VENTURI DEVICE AND METHOD
An improved venturi device for facilitating the mixture of fluid substances, such as wine and air. The device may be combined with a dispensing valve to further promote functionality. The improved venturi device is especially effective in drawing a second fluid into the primary flow of a first fluid, and when combined with a dispensing valve it obviates the need for a venturi independent from a valve to accomplish mixing at low flows and low liquid head pressure.
This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/443,370 filed 16 Feb. 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to devices and methods used for mixing at least two fluids, wherein the fluids may be liquids or gases or a combination of both. Particularly, the present invention relates to a venturi device for use in the aeration of wine and a method of use. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a venturi device for use in the aeration of wine when dispensed from a bladder through a valve, such as that found in boxed wine, but should not be limited to that purpose only.
Wine connoisseurs often expose wine to air, or aerate the wine, prior to drinking. Aeration may be used by connoisseurs to enhance the taste experience, for example, as a way to open up young wines to make them more balanced and smoother by softening tannins, or to improve the expression, harmony, and smoothness of the wine flavor. Aeration is also known to reduce the high carbon dioxide level often found in young wines and the accompanying odor that masks their true aroma. Many wine connoisseurs believe that the flavor of most wine, particularly red wine, improves with aeration by revealing the true complex personality. One method of wine aeration is to simply uncork the bottle and allow the open bottle to sit for the length of time deemed proper for the particular bottle. While this method has been used for years, it is inefficient and causes the drinker to wait for the requisite time, and further, the narrow bottleneck may encumber most air from opening up the wine. If time is not a concern, the connoisseur may simply let the wine aerate slowly in a glass. Another aeration method involves the use of a decanter and an aerating funnel. Since a decanter is essentially a pitcher with a wide opening, the increased decanter surface area permits more rapid aeration. The additional use of an aerating funnel during pouring further aids in aeration.
Other methods of wine aeration include the use of aeration devices marketed specifically for the wine enthusiast. Some, such as those marketed under the RABBIT®, SOIREE™, and RESPIRER® trademarks, provide aeration using a vortex generator to swirl the wine. A popular device, marketed under the trademark VINTURI®, and disclosed, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,614, produces an aerated wine using a venturi device that is hand-held or placed in a holding stand while the wine is poured through it. While devices such as this may have some applicability, they can be awkward to manipulate. For example, a drawback to designs such as these is that the user must be especially careful to control and limit, the flow from the bottle to avoid overflow of the entrance section. Another problem is that the user must pour accurately into the entrance section to prevent wine from flowing out of the air entry passages. This creates an unsanitary and unpleasant experience for the user.
Furthermore, rigid boxes containing a flexible bladder holding a liquid such as wine have become a popular method of marketing and selling such products, The containers are usually sold in 3 liter or larger sizes. While aeration of wine prior to consumption is desirable, oxidation and spoilage may occur if wine is in contact with oxygen for extended periods. Box wines are advantageous since the consumer is able to dispense “fresh” wine over a long period of time as compared with bottled wine which must be consumed relatively quickly or risk spoilage. The advantage of bladder-contained box wine results from the wine in the bladder being protected from exposure to oxygen prior to dispensing. This protection is furthered by incorporation of a valve mechanism that prohibits oxygen from entering the bladder. Although the bladder and valve system protects the non-dispensed wine from oxidation, from a taste perspective, the arrangement can also be seen as a disadvantage because, as mentioned, aeration of the wine immediately prior to consumption can greatly improve the character and complexity of the wine's flavor and aroma. Furthermore, such boxed wines are relatively large and difficult to maneuver while dispensing wine into a glass. The handling difficulty therefore encumbers the user from dispensing the wine through a hand-held aerator, such as those mentioned, or even through an aerator supported on a stand. Therefore, there is a need for an aeration device for use with bladder types, or other types of fluid dispensing devices, such as those used with box wine.
The contemplated device provides an inexpensive, easy to produce and package, easy to handle, and reliable device and method for dispensing aerated wine from a bladder or other type of fluid, container without the need for additional expensive and cumbersome external devices. Additionally, since initial aeration of box wine occurs during dispensation, the contemplated device provides a user friendly device for providing efficient and increased aeration and therefore an enhanced wine consumption experience when consuming box wine. The present invention provides a novel aeration device and an aeration device which is integrated with, or in-line with a valve, along with a method of using, to thereby improve the flavor of dispensed box wine and consumer perception of quality therewith.
Venturi devices are well known in the art of measuring fluid flow and mixing fluids. Without exception, they include an entrance section, a constricted middle section, and an exit section. In operation, as a fluid flowing at a certain velocity in the entrance section encounters the constricted middle section, the fluid velocity will correspondingly increase according to the continuity equation: Q=V1A1=V2A2, where Q is the constant flow rate, V is the mean velocity of the flow, and A is the cross sectional area of the flow. Generally, a second fluid may be introduced into the fluid stream at the constricted middle section where the increased velocity has created, a pressure differential between the outside of the venturi and the intermediate fluid passage.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of known box wine dispensing arrangements, including those having valves, by providing an aeration device in the form of a novel venturi apparatus. The novel venturi apparatus includes unique air induction passages that minimize leaks or drips. The apparatus may be further integrated with a dispensing valve, such as that used with box wine. Furthermore, the apparatus creates new and unexpected results due to its ability to aerate wine that has not been previously exposed to air by using only the internal head pressure provided by the box wine or other container type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to an improved venturi device that may be attachable to, or integrated with, a dispensing valve or spout of a fluid filled bladder, and a method of using. The device promotes the assimilation and mixing of the bladder fluid with another fluid, such as during aeration of wine. The device preferably includes a central bore and at least one induction passage which is arranged for either radial or tangential fluid connection from the periphery of the device to the central bore. The induction passage is preferably positioned at an angle greater than zero from the plane perpendicular to the direction of flow.
It is an objective of the invention to provide a venturi which is adapted for use in providing an aerated fluid as it is dispensed from a container, obviating the need for an independent, secondary aeration device.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a venturi which is adapted for use in combination with a valve to thereby provide an aerated fluid as it dispensed from a valved container.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide a method of fluid aeration, at low fluid flows and low head pressure, during fluid dispensing from a bladder type container.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to combine a valve with an attachable or integrally molded venturi, to provide an aerated fluid as dispensed from a bladder type container.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a dispensing valve having an integrally formed, venturi device that is easily produced at low cost using common molding technology.
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the views,
With reference now to
With particular attention to
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The embodiment 110 illustrated in
Another embodiment of the venturi device 210 is shown in
With further reference to
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As previously mentioned, the present invention further provides a method of mixing two fluids and dispensing a mixture of the two fluids. A method according to the present invention, seen in particularly in the view of
As demonstrated, the present invention provides a device 10, 110, 210, 310 and method, for mixing a first fluid 28 with a second fluid 30 and to dispense a fluid mixture 36. The design of the device 10, 110, 210, 310 provides an inexpensive, easy to produce and package, easy to handle item, along with a reliable method of dispensing a fluid mixture 36 from a bladder type fluid, container 50. The device 10, 110, 210, 310 performs without the need for additional expensive and cumbersome external devices and functions under the low or falling head pressure head pressure associated with bladder type fluid containers 50.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed.
Claims
1. A device for mixing a first fluid and a second fluid, said device including:
- a venturi portion, said venturi portion including a body, said body having a first end, a second end, an outer periphery, a central bore, a mating interface located at the first end, and at least one induction passage having an entrance and an exit, wherein said entrance of said at least one induction passage interfaces with the outer periphery and said exit interfaces with the central bore; and
- a dispensing valve portion, said dispensing valve portion arranged for fluid connection with a fluid retaining bladder and having an output portion; said mating interface of said venturi portion connected to said output portion.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said central bore includes a first diameter, a second diameter, and a third diameter,
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing valve and the venturi portion are integrally molded to one another at said mating interface of said venturi portion.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.
5. The device of claim 2, wherein the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and larger than the second diameter.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the entrance of said at least one induction passage is positioned closer to said first end than is the exit of said induction passage.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein said exit of at least one induction passage of said, venturi portion interfaces with the central bore tangentially,
8. The device of claim 1, wherein said, second end of said venturi portion includes an elongated tapered portion,
9. A venturi device comprising:
- a body having a first end, a second, end, and an outer periphery;
- a mating interface portion located at the first end;
- a central bore, said central bore including a first diameter, a second diameter, and a third diameter; and
- at least one induction passage, said passage including an entrance and an exit, wherein the entrance interfaces with the outer periphery and the exit interfaces with the central bore.
10. The venturi device of claim 9, wherein said mating interface portion is removably connected to an output of a dispensing valve.
11. The venturi device of claim 9, wherein the mating interface portion is integrally molded with an output of a dispensing valve.
12. The venturi device of claim 9, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second, diameter.
13. The venturi device of claim 9, wherein the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and larger than the second diameter.
14. The venturi device of claim 9 wherein the first and second diameters are of the same size.
15. The venturi device of claim 9, wherein the entrance of the at least one induction passage is positioned closer to the first end than is the exit of the induction passage.
16. The venturi device of claim 9, wherein said exit of said at least one induction passage interfaces with the central bore tangentially.
17. The venturi device of claim 9, wherein said second end includes an elongated tapered portion.
18. A method of mixing two fluids comprising the steps of:
- providing a first fluid, said first fluid being confined within a bladder;
- providing said bladder with a dispensing valve, said dispensing valve being operable in open and closed positions;
- providing said dispensing valve with an output portion;
- providing a venturi device, said device comprising:
- a body having a first end, a second end, a central, bore, at least one induction passage, and an outer periphery;
- providing said first, end of said venturi device with a mating interface;
- providing said at least one induction passage with an entrance and an exit, wherein said entrance interfaces with said outer periphery of said device and wherein said exit interfaces with said central bore;
- interfacing said mating interface of said venturi device with said output portion of said dispensing valve;
- opening said dispensing valve;
- moving said first fluid from said bladder through said output of said dispensing valve and into said first end of said venturi device;
- moving said first fluid through said central bore of said venturi device;
- providing a second fluid;
- moving said second fluid through said entrance of said at least one induction passage and toward, said central bore of said venturi device;
- mixing said first fluid and said second fluid in said central bore of said venturi device to thereby provide a third, mixed fluid;
- moving said third fluid through said central bore and toward said second end; and
- closing said dispensing valve.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said first fluid is wine.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said second fluid is air.
21. The method of claim 18 further including the step of positioning said entrance of said at least one induction passage closer to said first end than is the exit of said induction passage.
22. The method of claim 18, further including the step of integrally molding said mating interface to said output portion of said dispensing valve.
23. The method of claim 18 further including the step of providing said central bore with a first diameter, a second diameter, and a third diameter.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and larger than the second diameter.
26. The method of claim 18, further including the step of providing the second end with an elongated tapered portion.
27. The method of claim 26 further including the step of collecting residual third fluid remaining in the venturi device.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 16, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 16, 2012
Inventors: THOMAS J. CASPER (WAUKESHA, WI), JEFFREY CASPER (MINNEAPOLIS, MN)
Application Number: 13/398,391
International Classification: B01F 15/02 (20060101);