Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for mixing a fluid with a liquid, comprising: combining means for combining a liquid with a fluid and including: means forming a cylinder having a cylinder wall extending along an axis and defining at least one infusion chamber, inlet means communicating with said chamber at an upstream location for introducing said fluid into said infusion chamber, at least one radial aperture in said wall at a downstream location for injecting said liquid into said chamber, a chamber-closure plate with a solid upper surface spanned across said cylinder, axially displaceable in said cylinder and delimiting said chamber at an end thereof downstream from said inlet means, said plate having an outer edge controlling a flow cross section of said aperture and at least one discharge opening for discharging a mixture of said fluid with said liquid, and means connected with said plate for axially displacing same in said cylinder; and an in-line mixer connected to said cylinder for receiving said mixture from said chamber and intensifying mixing of said fluid with said liquid as said mixture flows through said in-line mixer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
An apparatus for mixing a fluid with a liquid, comprising: combining means for combining a liquid with a fluid and including: means forming a cylinder having a cylinder wall extending along an axis and defining at least one infusion chamber, inlet means communicating with said chamber at an upstream location for introducing said fluid into said infusion chamber, at least one radial aperture in said wall at a downstream location for injecting said liquid into said chamber, a chamber-closure plate with a solid upper surface spanned across said cylinder, axially displaceable in said cylinder and delimiting said chamber at an end thereof downstream from said inlet means, said plate having an outer edge controlling a flow cross section of said aperture and at least one discharge opening for discharging a mixture of said fluid with said liquid, and means connected with said plate for axially displacing same in said cylinder; and an in-line mixer connected to said cylinder for receiving said mixture from said chamber and intensifying mixing of said fluid with said liquid as said mixture flows through said in-line mixer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 for mixing carbon dioxide as said fluid with an aqueous liquid in the preparation of a beverage, wherein said outer edge of said plate is formed as a collar on said plate and has a cross section converging in a direction opposite a direction of flow of said mixture through said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said discharge opening is formed as a diaphragm orifice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein down stream of said aperture said wall is formed with an inwardly open circumferentially extending cleaning groove having a height greater than that of said collar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said cylinder is formed with a plurality of said infusion chambers disposed in succession along said cylinder and each delimited by a respective one of said plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein four of said chambers are provided in said cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein said plates are mounted upon a common rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said cylinder wall is surrounded, at least in a region of said radial apertures with an annular compartment communicating with said apertures and delivering said liquid thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said inlet means includes at least one hole opening into an upstream one of said chambers through said cylinder wall, said apparatus further comprising a positioner on said cylinder at an upstream end thereof connected to said rod for axially shifting said plates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said in-line mixer comprises at least one annular compartment axially traversed by said mixture and defined between two opposite walls having complementary turbulence-inducing formations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein an outer one of said opposite walls is formed as an extension of said cylinder walls, and an inner one of said opposite walls is formed as a body axially displaceable in said outer wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said body is mounted on said rod.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said formations are radial flanges so juxtaposed that said body can be shifted into a position blocking flow through the in-line mixer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein said formations have sawtooth profiles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein there are at least four of said radial apertures in said cylinder wall at said downstream location for injecting said liquid into said chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for mixing a fluid which is carbon dioxide with a liquid which is water in the preparation of a beverage, comprising: combining means for combining a liquid with a fluid and including: means forming a cylinder having a cylinder wall extending along an axis and defining at least one infusion chamber, inlet means communicating with said chamber at an upstream location for introducing said fluid into said infusion chamber, at last one radial aperture in said wall at a downstream location for injecting said liquid into said chamber, a chamber-closure plate spanned across said cylinder, axially displaceable in said cylinder and delimiting said chamber at an end thereof downstream from said inlet means, said plate having an outer edge controlling a flow cross section of said aperture and at least one discharge opening for discharging a mixture of said fluid with said liquid, said outer edge of said plate being formed as a collar on said plate and having a cross section converging in a direction opposite a direction of flow of said mixture through said chamber, said cylinder wall downstream from said aperture being formed with an inwardly open circumferentially extending groove having a height greater than that of a height of said collar, and means connected with said plate for axially displacing same in said cylinder; and an in-line mixer connected to said cylinder for receiving said mixture from said chamber and intensifying mixing of said fluid with said liquid as said mixture flows through said in-line mixer.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for mixing a fluid which is carbon dioxide with a liquid which is water in the preparation of a beverage, comprising: combining means for combining a liquid with a fluid and including: means forming a cylinder having a cylinder wall extending along an axis and defining at least one infusion chamber, inlet means communicating with said chamber at an upstream location for introducing said fluid into said infusion chamber, at last one radial aperture in said wall at a downstream location for injecting said liquid into said chamber, a chamber-closure plate spanned across said cylinder, axially displaceable in said cylinder and delimiting said chamber at an end thereof downstream from said inlet means, said plate having an outer edge controlling a flow cross section of said aperture and at least one discharge opening for discharging a mixture of said fluid with said liquid, said outer edge of said plate being formed as a collar on said plate and having a cross section converging in a direction opposite a direction of flow of said mixture through said chamber, said cylinder wall downstream from said aperture being formed with an inwardly open circumferentially extending groove having a height greater than that of a height of said collar, and means connected with said plate for axially displacing same in said cylinder; and an in-line mixer connected to said cylinder for receiving said mixture from said chamber and intensifying mixing of said fluid with said liquid as said mixture flows through said in-line mixer.