Ultrasonic treatment chamber for preparing emulsions

Abstract

An ultrasonic mixing system having a treatment chamber in which at least two separate phases can be mixed to prepare an emulsion is disclosed. Specifically, at least one phase is a dispersed phase and one phase in a continuous phase. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the phases flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the phases within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other. The horn and agitating members are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating members relative to the horn at the predetermined frequency and to operate in an ultrasonic cavitation mode of the agitating members corresponding to the predetermined frequency and the phases being mixed in the chamber.

Description

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to systems for ultrasonically mixing various phases to prepare an emulsion. More particularly an ultrasonic mixing system is disclosed for ultrasonically mixing at least a first phase and a second phase to prepare an emulsion.BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE[0002]Many currently used products consist of one or more emulsions. Specifically, there is a large array of cosmetic emulsions utilized for application of skin health benefits to the skin, hair, and body of a user. Additionally, many other emulsions are used to provide benefits to inanimate objects such as, for example, cleaning countertops, glass, and the like. Generally, emulsions consist of a dispersed phase and a continuous phase and are generally formed with the addition of a surfactant or a combination of surfactants with varying hydrophilic / lipopilic balances (HLB). Although emulsions are useful, current mixing procedures have multiple problems, which can waste tim...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In one aspect, an ultrasonic mixing system for mixing at least two phases to prepare an emulsion generally comprises a treatment chamber comprising an elongate housing having longitudinally opposite ends and an interior space. The housing is generally closed at at least one of its longitudinal ends and has at least a first inlet port for receiving at least a first phase into the interior space of the housing, and a second inlet port for receiving at least a second phase into the interior space of the housing, and at least one outlet port through which an emulsion is exhausted from the housing following ultrasonic mixing of the first and second phases. The outlet port is spaced longitudinally from the first and second inlet ports such that liquid (i.e., first and / or second phases) flows longitudinally within the interior space of the housing from the first and second inlet ports to the outlet port. In one embodiment, the housing includes more than two separate ports for receiving additional phases to be mixed to prepare the emulsion. At least one elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends longitudinally within the interior space of the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize and mix the first and second phases (and any additional phases) flowing within the housing.

Problems solved by technology

Although emulsions are useful, current mixing procedures have multiple problems, which can waste time, energy, and money for manufacturers of these emulsions.

These conventional methods of mixing phases into emulsions have several problems.

Prior to adding the phases, the ingredients for each phase need to be weighed, which can create human error.

Specifically, as the ingredients need to be weighed one at a time, misweighing can occur with the additive amounts.

Furthermore, by manually adding the ingredients, there is a risk of spilling or of incomplete transfers of the ingredients from one container to the next.

One other major issue with conventional methods of mixing phases to prepare emulsions is that batching processes (e.g., cold and hot mix procedures described above) require heating times, mixing times, and additive times that are entirely manual and left up to the individual compounders to follow the instructions.

These practices can lead to inconsistencies from batch-to-batch and from compounder to compounder.

Furthermore, these procedures required several hours to complete, which can get extremely expensive.

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