Venturi device and method

Abstract

An improved venturi device for facilitating the mixture of fluid substances, such as wine and air. The device may be combined with a dispensing valve to further promote functionality. The improved venturi device is especially effective in drawing a second fluid into the primary flow of a first fluid, and when combined with a dispensing valve it obviates the need for a venturi independent from a valve to accomplish mixing at low flows and low liquid head pressure.

1 . A device for mixing a first fluid and a second fluid, said device including:
 a venturi portion, said venturi portion including a body, said body having a first end, a second end, an outer periphery, a central bore, a mating interface located at the first end, and at least one induction passage having an entrance and an exit, wherein said entrance of said at least one induction passage interfaces with the outer periphery and said exit interfaces with the central bore; and   a dispensing valve portion, said dispensing valve portion arranged for fluid connection with a fluid retaining bladder and having an output portion; said mating interface of said venturi portion connected to said output portion.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said central bore includes a first diameter, a second diameter, and a third diameter, 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing valve and the venturi portion are integrally molded to one another at said mating interface of said venturi portion. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the entrance of said at least one induction passage is positioned closer to said first end than is the exit of said induction passage. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said exit of at least one induction passage of said, venturi portion interfaces with the central bore tangentially, 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said, second end of said venturi portion includes an elongated tapered portion, 
     
     
         9 . A venturi device comprising:
 a body having a first end, a second, end, and an outer periphery;   a mating interface portion located at the first end;   a central bore, said central bore including a first diameter, a second diameter, and a third diameter; and   at least one induction passage, said passage including an entrance and an exit, wherein the entrance interfaces with the outer periphery and the exit interfaces with the central bore.   
     
     
         10 . The venturi device of  claim 9 , wherein said mating interface portion is removably connected to an output of a dispensing valve. 
     
     
         11 . The venturi device of  claim 9 , wherein the mating interface portion is integrally molded with an output of a dispensing valve. 
     
     
         12 . The venturi device of  claim 9 , wherein the first diameter is larger than the second, diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The venturi device of  claim 9 , wherein the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The venturi device of  claim 9  wherein the first and second diameters are of the same size. 
     
     
         15 . The venturi device of  claim 9 , wherein the entrance of the at least one induction passage is positioned closer to the first end than is the exit of the induction passage. 
     
     
         16 . The venturi device of  claim 9 , wherein said exit of said at least one induction passage interfaces with the central bore tangentially. 
     
     
         17 . The venturi device of  claim 9 , wherein said second end includes an elongated tapered portion. 
     
     
         18 . A method of mixing two fluids comprising the steps of:
 providing a first fluid, said first fluid being confined within a bladder;   providing said bladder with a dispensing valve, said dispensing valve being operable in open and closed positions;   providing said dispensing valve with an output portion;   providing a venturi device, said device comprising:   a body having a first end, a second end, a central, bore, at least one induction passage, and an outer periphery;   providing said first, end of said venturi device with a mating interface;   providing said at least one induction passage with an entrance and an exit, wherein said entrance interfaces with said outer periphery of said device and wherein said exit interfaces with said central bore;   interfacing said mating interface of said venturi device with said output portion of said dispensing valve;   opening said dispensing valve;   moving said first fluid from said bladder through said output of said dispensing valve and into said first end of said venturi device;   moving said first fluid through said central bore of said venturi device;   providing a second fluid;   moving said second fluid through said entrance of said at least one induction passage and toward, said central bore of said venturi device;   mixing said first fluid and said second fluid in said central bore of said venturi device to thereby provide a third, mixed fluid;   moving said third fluid through said central bore and toward said second end; and   closing said dispensing valve.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said first fluid is wine. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said second fluid is air. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of positioning said entrance of said at least one induction passage closer to said first end than is the exit of said induction passage. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the step of integrally molding said mating interface to said output portion of said dispensing valve. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of providing said central bore with a first diameter, a second diameter, and a third diameter. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and larger than the second diameter. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further including the step of providing the second end with an elongated tapered portion. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further including the step of collecting residual third fluid remaining in the venturi device.