Carbonation mixing nozzles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12017192-B1
Application number	US-202318365739-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 4, 2023
Priority date	Jun 16, 2023
Publication date	Jun 25, 2024
Grant date	Jun 25, 2024

Abstract

A mixing chamber for use in a beverage carbonation system is provided. In one embodiment, the carbonation mixing chamber includes a housing, a fluid inlet pathway, a gas inlet pathway, and an outlet pathway. The housing may have an inner chamber, and the fluid inlet pathway can be configured to extend into the inner chamber of the housing and receive fluid from a fluid source. The gas inlet pathway can be configured to extend into the inner chamber of the housing and can be configured to receive gas from a gas source. The gas inlet pathway can include a plurality of nozzles positioned within the inner chamber and configured to direct gas in a plurality of directions that differ from one another. The outlet pathway can be configured to dispense a mixture of fluid and gas from the inner chamber.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A carbonation mixing chamber, comprising:
a housing having an inner chamber;
a fluid inlet pathway extending into the inner chamber at one of a top or a side of the housing and configured to receive fluid from a fluid source;
a gas inlet pathway extending into the inner chamber of the housing and configured to receive gas from a gas source, the gas inlet pathway having a plurality of nozzles positioned at a bottom of the inner chamber and configured to direct gas in a plurality of directions that differ from one another; and
an outlet pathway in the housing configured to dispense a mixture of fluid and gas from the inner chamber.

2. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured to speed up a flow of gas flowing through the gas inlet pathway.

3. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 1 , wherein the gas inlet pathway comprises a tube having a terminal end with the plurality of nozzles formed in the terminal end.

4. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of nozzles comprises a projection extending upward from a bottom inner surface of the housing and having a plurality of fluid flow channels therethrough.

5. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of fluid flow channels in the projection extend radially outward from a central fluid flow channel formed in a tubular member extending from the housing.

6. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 1 , wherein the gas inlet pathway comprises a tubular member extending through a sidewall of the housing and defining a lumen therethrough, and wherein the plurality of nozzles comprise a plurality of outlet ports formed in a terminal end of the tubular member.

7. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of outlet ports comprise a first outlet port oriented along a longitudinal axis of the lumen in the tubular member, a second outlet port oriented along an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and intersecting a base of the housing, and a third outlet port oriented along a second axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and intersecting the base of the housing.

8. A carbonation system comprising the carbonation mixing chamber of claim 1 .

9. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 2 , wherein at least one nozzle of the plurality of nozzles comprises a pathway adjacent to an outlet of the at least one nozzle, wherein the pathway has a smaller diameter than the outlet.

10. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured to speed up a flow of gas flowing through the gas inlet pathway.

11. A carbonation mixing chamber comprising:
a housing having an inner chamber;
a fluid inlet pathway extending into the inner chamber of the housing and configured to receive fluid from a fluid source;
gas inlet pathway extending into the inner chamber of the housing and configured to receive gas from a gas source, the gas inlet pathway having a plurality of nozzles positioned within the inner chamber and configured to direct gas in a plurality of directions that differ from one another; and
an outlet pathway in the housing configured to dispense a mixture of fluid and gas from the toner chamber;
wherein the housing includes a base having a plate disposed on the base and within the inner chamber, the plate and the base defining the gas inlet pathway therebetween.

12. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 11 , further comprising a tube extending from the base and configured to couple to a gas source and to deliver gas to the inlet pathway between the base and the plate.

13. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of nozzles comprises first, second, third, and fourth nozzles formed between the plate and the base.

14. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of nozzles comprises channels formed between the plate and the base.

15. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 14 , wherein the channels are configured to speed up a flow of gas flowing through the channels.

16. The carbonation mixing chamber of claim 15 , wherein terminal ends of the channels form outlets configured to expel the gas into the carbonation mixing chamber.

17. A carbonation system comprising the carbonation mixing chamber of claim 11 .

18. A carbonation mixing chamber comprising:
a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion mated to one another to define an inner chamber therein;
a fluid inlet pathway extending into the inner chamber of the housing and configured to receive fluid from a fluid source;
a gas inlet pathway extending into the inner chamber of the housing and configured to receive gas from a gas source the gas inlet pathway having a plurality of nozzles positioned within the inner chamber and configured to direct gas in a plurality of directions that differ from one another; and
an outlet pathway in the housing configured to dispense a mixture of fluid and gas from the inner chamber.

19. A carbonation system comprising the carbonation mixing chamber of claim 18 .

Assignees

• Sharkninja Operating Llc

Inventors

• Chen Ryan
• Lin Ken
• Yang Tie He
• Richardson Jack

Classifications

• B01F23/2361 Primary

  within small containers, e.g. within bottles · CPC title

• B01F23/2311

  Mounting the bubbling devices or the diffusers · CPC title

• B01F23/2362

  for aerating or carbonating within receptacles or tanks, e.g. distribution machines (B01F23/2361 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B01F23/236

  specially adapted for aerating or carbonating beverages · CPC title

• B01F23/237621

  in beverages · CPC title