Dosing nozzle device, filling station and use of a dosing nozzle device

Abstract

The invention relates to a dosing nozzle device (1) for dispensing an amount of liquid. The dosing nozzle device (1) comprises a supply channel (2). The dosing nozzle device further (1) comprises a first chamber (4) for receiving liquid from the supply channel (2). The first chamber (4) is provided downstream of the supply channel (2). Further, the dosing nozzle device (1) comprises a dampening device (3) for slowing down the liquid. The dampening device (3) is provided between the supply channel (2) and the first chamber (4). The dosing nozzle device (1) further comprises a second chamber (6) for receiving liquid from the first chamber (4). The second chamber (6) is in fluid connection with the first chamber (4) by means of one or multiple passages (5). Furthermore, the dosing nozzle device (1) one or multiple outlet openings (7) for allowing liquid to leave the second chamber (6) at or near a distal end of the second chamber.

Description

[0001] Title: Dosing nozzle device, filling station and use of a dosing nozzle device

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a dosing nozzle device for dispensing an amount of liquid, for instance a liquid food additive, such as for example for the food and beverage industries, and / or for instance a pharmaceutical liquid, and / or a home and personal care liquid, and / or any other liquid which may have relatively high hygienic requirements.

[0004] For example food and beverage industries typically make relatively large batches of one product (mass production). However, for instance due to the development of wider product ranges and diversification, which many companies face, traditional batch production has relatively low flexibility and efficiency. Companies optimize their processes to be more resilient and responsive to risks. Nowadays, a trend is to make relatively small batches depending on a current demand. It may also be desirable to be more flexible and cost efficient on many levels, for example in order to reduce storage space for supplies, interim products, finished products and the like. In the beverage industry, this may involve relatively easy changeover, for example from one flavour product to another, with relatively low cleaning in order to enable a relatively high flexibility. This trend is extending to other industries, especially if they have significant hygienic requirements. For example, similar systems are being set up to add dyes to cleaning products or scents to personal care products, or active ingredients in medication. Such trends are even appearing in the coating industry and other industries.

[0005] Thereto, dosing systems have been introduced which can dispense a dosed liquid additive into, for instance, a bottle or other container, which may already be substantially filled with a main product, such as for example water or lemonade. This may for instance facilitate flexibility of changing from one flavour, active ingredient, dye, scent or other additive to another, without the need of using large mixing tanks requiring lots of cleaning, which may be time-consuming and / or resource-intensive.

[0006] Known dosing systems devices may for instance comprise a flow meter, which optionally can be combined with a dosing pump. Such known dosing systems can provide so-called “fast batch dosing”, which preferably is highly repeatable and accurate. Important with such fast batch dosing is dosing the right amount of additive in the pre-defined dosing time. This amount is usually very small, for instance about 2 ml of liquid, and a dosing time from about a second down to tenths of milliseconds is not unusual in the beverage industry. However, accurately dosing and dispensing small amounts of additives at such speed can be a challenge.

[0007] United States patent application publication US 2012 / 0291898 A1 discloses a dosing device having an inlet for a liquid to be delivered to a container as a dose, in particular a beverage. The device comprises a valve seat, a sealing element interacting with the valve seat and an outlet for the dose of the liquid. In order to reduce foam build-up upon delivering the liquid into the container, the sealing element can be moved to a first and a second opening position, wherein, in the second opening position, the flow cross-section area between the valve seat and the sealing element is larger than in the first opening position.

[0008] European patent application EP 0 278560 A1 discloses a device for filling a liquid in a specified amount, wherein said device comprises a vertical tubular filling nozzle and a multibored member attached to the lower end of the filling nozzle and having parallel discharge bores. The discharge bores have a flow channel resistance permitting the liquid within the nozzle to flow down when pressure is applied to the liquid but preventing the liquid from flowing down under gravity.

[0009] Problems and disadvantages related to known dosing systems may comprise that current systems may not be fast enough and / or may not be accurate enough. In addition, disadvantages of known dosing systems can be that current systems may drip and / or can cause backsplash, each of which can be highly disadvantageous. For example, backsplash and / or dripping may be disadvantageous as the additive may be a very sticky liquid, which may not only cause that a filling station or filling line may become dirty, but may even cause fall out of a filling station or even an entire filling line from time to time. Additionally or alternatively, backsplash and / or dripping may prevent that a lower than desired amount of additive ends up in the bottle or other container already filled with a main product, e.g. water or lemonade or any other food or beverage product, a cleaning product, liquid medication or any other pharmaceutical liquid, a home and personal care liquid, or the like. It will be appreciated that this may adversely affect the accuracy of the dosing and thus the quality of the final product. These problems do not merely occur when adding a dose to a container, but could also occur in the coating industry, especially when the coating should be added / dispensed in a timed manner. Applications in other industries that require relatively fast and / or relatively accurate dosing I dispensing are also desirable to avoid this problem.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative dosing device. In particular, it can be an object of the present disclosure to provide a dosing device, wherein at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art dosing devices and / or systems is counteracted. More in particular, the disclosure may aim to provide a dosing device, wherein at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above is counteracted, yet more particular a nozzle device. In embodiments, the disclosure aims at providing a dosing device, in particular dosing nozzle device, which on the one hand is relatively fast while on the other hand it is relatively accurate, and / or which reduces or eliminates backsplash and / or dripping.

[0011] Thereto, the invention provides for a dosing nozzle device for dispensing an amount of liquid, comprising: a supply channel; a first chamber for receiving liquid from the supply channel, said first chamber being provided downstream of the supply channel; a dampening device for slowing down the liquid, said dampening device being provided between the supply channel and the first chamber; a second chamber for receiving liquid from the first chamber, said second chamber being fluidly connected to the first chamber by means of one or multiple passages; and one or multiple outlet openings for allowing liquid to leave the second chamber at or near a distal end of the second chamber.

[0012] During use, the dosing nozzle device, in particular its supply channel, can be fluidly connected to a supply source. The supply source may, for instance on an intermittent base, supply amounts of liquid, in particular liquid additive, to the dosing nozzle device, in particular its supply channel. Supplying amounts of liquid on an intermittent base may for instance be done by means of a valve, a flow meter, a supply vessel, which optionally may be a pressurized supply vessel, and / or a pump such as a dosing pump.

[0013] By arranging the dosing nozzle device such that it comprises a dampening device and the two chambers which are in fluid connection with each other, pressure waves, for instance due to opening and closing an upstream supply valve for supplying a dose of liquid supplied to the dosing nozzle device, can be at least partially dampened. As a result thereof, the dosing nozzle device can dispense the liquid, e.g. an additive, in a relatively calm, relatively low-shock, relatively fast and / or relatively controlled manner and / or in a relatively wide range of batch sizes. For instance in particular when the liquid, in particular an additive, is dispensed to a bottle, can or other container already substantially filled with a main product, this arrangement of the dosing nozzle may counteract backsplash, as a result of which the dosing nozzle device may thus dispense the liquid, e.g. a liquid additive, relatively accurately. It is noted that the relatively calm, relatively low-shock, relatively fast and / or relatively controlled manner of dispensing and / or the dispensing in a relatively wide range of batch sizes, may also be advantageous in other applications of the dosing nozzle, such as for example when the dosing nozzle is used for dispensing a liquid to a surface, for instance in coating industries.

[0014] In addition, the dosing nozzle device, in particular at least partly due to the dampening device, which can be a dampening valve, preferably a one-way valve or a check valve, in particular a cross-slit valve or a duckbill check valve or an umbrella valve, may counteract backflow from the first chamber to the supply channel. This may counteract dripping and can for instance therefore be highly advantageous.

[0015] By fluidly connecting the second chamber to the first chamber by means of multiple elongate passage channels, which may preferably extend substantially parallel to each other, turbulence within the amount of liquid to be dispensed can be counteracted to at least a certain extent. Actually, the elongate passage channels may facilitate to a certain extent that liquid dispensed by the dosing nozzle device may flow out relatively uniformly, which can be advantageous and which may counteract backsplash. The elongate passage channels may be essentially straight, i.e. not curved. In addition, the diameter of the cross sectional surface area of the elongate passage channels, and in particular its diameter in case said elongate passage channel has a circular cross section, may be essentially constant, with the optional exception of the inlet and / or the outlet, which for example may be rounded or the like, for instance in order to avoid sharp corners, and / or may be otherwise adapted for optimal hygiene. The multiple elongate passage channels may preferably be substantially parallel to each other, or may substantially fan out towards the second chamber. The elongate passage channels preferably have a smooth surface.

[0016] In embodiments, the one or multiple outlet openings, which in particular can be provided at the most distal end of the dosing nozzle device, may be provided by means of a multiplicity of further passage channels, preferably elongate passage channels extending substantially parallel to each other or fanning out. As a result thereof, it can be facilitated to a certain extent that liquid, e.g. liquid additive, dispensed by the dosing nozzle device may flow out relatively uniformly, which can be advantageous and which may counteract backsplash.

[0017] In alternative embodiments, the dosing nozzle device can comprise a single outlet opening for allowing liquid to leave the second chamber at or near a distal end of the second chamber, wherein said single outlet opening then may be formed by a cross-slit valve or a duckbill check valve or an umbrella valve or another one-way valve or check valve. An advantage thereof may lie in that such one-way valve or check valve may counteract dripping. Additionally or alternatively, the one-way valve or check valve may counteract the so-called “suck-back” effect, which otherwise could cause that a portion of the amount of liquid, e.g. liquid additive, to be dispensed might be unintentionally sucked back into the second chamber. This may thus facilitate that the liquid can be dosed relatively accurately.

[0018] By arranging the supply channel such that it widens towards its distal end, the liquid, e.g. liquid additive, supplied to the dosing nozzle device can be slowed down to a certain extent, which may facilitate that the liquid can be dispensed in a relatively calm and relatively controlled manner. The supply channel can have several feeds, optional with means for switching between feeds.

[0019] The liquid to be dosed or dispensed may be a pure liquid or a mixture. Thus, the liquid can be a homogeneous mixture or a heterogeneous mixture. Homogeneous mixtures may be emulsions or solutions of any kind, such as for example gas in liquid, liquid in liquid, solid in liquid or a combination thereof.

[0020] In advantageous embodiments, the liquid to be dosed or dispensed may be an aqueous solution.

[0021] In embodiments, the liquid to be dosed or dispensed may be a liquid foam or a liquid sol, which, as the skilled person may understand, may optionally require additional measures, in particular when compared to an aqueous solution.

[0022] Viscosity, surface tension and / or further properties may influence liquid behaviour. The skilled person understands that additional measures and testing may be required for certain liquids, especially for liquids having properties significantly different than water. The skilled person would test various sizes for the chambers and the dampening part and try out various types and subtypes of valves. The invention also relates to a filling station provided with at least one dosing nozzle device, preferably wherein the filling station comprises a valve, in particular a dosing valve, for letting a predefined amount of liquid into the supply channel.

[0023] Further the invention relates to a use of a dosing nozzle device, preferably wherein the dosing nozzle device is used for dispensing a liquid, such as for example in the form of a food or beverage liquid, a liquid for the pharmaceutical industry, a liquid for home and personal care industry or a liquid for any other industry, in particular one having relatively high hygienic requirements.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

[0025] By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a dosing nozzle device according to an aspect of the invention; and

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a dosing nozzle device according to an aspect of the invention.

[0028] It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 show two different embodiments of a dosing nozzle device 1 for dispensing an amount of liquid, which in particular can be a liquid additive to be dispensed to a container, in particular a bottle or a can, more in particular a retail-type bottle, or even more particularly a PET bottle or glass bottle. In particular, the container may be already substantially filled with a main product, such as for instance water or lemonade or another beverage or liquid food product, a liquid pharmaceutical product, or a home or personal care liquid product. The liquid additive may for instance comprise one or multiple food additives and / or may for example comprise one or multiple fragrances, flavourings, vitamins, active compounds and / or other additives.

[0030] In the context of the present disclosure, already substantially filled with a main product may for instance be considered as meaning that already at least 95%, preferably at least 98% or at least 99%, of the desired total final volume of liquid by which the container has to be filled is already present in the container before the amount of liquid, in particular an additive liquid, is dispensed or dosed into said container.

[0031] At least in embodiments, the dosing nozzle device 1 may be arranged for the food and / or beverage industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the home and personal care industry, or another industry having relatively high hygienic requirements. For instance thereto, internal corners, for instance internal corners at the lower ends of the first and / or second chamber(s) may be rounded to at least a certain extent, which for instance may counteract the accumulation of dirt and / or may facilitate cleaning. Additionally or alternatively, the dosing nozzle device 1 may comprise and / or be made of one or multiple food grade materials and / or material composites and / or pharmaceutical materials and / or material composites.

[0032] Preferably, all surfaces in contact with fluid are smooth and may comprise additional measures to improve hygiene, including coating surfaces or polishing or spark eroding.

[0033] The dosing nozzle device 1 comprises a supply channel 2, which may be attached to, in particular be in fluid connection with a supply source apparatus 100. Said supply source apparatus 100 may be for supplying a dose, in particular a dose of liquid product, such as a liquid additive for a food or beverage product, to the dosing nozzle device 1. The supply source apparatus may comprise and / or may be part of a filling station, for instance a filling station for filling PET bottles, glass bottles, cans, or other containers and / or for instance for adding an additive to a container, such as for example adding a flavoured and / or aromatic liquid to a PET bottle or other container. Additionally or alternatively, the supply source apparatus may comprise, or may be part of, a carousel or wheel, which in embodiments may be part of the filling station.

[0034] The supply source apparatus 100 may comprise an upstream channel 102 fluidly connected to the supply channel 2 of the dosing nozzle device 1. For instance, the dosing nozzle device 1 , in particular at or near its proximal end T, may be arranged for releasable connection to supply a source apparatus 100, for instance by means of a connector, which for example may be formed at least partly by means of screw thread or any other suitable means, such as for example a bayonet connector. The supply source apparatus 100 may comprise a second connector corresponding to the connector of the dosing nozzle device 1. It will be appreciated that the connection between the supply source apparatus 100 and the dosing nozzle device 1 can preferably be substantially fluid tight, and may for instance thereto comprise one or multiple gaskets and / or O-rings or the like. The skilled person understands that the preference for substantially fluid tight connections is valid for the entire device and any fluid passage connected to it.

[0035] The supply source apparatus 100 may be arranged to supply amounts of liquid additive or other liquid to the dosing nozzle device 1 , in particular to its supply channel 2, preferably on an intermittent base, for instance by means of a valve, a flow meter and / or a dosing pump. A combination of a flow meter and a valve, known as a flow controller, as well as a combination of a flow meter and a pump, can each form a preferred embodiment. In particular, a mass flow controller can be highly advantageous. Suitable examples of such mass flow controllers include Coriolis mass flow controllers, thermal mass flow controllers and ultrasonic mass flow controllers. For example, each amount of liquid supplied by the supply source apparatus 100 may be about 0.5 to 10 ml, for instance about 1 to 5 ml, such as about 1 ml, about 1.5 ml, about 2 ml, about 2.5 ml or about 3 ml.

[0036] In embodiments, the supply source apparatus 100 may be arranged to supply or deliver so-called shots of liquid additive or other liquid to the dosing nozzle device 1 at a rate of for instance several shots per second, for example about 5 shots per second or about 10 shots per second or about 15 shots per second or about 20 shots per second or about 25 shots per second or even about 30 shots per second.

[0037] In some embodiments, a pause period between two subsequent delivered shots may be longer than the delivery period during which a shot is delivered to the dosing nozzle device 1. For example, the pause periods may be at least 1.1 times, at least 1.5 times, at least 2 times, at least 3 times, such as for example about 10 times as long as the delivery period. For example, the pause period may for instance be about 0.8 seconds or less, most preferably about 50 ms, while the delivery period is only about 0.2 seconds or less, more preferably about 10 ms or most preferably about 5 ms. It will be appreciated that the delivery period during which a shot is delivered may thus be relatively short and / or that an amount of liquid, or a so-called shot, may be supplied to the dosing nozzle device 1 at a relatively high speed or velocity.

[0038] In one example of delivery and pause periods, we have a delivery time (or dosing time) of 5 ms followed by a pause period of 30 ms, In a second example, we have a delivery time of 5 ms followed by a pause period of 200 ms. In a third example, we have a delivery time of 10 ms followed by a pause period of 30 ms, In a fourth example, we have a delivery time of 10 ms followed by a pause period of 200 ms. In a fifth example, we have a delivery time of 30 ms followed by a pause period of 30 ms, These five examples show the very short delivery times and / or pause periods achievable by the dosing nozzle device 1 . The first shows a combination of very short delivery and pause periods, the second to fifth examples show that a very short or slightly longer delivery time can be combined with a longer (though still fast) pause period and the reverse. In a sixth example, we have a delivery time of 30 ms followed by a pause period of 200 ms, Both delivery times and pause periods can be determined in increments of 5 ms or shorter for dosing and 30 ms for readout, with a time resolution of 0.1 ms.

[0039] These patterns of delivery and pause periods can be implemented in a filling station that has a supply source apparatus 100 which is arranged to supply amounts of liquid additive or other liquid to the dosing nozzle device 1 , in particular its supply channel 2, on an intermittent base. This filling station confers the advantages of counteracting dripping and backsplash, combined with accuracy.

[0040] In other embodiments, the pause period between two subsequent delivered shots may be about the same time or shorter than the delivery period during which a shot is delivered to the dosing nozzle device 1 , as long as a minimum pause period of 30 ms is used.

[0041] The dosing nozzle device 1 may be arranged for transiting the dose of liquid from the supply source apparatus 100 to the PET bottle, glass bottle, can or other container, in particular in a manner in which a relatively fast flowing shot of liquid can be dampened and / or slowed down to a certain extent, in particular in order to reduce the energy of the impact of the dosed liquid to the surface of the liquid in the container, and thus counteract backsplash when the dosing nozzle device 1 dispenses said shot of liquid additive or other liquid into a bottle, for example a PET bottle, a glass bottle, a can or other container which is already filled with a main product, such as for example water or lemonade, optionally carbonated. However, the relatively fast flowing shot of liquid should preferably not be dampened and / or slowed down too much, as that would be disadvantageous for the processing time of dispensing or dosing the liquid to the PET bottle, glass bottle, can or other container. As such, it is desirable to maximize the surface for delivering the liquid. Thus the entire opening of the PET bottle, glass bottle, can or other container should be used for dosing the liquid, without spilling any dosed liquid outside of the opening. The geometry of the distal end of dosing nozzle device 1” is thus optimized for the opening of the container to be dosed.

[0042] The dosing nozzle device 1 comprises a first chamber 4, being provided downstream of the supply channel 2. Said first chamber 4 is for receiving liquid from the supply channel 2. The part forming the first chamber 4, which is a part of the dosing nozzle device 1 in contact with fluids, is preferably made of metal for food and pharmaceutical applications, in particular steel, more particularly stainless steel, even more particularly pharmaceutical grade or food grade stainless steel. Alternatively, it may be made of other materials, such as ceramic materials, including glass, or plastics. The first chamber 4 then preferably has a fixed volume, which may be defined at least partly by inflexible walls of said first chamber 4, which may be substantially rigid and non-deformable.

[0043] In preferred embodiments, the supply channel 2 may widen towards its distal end 2”, as can be seen in the two exemplary embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2. This may for instance facilitate that the liquid of a shot transited through the dosing nozzle device 1 may slow down to a certain extent at the distal end 2” of the supply channel 2.

[0044] The dosing nozzle device 1 further comprises a dampening device 3 for slowing down the liquid. As can be seen in both Fig. 1 and Fig 2, the dampening device 3 is provided between the supply channel 2 and the first chamber 4. In advantageous embodiments, the dampening device 3 may be a dampening valve, preferably a one-way valve or a check valve, in particular a cross-slit valve 3b or a duckbill check valve. However, in alternative embodiments, alternative dampening devices are possible.

[0045] The dampening device 3 may preferably comprise or be made of flexible and / or elastic material, such as a silicone material or composite or the like, more preferably a food grade silicone material or pharmaceutical grade silicone material. Silicone rubber and EPDM are particularly suitable materials for aforementioned cross-slit valve 3b or a duckbill check valve.

[0046] The dosing nozzle device 1 further comprises a second chamber 6 for receiving liquid from the first chamber 4. Said second chamber 6 is in fluid connection with the first chamber 4 by means of one or multiple passages 5. The pat forming said second chamber 6, which is a part of the dosing nozzle device 1 in contact with fluids, is preferably made of metal for food and pharmaceutical applications, in particular steel, more particularly stainless steel, even more particularly pharmaceutical grade or food grade stainless steel. Alternatively, it may be made of other materials, such as ceramic materials, including glass, or plastics. The second chamber 6 then preferably has a fixed volume, which may be defined at least partly by inflexible walls of said second chamber 6, which may be substantially rigid and non-deformable.

[0047] Both the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6 preferably can have a crosssection perpendicular to the flow direction that is rounded, in particular for hygienic purposes.

[0048] Furthermore, the dosing nozzle device 1 comprises one or multiple outlet openings 7 for allowing liquid to leave the second chamber 6 at or near a distal end 6” of the second chamber 6.

[0049] Although embodiments may be possible in which the dosing nozzle device 1 can comprise one or multiple further chambers downstream of the second chamber 6, and in fluid connection therewith, the one or multiple outlet openings 7 may preferably be provided at the most distal end 1 ” of the dosing nozzle device 1 . This is, at least in certain embodiments, during use of the dosing nozzle device 1 , the one or multiple outlet openings 7 may dispense the liquid to a container, e.g. a bottle, preferably a PET bottle or glass bottle, of which an opening is then positioned near, preferably just below, the distal end(s) of one or multiple outlet opening(s) 7. The geometry of these one or multiple outlet openings 7 is generally matched to the container type intended to be dosed, especially the container opening, to ensure that all of the dosed liquid is normally directed into the container, and so that errors where part of the dosed liquid is directed outside the container opening are very rare.

[0050] Besides, it is possible that one, or even multiple, further chamber(s) are provided between the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6.

[0051] Such arrangements may even further dampen or slow down the shot of liquid additive or other liquid to be dispensed by the dosing nozzle device 1. However, it has been found that a dosing nozzle device 1 having two chambers, e.g. the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6, and lacking any further chambers is advantageous as it on the one hand may slow down the liquid enough to enable substantially counteracting backsplash, while it on the other hand can still facilitate dosing liquid additives or the like relatively fast, for instance at a rate of at least 5 doses per second, such as for example a rate of at least 10 doses per second, or a rate of at least 15 doses per second, for instance a rate of about 18 doses per second, or even more. Alternatively the dosing nozzle device 1 facilitates dosing liquids at a rate of up to 51000 dosed containers per hour or more, preferably at least 53000, 550000, 57000, 59000, or 61000 dosed containers per hour or even more preferably at least 63000 dosed containers per hour.

[0052] In addition, a dosing nozzle device 1 having two chambers may be relatively small compared to a dosing nozzle device having more chambers. Of course, the dosing nozzle device 1 would be connected to a supply source apparatus 100 having means for intermittently supplying amounts of liquid, such as one or more valves, one or more flow meters, and / or one or more dosing pumps, or of a combination thereof or a flow controller, in particular a mass flow controller, to form a filling station.

[0053] Thus the filling station has a supply source apparatus 100 that is arranged to supply amounts of liquid additive or other liquid to the dosing nozzle device 1 , in particular its supply channel 2, on an intermittent base so that the dosing occurs at a rate of up to 18 doses per second, or more, such as for example a rate of at least 5 doses per second, a rate of at least 10 doses per second, or a rate of at least 15 doses per second. This filling station confers the advantages of counteracting dripping and backsplash, combined with accuracy.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the dosing nozzle device 1 , in particular internal volumes thereof, such as internal volumes of respective chambers 4, 6, may be dimensioned to relate to the volume of the dose to be dispensed by dosing nozzle device 1. In particular, the internal volume of the first chamber 4 and / or the internal volume of the second chamber 6 may be at least equal to, and preferably larger, more preferably slightly larger, than, the volume of the dose to be dispensed. For example, the internal volume of the first chamber 4 and / or the internal volume of the second chamber 6 may be between 1 and 5, preferably between 1 and 2.5 times the volume of the dose to be dispensed. The first and the second chamber may have a similar volume, but it is not required. It will be evident to a skilled person that, and not only to enable that there is a desired ration between the volumes of the first and second chamber, the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6 can each define a substantially fixed volume. The walls of the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6 can thus be made of a rigid material like a metal, a ceramic material, including glass, or a plastic, such that said walls can be substantially rigid and non-deformable, at least under the pressures that may occur during normal operation. As already mentioned, the first and the second chamber may have a similar volume, but it is not required. The skilled person will understand that this may also depend on the liquid intended to be dispensed.

[0055] The dosing nozzle device 1 may be arranged and / or dimensioned to transit amounts of liquid of about 0.1 ml to about 10 ml, for example doses of about 0.2 ml to about 5 ml, such as for example about 0.5 ml, about 1 ml or about 2 ml.

[0056] The dosing nozzle device 1 may be arranged and / or dimensioned to dose liquids at a rate of at least 5 doses per second, such as for example a rate of up to 10 doses per second, or a rate of up to 15 doses per second or a rate of up to about 18 doses per second or even more, while substantially counteracting backsplash and dripping.

[0057] Alternatively the dosing nozzle device 1 facilitates dosing liquids at a rate of up to 51000 dosed containers per hour. Suitable doses at the rate of 51000 dosed containers per hour include 0.4 g / container or 0.6 g / container or 0.8 g / container or 1.0 g / container or 1.2 g / container in a container that is already partially or mostly filled, or 0.4 g / container or 0.6 g / container or 0.8 g / container or 1.0 g / container or 1.2 g / container or 1.4 g / container or 1 .6 g / container or 1 .8 g / container in a (mostly) empty container using the geometries seen in Figure 1 and 2, although higher amounts are possible if the dosing nozzle device 1 is optimized for the liquid type, the amount to be dosed and the desired container, especially the geometry of the distal end of dosing nozzle device 1”.

[0058] As can be seen in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the second chamber 6 can be in fluid connection with the first chamber 4 by means of multiple passages 5, for example at least five passages 5, preferably at least ten passages 5, such as for example between ten and thirty passages 5. Said multiple passages 5 may comprise a multiplicity of elongate passage channels 5b, preferably elongate passage channels extending substantially parallel to each other or fanning out towards the second chamber 6. Such elongate passage channels 5b may preferably be essentially straight, i.e. not curved. Additionally, or alternatively, the elongate passage channels 5b may have a cross- sectional area, and may - in case of an optional substantially circular cross-section - have a diameter, which is essentially constant, with the optional exception of the in- and / or outlet, which for instance may be rounded, in particular to avoid sharp corners, or may be otherwise arranged for optimal hygiene.

[0059] Any individual elongate passage may preferably have a substantially circular cross-section.

[0060] Each of the elongate passage channels 5b may preferably have a length being at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times the length of its width and / or diameter. However, the elongate passage channels 5b may, additionally or alternatively, preferably not exceed 5 times its width and / or diameter.

[0061] However, in alternative embodiments, the fluid connection between the second chamber 6 and the first chamber 4 can be formed differently. For example, the connection may be formed by a single passage 5, which for example may be formed by a further valve, for instance a further dampening valve, a one-way valve or a check valve, such as for example a cross-slit valve or a duckbill check valve or an umbrella valve.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, the first chamber 4 may have a diameter and / or a width and a depth, which both extend substantially transverse to a main flow direction FD of liquid flowing through the dosing nozzle device 1 during use. Said width and / or said depth, and / or said diameter, may then for example be between about 0.5 and 1 .5 times the height of the first chamber 4, preferably between 0.6 and 1.4 times said height, more preferably between 0.7 and 1.3 times said height, yet more preferably between 0.8 and 1.2 times said height. The skilled person understands that this ratio could be arranged or optimized for different applications and for different liquids. This is, in embodiments, the first chamber 4 may thus be not substantially elongate.

[0063] Advantageously, the one or multiple outlet openings 7 may comprise at least five outlet openings 7, preferably at least ten outlet openings 7, more preferably at least fifteen outlet openings 7, such as for example between fifteen and one hundred outlet openings 7. These one or multiple outlet openings 7 are arranged in a geometry that matches to the container type intended to be dosed, especially the opening of the container.

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, the one or multiple outlet openings 7 may be provided by means of a multiplicity of further passage channels 8, preferably elongate passage channels 8b extending substantially parallel to each other, as can be seen in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1 , and which may be especially suitable for bottles. Alternatively, elongate passage channels may fan out toward the distal end 1” of the dosing nozzle device 1 , which can be advantageous if the container is a can or a glass jar. In particular, the further passage channels 8 can be elongate passage channels, wherein each elongate passage channel 8 has a length L8 being between 2 and 15 times the width and / or the depth of the respective elongate passage channel, preferably said length L8 being between 3 and 12 times said width and / or said depth, more preferably said length L8 being between 4 and 10 times said width and / or said depth, such as for instance about 5 times, about 6 times, about 7 times or about 8 times said width and / or said depth. Such elongate passage channels 8b may preferably be essentially straight, that is that they are not curved. Additionally, or alternatively, the elongate passage channels 8b may have a cross-sectional area, and may - in case of an optional substantially circular cross-section - have a diameter, which is essentially constant, with the optional exception of the in- and / or outlet, which for instance may be rounded, in particular to avoid sharp corners, or may otherwise be arranged for optimal hygiene. Such additional hygiene measures may include polishing, spark eroding (i.e. by Electrical discharge machining (EDM)) or coating the surface of the elongate passage channels 8b.

[0065] In embodiments, the outlets 7 at the end of the multiple elongate passage channels 8b may be shaped to prevent drops of liquid sticking to the distal end 1” of the dosing nozzle device 1.

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, the multiple elongate passage channels 8b may be parallel to each other or may fan out towards toward the distal end 1” of the dosing nozzle device 1 .

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, an individual elongate passage channel 8b, and preferably each one of the elongate passage channels 8b, may have a substantially circular cross-section.

[0068] In alternative embodiments, the dosing nozzle device 1 can comprise a single outlet opening 7b for allowing liquid to leave the second chamber 6 at a distal end 6” of the second chamber 6. Preferably, as can be seen in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, said single outlet opening 7b may then be formed by a cross-slit valve 9 or a duckbill check valve or an umbrella valve or another one-way valve or check valve.

[0069] Advantageously, as for instance is the case in the here shown embodiments, the cross-sectional surface of the second chamber 6 may change along the height of said second chamber 6. For instance, the surface area of the cross-sectional surface area may change along said height, in particular said surface area may decrease towards a distal end 6” of said second chamber 6, as can be seen for instance in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

[0070] In embodiments, the second chamber 6 may taper towards its distal end 6”, and said second chamber 6 may preferably have a substantially conical shape, as for instance is the case in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2.

[0071] Alternatively, or additionally, the shape of the cross-sectional surface may change along said height, such as for example from a substantially circular cross-sectional surface at or near a proximal end 6’ of the second chamber 6 towards a substantially rectangular cross-sectional surface at or near a distal end 6” of said second chamber 6, or vice versa.

[0072] It is noted that for the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

[0073] Further, it is noted that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

[0074] It will be appreciated that leaking may be a serious risk to the functioning of the dosing nozzle device, for instance due to the pressure which may come with dispensing shots of liquid additive or other liquid by means of said device.

[0075] Multiple parts of the dosing nozzle device may thus be attached to each other in a substantially fluid tight and substantially leak-free manner. Thus internal leakages as well as external leakages can be prevented or at least counteracted. For instance thereto, different parts, such as for example a first part at least partly defining the first chamber and a second part at least partly defining the second chamber, may be connected to each other using one or more gaskets and / or O-rings or the like. Nevertheless, alternatively or additionally, other fitting or connection means are possible as well. For example, multiple parts may be attached relatively permanently together, for example by means of welding, soldering or gluing. Besides, one or multiple parts of the dosing nozzle device may be formed integrally, for instance by means of machining operations, injection moulding and / or 3D printing. For the parts of the dosing nozzle device 1 in contact with fluids, except the dampening device 3 and the single outlet opening 7b if it is a valve, metal is the preferred material for food and pharmaceutical applications, in particular steel, more particularly stainless steel, even more particularly pharmaceutical grade or food grade stainless steel. In other embodiments, ceramic materials, including glass, or plastics may be suitable. Parts may be 3D printed.

[0076] It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that it is strongly that the walls of the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6 are substantially rigid and non- deformable, at least under the pressures that may occur during normal operation. Such pressures may, for example, arise when a supply vessel, optionally a pressurized supply vessel, and / or a pump, such as a dosing pump, supplies liquid to the dosing nozzle device 1. Accordingly, the walls of the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6 are preferably not compressible or deformable under these operating conditions, as a result of the first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6 can each define a substantially fixed volume.

[0077] As illustrated, for example, in the advantageous embodiments shown in the figures, the walls of the first chamber 4 may be formed integrally with the walls of the second chamber 6. Said walls may, for instance, be made of metal, in particular steel, more particularly stainless steel, or another suitably rigid material. The first chamber 4 and the second chamber 6 may thus be formed as two chambers within a common housing part of the dozing nozzle device 1 .

[0078] In this context, it is noted that although the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures only schematically show examples, and these figures only show a first housing part holding a dampening device 3 and a cross-slit valve 9, if any, the housing part of the dozing nozzle device 1 may comprise multiple housing parts and / or may be provided with other parts. For example, the passages 5 from the first chamber 4 to the second chamber 6 may be provided by means of at least one separate part, which may be held by a housing of the dozing nozzle device 1. The same may apply to the further passage channels 8, which may be provided by means of at least one further separate part to be held by the housing. Additionally or alternatively, such housing may comprise one or multiple housing parts, which can be connected to each other and which may be arranged to hold the separate parts. Such and other variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

[0079] List of reference signs

[0080] 1 Dosing nozzle device

[0081] 1’ Proximal end of dosing nozzle device

[0082] 1” Distal end of dosing nozzle device

[0083] 2 Supply channel

[0084] 2” Distal end of supply channel

[0085] 3 Dampening device

[0086] 3b Cross-slit valve

[0087] 4 First chamber for receiving liquid

[0088] 5 Passages from first to second chamber

[0089] 5b Elongate passage channel

[0090] 6 Second chamber for receiving liquid

[0091] 6’ Proximal end of the second chamber

[0092] 6” Distal end of the second chamber

[0093] 7 Outlet opening

[0094] 7b Single outlet opening

[0095] 8 Further passage channels

[0096] 8b Elongate further passage channel

[0097] 9 Cross-slit valve

[0098] 100 Supply source apparatus

[0099] 102 Upstream channel

Claims

CLAIMS1. Dosing nozzle device (1) for dispensing an amount of liquid, comprising: a supply channel (2); a first chamber (4) for receiving liquid from the supply channel (2), said first chamber (4) being provided downstream of the supply channel (2); a dampening device (3) for slowing down the liquid, said dampening device (3) being provided between the supply channel (2) and the first chamber (4); a second chamber (6) for receiving liquid from the first chamber (4), said second chamber (6) being in fluid connection with the first chamber (4) by means of one or multiple passages (5); and one or multiple outlet openings (7) for allowing liquid to leave the second chamber (6) at or near a distal end (6”) of the second chamber (6).

2. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the first chamber (4) has a fixed volume and the second chamber (6) has a fixed volume; and / or wherein the first chamber (4) has substantially rigid and non-deformable walls and the second chamber (6) has substantially rigid and non-deformable walls.

3. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second chamber (6) is in fluid connection with the first chamber (4) by means of multiple passages (5).

4. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the dampening device (3) is a dampening valve, preferably a one-way valve or a check valve, in particular a cross-slit valve (3b) or a duckbill check valve or an umbrella valve.

5. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the second chamber (6) is in fluid connection with the first chamber (4) by means of multiple passages (5), andwherein said multiple passages (5) comprise a multiplicity of elongate passage channels, preferably said elongate passage channels (5b) extending substantially parallel to each other or said elongate passage channels (5b) fanning out towards the second chamber (6).

6. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first chamber (4) has a width and a depth, both extending substantially transverse to a main flow direction (FD) of liquid flowing through the dosing nozzle device (1) during use, and wherein said width and / or said depth is between about 0.5 and 1.5 times the height of the first chamber (4), preferably between 0.6 and 1.4 times said height, more preferably between 0.7 and 1.3 times said height, yet more preferably between 0.8 and 1.2 times said height.

7. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the one or multiple outlet openings (7) are provided at the most distal end (1”) of the dosing nozzle device (1).

8. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the one or multiple outlet openings (7) are provided by means of a multiplicity of further passage channels (8), preferably wherein said further passage channels (8) are in the form of elongate passage channels (8b) extending substantially parallel to each other or fanning out towards a distal end (1”) of the dosing nozzle device (1).

9. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the further passage channels (8) are elongate passage channels, wherein each elongate passage channel has a length (L8) being between 2 and 15 times the width and / or the depth of the respective elongate passage channel, preferably said length being between 3 and 12 times said width and / or said depth, more preferably said length being between 4 and 10 times said width and / or saiddepth, such as for instance about 5 times, about 6 times, about 7 times or about 8 times said width and / or said depth.

10. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of claims 1-8, wherein the dosing nozzle device (1) comprises a single outlet opening (7b) for allowing liquid to leave the second chamber (6) at or near a distal end (6”) of the second chamber (6), wherein said single outlet opening (7b) is formed by a cross-slit valve (9) or a duckbill check valve or an umbrella valve or another one-way valve or check valve.

11. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the dampening device (3) is made of an elastic and / or resilient material or composite material, such as for example a silicon material or composite material.

12. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said dosing nozzle device (1) is arranged for the food and / or beverage industry, and / or the pharmaceutical industry, and / or the home and / or personal care industry, and / or wherein said dosing nozzle device (1) is made of one or multiple food grade materials and / or material composites, and / or pharmaceutical grade materials and / or material components.

13. Dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, preferably according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cross-sectional surface of the second chamber (6) changes along the height of said second chamber (6), for instance wherein the shape of the cross-sectional surface changes along said height, such as for example from a substantially circular cross-sectional surface at or near a proximal end (6’) of the second chamber (6) towards a substantially rectangular cross-sectional surface at or near a distal end (6”) of said second chamber (6), and / or for instance wherein the surface area of the cross-sectional surface area changes along said height, in particular wherein said surface area decreases towards a distal end (6”) of said second chamber (6).

14. Filling station provided with at least one dosing nozzle device (1), and preferably multiple dosing nozzle devices (1), according to anyone of the preceding claims, preferably wherein the filling station comprises a valve, in particular a dosing valve, for letting a predefined amount of liquid into the supply channel (2).

15. Filling station according to claim 14, wherein a supply source apparatus (100) is arranged to supply amounts of liquid additive or other liquid to the dosing nozzle device (1), in particular to its supply channel (2), preferably on an intermittent base.

16. Filling station according to claim 15, wherein the supply source apparatus (100) is arranged to supply amounts of liquid additive or other liquid to the dosing nozzle device (1), in particular to its supply channel (2), on an intermittent base, by means of one or more valves, one or more flow meters, and / or one or more dosing pumps, or by means of a combination thereof, such as for example by means of a flow controller, in particular a mass flow controller.

17. Filling station according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the supply source apparatus (100) is arranged to supply amounts of liquid additive or other liquid to the dosing nozzle device (1), in particular to its supply channel (2), on an intermittent base at a rate of at least 5 doses per second, preferably at a rate of at least 10 doses per second, more preferably at a rate of at least 15 doses per second, yet more preferably at a rate of at least 18 doses per second, preferably wherein the filling station and / or the supply source apparatus (100) is arranged such that the rate can be set at least up to 5 doses per second, preferably can be set at least up to 10 doses per second, more preferably can be set at least up to 15 doses per second, yet more preferably can be set at least up to 18 doses per second.

18. Use of a dosing nozzle device (1) according to anyone of claims 1-13 or a filing station according to anyone of claims 14-17,preferably wherein the dosing nozzle device (1) is used for dispensing liquid, for example a food or beverage liquid, more preferably wherein the dosing nozzle device (1) is used for dispensing the liquid into a container, such as for instance a PET bottle, a glass bottle or other glass container, or a can, yet more preferably wherein the container is already substantially filled with a main product, such as for example water or lemonade, before the liquid is dispensed into said container.

19. Use according to claim 18, wherein the dosing nozzle device (1), preferably its supply channel (2), is fluidly connected to a supply source supplying, preferably on an intermittent base, dosed amounts of liquid to the dosing nozzle device (1) by means of a valve, a flow meter, a supply vessel, which optionally may be a pressurized supply vessel, and / or a pump such as a dosing pump.

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