Apparatuses for mixing gases into liquids

Abstract

A beverage mixing assembly for mixing a gas into a liquid to thereby form a solution includes a mixer body having a first upstream inlet configured to receive the gas, a second upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid, and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution from the mixer body. The first upstream inlet defines a first orifice configured to spray the gas into the mixer body and the second upstream inlet defines a second orifice configured to spray the liquid into the mixer body such that the gas collides into the liquid as the liquid conveys from the second upstream inlet to the downstream outlet to thereby mix into the liquid and form the solution.

Claims

1. A beverage mixing assembly for mixing a gas into a liquid to thereby form a solution, the beverage mixing assembly comprising: a mixer body comprising: a first upstream inlet configured to receive the gas, the first upstream inlet defining a first orifice configured to spray the gas into the mixer body; a second upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid, the second upstream inlet defining a second orifice configured to spray the liquid into the mixer body; and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution from the mixer body; a pressure drop device positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet and configured to reduce the pressure of the gas received by the first upstream inlet; and a check valve positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet and downstream of the pressure drop device, wherein the check valve prevents liquid sprayed by the second orifice from entering the pressure drop device; wherein the gas collides into the liquid as the liquid conveys from the second upstream inlet to the downstream outlet to thereby mix into the liquid and form the solution.

2. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first upstream inlet is axially opposite the second upstream inlet and the downstream outlet extends transversely to the first upstream inlet.

3. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mixer body is configured so that a pressure of the liquid downstream of the second orifice is equal to a pressure of the gas downstream of the first orifice.

4. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 3, wherein a diameter of the first orifice is between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, and wherein a diameter of the second orifice is between 1.5 millimeters and 3.0 millimeters.

5. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 4, wherein the mixer body comprises a “T”-pipe having an inner pipe diameter between 5.0 millimeters and 10.0 millimeters.

6. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the mixer body comprises a third orifice at the downstream outlet, the third orifice having a diameter between 2.0 millimeters and 4.0 millimeters, and wherein a flow path from the first and second orifices to the third orifice is unobstructed.

7. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a chiller positioned downstream of the mixer body and configured to cool the solution.

8. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a gas supply configured to provide the gas to the first upstream inlet; and a liquid supply configured to provide the liquid to the second upstream inlet; wherein the gas is connected to the liquid supply to pressurize the liquid in the liquid supply with the gas from the gas supply.

9. The beverage mixing assembly of claim 8, wherein the pressure drop device comprises a flow rate regulator positioned between the gas supply and the first orifice and positioned between the gas supply and the liquid supply.

10. A beverage mixing assembly for mixing a gas into a liquid to thereby form a solution, the beverage mixing assembly comprising: a mixer body comprising: a first upstream inlet configured to receive the gas, the first upstream inlet defining a first orifice configured to spray the gas into the mixer body; a second upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid, the second upstream inlet defining a second orifice configured to spray the liquid into the mixer body; and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution from the mixer body; a capillary tube positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet and configured to reduce the pressure of the gas received by the first upstream inlet; and a check valve positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet and downstream of the capillary tube, wherein the check valve prevents liquid sprayed by the second orifice from entering the capillary tube; wherein the gas collides into the liquid as the liquid conveys from the second upstream inlet to the downstream outlet to thereby mix into the liquid and form the solution.

11. The beverage mixing assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a gas supply configured to provide the gas to the first upstream inlet; and a liquid supply configured to provide the liquid to the second upstream inlet; wherein the gas is connected to the liquid supply to pressurize the liquid in the liquid supply with the gas from the gas supply.

12. The beverage mixing assembly of claim 11, further comprising a flow rate regulator positioned between the gas supply and the liquid supply.

13. The beverage mixing assembly of claim 10, further comprising a chiller positioned downstream of the mixer body and configured to cool the solution.

14. A beverage mixing assembly for mixing a gas into a liquid to thereby form a solution, the beverage mixing assembly comprising: a mixer body including a “T”-pipe having an inner pipe diameter between 5.0 millimeters and 10.0 millimeters, the mixer body further comprising: a first upstream inlet configured to receive the gas, the first upstream inlet defining a first orifice configured to spray the gas into the mixer body, wherein a diameter of the first orifice is between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters; a second upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid, the second upstream inlet defining a second orifice configured to spray the liquid into the mixer body, wherein a diameter of the second orifice is between 1.5 millimeters and 3.0 millimeters; and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution from the mixer body, the downstream outlet comprising a third orifice having a diameter between 2.0 millimeters and 4.0 millimeters; wherein the gas collides into the liquid as the liquid conveys from the second upstream inlet to the downstream outlet to thereby mix into the liquid and form the solution; wherein the mixer body is configured so that a pressure of the liquid downstream of the second orifice is equal to a pressure of the gas downstream of the first orifice; and wherein the flow path from the first and second orifices to the third orifice is unobstructed.

15. The beverage mixing assembly of claim 14, wherein the first upstream inlet is axially opposite the second upstream inlet and the downstream outlet extends transversely to the first upstream inlet.

16. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a pressure drop device positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet and configured to reduce the pressure of the gas received by the first upstream inlet.

17. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 14, further comprising: a gas supply configured to provide the gas to the first upstream inlet; and a liquid supply configured to provide the liquid to the second upstream inlet; wherein the gas is connected to the liquid supply to pressurize the liquid in the liquid supply with the gas from the gas supply.

18. The beverage mixing assembly of claim 17, wherein the pressure drop device comprises a flow rate regulator positioned between the gas supply and the first orifice and positioned between the gas supply and the liquid supply.

19. The beverage mixing assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a chiller positioned downstream of the mixer body and configured to cool the solution.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Examples of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following drawing FIGURES. The same numbers are used throughout the FIGURES to reference like features and components.

(2) FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a gas mixing machine.

(3) FIG. 2 is an example mixer body.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an example mixer body with example first and second orifices.

(5) FIG. 4 is an example third orifice.

(6) FIG. 5 is an example capillary tube.

(7) FIG. 6 is an example orifice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) In the present disclosure, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses and methods described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses and methods. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

(9) Through research and experimentation, the present inventors have endeavored to develop apparatuses, systems, and methods that effectively mix or inject gas into a liquid to thereby form a beverage. Accordingly, the present inventors have invented the presently disclosed machines that quickly and effectively mix or inject gas (e.g. nitrogen, CO2) in a liquid, such as coffee. The concentration of the gas in the solution can be efficiently adjusted to various levels based on the preferences of the operator and/or consumer.

(10) Referring to FIG. 1, an example gas mixing machine 10 includes a dispenser or conventional tap 12 for dispensing a solution (e.g. a liquid with a gas mixed therein) (see double-dot-dash line weight) and/or a liquid (e.g. coffee, juice) (see solid line weight). The solution and/or liquid is dispensed to an operator and/or a receptacle 15 (e.g. a cup) through the tap 12 which is mounted on the machine 10 and/or a countertop 14.

(11) The machine 10 is coupled to a gas source 16 (e.g. gas tank) that is configured to supply gas (e.g. carbon dioxide, nitrogen) (see dashed line weight) to the machine 10 and/or a liquid source 18 (e.g. liquid tank, bag-in-box liquid container) that is configured to supply liquid (see solid line weight) to the machine 10. A gas valve 17 is coupled to the gas source 16 and is configured to selectively stop and start the flow of gas to the machine 10 (i.e. the operator can close the gas valve 17 when the gas source 16 is empty such that a new, full gas source 16 can be connected). The gas from the gas source 16 is used for mixing with the liquid in the beverage mixing assembly 30 to form the solution (to be described herein) and/or for pressurizing the liquid source 18. A gas regulator 20 is positioned downstream of the gas source 16 and regulates the flow of the gas to the beverage mixing assembly 30 and the liquid source 18. The pressure of the gas flowing between the gas regulator 20 and the beverage mixing assembly 30 is equivalent to the pressure of the gas flowing between the gas regulator 20 and the liquid source 18 such that the gas conveyed to the beverage mixing assembly 30 is at a pressure that is equal to a pressure of the liquid conveyed to the beverage mixing assembly 30. The gas pressurizes the liquid source 18 whereby the liquid flows to the beverage mixing assembly 30. In certain examples, the pressure of the gas conveyed to the beverage mixing assembly 30 and the pressure of the liquid conveyed to the beverage mixing assembly 30 are between 40.0 and 70.0 pounds per square inch (PSI).

(12) The beverage mixing assembly 30 includes a mixer body 31 having a first upstream inlet 33 configured to receive the gas from the gas source 16, a second upstream inlet 35 configured to receive the liquid from the liquid source 18, and a downstream outlet 37 configured to dispense the solution comprising the gas and the liquid from the mixer body 31 (see also FIGS. 2 and 3). The gas from the first upstream inlet 33 collides into the liquid from the second upstream inlet 35 as the liquid conveys from the second upstream inlet 35 to the downstream outlet 37 such that the gas mixes into the liquid to form the solution. The first upstream inlet 33 is axially opposite the second upstream inlet 35, and the downstream outlet 37 extends transversely to the first upstream inlet 33. In certain examples, the first upstream inlet 33 is coaxial with the second upstream inlet 35 (see dot line weight on FIG. 3). In certain examples, the first upstream inlet 33 is positioned vertically above the second upstream inlet 35 and such positioning can help drain by gravity any liquid trapped in the first upstream inlet 33. In certain examples, the downstream outlet 37 is perpendicular to the first upstream inlet 33 and the second upstream inlet 35. In the illustrated example, the mixer body 31 comprises a “T” pipe having an inner pipe diameter between 5.0 millimeters and 10.0 millimeters. The mixer body 31 can be any suitable shape such as straight, elbow, “L” shaped, and/or any other suitable shape. The configuration and/or shape of the mixer body 31 is merely exemplary and can vary from that which is shown.

(13) The first upstream inlet 33 defines a first orifice 34 that is configured to spray the gas toward the liquid such that the gas collides and mixes with the liquid to form the solution, and the second upstream inlet 35 defines a second orifice 36 that is configured to spray the liquid toward the gas such that the liquid collides and mixes with the gas to form the solution (see also FIG. 6 which depicts an example first orifice 34). The pressure of the liquid downstream of the second orifice 36 is equal to the pressure of the gas downstream of the first orifice 34. In certain examples, the pressure of the liquid downstream of the second orifice 36 is less than the pressure of the gas downstream of the first orifice 34. The diameter of the first orifice 34 is between 0.5 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters, and the diameter of the second orifice 36 is between 1.5 millimeters and 3.0 millimeters. The orifices 34, 36 enhance turbulent convection of the gas and the liquid in the mixer body thereby enhancing the mixing of the gas and the liquid into the solution. In certain examples, the pressure drop across the orifices 34, 36, independently or in combination, is between 5.0 and 20.0 PSI. In certain examples, a third orifice 38 is included with the downstream outlet 37 or downstream of the downstream outlet 37 such that the third orifice 38 further mixes the gas and the liquid (see FIG. 4). The diameter of the third orifice 38 is between 2.0 millimeters and 4.0 millimeters.

(14) The beverage mixing assembly 30 includes a pressure drop device 40 positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet 33 and configured to reduce the pressure of the gas received by the first upstream inlet 33. The pressure drop device 40 comprises a capillary tube 41 (see also FIG. 5), a gas regulator 42, or the capillary tube 41 and the gas regulator 42 in combination. The pressure drop device 40 can include any number of components (e.g. capillary tube 41, second gas regulator 42) that are configured to reduce the pressure of the gas. In certain examples, the pressure drop of the gas between the gas source 16 and the first upstream inlet 33 is equal to the pressure drop of the liquid between the liquid source 18 and the second upstream inlet.

(15) The beverage mixing assembly 30 includes a valve 44 that selectively opens and closes to convey the liquid from the liquid source 18 directly to a chiller 50 (discussed herein) and the tap 12 (i.e. the liquid bypasses the mixer body 31 and does not mix with the gas).

(16) The beverage mixing assembly 30 includes a first check valve 45 positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet 33 and downstream of the pressure drop device 40. The first check valve 45 prevents liquid sprayed by the second orifice 36 from entering the pressure drop device 40. The beverage mixing assembly 30 includes a second check valve 46 positioned upstream of the second upstream inlet 35 and downstream of the liquid source 18. The second check valve 46 prevents gas sprayed by the first orifice 34 from entering the liquid source 18.

(17) The machine 10 can include the chiller 50, which is configured to cool the solution downstream of the beverage mixing assembly 30. The chiller 50 includes a first cooling coil 51 configured to receive the solution from the beverage mixing assembly 30 and a second cooling coil 52 configured to receive the liquid with out the gas mixed therein (note that FIG. 1 depicts the cooling coils 51, 52 in cross section). The chiller 50 receives a heat transfer media 53 that is configured to transfer heat with the cooling coils 51, 52. The heat transfer media 53 can be heated or cooled by a refrigeration system (not shown). In certain examples, the heat transfer media 53 includes icebanks 55. The chiller 50 can include an agitator 54 configured to agitate the heat transfer media 53 such that the heat transfer media 53 effectively and efficiently transfers heat with the cooling coils 51, 52. The chiller 50 can include a shutoff valve 56 that allows a user or operator to adjust the flow rate of the solution and/or liquid to the tap 12. In certain examples, the chiller 50 and/or the first cooling coil 51 provides a longer period of time and additional volume for the gas to mix into the solution.

(18) In certain examples, a beverage mixing assembly for mixing a gas into a liquid to thereby form a solution includes a mixer body having a first upstream inlet configured to receive the gas, a second upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid, and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution from the mixer body. The first upstream inlet defines a first orifice configured to spray the gas into the mixer body and the second upstream inlet defines a second orifice configured to spray the liquid into the mixer body such that the gas collides into the liquid as the liquid conveys from the second upstream inlet to the downstream outlet to thereby mix into the liquid and form the solution. In the certain examples, the first upstream inlet and the second upstream inlet are axially opposite with respect to each other and/or the downstream outlet extends transversely to the first upstream inlet. In certain examples, the pressure of the liquid downstream of the second orifice is equal to the pressure of the gas downstream of the first orifice. In certain examples, the pressure drop device positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet is configured to reduce the pressure of the gas received by the first upstream inlet. The pressure drop device can include a capillary tube. In certain examples, a check valve is positioned upstream of the first upstream inlet and downstream of the capillary tube such that the check valve prevents liquid sprayed by the second orifice from entering the capillary tube.

(19) In certain examples, the beverage mixing assembly for mixing a gas from a gas supply into a liquid from a liquid supply to form a solution includes a mixer body having a first upstream inlet configured to receive the gas from the gas supply and defining a first orifice configured to spray the gas; a second upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid from the liquid supply and defining a second orifice configured to spray the liquid; and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution. The beverage mixing assembly is configured such that the gas supply has a pressure that is equal to a pressure of the liquid supply. In certain examples, the pressure drop of the gas between the gas supply and the first upstream inlet is equal to the pressure drop of the liquid between the liquid supply and the second upstream inlet.

(20) In certain examples, the pressure drop of the gas and/or the liquid in and/or leading to the mixer body determines a stable ratio between the gas and the liquid. The flow of the gas, liquid, and/or the solution can conform to

(21) $m_{gas} = A_{2} ⋆ \sqrt{\frac{2 k}{k - 1} (p_{1} ρ_{1}) [{(\frac{p_{2}}{p_{1}})}^{2 / k} - {(\frac{p_{2}}{p_{1}})}^{(k + 1) / k}]} and / or Q_{liquid} = C_{d} ⋆ A ⋆ \sqrt{2 * \frac{p 1 - p 2}{ρ}} .$
The orifices can create a pressure drop in the gas and liquid, respectively, that can be used to determine the stable ratio between the gas and the liquid. Further, the upstream pressure drop and/or flow rate of the gas and/or liquid can change at the same time. The ratio of gas and liquid can be controlled to prevent large pressure variations in the beverage mixing assembly.

(22) This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Apparatuses for mixing gases into liquids

Assignee

Inventors

Cpc classification

Classification Explorer

B01F23/2363

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

B01F25/23

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

B01F23/237621

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

B01F2101/14

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

International classification

Classification Explorer

B01F23/236

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Classification Explorer

B01F25/23

PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

Abstract

Claims

Description