US-12616945-B2 - Mixing funnel

US12616945B2US 12616945 B2US12616945 B2US 12616945B2US-12616945-B2

Abstract

A mixing funnel for mixing fluids is provided. In one embodiment, the mixing funnel includes a tray having a fluid inlet arranged to receive a primary fluid flow, and first and second fluid passages configured to receive primary fluid flow from the fluid inlet such that the flow is divided to flow along the first and second fluid passages. The first and second fluid passages can be arranged to direct the primary fluid flow to a mixing area. The tray can further include a fluid outlet arranged to receive the primary fluid flow from the mixing area and to deliver the fluid to a container.

Inventors

Nathan Louis Bollen
Andrew David Zdeblick
Jack Richardson
Andrew Terajewicz
Brandon J. Suleski

Assignees

SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240529

Claims (8)

1 . A beverage device, comprising: a housing having a first outlet configured to emit a primary fluid and at least one secondary outlet configured to emit an additive to be mixed with the primary fluid; a funnel arranged on the housing to receive the primary fluid through a funnel inlet, the funnel having a partition configured to direct the primary fluid along first and second fluid passages, and the partition defining a fluid outlet path disposed between the first and second fluid passages, the fluid outlet path being configured to direct the primary fluid from the first and second fluid passages to a funnel outlet disposed between the first and second fluid passages, and the funnel being arranged on the housing to receive the additive at a location adjacent to the funnel inlet such that the additive flows with the primary fluid along at least one of the first and second fluid passages and through the fluid outlet path to the funnel outlet.
2 . The beverage device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one secondary outlet comprises a first secondary outlet configured to emit a first additive and a second secondary outlet configured to emit a second additive, the funnel being arranged to receive the first additive in the first fluid passage and the funnel being arranged to receive the second additive in the second fluid passage.
3 . The beverage device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid passages are sloped downward from the funnel inlet to a mixing area, the fluid outlet path extending from the mixing area to the funnel outlet.
4 . The beverage device of claim 3 , wherein the fluid outlet path is sloped downward from the mixing area to the funnel outlet.
5 . The beverage device of claim 1 , wherein the funnel inlet and funnel outlet are positioned at a rear portion of the funnel, and the first and second fluid passages extend from a rear portion to a front portion of the funnel.
6 . The beverage device of claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the funnel is hydrophilic.
7 . The beverage device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one wicking rib extending between the funnel inlet and the funnel outlet along an outside of the funnel.
8 . The beverage device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle extending along an outer portion of the funnel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/300,860, filed Apr. 14, 2023, and titled “MIXING FUNNEL,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein its entirety. FIELD The subject matter described herein relates to a mixing funnel to encourage thorough mixing of carbonated water and an additive. BACKGROUND Conventional beverage dispensing devices operate to carbonate and/or augment water. Some devices may mix carbonated water and an additive, such as flavoring or vitamins, together in a machine and then dispense the resulting mixture into a receptacle. Unless the devices are thoroughly cleaned, this method can result in contamination occurring over time. Other devices rely on crushing, puncturing, and/or generally compromising additive containers in order to access the additives retained within the containers. These methods of breaching flavoring containers can result in splatter and mess, which, if not thoroughly cleaned, can result in similar contamination. Still other devices rely on carbonating water within a specialized container to be attached to the device, and from which the resulting beverage is served. The container can be pre-filled with water and/or an additive, and then it can be secured to the devices and pressurized within the container and used to serve the resulting beverage. These devices, however, can create excess plastic waste, as specially adapted bottles must be produced to interface with the device. In addition, these devices can only produce a single beverage within the pressurized container. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved methods and devices for carbonating and dispensing mixed beverages. SUMMARY This disclosure relates to mixing additives for a carbonated beverage. An example embodiment of the subject matter described herein is a beverage device with the following features. A housing can have a first outlet configured to emit a primary fluid and at least one secondary outlet configured to emit an additive to be mixed with the primary fluid. A funnel can be arranged on the housing to receive the primary fluid through a funnel inlet. In some embodiments, at least one secondary outlet and a second secondary outlet can be configured to emit a first additive and a second additive respectively. The funnel can be arranged to receive the first additive in a first fluid passage and the second additive in a second fluid passage respectively. Each passage can be defined by the funnel. In some embodiments, the funnel can include a partition configured to direct the primary fluid along first and second flow passages. The partition can include a fluid outlet path configured to direct the primary fluid from the first and second flow passages to a funnel outlet. The funnel itself can be arranged on the housing to receive the additive at a location adjacent to the funnel inlet such that the additive flows with the primary fluid along at least one of the first and second flow passages and through the fluid outlet passage to the funnel outlet. In some embodiments, the mixing funnel for mixing fluids includes a tray. The tray can have a back wall with a fluid inlet arranged to receive a primary fluid flow. A bottom surface of the tray can extend from the back wall towards the front wall and can have first and second fluid passages formed such that primary fluid flow from the fluid inlet is divided to flow along the first and second fluid passages. The first and second fluid passages can be sloped downward from the funnel inlet to a mixing area and can direct the primary fluid flow to a mixing area adjacent the front wall of the tray. A fluid outlet passage can extend from the mixing area to the funnel outlet. For example, fluid outlet passage can be sloped downward from the mixing area to the funnel outlet. Such an outlet for fluid can be arranged to receive the primary fluid flow from the mixing area. In some embodiments, the fluid inlet and the outlet are positioned adjacent the back wall. In addition, at least one wicking rib can extend between the inlet and the outlet along an outside of the tray. In some embodiments, a handle can be formed on the front wall of the tray. A partition can be located between the first and second fluid passages and configured to direct the primary fluid flow from fluid inlet into the first and second fluid passages. In some embodiments, the partition can define an exit flow path extending to the fluid outlet. The partition can project upward from the bottom surface and is substantially U-shaped. The bottom surface can be sloped downward from the back wall towards a front wall of the tray. A variety of features can be included to mitigate any splashing that may occur during operation. For example, ribs can extend from an upper edge of the tray towards an interior of the mixing funnel. Alternatively or in addition, a removable cover can be disposed over the tray. In such embodiments,