nozzle

By designing the reducer and expanding parts in the nozzle holes and adjusting the flow rate and impact force of the liquid, the problem that existing nozzles are prone to foam when filling the gas-rich beverages is filled, achieving a lower foam generation rate and a cleaner filling process.

JP7661056B2Active Publication Date: 2025-04-14MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND MACHINERY SYST LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021020930
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-02-12
Publication Date
2025-04-14
Estimated Expiration
2041-02-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing nozzles are prone to foam when filled with gas-rich beverages, resulting in overflow of beverages, contamination of equipment and waste of beverages.

Method used

A nozzle is designed, and the nozzle hole has a reduced diameter portion gradually decreases from the main body side to the inner side and an expanded diameter portion gradually increases from the reduced diameter portion to the inner side to adjust the flow rate and impact force of the liquid.

Benefits of technology

By reducing the flow rate and impact force of the liquid, the possibility of foaming the liquid when it hits the inner wall is significantly reduced, thereby reducing waste of beverages and contamination of equipment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a nozzle in which the possibility of foaming is further reduced.SOLUTION: A nozzle of the invention fills a container having a cylindrical inner surface with liquid, the nozzle has a body portion in which liquid is circulated, and an ejection hole that ejects liquid from the body portion toward the inner surface, wherein the ejection hole has a reduced diameter portion whose cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually decreases as it moves from the body portion toward the inner surface, and an expanded diameter portion that is connected to the reduced diameter portion and whose cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually increases as it moves toward the inner surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to nozzles. [Background technology]

[0002] Beverages with a high dissolved gas content, such as carbonated drinks, tend to foam when filled into containers through a nozzle. When foaming occurs, the beverage may overflow from the container, causing damage to the container and equipment, and resulting in beverage waste.

[0003] As a means for avoiding such an event, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the nozzle according to Patent Document 1, a plurality of through holes are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. These through holes extend in the radial direction of the nozzle, and the flow passage cross-sectional area is constant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-112490 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the through hole is constant as described above, the flow rate of the liquid ejected from the through hole becomes too high, so there is still a risk that bubbles will form when the liquid collides with the inner surface of the container.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a nozzle in which the possibility of foaming is further reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a nozzle for filling a beverage into a container having a cylindrical inner surface, the nozzle comprising:beverage and a main body portion through which the flow of the beverage and an ejection hole through which the flow passage is ejected, the ejection hole having a reduced diameter section whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the main body side toward the inner surface side, and an expanded diameter section that communicates with the reduced diameter section and whose cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the inner surface side. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a nozzle in which the possibility of foaming is further reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relative positions of a nozzle and a container according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from a central axis direction. [Figure 4] 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the central axis direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from the central axis direction. [Figure 8] 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 9 . [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a view of a nozzle according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the central axis direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] First Embodiment (Nozzle configuration) Hereinafter, a nozzle 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. The nozzle 100 is a device used in a filling line for filling a beverage into a container 90, for example. In particular, it is suitably used for filling a sparkling beverage containing carbon dioxide gas or the like.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the nozzle 100 fills a beverage (liquid L) in a state where it is inserted inside a container 90 such as a plastic bottle. In the example of Fig. 1, the container 90 has a mouth portion 90A with a drinking spout formed therein, a tapered shoulder portion 91 whose cross-sectional area gradually increases, and a cylindrical body portion 92 extending downward from the shoulder portion 91. The nozzle 100, inserted into the mouth portion 90A from above, sprays the liquid L toward the inner surface 90S of the container 90 (forming a jet J).

[0014] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the nozzle 100 includes a main body 1 and an ejection hole 2. The main body 1 is cylindrical and centered on an axis Ac extending in the vertical direction, and a main flow path F for guiding the liquid L is formed inside the main body 1. The main flow path F extends in the vertical direction. A tank and a pump (not shown) are connected to the upper end of the main flow path F. The surface of the main body 1 facing downward is a bottom surface 1B, and the side surface is a cylindrical side surface 1S.

[0015] The ejection holes 2 extend from an inlet 2A formed at the lower end of the main flow path F toward an outlet 2B opening on a side surface 1S of the main body 1. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the ejection holes 2 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction about the axis Ac. Each ejection hole 2 is inclined from top to bottom as it moves from the radial inside to the radial outside. Furthermore, the ejection hole 2 has a reduced diameter portion 21 located on the radial inside and an expanded diameter portion 22 connected to the radial outside of the reduced diameter portion 21.

[0016] The reduced diameter section 21 is configured so that the flow passage cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the main flow passage F side (main body section 1 side) toward the radially outer side (the inner surface 90S side of the container 90). The cross-sectional shape of the reduced diameter section 21 is circular, for example. However, it is also possible to adopt a cross-sectional shape other than circular.

[0017] The expanded diameter section 22 extends from the radially outer end of the reduced diameter section 21 toward the side surface 1S of the main body 1. The expanded diameter section 22 is configured so that the flow path cross-sectional area gradually increases from the reduced diameter section 21 side toward the outlet 2B side (the inner surface 90S side of the container 90). As an example, the expanded diameter section 22 has a circular cross-sectional shape like the reduced diameter section 21. It is also possible to adopt a cross-sectional shape other than a circle.

[0018] (Action and effect) Next, the operation of the nozzle 100 described above will be described. When filling the container 90 with the liquid L using the nozzle 100, first, the liquid L is supplied to the main flow path F. The liquid L flowing through the main flow path F then flows into the ejection hole 2 from the inlet 2A. The liquid L that flows into the ejection hole 2 passes through the reduced diameter section 21 and the expanded diameter section 22 in this order, and is ejected as a jet J from the outlet 2B. As described based on FIG. 1, this jet J collides with the inner surface 90S of the container 90 (particularly, the inner wall of the shoulder section 91) to form a wall jet on the inner surface 90S. A predetermined amount of the liquid L is filled into the container 90 by continuously forming this wall jet.

[0019] Here, unlike the above configuration, if the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle hole 2 is constant, there is a risk that the flow rate of the liquid L sprayed from the nozzle hole 2 will become too high. In particular, if a sparkling beverage is filled as the liquid L, there is a risk that the liquid will foam when it collides with the inner surface 90S or bottom surface of the container 90, or the liquid surface.

[0020] Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the ejection hole 2 is configured with the reduced diameter section 21 and the expanded diameter section 22. With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid L passing through the reduced diameter section 21 will cause turbulence in the flow field of the liquid L or cause flow rate fluctuations. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that a bubble nucleus will be formed in the foamable liquid L. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the possibility of foaming in the liquid L.

[0021] Furthermore, the liquid L passes through the diameter-reducing section 21 and then the diameter-enlarging section 22, thereby reducing the flow rate of the liquid L and reducing the impact force when the liquid L collides with the inner surface 90S of the container 90. As a result, the possibility of the liquid L foaming inside the container 90 can be reduced. On the other hand, if the liquid L foams inside the container 90, the liquid L may overflow from the container 90 and soil the container 90 and the nozzle 100. With the above configuration, this possibility is reduced, and the liquid L (beverage) can be filled into the container 90 in a cleaner and safer manner.

[0022] The first embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Note that various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the number of ejection holes 2 described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 3 is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate according to the design and specifications.

[0023] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the nozzle 100B according to this embodiment, in addition to the ejection holes 2 described in the first embodiment, a central ejection hole 3 opens on the bottom surface 1B of the main body 1.

[0024] The ejection holes 2 are arranged at intervals on the bottom surface 1B in the circumferential direction centered on the axis Ac. The ejection holes 2 are arranged in a row on each of the inner and outer circumferential sides. The circumferential positions of the ejection holes 2 on the inner side and the outer circumferential side are different from each other. In other words, the ejection holes 2 on the inner side and the ejection holes 2 on the outer circumferential side are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Each ejection hole 2 has a reduced diameter portion 21 and an expanded diameter portion 22, as in the first embodiment. An outlet 2B of the ejection hole 2 opens on the bottom surface 1B.

[0025] The central ejection hole 3 opens at a central position including the axis Ac on the bottom surface 1B of the main body 1. The central ejection hole 3 has a circular cross-sectional shape. The central ejection hole 3 has a central reduced diameter section 31 located at the top and communicating with the main flow path F, and a central expanded diameter section 32 located at the bottom. The central reduced diameter section 31 is configured so that the flow path cross-sectional area gradually decreases as it extends downward. The inlet 2A of the ejection hole 2 described above opens on the wall surface of this central reduced diameter section 31. The central expanded diameter section 32 is connected to the central reduced diameter section 31, and is configured so that the flow path cross-sectional area gradually increases as it extends downward.

[0026] According to the above configuration, the central nozzle 3 has the central reduced diameter portion 31 and the central expanded diameter portion 32, so that the possibility of disturbance occurring in the flow field of the liquid L or fluctuation in the flow rate can be reduced. This reduces the possibility of foaming nuclei being formed in the foamable liquid L. Therefore, the possibility of foaming occurring in the liquid L can be avoided. Furthermore, the flow rate of the liquid L ejected from the surrounding nozzles 2 is reduced by the amount of the central nozzle 3 formed in addition to the nozzles 2. Therefore, the flow rate of the liquid L ejected from the nozzles 2 can be reduced. This further reduces the impact force of the liquid L against the inner surface 90S of the container 90. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of foaming occurring in the liquid L.

[0027] The second embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, in the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the ejection holes 2 are formed in a line on both the inner and outer circumferential sides. However, the configuration of the ejection holes 2 is not limited to the above, and it is also possible to form only one line of ejection holes 2. Furthermore, it is also possible to form the central ejection hole 3 with a plurality of small diameter holes. It is also possible to form the central ejection hole 3 by shifting it from the axis Ac.

[0028] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, in the nozzle 100C according to this embodiment, the ejection hole 2 extends from one side to the other side in the circumferential direction as it moves from the radially inner side to the radially outer side. In other words, the flow of the liquid L ejected from the ejection hole 2 has a tangential component of a circle centered on the axis line Ac. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the ejection hole 2 extends from the upper side to the lower side as it moves from the radially inner side to the radially outer side. The inlet 2A of the ejection hole 2 communicates with the main flow path F, and the outlet 2B opens on the side surface 1S of the main body 1. A plurality of such ejection holes 2 are arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the liquid L ejected from the ejection hole 2 becomes a wall jet having a circumferential swirling component on the inner surface 90S of the container 90. By forming such a wall jet, the flow path is stabilized. In other words, the flow rate fluctuation of the liquid flowing into the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface can be kept small. This reduces the acceleration of the flow relative to the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface, and the impact force on these inner surfaces and the liquid surface can be kept small. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of bubbles being generated in the liquid L.

[0030] The third embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the nozzle hole 2 described in the third embodiment can be configured with a reduced diameter section 21 and an expanded diameter section 22 as described in the first or second embodiment. Also, the central nozzle hole 3 described in the second embodiment can be applied in combination.

[0031] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. The same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in the nozzle 100D according to this embodiment, the ejection hole 2 extends radially inward from the top to the bottom, and also extends from one side to the other side in the circumferential direction. That is, as viewed from the direction of the axis Ac, the ejection hole 2 extends radially inward while rotating around the axis Ac. The inlet 2A of the ejection hole 2 communicates with the main flow path F, and the outlet 2B opens on the bottom surface 1B of the main body 1. A plurality of such ejection holes 2 are arranged in the circumferential direction about the axis Ac.

[0032] According to the above configuration, the liquid L ejected from the ejection hole 2 becomes a wall jet having a circumferential swirling component on the inner surface 90S of the container 90. By forming such a wall jet, the flow path is stabilized. In other words, the flow rate fluctuation of the liquid L flowing into the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface can be kept small. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of bubbles being generated in the liquid L.

[0033] Furthermore, because the nozzle hole 2 extends radially inward from the top to the bottom, it is possible to ensure a sufficient distance from the outlet 2B of the nozzle hole 2 to the inner surface 90S of the container 90. This makes it possible to ensure the angle of the jet with respect to the inner surface 90S of the container 90 even if the length by which the nozzle 100 is inserted into the container 90 is reduced. This reduces the possibility of the nozzle 100 coming into contact with the container, making it possible to carry out the filling process in a cleaner and safer manner.

[0034] The fourth embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Various changes and modifications can be made to the above configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the nozzle hole 2 described in the fourth embodiment can be configured with a reduced diameter section 21 and an expanded diameter section 22 as described in the first or second embodiment. Also, the central nozzle hole 3 described in the second embodiment can be applied in combination.

[0035] <Additional Notes> The nozzle 100 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0036] (1) A nozzle 100 according to a first embodiment is a nozzle 100 for filling a container 90 having a cylindrical inner surface 90S with liquid, the nozzle 100 comprising a main body 1 through which the liquid flows, and an ejection hole 2 for ejecting the liquid from the main body 1 toward the inner surface 90S, the ejection hole 2 comprising a reduced diameter section 21 whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the main body 1 side toward the inner surface 90S side, and an expanded diameter section 22 connected to the reduced diameter section 21 and whose cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the inner surface 90S side.

[0037] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid will be disturbed or the flow rate will vary when the liquid passes through the reduced diameter section 21. Furthermore, the liquid that has passed through the reduced diameter section 21 passes through the expanded diameter section 22, thereby reducing the flow rate of the liquid and reducing the impact force when the liquid collides with the inner surface 90S of the container 90.

[0038] (2) In the nozzle 100 of the second embodiment, the main body 1 further has a bottom surface 1B facing downward, and a central nozzle hole 3 opening downward is further formed in the bottom surface 1B, and the central nozzle hole 3 has a central reduced diameter section 31 whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases as it extends downward, and a central expanded diameter section 32 that communicates with the central reduced diameter section 31 and whose cross-sectional area gradually increases as it extends downward.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the central jet hole 3 has the central reduced diameter section 31 and the central expanded diameter section 32, which reduces the possibility of disturbance in the flow of the liquid or fluctuation in the flow rate. Furthermore, the flow speed of the liquid jetted from the surrounding jet holes 2 can be reduced by the amount of the central jet hole 3. This further reduces the impact force of the liquid on the inner surface 90S of the container 90.

[0040] (3) In the nozzle 100 according to the third aspect, the ejection holes 2 extend from one circumferential side to the other side as they move from the main body side to the inner surface side.

[0041] According to the above configuration, the liquid ejected from the ejection hole 2 becomes a wall jet having a circumferential swirling component on the inner surface 90S of the container 90. By forming such a wall jet, the flow path is stabilized. In other words, the flow rate fluctuation of the liquid flowing into the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface can be kept small. This reduces the acceleration of the flow relative to the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface, and the impact force on the inner surface 90S and the liquid surface can be kept small.

[0042] (4) In the nozzle 100 according to the fourth aspect, the ejection holes 2 extend radially inward from above to below, and also extend from one side to the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0043] According to the above configuration, the liquid ejected from the ejection hole 2 becomes a wall jet having a circumferential swirling component on the inner surface 90S of the container 90. The formation of such a wall jet stabilizes the flow path. In other words, the flow rate fluctuation of the liquid flowing into the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface can be suppressed to a small value. Furthermore, since the ejection hole 2 extends radially inward from the top to the bottom, it is possible to ensure the angle of the jet with respect to the inner surface 90S of the container 90 even if the length of the nozzle 100 inserted into the container 90 is reduced. This reduces the possibility of contact between the nozzle 100 and the container 90, making it possible to proceed with the filling process more cleanly and safely.

[0044] (5) The nozzle 100 of the fifth aspect is a nozzle 100 for filling a foamable liquid into a container 90 having a cylindrical inner surface 90S, the nozzle 100 comprising a main body 1 through which the liquid flows and an ejection hole 2 for ejecting the liquid from the main body 1 toward the inner surface 90S, the ejection hole 2 extending from one circumferential side to the other circumferential side as it moves from the radial inside to the radial outside.

[0045] According to the above configuration, the liquid ejected from the ejection hole 2 becomes a wall jet having a circumferential swirling component on the inner surface 90S of the container 90. By forming such a wall jet, the flow path is stabilized. In other words, the flow rate fluctuation of the liquid flowing into the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface can be kept small. This reduces the acceleration of the flow relative to the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface, and the impact force on the inner surface 90S and the liquid surface can be kept small.

[0046] (6) The nozzle 100 of the sixth aspect is a nozzle 100 for filling a foamable liquid into a container 90 having a cylindrical inner surface 90S, the nozzle 100 comprising a main body 1 through which the liquid flows and an ejection hole 2 for ejecting the liquid from the main body 1 toward the inner surface 90S, the ejection hole 2 extending radially inward as it moves from top to bottom, and also extending from one side to the other side in the circumferential direction.

[0047] According to the above configuration, the liquid ejected from the ejection hole 2 becomes a wall jet having a circumferential swirling component on the inner surface 90S of the container 90. The formation of such a wall jet stabilizes the flow path. In other words, the flow rate fluctuation of the liquid flowing into the inner surface 90S of the container 90 and the liquid surface can be suppressed to a small value. Furthermore, since the ejection hole 2 extends radially inward from the top to the bottom, it is possible to ensure the angle of the jet with respect to the inner surface 90S of the container 90 even if the length of the nozzle 100 inserted into the container 90 is reduced. This reduces the possibility of contact between the nozzle 100 and the container 90, making it possible to proceed with the filling process more cleanly and safely. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100,100B,100C,100D ノズル 90 Containers 90A Mouth 90S inner surface 91 Shoulder 92 trunk 1 Main body part 1B Bottom 1S Side 2. Spray hole 3 Central spray hole Entrance 2A 2B Exit 21 Reduced diameter 22. Expanded diameter 31 Central reduced diameter 32 Central extension Ac axis F Main flow J Jet L Liquid (drinks)

Claims

1. A nozzle for filling a beverage into a container having a cylindrical inner surface, comprising: The nozzle has a body through which the beverage flows; a nozzle hole for spraying the beverage from the main body toward the inner surface; Equipped with The nozzle has a reduced diameter section in which the flow path cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the main body side toward the inner surface side, and an expanded diameter section that communicates with the reduced diameter section and in which the flow path cross-sectional area gradually increases toward the inner surface side.

2. The body portion further has a bottom surface facing downward; A central nozzle hole opening downward is further formed on the bottom surface, 2. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the central nozzle hole has a central reduced diameter section whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases downward, and a central expanded diameter section that communicates with the central reduced diameter section and whose cross-sectional area gradually increases downward.

3. The nozzle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ejection holes extend from one circumferential side to the other circumferential side as they move from the main body side to the inner surface side.

4. The nozzle according to claim 1 , wherein the ejection holes extend radially inward from top to bottom and from one side to the other side in the circumferential direction.

Citation Information

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