US3901724A

US3901724A - Instantaneous dry to liquid sugar unit

Info

Publication number: US3901724A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald R White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-03-08
Filing date: 1973-03-08
Publication date: 1975-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-26

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the automatic, continuous supply on demand, of solutions of precise quantities of liquid and dry materials, for example, particularly liquid sugar from initial constituents of dry sugar and water, in which a storage supply of solution, such as liquid sugar is available for withdrawal and use, such supply being adapted to be maintained from a mixing station with the bulk materials being supplied in predetermined quantities from a supply station and converted, for example, into liquid sugar by the application of heat, the supply being suitably monitored and replenished and the materials measured and mixed on demand, automatically as required. Other materials may be simultaneously included to form blends, etc.

Description

United States Patent White L Aug. 26, 1975 [54] [NSTANTANEOUS DRY TO LIQUID SUGAR 3,595,696 7/1971 Vegter 127/23 UNIT [76] lnventor: Donald R. White, 5218 Howard, Pnmary Examufer M,orns wolk western Springs "L Assistant Examzner-Srdney Marantz Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van Flledl 1973 Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [21] Appl. No: 339,420

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 127/22; 137/268; 222/64; A method and apparatus for the automatic, continu- 23/267 R; 23/271 ous supply on demand, of solutions of precise quanti- [51] Int. Cl B0lf 1/00 ties of liquid and dry materials, for example, particu- [58] Field of Search 127/22, 23, l, 28; larly liquid sugar from initial constituents of dry sugar 137/268, 389, 391; 23/267 R and water, in which a storage supply of solution, such as liquid sugar is available for withdrawal and use, [56] References Cited such supply being adapted to be maintained from a UNITED STATES PATENTS mixing station with the bulk materials being supplied 2 I78 805 [H1939 0'60 [27/22 in predetermined quantities from a supply station and 2 474 669 6/1949 X converted, for example, into liquid sugar by the appli- 2:975:038 3/1961 LO n [27/22 X cation of heat, the supply being suitably monitored 3,193,257 7/1965 Kingma 127/23 X and replenished and the materials measured and 3,220,884 11/1965 Huber et a] 127/23 X mixed on demand, automatically as required. Other 3,423,233 /1 lq a y i a 4 l27/2 materials may be simultaneously included to form 3,428,487 2/1969 Allen 127/22 bl d t 3,480,476 11/1969 Abbott l27/l 3,523,911 8/1970 Funk et a1 127/1 X 29 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 2/ a 25 I 2e FATE NTEI] AUG 2 6 i975 SHEET 1 [If 2 1 INSTANTANEOUS DRY TO LIQUID SUGAR UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a method and apparatus of solutions of liquids and soluble dry materials, whereby a supply of liquid material is continuously available for utilization in quantities commensurate with the use application.

The present invention has particular application in the food processing industry in connection with the preparation of liquid sugar, and the like, and therefore will be discussed and described in connection with such application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention has application in many fields involving the processing of liquid and dry materials, in which its novel features may be used to advantage.

It will therefore be appreciated that this specific reference to sugar," water,"liquid sugar," etc. are merely illustrative; and even in the food processing industry, there are specific representatives of other sweetners and materials involved in food processing.

Most, if not all, food preparations commercially vended contain some quantity of sugar and/or sweetners, and it is therefore necessary to provide supplies of sugar and/or blends sufficient to fill the desired needs.

It will be appreciated, with respect to such application, that where sugar is employed in very small quantities, it may be stored, measured out and utilized in dry form. However, when large commercial quantities are involved, the storage, transportation, measurement and general handling thereof raises various problems in connection with its use in the finished product. It will be appreciated that the handling of dry sugar bags requires manual handling as well as suitable conveyor or transporting equipment, storage space for the bags of sugar at use points and additional labor in connection with the handling of the bags and supply of sugar to the use equipment. In view of such disadvantages, it has been found expedient in many, if not most, cases to employ sugar in the form of a liquid, i.e., sugar and water, which may be readily transported by suitable liquid handling systems and readily measured as to quantity by automatic or semi-automatic equipment. While this type of operation, of necessity, includes some form of storage system, necessitating a relatively large storage system with attendant space loss, as both sugar and water is stored, as compared with merely the storage of dry sugar, the above referred advantages have in most cases rendered its use desirable.

In the handling of liquid sugar, where the amount utilized is comparatively small, the manufacturer may provide merely adequate tankage to accommodate his normal use requirements, with his sugar being received in liquid form by tank truck and pumped directly into the storage tank system. It will be appreciated that as the amount of sugar utilized increases, the storage requirements likewise must proportionately increase to accommodate the additional volume, as well as accommodate sufficient sugar to span periods between deliveries.

Where the manufacturer utilizes sugar in sufficiently large quantities, it may be considered advantageous to install a complete conversion system for converting the dry sugar into liquid form thereby eliminating the additional handing by tank truck, etc, as well as eliminating additional storage facilities required by periodic deliveries.

Where the manufacturer has installed his own plant, batches of liquid sugar are processed in substantially the same manner as at remote conversion plants whereby merely the transportation of liquid sugar is saved, as in this case adequate storage tank capacity still must be provided as well as space for the equipment and dry sugar.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for effecting mixing operations with liquids, or liquid and dry ingredients, to form desired liquid solutions and the like, for example, in the food processing industry, liquid sugar.

The invention, in this example thus enables storage of merely the dry sugar and automatic conversion to liquid sugar substantially commensurate with the demand.

The present invention enables the fabrication of a relatively very small unit, capable of producing liquid sugar in relatively small batches, consistent with demand requirements whereby liquid sugar will be continuously supplied at the desired rate. Thus, within the limits imposed by the batching operations, the production is in correspondence to and, if necessary, continuous to meet the design maximum.

The conversion operation may be completely automatic whereby the only manual operation is to maintain an adequate supply of dry sugar in the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic figure illustrating one preferred form of apparatus embodying the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the control circuits of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a method and apparatus whereby, in the food industry a predetermined volume of liquid material, for example, liquid sugar may be continously supplied within a predetermined design capacity, with the liquid material being prepared in sequential batches at a rate adequate to provide the maximum design demand.

The Method In practicing the invention, a measured quantity of water is supplied, to which is added a predetermined quantity of dry sugar. The mixture is then heated to raise the temperature of the mixture to that required to bring all of the sugar into solution, and which, at the same time, will not result in a charring of the sugar. The liquid sugar batch so formed is retained at a storage location until subsequent transfer to a supply location from which it is ultimately withdrawn on demand. When the volume of sugar at the supply location is reduced to a predetermined minimum, additional sugar is supplied thereto from the storage location. The oper ating parameters with respect to the measurement of the raw materials, the magnitude of the heat supply and respective storage capacities are so determined that liquid sugar will be prepared at a rate sufficient to keep the supply location adequately supplied with liquid sugar under maximum design withdrawl.

The Apparatus Referring to FIG. I, the reference numeral 1 indicates a hopper structure adapted to be supplied with water and dry sugar whereby a predetermined amount of sugar may be added to a predetermined volume of water, in proportions to provide a desired sugar concentration. Following addition of the sugar to the water, the mixture is conducted from the hopper structure 1 to a heating structure 2, adapted to heat the watersugar mixture to a temperature which will effect an instantaneous melt for any liquid-sugar concentration involved. Following passage through the heat exchanger, the liquid sugar is received in a mix tank 3. in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, transfer of the water-sugar mixture from the hopper l is effected hydraulically, utilizing liquid sugar in the mixing tank 3 which is circulated by means of a pump 4 through an eductor 5 operatively connected with the hopper structure 1, whereby the liquid sugar in the receiving or mix tank 3 is continuously circulated through the heater 2 until the contents of the hopper 1 are exhausted, and the tank 3 is adequately filled. The contents of the mixing tank 3 are, upon demand, supplied to a supply of use tank 6 from which they are withdrawn, for example, by a pump 7, with the liquid sugar preferably being passed through a suitable filter structure 8 prior to its discharge into the supply line or pipe 9.

The hopper l and tanks 3 and 6, as hereinafter described in detail, may be of a size to provide an output volume of liquid sugar at the conduit 9 consistent with the requirements of the user.

Considering the system of FIG. 1 in greater detail, disposed above the hopper 1 is a motorized valve, indicated generally by the numeral 10, adapted to control the flow of a suitable supply of dry sugar 11 into the hopper. In the embodiment illustrated, the valve is a rotary type valve, adapted to be actuated by a motor 12, for example, similar to the DAY type an" and dn rotary valves, manufactured by the Carter-Day Company, Minneapolis, Minn., the size and revolutions per minute of the valve being determined by the overall capacity of the system. The amount of sugar thus may be readily controlled by the off-on operation of the motor 12. Water is supplied to the hopper 1 through an inlet pipe 13 under control of a valve 14 which is illustrated as being a standard solenoid type valve.

The eductor 5, disposed at the bottom of the hopper 1, likewise may be of standard construction, for example, similar to the SK type 267 solid/liquid mixing eductor, manufactured by Schutte and Koerting Company of Cornwells Heights, Pa.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the liquid sugar is adapted to be withdrawn by the pump 4 from the lower portion of the tank 3 and conducted by piping 15 to the eductor valve 5, suitable biased check valves being disposed at opposite sides of the eductor 5 to insure retention of the materials within the hopper until desired withdrawl by eductor or operation, The output side of the eductor valve is operatively connected by piping 18 to the inlet side of the heat exchanger 2. The sugar mixture, now in the form of liquid sugar, is returned to the mix tank 3 by piping 19. The heat exchanger 2 is illustrated as having a steam inlet 20 and an outlet 21, the supply of steam, in the embodiment illustrated, being controlled by a motorized steam valve 22, which determines the overall duration of admission of steam to the exchanger, and a solenoid valve 23 adapted to be controlled by a temperature sensor 24 suitably disposed in the return line 19, whereby the temperature of the liquid sugar discharged from the heat exchanger will be continuously maintained at a uniform temperature of, for example, lF. Such temperature is sufficiently high to insure substantially instantaneous melting of the sugar and conversion of the water-sugar mixture to liquid sugar, while at the same time maintaining a temperature insufficient to produce a possible charring of the sugar. The return steam line 21 may be provided with the usually condensate trap 25. Likewise, a check valve 26 may be inserted in the line 15 to prevent the possibility of a reverse flow therein.

The transfer of liquid sugar from the tank 3 to the tank 6, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, is controlled by a motorized valve 27 disposed in the connecting line 28 between the two tanks.

Likewise, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the control of the operating levels in the hopper l and tanks 3 and 6 are controlled by floatless liquid level control elements which may utilize induction or solid state relays employing probes or electrodes within the respective containers. Controls of this type may be commercially obtained, for example B/W induction relays, type LH, or solid state controls, series 51, all of which are manufactured by the B/W Controller Corporation of Birmingham, Mich.

As hereinafter described in detail with respect to the electrical circuit, illustrated in FIG. 2, the transmission of water and sugar to the hopper l is adapted to be controlled by respective probes P, and P while the level of liquid sugar in the tank 3 is adapted to be controlled by respective probes P and P In like manner the tank 6 is illustrated as containing four probes P P The system of FIG. 1 is also provided with means for flushing the lower end of the hopper 1 adjacent the eductor 5 to prevent any possibility of clogging at the eductor, such means comprising a discharge pipe or jet 29 having its inner end 30 directed downwardly toward the eductor 5, the pipe 29 being adapted to be supplied with liquid sugar from the line 15, through a conduit 31, under control of a valve 32, illustrated as being of a manually actuatable type. The valve 32 is preferably a needle valve and is automatically controlled by operation of the pump 4, whereby such flushing operation would take place automatically during flow in the piping 15. However, in some applications it may be desirable to utilize some other flushing cycle and other control thereof.

OPERATION In operation of the system illustrated in Flg. I, whenever liquid sugar is required, the pump 7 is actuated under control of suitable means, such as a manual switch, to withdraw liquid sugar from the tank 6. Assuming that the tank 3 contains a completed batch of liquid sugar, when the sugar level in the tank 6 falls below the probe P the valve 27 will be opened to admit such batch from the tank 3. if the level in the tank 6 should, for any reason, reach the probe P, the valve will again be closed. Likewise, if for any reason the level in the tank 6 should fall below the probe P,,, the pump 7 would be shut off. Liquid is withdrawn from the tank 3 through the open valve 27 into the tank 6.

Upon the liquid level in the tank 3 falling below the end of the probe P the valve 27 will be shut and the preparation of a new batch of liquid sugar will be initiated.

Water will then be introduced into the hopper 1 through the valve 14 and pipe 13 until the probe P is reached at which time the water valve will be closed and the sugar valve opened to supply dry sugar to the volume of water in the hopper. This, in turn, will cause the water level in the hopper to rise until the probe P is reached, at which time the valve 10 will be closed, the pump 4 started, and the steam valve 22 opened. The water-sugar mixture in the hopper 1, will then be withdrawn therefrom through the eductor 5 by the flow of liquid from the tank 3 through the piping 15, and eductor 5 with the water-sugar mixture being conducted through the piping l8 and heater 2, from which it will be returned over the piping 19 to the tank 3. As such circulation continues, the water-sugar mixture will be transferred from the hopper l to the heater 2, converted into liquid sugar, and conducted into the tank 3. Throughout this operation the sensor 24 and solenoid valve 23 will so control the admission of steam to the heat exchanger 2 that the desired temperature of the liquid sugar discharged from the heat exchanger 2 will be maintained at the desired temperature. This action will continue until the liquid sugar level in the tank 3 reaches the probe P,, at which time the valve 22 will close and cut off further supply of steam to the heat exchanger 2. Preferably, the operation is such that the pump 4 will continue for a predetermined period following cutoff of steam to the heat exchanger 2 to insure that the temperature in the heat exchanger will not build up to a point where the sugar might be charred.

The components of the system illustrated in FIG. 1 are so selected as to design capacity and operational parameters that within design parameters the liquid sugar may be withdrawn from the tank 6 at a maximum specified rate which will insure an adequate period from the supply of a batch thereto, to the time the liquid level falls below the probe 6, in which the prepare and supply a new batch of liquid sugar to the tank 3, so that within such design parameters the system may be continuously operated.

Thus, assuming for example, a system designed to operate at a maximum continuous demand load of five gallons per minute, the respective component may have the following specified design capacities and characteristics. As the apparatus operates on the batch system, the size of the batch and storage requirements will be dependent, at least in part on the time required to prepare the batch. In the present invention the system readily can be designed for the production of 10 gallons of liquid sugar every 2 minutes, thus meeting the specified 5 gallons per minute requirement.

The hopper 1 therefore may have a mix capacity of ten gallons. The tanks 3 and 6 may, in such case, each have a capacity of thirty gallons, with the transfer from the mix to use tank taking place in i0 gallons quantities, leaving a residual ten gallons in the tank 3 at all times (as determined by the standpipe 28' therein) for circulation and withdrawl of a batch from the hopper I. In such case, the probes P and P, will be so positioned that substantially 4.3 gallons of water and substantially 75.l lbs. of sugar will be supplied to the hopper,

Probe P is so positioned that it will be just above the liquid level at the standpipe 28', while the probe P is disposed to just contact the liquid level in the tank 3 following the addition of a new batch thereto.

The tank 6 is adapted to normally contain from 15 to twenty-five gallons of liquid sugar, and the probe P is therefore positioned to effect an opening of the valve 27 when the liquid level reaches fifteen gallons. The probe P functions both as a reset for the relay B and as a safety device operative to shut the valve 27 if the liquid level should exceed the desired maximum quantity.

Probe P merely is a low-level probe adapted to prevent further withdrawl from the use tank 6 in the event the liquid level therein abnormally falls, for any reason, below such probe, while the probe P is adapted merely to reset the safety circuit including the probe P With respect to time factors, the respective components are operable to provide adequate speeds in all operations to achieve the desired results. For example, the water may be readily supplied in 15 seconds, the sugar is slightly over 9 seconds. The pump may have a capacity of 11 gallons per minute, operable in conjunction with the eductor 5 to empty the hopper l in 40 seconds, and the heat exchanger of a size to bring the ID gallons of mix from a temperature of 40F. Likewise, the motorized valve may readily have an opening speed of 2 seconds and permit emptying of the 10 gallon batch into the use tank 6 in ID seconds. Thus, the entire operation may take place in less than 2 minutes to readily permit the design withdrawl of 5 gallons per minute.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, pressure gauges may be included at various locations, for example, at both sides of the eductor 5, and at the filter 8 to permit determination of proper operating parameters.

THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FIG. 2 illustrates details of the electrical circuit for achieving the above desired operation of the system. This figure also includes substantially all of the components illustrated in FIG. 1, some of which are illustrated in diagrammatical form and it will be noted that, to simplify the presentation, the eductor 5 is separated from the hopper l and connected thereto by piping, whereas the eductor is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being connected substantially to the bottom of the hopper l, in FIG. 2, the reference numeral 33 designates a motor operated selector or sequence switch having four singlepoledoublethrow sections respectively composing contacts 5], S2, P1 and P2, respectively with the contacts being actuated in predetermined sequence by a motor indicated generally by the numeral 34 which, for example, could be of the step type.

The circuit includes three contactors or relays C1 .C2 and C3 (which, for example. may be type l,300 B/W contactors) each having one or more pairs of corresponding contacts cl, c2 and c3 and six liquidcontrolled relays, designated Bl-B6, which for example may be introduction relays, such as those heretofore referred to. Relays of this type employ a primary winding connected directly to the power source as well as a secondary winding operatively connected to the controlling probe, and for purposes of clarity, the primary windings of such relays have been omitted, merely a secondary winding for each relay, necessary to understand the operation of the system, being illustrated in the drawing. As in the case of the contactors, the pairs of contacts of the associated relays 81-56 will be identified by the small letter b and the associated number of the relay, i.e., bl b5, etc. In addition, where a relay or contactor includes a plurality of sets of contacts, they will be identified by their normal condition, i.e., open or closed and if necessary by their location. In addition, a time delay switch TD is provided having normally open contacts adapted to be closed when the timer is actuated and remain closed for a predetermined time following the cutting off of power thereto.

The entire circuit is adapted to be controlled by a main power switch 35, and to enable an operator to ascertain whether the apparatus is in batching, transfer or feed and supply condition, corresponding lights L, (for batch positions). L (for transfer position) and L, (for feed and use position) are provided so that by ascertaining which lamp is illuminated, the operator may readily determine the present operating condition of the apparatus, and if necessary step the sequence by momentarily closing a switch SA.

FIG. 3 illustrates the respective positions of the sequence switch 33 for each state of operation of the apparatus.

Initial Feed and Use Condition It will be assumed that in this condition the tanks 3 and 6 are both operatively full, in which case the sequence switch 33 will be in the feed and use positions as illustrated in FIG. 2 (and in the top position illustrated in H0. 3). Under these conditions the following circuits will be operative:

Contactor C1 and lamp L, will be actuated over a circuit extending from power line L, over contacts S, and line L,. Normally closed contacts cl in the "close" line to the feeder valve 27 will be open while normally closed contacts c1 in the "open" line to feeder valve 27 will be closed. As probes P, and P, in the tank 3 will both be contacted by the liquid in the tank, the windings of the relays B3 and B6 will both be actuated, whereby the normally closed contacts b3 associated with the windings of relays B4 and B5 will be open, normally open contacts b3 associated with contacts P, of the sequence switch will be closed (this having no effect at this time, as it is connected with a presently open circuit), and normally closed contacts b6 associated with contacts P, of the sequence switch 33 will be open.

Likewise assuming that the tank 6 is operatively filled, all probes therein will be engaged by the liquid and windings of the relays B1 and 82 will be energized, normally open contacts bl associated with the drawoff pump 7 being closed and normally closed contacts b2 associated with the open line to the feeder valve 27 being open. it will also be noted that as normally open contacts bl and b2 are closed the two relays are locked in, insofar as the probes P, and P are concerned, and actuation of the relays are thus dependent upon the engagement of the liquid with the probes P, and P..

Under such conditions, the drawoff pump 7 may be operated and the light L; will indicate this condition of the system. As liquid is withdrawn from the tank 6, the level eventually will fall below the end of the probe P but this will have not effect due to the lock-in action of the contacts b2 and the relay will continue to be energized until the liquid level falls below the end of the probe P at which point the relay B2 will fall, opening normally open lock-in contacts b2 and closing normally closed contacts I). in the open line to feeder valve 27,

whereby actuating the feeder valve in opening direction to supply liquid sugar from the tank 3 to the tank 6 If, for any reason, the level in tank 6 should rise to the probe P relay B2 will again be actuated, opening normally closed contacts b2 in the open line of the feeder valve 27 and closing normally open contacts b2 in the close line to the feeder valve 27. This operation will continue until the liquid level in tank 3 drops to the top of stand pipe 28' and below the end of probe P As previously mentioned, with the falling of the liquid level below the probe P relay B3 will fall and normally open contacts b3 will open without effect as they are not operatively connected in a closed circuit, while the closure of normally closed contacts b3 to the relays B4 and B5 will merely ready these relays for subsequent actuation.

Bathing Operations The mix tank 3 will empty until the level therein reaches the top of the stand pipe 28' forming the inlet to the valve 27 wherein ten gallons of liquid sugar will remain the tank. However, as the liquid level has, at this point, fallen below the end of the probe P relay B6 will fall, closing normally closed contact b6, to complete a circuit from line Ll through normally closed contacts b6 and contacts of position section P, to actuate the motor 34, and advance the sequence switch 33 to batching position, illustrated in FIG. 3.

With the sequence switch 33 in this position, a circuit is completed with line Ll over actuated contacts S1 and lamp L to line L2, illuminating such batchindicating lamp. At the same time, the water valve 14 is actuated over normally closed contacts B5. Water will continue to be supplied to the hopper 1 until the water level therein reaches the probe P,, at which time a circuit will be completed from probe P, to one side of the winding of relay B5, the opposite side being operatively connected over normally closed contacts B3 to ground. With the energization of relay B5, normally open contacts b5 will close to lock in the relay indepen-.

dently of the probe 1, and normally closed contacts B5 in the line to water valve 14 will open to shut off the supply of water to the hopper. Simultaneously, normally open contacts b5 will close, closing a circuit from line Ll, contacts S2, contacts b5 and normally closed contacts b4, valve 12 and line L2, whereby the valve l2 will be actuated to feed dry bulk sugar to the hopper. Such action will continue until the water-sugar mixture in the hopper reaches probe Pg, thereby closing a circuit from the probe to one side of the winding of relay B4, with the opposite side thereof being connected over contact b3 to ground. Upon relay B4 being energized, normally open contact b4 will lock in the relay B4 irrespective of the probe P whereby both relays B4 and B5 are dependent upon closure of normally closed contacts b3 associated therewith. At the same time, normally closed contacts M in the operating line to the valve l2 will be opened, thereby operatively closing the valve and cutting off the supply of sugar to the hopper.

Transfer and Heating Operations Also, upon actuation of the relay B4, normally open contacts b4, associated with the section P, of the sequence switch 34, will be closed thereby closing a circuit from line Ll over contacts 5] and 82, contacts b4, contacts P, and P, to actuate stepping motor 34 and advance the same to the bottom (transfer) position illustrated in FIG. 3.

With actuation of the sequence switch 33 to such third position, a circuit will be closed from line L1 over contacts S1 and S2, winding C2 and lamp L to line L2. Upon energization of the winding C2, normally closed contacts C2 in the close line of the steam valve 22 will be opened and normally open contacts C2 in the open line will be closed, to thereby actuate the steam valve to open position. Simultaneously therewith, normally open contacts c2 in series with the time delay device TD, will close to actuate the latter thereby closing the normally open contacts td thereof in series with the relay winding C3, thereby energizing the latter and closing normally open contacts 03 in the circuit in the circulating pump 4 to actuate the latter. Liquid sugar in the mix tank 3 will begin to circulate through the lines l5 and 18 to empty the hopper l, with the material removed from the hopper passing through the heat exchanger 2 which instantly converts any unmelted and undissolved sugar to liquid sugar, which is returned to the tank 3 over the line IS. The temperature sensing unit 24 will control the operation of the solenoid valve 23 to maintain the temperature of the liquid sugar at the outlet of the heat exchanger at a constant temperature of, for example, l80F and thereby prevent any scorching of the sugar. As additional liquid sugar is added to the volume in the tank 3, the liquid level will quickly reach the probe P3, resulting in energization of winding of the relay B6, which merely opens the normally closed contacts b6, with no effect on the immediate operation as the line associated therewith is open at contact P Return to Feed Position This action will continue until the liquid sugar level in the tank 3 reaches probes p4, at which time the winding of relay B3 will be energized. Upon energization of such relay, the normally open contacts b3 associated therewith will be closed, completing a circuit from line Ll through contacts P2 and Pl to the motor 34, actuating the same to return the sequence switch 33 to its original position illustrated in FIG. 2 and at the top of FIG. 3.

Upon return of the sequence switch to such position, a circuit will be restored from line L] through switch contacts Sl to energize the relay Cl and illuminate lamp L Simultaneously with the actuation of the sequence switch 33, relay C2 will be energized, resulting in opening of the normally open contact c2 in the open" line to the steam valve 22 and closing of the normally closed contacts c2 in the close line of the steam valve, thereby closing the same. Likewise, the normally open contacts (2, controlling the time delay TD, will open and after a predetermined delay the contacts td will open permitting relay C3 to fall, and the normally open contact c3 in the line to the circulating pump 4 will open, thereby shutting off the pump after a predetermined delay following closing of the steam valve, to dissipate any heat build up in the heat exchanger and thereby prevent a possible scorching of the sugar.

The tank 3 thus contains a completed batch ofliquid sugar ready for transfer to the tank 6, which, however, cannot occur while the relay C2 is actuated as normally closed contacts b2 in the open" line of the feeder valve 27 will be open as long as the liquid level in tank 6 is in contact with the probe p6. Sugar may therefore be drawn off from the tank 6 until the liquid level falls below the probe, at which point relay B2 will deenergize, closing normally closed contacts b2 and as normally open contacts cl in series therewith are closed as a result of the actuation of relay cl, the feeder valve 27 will be actuated to open and discharge the prepared batch in tank 3 into tank 6.

If for any reason when relay B2 is deactuated by the level falling below the probe 6, the system is still in batching operation, relay C] will be unactuated and the feeder valve 26 will thus be maintained in closed position by the normally closed contacts cl in the *close" line and the open contacts cl in the open line.

As previously mentioned, the relay B1 and associated probes p7 and p8 in the use tank 6 function primarily as a safety device and in the event the liquid level falls below the probe 8, the relay Bl will fall opening contacts bl in the circuit of the drawoff pump to thereby prevent any further removal of sugar from the tank 6.

To insure proper setting of the sequence switch 33, following actuation of the master on-off switch 35, as previously mentioned, switch SA, of the momentary type is provided, remains whereby each time this switch is actuated, the sequence switch will be stepped one step, the positions thereof being accurately indicated at all times by the respective indicating lamp L.

It will be appreciated from the above that the invention also may be utilized to effect a mixing of more than two components. Thus additional liquids and dry materials may be readily included in each batch operation by suitable addition thereof to the dry and/or liquid components. in such case the inclusion may be effected merely by adding previously measured quantities of the additional material to the hopper during the supply thereto of the other materials, or may be added in sequence with the other materials by an additional step, i.e., providing a further probe and/or other circuitry to make the addition in a desired sequence with respect to the other components.

An arrangement therefore is schematically illustrated inFlG. 3, wherein there is provided a suitable additional valve 14' and associated piping, by means of which such additional component or components may be supplied and suitable controlled. For example, in the illustration, the valve 14' is operatively connected to the line L2, and to line Ll over normally closed contacts [15, contacts S2 and a timer T. The timer is of a type that will complete the desired circuit upon the application of power thereto, remaining operatively closed for a predetermined time duration, at the end of which it opens the controlled circuit, remaining open until reset by the opening of its trigger circuit and thereafter actuated by the subsequent closing of the trigger circuit. Thus, the desired amount of additional material may be varied by varying the operating cycle of the timer. Likewise, the valve 14' could be directly controlled by such contacts b5, where the piping is connected to supply means adapted to supply the material in measured quantities. With this arrangement it is merely necessary that the time, as determined by the timer T be not greater than the batching time, i.e., the duration of the till time to the probe P Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for the automatic supply, on demand, of a mixture in the form of a liquid, prepared in batch form from precise proportions of at least one dry component material and at least one liquid component material, comprising a first container of a size to hold the total of all the dry and liquid component materials to be employed in a batch, a first supply means for supplying a predetermined total quantity of said liquid component to the first container, a second supply means for supplying a predetermined total quantity of at least one dry component to said first container, a second container for the prepared mixture of a size to hold said predetermined quantities supplied to said first container, in addition thereto, a predetermined minimum quantity of prepared mixture, conduit means between the first and the second containers forming a closed path in which said minimum quantity of prepared mixture may be circulated, means operatively disposed in said path for effecting such circulation therein, means disposed in said path, operatively connected to said first container, for introducing the mixture therein into said path, and heating means operatively disposed in said path intermediate the point of introduction of said mixture and the return point of said path to the first container, and forming a part of said path, operative to supply sufficient heat to cause by undissolved dry com ponents in said path to go completely into solution, said second container having an outlet therein from which the prepared mixture therein may be withdrawn for ultimate use.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first supply means includes a control valve therefor, and means responsive to the material level in said first container for closing said valve upon said level reaching a first predetermined height.

3. An apparatus according to claim I, wherein said second supply means includes a control valve, and means responsive to material level in said first container for operatively closing said second valve upon the material level reaching a second predetermined height, greater than that of the first level.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising in further combination, a third container operatively connected to said second container for receiving the prepared mixture therefrom, and means for preventing transfer of said prepared mixture from said second container while said circulating means and heating means are in operation.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, comprising in further combination, means for effecting withdrawal of the prepared mixture from said third container, and means associated with said last mentioned means for preventing operation thereof and withdrawal from said third container when the level therein of prepared mixture falls below a predetermined minimum.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for introducing the component mixture in said first container into said path comprises a hydraulic eductor operatively connected with said first container for receiving said mixture therefrom, and operable by the circulation flow of liquid in said path.

7. An apparatus according to claim I, wherein said heating means comprises a heat exchanger forming a part of said flow path, means for controlling the overall cycle of operation of said heat exchanger, and means for controlling the heat output of said exchanger in response to the temperature of component mixture discharged therefrom for maintaining such temperature substantially constant.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said heat exchanger is constructed to receive steam as the heating medium, and said temperature controlling means comprising valve means in the steam supply line thereto and temperature sensing means operatively connected to said last mentioned valve means and arranged to respond to the output temperature of said discharge mixture.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said cycle-determining means for said heat exchanger comprises valve means independent of said temperatureresponsive valve means.

10. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first material level responsive means comprises a probe and means actuatable by the contact of material in said hopper with said probe for effecting control of said first component control valve.

11. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second material level responsive means comprises a probe in the first container cooperable with means responsive to the engagement of said probe with material in said hopper for effecting actuation of said second feed material valve.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first container comprises a generally inverted conicalshaped hopper, at the lower narrow end of which is disposed said means for introducing the mixture therein into said path, and jet means disposed in said hopper adjacent the lower end thereof and operatively connectible to said circulating path to receive liquid therefrom with said jet being oriented to direct such material, under pressure, toward said introducing means for flushing the hopper thereat.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising in further combination for supplying a third component.

material to said first container, and means for controlling the amount of said third component material so supplied.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said control means for said third component material comprises a valve and timing means determining the duration of operation of said valve, said timing means being operatively related to said first and second componentcontrolling valves whereby said third component material is supplied to said first container during supply of at least one of said other component materials.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus produces the desired mixture in individual batches, each batch being produced at a rate such that a predetermined continuous supply may be maintained, comprising a first control means for controlling the sequential supply of component materials into said first container in predetermined amounts, means responsive to said first control means for initiating actuation of said circulating means and said heating means when the supply of said component materials is completed, and to actuate the mixture withdrawing means, second control means operatively associated with said second container, responsive to a low liquid level therein to initiate actuation of said first control means to start the production of a batch, and responsive to a higher liquid level therein to effect discontinuance of the operation of said circulating and heating means, a third container operatively connected to said second container for selectively receiving the prepared mixture therefrom, and means for preventing flow from said second container to said third container when said circulating and heating means are in operation, when the mixture level in said second container is below a predetermined height, or the mixture level in said third container is above a predetermined height.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, comprising in further combination, means for preventing withdrawal of the prepared mixture from said third container when the mixture level therein is below a predetermined height.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first material comprises a liquid and said first supply means includes a control valve therefor, and means responsive to the liquid level in said first container for closing said valve upon the water level reaching a predetermined height.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second material comprises a dry, bulk material and said second supply means includes a feed valve, and means responsive to the liquid level in said first container for operatively closing said second feed valve upon the liquid level reaching a second predetermined height greater than that of the first level.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, comprising in further combination, a third container operatively connected to said second container for receiving the prepared mixture therefrom, and means for preventing transfer of said mixture from said second container while said circulating means and heating means are in operation.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, comprising in further combination, means for effecting withdrawal of the prepared mixture from said third container, and means associated with said last mentioned means for preventing operation thereof and withdrawal of the prepared mixture from said third container when the mixture level therein falls below a predetermined minimum.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said means for introducing the component mixture in said first container into said path comprises a hydraulic eductor operatively connected with said first container for receiving said mixture therefrom, and operable by the circulation flow of liquid in said path.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said heating means comprises a heat exchanger forming a part of said flow path, means for controlling the overall cycle of operation of said heat exchanger, and means for controlling the heat output of said schanger in re sponse to the temperature of said component mixture discharged therefrom for maintaining such temperature substantially constant.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said heat exchanger is constructed to receive steam as the heating medium, and said temperature controlling means comprises valve means in the steam supply line thereto and temperature sensing means operatively connected to said last mentioned valve means and arranged to respond to the output temperature of said discharged component mixture.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said liquid level responsive means comprises a probe and means actuatable by the contact of liquid in said hop per with said probe for effecting control of said liquid control valve.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said second liquid level responsive means comprises a probe in said first container cooperable with means responsive to the engagement of said probe with liquid in said hopper for effecting actuation of said material feed valve.

26. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first container comprises a generally inverted conicalshaped hopper, at the lower narrow end of which is dis' posed said means for introducing the mixture therein into said path, and jet means disposed in said hopper adjacent the lower end thereof and operatively connectible to said circulating path to receive liquid therefrom with said jet being oriented to direct such liquid, under pressure, toward said introducing means for flushing the hopper thereat.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, comprising in further combination means for supplying a third component material to said hopper, and means for controlling the amount of said third component material so supplied.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said control means for said third component material comprises a valve, and timing means determining the duration of operation of said valve, said timing means being operatively related to said first and second componentcontrolling valves whereby said third component material is supplied to said hopper during supply of at least one of said other component materials.

29. An apparatus according to claim 1, for the automatic continuous supply, on demand at a predetermined maximum rate, of such a prepared material, comprising in further combination, a third container, arranged to selectively receive liquid from said second container and from which said continuous supply is available, the size of said three containers and that of the batch to be prepared, being so selected that the quantity of prepared material comprising a batch, is greater than the quantity thereof necessary to satisfy said continuous demand, at said predetermined rate, during the time required to process a batch, whereby successive batches will continuously maintain a supply of prepared material for withdrawal from said third container at said predetermined maximum demand rate.

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC SUPPLY, ON DEMAND, OF A MIXTURE IN THE FORM OF A LIQUID, PREPARED IN BATCH FORM FROM PRECISE PROPORTION OF AT LEAST ONE DRY COMPONENT MATERIAL AND AT LEAST ONE LIQUID COMPONENT MATERAL, COMPRISING A FIRST CONTAINER OF A SIZE TO HOLD THE TOTAL OF ALL THE DRY AND LIQUID COMPONENT MATERIALS TO BE EMPLOYED IN BATCH, A FIRST SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A PREDETERMINED TOTAL QUANTITY OF SAID LIQUID COMPONENT TO SUPPLY FIRST CONTAINER, A SECOND SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A PREDETERMINED TOTAL QUANTITY OF AT LEAST ONE DRY COMPONENT TO SAID FIRST CONTAINER, A SECOND CONTAINER FOR THE PREPARED MIXTURE OF SIZE TO HOLD SAID PREDETERMINED QUANTITIES SUPPLIED TO SAID FIRST CONTAINER, IN ADDITION THERETO. A PEREDETERMINED MINIMUM QUANTITY OF PREPARED MIXTURE, CONDUIT MEANS BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND CONTAINERS FORMING A CLOSE PATH IN WHICH SAAID MINIMUM QUANTITY OF PREPARED MIXTURE MAY BE CIRCULATED, MEANS OPERATIVELY DISPOSED IN SAID PATH FOR EFFECTING SUCH CIRCULATION THEREIN, MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID PATH, OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST CONTAINER, FOR INTRODUCING THE MIXTURE THEREIN INTO SAID PATH, AND HEATING MEANS OPERATIVELY DISPOSED IN SAID PATH INTERMEDIATE THE POINT OF INTRODUCTION OF SAID MIXTURE AND THE RETURN POINT OF SAID PATH TO THE FIRST CONTAINER, HEAT TO CAUSE PART OF SAID PATH, OPERATIVE TO SUPPLY SUFFICENT HEAT TO CAUSE BY UNDISSOLVED DRY COMPONENTS IN SAID PATH TO GO COMPLETELY INTO SOLUTION, SAID SECOND CONTAINER HAVING AN OUTLET THEREIN FROM WHICH THE PREPARED MIXTURE THEREIN MAY BE WITHDRAWN FOR ULTIMATE USE.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second supply means includes a control valve, and means responsive to material level in said first container for operatively closing said second valve upon the material level reaching a second predetermined height, greater than that of the first level.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a heat exchanger forming a part of said flow path, means for controlling the overall cycle of operation of said heat exchanger, and means for controlling the heat output of said exchanger in response to the temperature of component mixture discharged therefrom for maintaining such temperature substantially constant.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said cycle-determining means for said heat exchanger comprises valve means independent of said temperature-responsive valve means.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first container comprises a generally inverted conical-shaped hopper, at the lower narrow end of which is disposed said means for introducing the mixture therein into said path, and jet means disposed in said hopper adjacent the lower end thereof and operatively connectible to said circulating path to receive liquid therefrom with said jet being oriented to direct such material, under pressure, toward said introducing means for flushing the hopper thereat.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising in further combination for supplying a third component material to said first container, and means for controlling the amount of said third component material so supplied.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said control means for said third component material comprises a valve and timing means determining the duration of operation of said valve, said timing means being operatively related to said first and second component-controlling valves whereby said third component material is supplied to said first container during supply of at least one of said other component materials.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said heating means comprises a heat exchanger forming a part of said flow path, means for controlling the overall cycle of operation of said heat exchanger, and means for controlling the heat output of said schanger in response to the temperature of said component mixture discharged therefrom for maintaining such temperature substantially constant.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said liquid level responsive means comprises a probe and means actuatable by the contact of liquid in said hopper with said probe for effecting control of said liquid control valve.

26. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first container comprises a generally inverted conical-shaped hopper, at the lower narrow end of which is disposed said means for introducing the mixture therein into said path, and jet means disposed in said hopper adjacent the lower end thereof and operatively connectible to said circulating path to receive liquid therefrom with said jet being oriented to direct such liquid, under pressure, toward said introducing means for flushing the hopper thereat.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said control means for said third comPonent material comprises a valve, and timing means determining the duration of operation of said valve, said timing means being operatively related to said first and second component-controlling valves whereby said third component material is supplied to said hopper during supply of at least one of said other component materials.