Liquid Injection Nozzle for Tumble Blending Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tumble blending apparatuses face challenges in achieving complete mixing of particulates and fats due to limited movement capabilities and the tendency to form balls of fat-rich powder, and adding liquids is problematic, especially in large, rotating containers, leading to incomplete mixing and liquid smearing on container walls.

Innovation Solution

A mixing device with a liquid injection nozzle that directs liquid towards mixer elements while preventing material ingress, combined with a control system for precise liquid addition, including timers and sensors to manage nozzle operation and pressure monitoring, ensuring effective mixing and homogeneity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If liquid is sprayed into a large rotating container during tumble blending, then liquid addition capability is provided, but liquid becomes smeared onto container walls and mixing completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid addition capabilityVSAvoidmixing completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A stationary injection nozzle is introduced as an intermediary device between the liquid source and the mixing zone. The nozzle directs liquid in a specific trajectory toward the mixer elements rather than allowing uncontrolled spray, serving as a mediator that enables liquid addition while maintaining mixing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid injection nozzle is pre-positioned and pre-aligned to direct liquid toward the mixer elements before the mixing process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that liquid is delivered precisely where needed from the start, preventing wall smearing and ensuring immediate incorporation into the mixture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional high shear mixing apparatus is incorporated into tumble blender, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and operational compromise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing effectivenessVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the tumble blending motion with a stationary high-shear mixing zone by positioning mixer elements and liquid injection nozzle within the container. This combination allows the container to perform dual functions: tumbling for bulk mixing and providing a stationary zone for intensive liquid-particulate mixing, thereby improving effectiveness without requiring separate apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the tumble blending chamber and the housing for the stationary mixing apparatus. The mixer elements and nozzle are integrated into the container structure, allowing the same vessel to perform both gentle tumbling mixing and intensive local mixing, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If liquid injection nozzle directs liquid during mixing, then homogeneity is improved, but material ingress into nozzle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehomogeneityVSAvoidnozzle reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of protecting the nozzle from material ingress through complex sealing mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by designing the nozzle to be stationary and positioned such that material flow patterns during tumbling naturally prevent ingress. The liquid injection direction is oriented to counteract material flow, using the mixing motion itself to protect the nozzle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves superior and reliable mixing performance by ensuring liquid is added in the direction of mixer elements during rotation, reducing powder ingress and ensuring complete homogenization of particulates and liquids within the container.

Implementation Method 1

the nozzle is disposed to direct liquid in the direction of the mixer elements when mixing is taking place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

the mixing device including mixer elements adapted to mix a particulate material by mechanical action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentUS11845049B2Apparatus for mixing including a liquid injection nozzle

Publication Date: 2023.12.19 MATCON

AI summary

An apparatus for mixing a particulate material with a liquid in a container is adapted for tumble blending. The apparatus comprises a mixing device and a liquid injection nozzle. The mixing device includes mixer elements adapted to mix a particulate material by mechanical action. The nozzle is disposed to direct liquid in the direction of the mixer elements when mixing is taking place and ingress of material is prevented from entering into the nozzle.