SwirlTek
Inline Mixing Technology
Yes that tornado is upside down on purpose. Here’s why.
Apex Ideas Ltd has developed ‘SwirlTek’, a patented new method of continuous mixing for the addition of an additive to a fluid flow.
The technology has applications in both consumer (home & garden) as well as industrial (agriculture, water treatment) markets. These are explained below and licensees are sought to exploit the the technology in different markets and territories.
SwirlTek
Many different types of inline mixing devices are known and one of the most common types is the venturi pump where the main flow is accelerated through a nozzle to create a low pressure zone capable of drawing in an external additive. However, devices of this type can severely restrict the flow and also perform less well at lower flowrates. These two factors are important especially in home and garden applications.
SwirlTek overcomes these problems by not restricting the fluid flow and not containing any moving parts. This means lower cost, increased reliability and wider application.
Inventor Alan Somerfield
Alan Somerfield is the director of Apex Ideas Ltd, a product development and innovation consultancy specialising in mechanical consumer products. He founded Apex in 2021 after completing 15 years as innovation director for three different manufacturing businesses.
One of those businesses was Interbath Incorporated in Los Angeles, who were the company to introduce the North American market to the handheld shower. Whilst there, Alan led a project to mix personal care products with the water upstream of the showerhead. The technology used at that time has now been improved upon and superseded.
Markets and Applications
Whilst there are many different applications for the SwirlTek technology using many different combinations of gases, solids and fluids, the main ones within home and garden, agriculture and industry are outlined below.
Bathroom
The first successful product launch was by ShowerSpaah to help people who need help in the shower. 48% of the the 16 million disabled people in the UK have a physical impairment. ShowerSpaah can help them preserve dignity, respect and independence.
Please visit the ShowerSpaah website to learn more.
Pet Grooming
Some ShowerSpaah customers are already using the product to help them wash their dog.
Less stress means a happier owner and a happier pet. Easily shampoo your pet without having to deal with bottles.
The perfect addition to your dog shower.
Kitchen
Mixing the washing up liquid with water as it flows from the tap either as an integrated or accessorised solution. Make your washing up liquid go further.
Garden
There are many existing products for the application of fertiliser to the garden by using a hose pipe. SwirlTek provides more consistent concentrations and works at lower flow rates.
Agriculture
Adding supplements to the drinking water supply to help prevent bloating and other diseases.
Eductor Systems
Eductors, or jet pumps, utilize the kinetic energy of a fluid to entrain and transport other fluids (liquids or solids). They find applications in diverse industries, such as industrial mixing, pumping, slurry handling and solids conveyancing.
Contact Information
If you think your business may benefit from this technology then please use the contact form to get in touch.