CARBONATOR METAL NOZZLE

Abstract

A carbonator dissolver nozzle for introducing CO2-gas into a beverage with a carbonator. The nozzle is adapted to protrude downward from the carbonator and into a beverage bottle that may be fastened to the carbonator. The nozzle comprises an upstream end that is adapted to be attached to the carbonator, a downstream end that is adapted to be immersed in the beverage within the bottle, and a conduit leading though the nozzle from the upstream end to the downstream end. At least the portion of the nozzle that is immersed in the beverage during use is entirely made of metal, or said portion consists of parts entirely made of metal with non-metal sealing material between said parts, wherein said portion has an outer surface of metal. A method of manufacture of a carbonator dissolver nozzle is also described.

Claims

1. A carbonator dissolver nozzle for introducing CO.sub.2-gas into a beverage using a carbonator, wherein the nozzle is adapted to protrude downward from the carbonator and into a beverage bottle that may be fastened to the carbonator, the nozzle comprising: an upstream end that is adapted to be attached to the carbonator; a downstream end that is adapted to be immersed in a beverage within the beverage bottle; and a conduit leading though the nozzle from the upstream end to the downstream end, wherein at least a portion of the nozzle that is immersed in the beverage during use is entirely made of metal, or wherein said portion comprises parts entirely made of metal with non-metal sealing material between said parts, wherein at least the portion of the nozzle that is immersed in the beverage during use has an outer surface of metal, and wherein an area of the conduit is reduced in steps and comprises a main conduit section, an outlet taper section and an ultimate conduit section.

2-16. (canceled)

17. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein load bearing parts of the nozzle are entirely made of metal.

18. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is entirely made of metal.

19. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the metal is food grade metal.

20. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the metal is stainless steel, aluminium, or brass.

21. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the outlet taper section tapers at an angle of 100 degrees or less to form the ultimate conduit section.

22. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the ultimate conduit section has a diameter that does not exceed 1 mm and a length that does not exceed 1 mm.

23. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the main conduit section extends through at least 80% of a length of the nozzle.

24. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the area of the main conduit section is 10 to 50 times the area of the ultimate conduit section.

25. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is one-piece.

26. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises two metal pieces that are adapted to be attached to one another.

27. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 26, wherein the two metal pieces comprise a main body part and an outlet part, and wherein the ultimate conduit section is formed in the outlet part.

28. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 27, wherein the main body part and the outlet part are adapted to be screwed together.

29. The carbonator dissolver nozzle of claim 27, wherein the main body part and/or the outlet part comprises holding means for holding an elastically deformable retaining member such that the elastically deformable retaining member is deformed upon attaching the main body part and the outlet part together, whereby the elastically deformable retaining member retains the main body part and the outlet part together.

30. A carbonator for producing carbonated beverage comprising: a carbonator head to which a beverage bottle may be fastened; and the carbonator dissolver nozzle according to claim 1.

31. A method of manufacturing the carbonator dissolver nozzle according to claim 1, the method comprising: drilling the main conduit section through at least 80% of a length of the nozzle; and drilling the ultimate conduit section, the main conduit section having a diameter that is at least four times the diameter of the ultimate conduit section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will be described further below by way of examples and with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a one-piece carbonator dissolver nozzle 1 according to a first embodiment,

[0027] FIG. 1b is a cross sectional side view corresponding to FIG. 1a,

[0028] FIG. 1c is an enlarged section of a second embodiment of the downstream end of the dissolver nozzle of FIG. 1,

[0029] FIG. 1d shows an exemplary domestic free-standing carbonator 10, or soda water machine, with a carbonator dissolver nozzle 1 according to the present disclosure,

[0030] FIG. 2a is a perspective exploded view of a carbonator dissolver nozzle 1 according to ta a third embodiment, comprising a treaded main body part 3a and a threaded outlet part 4a,

[0031] FIG. 2b is a cross sectional assembled side view corresponding to FIG. 2a,

[0032] FIG. 2c is an enlarged section of the downstream end of the dissolver nozzle 1 of FIG. 2b,

[0033] FIG. 2d is a perspective exploded view of the downstream end of the dissolver nozzle 1 of FIG. 2b,

[0034] FIG. 3a is a perspective exploded view of a carbonator dissolver nozzle 1 according to ta a fourth embodiment, comprising a receiving main body part 3b and a grooved outlet part 4b,

[0035] FIG. 3b is a cross sectional assembled side view corresponding to FIG. 3a,

[0036] FIG. 3c is an enlarged section of the downstream end of the dissolver nozzle of FIG. 3b, and

[0037] FIG. 3d is a perspective view of the outlet part 4b of FIGS. 3a to 3c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The disclosed embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the embodiments and the drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a carbonator dissolver nozzle 1, hereinafter nozzle 1, for use with a carbonator 10 of the type shown in FIG. 1d or a similar soda water machine. The nozzle 1, as is shown in FIG. 1d, protrudes downward from a carbonator head 11 of the carbonator 10 to which a beverage bottle (not shown) is to be fastened. When a bottle is fastened to the carbonator head 11, the nozzle protrudes downward into the bottle to a position where the nozzle is immersed in the beverage, typically water, within the bottle.

[0040] The nozzle 1 of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1a and 1b) comprises an upstream end, which may also be referred to as the upper end or the inlet end, which is attached to the carbonator 10 by of suitable mechanical fitting means. In the present disclosure, the upper end of the nozzle 1 comprises outer threads whereas the carbonator 10, more precisely the carbonator head 11, comprises cooperating inner threads (not shown).

[0041] The upper end of the present nozzle 1, below the treads, further comprises two radially opposing flat surfaces such that the nozzle 1 may be gripped and screwed by means of a tool, e.g. a wrench or a spanner. In alternative, the upper end of the nozzle 1 may comprise a polygonal area, or a radial blind hole, allowing the nozzle to be screwed into the carbonator 10 by a suitable tool.

[0042] As is shown in FIG. 1b, a conduit 2 is formed through the nozzle 1 from the upper end to the lower end thereof. The nozzle is thus tubular. The conduit may also be referred to as a gas conduit and provides CO.sub.2 from the carbonator 10 to the beverage contained in the beverage bottle when the carbonator 10 is used. In the embodiments of this disclosure, the nozzle 1 has a circular outer cross section. In the embodiments of this disclosure, the outer form of the nozzle 1 is a straight rod, apart from the upper end where the threads and the flat surfaces are located.

[0043] The nozzle has an elongated shape with a length that is approximately eight to ten times its outer diameter. The downstream end of the nozzle, which may also be referred to as the lower end or the outlet end, is rounded so as to not damage e.g. the beverage bottle to be used with the carbonator 10, or the hand of a user. The outlet end comprises a central outlet opening through which CO.sub.2 gas is ejected when the carbonator 10 is used. The outlet opening is formed by the most downstream section 2g of the conduit as explained below and illustrated in the figures.

[0044] Depending of the amount of water filled into the bottle, roughly half the nozzle 1 is immersed in water when the carbonator 10 is used. In FIG. 1a, the portion p of the nozzle 1 that is typically immersed in water during use is indicated by a double-ended arrow denoted p.

[0045] The conduit 2 comprises a most upstream section 2a that forms a nozzle inlet and a most downstream section 2g that forms a nozzle outlet. Via a first frustoconical taper section 2b, the most upstream section 2a converges into a main conduit section 2c, or main section 2c. The main section 2c forms the chief part of the conduit 2 length. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b, the main section 2c forms approximately 90% of the conduit 2 length.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the main section 2c converges via an outlet taper section 2f into the most downstream section 2g. The outlet taper section 2f has a taper angle (the angle is indicated in FIG. 1c that discloses the second embodiment) of approximately 90 degrees. The taper angle is defined as the angle formed between the opposing sidewalls of a frustoconical taper section. In another example (not shown), the outlet taper section of a nozzle 1 of the first embodiment may have an outlet taper angle of approximately 60 degrees.

[0047] Thus, the conduit 2 of the first embodiment comprises a most upstream section 2a, an inlet taper section 2b, a main section 2c, an outlet taper section 2f and a most downstream section 2g fluidly connected in that order. The most upstream section 2a, the main section 2c and the most downstream section 2g are straight and of circular cross section and may be formed by drilling. The taper sections 2b, 2f are frustoconical and may be formed by drilling, more precisely by a conical drill tip.

[0048] The inlet taper section 2b has a taper angle that is larger than 90 degrees, approximately 120 degrees. When a nozzle 1 of the present disclosure is attached to a carbonator 10, there is a tubular carbonator head outlet (not shown) protruding into the most upstream section 2a to rest against the inlet taper section. An O-ring (not shown) of the carbonator 10 may be arranged between the carbonator head outlet and the inlet taper section 2b.

[0049] FIG. 1c illustrates a second embodiment of the nozzle 1, only showing the downstream end of the nozzle. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises an intermediate taper section 2d, which is positioned between the inlet taper section 2b and the outlet taper section 2f. The second embodiment further comprises a step section 2e that connects the intermediate taper section 2d and outlet taper section 2f. The outlet taper section 2f of the second embodiment has a taper angle of approximately degrees.

[0050] It is believed advantageous for the gas flow through the nozzle 1 to reduce the area of the conduit 2 in several steps to the final most downstream section 2g that forms a nozzle outlet. Such a stepwise area reduction may result in a less turbulent gas flow which appears to reduce the icing. A continuous area reduction may be difficult and/or costly to manufacture, when at least a portion of the conduit is formed in metal.

[0051] The conduit 2 of the second embodiment (FIG. 1c) comprises a most upstream section 2a, an inlet taper section 2b, a main section 2c, an intermediate taper section 2d, a step section 2e, an outlet taper section 2f and a most downstream section 2g. The most upstream section 2a, the main section 2c, the step section 2e and the most downstream section 2g are straight sections of circular cross section that may be formed by drilling. The taper sections 2b, 2f, 2f are frustoconical and may be formed by drilling.

[0052] The nozzles 1 of the first and second embodiments are one-piece metal nozzles 1.

[0053] FIGS. 2a to 2d illustrate a third embodiment of the nozzle 1. In this embodiment, the nozzle 1 consists of two metal pieces, in the form of a main body part and an outlet part, and a sealing 6a. More precisely, the nozzle of the third embodiment comprises a treaded main body part 3a, a threaded outlet part 4a and an O-ring 6a.

[0054] When the treaded main body part 3a and the threaded outlet part 4a are attached to one another by means of the threads, the resulting nozzle 1 has a very similar outer shape as the one of the first or second embodiments. The only visual difference being the joint between the treaded main body part 3a and the threaded outlet part 4a.

[0055] The treaded main body part 3a comprises a lower recess 7a, which is open in the downstream direction, into which the threaded outlet part 4a is screwed when the nozzle 1 is assembled. The lower recess 7a is cylindrical and comprises an inner thread, see FIG. 2c. The diameter of the lower recess 7a approximately equals the mean value of the diameters the main conduit section 2c and the outer diameter of the treaded main body part 3a. The main conduit section 2c of the third embodiment leads from the inlet taper section 2b to the lower recess 7a.

[0056] Once the threaded outlet part 4a is screwed into the lower recess 7a of the treaded main body part 3a, the threaded outlet part 4a forms the intermediate taper section 2d that has been described above. The upper, or upstream, end of the threaded outlet part 4a now lies flush against the annular inner end surface of the lower recess, as is shown in FIG. 2c. The intermediate taper section 2d formed by the threaded outlet part 4a has an upstream diameter that exceeds the diameter of the main conduit section 2c, even though in another example (not shown) the upstream diameter may equal the diameter of the main conduit section 2c.

[0057] Once assembled, the threaded outlet part 4a forms the step section 2e that has been described above. The threaded outlet part 4a further forms the outlet taper section 2f and the most downstream section 2g. The outlet taper angle of the third embodiment is approximately 90 degrees.

[0058] The threaded outlet part 4a is essentially cylindrical with an outer thread on the outside of the portion that forms the step section 2e. The downstream end of the threaded outlet part 4a has an outer diameter that equals the diameter of the main body part 3a. The downstream end of the threaded outlet part is rounded such that the nozzle of the third embodiment when assembled has the same outer form as the nozzle of the first or second embodiments.

[0059] FIGS. 3a to 3d illustrate a fourth embodiment of the nozzle 1. In this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the nozzle 1 consists of a main body part and an outlet part in the form of two metal pieces. Said metal pieces are formed of a receiving main body part 3b and a grooved outlet part 4b. There are also two retaining sealings 6b (O-rings) that not only seal the metal pieces 3b, 4b but also retain them in an assembled condition.

[0060] The receiving main body part 3b has an outer shape that is similar to the nozzle 1 of the first or second embodiments, apart from a lower circular opening 8 formed by an annular lip portion 9. The receiving main body part 3b of the fourth embodiment has a main conduit section 2c of approximately double the diameter as compared to the nozzles 1 of the earlier embodiments. The receiving main body part 3b of the fourth embodiment includes a lower void 7b into which the grooved outlet part 4b is inserted when the nozzle 1 is assembled. The grooved outlet part 4b extends into the lower circular opening 8 and forms the most downstream section 2g of the conduit 2, thus the outlet opening of the nozzle 1.

[0061] The diameter of the lower void 7b is smaller than the diameter of the main conduit section 2c of the fourth embodiment, even though in another example (not shown) the diameter of the lower void 7b may equal the diameter of the main conduit section 2c. The inner sidewall of the lower void 7b is smooth.

[0062] The grooved outlet part 4b is of a generally cylindrical form, with an outer dimeter that is slightly smaller than the lower void. The outer circumference of the grooved outlet part 4b comprises at least one, in this example two grooves 5 as is illustrated in FIG. 3d. As an alternative, the grooves 5 may be formed in the inner wall of the lower void 7b. The grooves 5 and the retaining sealings 6b are mutually shaped such that the retaining sealings 6b fit in the grooves while protruding above the surface of the cylindrical form of the grooved outlet part 4b.

[0063] Upon assembly, the grooved outlet part 4b with the two retaining sealings 6b arranged in the grooves 5 is pushed into the main conduit section 2c of the receiving main body part 3b via the nozzle inlet (formed by the most upstream section 2a), though the main conduit section 2c and into the lower void 7b.

[0064] The grooved outlet part 4b may be pushed into the lower void 7b by means of a pin or a similar elongated object, until the grooved outlet part 4b reaches the lowermost position resting against the inner surface of the annular lip portion 9. In this position, a lower (downstream) protruding portion of the grooved outlet part 4b extends into the lower circular opening 8 of the grooved outlet part 4b. The most downstream section 2g is formed in the lower protruding portion of the grooved outlet part 4b. The outer diameter of the lower protruding portion and the inner diameter of the lower circular opening 8 are selected such that the lower protruding portion snugly fits in the lower circular opening 8, as is illustrated in FIG. 3c.

[0065] When the grooved outlet part 4b is pushed into the lower void 7b, the retaining sealings 6b are elastically deformed, or compressed, between the grooves 5 and the inner sidewall of the lower void 7b. As the retaining sealings 6b after assembly strive to return to their non-deformed form, they exert a radial expansive force between the grooved outlet part 4b and the lower void 7b and thus the grooved outlet part 4b is retained within the lower void 7b.

[0066] The elastic retaining sealings 6b have an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the grooved outlet part 4b and are thus elastically held in the grooves 5. The grooves 5 provide a form fit for the retaining sealings 6b. Once the grooved outlet part 4b is fitted in the lower void 7b, the retaining sealings 6b hinder the grooved outlet part 4b from moving axially within the lower void 7b by frictional forces between the retaining sealings 6b and the inner wall of the lower void 7b.

[0067] In the third embodiment (FIGS. 2a to 2d) and the fourth embodiment (FIGS. 3a to 3d) the nozzle 1 comprises a separate metal piece or insert (the threaded outlet part 4a and the grooved outlet part 4b, respectively) that forms the ultimate conduit section 2g. As has been mentioned, the ultimate conduit section 2g forms the outlet opening of the nozzle 1. For this reason, it is desired to manufacture the ultimate conduit section 2g with high precision. It is believed that a straight ultimate conduit section 2g with a smooth inner surface forms a less turbulent CO.sub.2 flow, thereby minimising any icing that may partially or fully block the conduit 2 near its outlet.

[0068] The outlet parts 4a, 4b both have a form that is advantageous for precision manufacture, as their length is approximately the same as their width. In the examples shown, the outlet part lengths are approximately 1.5 to 2 times the outlet part widths. As a comparison, the entire nozzle 1 has a length that is approximately eight to ten times its width and thus precision drilling (of the most downstream section 2g) there through requires specific tooling and skill.

[0069] If the conduit 2 through the nozzle 1 of the first or second embodiment is to be formed by drilling, the main section 2c may be drilled from the inlet end of the nozzle 1 and the most downstream section 2g may be drilled from the outlet end of the nozzle.

[0070] Alternatively, the larger main section 2c may be beneficial for precision drilling of the most downstream section 2g through the main section 2c as a drill with an enlarged shank can be used. The most downstream section 2g may thus be drilled in the direction of the gas (CO.sub.2) flow through the main section 2c.

[0071] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the most downstream section 2g is a narrow gas passage. The most downstream section 2g has a diameter of less than 1 mm, preferably approximately 0.5 mm. The most downstream section 2g has a length (in the direction of gas flow or longitudinal direction of the nozzle 1) of less than 1 mm, preferably approximately 0.5 mm. Such dimensions of an outlet opening have proven suitable for a carbonator 9 of the type referred to above.

[0072] In order to reduce the icing, it appears that the relationship between dimensions of the outlet, i.e. the length and transverse area of the most downstream section 2g, and the penultimate straight conduit section (2c or 2e) is of importance. Also, the taper angle of the outlet taper section 2f shall preferably be below 100 degrees. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the transverse area of the respective penultimate straight conduit section is 10-50 times the transverse area of the most downstream section 2g. It appears that a lower ratio is advantageous. In the second, third and fourth embodiments the transverse area of the respective penultimate straight conduit section 2e is 10-20 times the transverse area of the most downstream section 2g. Also, it appears the length of the most downstream section 2g shall essentially equal its diameter.