one side of the inner wall 16, in correspondence with the cylindrical portion 19, in order to feed the water tangentially therein.
- the pipe 30 is connected to a pump 35, which feeds the water under pressure at about 1-15 bar.
- the tangential and pressurized feed of the water determines, due to the high kinetic energy of the latter, a vortical motion, or whirlpool, which extends vertically along the inner side of the cylindrical portion 19, reaching its maximum speed in correspondence with the aforesaid connection zone 25.
- the upward development of the whirlpool is also facilitated by the widening in section, from the bottom towards the top, of the truncated cone portion 17.
- An annular platelet 40 partly closes the container 12, to prevent the leakage of water in the event of considerable intensity.
- the device 10 creating an upward vortical motion of the water, and in the direction opposite that of the introduction of the substance, allows to obtain a dissolution and homogeneous mixing of the substance or, in the case of an insoluble substance, a dispersion or an emulsion, without the assistance of drive members.
- the outlet pipe 24 is arranged substantially in correspondence with, and below, the nozzle 31 of the water pipe 30; but it is clear that any other offset position of the outlet pipe 24 with respect to the axis X can be provided, for example on the opposite side with respect to the nozzle 31.
- Another advantage of the device 10 is the fact that the introduction pressure and the vortical motion of the water allow to create bubbles of water in the mixture of substance and water, giving rise to a frothy appearance which, for example in the case of preparing coffee or barley drink, gives a pleasant effect.
- the mixing device 10 as described heretofore functions as follows.
- the hot or cold water is introduced into the cylindrical portion 19 at a pressure of about 5-10 bar, and continuously, at a constant flow and for a determinate period of time.
- a first step only water is introduced into the compartment 18, so as to obtain a whirlpool which develops upwards as far as the truncated cone portion 17.
- the substance is poured into the compartment 18 in a constant flow and is mixed in the whirlpool.
- the mixture of substance and water rotates vertically in the aforesaid connection zone 25 and then flows towards the center of the compartment 18 and falls into the outlet pipe 24, possibly mixing with another substance which, in the same step, is poured from the pipe 26. Descending along the cylindrical portion 19, the mixture passes in proximity with the nozzle 31 and is partly hit by the jet of water so as to be further mixed, and possibly transported upwards by the vortical motion.
- the jet of the nozzle 31 facilitates the formation of more bubbles of water inside the mixture, accentuating the frothy effect.
- a third step the feed of the substance is interrupted, while the feed of the water is continued, to allow a complete cleaning of the compartment 18 and to complete the preparation of the final product.
- radial ribs 21 are provided for stiffening purposes, located between the inner wall 16 and the outer wall 15.
- the inner wall 16 of the container 12 instead of being funnel-shaped, is simply shaped like a truncated cone.
- the pipe 30 that feeds the water is arranged in correspondence with the lower zone of the inner wall 16, in proximity with the outlet pipe 24.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
- Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention concerns a mixing device, and the relative method, for the homogeneous mixing of a substance with a pressurized fluid. The device is able to be associated with an apparatus for preparing any mixture of a substance and a fluid, such as for example a solution, an emulsion, a suspension or suchlike, both of a food type, such as for example a hot or cold drink, such as coffee, tea, barley drink, tisane, and also of other nature, for example pharmaceutical or otherwise. The device can be used in an automatic drinks dispenser, in a domestic apparatus for preparing drinks and foodstuffs, on a coffee machine, in a laboratory or other.
- Various mixing devices are known, which are associated with an apparatus for preparing a product automatically by mixing a substance, such as for example a soluble powder, like coffee, tea, barley, or other, with a pressurized fluid, for example hot water.
- A known device comprises as its essential parts a container, inside which a compartment is made for mixing the substance and the fluid, a distributor to feed the powdered substance and a distributor to feed the hot water.
- The distributors are arranged above the container to pour from above, respectively, the soluble substance and the hot water into the mixing compartment. In the lower zone of the compartment there is a hole through which the mixture obtained emerges.
- In order to mix the products, in a lower zone of the compartment, upstream of the outlet hole, a rotating screw is arranged, driven by a drive member, which is made to rotate when the water and the substance to be mixed are poured in.
- Another mixing device is also known wherein, unlike the previous one, in order to mix the products during the delivery thereof, the fluid distributor is made to rotate. To be more exact, the distributor is driven by a motorized arm which makes it turn, at a high speed, in a circular trajectory.
- Consequently, turbulence is created in the mixing compartment which allows to dissolve and mix the substance rapidly, as soon as it is poured.
- Both known devices have the disadvantage, however, that in order to carry out the mixing, they require the aid of a drive member to move, respectively, the rotating screw or the fluid distributor.
- Consequently, the apparatus to prepare the mixture, with which one or the other of the known devices is associated, must be provided with housings for the drive member and relative connection elements for the transmission of the rotary motion. This entails high production costs and also occupies a great deal of space inside the apparatus itself, limiting the possibility of reducing its overall dimensions.
- Moreover, the energy consumption of the drive member of known mixing devices considerably affects the overall energy consumption of the apparatus.
- Another disadvantage is that, to be able to verify the correct functioning and detect possible anomalies of the drive member and of the transmission of the rotary motion, it is also necessary to provide automatic control devices and periodic reviews of the functioning thereof.
- From
US-A-5,536,479 it is known a solubilizing apparatus which comprises a sleeve having a fluid permeable wall and two opposed openings therein, both aligned along a vertical longitudinal axis. A spray nozzle is disposed in flow communication with the lower opening to spray water upwardly, towards and against the inner wall of the sleeve, for swirling the internal surface of the wall and preventing the build-up of solids therealong, while the upper opening, which is larger than the lower one, is provided for receiving solids. The fluid permeable sleeve is disposed within a water impermeable tank, which has a lower outlet from which the solute can exit. A pipe and pump system is also provided for the recirculation of the solute. This solubilizing apparatus is specifically useful for dissolution of chemicals utilized in cleaning reverse osmosis membranes, but can not be used for preparing hot or cold drinks, such as coffee, tea, barley drink or tisane. - From
EP-A-0963784 it is known a swirling type microbubble generating system, which comprises a container having a conical space, a liquid inlet provided in tangential direction on the circumferential surface of the inner wall of the lower part of the space, a gas introducing hole provided on the top of the conical space. This known system, it only provided to readily generate micro-bubbles in industrial scale, but not for the homogeneous mixing of a substance, like a soluble powder of coffee, tea, barley, or other, with a pressurized fluid, for example hot waster. The purpose of the present invention is to achieve a mixing device by means of which it is possible to perform an effective and rapid mixing of the products, without the aid of a drive member being necessary, and by means of which the times and functioning modes of the members that feed the fluid and the substances to be mixed therewith can easily be varied, according to the mixture to be obtained. - Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to achieve these and other purposes and obtain other advantages and to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art.
- In accordance with the above purposes a mixing device according to claim 1 for mixing at least a substance and a liquid comprises: a container with a mixing compartment; first feeding means able to feed said substance from above into the compartment; second feeding means able to feed the liquid into the compartment; and outlet means able to make the mixture of the substance and the liquid emerge from the lower part of the compartment. According to the invention, the compartment comprises at least a first part having a gradual widening in section from the bottom towards the top. The second feeding means are arranged in an intermediate zone between the first feeding means and the outlet means, and are able to feed the liquid into the compartment at a determinate pressure, so as to create a vortical motion, or vortex, of the liquid towards the top in the first part, in the opposite direction to the feed of the substance into the mixing compartment.
- The pressure at which the liquid is fed and the gradual widening in section of the first part of the compartment are exploited to create a vortex which has high speed and which develops upwards, and continuously. When the substance is poured into the compartment, it comes into contact with the vortex of the liquid, and in this way dissolves and mixes with it in an effective manner, without the aid of drive members.
- In a preferential embodiment the substance is poured directly into the first part of the compartment.
- In one embodiment of the invention, the second fluid feeding means are arranged in the lower zone of the mixing compartment, in proximity with the outlet means, so that most of the compartment is free for the vortical rise of the liquid.
- The substance that is mixed with the liquid is advantageously, but not exclusively, of the type that is soluble in the liquid; it can be in the form of powder, also lyophilized, in the form of granules or paste, or a concentrated solution, a syrup or other. By means of the device according to the invention, therefore, by pouring the substance into the mixing compartment, it is possible to obtain quickly, and with a minimum energy consumption, a solution, a dispersion, an emulsion or any other type of mixed product.
- Another advantage of the mixing device according to the present invention is that the mixing of the liquid and the substance can be easily regulated by operating on the time and mode of functioning of the relative feeding means.
- The liquid is fed tangentially into the mixing compartment, so as to create a vortex, which extends peripherally upwards in the aforesaid first part of the compartment.
- According to a variant, the fluid feeding means are associated with means able to induce a vortical motion in the mixing compartment, such as for example spiral-shaped grooves or pipes, facing upwards.
- The mixing compartment is funnel-shaped and comprises a first upper portion shaped like a truncated cone, and a second cylindrical lower portion. The liquid is fed under pressure into the cylindrical portion, so that the vortical motion reaches its maximum speed in a zone connecting the cylindrical portion and the truncated cone portion.
- According to a variant, to obtain a different mixing ratio between the substance and the fluid, the latter is fed under pressure directly into the conical portion.
- According to another variant, the compartment is shaped like a truncated cone shape, or is goblet shaped.
- These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment referenced to the attached drawings wherein:
- fig. 1 is a lateral view, partly in section, of a mixing device according to the present invention;
- fig. 2 is a view from above, partly in section, of the device in fig. 1;
- fig. 3 is a section from III to III of fig. 2.
- With reference to the attached figures, a
mixing device 10 according to the present invention is able to be assembled inside an automatic dispenser of hot or cold drinks, to mix at least a substance, such as for example powdered coffee, with a fluid, in this case hot or cold water. - The
device 10 comprises acontainer 12, made for example of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), inside which is made amixing compartment 18 which in this case has an internal volume of about 50 ml. - The
device 10 also comprises afirst feeding assembly 20, able to feed the substance into thecompartment 18 from above, and asecond feeding assembly 22, able to feed the hot or cold water into an intermediate zone of thecompartment 18. - The
container 12 comprises a cylindricalouter wall 15 and aninner wall 16, shaped like a funnel, which defines thecompartment 18. - To be more exact, the
inner wall 16 comprises in the upper zone atruncated cone portion 17, with its taper facing downwards and, in the lower zone, acylindrical portion 19. - Below the
cylindrical portion 19, thecontainer 12 is provided with anoutlet pipe 24, through which the mixture of substance and water emerges towards a delivery device, not shown in the drawings. Theoutlet pipe 24 has a reduced diameter with respect to thecylindrical portion 19, and is arranged offset along an axis Y with respect to the axis X of thecompartment 18. - In the solution shown here, moreover, on one side of the
container 12 there is a hole 14 (fig. 2), where a screw is screwed in in order to attach thedevice 10 to the drinks dispenser. - The
first feeding assembly 20 is substantially of a known type and comprises a conveyor pipe 26 (figs. 1 and 3), arranged above thecontainer 12 from which, by means of a feeding-screw 27 located inside, the substance to be mixed emerges. The substance is able to fall in this case towards aconnection zone 25 between thecylindrical portion 19 and thetruncated cone portion 17. - The functioning of the feeding-
screw 27 can be regulated according to pre-set modes. - The
second feeding assembly 22 comprises apipe 30, provided with a nozzle 31 (fig. 1), which is arranged substantially horizontal on one side of theinner wall 16, in correspondence with thecylindrical portion 19, in order to feed the water tangentially therein. Thepipe 30 is connected to apump 35, which feeds the water under pressure at about 1-15 bar. - The tangential and pressurized feed of the water determines, due to the high kinetic energy of the latter, a vortical motion, or whirlpool, which extends vertically along the inner side of the
cylindrical portion 19, reaching its maximum speed in correspondence with theaforesaid connection zone 25. - According to the invention, the upward development of the whirlpool is also facilitated by the widening in section, from the bottom towards the top, of the
truncated cone portion 17. - Consequently, by pouring the substance to be mixed precisely into the
connection zone 25 where the whirlpool reaches its maximum speed, the substance dissolves immediately and, at the same time, is mixed with the water. - During mixing, the vortex of the mixture of water and substance continues to rise towards an
upper zone 38 of thetruncated cone portion 17, until it loses speed. In this condition the mixture flows due to gravity into the central zone of thecompartment 18 and falls, more or less directly, as far as theoutlet pipe 24. - An
annular platelet 40 partly closes thecontainer 12, to prevent the leakage of water in the event of considerable intensity. - The
device 10, creating an upward vortical motion of the water, and in the direction opposite that of the introduction of the substance, allows to obtain a dissolution and homogeneous mixing of the substance or, in the case of an insoluble substance, a dispersion or an emulsion, without the assistance of drive members. - The upward vortical motion of the water, or of other fluid, is also facilitated both by the reduced diameter of the
outlet pipe 24, with respect to the diameter of thecylindrical portion 19, and also by its offset position with respect to the aforesaid axis X. - Moreover, in the embodiment shown here, the
outlet pipe 24 is arranged substantially in correspondence with, and below, thenozzle 31 of thewater pipe 30; but it is clear that any other offset position of theoutlet pipe 24 with respect to the axis X can be provided, for example on the opposite side with respect to thenozzle 31. - Another advantage of the
device 10 is the fact that the introduction pressure and the vortical motion of the water allow to create bubbles of water in the mixture of substance and water, giving rise to a frothy appearance which, for example in the case of preparing coffee or barley drink, gives a pleasant effect. - The mixing
device 10 as described heretofore functions as follows. - When the
pump 35 is driven, according to pre-defined functioning modes, the hot or cold water is introduced into thecylindrical portion 19 at a pressure of about 5-10 bar, and continuously, at a constant flow and for a determinate period of time. - In a first step, only water is introduced into the
compartment 18, so as to obtain a whirlpool which develops upwards as far as thetruncated cone portion 17. - In a second step, the substance is poured into the
compartment 18 in a constant flow and is mixed in the whirlpool. - The mixture of substance and water rotates vertically in the
aforesaid connection zone 25 and then flows towards the center of thecompartment 18 and falls into theoutlet pipe 24, possibly mixing with another substance which, in the same step, is poured from thepipe 26. Descending along thecylindrical portion 19, the mixture passes in proximity with thenozzle 31 and is partly hit by the jet of water so as to be further mixed, and possibly transported upwards by the vortical motion. - The jet of the
nozzle 31 facilitates the formation of more bubbles of water inside the mixture, accentuating the frothy effect. - In a third step the feed of the substance is interrupted, while the feed of the water is continued, to allow a complete cleaning of the
compartment 18 and to complete the preparation of the final product. - It is clear that the delivery times of the substance and the water can vary according to the type of substance and the mixture to be obtained and are not restrictive for the invention.
- For example, in the embodiment shown here,
radial ribs 21 are provided for stiffening purposes, located between theinner wall 16 and theouter wall 15. - According to a variant, the
inner wall 16 of thecontainer 12, instead of being funnel-shaped, is simply shaped like a truncated cone. In this case, thepipe 30 that feeds the water is arranged in correspondence with the lower zone of theinner wall 16, in proximity with theoutlet pipe 24.
Claims (4)
- Mixing device for mixing at least a substance and a liquid, comprising a container (12) having a compartment (18) which is shaped like a funnel and comprises, in the upper zone, a first part (17) with a gradual widening in section from the bottom towards the top and, in the lower zone, a second part (19) cylindrical in shape, first feeding means (20) able to feed said substance from above into said compartment (18), second feeding means (22) able to feed said liquid into said compartment (18), and outlet means (24) able to make a mixture of said substance and said fluid emerge from said second part (19) of said compartment (18), wherein said second feeding means (22) are arranged in an intermediate zone between said first feeding means (20) and said outlet means (24) to feed said liquid into said second part (19) of said compartment (18) tangentially and at a determinate pressure, so as to create a vortical motion upwards of said liquid in said first part (17), in a direction opposite to that of the feed of said substance into said compartment (18), and wherein said compartment (18) is symmetrical with respect to an axis (X), characterized in that said outlet means comprises an outlet pipe (24) arranged in an offset position with respect to said axis (X) of said compartment (18).
- Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said liquid is water and said determinate pressure is about 1-15 bar.
- Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said second feeding means (22) comprises a nozzle (31) and that said outlet pipe (24) is arranged on the opposite side with respect to said nozzle (31).
- Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said outlet pipe (24) has a reduced section with respect to the section of said second part (19) of said compartment (18).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000095A ITUD20030095A1 (en) | 2003-04-30 | 2003-04-30 | MIXER DEVICE, AND RELATED PROCEDURE, FOR MIXING A SUBSTANCE WITH A PRESSURIZED FLUID. |
ITUD20030095 | 2003-04-30 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1473076A2 EP1473076A2 (en) | 2004-11-03 |
EP1473076A3 EP1473076A3 (en) | 2005-10-12 |
EP1473076B1 true EP1473076B1 (en) | 2007-06-13 |
Family
ID=32983253
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04101798A Expired - Lifetime EP1473076B1 (en) | 2003-04-30 | 2004-04-28 | Mixing device for mixing a substance with a pressurized liquid |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1473076B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE364437T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602004006915T2 (en) |
IT (1) | ITUD20030095A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE583216A (en) * | ||||
NL75972C (en) * | 1950-10-13 | 1900-01-01 | ||
JPS4869158A (en) * | 1971-12-22 | 1973-09-20 | ||
DE7325738U (en) * | 1973-07-13 | 1973-12-20 | Brand W | DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BEVERAGES, IN PARTICULAR TEA |
JPS5031471A (en) * | 1973-07-21 | 1975-03-27 | ||
DE3730617A1 (en) * | 1987-09-11 | 1989-03-30 | Georg Beinhundner | Air/water mixer head |
US5393502A (en) * | 1993-09-07 | 1995-02-28 | International Purification Systems, Inc. | Solubilizing apparatus |
EP0963784B1 (en) * | 1997-12-30 | 2006-10-11 | Hirofumi Ohnari | Swirling fine-bubble generator and method |
-
2003
- 2003-04-30 IT IT000095A patent/ITUD20030095A1/en unknown
-
2004
- 2004-04-28 AT AT04101798T patent/ATE364437T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2004-04-28 DE DE602004006915T patent/DE602004006915T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-04-28 EP EP04101798A patent/EP1473076B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE602004006915D1 (en) | 2007-07-26 |
EP1473076A3 (en) | 2005-10-12 |
EP1473076A2 (en) | 2004-11-03 |
ATE364437T1 (en) | 2007-07-15 |
DE602004006915T2 (en) | 2008-02-21 |
ITUD20030095A1 (en) | 2004-11-01 |
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