Patent Publication Number: US-2023157478-A1

Title: Removable vortex apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This U.S. Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application: 63/282,828 filed Nov. 24, 2021, to the above-named inventors, the disclosure of which is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to brewing equipment, namely vessel, components, and method for improving sediment settling and efficiency of immersion chillers and HERMS coils. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As generally known, during the brewing process hops, trub, and other sediment can gather at the bottom of a brewing vessel. During the brewing process it is beneficial to create a whirlpool or other vortex for settling hops and trub to the center bottom of the brewing vessel. Currently a user may manually create a whirlpool or vortex by stirring the liquid in the vessel during the brewing process. Alternatively, other apparatuses currently require a user to hold an apparatus during the process to create a whirlpool during the brewing process. There exists a need for an easily removable couplable apparatus to allow users to easily create a vortex during the brewing process that can be adapted to various brewing apparatuses and maintained in position without external support from a user. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, this disclosure is related to an apparatus to be removably couplable with a brewing vessel, wherein the apparatus is configured to generate a vortex/whirlpool of a liquid within the brewing vessel and any sediment, trub, or hops are moved to the center of an area at the bottom of the vessel. The removably couplable vortex apparatus for a brewing vessel can include a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a curved portion. The first arm portion can have a first end and a second end, wherein the second end includes an outlet portion and can be positioned within an interior of the vessel. The second arm portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end can include an inlet portion and can be positioned on an exterior of the vessel. A curved portion, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm portion can extend a first predetermined distance from the first end of the curved portion and the second arm portion extends a second predetermined distance from the second end of the curved portion. The first arm can extend downward from the curved portion at a first angle and the second arm portion can extend down from the curved portion at a second angle. The apparatus can further include a cam member having an aperture that approximates the diameter of the arms of the vortex apparatus and can be removably couplable to the vortex apparatus by sliding the arm of the vortex apparatus through the aperture until in the desired position. The aperture can be formed off center to allow for a user to rotate the cam around the vortex apparatus to change the distance between the second arm portion and the sidewall of the vessel and applying a greater pressure or compressive force against the vessel sidewall to secure the vortex apparatus to the vessel. 
     In another aspect, this disclosure is related to a method for creating a vortex within a vessel utilizing a removable apparatus. The vortex generated by the apparatus is sufficient to settle hops and trub in the center of a brewing vessel. The method for creating a vortex sufficient to settle hops and trub in the center of a brewing vessel can include first coupling the vortex apparatus of the present disclosure to a vessel by positioning a vessel wall in between the first arm portion and second arm portion. The vortex apparatus can include a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a curved portion. The first arm portion can have a first end and a second end, wherein the second end include an outlet portion and can be positioned within an interior of the vessel. The second arm portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end includes an inlet portion and can be positioned on an exterior of the vessel. A curved portion, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm portion can extend a first predetermined distance from the first end of the curved portion and the second arm portion extends a second predetermined distance from the second end of the curved portion. The first arm can extend downward from the curved portion at a first angle and the second arm portion can extend down from the curved portion at a second angle. A liquid can then be pumped from withing the vessel from a vessel outlet to the inlet portion to redirect the liquid through the vortex apparatus and through the outlet back into the vessel, wherein the apparatus directs the liquid along the vessel wall to create a whirlpool/vortex within the vessel. 
     In yet another aspect, this disclosure is related to a removable cam for adjusting the pressure applied to a vessel by a removably couplable apparatus to a vessel. 
     The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure coupled to a vessel. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a first cross-section (A) view of  FIG.  2    of the interior wall of the vessel having an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure coupled to the vessel. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a second cross-section (B) view of  FIG.  2    of the interior wall of the vessel having an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure coupled to the vessel. 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure coupled to a vessel. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5 C  is another side view of an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5 D  is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a whirlpool apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cam of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a cam of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7 A  is a close-up view of a vessel sidewall with an exemplary embodiment of a vortex apparatus of the present disclosure having a cam positioned in a first position. 
         FIG.  7 B  is a close-up view of a vessel sidewall with an exemplary embodiment of a vortex apparatus of the present disclosure having a cam positioned in a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     Before the present invention of this disclosure is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment” indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , an exemplary embodiment of the vortex apparatus  100  of the present disclosure can have a first portion  1  having a predetermined length that can extend within the interior cavity of a vessel  10  and a second portion  3  having a predetermined length that can extend outside on the exterior side/surface of the vessel  10 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the first portion  1  can extend down the interior wall  16  of the vessel  10 . The first portion  1  and second portion  3  can be coupled or formed together and meet at a curvature junction  5  having a radius located between the first portion  1  and second portion  3  of the apparatus  100 . An exemplary embodiment of the vortex apparatus  100  can be formed using one or more tubular pieces. In one exemplary embodiment, the vortex apparatus  100  can be formed from a single tubular piece and bend and radiused according. Alternatively, the apparatus can be comprised of one or more tube components to form an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The tube can be constructed from any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, metal alloys, plastic, or polymers. As shown in the  FIG.  1   , the first and second arm portions  1 ,  3  can extend down from the curved portion at an angle of attack wherein the first portion and second portion approach each other towards a gap  20 . In some exemplary embodiments, the first portion can be generally parallel to the vessel wall  16  and the second portion  3  can follow an angle towards the first arm  1 . In some exemplary embodiments, the first arm portion  1  can extend downward from the curved portion at a first angle and the second arm portion can extend down from the curved portion at a second angle. As shown in  FIG.  3 B , the first angle can be generally parallel to the vessel wall and the second angle can be towards the vessel wall. In some embodiments, both the first angle and second angle can be towards the vessel wall. When the apparatus is applied to a vessel, the gap  20  between the two portions  1 ,  3  can be minimal as shown in  FIG.  5 A  or the ends of portions  1 ,  3  may contact each other. A cam  7  can further provide a friction means to allow the apparatus  100  to remain in position when in operation and pressure from the inlet  9  and outlet  13  are induced. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the cam  7  can additionally fill in the gap  20  between the first arm  1  and second arm  3 . 
     Additionally, the second end/inlet  9  of the second portion  3  can include various coupling means  11  to allow the vortex apparatus  100  to be coupled to a secondary fitting or tube. In some exemplary embodiments, the coupling means  11  can include, but is not limited to, threading, NPT, plain, barb, cam-lock tri-clamp, or any other suitable coupling means. Similarly, the first arm portion can have a first end and a second end. In some exemplary embodiments, the second end can include an outlet portion  13 . An aperture at the end of the outlet portion  13  can be located proximate to the gap  20  between the first portion  1  and the second portion  3  of the vortex apparatus  100 . In some exemplary embodiments, the first portion  1  can extend downward from the curvature junction  5  along an axis for a predetermined distance. The first portion  1  and second portion  2  can run generally parallel to the axis of the vessel wall. In some exemplary embodiments, the length of the first portion  1  can be more than the length of the second portion  3 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the first arm portion  1  can have a section  15  including one or more bends, wherein the direction of the outlet can be bent to a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the first arm portion  1  and/or generally parallel to the bottom surface  14  of the vessel  10 . The bend portion  15  can allow for the liquid passing through the apparatus to direct the liquid around the interior wall  16  of the vessel  10  through the outlet  13  of the bend portion  15 . Additionally, one or more additional bends can be added to the first arm portion  1  to add rigidity and limit the twisting of the apparatus  100  during operation. The outlet portion  13  can be positioned to direct the flow of liquid through the apparatus tangentially on the inside wall  16  of the vessel  10  to create a vortex/whirlpool within the vessel  10  and within the liquid within the vessel  10 . 
     In some embodiments, a cam  7  can be positioned proximate to the gap  20 . The gap  20  between the first arm portion  1  and second arm portion  3  can be between about 1 mm to about 3 cm, or between about 5 mm to about 2 cm, or about 1 cm. In some exemplary embodiments, there can be no gap and the first arm portion  1  and second arm portion  3  can contact each other. The composition of the apparatus  100  can allow for some flex or bending between the first arm portion  1  and second arm portion  3  to allow a user to create a gap  20  when applying the apparatus  100  to a vessel  10 . In some exemplary embodiments, a portion of each of the first arm portion  1  and second arm portion  3  can contact interior  16  and/or exterior  18  vessel walls respectively as shown in  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  4    further illustrates the cross-section portions (A-A and B-B) illustrated in  FIGS.  3 A-B . A portion of the first arm portion  1  and second arm portion  3  can apply a compressive force against the vessel sidewall to maintain the apparatus  100  in position on the vessel  10 . The first arm portion  1  can apply pressure against the interior wall  16  of the vessel  10  and the second arm portion  3  can apply pressure against the exterior wall  18  of the vessel  10 . Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, one or more cams  7  can further help in aiding additional pressure against the vessel wall. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 , and  6 A-B , a stopper apparatus or cam  7  can be located proximate to the second end of the second arm  3  of the vortex apparatus  100 . The cam  7  can take any suitable shape, including but not limited to cylindrical ( FIG.  6 B ) or polygonal in nature. As shown in  FIG.  6 A , in some exemplary embodiments the cam  7  can be polygonal in shape and comprised of any suitable material, including but not limited to rubber. The cam  7  can be configured to provide a restrictive or friction force against the exterior surface  18  of the vessel  10 . In some exemplary embodiments utilizing the cam  7 , the cam  7  can have an aperture  23  that approximates the exterior circumference of the tube of the second portion  3  of the vortex apparatus  100 . In other embodiments, the cam  7  can be positioned on the first arm portion  1  of the vortex apparatus  100 , or alternatively on each of the first arm portion  1  and second arm portion  3  of the vortex apparatus  100 . 
     When the vortex apparatus  100  is placed over the lip  12  of the vessel  10  the cam  7  can be rotated to firmly tighten the apparatus  100  into position on the vessel  10 . In some exemplary embodiments the aperture  23  of the cam  7  can be located off center to allow for a user to rotate the cam  7  around the tube to change the distance between the second arm portion  3  and the sidewall of the vessel  10 . As shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 B , the aperture  23  can be positioned off center and a first edge of the aperture can have a first distance between a first edge  25   a  of the cam  7  and the center of the aperture. Ana a second edge of the cam  25   b  can a have a second distance between the second edge  25   b  and the center of the aperture  23 . In some exemplary embodiments the first distance and second distance can be the same or different. If the first distance and second distance are different, this can result in the center of the aperture having a different distance from one or more of the various edges of the cam  7  and allows a user to easily adjust the position of the cam  7  by rotating around the second arm portion  3  of the apparatus  100  to increase or decrease the pressure the rubber cam  7  exerts against the vessel wall. As shown in  FIG.  7 A  the cam  7  can be positioned in a first position wherein the second arm  3  can have a first distance from the exterior vessel wall  18 .  FIG.  7 B  illustrates the cam  7  positioned in a second position wherein the second arm  3  has a second distance from the exterior of the vessel wall. In these exemplary embodiments, the second position results in the second distance being greater than the first and can additionally result in a stronger compressive force against the vessel wall. The adjustability of the cam  7  can also be used to account for vessel wall thickness. Similarly, to change the height of the outlet of the whirlpool, a user can move the device up and down as desired. In some exemplary embodiments as shown in  FIG.  5   , a cam  7  can be located toward the center of the device, the second arm portion  3  can be about half the length of the first arm portion  1 , wherein torque reaction from the thrust of the or liquid travelling out of the outlet  13  can be reduced by half. In addition, the cam  7  design allows simple intuitive positioning and tightening features all the while allowing for various thicknesses of kettles. Similarly, in some exemplary embodiments, an outlet portion can include a bend portion that has a bend of between about 60 to 120 degrees, or between about 75 to 110 degrees, or about a 90-degree bend from the first axis and configured to direct any fluid flowing out the outlet. The 90-degree bend can be formed into the first arm portion  1  or alternatively a fitting can be coupled to the end of the outlet  13  to provide the bend portion at the end of the outlet portion. 
     During the brewing process a recirculation pump and hose can be used and coupled to the vortex apparatus  100  to circulate the wort in the brewing vessel. The wort can be pumped from an outlet valve  22  of the kettle and into the threaded inlet end  9  of the vortex apparatus. The wort/liquid can flow through the inside of the tube and discharges tangentially on the sidewall of the kettle. The velocity of the flowing wort can cause the wort in the kettle to rotate and form a whirlpool. In addition to using the invention for settling out sediment, it can also be used for improving the efficiency of immersion chillers and HERMS coils as the flowing liquid over the cooling/heating coil increases turbulence and thereby increasing effectiveness. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, a liquid within the vessel can be drawn from a valve located proximate to the bottom of the vessel through a tube or by other means, a pump can then be used to move the liquid from the valve through a hose or tube to the inlet of the apparatus of the present disclosure. The liquid can flow through the apparatus and out the outlet end of the vortex apparatus of the present disclosure. 
     While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.