US3806004A

US3806004A - Mixing and dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3806004A
Application number: US00326119A
Authority: US
Inventors: Y Kolkovsky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-01-24
Filing date: 1973-01-23
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23
Also published as: IL38627A; IL38627A0

Abstract

A combiner mixer and dispenser apparatus has a pair of co-axial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent apertured axial ends adapted to be immersed in a liquid, the outer tube having radial openings selectively closable by the inner tube depending on its axial position relative to the outer tube. A spring urges the inner tube towards a terminal position at which the radial openings are uncovered so that the rotation of an impeller carried by a shaft mounted in the inner tube is effective to draw liquid through an opening in the axial end of the outer tube and expel it through the radial openings thus mixing the liquid. When the inner tube is moved axially to partially or fully cover the radial openings, the liquid drawn through the opening in the end of the outer tube is pumped upwardly through the inner tube and dispensed. A combined mixing and dispensing operation can be carried out simultaneously by positioning the inner tube so that the radial openings in the outer tube are only partially covered.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Kolkovsky Apr. 23, 1974 MIXING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Yehuda Kolkovsky, 27 Hayardin St., Ramat-Gan, Israel [22] Filed: Jan. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 326,119

Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browdy and Neimark nl l 29 5 7 ABSTRACT A combiner mixer and dispenser apparatus has a pair of co-axial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent apertured axial ends adapted to be immersed in a liquid, the outer tube having radial openings selectively closable by the inner tube depending on its axial position relative to the outer tube. A spring urges the inner tube towards a terminal position at which the radial openings are uncovered so that the rotation of an impeller carried by a shaft mounted in the inner tube is effective to draw liquid through an opening in the axial end of the outer tube and expel it through the radial openings thus mixing the liquid. When the inner tube is moved axially to partially or fully cover the radial openings, the liquid drawn through the opening in the end of the outer tube is pumped upwardly through the inner tube and dispensed. A combined mixing and dispensing operation can be carried out simultaneously by positioning the inner tube so that the radial openings in the outer tube are only partially covered.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures MIXING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS This invention relates to a combined mixer and dispenser apparatus for liquids, and more particularly to apparatus which converts easily from one type of operation to another, or which can achieve both operations simultaneously.

Large-scale batch processing of chemicals on an industrial basis, as well as small-scale preparation of food products such as cocktails on a domestic basis, involve selective agitation of various constituents in a container followed by the dispensing of the mixed product. It is well known in the art to provide a combined mixer and dispenser apparatus where the two operations are carried out sequentially and independently. Thus, in US. Pat. No. 3,289,897, mixing is carried out by the rotation of an impeller in one direction, while dispensing is carried out by reversing the direction of rotation of the impeller. This arrangement requires a reversible motor and suitable switching contacts complicating the design and mounting of the device and increasing its cost. In addition, mixing and dispensing must be carried out sequentially with the result that dispensing can be achieved only after mixing has been completed thus delaying the dispensing operation.-

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved combined mixer and dispenser apparatus for liquids wherein mixing and dispensing can be carried out simultaneously with a minimum of movable parts and the utmost in simplicity.

According to the present invention there is provided a pair of coaxial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent axial ends adapted to be immersed in a liquid, the axial end of the outer tube being open and having radial openings adjacent thereto, the axial end of the inner tube having an eccentrically located aperture and adapted to selectively close the radial openings in the outer tube depending on the relative axial positions of the tubes. Spring means are provided for urging the inner tube towards a terminal axial position relative to the outer tube establishing the normal mode of operation of the apparatus which may be either mixing or dispensing depending on whether the radial openings are fully closed or fully opened in the normal position of the inner tube. Coaxial with the tubes is a shaft that extends centrally through the axial ends of the inner tube and terminates in an impeller which operates to mix or dispense the liquid, sequentially, or to mix and dispense the fluid simultaneously, depending on the relative position of the coaxial tubes (i.e., the displacement of the inner tube from its normal position against the bias of the spring to an axial position fully or partially blocking the radial openings in the outer tube.)

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the combined mixer and dispenser apparatus mounted in a container with the inner tube shown in its normal position ready for performing a mixing operation; and

PK]. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the inner tube moved to another terminal position at which the apparatus is effective for dispensing fluid.

Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral designates a combined mixer and dispenser according to the present invention incorporated into a container 11 holding a liquid 12. Container 11 has a wide mouth 13 at the top provided with screw threads for mating with corresponding threads on an annular flange 14 projecting downwardly from housing 15 containing the dispenser 10. Housing 15 includes a base plate 16 within which a gasket 17 is seated in sealing engagement with the open' end of the container when the threads of flange 14 are threaded onto the mouth of container 11. Base 16 thus closes and seals the open end of the container.

Centrally located on base 16 and rigidly attached thereto is an outer tube 18 that is a part of the combined mixer and dispenser 10. The upper portion of tube 18 is enlarged as shown at 19; and the lower end of this tube is likewise enlarged as shown at 20 being provided with an extension 21 having radially directed openings 22. The lower end of tube 18 is closed except for a centrally located axial aperture 23.

Coaxial with and telescopically mounted within tube 18 is an inner tube 24 having a lower enlarged end 25 that matches and mates with enlarged end 20 and extension 21 of the outer tube. The lower end of the inner tube is closed by a cup-shaped member 26 which has an eccentrically located aperture 27 and which forms the pump housing.

The upper end of inner tube 24 is also provided with an enlarged shoulder 28 which matches and is engageable with the enlarged portion 19 of the outer tube. Projecting upwardly through apertures is base plate 16 are at least two extensions 29 on whose free ends are provided collars 30 against which one end of a coiled spring 31 bears while the other end of the spring bears against base 16. Springs 31 urge the inner tube upwardly towards the terminal position shown in FIG. 1 wherein the shoulder 25 on the inner tube abuts with enlargement 20 on the outer tube 18 thus establishing the normal position of the inner tube at which it uncovers the openings 22 in the outer tube are uncovered. As will be described below, the inner tube 24 may be moved axially downwardly by means of extensions 29 until the enlargement 28 on the inner tube abuts the enlargement 29 on the outer tube. When this occurs, the inner tube 24 will completely block the radial openings 22 as shown in FIG. 2. The inner tube may also be positioned at various axial locations between the two terminal positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the purpose partially blocking the radial openings 22.

In addition to the

coaxial tubes

18 and 24, the combined mixer and dispenser 10 includes a shaft 32 that is axially fixed but coaxial with the tubes and extends centrally from the base 16 through the cup-shaped member 26 adjacent the lower axial ends of the two tubes and terminates in an impeller 33 that is rigidly attached to the bottom free end of the shaft. Shaft 32 is rotatably mounted within the upper portion of inner tube 24 and within the cup-shaped member 26, and extends through the base 16 where the upper end of the shaft is coupled by a sleeve 34 to the output shaft of an electric motor 35 which is centrally mounted on plate 16 by means of a motor mount 36 attached to the plate. Motor 35 may be operated either by an external electric circuit or by batteries (not shown). In either event, energization of the motor 35 by a suitable switch, indicated generally by reference numeral 37, will cause the shaft 32 to rotate in a direction that will cause the impeller 33 to act as a pump and draw liquid 12 through the opening 23 and into the chamber 38 defined by the cup-member 26 and the axial end of the outer tube 18.

The combined mixer and dispenser also includes an operating cylinder 39 coaxially mounted with respect to the motor mount 36 and interposed between extensions 29 and a top cover 40 on the housing 15. Specifically, operating cylinder 39 has a central projection 41 extending through an opening in the cover 40 and providing a recess within which one end of spring 42 is engaged. The other end of the spring is engaged with a central boss on the motor mount 36 such that the operating cylinder 39 is urged upwardly by spring 42 out of engagement with projections 29. Upon manual depression of projection 41 as shown in FIG. 2, the operating cylinder 39 will engage the projections 29 of the inner tube thereby permitting an operator to position the inner tube 24 at any axial location between the location shown in FIG. 1, at which the openings 22 are fully uncovered, and the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein the radial openings 22 are fully closed.

I Finally, the combined mixer and dispenser 10 includes a discharge conduit 43 which is connected to the outer tube.'18 and passes upwardly through the base 16 and terminates in'a discharge spout 44 that projects from the housing 15. In addition, the inner tube 24 is provided with a discharge orifice 45 which is essentially misaligned with the discharge conduit when the inner tube is in its normal position shown in FIG. 1. When the innertube is-in its other axial terminal position shown in FIG. 2, the discharge orifice 45 is aligned with the discharge conduit.

In operation, the lower ends of each of the inner and outer tubes would normally be immersed in liquid 12 and an operator has the option of either mixing the liquid without dispensing it, dispensing the liquid without mixing it, or simultaneously mixing and dispensing the liquid.

In the mixing without dispensing mode of operation, an operator would merely actuate switch 37 so that motor 35 would begin to rotate. Liquid would be drawn by impeller 33 through opening 23 and into chamber 38 for discharge'through radial openings 22. A small amount of liquid may pass through the opening 27 but would not find its way into the discharge conduit 43 for two reasons: first, there is insufficient pressure developed within chamber 38 when aperture 22 are open; and second, the aperture 45 is misaligned with conduit 43 during this mode of operation. Any liquid rising in tube 24 during rotation of the impeller will drain back into the container through opening 27 when the impeller stops rotating.

In order to carry out the dispensing without mixing mode of operation, an operator would manually depress projection 41 until the free end of the inner tube 24 engages the bottom of the outer tube 18 (shoulder 28 being seated against enlarged portion 19) wherein radial openings 22 would be totally closed by the inner tube. Upon actuation of switch 37 in this condition, the rotation of motor 35 would cause the impeller 33 to draw liquid through opening 23 and through the opening 27 and upwardly into the tube 24 where the fluid would pass through orifice 45 into conduit 43 and be discharged from spout 44as shown in FIG. 2.

The simultaneous mixing and dispensing mode of operation is carried out when the operator only partially depresses projection 41 to a position intermediate the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 thereby only partially closing radial openings 22. In this condition, actuation of the switch 37 will cause some of the fluid drawn into chamber 38 by the rotation of impeller 33 to pass through the partially blocked openings 22 achieving a mixing of the liquid, and a portion of the liquid to pass through the opening 27 where it will be pumped upwardly and eventually discharged through spout 44.

In the manner described above, it is possible to control the mixing and dispensing to a fine degree. Conversion from one mode of operation to another mode of operation is achieved easily by the depression of the projection 41.

In order to beat air into the liquid 12 in the container 11, it is possible to provide for blocking the spout 44 externally on the housing so that the liquid pumped upwardly through the inner tube 24 when the device is in what would normally be its dispensing mode of operation, would be discharged through the shoulder 19 and find its way back into the main portion of the liquid without being discharged. In a further modification, the normal position of the inner tube may be one in which the openings 22 are blocked rather than as shown in FIG. 1. In such case, the normal mode of operation of the mixer and dispenser device would be in the dispensing mode rather than in the mixing mode.

While the motor 35 is shown centrally located on base plate 16, this location is only illustrative and the center-line of the concentric tubes could be at any location. Motor 35 may be energized by locating the switch between the base of the operating cylinder 39 and the stationary motor mount 36." In such case, a slight depression of projection 41 would serve to close the contacts of the switch without significantly closing ports 22 so that the device sill operate in its mixing-without-dispensing mode. Substantial depression of projection 41 would close the contacts and ports 22 enabling the device to operate in its mixingdispensing or dispensing modes, depending on the extent to which projection 41 is depressed.

As a further optional modification, an access opening can be provided in both top cover 40 and plate 16 to permit liquid to be added to the container. In addition, a drain aperture may be provided in inner tube 24 located just below aperture 45 so that the drain aperture will be aligned with conduit 43 when the inner tube is in its normal position thus permitting liquid remaining therein at the termination of a dispensing operation to drain back into the container.

The concentric tubes can be of a material compatible with the liquids used which can be hot or cold, acidic, basic or saline, etc. Further, ice cubes or chipped ice can be added to the liquid 12.

As a further modification, the ports 22 can be located intermediate the ends of the outer tube; and in such case, corresponding apertures would be formed in the inner tube. This modification is advantageous in introducing a longitudinal as well as a radial component in the flow during the mixing mode of operation.

. As a still further modification, the longitudinal movement of the tubes can be reversed. In other words, the inner tube can be held fixed and the outer tube can be movable. In addition, the direction of rotation of the impeller is not significant although it is possible to provide for different degrees of mixing and dispensing by providing a variable speed motor.

I claim:

1. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus for liquids comprising:

a a pair of coaxial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent axial ends adapted to be immersed in a liquid;

b the axial end of the outer tube being open and having radial openings adjacent thereto, the axial end of the inner tube having an eccentrically located aperture and adapted to selectively close the radial openings in the outer tube depending on the relative axial positions of the tubes;

c spring means urging the inner tube towards a terminal axial position relative to the outer tube and establishing the normal position of the inner tube;

d an axially fixed rotatable shaft coaxial with the tubes extending centrally through the adjacent axial ends of the tubes and terminating in an impeller; and

e means for moving the inner tube relative to the outer tube against the action of the spring means for establishing the degree to which the radial openings in the outer tubes are covered by the inner tube.

2. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 1 including a motor connected to the shaft for driving the impeller, a housing to which the outer tube is rigidly connected and on which the motor is mounted, the impeller being located inside the outer tube adjacent its open axial end.

3. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the inner tube is urged by the spring means to a terminal axial position at which the radial openings in the outer tube are uncovered by the inner tube.

4. A combined mixed and dispenser apparatus according to claim 3 including a discharge conduit connected to the outer tube, the inner tube having a discharge orifice opening into the discharge conduit when the inner tube is positioned so as to cover the radial openings in the outer tube.

5. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the housing has means for effecting its attachment to a container holding the liquid to position the axial ends of the tubes within the liquid whereby mixing or dispensing of the liquid can be carried out depending on the axial position of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

6. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the axial end of the inner tube is provided with an annular flange within which the impeller is rotatable, such flange being cooperable with the radial openings in the outer tube to control the flow of liquid therethrough, depending on the axial position of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

7. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the two tubes are provided with shoulders which limit the axial displacement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and cooperate with the spring means for defining the normal position of the inner tube.

8. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the inner tube is provided with extensions projecting into the housing, and an operating cylinder coaxial with the tubes is engaged with the extensions and is manually displaceable for the purpose of moving the inner tube against the action of the spring means.

9. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 8 used for the purpose of mixing and dispensing cocktails.

Claims

1. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus for liquids comprising: a a pair of coaxial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent axial ends adapted to be immersed in a liquid; b the axial end of the outer tube being open and having radial openings adjacent thereto, the axial end of the inner tube having an eccentrically located aperture and adapted to selectively close the radial openings in the outer tube depending on the relative axial positions of the tubes; c spring means urging the inner tube towards a terminal axial position relative to the outer tube and establishing the normal position of the inner tube; d an axially fixed rotatable shaft coaxial with the tubes extending centrally through the adjacent axial ends of the tubes and terminating in an impeller; and e means for moving the inner tube reLative to the outer tube against the action of the spring means for establishing the degree to which the radial openings in the outer tubes are covered by the inner tube.