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US 12,280,343 B2Granted
Beverage mixing block
OwnerDonald J Jaillet, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mixing block for mixing components of a beverage prior to the mixture reaching the tap, for improving the consistency of the mixed beverage as it leaves the tap. The invention is particularly effective when one of the components tends to settle out during storage. In the mixing chamber, one stream goes straight through and the other impinges from the side, to cause enhanced mixing.
Claims22
A liquid mixing device, comprising:
- a first source of a first liquid, said first liquid being at a first pressure, greater than atmospheric pressure;
- a second source of a second liquid, said second liquid being at a second pressure, greater than atmospheric pressure;
- a tap, capable of controlling and delivering fluid through it to atmospheric pressure;
- a mixing junction, comprising:
- a mixing chamber, in which the first liquid and the second liquid mix to form a first mixture of a third liquid in the mixing chamber,
- a first port, which feeds the first liquid into the mixing junction and to the mixing chamber,
- a second port, which feeds the second liquid into the mixing junction and to the mixing chamber, and
- a third port, which feeds the first mixture of the third liquid in the mixing chamber out of the mixing junction;
- wherein the liquid mixing device further comprises:
- a first conduit that feeds the first liquid from the first source to the first port of the mixing junction;
- a second conduit that feeds the second liquid from the second source to the second port of the mixing junction;
- and
- a third conduit that feeds the liquid from the third port of the mixing junction to the tap;
- wherein the first port has a first inner cross-sectional area and the second port has a second inner cross-sectional area, and the first inner cross-sectional area is greater than the second inner cross-sectional area;
- wherein the liquid mixing device further comprises:
- a metering screw that couples with the mixing junction, the metering screw being constructed and arranged to modify the second inner cross-sectional area;
- wherein the mixing chamber has the first inner cross-sectional area;
- and
- wherein the first port is constructed and arranged to engage with the first conduit, the first port maintaining the first inner cross-sectional area from the first conduit to the mixing chamber when the first port engages with the first conduit.
16 more elements
A liquid mixing device, comprising:
- a first source of a first liquid, said first liquid being at a first pressure, greater than atmospheric pressure;
- a second source of a second liquid, said second liquid being at a second pressure, greater than atmospheric pressure;
- a tap, capable of controlling and delivering fluid through it to atmospheric pressure;
- a mixing junction, comprising:
- a mixing chamber, in which the first liquid and the second liquid mix to form a first mixture of a third liquid in the mixing chamber,
- a first port, which feeds the first liquid into the mixing junction and to the mixing chamber,
- a second port, which feeds the second liquid into the mixing junction and to the mixing chamber,
- a third port, which feeds the first mixture of the third liquid in the mixing chamber out of the mixing junction;
- wherein the liquid mixing device further comprises:
- a first conduit that feeds the first liquid from the first source to the first port of the mixing junction;
- a second conduit that feeds the second liquid from the second source to the second port of the mixing junction;
- and
- a third conduit that feeds the liquid from the third port of the mixing junction to the tap, and
- wherein:
- the third liquid is a beverage;
- the first port has a first inner cross-sectional area and the second port has a second inner cross-sectional area, and the first inner cross-sectional area is greater than the second inner cross-sectional area;
- the first port and the third port are directly opposed in the mixing chamber so that the first port directs the first liquid directly through the mixing chamber to the third port along a line of flow;
- and
- the second port directs the second liquid perpendicular to the line of flow of the first liquid through the mixing chamber;
- wherein the liquid mixing device further comprises:
- a metering screw that couples with the mixing junction, the metering screw being constructed and arranged to modify the second inner cross-sectional area;
- wherein the mixing chamber has the first inner cross-sectional area;
- and
- wherein the first port is constructed and arranged to engage with the first conduit, the first port maintaining the first inner cross-sectional area from the first conduit to the mixing chamber when the first port engages with the first conduit.
21 more elements
A liquid mixing assembly, comprising:
- a mixing junction, defining:
- a mixing chamber in which a first liquid and a second liquid mix to form a mixture,
- a first port through which the first liquid feeds into the mixing chamber,
- a second port through which the second liquid feeds into the mixing chamber, and
- a third port through which the mixture exits the mixing chamber and out of the mixing junction;
- wherein the first port has a first inner cross-sectional area and the second port has a second inner cross-sectional area, the first inner cross-sectional area being greater than the second inner cross-sectional area;
- wherein the liquid mixing assembly further comprises:
- a metering screw that couples with the mixing junction, the metering screw being constructed and arranged to modify the second inner cross-sectional area;
- wherein the mixing chamber has the first inner cross-sectional area;
- and
- wherein the first port is constructed and arranged to engage with a fluid conduit which provides the first liquid, the first port maintaining the first inner cross-sectional area from the fluid conduit to the mixing chamber when the first port engages with the fluid conduit.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.