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WO2025207590A1 - Appareil, procédé, et système de mélange de composants - Google Patents

Appareil, procédé, et système de mélange de composants

Info

Publication number
WO2025207590A1
WO2025207590A1 PCT/US2025/021284 US2025021284W WO2025207590A1 WO 2025207590 A1 WO2025207590 A1 WO 2025207590A1 US 2025021284 W US2025021284 W US 2025021284W WO 2025207590 A1 WO2025207590 A1 WO 2025207590A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
inlet
ingredient
openings
cavity
mixing
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.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/US2025/021284
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jeffery W. Kadyk
Mark W. Bandixen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bunn O Matic Corp
Original Assignee
Bunn O Matic Corp
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bunn O Matic Corp filed Critical Bunn O Matic Corp
Publication of WO2025207590A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025207590A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • B01F23/40—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
    • B01F23/45—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying using flow mixing
    • B01F23/451—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying using flow mixing by injecting one liquid into another
    • 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
    • B01F23/40—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
    • B01F23/48—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying characterised by the nature of the liquids
    • B01F23/483—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying characterised by the nature of the liquids using water for diluting a liquid ingredient, obtaining a predetermined concentration or making an aqueous solution of a concentrate
    • 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
    • B01F25/30—Injector mixers
    • B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
    • B01F25/313—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit
    • B01F25/3133—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit characterised by the specific design of the injector
    • B01F25/31331—Perforated, multi-opening, with a plurality of holes

Definitions

  • Prior mixing devices include passive, as well as active, mixing devices.
  • passive mixing devices are devices which, by way of example, but not limitation, introduce beverage concentrate flowing into a stream of diluent, such as water. In some situations, this passive mixing may be acceptable depending on the type and nature of the concentrate as well as the diluent material, such as water.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a mixing system in accordance with the present disclosure for mixing ingredients showing that the mixing system includes a mixing device and control components coupled to the mixing device to control flows of the first and second ingredients into the mixing device;
  • Fig. 6 is a lower perspective view of the second inlet of Fig. 5;
  • Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the second inlet of Fig. 5;
  • the mixture 40 once moving along the flow path 19, is generally already homogeneous and fully dissolved, mixed or otherwise is a chemical combination of the at least two ingredients such as water and concentrate. This thorough mixing prevents separation, stratification, or other settling or separation of the concentrate and water once it is dispensed from the outlet 17. It should be noted that the various dimensions, shapes, proportions and relationships may be varied to some degree to achieve the same or similar results as generally described and disclosed herein.
  • the flow of ingredients 20, 30 into the cavity 11 can be accurately controlled through various control components as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the control components are to be broadly interpreted but may include, by way of example and not limitation, the controller 50, one or more of a pump device 22, a controllable inlet valve 26, and/or a flow regulator 28 coupled to the first ingredient source 24 and to the first inlet 15 by an inlet passage 21, and one or more of a pump device 32, a controllable inlet valve 36, and/or a flow regulator 38 coupled to the second ingredient source 34 and to the second inlet 16 by an inlet passage 31.
  • the controller 50 is coupled to the pump devices 22, 32 and controllable valves 26, 36 and configured for selective and controllable operation thereof in order to direct flows of the first and second ingredients 20, 30 into the cavity 11.
  • a control panel, switch, or other control device 52 is also coupled to the controller 50 for a user to adjust operation of the mixing system 10.
  • the control components 22, 26, 28, 32, 36, 38 are configured to be manually adjusted and/or actively controlled by the controller 50 to modify the flows and dispensing of ingredients 20, 30 into the cavity 11 for mixing.
  • one or more sensors or detectors 54, 56, 58 are coupled to the mixing device 12 for detecting one or more of the concentration, Brix, specific gravity, conductivity, or other measurable characteristics of the ingredients 20, 30 and/or mixture 40 at one or more locations to provide information to the controller 50 for controlling operation of the mixing system 10. For example, if the concentration or other characteristics of the mixture 40 as sensed by the sensors 54, 56, and/or 58 indicates that more of the first ingredient 20 (e.g., juice concentrate) is needed, the pump device 22 and/or controllable valve 26 can be adjusted to allow more of the first ingredient 20 to flow into the first inlet 15. Alternatively, the pump device 32 and/or controllable valve 36 can be adjusted to allow less of the second ingredient 30 to flow into the second inlet 16.
  • the concentration or other characteristics of the mixture 40 indicates that more of the first ingredient 20 (e.g., juice concentrate) is needed
  • the pump device 22 and/or controllable valve 26 can be adjusted to allow more of the first ingredient 20 to flow into the first inlet 15.
  • the first ingredient e.g., juice concentrate
  • the first inlet 15 is introduced through the first inlet 15 and forced to flow past the openings 63 of the second inlet 16 to be impacted, collided with, or otherwise impinged on by the second ingredient 30 flowing from the second inlet 16 into the cavity 11 to form the mixture 40.
  • the mixture 40 tends to flow along the flow path 19 through the cavity 11 toward the outlet 17.
  • Some mixture 40 may develop in the chamber at the upstream end of the cavity 11 and is generally forced to flow along the flow path 19 against the flow of the second ingredient 30 by the incoming stream of the first ingredient 20.
  • FIG. 2-4 Another embodiment of a mixing device 112 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Figs. 2-4.
  • the mixing device 112 is configured to receive flows of first and second ingredients 120, 130, such as juice concentrate and water, to form a mixture 140 thereof, such as a beverage, similar to the mixing device 12 of Fig. 1, and similar numbers in the 100's are used to identify portions similar to those of mixing device 12.
  • the mixing device 112 includes a body 114 defining an internal cavity 111, a first inlet 115 in fluid communication with the cavity 111, and an outlet 117 spaced apart from the first inlet 115 and in fluid communication with the cavity 111, and a second inlet 116 coupled to the body 114 and extending into the cavity 111 (Fig.
  • the body 114 defines a channel 172 extending between the outlet 117 and a hub 176 of the body 114 to pass the mixture 140 exiting the cavity 111 through the outlet 117 to an outlet passage 178 coupled, for example, to a dispensing head for delivery of the mixture to a container, such as a cup, pitcher, or other container for further dispending or consumption of the mixture (e.g., finished beverage produced).
  • a fitting 123 is coupled to the first inlet 115 and sealed against the body 114 (e.g. by an O-ring) as part of an inlet passage for the first ingredient 120.
  • a plate 108 secures to the body 114 with a fastener 173 to hold the fitting 123 in the first inlet 115.
  • the body 114 defines a seat 133 adjacent to the outlet 117 and configured to receive the second inlet 116.
  • a gasket 181 engages with the second inlet 116 and the body 114 to form seals therewith.
  • One or more holes 184 in the head portion 184 allow the second ingredient 130 flowing though the channel 137 into the seat 133 to pass into the pump portion 180, and one or more holes 188 in the protruding portion 186 allow the second ingredient 130 flowing through the pump portion 180 to pass into the second inlet 116.
  • the head portion 182 is sealed against the seat 133 (e.g. by an O-ring), and the protruding portion 186 extends into the second inlet 116 (Fig. 10) and is sealed against the second inlet 116 (e.g. by an O-ring).
  • a plate 178 of the pump device 136 is secured to the seat 133 with fasteners 179.
  • a plate 175 secures to the chamber 135 with fasteners 177 to hold the flow regulator 138 in the chamber 135.
  • the exemplary second inlet 116 is shown in further detail in Figs. 5-9.
  • the second inlet 116 includes a base 160, a neck 162 extending from the base 160, and a post 164 extending from the neck 162 at a proximal end to a distal end spaced apart from the neck 162.
  • the base 160, neck 162, and post 164 are arranged concentrically along an axis A (Fig. 9).
  • the base 160 has a first outer diameter
  • the neck 162 has a second outer diameter smaller than the first diameter
  • the post 164 generally has a third outer diameter smaller than the second diameter.
  • the post 164 has an outer tapered profile reducing in diameter as the post 164 extends farther away from neck 162.
  • the base 160, neck 162, and post 164 are generally annular (with the distal end of the post 164 closed) to define an internal passageway 161 of the second inlet 116.
  • the base 160 defines a port 165 opening into the internal passageway 161.
  • a pair of openings 163a, 163b in fluid communication with the internal passageway 161 and arranged adjacent to a distal end of the post 164 opposite of the neck 162.
  • a circumferential groove 151 (shown in phantom in Fig. 9) is formed around the base 160.
  • the openings 163a, 163b each generally provide a circumferential spray (flow) of the second ingredient 130 around the second inlet 116 for thorough mixing with the first ingredient 120 in the cavity 111 and dissolution of particulates.
  • the openings 163a, 163b together provide a substantially uninterrupted spray of the second ingredient 130 circumferentially around the second inlet 116 (when viewed along the axis A) such that substantially all of the first ingredient 120 flowing through the cavity 111 is impinged by the flow of the second ingredient 130.
  • the openings 163a, 163b are configured to discharge the second ingredient 130 in a fan spray pattern extending circumferentially and along a substantially radial direction.
  • the openings 163a, 163b are arranged at a substantially similar axial location along the post 164 and each opening 163a, 163b extends axially and circumferentially along the post 164 to define arcuate slots as shown in Figs. 5-9.
  • the openings 163a, 163b generally divide the post 164 into a first section 167 (extending between the openings 163a, 163b and the neck 162) and a second section 169 (extending from the openings 163a, 163b to the distal end of the post 164) coupled together by bridges 166a, 166b extending between axially-offset circumferential ends of the openings 163a, 163b.
  • a retrofit kit includes a second inlet in accordance with the present disclosure, such as the second inlet 116, and one or more replacement sealing components, such as the gasket 1081. In some embodiments, the retrofit kit excludes the replacement sealing components.
  • the second inlet 116 of the present disclosure also has several benefits over the existing second inlet 1016.
  • the additional reduced diameter of the post 164 compared to the post 1064 provides a wider flow path 119 (e.g., an increased distance between the outer surface of the post 164 and inner surface of the cavity 111) to allow larger particles to pass and minimize clogging of the mixing device 112.
  • the lack of protrusion 1055 also allows the mixture 140 to flow around a greater extent of the second inlet 116 to maximize mixing of the ingredients 120, 130.
  • the existing second inlet 1016 directs flow through the opening 1063 toward the first inlet 1015 forcing the ingredients into the upstream end of the cavity 1011 for mixing primarily by swirling within the cavity.
  • FIG. 11 and 12 Another embodiment of a mixing device 212 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Figs. 11 and 12.
  • the mixing device 212 is configured to receive flows of first and second ingredients, such as juice concentrate and water, to form a mixture thereof, such as a beverage, similar to the mixing device 112 of Figs. 2-10, and similar numbers in the 200's are used to identify portions similar to those of mixing device 112 with the associated description thereof applying equally to the mixing device 212.
  • At least one difference includes the addition of a second pair of openings 263c, 263d spaced axially closer to the neck 262.
  • the openings 263a, 263b, 263c, 263d generally divide the post 264 into a first section 267a (extending between the openings 263c, 263d and the neck 262), a second section 267b (extending between the openings 263c, 263d and the openings 263a, 263b), and a third section 269 (extending from the openings 263a, 263b to the distal end of the post 264) coupled together by bridges 266a, 266b, 266c, 266d extending between axially-offset circumferential ends of the openings 263a, 263b, 263c, 263d.
  • FIG. 13 and 14 Another embodiment of a mixing device 312 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in Figs. 13 and 14.
  • the mixing device 312 is configured to receive flows of first and second ingredients, such as juice concentrate and water, to form a mixture thereof, such as a beverage, similar to the mixing device 112 of Figs. 2-10 and mixing device 212 of Figs. 11 and 12, and similar numbers in the 300's are used to identify portions similar to those of mixing devices 112, 212 with the associated description thereof applying equally to the mixing device 312.
  • first and second ingredients such as juice concentrate and water
  • FIGS. 2-14 do not provide all of the control systems as describe in FIG. 1, these configurations and embodiments are intended to be included in FIGS. 2-14.
  • additional inlets can be provided in the mixing devices of the present disclosure for introduction and mixing of additional ingredients, flavors, flavoring, sweeteners, essences, or aromas as well as other constituent ingredients or components and other characteristics of a desired mixture.
  • mixing devices are provided for mixing at least one first ingredient with at least one second ingredient, where at least one of the first and second ingredients is a liquid.
  • mixing devices are provided having a cavity in fluid communication with a first inlet for flow of the at least one first ingredient into the cavity, a second inlet for flow of the at least one second ingredient into the cavity for mixing with the at least one first ingredient in the cavity, and an outlet for passing the mixed ingredients out of the cavity.
  • mixing devices are provided for combining at least two ingredients to make a finished beverage product, for example, mixing beverage concentrate with water to produce a reconstituted beverage having characteristics that maintain brix consistency in the volume dispensed as well as reduced separation of the concentrate from the water mixed therewith during the relevant time the beverage is presented to a customer for drinking.
  • the mixing devices can include a water delivery inlet having multiple openings formed towards a distal end of the structure with an attachment portion or inlet spaced from the openings.
  • two openings are arranged with one on each side of a distal end of the water delivery inlet in a cross-directional orientation relative to each other at the distal end of the water delivery inlet.
  • a mixing device housing for receiving the water delivery inlet for use in the system and method of operating the structures to function in the manner defined by the structures and configurations.
  • the mixing device further includes a concentrate inlet attached to a top surface of the mixing device housing and a controllably operable solenoid valve attached to the rear portion of the mixing device housing providing additional structures and functions for the controllable operation of the assembly.
  • the openings in the water inlet are arranged diagonally and extend through a wall of the water delivery inlet.
  • the mixing device housing provides a mixing chamber spaced from an end corresponding to the diagonal opening in the water delivery inlet.
  • the flow characteristics of at least two ingredients used in the present assembly allow for the controllable introduction of water under high pressure through the diagonal openings of the water delivery inlet into the chamber of the body for controlled mixing with concentrate controllably introduced into the same chamber, high intensity mixing within the chamber, and backflow mixing through the chamber into an outlet communicating with the chamber for dispensing through a downwardly directed dispensing tube into a container such as a cup, pitcher or other container for further dispending and consumption of the finished beverage produced by the apparatus using the methods herein.
  • a mixing system includes hydraulic, electrical, and control components.
  • an apparatus for facilitating the modification of passive mixing devices to maintain a consistent Brix measurement of a final mixed product, such as a beverage, while providing additional area for mixing within a mixing cavity.
  • these benefits can be achieved through a kit to retrofit an existing passive mixing device.
  • the computing elements or functions disclosed herein may include a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions executable by the processor.
  • the processor is a hardware processor configured to perform a predefined set of basic operations in response to receiving a corresponding basic instruction selected from a predefined native instruction set of codes.
  • Embodiments can be implemented as a software product stored in a machine-readable medium (also referred to as a computer- readable medium, a processor- readable medium, or a computer usable medium having a computer-readable program code embodied therein).
  • the machine-readable medium can be any suitable tangible medium, including magnetic, optical, or electrical storage medium including a diskette, optical disc, memory device (volatile or non-volatile), or similar storage mechanism.
  • the machine-readable medium can contain various sets of instructions, code sequences, configuration information, or other data, which, when executed, cause a processor to perform steps in a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other instructions and operations necessary to implement the described embodiments can also be stored on the machine-readable medium.
  • Software running from the machine-readable medium can interface with circuitry to perform the described tasks.
  • embodiments may be implemented on application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits.
  • ASICs application specific integrated circuits
  • VLSI very large scale integrated circuits
  • connection and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical, mechanical or other connections or couplings.
  • upper, lower, and vertical are intended for operative context only and are not necessarily intended to limit the invention only to those configurations or orientations.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de mélange (12) et un procédé de mélange d'au moins un premier ingrédient (20) et d'au moins un second ingrédient (30). Une première entrée (15) est en communication fluidique avec une cavité (11) dans un boîtier pour l'écoulement du premier ingrédient (20) dans la cavité (11), et une seconde entrée (16) est en communication fluidique avec la cavité (11) pour l'écoulement du second ingrédient (30) dans la cavité (11) pour le mélanger avec le premier ingrédient (20) dans la cavité (11). Une sortie (17) est en communication fluidique avec la cavité (11) pour faire sortir les ingrédients mélangés (20) de la cavité (11). La seconde entrée (16) est couplée au boîtier et s'étend dans la cavité (11) pour définir un trajet d'écoulement (19) à travers la cavité (11) de la première entrée (15) à la sortie (17). Des ouvertures de la seconde entrée (16) sont agencées le long du trajet d'écoulement (19) afin de distribuer de manière forcée le second ingrédient (30) dans la cavité (11) contre le premier ingrédient (20) pour un mélange efficace.
PCT/US2025/021284 2024-03-25 2025-03-25 Appareil, procédé, et système de mélange de composants Pending WO2025207590A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202463569714P 2024-03-25 2024-03-25
US63/569,714 2024-03-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025207590A1 true WO2025207590A1 (fr) 2025-10-02

Family

ID=95399428

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2025/021284 Pending WO2025207590A1 (fr) 2024-03-25 2025-03-25 Appareil, procédé, et système de mélange de composants

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2025207590A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB729514A (en) * 1953-01-15 1955-05-04 Firestone Tire & Rubber Co Improvements in rubber foam mixer
GB2234187A (en) * 1989-07-22 1991-01-30 Sankey Vending Ltd Continuous flow drink carbonator
US20090034361A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2009-02-05 Trang Duy K Systems and methods for mixing fluids
US20220113021A1 (en) * 2020-10-08 2022-04-14 Prosonix, Llc Multimode direct injection heater assembly

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB729514A (en) * 1953-01-15 1955-05-04 Firestone Tire & Rubber Co Improvements in rubber foam mixer
GB2234187A (en) * 1989-07-22 1991-01-30 Sankey Vending Ltd Continuous flow drink carbonator
US20090034361A1 (en) * 2007-05-14 2009-02-05 Trang Duy K Systems and methods for mixing fluids
US20220113021A1 (en) * 2020-10-08 2022-04-14 Prosonix, Llc Multimode direct injection heater assembly

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