CA2037024C - Water-jet injection device for dispensers - Google Patents

Water-jet injection device for dispensers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2037024C
CA2037024C CA002037024A CA2037024A CA2037024C CA 2037024 C CA2037024 C CA 2037024C CA 002037024 A CA002037024 A CA 002037024A CA 2037024 A CA2037024 A CA 2037024A CA 2037024 C CA2037024 C CA 2037024C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
water
jet
valve
injection device
section
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
CA002037024A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2037024A1 (en
Inventor
Uwe Freese
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.)
Douwe Egberts Getranke Service & Co KG GmbH
Original Assignee
Douwe Egberts Getranke Service & Co KG GmbH
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 Douwe Egberts Getranke Service & Co KG GmbH filed Critical Douwe Egberts Getranke Service & Co KG GmbH
Publication of CA2037024A1 publication Critical patent/CA2037024A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2037024C publication Critical patent/CA2037024C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/75Discharge mechanisms
    • B01F35/754Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/30Injector mixers
    • B01F25/31Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
    • B01F25/312Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71Feed mechanisms
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/712Feed mechanisms for feeding fluids
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/717Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
    • B01F35/7179Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using sprayers, nozzles or jets
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01FMIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/717Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
    • B01F35/71805Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using valves, gates, orifices or openings

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Gas Separation By Absorption (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Electricity Or Magnetism (AREA)

Abstract

A water-jet tube for water jet injection devices is provided, in which a valve is arranged at a short distance from the free end of the water-jet tube and directly therein, which automatically closes as a function of the flow condition in the water-jet tube, and which preferably has a valve-closing body biased to the closed position by permanent-magnetic forces.

Description

Water-Jet Injection Device For Dispensers The present invention relates to a water-jet injection device in dispensers for making and dispensing mixtures of water and another free-flowing substance, in particular mixed drinks.
An example of such a water-jet injection device having a water-jet tube of the kind in question herein is known from DE 36 07 623 A1, published September 10, 1987, in Germany.
The water-jet tube of this water-jet injection device is inserted into the injector housing, i.e. in the end connected with a water supply portion or part, in such a way that the outlet end of the water-jet tube freely projects into a mixing chamber in the injector housing. An automatically opening valve can connect the mixing chamber with a supply container for the freely-flowing substance which is drawn into the mixing chamber by the action of the water jet leaving the water-jet tube. The mixture from the mixing chamber enters an inlet end, opposite the outlet end of the water-jet tube, of a nozzle and diffusion section, from which the mixture is discharged through a dispensing section.
Such water-jet injection devices are used in drink dispensers, for example. Between individual dispensing operations there may be intervals of varying length, during which the mixing chamber remains filled with residues from the mixture in that preceding dispensing operation. There ~ s is a risk that parts of this mixture may diffuse through the water-jet tube into the water in the water-supply section. This could result in hygienic problems, because microorganisms may develop, for example. In the mixing chamber, itself, the mixture still has a relatively high concentration of the free-flowing substance, but the concentration decreases due to dilution during diffusion into the water supply section. This further accentuates the hygienic problem.
Although attempts have been made to separate the water-jet injection device from the water supply section by a non-return valve during the intervals between dispensing, the hygienic problems can only be reduced to a limited extent, since the distance between the non-return valve and the mixing chamber has to be relatively long, resulting in a relatively large space filled with the dilute mixture.
Another difficulty is that the non-return valves result in considerable pressure losses in the flow system, making it necessary to use more powerful and thus more expensive pumps.
An object of the present invention is to solve the indicated problems in a simple manner, to reduce the danger of hygienic contamination and impairment of taste, if possible, without the need for more expensive pumps.
This invention provides a water-jet injection device in dispensers for producing and dispensing mixtures of water and another flowable substance or ingredient. The device includes an injector housing having a mixing chamber which is between a free outlet end of a water-jet tube inserted into the injector housing and opening thereinto, and an intake end of a nozzle section opposite thereto. The water-jet tube is connectable with a water-supply section on an intake side, and the mixing chamber is connectable with a supply container for the another flowable substance through a valve which opens automatically. The nozzle section is associated with a section for dispensing the mixture. The water-supply section is adapted to be automatically shut off from the mixing chamber by a valve which is situated directly in the water-jet tube, and is adjacent the free outlet end of the water-jet tube.
Preferably, the valve situated in the water-jet tube comprises a valve-closing body adapted to be biased into a closed position by a magnetic force. Conveniently, the valve-closing body is a valve-closing ball. Automatic shut off by the valve occurs when a flow condition of the water is low, and the valve re-opens when the water starts to stream in the water supply section. The valve to the supply container for the another flowable substance can be opened automatically by action of a water jet entering the mixing chamber.
In this construction, during intervals between dispensing, the shut-off between mixing chamber and water supply system occurs directly in the water-jet tube itself immediately in front of the nozzle end of the water-jet tube which freely projects into the mixing chamber. As a result, the space left between the shut-off point and the mixing chamber inside the water supply system is small, thus substantially eliminating contamination and hygienic problems which otherwise occur.
The non-round flow cross-section offers little resistance to flow. In order to further reduce the flow resistances in spite of the shut-off device, the flow portion can have a radially-profiled flow cross-section between the valve seat and the inlet of the discharge nozzle. With an open non-return valve this enables a relatively large flow cross-section to be kept free, so that flow resistance is low and normal, and less expensive pumps can be used.
Hereinafter, the invention is described in detail with respect to an embodiment which is shown in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a known dispenser having a water-jet injection device of conventional construction; and Fig. 2 is a larger cross-section through the water-jet tube according to the invention on an enlarged scale, incorporated in the injector housing of a water-jet injection device.

For better understanding of the invention, the possible use of a water-jet tube according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1.
The illustrated water-jet injection device comprises a casing 2 for connection to an elongate nozzle on a water supply section 1. A water-jet tube 3 is inserted firmly and in a sealing-tight manner in the nozzle, and its outlet end projects freely into a mixing chamber 8 in the injector casing. The free end of the water-jet tube is opposite the inlet end of a nozzle and diffusion section 4, which merges into a portion for delivery of the mixture. The mixing chamber 8 is also connected by a nozzle to a storage vessel 6 for the freely-flowing substance to be mixed with the water from the water-jet tube. A valve 7 is tightly inserted in the connecting region and is constructed so that, under the action of the water jet entering the mixing chamber 8, the valve automatically opens and allows the freely-flowing substance to flow from the storage vessel 6 into the mixing chamber 8, where the substance is mixed with water and discharged as a mixture through the nozzle and diffusion section into the delivery portion.
At the end of a dispensing operation, some of the mixture remains in the mixing chamber 8 and in the other parts of the injection device. This part of the mixture can diffuse through the water-jet tube 3 back into the water supply system 1, resulting in contamination and hygienic problems, and also with a possibly adverse effect on the taste of the next mixture to be dispensed.
To avoid these disadvantages, in the embodiment according to the invention in Fig. 2, a non-return valve is inserted in the water-jet tube 9. As in the known embodiment of Fig. 1, the water-jet tube is firmly and tightly inserted in the water supply nozzle of the injector casing 11, so that the delivery end 12 projects freely into the mixing chamber 13 of the injector casing. The arrow 10 shows the direction of flow of water from the water supply section, the arrow 14 shows entry into the nozzle and diffusion section (not shown), and the arrow 15 shows entry through the inlet valve (not shown) of the substance from the storage vessel (also not shown).
The free end of the water-jet tube is in the form of a discharge nozzle, having an inlet end 12a for water. A
valve seat 18a for a valve-closing ball 17 is provided directly in front of the inlet end 12a of the aforementioned nozzle portion. The valve-closing ball is made of non-rusting stainless but magnetisable material.
The valve seat 18a is made of permanently magnetic material, on the end pointing in the direction of flow, of a sleeve-like flow member 18 inserted directly into the water-jet tube. The flow member can be coated with a suitable material for preservation of food. The permanent magnet 18 is fitted in the water-jet tube, e.g. by means of a threaded sleeve 22, so as to be sealing-tight and axially-immovable, using sealing rings 20, 21 and a sealing sleeve 19.
A flow section 16 is disposed between the valve seat 18a and the inlet 12a of the nozzle end of the water-jet tube 12. The flow section has a profiled cross-section, and comprises an abutment 16a which limits the travel of the ball 17 when the valve is opened by the flow of incoming water. The flow section 16 can be formed inside the actual water-jet tube, or on a flow member insertable into the water-jet tube. The flow member can, for example, comprise three peripherally-distributed radial ribs and an annular member, resulting in a substantially star-shaped flow cross-section. The path along which the valve-closing ball 17 moves, ending at the abutment 16a, is provided in the flow member.
As can be seen, the space which the mixture can enter in the water-jet tube, between its free end and the valve seat 18a, is very small. Consequently, the mixture is only slightly diluted. This substantially alleviates hygienic problems and the risk of affecting the taste of the mixture. This small space is reliably cleaned by the high speed of the water whenever a flow occurs through the jet tube. The pressure losses are extremely small since, when the valve is open, the prestress on the ball by the magnetic force is small in the direction towards the valve seat and just sufficient to move the valve-closing ball back in the direction towards the valve seat when the water supply is terminated. When the valve is closed, however, the closing force is quite strong, since in this position of the ball 17 the magnetic gap is small and the ball is therefore held in the closed position by a strong magnetic force. Owing to the very small prestress in the open position, the flow resistance also is low after initial opening of the valve. The flow resistance can be kept particularly low by profiling in the region of the flow cross-sections 16. Initially the valve can be reliably opened by impact of water, by suitably designing the water supply.
The arrangement is very simple and economic, and has a reliable self-cleaning effect along the entire length of the water-jet tube.
Due to the motion of the valve-closing ball 17 toward the valve seat, the arrangement also can be used as a drip barrier preventing dripping at the end of the dispensing operation.
The jet tube having a non-return valve can, of course, be used in other metering or dispensing systems and in injection devices constructed differently from that specifically illustrated in Fig. 1.

Claims (10)

1. A water-jet injection device in dispensers for producing and dispensing mixtures of water and another flowable substance or ingredient, the device comprising an injector housing having a mixing chamber which is between a free outlet end of a water-jet tube inserted into the injector housing and opening thereinto and an intake end of a nozzle section opposite thereto, the water-jet tube being connectable with a water-supply section on an intake side, the mixing chamber being connectable with a supply container for the another flowable substance through a valve which opens automatically, and the nozzle section being connectable to a section for dispensing the mixture, wherein the water-supply section is adapted to be automatically shut off from the mixing chamber by a valve which is situated directly in the water-jet tube and is adjacent the free outlet end of the water-jet tube.
2. The water-jet injection device according to claim 1, in which said valve situated in the water-jet tube comprises a valve-closing body adapted to be biased into a closed position by a magnetic force.
3. The water-jet injection device according to claim 2, in which said valve-closing body is a valve-closing ball.
4. The water-jet injection device according to claim 3, in which a hollow body comprising permanent-magnetic material is sealingly inserted into the water-jet tube, and has a ring area facing in the direction of flow to form a valve seat for a valve-closing ball made of magnetizable material.
5. The water-jet injection device according to claim 4, in which a flow-through section is provided in the water-jet tube between the valve seat and the intake of a front portion of the water-jet tube, which flow-through section has a stop serving as a path length limitation for movement of the valve-closing ball of the valve.
6. The water-jet injection device according to claim 5, in which said flow-through section has a flow area of non-circular cross-section.
7. The water-jet injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which said free outlet end is a jet nozzle for providing a jet of water.
8. The water-jet injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the free outlet end projecting into the mixing chamber is constructed as a jet nozzle, and in which a seat for the valve situated in the water-jet tube is arranged directly upstream of the intake of the jet nozzle of the water-jet tube, closely spaced apart from the intake.
9. The water-jet injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which automatic shut off by the valve occurs when a flow condition of the water is low, and the valve re-opens when the water starts to stream in the water supply section.
10. The water-jet injection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said valve to the supply container for the another flowable substance opens automatically by action of a water-jet entering the mixing chamber.
CA002037024A 1990-03-05 1991-02-25 Water-jet injection device for dispensers Expired - Lifetime CA2037024C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4006871A DE4006871A1 (en) 1990-03-05 1990-03-05 WATER JET PIPE FOR WATER JET INJECTION DEVICES
DEP4006871.4 1990-03-05

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2037024A1 CA2037024A1 (en) 1991-09-06
CA2037024C true CA2037024C (en) 2002-04-16

Family

ID=6401458

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002037024A Expired - Lifetime CA2037024C (en) 1990-03-05 1991-02-25 Water-jet injection device for dispensers

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0451501B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE123665T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2037024C (en)
DE (2) DE4006871A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9091354B2 (en) 2008-03-25 2015-07-28 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Solenoid valve unit

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH355302A (en) * 1958-11-25 1961-06-30 Strange Waddington Rogor Mixing device for liquids
US3026903A (en) * 1959-04-27 1962-03-27 Harold Brown Company Magnetic check valve
FR1507256A (en) * 1966-11-15 1967-12-29 Check valve
DE3305604A1 (en) * 1983-02-18 1984-08-23 Fa. Rohrfrei Hans-Dieter Gaida, 4006 Erkrath Water leakage safeguard for central heating installations
DE3607623A1 (en) * 1986-03-07 1987-09-10 Dagma Gmbh & Co DISPENSER FOR PRODUCING AND DISPENSING MIXED BEVERAGES FROM FRUIT SYRUP OR CONCENTRATE AND WATER

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9091354B2 (en) 2008-03-25 2015-07-28 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Solenoid valve unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0451501B1 (en) 1995-06-14
ATE123665T1 (en) 1995-06-15
EP0451501A1 (en) 1991-10-16
DE4006871A1 (en) 1991-09-12
CA2037024A1 (en) 1991-09-06
DE59105683D1 (en) 1995-07-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2002237795B2 (en) Multiple function dispenser
US4623095A (en) Liquid adding apparatus and method for a shower fixture
US4650470A (en) Portable water-jet system
US4027822A (en) Attachment device for a shower unit
US6988675B2 (en) Multiple function dispenser
EP2606001B1 (en) Method and apparatus for a sanitizable mixing nozzle
US5433349A (en) Mixing and flushing device for juice dispensing tower
EP0804697A1 (en) Proportioner
EP1035322A3 (en) Fuel injector
GB2443427A (en) Delivery valve
CA2037024C (en) Water-jet injection device for dispensers
US20100187334A1 (en) Detergent injector for pressure washer
US4248266A (en) Liquid soap injector for a water bath spray system
US4813609A (en) Spray nozzle
US3658091A (en) Device for the admixture of additive fluids mixed with water used in washing machines, dishwashers and the like
US2946519A (en) Liquid mixing apparatus
US11999610B2 (en) Filling valve with leakage protection device
US3591055A (en) Mixing valve assembly for beverage dispensers
JP2006015239A (en) Air mixing jet type flow fitting and check valve provided in air mixing jet mechanism
JPS6261331B2 (en)
IT1144255B (en) Dispenser for mixing liquid additive with cleaning water mainstream

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKEX Expiry