Dispensing body for beverage dispenser, dispensing head and post-mixing beverage dispenser

Abstract

A dispensing body (2) is delimited by a head wall (20), a bottom wall (22), an upper wall (25) and a lower wall (26), and has fluid channels (200) that extend from inlet openings (220) to outlet openings (260) for the passage of liquids to be mixed in order to allow a beverage to be dispensed. The dispensing body (2) is made as one piece. A dispensing head (3) comprises such dispensing body (2), a mixer (7) and a nozzle (6). A post-mixing beverage dispenser (1) comprises such dispensing head (3), a flexible line (5) and a liquid feeding system (4).

Description

DISPENSING BODY FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSER, DISPENSING HEAD AND POST-MIXING BEVERAGE DISPENSERDESCRIPTIONField of application

[0001] The present invention relates to the distribution of beverages , and relates in particular to a post-mixing beverage dispenser and a dispensing body for said postmixing beverage dispenser .

[0002] Beverage dispensers are commonly used in a variety of locations including restaurants , bars , pubs , minimarkets , cinemas and any other commercial activity where beverages are served . These beverage dispensing systems often deliver a variety of beverages of di f fering types and flavors , such as flavored carbonated drinks , cold tea, water or also alcoholic beverages .

[0003] Some beverage dispensing systems have the form of a beverage tap column, while others use portable postmixing beverage dispensers , also known as post-mix dispensers or bar guns .

[0004] A post-mixing dispenser of this type uses a single noz zle for the delivery of several di f ferent beverages according to the requirements of the final user . The maj ority of such devices is provided with at least one button, more often numerous buttons , for controlling the delivery of a single beverage component or else thedelivery of a mixed beverage .

[0005] Such dispensers generally constitute flexible stems that terminate at a dispensing head that has a plurality of buttons thereon that are suitable for opening and closing a respective number of dispensing valves . Generally, such valves are controlled mechanically by means of simple mechanical compression-interruption systems .

[0006] Such valves are arranged to interrupt fluid channels within which diluents may flow such as natural water, carbonated water, soda, tonic as well as various flavored or concentrated syrups that are fed to the head through the flexible stem .

[0007] By selectively pressing the buttons of the dispensing head the valves are opened to allow the flow of concentrate and diluent for forming the post-mixing beverage .

[0008] The patent literature regarding such devices is quite extensive .

[0009] The dispensing head compri ses an inner body, which within the present di scus sion will be referred to as the dispensing body within which the fluid ducts for the passage of liquids are obtained, and an outer shell of such dispensing body . Such dispensing body is manufactured from a material that is compatible withcoming into contact with foodstuffs and that is generally obtained in polymethyl methacrylate ( PMMA) .

[0010] Dispensing bodies of known post-mixing dispensers generally comprise from four to fourteen fluid channels and therefore have an intricate set o f channels .

[0011] In the prior art , in order to obtain such channels , it is known to manufacture the dispensing body by means of assembling a series of parts each of which has one or more portions of such channels , in such a way that from the assembly thereof those fluid channels that are envisaged by the application are delimited .

[0012] Such parts are generally supported therebetween and constrained by means of gluing or fastening by means of external fastening means such as screws or pins .

[0013] Disadvantageously, the dispensing bodies that are manufactured using such techniques are cumbersome and require the use of a large quantity o f material .

[0014] Disadvantageously, therefore , in addition to the ergonomics thereof , this has a negative ef fect on the weight of the obj ect .

[0015] According to a further disadvantage , the fact that the dispensing body and the fluid channels thereof are obtained by means of assembling several parts does not ensure an optimal seal and exposes them to the risk of leakages . Furthermore , the residues of said syrupsdispensed through said dispensing body may remain trapped within the gaps that form due to dimensional tolerances between each of the parts that forms said body, over time exposing the product to dirt and bacteria .

[0016] Furthermore , such feature also involves exposure to the risk of external contamination .Solution of the invention

[0017] The need to provide a post-mixing dispenser, a dispensing head and a dispensing body for such dispensing head that is capable of overcoming the typical drawbacks of the state of the art is therefore strongly felt .

[0018] In particular, the obj ect of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser that is compact , light and ergonomic .

[0019] A further obj ect of the present invention is to provide a dispensing body that is safe from leakage and contamination .

[0020] This requirement is met by a beverage dispenser, a dispensing head and a dispensing body according to the accompanying independent claims . The claims dependent thereupon describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention, comprising further advantageous features .Description of the drawings

[0021] The features and advantages of the beveragedispenser and of the dispensing body will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter of some preferred embodiments , given by way of indicative and non-limiting example , with reference to the accompanying figures , wherein :

[0022] Fig . 1 is an exploded view of a portion of a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Fig . 2 is a lateral sectional view of a dispensing head for a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Fig . 3 shows a perspective view of a beverage dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein, for convenience , the length of the flexible stem has been reduced;

[0025] Fig . 4 is a perspective view of a dispens ing body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Fig . 5 , 6 and 7 are , respectively, a side view, a view from below and a rear view of the dispensing body of Fig . 4 ;

[0027] Fig . 8 shows a beverage dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig . 9 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig . 8 wherein a dispensing body is visible in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig . 10 is a lateral sectional view of the detail shown in Fig . 9 ;

[0030] Fig . 11 shows a beverage dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig . 12 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig . 11 , wherein a dispensing body is visible in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig . 13 is a lateral sectional view of the detail shown in Fig . 12 .Detailed description

[0033] With reference to the aforesaid figures , a postmixing beverage dispenser is indicated in the entirety thereof with the reference numeral 1 . Reference will be made to this in the following discussion, in the interest of the intelligibility of this text , using the terminology "beverage dispenser" or s imply "dispenser" .

[0034] The beverage dispenser 1 according to the present invention is suitable for dispensing post-mixing beverages , i . e . , following mixing, which preferably occurs within said dispenser .

[0035] The dispensing body 2 of the present invention, which will be better described in the remainder of the present discussion, is suitable for being applied either in beverage dispensers 1 with a handle , commonly known as bar-guns , for example of the type depicted in Fig . 1 to3 , or in post-mixing beverage dispensers , as shown for example in Fig . 8 or 11 .

[0036] The beverage dispenser 1 in one embodiment , with reference for example to Fig . 1 to 3 , comprises a dispensing head 3 comprising a handle 30 which has a noz zle 6 at one end for dispensing the beverage . The handle 30 is connected at the other end to a flexible line 5 which is connected to a feeding system 4 comprising a valve assembly 40 comprising shut-of f and flow valves for controlling the flow of liquids ( i . e . , of the components of the beverage ) towards the dispensing head 3 . The valve assembly 40 is in turn connected to a feed tank .

[0037] Preferably, the feeding system 4 is separate from the dispensing head 3 .

[0038] The flexible line 5 comprises a tubular enclosure 50 that houses a plurality of flexible connecting channels 500 between the valve assembly 40 and the fluid channels 200 of the dispensing body 2 .

[0039] The dispensing head 3 , furthermore , has buttons 9 on the handle 30 , which, according to the button 9 pressed by the operator, actuate valves for the delivery of a single beverage component or else a mixed beverage solution .

[0040] Preferably, the buttons 9 are configured so as toelectronically actuate the opening and closing of said valves , which are preferably solenoid valves .

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment , the buttons 9 are integrated into a membrane keyboard 90 .

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment , the handle 30 comprises an outer shell 300 that delimits an inner volume containing a dispensing body 2 according to the present invention .

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment , the shell 300 comprises a first shell portion 301 and a second shell portion 302 assembled therebetween by means of shape- or snapcoupling or by means of external fastening means .

[0044] Preferably, the buttons 9 are integrated into the shell 300 , preferably into the second portion of the shell 302 without ful ly occupying it , in such a way that it has a gripping segment 320 that is suitable for being grasped without touching said buttons .

[0045] Preferably, within the shell 300 , preferably within the first shell portion 301 , a noz zle opening 35 is obtained that is suitable for allowing access to the dispensing body 2 and suitable for allowing the noz zle 6 to be mounted onto said dispensing body 2 .

[0046] The dispensing body 2 according to the present invention is made in a single piece , preferably a single block of polymethyl methacrylate ( PMMA) .

[0047] Preferably, the dispensing body 2 is transparent .

[0048] Advantageously, by virtue of such feature , it is possible to detect possible contamination and residues of syrups and / or of diluents inside the dispensing body .

[0049] Said dispensing body 2 extends between a head wall 20 and a bottom wall 22 along a liquid inj ection direction X .

[0050] The dispensing body 2 is furthermore delimited above by an upper wall 24 and below by a lower wall 26 . Such upper and lower walls 24 , 26 are mutually spaced along a secant liquid dispensing direction Z and preferably substantially transverse ( orthogonal ) to the liquid inj ection direction X .

[0051] Furthermore , the dispensing body 2 comprises , between the aforementioned walls , lateral connecting walls 28 .

[0052] Outlet openings 260 are obtained in the lower wall 26 which are suitable for delivering one or more liquids along a liquid dispensing direction Z .

[0053] Preferably, when the dispensing body 2 is assembled to form the dispensing head 3 , the noz zle opening 35 allows access to said outlet openings 260 .

[0054] The outlet openings 260 are suitable for being fluidly connected to a mixer . Preferably, such outlet openings 260 are arranged in such a way as to align withrespective inj ection openings of a mixer that is typical of the prior art .

[0055] In a preferred embodiment , such outlet openings 260 comprise lateral outlet openings 260 ' arranged on a circumference and a central outlet opening 260" arranged at the center of such circumference .

[0056] The dispensing body 2 , at the bottom wall 22 , has an inlet opening 220 that is suitable for receiving, at the inlet , one or more liquids along the liquid inj ection direction X, preferably inj ected by means of fluid channels 500 of a flexible line 5 that is fed by a feeding system 4 .

[0057] In a preferred embodiment , the inlet openings 220 are randomly arranged on the bottom wall 22 , i . e . , they do not follow an ordered arrangement .

[0058] According to the invention, fluid channels 200 are obtained within the dispensing body 2 that extend from the inlet openings 220 to the outlet openings 260 .

[0059] In a preferred embodiment , such fluid channels 200 each comprise an initial segment that extends along an inj ection direction X thereof and an end segment that extends along a dispensing direction Z thereof . Preferably, the end segments of each fluid channel 200 are parallel therebetween . That is to say that they have in common the same dispensing direction Z .

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the initial segments of at least two fluid channels 200 are secant therebetween, i.e., they identify two different injection directions X.

[0061] At least two of said fluid channels 200 always remain fluidly separated therebetween along the path thereof. In this way, isolation is ensured between the various liquid or syrup flavorings until the point of mixing .

[0062] According to one embodiment, the dispensing body 2 comprises only fluid channels 200 which always remain fluidly separated along the path thereof between the inlet and the outlet. In other words, the fluid channels 200 never intersect.

[0063] As a preference, each of said fluid channels 200 extends from one inlet opening 220 thereof to one outlet opening 260 thereof.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment, at least one fluid channel 200 extends from two different inlet openings 220 to a single outlet opening 260.

[0065] That is to say that, according to one embodiment, at least two fluid channels 200 originate from two different inlet openings 220, intersect along the path thereof and converge at the same outlet opening 260.

[0066] Such is the case, for example, of the diluent channel 250, which extends both from a first diluentinlet opening 221 and from a second diluent inlet 223 and terminates at the same diluent outlet opening 261 .

[0067] In one embodiment , such diluent may be any mixing base , for example natural water, carbonated water, tonic or soda .

[0068] In one embodiment , the dispensing body 2 and in particular, preferably, the fluid channels 200 , are obtained within the dispensing body 2 by means of subtractive manufacturing techniques , preferably by means of five-axis numerical control ( CNC ) .

[0069] According to di f ferent embodiments , the dispensing body 2 comprises from 4 to 14 fluid channels 200 , preferably from 6 to 14 , and in particular, preferably 6 or 8 or 10 or 12 or 14 fluid channels 200 .

[0070] In an advantageous embodiment , the dispensing body 2 comprises couplings 29 obtained in a single piece therewith and protruding from the bottom wall 22 .

[0071] In such embodiment , the inlet openings 220 are obtained within said couplings 29 . That is to say that the fluid channels 200 obtained within the dispensing body 2 continue within such couplings 29 to the inlet openings 220 .

[0072] Such couplings 29 are suitable for implementing connections between the fluid channels 200 and external fluid supply channels 50 that are suitable for feedingliquids from a feeding system 4 to the dispensing body 2 .

[0073] In an advantageous embodiment variant , the couplings 29 extend over a coupling distance L from the bottom wall 22 of the dispensing body 2 .

[0074] Preferably, along such coupling distance L, such couplings have a tubular portion 291 and a f rustoconical portion 292 , tapered outwards .

[0075] The f rustoconical portion 292 has a larger f rustoconical base having a larger cross-section than the cross-section of the tubular portion 291 .

[0076] Preferably, once an extension axis of each coupling has been identi fied, at least two couplings identi fy mutually secant extension axes .

[0077] In one embodiment , once an extension axis of each coupling has been identi fied, at least two couplings identi fy mutually skewed extension axes .

[0078] In a preferred embodiment , all of the couplings identi fy extension axes wherein all thereof are mutually skewed .

[0079] Advantageously, such configuration makes it possible to integrate a high number of fluid channels within a limited volume , with consequent resource savings as regards the usage of material and compactness of the dispenser .

[0080] Preferably, the extension axis of each couplingcorresponds to the inj ection direction Z of the respective inlet opening 220 .

[0081] In a preferred embodiment , at the base of the tubular portion 291 , the couplings 29 have a flat portion that is transverse to the extension axis thereo f .

[0082] Preferably, such flat portion is obtained by means of additive subtraction processing and facilitates the connection to the fluid channels 500 of the flexible line 5 .

[0083] Advantageously, such shape allows such couplings to permanently seal and constrain the fluid channels of the flexible line .

[0084] Advantageously, the couplings 29 that are integrated into the dispensing body make it possible to avoid the use of further fluid connection components , which favors the sealing and reliability of the entire system .

[0085] In one embodiment , the dispensing head 3 comprises a mixer that is operatively connected downstream of the dispensing body 2 , preferably contained within an inner cavity of the noz zle 6 .

[0086] In one embodiment , an engagement seat is obtained in the lower wall 26 that is suitable for engaging with a mixer and / or a noz zle 6 .

[0087] In one embodiment , the dispensing body 2 has anchoring points 27 that are suitable for allowing theattachment thereof to the outer shell 300 .

[0088] The present invention also refers to a manufacturing method for a dispensing body 2 according to the present invention by means of five-axis numerical control ( CNC ) subtractive manufacturing techniques .

[0089] In a preferred embodiment , the method includes the step of carrying out the processing starting from a polymethyl methacrylate ( PMMA) monoblock .

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment , the beverage dispenser 1 is a countertop dispenser, for example a post-mixing tap, as for example depicted in Fig . 8 or 11 .

[0091] In one embodiment , the dispenser 1 is devoid of a handle and the dispensing body 2 is directly housed within a seat 400 obtained within the dispenser 1 at the point of delivery .

[0092] In one embodiment , as shown in Fig . 10 , the dispensing body 2 is operatively connected to a noz zle 6 for dispensing the beverage and to a mixer 8 that is preferably contained within the inner cavity of the noz zle 6 .

[0093] In one embodiment , an engagement seat is obtained in the lower wall 26 of the dispensing body 2 that is suitable for engaging with a mixer 8 and / or a noz zle 6 for dispensing beverages in the dispensing direction Z .

[0094] In such embodiment , the couplings 29 may be connected, for example by means of a flexible line , to a feeding system 4 comprising a valve assembly, for example comprising shut-of f and flow valves for controlling the flow of liquids ( i . e . , of the components of the beverage ) towards the dispensing head 2 . The valve assembly is in turn connected to a feed tank .

[0095] In one embodiment , with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in Fig . 11 to 13 , preferably in one of the embodiments wherein the dispensing body 2 is intended to be applied to countertop dispensers , the liquid inj ection direction X and the liquid dispensing direction Z are parallel therebetween .

[0096] In one embodiment , the inlet openings 220 are obtained in the upper wall 24 of the dispensing body 2 and the fluid channels 200 extend from the inlet openings 220 obtained in the upper wall 24 to the outlet openings 260 obtained in the lower wall 26 .

[0097] Innovatively, the present invention solves the drawbacks of the post-mixing beverage dispensers that are typical of the prior art .

[0098] Advantageously, the beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention is compact and l ight .

[0099] Advantageously, the dispensing body, as a single piece , facilitates the operations of connecting to thefluid channels of the flexible feed l ine .

[0100] Advantageously, by virtue of the synergistic combination of the fluid channels obtained within a monoblock body and the couplings which are obtained as a single piece with the dispensing body, an excellent seal again leakage is ensured .

[0101] It is clear that to the embodiments of the beverage dispenser, of the dispensing head and of the dispensing body, a person skilled in the art , in order to meet speci fic needs , could make variations or substitutions of elements with other functionally equivalent ones .

[0102] Such variants are also included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims . Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described .

Claims

Claims1. A dispensing body (2) for a dispensing head (3) for the distribution of post-mixing beverages, extending between a head wall (20) and a bottom wall (22) along a liquid injection direction (X) and between an upper wall (25) and a lower wall (26) along a liquid dispensing direction (Z) transverse to the liquid injection direction (X) , wherein, at the bottom wall (22) , the dispensing body (2) has inlet openings (220) suitable for receiving one or more incoming liquids along the liquid injection direction (X) , and wherein outlet openings (260) are obtained in the lower wall (26) , which are suitable for dispensing said one or more liquids along said liquid dispensing direction (Z) , said outlet openings (260) being suitable for being fluidly connected to a mixer, and wherein fluid channels (200) are obtained in the dispensing body (2) , which extend from the inlet openings (220) to the outlet openings (260) , wherein at least two of said fluid channels (200) are always kept fluidly separated from each other along the path thereof, said dispensing body (2) being characterized in that it is made in a single piece.

2. Dispensing body (2) according to claim 1, made of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) monoblock.

3. Dispensing body (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising couplings (29) obtained in one piece therewith and protruding from the bottom wall (22) , said coupling (29) being suitable for achieving the connection between the fluid channels (200) and external fluid supply ducts (50) suitable for feeding liquids to the dispensing body (2) .

4. Dispensing body (2) according to claim 3, wherein the inlet openings (220) are obtained in said couplings (29) .

5. Dispensing body (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the couplings (29) project for a coupling length (L) from the bottom wall (22) and, along such a coupling length (L) , have a tubular portion (291) and a f rustoconical portion (292) , tapered outwards.

6. Dispensing body (2) according to claim 5, wherein the f rustoconical portion (292) has a larger f rustoconical base having a larger cross-section than the cross-section of the tubular portion (291) .

7. Dispensing body (2) according to claim 6, wherein once an extension axis of each coupling (29) has been identified, at least two couplings (29) identify mutually secant extension axes, and wherein at the base of the tubular portion (291) , the couplings (29) have a flat portion transverse to their extension axis.

8. A dispensing head (3) for a post-mixing beveragedispenser (1) comprising a handle (30) comprising an outer shell (300) delimiting an inner volume (I) containing a dispensing body (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a mixer operatively connected to the dispensing body (2) to receive and mix liquids dispensed by the dispensing body (2) , and a nozzle (6) to dispense the beverage resulting from the mixing.

9. Dispensing head (3) according to claim 8, comprising buttons (9) to electronically operate the injection and / or dispensing of one or more liquids.

10. Dispensing head (3) according to claim 9, wherein the buttons (9) are integrated in a membrane keyboard (90) installed on the shell (300) .

11. A post-mixing beverage dispenser (1) comprising a dispensing head (3) according to one of claims 8 to 10, a flexible line (5) and a feeding system (4) , wherein the dispensing head (3) is connected to the feeding system (4) by means of said flexible line (5) .

12. Post-mixing beverage dispenser (1) according to claim 11, wherein the feeding system comprises a valve assembly (40) to control the flow of liquids towards the dispensing head (3) and wherein said valve assembly (40) comprises solenoid valves operable by means of buttons (9) installed on the dispensing head (3) .

13. A manufacturing method of a dispensing body (2)according to any one of claims 1 to 7 by means of five- axis numerical control (CNC) subtractive techniques.

14. Manufacturing method according to claim 13, comprising the step of carrying out the processing starting from a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) monoblock.

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