Jet Or Spray Impinging Free-falling Stream Patents (Class 366/137.1)
  • Patent number: 10106392
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for mixing one or more beverage components with at least one carbonated liquid is disclosed. The beverage container has at least one dispenser beverage inlet connected or connectable to a source of a beverage component. The beverage container has at least one dispenser carbonated liquid inlet connected or connectable to a source of a carbonated liquid. A mixing device for mixing one or more beverage components with at least one carbonated liquid into a final beverage is provided. The beverage container has a dispenser outlet for dispensing the final beverage. The mixing device has one or more double jet mixers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Stijn Vandekerckhove
  • Patent number: 8960080
    Abstract: A foaming nozzle is connected to a gas generating device for generating a high-pressure gas which has a pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure and spouting the high-pressure gas from the tip of the nozzle, and the foaming nozzle foams, while stirring, a liquid located in the direction of the spouting. The foaming nozzle has formed in the tip thereof at least two kinds of spouting holes for spouting the high-pressure gas. At least one kind of spouting hole is formed in a shape different from the shape of the other kind of spouting hole so as to spout the high-pressure gas at a speed different from the speed of the high-pressure gas spouted from the other kind of spouting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: SS&W Japan
    Inventor: Shojiro Saito
  • Patent number: 8887958
    Abstract: A mixing device has a cavity within a body with an inlet for an ingredient. A water inlet is located in the cavity of the body such that the water inlet and the ingredient inlet impinge upon one another to mix the fluids within a chamber located within the cavity. The mixture then dispenses downstream through an outlet. The chamber is located upstream of the water inlet in order to facilitate the mixing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Kadyk, Suresh Radhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 8709235
    Abstract: Process for increasing mixing in a fluidized bed. A slide, which may be in the form of a tube or trough, transports particles from an upper zone downward to a lower zone at a different horizontal position, thereby changing the horizontal position of the particle and creating lateral mixing in the fluidized bed. Increased mixing may improve efficiency for an apparatus using a fluidized bed. For example, increased lateral mixing in a regenerator may increase temperature and oxygen mixing and reduce stagnation to improve efficiency. A slide may be relatively unobtrusive, inexpensive, and simple for a retrofit or design modification and may improve combustion efficiency at high rates by enhancing the lateral blending of spent and regenerated catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Brian W. Hedrick, Keith A. Couch, Robert L. Mehlberg, Mohammad-Reza Mostofi-Ashtiani
  • Publication number: 20130338242
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dispersing particulate materials prone to agglomeration, in a liquid. Particulate materials are exposed to a liquid and put into that liquid to form a suspension or a dispersion in a controlled method thereby minimizing agglomerates. The method uses mechanical/hydro mixing that prevents the physical deterioration of the particulate material and inhibits agglomeration of the particles. In many cases, these materials may be nanomaterials. Almost all particulate materials can be handled in this manner. This method has been found to be especially useful for preparing solutions of exfoliated graphene and certain drugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Scott Murray, Michael Knox
  • Patent number: 8440127
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for production of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet, which is superior in productivity compared to conventional processes and can reduce the cost of production. Also disclosed is a process for production of a PTFE seal tape. The processes comprise the following steps (i) to (iii): (i) applying a force to a PTFE particle suspension comprising PTFE particles, a surfactant and water (a dispersion medium) so that the particles can come close to each other or contact with each other, thereby forming a PTFE-containing solid material having the water and the surfactant included therein; (ii) shaping the solid material into a sheet-like form; and (iii) reducing the water content in the sheet-like solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Wano, Yozo Nagai, Yuri Horie, Atsushi Tanaka, Osamu Tabei
  • Patent number: 8268221
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for production of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sheet, which is superior in productivity compared to conventional processes and can reduce the cost of production. Also disclosed is a process for production of a PTFE seal tape. The processes comprise the following steps (i) to (iii): (i) applying a force to a PTFE particle suspension comprising PTFE particles, a surfactant and water (a dispersion medium) so that the particles can come close to each other or contact with each other, thereby forming a PTFE-containing solid material having the water and the surfactant included therein; (ii) shaping the solid material into a sheet-like form; and (iii) reducing the water content in the sheet-like solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Wano, Yozo Nagai, Yuri Horie, Atsushi Tanaka, Osamu Tabei
  • Patent number: 8226864
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) product offering better productivity and a higher degree of flexibility in form of the product to be obtained than the conventional methods of manufacturing a PTFE product, and a method of manufacturing PTFE particle aggregate obtained as an intermediate while manufacturing a PTFE product. According to the manufacturing methods, aggregate of PTFE particles including water and a surfactant is obtained by applying force to a dispersion of PTFE particles containing PTFE particles, a surfactant and water as a dispersion medium, where the force makes the PTFE particles approach or contact with each other. Such a manufacturing method may be carried out, for example, with a chamber (1) shown in FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Wano, Yuri Horie, Atsushi Tanaka, Osamu Tabei, Yozo Nagai
  • Patent number: 8105515
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) product offering better productivity and a higher degree of flexibility in form of the product to be obtained than the conventional methods of manufacturing a PTFE product, and a method of manufacturing PTFE particle aggregate obtained as an intermediate while manufacturing a PTFE product. According to the manufacturing methods, aggregate of PTFE particles including water and a surfactant is obtained by applying force to a dispersion of PTFE particles containing PTFE particles, a surfactant and water as a dispersion medium, where the force makes the PTFE particles approach or contact with each other. Such a manufacturing method may be carried out, for example, with a chamber (1) shown in FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Wano, Yuri Hori, Atsushi Tanaka, Osamu Tabei, Yozo Nagai
  • Patent number: 8083395
    Abstract: A device for admixing a liquid into flowable dry materials has a housing with a mixing chamber having an inner wall with an impact area and an exit opening at a bottom end of the mixing chamber. Dry material is supplied from above into the mixing chamber and falls downwardly toward the impact area in front of the inner wall of the mixing chamber and exits through the exit opening. A nozzle generates a pressurized high-speed jet of a liquid impacting on the inner wall of the mixing chamber in the impact area and wetting the dry material with the liquid as the jet passes through the dry material and impacts against the inner wall. An opening inside the housing is provided for supplying liquid and pasty additives, wherein the opening is directed toward an area of the mixing chamber between the nozzle and the impact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: DIOSNA Dierks & Söhne GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Etzenbach
  • Publication number: 20110113749
    Abstract: A propulsive element usable for producing a jet of fluid using a pressurized fluid. An inlet receives the pressurized fluid; a propulsive element passageway extends from the inlet; two main outlets are in fluid communication with the propulsive element passageway and located substantially opposed to the inlet relative to the propulsive element passageway. The two main outlets are configured and sized for releasing each a respective main jet portion when the pressurized fluid is injected in the inlet, the two main jet portions being each substantially divergent, the two main jet portions creating a low pressure zone therebetween. An auxiliary outlet is located between the two main outlets, the auxiliary outlet being in fluid communication with the propulsive element passageway and located substantially opposed to the inlet relative to the propulsive element passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Michel Couture
  • Patent number: 7938571
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating powder materials, such as fly ash, cement, slag, or the like, and a method of use thereof. The material treatment system facilitates the application of a desired chemical entity to the material passing through the system. The material treatment system disclosed herein is capable of performing this task while the material is moved at a high velocity. The system includes a fluidized bed chamber, discharge chamber, application chamber, and concentration chute. The result is the quick and consistent application of a chemical entity to the material so that the treated material has the desired characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Flyashdirect, Ltd.
    Inventor: James H. Irvine
  • Publication number: 20110097508
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for coating of surfaces with a combination of a solid material and a binder, so that despite of the unevenness of the area to be coated, a desired evenness is obtained controllably. In the invention the filler is slung through the liquid binder and that binder not captured by the filler particles onto their surfaces is recovered and reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: FINNCABIN LTD
    Inventors: Rauno Lautanen, Markku Karhumäki
  • Patent number: 7922382
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstituting consumable powder(s) with a liquid to provide a food liquid such as milk, cappuccino-type beverage, or soup with or without froth. The powder is introduced into a container and pre-wetted by an intersecting liquid spray. Further mixing occurs in the container. The container may have additional liquid streams feeding into the container for increased mixing. This food liquid can then be aspirated by the Venturi effect by steam generation to produce a frothed/aerated food liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Beli R. Thakur, Juan J. Gonzalez, Hanspeter Pleisch, David Casey Guerrera, Stephen Daniel Westfall, Alexander A. Sher
  • Patent number: 7810986
    Abstract: Systems and methods for liquid dosing in blender systems are disclosed. An exemplary system includes one or more individual metering devices, each metering device including an individual material hopper for containing a granular material ingredient to be blended, a starve-fed mixing chamber coupled to the metering devices for receiving granular material ingredients from each metering device and mixing the ingredients, and a liquid ingredient dosing device disposed within the starve-fed mixing chamber for injecting a liquid ingredient into the path of the granular material ingredients as they fall through or out of the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Process Control Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Landers, John Beal, Kevin Pittman
  • Publication number: 20100226722
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and processes involved with hydrating particulate material are provided. A representative process includes: delivering a pressurized stream of dry particulate material; spreading the stream of dry particulate material outwardly from an axis; spraying a pressurized aqueous liquid into the spread dry particulate material such that the particulate material is hydrated; moving the hydrated particulate material along a helical path; increasing the velocity of the hydrated particulate material; and directing the hydrated particulate material to a depository. The pressurized aqueous liquid may include leachate collected from a landfill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Emmett M. Walker
  • Publication number: 20100020631
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing by producing shear and/or cavitation, and components for the apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a mixing and/or cavitation chamber with an element such as an orifice component that is located adjacent the entrance of the cavitation chamber. The apparatus may further include a blade, such as a knife-like blade, disposed inside the mixing and/or cavitation chamber opposite the orifice component. In one version of such an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to be cleaned in place. The apparatus may, be provided with at least one drain in liquid communication with the mixing chamber. If the apparatus comprises a blade, the apparatus may further include a blade holder that is movable so that the distance between the tip of the blade and the discharge of the orifice can be varied. In this or other embodiments, the apparatus is configured to be scalable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Erich William Gansmuller, Ke-ming Quan, Yunpeng Yang, Francesc Corominas
  • Patent number: 7560022
    Abstract: A method for the continuous process of fluids is based on mixing the fluid with a supercritical fluid. The mixing of the two fluids may be accomplished using either a co-flow or counter-flow process. The process focuses on the difference in the solubilities of the desired and the undesired components into supercritical fluid and de-emphasizes the influence of the contaminating components of the fluid to be processed. The process of the present invention is particularly advantageous to the recycling of industrial waste fluids, such as used oil, wherein the process is carried out by jet spray micro-orifices atomization of waste material with a supercritical fluid to dissolve oil from the waste material. Additional mixing devices such as an ultrasonic gun may be employed. Thereafter, un-dissolved components are separated first and the dissolved fluid is then separated from the supercritical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fluidphase Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Abdulhaq E. Alkhalidi
  • Publication number: 20080192566
    Abstract: The liquid mixing device has an operative mixing unit having an inside which is substantially hollow; and an injection unit provided in the inside of the operative mixing unit. The injection unit is adapted for allowing a second liquid to be injected into the inside of the operative mixing unit, and the operative mixing unit is provided with: an inlet port for allowing a first liquid to flow thereinto; and an outlet port. The injection unit is provided with an injector element of a tubular form which has: an injection hole(s) so perforated therein as to face toward the outlet port; and an opening region defined therein so as to allow the first liquid to pass rectilinearly therethrough in a direction from the inlet port toward the outlet port. The injector element may be of a generally ringed shape or of a generally “U” shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: HSP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Masayuki Shigemoto, Motoi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7115187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continually producing a suspension of cellulose in an aqueous tertiary amine oxide. The method includes (a) mixing cellulose and an amine oxide-free aqueous phase to form a cellulose suspension in a mass ratio in the range of 1:3 to 1:40, (b) dehydrating the cellulose suspension, wherein the dehydrated cellulose suspension has a cellulose content in the range of 20 to 80 percent-by-mass; (c) mixing the cellulose suspension with an aqueous amine oxide while the cellulose suspension is falling through a vertical fall zone to obtain an aqueous amine oxide-cellulose suspension with an amine oxide content in the range of 70 to 80 percent-by-mass; and (d) conveying the aqueous amine oxide-cellulose suspension through a horizontal shear zone. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Alceru Schwarza GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf-Uwe Bauer, MUwe Kind
  • Patent number: 7077906
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously introducing a substance in liquid phase into plastics granules includes a supporting structure adapted to support in series and in substantial vertical alignment a feeding section, at least one mixing chamber, and at least one drying chamber. The feeding section is provided with means for feeding the granules to at least one spraying chamber provided with means for spraying the substance onto the granules. The at least one mixing chamber of the granules partially or totally coated with the substance includes substantially static mixing means supported in the at least one mixing chamber. The at least one drying chamber is adapted to receive a predetermined amount of the granules coated with the substance. The substantially static mixing means may include, for example, at least one static mixer, a plurality of mixing bars, or at least two superimposed groups of mixing bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi e Sistemi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Colombo, Pierluigi Folcini, Giovanni Pozzati, Marcello Del Brenna
  • Publication number: 20030134036
    Abstract: An apparatus for bitumen coating particulate material comprises a chamber (2) having baffles or deflectors (4), a particulate material inlet (8) and a particulate material outlet (10). In use, a foamed bituminus formulation is directed into the chamber via an outlet (12) and an air stream is directed from an inlet (14) towards the bituminous formulation, to atomise the formulation. The atomised formulation then contacts particulate material which passes in a convoluted path through the chamber via inlet (8). Prior to contact with the atomised bituminous formulation, heated air which passes into the chamber via a second gas inlet (16) heats the surface of the stone. After the particulate material has been coated it is discharged via outlet (10) for subsequent use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Leslie Hoad
  • Patent number: 6551402
    Abstract: A system utilizing a rotary atomizer for applying a liquid based substance to particles. In one example, a motor provides an in-line, direct drive force on a cage atomizer. With some systems, the cage atomizer has a vertical axis of rotation. With some systems, the motor is mounted external to the particle path and supported by a housing structure that provides an angled particle path. With some systems, other types of rotary atomizers may be used such as disk, bowl, or hollow disk rotary atomizers. With some examples of cage atomizers, a first portion of the cage atomizer may include a thread set that screws to a thread set of a second portion to hold a perforated structure in place. With some systems, the thread sets surround the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: USC, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James H. Renyer, Gregory A. Renyer
  • Patent number: 6454457
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus includes a mixing tube, a liquid inlet, a dry substance inlet and a recirculation mixture inlet. The mixing apparatus is utilized with a tub. A liquid and a dry substance may be mixed in the mixing tube and the mixture may be recirculated so that a liquid, a dry substance and a recirculated mixture may all be mixed in a mixing tube and subsequently utilized in a wellbore. The mixing apparatus includes a valve connected to the liquid inlet. The valve comprises a cylindrical outer housing, a jetting sleeve and a rotatable plug therein. The jetting sleeve is disposed in the outer housing and has a plurality of ports which will direct liquid downwardly and inwardly so that it mixes with the dry substance as the dry substance passes downwardly in the mixing tube. The plug may be rotated in the jetting sleeve to completely cover all the jetting ports to prevent flow into the mixing tube and is rotatable to an open position in which liquid may be allowed to flow through the jetting ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Banse, Paul O. Padgett, Craig Sneed
  • Patent number: 6367959
    Abstract: A water blending apparatus for use in conditioning foundry sand. The apparatus creates a vertical sand stream flow path which increases the surface area of the sand stream and allows water to be applied to both sides of the sand stream rather than a single side, as known with conventional water mixing apparatus. In addition, the blending apparatus includes a housing inside which a pair of mixers thoroughly mix the wetted sand. Because the mixers are not positioned in-line with the main sand processing flow, as in conventional apparatus, the mixing time is not dependent upon the speed of the conveyor, and therefore mixing time may be increased. Furthermore, the agitators positioned inside the housing have a more efficient active area since a smaller clearance space is required than with over-the-conveyor style mixing devices, which must avoid contact with the conveyor belt. As a result, the sand may be cooled more quickly due to increased initial water coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard B. Kraus, Richard P. Kempf
  • Patent number: 6357906
    Abstract: A product mixing apparatus and method of using a mixing apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a hopper containing the product, with the hopper having a throat section extending therefrom. The throat section has a first injection member configured for injecting a solution into the throat section. The apparatus further contains a mixing chamber connected with the throat section, with the mixing chamber containing a second injection member configured for injecting the solution into the mixing chamber and mixing the product with the solution to form a slurry. A liquid barrier line in fluid communication with the throat section is included in order to keep a head of liquid above the jet within the mixing chamber. An exit line extending from the mixing chamber in order to withdraw the slurry may also be included. In one embodiment, the first injection member is a nozzle positioned being positioned so as to deliver the solution into the throat section under a pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Michael P. Baudoin, Philip L. Broussard
  • Patent number: 6254267
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for mixing a powder into a liquid. In a first aspect, the invention includes an apparatus into which a powder can be fed for mixing into a liquid. The apparatus comprises a wetting housing defining a wetting chamber having a top part, a bottom part, a top port in the wetting chamber's top part, and a bottom port in the wetting chamber's bottom part; means for preventing powder from clumping by fluid force imparted from the wetting chamber's top part to keep the powder from accumulating before mixing; and a spray at the wetting chamber's bottom part to swirl the liquid and mix the powder in the liquid. In a second aspect, the apparatus is a part of a system including a tank that, when filled, contains the liquid and includes a first port and a second port permitting fluid flow through the tank; a source of the liquid; and a controller controlling the operation of the wetting chamber and the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Hydrotreat, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny Arnaud