Apparatus for mixing fruit concentrates and still water

Abstract

 A fruit concentrate dispensing apparatus for mixing a fruit concentrate and still water which includes a mixing chamber (1) having a pair of opposed injection apertures (2, 10), one for the still water and the other for the fruit concentrate. When the apparatus is operated the fruit concentrate and water enters the mixing chamber and directly impinge on one another so as fully to mix and to give a properly mixed drink. For cleaning purposes water only may be injected into the mixing chamber and because the water enters directly opposite the fruit concentrate aperture this is also cleaned and the dispensing device can be cleaned right back to the valve controlling the flow of concentrate into the mixing chamber.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and has particular reference to apparatus for mixing fruit concentrates and still water.

[0002] It is well known to mix carbonated beverages in a so-called post-mix dispense system. In a post-­mix dispense system the drink dispensed into a suitable glass is made up of a mixture of carbonated water and a syrup or drink concentrate, which two components are mixed together adjacent to or in the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing apparatus. By using such equipment it is possible to reduce the amount of product that needs to be carried to a suitable dispense station and bulk supplies of syrup or concentrate can be shipped easily and mixed in situ to produce the required drink.

[0003] There is increasing interest in the dispensing of bulk supplies of fruit juice, fruit drinks and fruit flavoured drinks (fruit drinks). Whereas previously fruit drinks were normally dispensed to the consumer from individual packages, such as bottles, there is an interest in supplying a fruit concentrate which may be mixed in a suitable post-mix system with still water to produce an acceptable fruit drink.

[0004] Unfortunately fruit concentrates are more viscous than soft drink syrups and furthermore frequently contain elements of fruit pulp which come from the crushing of the original fruit. Attempts, therefore, to use conventional soft drink post-mix equipment for the dispensing of fruit concentrates have been less than completely satisfactory. The nozzles used with post-mix soft drink syrups often contain small injection ports which become blocked by the pulp in the fruit concentrate and the ratio of fruit concentrate to water (the Brix ratio) has to be consistent throughout an entire drink and also from one drink to another. With poorly mixed drinks the Brix ratio at the top of a drink can be different to the Brix ratio at the bottom of a drink. For high quality fruit drinks this is unacceptable.

[0005] By the present invention there is provided apparatus for mixing a fruit concentrate and still water, the apparatus including a dispensing nozzle, a feed for still water, a feed for fruit concentrate and a mixing chamber, characterised in that the feed for still water and the feed for fruit concentrate are fed radially into the mixing chamber.

[0006] Preferably the feed for still water is located directly opposite the feed for the fruit concentrate. The feed for the still water may be through an orifice of smaller diameter than the orifice for the fruit concentrate. There may be provided valve means for controlling the fruit concentrate closely adjacent to the orifice for fruit concentrate. There may further be provided valve means closely adjacent the water orifice for controlling the flow of water.

[0007] The valve means for controlling the flow of fruit concentrate and still water may comprise flap valves operable to be lifted from a mating seat to permit the flow of concentrate or water into the mixing chamber.

[0008] The present invention further provides, in apparatus for mixing fruit concentrate and still water, a mixing chamber having an entry for still water and an entry for fruit concentrate in which the two entries are by means of holes leading radially into the mixing chamber. Preferably the holes are located directly opposite one another although they may be located so as to impinge the flow of concentrate into the flow of still water.

[0009] The present invention further provides a method of mixing fruit concentrate and still water in which there is provided a mixing chamber, characterised in that the fruit concentrate and still water are fed into the mixing chamber in such a way that the flow of still water directly impinges onto the flow of fruit concentrate.

[0010] Preferably the still water flow direction is such that it is directly in line with the fruit concentrate flow path so that still water flow alone may be used to wash the mixing chamber and the fruit concentrate entry port. Further preferably the flow of still water may clean the fruit concentrate flow line up to the valve which controls flow of fruit concentrate into the mixing chamber.

[0011] By way of example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mixing chamber for fruit juice concentrate and still water; and

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the mixing chamber of Figure 1.

[0012] As shown in the drawings the still water and fruit drink concentrate are mixed in a mixing chamber 1. The supply of still water to the mixing chamber 1 is via an entry port 2 which is at the end of a bore 3. The bore 3 connects with a further bore 4 at right angles to bore 3, which bore 4 terminates in a sealing port 5. Located on the top of the sealing port 5 is a flap valve 6 which is pivoted at 7 and can be opened by movement in the direction of arrow 8 of the other end of the actuating lever 9. As can be seen in Figure 2 the still water passing into the bores 3, 4 is fed to the mixing chamber assembly along line 27. The still water will be under a suitable head of pressure provided either from a mains water tap or by a suitable pump (not shown). The supply of pressurised still water is conventional and forms no part of the invention.

[0013] On the other side of the mixing chamber 1 is a further entry port 10 at the end of a bore 11 (of slightly larger diameter than bore 3) and a right angled bore 12. Again there is a sealing port 13 over which there is located a flap valve 14. The flap valve is operated by lever 15 pivoted at 16 and movable in the direction of arrow 17 to open the valve. Fruit concentrate is fed into the mixing chamber by line 18 in a conventional manner.

[0014] Product mixed in the mixing chamber 1 leaves via dispensing nozzle 19 to a suitable cup or other receptacle 20.

[0015] In operation the flap valves 6 and 14 are lifted simultaneously and water and concentrate flow into the mixing chamber at locations directly opposite one another so as to impinge on one another in the mixing chamber 1. This direct impingement causes a great deal of turbulence and a full and thorough mixing of the fruit concentrate and the still water. The mixing is so great that if carbonated water were to be used substantial amounts of foam would be produced such that the drink would be unusable. It is essential, therefore, with the device of the present invention that still water be used to mix with the fruit concentrate. The product dispensed into the beverage container 20 is of uniform Brix ratio, both within an individual drink and also from one drink to another.

[0016] The provision of a directly opposing still water orifice and a fruit concentrate orifice enables the assembly easily to be washed as required. By opening flap valve 6 still water enters the mixing chamber 1 to clean it and also enters port 10 to clean bores 11 and 12 and the underside of the flap valve 14. By using a transparent plastic block 21 in which the mixing chamber and bores are formed the cleaning effect can be seen and it can be seen that the bores 11 and 12 are thoroughly cleaned by the still water when operated on its own.

[0017] This means that there is less chance of contamination of the fruit concentrate line and the line 18 is kept full of clean syrup at all times and the only portions of the dispensing system which can be contacted by air (ie those downstream of the flap valve 14) can be washed with clean water as required. Also, after washing with clean water, the mixing chamber 1 and spout 19 will hold a column of clean water, thus eliminating any air contact with the inside of the dispensing system.

[0018] It will be appreciated that suitable means can be provided to operate flap valve 6 independently of flap valve 14 for dispensing purposes, although conventionally the valves will be operated simultaneously to provide the correct Brix ratio of water and fruit concentrate.

[0019] The invention has been found to provide an almost perfect mixture of fruit concentrate and still water, both within a single drink and from one drink to another. The invention is simple to make and reliable in operation. It is also easy to clean, hygienic and reliable.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mixing fruit concentrate and still water, the apparatus including a dispensing nozzle, a feed for still water, a feed for fruit concentrate and a mixing chamber, characterised in that the feed for still water and the feed for fruit concentrate are fed radially into the mixing chamber.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the feed for still water is located directly opposite the feed for fruit concentrate.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the feed for the still water is through an orifice of smaller diameter than the orifice for the fruit concentrate.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 in which there is provided valve means for controlling the fruit concentrate closely adjacent to the orifice for the fruit concentrate.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which there is provided valve means closely adjacent to the water orifice for controlling the flow of water.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5 in which the valve means for controlling the flow of fruit concentrate and still water comprise flap valves operable to be lifted from a mating seat to permit the flow of concentrate or water into the mixing chamber.

7. Any apparatus for mixing fruit concentrate and still water, a mixing chamber having an entry for still water and an entry for fruit concentrate in which the two entries are by means of holes leading radially into the mixing chamber.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the holes are located directly opposite one another so as to impinge the flow of concentrate into the flow of still water.

9. A method of mixing fruit concentrate and still water in which there is provided a mixing chamber, characterised in that the fruit concentrate and still water are fed into the mixing chamber in such a way that the flow of still water impinges directly onto the flow of fruit concentrate.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 in which the still water flow direction is directly in line with the fruit concentrate flow path so that still water flow alone may be used to wash the mixing chamber and the fruit concentrate entry port.

Drawing