Miniature Liquid Nitrogen Injector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a micro liquid nitrogen injector. When packaging beverages, etc. in small stores, etc., liquid nitrogen is injected into aluminum cans to be packaged so as to be movable and circulable, and can be stored for a long time. A certain amount of liquid nitrogen is injected into the cans that can be simply eaten to extrude the oxygen inside, and the space is occupied by the inert gas nitrogen, thereby inhibiting the reproduction of microorganisms. When packaging to prevent taste deterioration, liquid nitrogen is injected into aluminum cans to be packaged so as to be movable and circulable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a micro liquid nitrogen injector, and particularly to a micro liquid nitrogen injector for injecting liquid nitrogen into aluminum cans and plastic cans and sealing them when packaging beer, beverages, etc. in small stores, etc., so that the packaged products can be moved and circulated. Background Art

[0002] So far, there has been no method to prevent self-made canned beverages from being crushed. Generally, for self-made cans, the volume of the beverage filled inside decreases due to temperature difference, resulting in the can being crushed. A method to prevent canned beverages from being crushed is to add a small amount of liquid nitrogen before sealing the can lid. Thus, the liquid nitrogen inside vaporizes while its volume expands, causing the internal pressure to rise, so that the can itself will not be crushed. This method has the advantages of removing the dissolved oxygen in the can and extending the shelf life.

[0003] Generally, canned beverages and foods that can be stored for a long time and eaten simply are injected with a certain amount of liquid nitrogen inside to prevent the storage container from being crushed during storage. Usually, if liquid nitrogen is injected, the oxygen inside will be expelled. As is well known, gaseous nitrogen, an inert gas, occupies space, thus inhibiting the reproduction of microorganisms to prevent taste deterioration.

[0004] The liquid nitrogen is liquefied from gaseous nitrogen and is a substance existing in the atmosphere at about -196 degrees. This liquid nitrogen is colorless, transparent, and harmless to the human body, so it is diversely used in various fields including the food industry. As for the beverage cans we use now, after filling a large amount of beverage in the storage container, a certain amount of liquid nitrogen is injected and the lid is sealed. As the liquid nitrogen injected into the container vaporizes, it can prevent the container from being crushed by pressure, so it is widely used.

[0005] The micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention is a sealing device for sealing hot or cold drinks in beverage cans for convenient carrying and moving. Currently, devices for sealing beverage cans are widely used in small stores. However, depending on the temperature of the beverage and the content, after sealing, as time passes, the air inside the beverage can shrinks, the can itself is crushed, and the shape of the can itself is deformed, thus limiting its use. Therefore, to prevent this shape deformation, if liquid nitrogen is filled and sealed before sealing the beverage can, the liquid nitrogen vaporizes inside the beverage can to compensate for the shrinkage of the air, so that it can be firmly stored in its original shape.

[0006] Currently, in order to seal beer or other beverages in cans, liquid nitrogen injectors are being used in the equipment of large factories. However, the liquid nitrogen injectors used in such factories are manufactured for large-scale production, and the machine itself is large in size and the installation cost is not small, making it difficult for ordinary small stores to use. (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-2257 describes a liquid nitrogen injection device that discharges pressure to maintain it at a reference pressure when the internal pressure is above the reference.

[0007] (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent No. 10-1279304 describes an injector for quantitatively injecting into beverage cans used in large-scale production.

[0008] (Patent Document 3) However, the above-mentioned inventions are manufactured for large-scale production. In order to be used for small-scale production as shown in the present invention, a liquid injector is required in which the equipment itself for directly injecting liquid nitrogen by an individual is reduced in size. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid nitrogen injector as a small device that quickly and safely injects liquid nitrogen into beverage cans and the like and improves heat insulation.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention provides a small-sized micro liquid nitrogen injector as follows: the configuration of the conventional liquid injector is reduced to a minimum so that the liquid injector can be easily and simply used by individual business operators in self-made coffee shops, juice specialty stores, ordinary stores, etc.

[0012] In addition, an object of the present invention is to sense a container through a light sensor and install a timer so that a user can directly adjust the injection time to inject a required amount of liquid nitrogen.

[0013] Solutions for Solving the Problems

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a liquid nitrogen supply pipe for supplying liquid nitrogen to an outer tank and a discharge pipe for discharging gaseous nitrogen; a sight glass for confirming how much of the remaining amount of ultra-low temperature liquid nitrogen provided in the upper part of the outer tank remains; a nozzle cylinder that extends a rod long from the upper part of the outer tank and injects gaseous nitrogen into an inner tank while moving; a buffer tank that always maintains the pressure at 4 kg / cm by the set pressure of an equalizer 2; A timer and an optical sensor, where the optical sensor installed in the middle of the vertical cylindrical column in the bottom plate senses the container tank, so that liquid nitrogen is injected through the timer during the set injection time; A nozzle box, which is installed at the lower part of the inner tank in the outer tank and connected, and includes a nozzle stem and an injection nozzle, and a panoramic nozzle body; And a gaseous nitrogen supply pipe, which maintains the positive pressure of the gaseous nitrogen supplied from the upper part of the inner tank and blocks the entry of external air. Among them, a double vacuum state is formed between the inner tank and the outer tank, and the nozzle body blocks the conduction heat in a Z-shaped form connected to the inner tank, and has good heat insulation effect.

[0015] In addition, it is characterized in that the injection nozzle uses the heat generated by the nozzle stem and the nozzle heating block, and is maintained at the optimal temperature of 40 degrees through a temperature sensor and a temperature regulator. In order to prevent the nozzle injection port from being frozen and blocked due to the conduction heat of the liquid nitrogen stored in the inner tank, a nozzle stem needle smaller than the nozzle injection port is assembled at the lower end of the nozzle stem to block the nozzle hole, so as to prevent the nozzle hole from being blocked due to the freezing of water vapor.

[0016] In addition, it is characterized in that the timer of the control panel sets the input amount of liquid nitrogen in units of 1 / 100 second to adjust the liquid nitrogen injection amount.

[0017] In addition, it is characterized in that the temperature of the nozzle heating block is set to 40 degrees and always remains at 40 degrees in the power-on state.

[0018] In addition, it is characterized in that a liquid level unit arranged in the form of a hollow tube inside the inner tank can confirm the filling degree of liquid nitrogen through a liquid level float that works with the help of a spring in the liquid level inspection window.

[0019] In addition, the nozzle is processed into a two-stage hole for the nozzle injection port of a metal product and processed and assembled with a cryogenic material, so that it can be directly injected without cooling the nozzle.

[0020] Advantages of the Invention

[0021] When injecting liquid nitrogen and sealing it with the micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention, the following effects are achieved: The tank will never be crushed, and the reproduction of microorganisms inside the tank is inhibited to inhibit the deterioration of taste. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a diagram describing the working process of the micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention.

[0024] Best Embodiment

[0025] As described for the micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention, the micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention generally consists of a liquid nitrogen discharging device (not shown in the figure) and a micro liquid nitrogen injector. The liquid nitrogen discharging device is a liquid nitrogen storage tank for continuously supplying liquid nitrogen to the liquid nitrogen injector for quantitative injection. The liquid nitrogen discharged through the device provided on the upper part of the storage tank is continuously supplied to the micro liquid nitrogen injector through a supply pipe. Detailed implementation mode

[0026] From the outside, the micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention, as shown in the figure, includes a clamp 1, an outer storage tank 2, a nozzle barrel 28, a nozzle rod 4, a level gauge, a control panel 3 for setting a timer and temperature, a heating box for injecting liquid nitrogen from the lower part of the tank, a light sensor 24, and a bottom plate 22. If liquid nitrogen first flows from the liquid nitrogen storage tank through the device into the liquid nitrogen storage tank, the tank is filled with liquid nitrogen, and then a certain amount of liquid nitrogen is injected into the beverage can through the light sensor 24. In the nozzle barrel 28 provided on the upper part of the micro liquid nitrogen injector, with the supply of liquid nitrogen, the nozzle rod 4 extends deeply along the length direction to the lower part inside the inner liquid nitrogen tank 2. With the release of gaseous nitrogen, the nozzle rod 4 moves up and down and injects liquid nitrogen through the nozzle. The floating level rod of the liquid level inspection window installed beside the nozzle barrel is arranged along the up and down length direction inside the inner tank, and the lower end of the level rod is grasped by a spring installed at the lower end, so that the floating level rod moves up and down according to the remaining liquid nitrogen amount in the inner tank, and the user observes the liquid level inspection window to identify whether the liquid nitrogen is filled.

[0027] The thermometer 5 installed on the control panel of the micro liquid nitrogen injector adjusts the temperature of the heating box nozzle, always heating the lower end of the nozzle to 40 degrees, removing the moisture at the lower end, and preventing the nozzle from freezing and blocking due to the -196 degree liquid nitrogen temperature. In addition, the set timer 6 adjusts the injection time of liquid nitrogen and the amount of liquid nitrogen discharged through the nozzle. That is, if the timer 6 sets a long time, the amount of liquid nitrogen discharged and injected into the beverage can increases.

[0028] In other words, the heating box provided at the lower end of the outer liquid nitrogen tank keeps the temperature at 40 degrees all the time through the thermometer 5, preventing the nozzle from freezing due to liquid nitrogen. In order to quantitatively inject liquid nitrogen into the beverage can on the bottom plate 22 of the micro liquid nitrogen injector, for the light sensor 24 provided on the column of the bottom plate 22, if the user manually touches the beverage can on the bottom plate 22, the sensor senses the beverage can, and during the injection time preset by the timer 6, liquid nitrogen is injected through the nozzle, and then the lid of the beverage can is sealed in a sealing machine.

[0029] Refer to Figure 2 , and describe the operation of the micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention in detail.

[0030] The micro liquid nitrogen injector of the present invention comprises an outer layer 10, an inner layer 13 storage tank, a nozzle cylinder 28, a control panel, equalizers R1, R2, R3, a liquid nitrogen supply pipe 26, a gaseous nitrogen release pipe 27, an electromagnetic nozzle valve, a liquid level inspection window 29 connected to a liquid level float 17, a nozzle rod 18, a wide-angle nozzle body 20, a heat-blocking nozzle 19, a light sensor 24, and a bottom plate 22. When examining its operation, first, power is supplied to the control panel. After turning on the power selection switch, the gaseous nitrogen supply valve S3 is closed, valves S1 and S2 are opened. After the nozzle cylinder 28 advances, it is closed, and liquid nitrogen is supplied while the gas release valve is opened. After supplying the liquid nitrogen, since it is composed of an inner layer 13 tank and an outer layer 10 tank, there is a gas-liquid separation space 12 and a gas space 11 on the inner layer tank, the space between the inner layer and the outer layer is in a vacuum state 14, and liquid nitrogen is stored in the inner layer 13 tank.

[0031] Then, the solenoid valve S1 advances the nozzle cylinder 28, thereby closing the nozzle. At this time, the pressure of the equalizer R1 connected to the tank is set to 6 kg / cm 2 , the pressure of R2 is set to 4 kg / cm 2 . In the case where the gaseous nitrogen pressure drops after the gaseous nitrogen supply, the set pressures of the equalizer R1 and the equalizer R2 are also used to keep the pressure of the buffer tank 25 always at about 5 kg / cm 2 .

[0032] On the other hand, the equalizer R2 supplies gaseous nitrogen to the nozzle cylinder 28 at a pressure of 4 kg / cm 2 to keep the cylinder speed constant. At this time, the liquid nitrogen supply amount is also adjusted uniformly.

[0033] For the supply of the liquid nitrogen, after opening the liquid nitrogen supply valve V1, the liquid nitrogen supplied from the liquid nitrogen storage tank is supplied to the inner layer 13 tank of the micro liquid nitrogen injector to cool down the inner layer tank. If the inner layer 13 tank is filled with liquid nitrogen, the liquid level float 17 starts to float upward by means of the connected spring. If it reaches the middle section of the inspection window 29, the user can confirm that the inner layer 13 tank is filled with liquid nitrogen. At this time, the amount of liquid nitrogen filled in the inner layer 13 tank is appropriate, so the valve V1 is closed.

[0034] Then, in order to seal the beverage can 21, the beverage can 21 filled with beverage is placed in front of the optical sensor 24. The electromagnetic valve S1 is opened during the preset injection time through the sensing of the optical sensor 24, and the nozzle rod 18 is retracted. At this time, liquid nitrogen is injected downward through the rod 4 in the form of a tube. During the injection of the liquid nitrogen through the rod 4, the timer 6 installed on the liquid nitrogen injector panel 3 closes the electromagnetic valve S1 again after the set time has elapsed. Through this process, a certain amount of liquid nitrogen can be supplied to the beverage can 21 each time. At this time, if the internal pressure of the beverage can container is low, the timing setting time is extended; if the internal pressure is high, the timing setting time is shortened, so as to always make some adjustments to the amount of liquid nitrogen entering the beverage can.

[0035] On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the gaseous nitrogen supply pipe 16 supplies gaseous nitrogen to the nozzle box composed of the nozzle rod 18, the injection nozzle 19, and the wide-angle nozzle body 20, so as to keep the positive pressure of the nozzle box in the inner layer 13 can. The gaseous nitrogen supply pipe 16 is connected to the nozzle box and the gas space above the inner layer 13 can, supplies the vaporized liquid nitrogen into the nozzle box, keeps the inside of the nozzle box at positive pressure, and blocks the entry of external air. In addition, when the injector is working, it prevents the nozzle surface from freezing due to the ultra-low temperature of the nozzle hole caused by liquid nitrogen, so that the liquid nitrogen can be quantitatively injected.

[0036] Among them, the wide-angle nozzle body 20 in the nozzle box is to block the ultra-low temperature conduction heat conducted from the liquid nitrogen stored in the inner layer can. As shown in the figure, it forms a heat conduction path in a Z-shaped wide-angle form, which is a method for pre-blocking the ultra-low temperature heat conducted to the outside.

[0037] The operation of the nozzle cylinder 28 and the liquid nitrogen injection method are described below. For the operation of the nozzle cylinder 28, after the user places the beverage can 21 container in front of the optical sensor 24, the electromagnet of the electromagnetic valve is activated to retract the nozzle cylinder 28. The liquid nitrogen injector is activated during the preset time of the timer 6 on the control panel 3, so that liquid nitrogen is injected into the container can, and the lid of the container can 21 filled with liquid nitrogen is sealed by the sealing device.

[0038] After the liquid nitrogen from the inner layer 13 can fills a predetermined number of container cans 21, it is necessary to replenish the liquid nitrogen from the liquid nitrogen storage tank. At this time, the user confirms the visible liquid level inspection window 29 connected to the liquid level float 17. That is, it is vertically installed in the inner layer 13 of the cylindrical hollow tube and the liquid level unit is inserted inside. Thus, if the liquid nitrogen is insufficient, through the spring installed under the liquid level float 17 floating on the liquid, the liquid level unit floats to the upper part, so that it is possible to confirm from the upper liquid level inspection window whether the liquid nitrogen is filled, and continue to supply the liquid nitrogen filled in the liquid nitrogen storage tank.

[0039] In addition, considering icing, the injection nozzle 19 connected to the nozzle box is made of cryogenic material, which can continuously supply liquid nitrogen without being affected by cooling during use. A nozzle rod needle is inserted into the nozzle hole at the lower end of the nozzle rod 18 to prevent the nozzle hole from freezing and blocking due to temperature when filling liquid nitrogen into the beverage can.

[0040] In addition, as the alarm circuit installed on the control panel of the present invention, a timer is installed inside the panel, so that when liquid nitrogen is injected for a time slightly longer than the injection time set, the alarm buzzer sounds. This can prevent the liquid nitrogen from filling the beverage can container exceeding the set amount or set time.

[0041] Industrial Applicability

[0042] The present invention can fill self-made coffee, fruit juice beverages, and pet food in aluminum cans and inject liquid nitrogen, thereby reducing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the cans to prevent spoilage and preventing the cans from being crushed due to volume changes caused by temperature. It can be used in coffee shops or other enterprises.

Claims

1. A micro liquid nitrogen injector, characterized in that, Comprising: A liquid nitrogen supply pipe for supplying liquid nitrogen to the inner tank and a discharge pipe for discharging gaseous nitrogen; A liquid level inspection window, which is arranged at the upper part of the outer tank and is used to confirm how much liquid nitrogen remains in the cryogenic liquid nitrogen; A nozzle cylinder, which is arranged at the upper part of the outer tank and has a rod extending downward to inject the liquid nitrogen in the inner tank; Buffer tank. By setting the pressure of the equalizer, the pressure of the buffer tank is always maintained at 4 kg / cm 2 ; A timer and a light sensor, the light sensor senses the container tank in the middle of the vertical cylindrical column installed in the bottom plate, so as to inject liquid nitrogen through the timer during the set injection time; A nozzle box, which is installed and connected to the lower part of the inner tank in the outer tank and includes a nozzle rod, an injection nozzle, and a wide-angle nozzle body; and A gaseous nitrogen supply pipe, which maintains the positive pressure of the gaseous nitrogen supplied from the upper part of the inner tank to the nozzle box and blocks the entry of external air; Wherein, a double vacuum state is formed between the inner tank and the outer tank, and the wide-angle nozzle body blocks the conduction heat in a Z-shaped form connected to the inner tank.

2. The micro liquid nitrogen injector according to claim 1, characterized in that The injection nozzle uses the heat generated by the nozzle rod and the nozzle heating block, and is maintained at the optimal temperature of 40 degrees through a temperature sensor and a temperature regulator. In order to prevent the nozzle injection port from being frozen and blocked due to the conduction heat of the liquid nitrogen stored in the inner tank, a nozzle rod needle smaller than the nozzle injection port is assembled at the lower end of the nozzle rod to block the nozzle hole, so as to prevent the nozzle hole from being blocked due to the freezing of water vapor.

3. The micro liquid nitrogen injector according to claim 1, characterized in that The timer sets the input amount of liquid nitrogen in units of 1 / 100 seconds to adjust the liquid nitrogen injection amount.

4. The micro liquid nitrogen injector according to claim 2, characterized in that The temperature of the nozzle heating block is set to 40 degrees and always remains at 40 degrees in the power-on state.

5. The micro liquid nitrogen injector according to claim 1, characterized in that A liquid level unit arranged in the form of a hollow pipe inside the inner tank can confirm the filling degree of liquid nitrogen in the liquid level inspection window through a liquid level float that works with the help of a spring.

6. The micro liquid nitrogen injector according to claim 1, characterized in that The nozzle is processed into a two-stage hole for the nozzle injection port of a metal product and assembled with cryogenic materials, so that it can be directly injected without cooling the nozzle.

Images