Beverage server and dispensing nozzle

Abstract

In order to dispense a carbonated beverage into a beverage container, the present invention comprises: a supply source for supplying a carbonated beverage; and a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the carbonated beverage supplied from the supply source into a beverage container. The dispensing nozzle includes: a cylindrical member; and a guide having a guide surface of which a portion is disposed inside the cylindrical member and another portion protrudes downward from the cylindrical member. The carbonated beverage falls inside the cylindrical member while being guided by the guide surface. The guide surface has an upper end and a lower end and is configured to decrease in slope toward the lower end from a position between the upper end and the lower end.

Description

Beverage servers and dispensing nozzles

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage server and a dispensing nozzle.

[0002] Beverage servers that dispense carbonated beverages such as carbonated water are known. For example, beverage servers that dispense carbonated beverages with a gas volume (GV) value of over 4.0 are required to dispense the carbonated beverage into a beverage container while suppressing fizziness. This is because it is important for such carbonated beverages to maintain a high GV after being dispensed into the beverage container.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-124006

[0004] The present invention aims to provide an advantageous technique for pouring carbonated beverages while suppressing foaming during pouring and maintaining a high GV.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a beverage server that dispenses carbonated beverages into beverage containers, the beverage server comprising a supply source that supplies carbonated beverages, and a dispensing nozzle that dispenses the carbonated beverage supplied from the supply source into the beverage container, the dispensing nozzle including a tubular member and a guide having a guide surface, one part of which is positioned inside the tubular member and another part of which protrudes below the tubular member, the carbonated beverage descending inside the tubular member while being guided by the guide surface, the guide surface having an upper end and a lower end, and the guide surface is configured to slope gently from a position between the upper end and the lower end towards the lower end.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a dispensing nozzle that dispenses a carbonated beverage supplied from a supply source that supplies carbonated beverages into a beverage container, the dispensing nozzle including a tubular member and a guide having a guide surface that is partly disposed inside the tubular member and another partly protrudes below the tubular member, the carbonated beverage descending inside the tubular member while being guided by the guide surface, the guide surface having an upper end and a lower end, and the guide surface is configured to slope gently from a position between the upper end and the lower end towards the lower end.

[0007] The present invention provides an advantageous technique for dispensing carbonated beverages while suppressing foaming during dispensing and maintaining a high GV.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a beverage server according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a first configuration example. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a first configuration example. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a second configuration example. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a second configuration example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a third configuration example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a third configuration example. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a fourth configuration example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a fifth configuration example. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a sixth configuration example. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a seventh configuration example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a seventh configuration example. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a dispensing nozzle according to a seventh configuration example. A diagram schematically showing the effect of an embodiment. A diagram schematically showing the effect of an embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0010] 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of a beverage server 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The beverage server 100 may include a main body 15 as a supply source for supplying a carbonated beverage CB, and a dispensing nozzle 9 that dispenses the carbonated beverage CB supplied from the main body 15 into a beverage container (not shown). The beverage server 100 may include a dispensing head 8 that protrudes from the main body 15, and the dispensing nozzle 9 may form part of the dispensing head 8. The beverage container may be, for example, a container that can have a lid attached (e.g., a water bottle) or a container that cannot have a lid attached (e.g., a tumbler), and is not limited to a specific type.

[0011] A beverage may be supplied to beverage server 100 via flow path 2. The beverage supplied to beverage server 100 may be water or a beverage other than water. From another perspective, the beverage supplied to beverage server 100 may be a beverage without added carbon dioxide gas or a carbonated beverage with added carbon dioxide gas. From yet another perspective, the beverage supplied to beverage server 100 may be an alcoholic beverage or a non-alcoholic beverage.

[0012] A filter 1 may be arranged in the flow path 2. The main body 15 may include a flow path 16 connected to the flow path 2. A valve 3 and a pump 4 may be provided in the flow path 16. The main body 15 may include an addition unit (carbonator) 13 that adds carbon dioxide gas to a beverage supplied to the main body 15 to produce a carbonated beverage CB. The beverage may be supplied to the addition unit 13 through the flow path 16. The addition unit 13 may be configured to dissolve carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas supply source (e.g., a carbon dioxide gas cylinder) 11 into the beverage. Carbon dioxide gas may be supplied from the carbon dioxide gas supply source 11 to the addition unit 13 via a pressure reducing valve 12.

[0013] The main body 15 may include a cooling tank 14. The addition unit 13 is cooled by a cooling liquid 17, such as water, in the cooling tank 14, thereby cooling the carbonated beverage CB. The flow path 16 may include a cooling coil 5 immersed in the cooling liquid 17. The carbonated beverage CB produced by the addition unit 13 may be supplied to the dispensing head 8 (dispensing nozzle 9) through a flow path 6. The flow path 6 may include a cooling coil 7 immersed in the cooling liquid 17.

[0014] The dispensing head 10 may be provided with a positioning member 10 for positioning a beverage container (not shown). A user may position the beverage container by pressing the beverage container against the positioning member 10. In this state, it is preferable from a hygienic point of view that the opening of the beverage container does not come into contact with the dispensing head 10.

[0015] 2A, 2B, and 2C show a dispensing nozzle 9 according to a first configuration example, together with a beverage container 20 having a spout 21. The dispensing nozzle 9 may include a tubular member 210 and a guide 220. The guide 220 has a guide surface 221. A portion of the guide surface 221 is disposed inside the tubular member 210, and another portion (a lower portion) of the guide surface 221 protrudes downward from the tubular member 210. The carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 descends inside the tubular member 210 while being guided by the guide surface 221. The guide surface 221 has an upper end and a lower end, and may be configured to slope gently from a position between the upper end and the lower end toward the lower end. The slope may change smoothly. The guide surface 221 may be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through its lower end spreads out in a fan shape. In another aspect, the guide surface 221 may be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through its lower end spreads radially. The guide surface 221 may have a plurality of grooves 222 that are provided to control the flow of the carbonated beverage. The maximum dimension of the lower end of the guide surface 221 in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member 210 is greater than the maximum dimension of the tubular member in the direction along the plane (in this example, the outer diameter).

[0016] 3A, 3B, and 3C show a dispensing nozzle 9 according to a second configuration example, together with a beverage container 20 having a spout 21. The dispensing nozzle 9 may include a tubular member 210 and a guide 220. The guide 220 has a guide surface 221. A portion of the guide surface 221 is disposed inside the tubular member 210, and another portion (a lower portion) of the guide surface 221 protrudes downward from the tubular member 210. The carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 descends inside the tubular member 210 while being guided by the guide surface 221. The guide surface 221 has an upper end and a lower end, and may be configured to slope gently from a position between the upper end and the lower end toward the lower end. The slope may change smoothly. The guide surface 221 may be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through its lower end spreads out in a fan shape. In another aspect, guide surface 221 can be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through its lower end spreads radially. In a second configuration example, no grooves are provided in guide surface 221. The maximum dimension of the lower end of guide surface 221 in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of tubular member 210 is greater than the maximum dimension of the tubular member in the direction along that plane (in this example, the outer diameter).

[0017] 4A, 4B, and 4C show a dispensing nozzle 9 according to a third configuration example, together with a beverage container 20 having a spout 21. The dispensing nozzle 9 may include a tubular member 210 and a guide 220. The guide 220 has a guide surface 221. A portion of the guide surface 221 is disposed inside the tubular member 210, and another portion (a lower portion) of the guide surface 221 protrudes downward from the tubular member 210. The carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 descends inside the tubular member 210 while being guided by the guide surface 221. The guide surface 221 has an upper end and a lower end, and may be configured to slope gently from a position between the upper end and the lower end toward the lower end. The slope may change smoothly. The guide surface 221 may be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through its lower end spreads out in a fan shape. In another aspect, guide surface 221 may be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes its lower end spreads radially. Guide surface 221 may have a plurality of grooves 222 provided to control the flow of the carbonated beverage. Guide surface 221 includes a first region 223 that does not have any grooves and a second region that extends from first region 223 to the lower end of guide surface 221, and a plurality of grooves 222 may be provided in this second region. The maximum dimension of the lower end of guide surface 221 in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of tubular member 210 is greater than the maximum dimension of the tubular member in the direction along that plane (in this example, the outer diameter).

[0018] 5A and 5B show a dispensing nozzle 9 according to a fourth configuration example. 501 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9 with a portion of the tubular portion 210 cut away. 502 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 503 and 504 are exploded perspective views of the dispensing nozzle 9. 505 is an exploded front view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 506 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing nozzle 9. The dispensing nozzle 9 may include a tubular member 210 and a guide 220. The guide 220 has a guide surface 221. A portion of the guide surface 221 is disposed inside the tubular member 210, and another portion (a lower portion) of the guide surface 221 protrudes below the tubular member 210. The carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 descends inside the tubular member 210 while being guided by the guide surface 221. The guide surface 221 has an upper end UE and a lower end LE. The guide surface 221 may be configured to have a gentle slope from a position PP between the upper end UE and the lower end LE toward the lower end LE. The slope may vary smoothly. The guide surface 221 may be configured to spread a carbonated beverage that passes through the lower end LE in a fan-like shape. In another aspect, the guide surface 221 may be configured to spread a carbonated beverage that passes through the lower end LE in a radial pattern. The guide surface 221 may have a plurality of grooves 222 arranged to control the flow of the carbonated beverage. The width of the plurality of grooves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member 210 is, for example, within a range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably within a range of 2 to 3 mm. The guide surface 221 may include an overhanging surface OH in a section from the upper end UE to a position PP between the upper end UE and the lower end LE. The overhanging surface OH may be located entirely inside the tubular member 210. The overhanging surface OH is advantageous for controlling the flow rate of the carbonated beverage.

[0019] 6A and 6B show a dispensing nozzle 9 according to a fifth configuration example. 601 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9 with a portion of the tubular portion 210 cut away. 602 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 603 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 604 is a side view of the dispensing nozzle 9 with a portion of the tubular portion 210 cut away. 605 is a side view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 606 is an exploded side view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 607 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing nozzle 9. The dispensing nozzle 9 may include a tubular member 210 and a guide 220. The guide 220 has a guide surface 221. A portion of the guide surface 221 is disposed inside the tubular member 210, and another portion (a lower portion) of the guide surface 221 protrudes below the tubular member 210. The carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 descends inside the tubular member 210 while being guided by the guide surface 221. The guide surface 221 has an upper end UE and a lower end LE, and may be configured to slope gradually from a position PP between the upper end UE and the lower end LE toward the lower end LE. The slope may vary smoothly. The guide surface 221 may be configured to spread the carbonated beverage in a fan-like shape after passing through the lower end LE. In another aspect, the guide surface 221 may be configured to spread the carbonated beverage in a radial pattern after passing through the lower end LE. The guide surface 221 may have a plurality of grooves 222 arranged to control the flow of the carbonated beverage. The width of the plurality of grooves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube member 210 is, for example, within a range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably within a range of 2 to 3 mm. As illustrated in 607, the flow path of the carbonated beverage inside the tube member 210 may be defined by a portion of the inner surface of the tube member 210 and the guide surface 221 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube member 210. In this cross section, another part of the inner surface of the cylindrical member 210 and the guide 220 can come into contact with each other.

[0020] 7A and 7B show a dispensing nozzle 9 according to a sixth configuration example. 701 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9 with a portion of the tubular portion 210 cut away. 702 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 703 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 704 is a side view of the dispensing nozzle 9 with a portion of the tubular portion 210 cut away. 705 is a side view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 706 is an exploded side view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 707 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing nozzle 9. The dispensing nozzle 9 may include a tubular member 210 and a guide 220. The guide 220 has a guide surface 221. A portion of the guide surface 221 is disposed inside the tubular member 210, and another portion (a lower portion) of the guide surface 221 protrudes below the tubular member 210. The carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 descends inside the tubular member 210 while being guided by the guide surface 221. The guide surface 221 has an upper end UE and a lower end LE, and may be configured to have a gentle slope from a position PP between the upper end UE and the lower end LE toward the lower end LE. The slope may change smoothly. The guide surface 221 may be configured to spread the carbonated beverage in a fan shape after passing through its lower end LE. In another aspect, the guide surface 221 may be configured to spread the carbonated beverage in a radial pattern after passing through its lower end LE. In a sixth configuration example, the guide surface 221 does not have a groove. The guide surface 221 may include an overhanging surface OH in the section from the upper end UE to the position PP between the upper end UE and the lower end LE. The overhanging surface OH is advantageous for controlling the flow rate of the carbonated beverage. As illustrated in 707, the flow path of the carbonated beverage inside the tubular member 210 can be defined by a part of the inner surface of the tubular member 210 and the guide surface 221 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubular member 210. In this cross section, another part of the inner surface of the tubular member 210 can come into contact with the guide 220.

[0021] 8A, 8B, and 8C show a dispensing nozzle 9 according to a seventh configuration example. 801 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9 with a portion of the tubular portion 210 cut away. 802 is a perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 803 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 804 is a front view of the dispensing nozzle 9 with a portion of the tubular portion 210 cut away. 805 is a front view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 806 is an exploded front view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 807 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 808 is a side view of the dispensing nozzle 9. 809 is an exploded side view of the dispensing nozzle 9. The dispensing nozzle 9 may include a tubular member 210 and a guide 220. The guide 220 has a guide surface 221. A portion of the guide surface 221 is disposed inside the tubular member 210, and another portion (lower portion) of the guide surface 221 protrudes downward from the tubular member 210. The carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 descends inside the tubular member 210 while being guided by the guide surface 221. The guide surface 221 has an upper end UE and a lower end LE, and may be configured to slope gently from a position PP between the upper end UE and the lower end LE toward the lower end LE. The slope may change smoothly. The guide surface 221 may be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through its lower end LE spreads in a fan shape. In another aspect, the guide surface 221 may be configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through its lower end LE spreads radially. The guide surface 221 may have a plurality of grooves 222 arranged to control the flow of the carbonated beverage. The width of the multiple grooves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube member 210 is, for example, in the range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 2 to 3 mm. The guide surface 221 includes a first region 223 having no grooves and a second region extending from the first region 223 to the lower end of the guide surface 221, and the multiple grooves 222 may be provided in the second region. As illustrated in 807, the flow path of the carbonated beverage inside the tube member 210 may be defined by a portion of the inner surface of the tube member 210 and the guide surface 221 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube member 210. In this cross section, another portion of the inner surface of the tube member 210 may come into contact with the guide 220. The guide surface 221 may include an overhanging surface OH in a section from the upper end UE to a position PP between the upper end UE and the lower end LE.The overhanging surface OH is advantageous for controlling the flow rate of the carbonated beverage.

[0022] 9 and 10 schematically show the effect of providing a guide surface 221 such as the dispensing nozzle 9 of this embodiment. As described above, the guide surface 221 can be configured to have a gentle slope from a position between the upper end UE of the guide surface 221 and the lower end LE of the guide surface 221 toward the lower end LE. This imparts a component of a direction toward the container 20 or the inner surface of its mouth 21 to the flow of the carbonated beverage CB dispensed from the main body 15. In other words, the guide surface 221 can impart a horizontal component to the flow of the carbonated beverage CB dispensed from the main body 15. This allows the carbonated beverage CB dispensed from the main body 15 to be dispensed from the dispensing nozzle 9 diagonally downward or horizontally toward the container 20 or the inner surface of its mouth 21. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the loss of carbon dioxide gas from the carbonated beverage CB, i.e., a decrease in the GV value, can be more effectively suppressed than when the carbonated beverage CB is dispensed vertically from the dispensing nozzle toward the bottom of the beverage container 20.

[0023] In all of the above configuration examples, it was confirmed that the GV value of the carbonated beverage dispensed into a beverage container by beverage server 100 exceeded 4.0 after dispensing. In particular, in the first to third, fifth, and sixth configuration examples, it was confirmed that the GV value of the carbonated beverage dispensed into a beverage container by beverage server 100 exceeded 5.0 after dispensing. Furthermore, in the seventh configuration example, it was confirmed that the GV value of the carbonated beverage dispensed into a beverage container by beverage server 100 exceeded 5.4 after dispensing.

[0024] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0025] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-056272, filed on March 30, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] 1: filter, 2: flow path, 3: valve, 4: pump, 5: cooling coil, 6: flow path, 7: cooling coil, 8: dispensing head, 9: dispensing nozzle, 10: positioning member, 11: carbon dioxide gas source, 12: pressure reducing valve, 13: adding part (carbonator), 14: cooling tank, 15: main body, 16: flow path, 17: cooling liquid, 100: beverage server, 20: beverage container, 21: mouth, 210: cylindrical part, 220: guide, 221: guide surface, 222: groove, 223: first region, UE: upper end, LE: lower end, PP: position between upper end and lower end, OH: overhanging surface

Claims

1. A beverage server for dispensing carbonated beverages into beverage containers, a source for providing a carbonated beverage; a dispenser nozzle for dispensing the carbonated beverage supplied from the supply source into a beverage container; The pouring nozzle includes a cylindrical member and a guide having a guide surface, a portion of which is disposed inside the cylindrical member and another portion of which protrudes downward from the cylindrical member; The carbonated beverage descends inside the cylindrical member while being guided by the guide surface, the guide surface has an upper end and a lower end, and the guide surface is configured to have a gentle slope from a position between the upper end and the lower end toward the lower end, The guide surface includes a surface that overhangs a section from the upper end to the position between the upper end and the lower end. A beverage server characterized by the above.

2. The slope varies smoothly.

2. The beverage server according to claim 1 .

3. The guide surface is configured so that the carbonated beverage that passes through the lower end spreads in a fan shape.

2. The beverage server according to claim 1 .

4. The guide surface is configured so that the carbonated beverage that has passed the lower end spreads radially.

2. The beverage server according to claim 1 .

5. the guide surface having a plurality of grooves arranged to control the flow of the carbonated beverage; 4. The beverage server according to claim 3.

6. The guide surface includes a first region having no groove and a second region extending from the first region to the lower end, and the plurality of grooves are provided in the second region.

6. The beverage server according to claim 5.

7. The width of the plurality of grooves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical member is within a range of 1 to 5 mm.

6. The beverage server according to claim 5.

8. The entire overhanging surface is located inside the cylindrical member.

2. The beverage server according to claim 1 .

9. A flow path for the carbonated beverage inside the cylindrical member is defined by a part of the inner surface of the cylindrical member and the guide surface in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical member.

9. The beverage server according to claim 1, wherein the beverage server is a device for dispensing beverages.

10. In the cross section, another part of the inner surface of the cylindrical member and the guide are in contact with each other.

10. The beverage server according to claim 9.

11. a maximum dimension of the lower end of the guide surface in a direction along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical member is greater than a maximum dimension of the cylindrical member in the direction along the plane; 9. The beverage server according to claim 1, wherein the beverage server is a device for dispensing beverages.

12. A dispenser nozzle for dispensing a carbonated beverage supplied from a supply source for supplying a carbonated beverage into a beverage container, comprising: The pouring nozzle includes a cylindrical member and a guide having a guide surface, a portion of which is disposed inside the cylindrical member and another portion of which protrudes downward from the cylindrical member; The carbonated beverage descends inside the cylindrical member while being guided by the guide surface, the guide surface has an upper end and a lower end, and the guide surface is configured to have a gentle slope from a position between the upper end and the lower end toward the lower end, The guide surface includes a surface that overhangs a section from the upper end to the position between the upper end and the lower end. A dispensing nozzle characterized by: