# US 11,298,664 B2 · Nozzles, related carbonation systems, methods of making and using the same

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- Number: US 11,298,664 B2
- Document ID: US11298664B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/362,204
- Filed: 2019-03-22
- Published: 2019-09-26
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-22
- Assignees: Bedford Systems LLC
- Applicants: Bedford Systems LLC
- Inventors: Qian Gao
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298664B2

## CPC

- B01F 23/2362: {for aerating or carbonating within receptacles or tanks, e.g. distribution machines (B01F23/2361 takes precedence)}
- A23L 2/54: Mixing with gases
- B01F 23/23121: {having injection means, e.g. nozzles with circumferential outlet}
- B01F 23/2319: {Methods of introducing gases into liquid media}
- B05B 1/005: {Nozzles or other outlets specially adapted for discharging one or more gases}
- B05B 1/02: designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops, {or having an outlet of particular shape}(B05B1/26, B05B1/28, B05B1/34 take precedence)
- B67D 1/0072: {through a diffuser, a bubbler}
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- B01F 23/237621: {in beverages}
- B01F 2101/14: Mixing of ingredients for non-alcoholic beverages; Dissolving sugar in water
- B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06)
- A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B)
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F)
- A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION

## Abstract

Described herein is an example of a nozzle that can include a metal tip having a first end and a second end. The metal tip can also define a conduit extending from the first end towards the second end. The conduit can include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the conduit is defined by at least one first interior surface of the metal tip extending from the first end. The first portion of the conduit can exhibit a substantially constant diameter and a first length. The second portion of the conduit is defined by at least one second interior surface of the metal tip extending from the first portion for a second length. The second portion can exhibit a diameter that generally increases with distance from the first portion and can exhibit a generally truncated conical shape exhibiting an open angle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A nozzle for a carbonation system, comprising:
a metal tip having a first end and a second end, the metal tip defining a conduit extending from the first end towards the second end, the conduit comprising:
a first portion defined by at least one first interior surface of the metal tip, the at least one first interior surface extending from the first end, the first portion exhibiting a length of about 0.17 mm to about 0.23 mm and a substantially constant diameter of about 0.35 mm to about 0.41 mm along the length; and
a second portion defined by at least one second interior surface of the metal tip, the at least one second interior surface extending from the at least one first interior surface, the second portion exhibiting a diameter that increases with distance from the first portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the metal tip comprises stainless steel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the second portion exhibits a generally conical shape exhibiting an opening angle of about 60°.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the second portion exhibits a length of about 1.55 mm to about 1.65 mm, and wherein the length of the second portion is measured parallel to a centerline of the conduit from an intersection of the first portion and the second portion to an opposing end of the second portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the conduit further comprises a third portion defined by at least a third interior surface of the metal tip, the at least third interior surface extending from the at least one second interior surface, the third portion exhibiting a substantially constant diameter of about 1.5 mm to about 2.5 mm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the metal tip further comprises an inlet extending from the second end of the metal tip to the conduit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The nozzle of claim 6, wherein the metal tip further comprises an annular channel disposed adjacent to an end of the inlet spaced furthest from the second end of the metal tip and extending circumferentially about the conduit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The nozzle of claim 7, further comprising an o-ring disposed in the annular channel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The nozzle of claim 6, further comprising a plastic stem exhibiting an elongated shape, the plastic stem positioned in the inlet and coupled to the metal tip, the plastic stem defining an elongated conduit fluidly coupled to the conduit.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A carbonation system configured to produce carbonated beverages, the system comprising:
a coupler configured to be coupled to a gas source and configured to receive a gas from the gas source;
a water reservoir configured to hold water, the water reservoir comprising an inlet and an outlet;
a carbonation head fluidly coupled to the coupler; and
the nozzle of claim 1 disposed in the water reservoir and coupled to the carbonation head, the nozzle configured to dispense the gas received by the coupler into the water reservoir.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The carbonation system of claim 10, wherein the second portion exhibits a generally conical shape exhibiting an opening angle of about 60°.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The carbonation system of claim 10, wherein the second portion exhibits a length of about 1.55 mm to about 1.65 mm, wherein the length of the second portion is measured parallel to a centerline of the conduit from an intersection of the first portion and the second portion to an opposing end of the second portion.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The carbonation system of claim 10, further comprising the gas source coupled to the coupler, the gas source holding carbon dioxide therein.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A method to carbonate a liquid, the method comprising:
flowing carbon dioxide through the nozzle of claim 1;
dispensing the carbon dioxide from the first portion of the metal tip as a plurality of bubbles into water; and
dissolving the carbon dioxide in the water, thereby forming carbonated water.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising, before flowing carbon dioxide through the conduit of the metal tip of the nozzle, flowing the carbon dioxide through an elongated channel of a plastic stem of the nozzle, the plastic stem coupled to the metal tip.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the second portion exhibits a generally conical shape exhibiting an opening angle of about 60°.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising releasing the carbonated water toward a dispenser of a beverage machine.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the length of about 0.17 mm to about 0.23 mm and the substantially constant diameter of about 0.35 mm to about 0.41 mm are configured to reduce an average carbon dioxide bubble size emitted from the metal tip.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The nozzle of claim 1, wherein the length of about 0.17 mm to about 0.23 mm and the substantially constant diameter of about 0.35 mm to about 0.41 mm are configured to increase dissolution of carbon dioxide bubbles emitted from the metal tip.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The nozzle of claim 19, wherein the length of about 0.17 mm to about 0.23 mm and the substantially constant diameter of about 0.35 mm to about 0.41 mm cooperate to define the carbon dioxide bubbled dissolution rate to at least about 28% or 58% when emitted into water between 0° C. and 4° C.