Beverage Dispenser Nozzle Insert for Sequential Fluid Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage dispensers face challenges in consistently mixing base fluids and additive fluids to ensure consistent quality of mixed beverages, as existing nozzles do not effectively manage the mixing of multiple fluid components.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a nozzle assembly with a base fluid module and an additive fluid manifold, featuring a diffuser and stem design that ensures the first base fluid mixes with the additive fluid before the second base fluid, utilizing a center bore and outlets to achieve proper mixing within the nozzle cavity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional nozzles are used to dispense multiple base fluids and additive fluids, then the dispenser can deliver mixed beverages, but the mixing of fluids is inadequate and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing consistencyVSAvoidnozzle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into separate functional components: a body portion with an additive fluid passage, a base fluid passage, and a mixing chamber. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall mixing consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additive fluid is introduced into the mixing chamber before the base fluid. This preliminary action ensures that the additive fluid is already positioned and ready for immediate mixing, creating a consistent mixing sequence that improves reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple base fluids and additive fluids are combined in conventional dispensers, then various mixed beverages can be formed, but proper and adequate mixing is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoidmixing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A mixing chamber serves as an intermediary space between the additive fluid passage and the dispensing nozzle. This intermediary allows thorough mixing of multiple fluids before they exit the nozzle, ensuring consistent mixing quality regardless of beverage type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing chamber provides a three-dimensional space for fluid interaction, allowing additive fluid and base fluid to mix in multiple directions and patterns rather than simply flowing parallel streams. This dimensional approach ensures thorough mixing for various beverage formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional nozzle designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the mixing of base fluids and additive fluids is inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle fabricationVSAvoidmixing consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The additive fluid passage, base fluid passage, and mixing chamber are merged into a single integrated nozzle assembly. This combining of functions into one manufacturable component maintains ease of fabrication while achieving consistent mixing through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle assembly is designed as a universal component that can dispense various mixed beverages by controlling the flow of different base fluids and additive fluids through its multiple passages and mixing chamber, maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and mixing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design ensures consistent mixing of beverages by allowing the first base fluid to mix with the additive fluid before the second base fluid, resulting in a uniform final product dispensed from the nozzle, addressing the inconsistency issues in conventional dispensers.

Implementation Method 1

The upstream end of the diffuser has a plurality of holes through which the first base fluid is conveyed such that pressure of the first base fluid is reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure reduction through diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

The additive fluid and the first base fluid are conveyed together toward the downstream end of the nozzle and the second base fluid mixes with the additive fluid and the first base fluid downstream of the outlet of the stem

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing through turbulent flow: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3661868B1Inserts and nozzle assemblies for beverage dispensers

Publication Date: 2022.11.16 MARMON FOODSERVICE TECH INC

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AI summary

An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.