BEVERAGE DISPENSING NOZZLE.

Abstract

A beverage dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle head having a base liquid inlet configured to receive a base liquid and a flavoring inlet configured to receive a flavoring. The nozzle further includes a diffuser unit in fluid communication with the base liquid inlet and comprising a diffuser plate having a plurality of peripheral openings through which the base liquid flows. The nozzle further includes a receptacle in fluid communication with the diffuser unit and the flavoring inlet. The nozzle receptacle includes an inner wall, and the peripheral openings of the diffuser unit are arranged to direct the flow of the base liquid along the inner wall of the receptacle. The receptacle further includes an outlet through which the flavoring and base liquid are dispensed.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSING NOZZLE FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The embodiments described herein generally relate to beverage dispensing nozzles. Specifically, the embodiments described herein relate to multi-flavor beverage dispensing nozzles configured to dispense a base liquid and a flavoring in a smooth laminar flow pattern. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Nozzles are frequently used to dispense beverages for consumption, such as in a beverage dispenser at a beverage fountain. Nozzles can be classified as premix nozzles, in which a beverage is dispensed through the nozzle, and postmix nozzles, in which carbonated water or another base liquid and a beverage flavoring, such as syrup, are dispensed separately from the nozzle and can be combined at the point of dispensing, which may be inside or outside the nozzle. The water and flavoring can be mixed while traveling to a beverage container or within the beverage container as the container is filled.

[003] Postmix nozzles offer the advantage of allowing a variety of beverages to be dispensed from a single nozzle. The postmix nozzle can be connected to multiple flavoring sources, enabling it to dispense a variety of beverages by dispensing the base liquid along with a desired flavoring. In this way, multiple types of beverages can be dispensed without requiring a premixed reservoir for each beverage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[004] Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispensing nozzle, which includes a nozzle head having a base liquid inlet configured to receive base liquid from a base liquid source, and a flavoring inlet configured to receive flavoring from a flavoring source. The nozzle may further include a diffuser unit in fluid communication with the base liquid inlet, wherein the diffuser unit includes at least one diffuser plate having an annular region with a plurality of peripheral openings through which base liquid flows.The nozzle may further include a receptacle in fluid communication with the diffuser unit and the flavoring inlet, wherein the receptacle includes an inner wall and an outlet through which the base liquid and flavoring are dispensed, wherein the peripheral openings of the diffuser unit are arranged to direct a flow of the base liquid along the inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein the flavoring inlet directs a flow of the flavoring through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle.

[005] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the flavoring inlet may be one of a plurality of flavoring inlets, and the base liquid inlet may be one of a plurality of base liquid inlets. In some embodiments, the nozzle head may include a central section and a peripheral section surrounding the central section, and the plurality of flavoring inlets may be arranged in the central section and the plurality of base liquid inlets may be arranged in the peripheral section. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI

[006] In any of the various modes described in this description, the diffuser unit may include a first diffuser plate and a second diffuser plate arranged in a stacked configuration.

[007] In any of the various forms described herein, the diffuser unit may include a central opening in which a nozzle head base is disposed.

[008] In any of the various modalities described in the present description, an inner edge of a peripheral opening of the plurality of peripheral openings may be aligned with the inner wall of the receptacle.

[009] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the receptacle may include an upper end and a lower end, wherein the nozzle head and diffuser unit may be disposed at the upper end of the receptacle, and the outlet may be disposed at the lower end of the receptacle. In some embodiments, the receptacle may be accessed from the upper end to the lower end.

[010] In any of the various modalities described in this description, the inner wall of the receptacle may have a curvature.

[011] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the flavoring and the base liquid may intersect within the receptacle. In some embodiments, the flavoring may intersect with the base liquid at the outlet of the receptacle.

[012] In any of the various modalities described herein, the outlet flow stabilizer may be disposed within the outlet of the receptacle, and the outlet flow stabilizer may be configured to direct the flow of the R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI liquid base and flavoring through the outlet along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

[013] In any of the various forms described herein, the beverage dispensing nozzle may further include one or more vent holes arranged at an upper end of the receptacle configured to equalize a pressure inside the receptacle with an outside pressure.

[014] Some embodiments described herein relate to a nozzle having a nozzle head that includes a central section, a peripheral section surrounding the central section, a flavoring inlet disposed in the central section and configured to receive a flavoring, and a base liquid inlet disposed in the peripheral section and configured to receive a base liquid. The nozzle may further include a receptacle that includes an upper end, a lower end, and an outlet disposed at the lower end of the receptacle through which the base liquid and flavoring are dispensed from the nozzle.The nozzle may further include a diffuser unit in fluid communication with the base liquid inlet and the receptacle, wherein the diffuser unit includes at least one diffuser plate comprising an annular region that defines a plurality of peripheral openings through which the base liquid flows into the receptacle. The flavoring inlet may be in fluid communication with the receptacle to provide a flow of flavoring through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle such that the flavoring flow and the base liquid flow intersect within the receptacle and are dispensed together through the outlet.

[015] In any of the various modalities described in the present description, the plurality of peripheral openings may be arranged adjacent to an inner wall of the receptacle in such a way that the diffuser unit directs the flow of the base liquid along the inner wall of the receptacle. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI

[016] In any of the various modalities described in this description, the flavoring inlet can be arranged in a central section of the nozzle head in such a way that the flow of the flavoring intersects the flow of the base liquid at the outlet of the receptacle.

[017] Some embodiments described herein relate to a nozzle having a nozzle head that includes a flavoring inlet port for receiving flavoring and a base liquid inlet for receiving base liquid. The nozzle may further include a diffuser unit that includes at least one diffuser plate having an annular region that defines a plurality of peripheral openings through which the base liquid flows. The nozzle may further include a receptacle having an inner wall that has a curvature, an outlet for dispensing the base liquid and flavoring from the nozzle, and a vent tube configured to equalize a pressure inside the receptacle with a pressure outside the beverage dispensing nozzle.The flavoring inlet of the nozzle head of the nozzle can be in fluid communication with the receptacle such that the flavoring flows through the receptacle to the outlet in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle, and wherein the diffuser unit can be in fluid communication with the receptacle such that the base liquid flows along the inner wall of the receptacle.

[018] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the nozzle may further include a plurality of paddles arranged radially on the inner wall of the receptacle

[019] In any of the various embodiments described herein, the nozzle vent tube may include an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is disposed within the receptacle and R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI comprises an opening in a side wall of the ventilation tube, and wherein the lower end is disposed outside the receptacle and comprises an opening.

[020] In any of the various modalities described in this description, the ventilation tube can be arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS / FIGURES

[021] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated into the present description and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present description and, together with the description, further serve to explain its principles and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to manufacture and use the description.

[022] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a beverage dispensing nozzle according to one modality.

[023] Figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the beverage dispensing nozzle of Figure 1.

[024] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the beverage dispenser nozzle head of Figure 1.

[025] Figure 4 shows a top-down view of the nozzle head of Figure 3.

[026] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the underside of the nozzle head of Figure 3.

[027] Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the nozzle head of Figure 3.

[028] Figure 7 shows a diffuser unit of the beverage dispensing nozzle of Figure 1. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI

[029] Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of the diffuser unit in Figure 7.

[030] Figure 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a diffuser unit of Figure 7 as taken along line 9-9 of Figure 7.

[031] Figure 10 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the beverage dispensing nozzle of Figure 1, taken along line 10-10 of Figure 1.

[032] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the beverage dispenser nozzle receptacle of Figure 1.

[033] Figure 12 shows a top-down view of a receptacle from Figure 11.

[034] Figure 13 shows a bottom view of the receptacle in Figure 11.

[035] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of a beverage dispensing nozzle having a vent tube.

[036] Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of a beverage dispensing nozzle that has vent holes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[037] The representative modalities illustrated in the accompanying figures will be referred to in detail below. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the modalities to a preferred modality. Rather, they are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may fall within the spirit and scope of the modalities described as defined in the R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI claims.

[038] Postmix beverage dispensing nozzles can be used to dispense multiple beverages. Such beverage dispensing nozzles typically provide a flow of a base liquid and a flow of a syrup or flavoring, and the base liquid and flavoring can be mixed at the point of dispensing. By providing a flow of base liquid that is separate from the flow of flavoring, a single beverage dispensing nozzle can be used to dispense multiple types of beverages by dispensing the base liquid along with the desired flavoring.

[039] While post-mix nozzles can allow multiple beverages to be dispensed from a single nozzle, such nozzles can have the disadvantage of flavor persistence. For example, if the beverage dispensing nozzle is used to dispense a first beverage, and is subsequently used to dispense a second beverage, the flavoring from the first beverage may remain inside the nozzle and mix with the second beverage as the second beverage is dispensed. As a result, the second beverage may be contaminated by the first flavoring, and the second beverage may not have the desired flavor. Additionally, flavoring droplets remaining within the lines or conduits through which the various flavorings are dispensed can be drawn out as the base liquid comes into contact with or flows through the lines or conduits carrying the various flavorings, exacerbating flavor carryover. Therefore, there is a need for a multi-flavor beverage dispensing nozzle that reduces or eliminates flavor carryover.

[040] In addition, beverage dispensing nozzles frequently dispense a beverage with an aerated or turbulent flow pattern. As a result, the dispensed beverage does not flow smoothly and consistently as it is dispensed and may splash or squirt. The dispensed beverage may appear uneven. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI and opaque due to aeration of the beverage during the mixing of the base liquid and the flavoring as it exits the nozzle. Achieving a uniform and consistent flow of a beverage dispensed from a nozzle can be particularly difficult for multi-flavor beverage dispensing nozzles due to the different flow paths of the different flavors. Consequently, there is a need in this area for a beverage dispensing nozzle that provides a smooth, laminar flow pattern to reduce splashing or spraying and provide an aesthetically pleasing beverage flow.

[041] Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispensing nozzle that reduces flavor persistence. The beverage dispensing nozzle ensures that the flavoring does not remain inside the nozzle after a beverage is dispensed and also prevents contact between the base liquid and the flavoring inlets. As a result, the beverage dispensing nozzle can dispense various types of beverages without contamination of each beverage by the other flavorings. Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispensing nozzle configured to dispense a beverage with a smooth laminar flow pattern to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance and enhance the beverage dispensing experience. As a result, the beverage dispensed from the nozzle may resemble the flow of water from a container or water source.

[042] A beverage dispensing nozzle 100 for dispensing a beverage with a smooth and delicate flow is shown in Figure 1. The beverage dispensing nozzle 100 is configured to dispense a base liquid and a flavoring to form a beverage. The beverage dispensing nozzle 100 is configured to dispense a variety of base liquids and a variety of flavorings such that the nozzle R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI beverage dispenser 100 can be used to dispense a wide variety of beverages.

[043] As used in this description, the term “beverage” refers to a combination of any base liquid and any flavoring. A “base liquid” may be, for example, water, carbonated water, sparkling water, ice water, or mineral water, among other liquids. A “flavoring” may be any of the various liquid additives used to sweeten, flavor, or enhance the base liquid, such as syrups, sweeteners, or concentrates, among other additives. For example, a carbonated cola beverage may be created by combining carbonated water as the base liquid with a cola flavoring or syrup. Alternatively, an iced tea beverage may be created by combining ice water as the base liquid with a tea flavoring.

[044] In some embodiments, the nozzle 100 includes a nozzle head 120, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The nozzle head 120 may include a flavoring inlet 124 for receiving flavorings from a flavoring source, such as a flavoring storage container, for example, a bag-in-box (BiB). The flavoring inlet 124 may be connected to a flavoring source by a flavoring supply line 204. The nozzle head 120 further includes base liquid inlets 122 for receiving base liquids from a base liquid source, such as a municipal water supply, a liquid storage receptacle, or the like. The base liquid inlets 122 can be connected to a base liquid source via a base liquid supply line 202. The beverage dispensing nozzle 100 can further include a diffuser unit 150 in fluid communication with the base liquid inlets 122. The diffuser unit 150 can include one or more diffuser plates 160, 170 to control a base liquid flow and distribute the base liquid to a receptacle 140. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI of nozzle 100. The receptacle 140 is configured to receive a flow of base liquid from the diffuser unit 150, as well as a flow of flavoring directly from the flavoring inlets 124. The receptacle 140 includes an outlet 148 for dispensing a smooth, laminar flow of base liquid and flavoring to provide a beverage for consumption.

[045] Figures 3-4 show a nozzle head 120 of nozzle 100 according to one embodiment. The nozzle head 120 may include base liquid inlets 122 and flavoring inlets 124. Each base liquid inlet 122 may be connected to a base liquid source. In some embodiments, each base liquid inlet 122 may be connected to a different type of base liquid, such that each base liquid inlet 122 provides a different base liquid. For example, a first base liquid inlet 122 may be connected to a still water source, and a second base liquid inlet 122 may be connected to a carbonated water source. It is understood that each base liquid inlet 122 may receive any base liquid. Similarly, each flavoring inlet 124 may be connected to a flavoring source.Each flavoring inlet 124 can be connected to a flavoring source so that nozzle 100 can dispense a variety of different flavorings. For example, a first flavoring inlet 124 can be connected to a cola flavoring source, and a second flavoring inlet 124 can be connected to a lemon-lime flavoring source. It is understood that any flavoring inlet 124 can receive any flavoring.

[046] In some embodiments, each base liquid inlet 122 and flavoring inlet 124 may include a straight tubular wall 125 defining an orifice 126 that extends through the nozzle head 120 to the base 130 of the nozzle head 120 and terminates at the base liquid outlet 132 and flavoring outlet 134, respectively. The base liquids and flavorings flow through the orifices 126 of each inlet R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI 122, 124 and towards nozzle 100. In such embodiments, the straight tubular wall 125 can be configured to couple with an inside diameter of a supply line or conduit 202, 204 that supplies the flavorings or base liquids to nozzle 100.

[047] In some embodiments, each base liquid inlet 122 or flavoring inlet 124 may receive a fitting 115 configured to facilitate the connection of a supply line 202, 204 to the base liquid inlet 122 or flavoring inlet 124, as shown, for example, in Figure 2. The fitting 115 may have a hollow tubular shape. In some embodiments, a retaining plate 129 may be secured to the nozzle head 120 over the fittings 115 and secured to the nozzle head 120 to hold the fittings 115 and / or the supply lines 202, 204 in position. The retaining plate 129 may be secured to the nozzle head 120 by any of several fastening methods, such as by the use of mechanical fasteners 127, including screws or bolts, among other fasteners.

[048] In some embodiments, the nozzle head 120 may include a central section 121 and a peripheral section 123 disposed outside of and surrounding the central section 121, as shown in Figure 4. The flavoring inlets 124 may be disposed in the central section 121 of the nozzle head 120. In this way, the flavoring inlets 124 are arranged centrally in the nozzle 100 and are aligned with the outlet 148 of the nozzle 100 in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle 100 (see, e.g., Figure 10). The flavoring inlets 124 can be arranged with a first flavoring inlet 124 in the center of the nozzle head 120 and additional flavoring inlets 124 can be arranged around the first flavoring inlet 124, such as in a circular pattern around the first flavoring inlet 124. For example, in Figure 4, five flavoring inlets 124 are arranged around a first flavoring inlet 124.However, in some modalities, the entries of. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI flavoring 124 can be arranged in a square or rectangular pattern. The flavoring 124 entries can be arranged in one or more columns or rows, and adjacent columns or rows can be staggered or offset from each other.

[049] The base liquid inlets 122 may be arranged on the peripheral section 123 of the nozzle head 120. The base liquid inlets 122 may be arranged around the flavoring inlets 124. The base liquid inlets 122 may be radially separated from the flavoring inlets 124 and located closer to an outer perimeter of the nozzle head 120 than the flavoring inlets 124. As shown in Figure 4, the nozzle head 120 includes four base liquid inlets 122. However, the nozzle head 120 may include fewer or more additional base liquid inlets 122.

[050] The nozzle head 120 may further include a flange 128 located on a perimeter of the nozzle head 120. The flange 128 may extend around a complete perimeter of the nozzle head 120. The flange 128 is provided to facilitate attachment of the nozzle head 120 to a support structure, such as a portion of a beverage dispenser.

[051] The nozzle head 120 may also include a base 130, as shown in Figures 5-6. The flavoring inlets 124 terminate at the flavoring outlets 134 in the base 130 of the nozzle head 120. The flavoring inlets 124 (and their orifices) are generally arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100, and therefore the outlets 134 in the base 130 of the nozzle head 120 are also arranged in a central section of the nozzle head 120. The flavoring inlet 124 is in communication with the receptacle 140 of the nozzle 100 such that the flavoring passing through the flavoring inlet 124 and out R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI from outlet 134 at base 130 and enters receptacle 140. A flow of flavoring flows through receptacle 140 in a longitudinal direction from nozzle 100. Similarly, the base liquid inlets 122 can terminate at the base liquid outlets 132 on the base 130. However, the outlets 132 supply the base liquid to the diffuser unit 150 of the nozzle 100, as described in more detail in this description, rather than directly to the receptacle 140.

[052] The base 130 of the nozzle head 120 may include one or more recesses 139 extending partially around a perimeter of the base 130 and a groove 135 extending around a perimeter of the base 130. The recess 139 may be configured to secure a receptacle 140 to the nozzle head 120 of the nozzle 100. The receptacle 140 may include one or more tabs 143 arranged around a perimeter of the receptacle 140 that are configured to engage with the recess 139 of the nozzle head 120. Separation of the receptacle 140 from the nozzle head 120 may be achieved by placing the receptacle 140 over the nozzle head 120 and the rotating receptacle 140 so that the tabs 143 engage with the recesses 139 of the nozzle head 120. The receptacle 140 can be rotated until the tabs 143 reach the maximum rotational travel allowed by the recesses 139.This mechanical connection secures the position of the receptacle 140 longitudinally along an X-axis of the nozzle 100 and establishes the rotational orientation of the receptacle 140 about the X-axis of the nozzle with respect to the nozzle head 120. The groove 135 can be configured to receive a sealing ring 137. The sealing ring 137 can be secured to the base 130 to form a seal with the receptacle 140 when the base 130 of the nozzle head 120 is received within the upper end 144 of the receptacle 140 (see, for example, Figure 10). R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI The sealing ring 137 can help prevent fluid from escaping from the receptacle 140 or entering the receptacle 140 from the outside of the nozzle 100.

[053] The nozzle head 120 may be arranged at the upper end 144 of the receptacle 140 of the nozzle 100 and encloses the upper end 144 of the receptacle 140. The base liquid inlets 122 of the nozzle head 120 are in fluid communication with the diffuser unit 150 such that the base liquid supplied to the base liquid inlets 122 from the fluid source flows through the diffuser unit 150 and into the receptacle 140 (see, e.g., base liquid flow B in Figure 10). The base 130 of the nozzle head 120 may extend through the central opening 151 of the diffuser unit 150 so that the flavoring inlets 124 are in fluid communication with the receptacle 140.

[054] In some embodiments, the nozzle 100 includes a diffuser unit 150, as shown in Figures 7-9. The diffuser unit 150 and the receptacle 140 are in fluid communication such that a base liquid can flow through the diffuser unit 150 and into the receptacle 140. The diffuser unit 150 may be disposed below a portion of the nozzle head 120 and at an upper end 144 of the receptacle 140. The diffuser unit 150 is configured to provide smooth, laminar flow of the base liquid into the receptacle 140. The diffuser unit 150 may include a first diffuser plate 160 and a second diffuser plate 170 arranged in a stacked configuration. The first diffuser plate 160 is shown disposed on top of the second diffuser plate 170; However, in some models, the second diffuser plate 170 may be arranged on top of the first diffuser plate 160.In some versions, the 150 diffuser unit may include a single diffuser plate or three or more diffuser plates. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI

[055] The first diffuser plate 160, as shown in Figure 8, includes an annular region 164 that defines a central opening 165. The annular region 164 further defines a plurality of peripheral openings 162 arranged around a perimeter of the first diffuser plate 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral openings 162 each have the same shape size. However, in some models, the peripheral apertures 162 may differ in size or shape. Furthermore, the peripheral apertures 162 are shown as circular. However, in some models, the peripheral apertures 162 may be square, rectangular, triangular, or oval, among other shapes.

[056] In operation, the base liquid flows through the base liquid inlet 122 and over the annular region 164 of the first diffuser plate 160 of the diffuser unit 150. The base liquid is distributed around the annular region 164 of the first diffuser plate 160 and flows through peripheral openings 162 into the receptacle 140 or over an additional diffuser plate (e.g., the second diffuser plate 170), depending on the number of diffuser plates in the diffuser unit 150.

[057] In embodiments having a second diffuser plate 170, the second diffuser plate 170 may similarly include an annular region 174 defining a central opening 175 and further defining a plurality of peripheral openings 172 arranged around a perimeter of the second diffuser plate 170. In some embodiments, the second diffuser plate 170 may include a straight flange 176 adjacent to the central opening 175. The flange 176 may be substantially perpendicular to the annular region 174. The flange 176 may be configured to engage with an inner edge 161 of the first diffuser plate 160 adjacent to the central opening 165 to secure the first diffuser plate 160 to the second diffuser plate 170. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI

[058] In some embodiments, the first diffuser plate 160 can be secured to the second diffuser plate 170 by a press fit. As shown in Figure 9, the flange 176 of the second diffuser plate 170 can define a recess 178 to receive a projection 166 of the first diffuser plate 160 to secure the first and second diffuser plates 160, 170 to each other. However, in some embodiments, the first and second diffuser plates 160, 170 can be secured by a press fit, friction fit, interference fit, or similar means. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the flange 176 of the second diffuser plate 170 can include threads for threading onto an inner edge 161 of the first diffuser plate 160.In some embodiments, the flange 176 of the second diffuser plate 170 can receive and support a sealing ring 177 to create a seal with an inner wall 119 that surrounds and separates the central section 121 from the peripheral section 123 of the nozzle head 120 (see Figure 4). A sealing ring 167 can be arranged around a perimeter of the first diffuser plate 160 to provide a seal with the diffuser unit 150 and the peripheral section 123 of the nozzle head 120. Both the sealing ring 177 and the sealing ring 167 can help ensure that the base liquid flows only through the peripheral openings 162. The sealing ring 167 can help ensure that no base liquid flows through the central opening 151 and can help ensure that no base liquid flows into the flavor outlets 134. Flow of base liquid over the flavor outlets 134 can result in flavor permanence, which is undesirable.

[059] In some embodiments, the first diffuser plate 160 may include a first number m of peripheral openings 162 of a diameter di, and the second diffuser plate 170 may include a second number n2 of peripheral openings 172 of a diameter d2. In some embodiments, the second number of peripheral openings is greater than the first number of peripheral openings (n2 > m). In some embodiments, R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI the diameter of the peripheral openings 162 may be smaller than a diameter of peripheral openings 172 (di < 82). The first diffuser plate 160, having a relatively small number of peripheral openings 162, can help to restrict the locally concentrated flow of the base liquid flowing from one or more of the base liquid outlets 132 in the diffuser unit 150 by causing the base liquid to completely fill the volume defined by the annular region 164, and the second diffuser plate 170, having a relatively large number of peripheral openings 172, can help to evenly distribute the base liquid within the volume defined by the annular region 174 such that the flow of base liquid is evenly distributed peripherally as the base liquid flows into the receptacle 140.A pressure drop across the second diffuser plate 170 can be less than a pressure drop across the first diffuser plate 160. As a person skilled in the art will appreciate, the number and size, as well as the spacing and location of the peripheral openings 162 and 172 on the first diffuser plate 160 and the second diffuser plate 170, and the location at which the flow of the base liquid is directed into the receptacle 140, can be specified to suit the nozzle size and the desired nozzle flow rate for a particular beverage dispensing nozzle application.

[060] In some configurations, the diffuser unit 150 can be set to provide a flow rate of approximately 2 ounces per second or 1 gallon per minute. This flow rate can provide smooth, laminar flow within the receptacle 140 of the nozzle 100 and helps prevent turbulent flow and splashing within the receptacle 140 of the nozzle 100. Turbulent flow and splashing can produce flavor carryover and may cause turbulent flow of the beverage through the outlet 148 of the nozzle 100. As a person skilled in the art will appreciate, the flow rate can be increased above 2 ounces per second if the diffuser unit is also increased. R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI a diameter of an outlet 148 of the nozzle 100. Increasing a flow velocity without increasing the diameter of the outlet 148 could result in backflow of the base liquid into the receptacle 140, which may also result in turbulent flow and the base liquid entering the dry zone 149, which is undesirable.

[061] A receptacle 140 of a beverage dispensing nozzle 100 is in fluid communication with the diffuser unit 150 and with flavoring inlets 124, as shown in Figure 10. The diffuser unit 150 is configured to provide laminar flow of base liquid into the receptacle 140 along the inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140. The flavoring flows through the flavoring inlets 124 of the nozzle head 120 directly into the receptacle 140. The flavoring flows through an open central portion of the receptacle 140 along a longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100. The receptacle 140 directs the flow of base liquid and flavoring to outlet 148 such that the base liquid and flavoring are dispensed through the nozzle outlet 148 in a laminar flow pattern.

[062] To maintain laminar flow through the receptacle 140 and prevent splashing or turbulent flow within the receptacle 140, the peripheral openings 172 of the second diffuser plate 170 may be arranged to direct the base liquid along the inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140. In some embodiments, an inner edge 173 of the peripheral opening 172 is aligned with the inner wall 141 of the receptacle, as best shown in Figure 10. In this way, the flow of the base liquid makes a smooth transition from the diffuser unit 150 to the receptacle 140. The flow of the base liquid may continue along a line tangent to a bend in the inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140. The flow of the base liquid remains attached to the inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140. However, in some embodiments, the inner edge 173 of the peripheral opening 172 can be pulled inwards from the wall R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI interior 141 and the base liquid directly along the inner wall 141. In such modalities, the inner edge 173 of the peripheral opening 172 may be separated from 0.1 mm to 5 mm from the inner wall 141 at the upper end 144 of the receptacle 140.

[063] As the base liquid is configured to flow along the inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140 and the flavoring flows through the open central portion of the receptacle 140, a dry zone 149 may be created within the receptacle 140, as shown in Figure 10. The dry zone 149 may be a region surrounding the outlets 134 of the flavoring inlets 124 of the nozzle head 120 within the receptacle 140 in which no liquid is present at any time during the operation of the nozzle 100. If the base liquid comes into contact with the outlets 134 in the receptacle 140, droplets of flavoring remaining in the flavoring inlet 124 may be drawn into the receptacle 140, contaminating the dispensed beverage with flavorings that may not have been selected for dispensing. Therefore, it is important to minimize or avoid splashing inside receptacle 140 in dry zone 149.

[064] The flavoring flows from flavoring outlet 134 onto the base 130 of the nozzle head 120 through the interior of the receptacle 140. The flavoring outlets 134 can be aligned longitudinally with the outlet 148 of the receptacle 140 such that the flavoring flows directly to outlet 148. The flavoring F intersects the base liquid B inside the receptacle 140 at intersection I located at or immediately adjacent to outlet 148, as shown, for example, in Figure 10. The flavoring flow disrupts the flow of the base liquid where the flavoring intersects the base liquid, which can result in splashing or turbulent flow. Therefore, the flavoring intersects the base liquid at outlet 148 to minimize such effects within the receptacle 140. R LRRnn / 77n7 / E / YIAI

[065] The receptacle 140 of the nozzle 100 is shown, for example, in Figures 11-13. The receptacle 140 directs the base liquid and flavoring to an outlet 148 of the receptacle 140 to be dispensed from the nozzle 100. The base liquid and flavoring intersect within the receptacle 140 at intersection I and leave outlet 148 together. The receptacle 140 includes an open upper end 144 and a lower end 142 that is open to outlet 148. Outlet 148 may be centrally located in the receptacle 140, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. The receptacle 140 may taper from the upper end 144 to the lower end 142, such that a diameter D1 of the upper end 144 is greater than a diameter D2 of the lower end 142 at outlet 148, as shown in Figure 12. In some embodiments, D2 may be 0.200 inches to 0.800 inches, 0.300 inches to 0.700 inches. 0.400 inches to 0.600 inches. In some embodiments, the receptacle 140 may taper linearly such that the receptacle 140 has a generally conical shape. However, in some embodiments, the receptacle 140 may have a curvature, as shown in Figure 11.

[066] In some embodiments, the receptacle 140 may include paddles 146, as shown, for example, in Figure 12. The paddles 146 may be arranged on an inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140 and may generally extend perpendicularly from the inner wall 141. The paddles 146 may be arranged radially around the outlet 148 of the receptacle 140 and may extend from the lower end 142 to the upper end 144 of the receptacle 140. The paddles 146 may be evenly spaced around the outlet 148 and may be arranged at a fixed interval. The paddles 146 may be arranged symmetrically when viewed from above, as shown in Figure 12. In some embodiments, each paddle 146 may have the same shape and dimensions. The paddles 146 define R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI flow channels 147 for the base liquid to flow into the receptacle 140 towards the outlet 148. The vanes 146 can help prevent swirling of the base liquid within the receptacle 140, which can cause the base liquid to exit through the outlet 148 at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100. While the diffuser unit 150 is configured to distribute the base liquid evenly around the receptacle 140, there may be a somewhat greater flow of the base liquid in a portion of the receptacle 140, which can cause the base liquid to swirl within the receptacle 140 or cause the base liquid streamlines flowing along the inner wall 141 to split or separate and rejoin chaotically. In the absence of vanes 146, the splitting of the streamlines can further result in the splitting or deflection of the flow pattern through outlet 148.Therefore, the vanes 146 help control the flow direction of the base liquid within the receptacle 140, direct the flow of the base liquid towards the outlet 148, and help form a uniform, laminar flow from the outlet 148.

[067] In some embodiments, the receptacle 140 of the nozzle 100 may have 4 to 20 vanes, 8 to 18 vanes, or 12 to 16 vanes. In some embodiments, the receptacle 140 may include 14 vanes. The inventors of the present application found that the use of 14 vanes resulted in the most uniform and laminar flow from the outlet 148 with an outlet diameter D2 in the range of 0.500 inches to 0.600 inches and a flow rate of approximately 2.0 ounces per second, given the overall size of the nozzle as characterized by a nozzle diameter Di of approximately 1.900 inches. A different number of vanes may be suitable depending on the dimensions of the nozzle assembly (e.g., Di and D2) and the flow rate of the nozzle. In general, a nozzle having a relatively small outlet diameter D2 and an overall size Di A relatively small R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI and a higher base liquid flow rate would require fewer vanes, and a nozzle that has a relatively large outlet diameter D2 and overall size Di and a lower base liquid flow rate would require a greater number of vanes.

[068] In some embodiments, an outlet flow stabilizer 190 may be disposed within the outlet 148 of the receptacle 140 to promote dispensing of the beverage from the nozzle 100 in one direction along a longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100, as best shown in Figure 12. As the base liquid flows along an inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140, the base liquid flow may cause the base liquid to flow through the outlet 148 at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100. While the diffuser unit 150 is configured to distribute the base liquid evenly to the receptacle 140, the base liquid flow may not be uniform throughout the receptacle 140 at all times, and if the base liquid flow is greater in one portion or side of the receptacle 140, the base liquid flow through the outlet 148 may flow at an angle light with respect to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle 100.The outlet flow stabilizer 190 helps prevent the base liquid flowing along the inner walls 141 of the receptacle 140 from colliding with the outlet 148, which could otherwise divert the flow of the base liquid and flavoring through the outlet 148. The outlet flow stabilizer 190 may be X-shaped or have a cross-shaped configuration and is arranged to divide the outlet into multiple outlet flow regions 192. In some embodiments, the outlet flow stabilizer 190 may have other shapes to divide the outlet 148 into various numbers of outlet flow regions 192. The beverage flowing past the outlet flow stabilizer 190 carries the beverage in a uniform and aesthetically pleasing stream. to LRRnn / zznz / E / YiAi

[069] In some embodiments, the 100 nozzle can be operated by a control system. To dispense a beverage from the nozzle, the control system can cause a selected base liquid, such as carbonated water, to flow through the nozzle, and the control system can also cause a selected flavoring to flow through the nozzle. For example, the control system can operate one or more pumps to cause the base liquid and flavoring to flow from a base liquid source or a flavoring source to the nozzle. As the base liquid and flavoring exit the outlet, they can be mixed "in flight" as they flow from the nozzle into a beverage container. The base liquid and flavoring can be further mixed and combined within the beverage container.In some models, the base liquid may continue to be dispensed for a short time after the flavoring has stopped. For example, this period may be from 100 ms to 400 ms, and in some models, it may be 200 ms. This allows any flavoring that may remain in the nozzle's receptacle 140 to be washed away by the base liquid.

[070] In some embodiments, the receptacle 140 may further include a vent to equalize the pressure inside the nozzle 100 with the outside air pressure. In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing nozzle 100 may include a vent tube 180, as shown, for example, in Figure 14. The outlet 148 of the beverage dispensing nozzle 100 may be sized to slightly restrict the flow at outlet 148, which may help to provide a substantially cylindrical flow of the base liquid through outlet 148 without ripples. However, as a result of the flow restriction, backflow of the base liquid may occur at outlet 148 and may become trapped in the receptacle 140 at the end of the dispensing operation. Backflow of the R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI base liquid can produce flavor carryover. The vent tube 180 serves to equalize the internal air pressure within the nozzle with the external air pressure, allowing the base liquid to drain completely and preventing it from becoming trapped within the receptacle 140 at the end of the dispensing operation. The vent tube 180 can also help promote a uniform flow of liquid through the outlet 148.

[071] The vent tube 180 may include a hollow tubular member configured to place an interior of the receptacle 140 in fluid communication with an area outside the beverage dispensing nozzle 100. The vent tube 180 may be arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100 (and of the receptacle 140). The vent tube 180 may also be offset from a center of the receptacle 140 such that flavoring flowing through a central portion of the nozzle 100 does not come into contact with the vent tube 180. The vent tube 180 includes an upper end 184 disposed within the receptacle 140 and a lower end 182 outside the receptacle 140 and the adjacent outlet 148 of the receptacle 140 such that the lower end 182 is open to the environment. The vent tube 180 may include an opening 181 at the upper end 184 and may include an open lower end 182.In this way, air can flow from the outside of receptacle 140 to the inside of receptacle 140 (and nozzle 100), or air can flow in the reverse direction from the inside to the outside to equalize the internal and external pressures. The opening 181 at the upper end 184 can be arranged in a side wall of the vent tube 180 and can therefore extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal X-axis to prevent liquid from escaping from nozzle 100 through the vent tube 180.

[072] In some embodiments, the receptacle 140 may alternatively or additionally include vent holes 188, as shown in Figure 15. The vent holes 188 may function similarly to the vent tube 180 in Figure 14 and may serve to equalize the internal air pressure within the nozzle with the external air pressure. In this way, the vent holes 188 can help allow the base liquid 300 to drain completely, preventing it from becoming trapped within the receptacle 140 at the end of the dispensing operation. In some embodiments, one or more vent holes 188 may be formed around a periphery of the receptacle 140. The vent holes 188 may be laterally oriented and thus perpendicular to a longitudinal axis X of the nozzle 100.The vent holes 188 can be located at the upper end 144 of the receptacle 140 and can be positioned so that the holes are not in a direct flow path of the base liquid flow from the diffuser unit 150 over the inner wall 141 of the receptacle 140.

[073] It will be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may describe one or more, but not all, of the illustrative embodiments of the present invention(s) as contemplated by the inventor(s) and, therefore, are not intended to limit in any way the present invention(s) or the appended claims.

[074] The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate the implementation of the specified functions and their relationships. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined in the present description for the sake of descriptive convenience. Alternative boundaries may be defined, provided that the specified functions and their relationships are properly carried out.

[075] The above description of the specific modalities will then fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others, by applying R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI of the knowledge within the field of the art, may easily modify and / or adapt for various applications of these specific modalities, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to remain within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the described modalities, in accordance with the teachings and guidance presented in this description. It is understood that the phraseology or terminology of this description has a descriptive purpose and not a limiting one, such that the terminology or phraseology of this specification should be interpreted by the skilled technician in light of the teachings and guidance provided.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A beverage dispensing nozzle comprising: a nozzle head comprising a base liquid inlet configured to receive a base liquid from a base liquid source, and a flavoring inlet configured to receive a flavoring from a flavoring source; a diffuser unit in fluid communication with the base liquid inlet, characterized in that the diffuser unit comprises at least one diffuser plate having an annular region with a plurality of peripheral openings through which the base liquid flows;a receptacle in fluid communication with the diffuser unit and the flavoring inlet comprising: an inner wall, and an outlet through which the base liquid and the flavoring are dispensed, wherein the peripheral openings of the diffuser unit are arranged to direct a flow of the base liquid along the inner wall of the receptacle, and wherein the flavoring inlet directs a flow of the flavoring through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle.

2. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that the flavoring inlet is one of a plurality of flavoring inlets, and wherein the base liquid inlet is one of a plurality of base liquid inlets.

3. The nozzle of claim 2, characterized in that the nozzle head comprises a central section and a peripheral section surrounding the central section, and wherein the plurality of flavoring inlets is arranged in the central section and the plurality of base liquid inlets is arranged in the peripheral section.

4. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that the diffuser unit comprises a first diffuser plate and a second diffuser plate arranged in a stacked configuration.

5. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that the diffuser unit comprises a central opening in which a nozzle head base is disposed.

6. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that an inner edge of a peripheral opening of the plurality of peripheral openings is aligned with the inner wall of the receptacle.

7. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle comprises an upper end and a lower end, wherein the nozzle head and the diffuser unit are arranged at the upper end of the receptacle, and wherein the outlet is arranged at the lower end of the receptacle.

8. The nozzle of claim 7, characterized in that the receptacle narrows from the upper end to the lower end.

9. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall of the receptacle comprises a curvature.

10. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that the flavoring and the base liquid intersect within the receptacle.

11. The nozzle of claim 10, characterized in that the flavoring intersects with the base liquid at the outlet of the receptacle.

12. The nozzle of claim 1, characterized in that an outlet flow stabilizer is disposed within the outlet of the receptacle, and wherein the R LRRnn / 77n7 / E / YIAI outlet flow stabilizer is configured to direct the flow of the base liquid and flavoring through the outlet along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

13. The nozzle of claim 1, further comprising one or more vent holes arranged at an upper end of the receptacle configured to equalize a pressure inside the receptacle with an outside pressure.

14. A nozzle, comprising: a nozzle head, comprising a central section; a peripheral section surrounding the central section; a flavoring inlet disposed in the central section and configured to receive a flavoring; and a base liquid inlet disposed in the peripheral section and configured to receive a base liquid; a receptacle, comprising an upper end; a lower end; and an outlet disposed in the lower end of the receptacle through which the base liquid and flavoring are dispensed from the nozzle; a diffuser unit in fluid communication with the base liquid inlet and the receptacle, characterized in that the diffuser unit comprises at least one diffuser plate comprising an annular region defining a plurality of peripheral openings through which the base liquid flows into the receptacle;wherein the flavoring inlet is in fluid communication with the receptacle to provide a flow of flavoring through the receptacle in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle such that the flow of flavoring and the flow R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI of the base liquid intersect within the receptacle and are dispensed together through the outlet.

15. The nozzle of claim 14, characterized in that the plurality of peripheral openings are arranged adjacent to an inner wall of the receptacle such that the diffuser unit directs the flow of the base liquid along the inner wall of the receptacle.

16. The nozzle of claim 14, characterized in that the flavoring inlet is arranged in a central section of the nozzle head such that the flow of the flavoring intersects the flow of the base liquid at the outlet of the receptacle.

17. A nozzle, comprising: a nozzle head, comprising: a flavoring inlet for receiving a flavoring; and a base liquid inlet for receiving a base liquid; a diffuser unit comprising at least one diffuser plate having an annular region defining a plurality of peripheral openings through which the base liquid flows; and a receptacle, comprising: an inner wall having a curvature; an outlet for dispensing the base liquid and flavoring from the nozzle; and a vent tube configured to equalize a pressure inside the receptacle with a pressure outside the beverage dispensing nozzle;characterized in that the flavoring inlet is in fluid communication with the receptacle such that the flavoring flows through the receptacle to the outlet in a longitudinal direction of the nozzle, and wherein the diffuser unit is R LRRnn / ZZnZ / E / YIAI in fluid communication with the receptacle such that the base liquid flows along the inner wall of the receptacle.; 18. The nozzle of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of vanes arranged radially on the inner wall of the receptacle.

19. The nozzle of claim 17, characterized in that the vent tube comprises an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end is disposed within the receptacle and comprises an opening in a side wall of the vent tube, and wherein the lower end is disposed outside the receptacle and comprises an opening.

20. The nozzle of claim 17, characterized in that the vent tube is arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

Images