EP1473076B1 - Mélangeur pour mélanger une substance avec un liquide sous pression - Google Patents

Mélangeur pour mélanger une substance avec un liquide sous pression Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1473076B1
EP1473076B1 EP04101798A EP04101798A EP1473076B1 EP 1473076 B1 EP1473076 B1 EP 1473076B1 EP 04101798 A EP04101798 A EP 04101798A EP 04101798 A EP04101798 A EP 04101798A EP 1473076 B1 EP1473076 B1 EP 1473076B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compartment
substance
mixing
feed
liquid
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04101798A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1473076A2 (fr
EP1473076A3 (fr
Inventor
Franco Dal Tio
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.)
DAL TIO Srl
Original Assignee
DAL TIO Srl
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 DAL TIO Srl filed Critical DAL TIO Srl
Publication of EP1473076A2 publication Critical patent/EP1473076A2/fr
Publication of EP1473076A3 publication Critical patent/EP1473076A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1473076B1 publication Critical patent/EP1473076B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B01F23/50—Mixing liquids with solids
    • 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
    • B01F25/10—Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components
    • B01F25/104—Mixing by creating a vortex flow, e.g. by tangential introduction of flow components characterised by the arrangement of the discharge opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/06—Mixing of food ingredients
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/2202—Mixing compositions or mixers in the medical or veterinary field

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a mixing device, and the relative method, for the homogeneous mixing of a substance with a pressurized fluid.
  • the device is able to be associated with an apparatus for preparing any mixture of a substance and a fluid, such as for example a solution, an emulsion, a suspension or suchlike, both of a food type, such as for example a hot or cold drink, such as coffee, tea, barley drink, tisane, and also of other nature, for example pharmaceutical or otherwise.
  • the device can be used in an automatic drinks dispenser, in a domestic apparatus for preparing drinks and foodstuffs, on a coffee machine, in a laboratory or other.
  • Various mixing devices are known, which are associated with an apparatus for preparing a product automatically by mixing a substance, such as for example a soluble powder, like coffee, tea, barley, or other, with a pressurized fluid, for example hot water.
  • a substance such as for example a soluble powder, like coffee, tea, barley, or other
  • a pressurized fluid for example hot water.
  • a known device comprises as its essential parts a container, inside which a compartment is made for mixing the substance and the fluid, a distributor to feed the powdered substance and a distributor to feed the hot water.
  • the distributors are arranged above the container to pour from above, respectively, the soluble substance and the hot water into the mixing compartment. In the lower zone of the compartment there is a hole through which the mixture obtained emerges.
  • a rotating screw is arranged, driven by a drive member, which is made to rotate when the water and the substance to be mixed are poured in.
  • Another mixing device is also known wherein, unlike the previous one, in order to mix the products during the delivery thereof, the fluid distributor is made to rotate. To be more exact, the distributor is driven by a motorized arm which makes it turn, at a high speed, in a circular trajectory.
  • Both known devices have the disadvantage, however, that in order to carry out the mixing, they require the aid of a drive member to move, respectively, the rotating screw or the fluid distributor.
  • the apparatus to prepare the mixture, with which one or the other of the known devices is associated must be provided with housings for the drive member and relative connection elements for the transmission of the rotary motion.
  • This entails high production costs and also occupies a great deal of space inside the apparatus itself, limiting the possibility of reducing its overall dimensions.
  • Another disadvantage is that, to be able to verify the correct functioning and detect possible anomalies of the drive member and of the transmission of the rotary motion, it is also necessary to provide automatic control devices and periodic reviews of the functioning thereof.
  • a solubilizing apparatus which comprises a sleeve having a fluid permeable wall and two opposed openings therein, both aligned along a vertical longitudinal axis.
  • a spray nozzle is disposed in flow communication with the lower opening to spray water upwardly, towards and against the inner wall of the sleeve, for swirling the internal surface of the wall and preventing the build-up of solids therealong, while the upper opening, which is larger than the lower one, is provided for receiving solids.
  • the fluid permeable sleeve is disposed within a water impermeable tank, which has a lower outlet from which the solute can exit.
  • a pipe and pump system is also provided for the recirculation of the solute.
  • This solubilizing apparatus is specifically useful for dissolution of chemicals utilized in cleaning reverse osmosis membranes, but can not be used for preparing hot or cold drinks, such as coffee, tea, barley drink or tisane.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to achieve a mixing device by means of which it is possible to perform an effective and rapid mixing of the products, without the aid of a drive member being necessary, and by means of which the times and functioning modes of the members that feed the fluid and the substances to be mixed therewith can easily be varied, according to the mixture to be obtained.
  • Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to achieve these and other purposes and obtain other advantages and to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art.
  • the compartment comprises at least a first part having a gradual widening in section from the bottom towards the top.
  • the second feeding means are arranged in an intermediate zone between the first feeding means and the outlet means, and are able to feed the liquid into the compartment at a determinate pressure, so as to create a vortical motion, or vortex, of the liquid towards the top in the first part, in the opposite direction to the feed of the substance into the mixing compartment.
  • the substance is poured directly into the first part of the compartment.
  • the second fluid feeding means are arranged in the lower zone of the mixing compartment, in proximity with the outlet means, so that most of the compartment is free for the vortical rise of the liquid.
  • the substance that is mixed with the liquid is advantageously, but not exclusively, of the type that is soluble in the liquid; it can be in the form of powder, also lyophilized, in the form of granules or paste, or a concentrated solution, a syrup or other.
  • the device according to the invention therefore, by pouring the substance into the mixing compartment, it is possible to obtain quickly, and with a minimum energy consumption, a solution, a dispersion, an emulsion or any other type of mixed product.
  • Another advantage of the mixing device according to the present invention is that the mixing of the liquid and the substance can be easily regulated by operating on the time and mode of functioning of the relative feeding means.
  • the liquid is fed tangentially into the mixing compartment, so as to create a vortex, which extends peripherally upwards in the aforesaid first part of the compartment.
  • the fluid feeding means are associated with means able to induce a vortical motion in the mixing compartment, such as for example spiral-shaped grooves or pipes, facing upwards.
  • the mixing compartment is funnel-shaped and comprises a first upper portion shaped like a truncated cone, and a second cylindrical lower portion.
  • the liquid is fed under pressure into the cylindrical portion, so that the vortical motion reaches its maximum speed in a zone connecting the cylindrical portion and the truncated cone portion.
  • the latter is fed under pressure directly into the conical portion.
  • the compartment is shaped like a truncated cone shape, or is goblet shaped.
  • a mixing device 10 is able to be assembled inside an automatic dispenser of hot or cold drinks, to mix at least a substance, such as for example powdered coffee, with a fluid, in this case hot or cold water.
  • the device 10 comprises a container 12, made for example of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), inside which is made a mixing compartment 18 which in this case has an internal volume of about 50 ml.
  • a container 12 made for example of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • the device 10 also comprises a first feeding assembly 20, able to feed the substance into the compartment 18 from above, and a second feeding assembly 22, able to feed the hot or cold water into an intermediate zone of the compartment 18.
  • the container 12 comprises a cylindrical outer wall 15 and an inner wall 16, shaped like a funnel, which defines the compartment 18.
  • the inner wall 16 comprises in the upper zone a truncated cone portion 17, with its taper facing downwards and, in the lower zone, a cylindrical portion 19.
  • the container 12 is provided with an outlet pipe 24, through which the mixture of substance and water emerges towards a delivery device, not shown in the drawings.
  • the outlet pipe 24 has a reduced diameter with respect to the cylindrical portion 19, and is arranged offset along an axis Y with respect to the axis X of the compartment 18.
  • a hole 14 (fig. 2), where a screw is screwed in in order to attach the device 10 to the drinks dispenser.
  • the first feeding assembly 20 is substantially of a known type and comprises a conveyor pipe 26 (figs. 1 and 3), arranged above the container 12 from which, by means of a feeding-screw 27 located inside, the substance to be mixed emerges.
  • the substance is able to fall in this case towards a connection zone 25 between the cylindrical portion 19 and the truncated cone portion 17.
  • the functioning of the feeding-screw 27 can be regulated according to pre-set modes.
  • the second feeding assembly 22 comprises a pipe 30, provided with a nozzle 31 (fig. 1), which is arranged substantially horizontal on one side of the inner wall 16, in correspondence with the cylindrical portion 19, in order to feed the water tangentially therein.
  • the pipe 30 is connected to a pump 35, which feeds the water under pressure at about 1-15 bar.
  • the tangential and pressurized feed of the water determines, due to the high kinetic energy of the latter, a vortical motion, or whirlpool, which extends vertically along the inner side of the cylindrical portion 19, reaching its maximum speed in correspondence with the aforesaid connection zone 25.
  • the upward development of the whirlpool is also facilitated by the widening in section, from the bottom towards the top, of the truncated cone portion 17.
  • An annular platelet 40 partly closes the container 12, to prevent the leakage of water in the event of considerable intensity.
  • the device 10 creating an upward vortical motion of the water, and in the direction opposite that of the introduction of the substance, allows to obtain a dissolution and homogeneous mixing of the substance or, in the case of an insoluble substance, a dispersion or an emulsion, without the assistance of drive members.
  • the outlet pipe 24 is arranged substantially in correspondence with, and below, the nozzle 31 of the water pipe 30; but it is clear that any other offset position of the outlet pipe 24 with respect to the axis X can be provided, for example on the opposite side with respect to the nozzle 31.
  • Another advantage of the device 10 is the fact that the introduction pressure and the vortical motion of the water allow to create bubbles of water in the mixture of substance and water, giving rise to a frothy appearance which, for example in the case of preparing coffee or barley drink, gives a pleasant effect.
  • the mixing device 10 as described heretofore functions as follows.
  • the hot or cold water is introduced into the cylindrical portion 19 at a pressure of about 5-10 bar, and continuously, at a constant flow and for a determinate period of time.
  • a first step only water is introduced into the compartment 18, so as to obtain a whirlpool which develops upwards as far as the truncated cone portion 17.
  • the substance is poured into the compartment 18 in a constant flow and is mixed in the whirlpool.
  • the mixture of substance and water rotates vertically in the aforesaid connection zone 25 and then flows towards the center of the compartment 18 and falls into the outlet pipe 24, possibly mixing with another substance which, in the same step, is poured from the pipe 26. Descending along the cylindrical portion 19, the mixture passes in proximity with the nozzle 31 and is partly hit by the jet of water so as to be further mixed, and possibly transported upwards by the vortical motion.
  • the jet of the nozzle 31 facilitates the formation of more bubbles of water inside the mixture, accentuating the frothy effect.
  • a third step the feed of the substance is interrupted, while the feed of the water is continued, to allow a complete cleaning of the compartment 18 and to complete the preparation of the final product.
  • radial ribs 21 are provided for stiffening purposes, located between the inner wall 16 and the outer wall 15.
  • the inner wall 16 of the container 12 instead of being funnel-shaped, is simply shaped like a truncated cone.
  • the pipe 30 that feeds the water is arranged in correspondence with the lower zone of the inner wall 16, in proximity with the outlet pipe 24.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)

Claims (4)

  1. Dispositif mélangeur pour mélanger au moins une substance et un liquide, comprenant un récipient (12) ayant un compartiment (18) qui présente la forme d'un entonnoir et comprend, dans la zone supérieure, une première partie (17) dont la section s'élargit progressivement de bas en haut et, dans la zone inférieure, une seconde partie (19) de forme cylindrique, des premiers moyens d'alimentation (20) aptes à introduire ladite substance par le dessus dans ledit compartiment (18), des seconds moyens d'alimentation (22) aptes à introduire ledit liquide dans ledit compartiment (18), et des moyens de sortie (24) aptes à faire émerger un mélange de ladite substance et dudit fluide hors de ladite seconde partie (19) dudit compartiment (18), dispositif dans lequel lesdits seconds moyens d'alimentation (22) sont installés dans une zone intermédiaire entre lesdits premiers moyens d'alimentation (20) et lesdits moyens de sortie (24) afin d'introduire ledit liquide dans ladite seconde partie (19) dudit compartiment (18) par la tangente et sous une pression déterminée, de manière à créer un mouvement de vortex ascendant dudit liquide dans ladite première partie (17), en sens opposé à celui de l'alimentation de ladite substance dans ledit compartiment (18), et dans lequel ledit compartiment (18) est symétrique par rapport à un axe (x), caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de sortie comprennent un tuyau de sortie (24) installé en position décalée par rapport audit axe (x) dudit compartiment (18).
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit liquide est l'eau et ladite pression déterminée est d'environ 1 à 15 bars.
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits seconds moyens d'alimentation (22) comprennent une buse (31) et en ce que ledit tuyau de sortie (24) est installé du côté opposé à ladite buse (31).
  4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit tuyau de sortie (24) est de section réduite par rapport à la section de ladite seconde partie (19) dudit compartiment (18).
EP04101798A 2003-04-30 2004-04-28 Mélangeur pour mélanger une substance avec un liquide sous pression Expired - Lifetime EP1473076B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000095A ITUD20030095A1 (it) 2003-04-30 2003-04-30 Dispositivo miscelatore, e relativo procedimento, per la miscelazione di una sostanza con un fluido in pressione.
ITUD20030095 2003-04-30

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1473076A2 EP1473076A2 (fr) 2004-11-03
EP1473076A3 EP1473076A3 (fr) 2005-10-12
EP1473076B1 true EP1473076B1 (fr) 2007-06-13

Family

ID=32983253

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04101798A Expired - Lifetime EP1473076B1 (fr) 2003-04-30 2004-04-28 Mélangeur pour mélanger une substance avec un liquide sous pression

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1473076B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE364437T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602004006915T2 (fr)
IT (1) ITUD20030095A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE583216A (fr) *
NL75972C (fr) * 1950-10-13 1900-01-01
JPS4869158A (fr) * 1971-12-22 1973-09-20
DE7325738U (de) * 1973-07-13 1973-12-20 Brand W Geraet zur herstellung von getraenken insbesondere tee
JPS5031471A (fr) * 1973-07-21 1975-03-27
DE3730617A1 (de) * 1987-09-11 1989-03-30 Georg Beinhundner Luft/wasser-mischkopf
US5393502A (en) * 1993-09-07 1995-02-28 International Purification Systems, Inc. Solubilizing apparatus
WO1999033553A1 (fr) * 1997-12-30 1999-07-08 Hirofumi Ohnari Generateur de fines bulles a turbulence

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITUD20030095A1 (it) 2004-11-01
EP1473076A2 (fr) 2004-11-03
EP1473076A3 (fr) 2005-10-12
ATE364437T1 (de) 2007-07-15
DE602004006915T2 (de) 2008-02-21
DE602004006915D1 (de) 2007-07-26

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