Post-Mix Drink Dispenser Nozzle Vent and Diffuser Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current post-mix drink dispensers face issues with cross-contamination, flavor carry-over, and splashing due to air pockets and non-uniform flow paths, especially when using plain water as a diluent, leading to inconsistent dispensing and potential flavor alteration.

Innovation Solution

A post-mix drink dispenser design featuring a mixer body with sheltered concentrate outlets, a diluent pathway, and a nozzle housing with a vent and diffuser to coalesce and direct beverage components, maintaining air pressure equilibrium and organizing diluent flows into uniform streams, preventing splashing and cross-contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flavor post-mix drink dispensers are used to conserve retail space, then beverage variety is improved, but cross-contamination and flavor carry-over occur between different beverage routes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage varietyVSAvoidcross-contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the beverage dispensing system into separate, enclosed pathways for different flavors. Each flavor has its own dedicated route from the concentrate container through the mixing chamber to the dispensing nozzle, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining the ability to dispense multiple flavors from a single dispenser unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nested pathways where multiple flavor routes are contained within each other or share common components in a controlled manner. The concentrate containers, mixing chambers, and dispensing mechanisms are arranged in a nested configuration that allows each flavor to have its own enclosed path while sharing the overall dispenser structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If plain water is used as diluent, then cost is reduced, but air pockets form and cause non-uniform flow paths leading to splashing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediluent costVSAvoidsplashing
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vent as an intermediary component that mediates between the air pocket and the beverage flow. The vent provides a controlled pathway for air to escape, preventing air pockets from disrupting the flow and causing splashing, while allowing the use of plain water as a cost-effective diluent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pressure parameter within the nozzle housing by incorporating a vent that equalizes pressure between the interior and exterior environments. This pressure equalization prevents the formation of air pockets and ensures uniform flow paths, eliminating splashing while maintaining the use of plain water as diluent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If concentrate outlets are exposed to facilitate mixing, then mixing efficiency is improved, but cross-contamination occurs on surfaces not susceptible to washing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidflavor carry-over
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a sheltered mixing zone where concentrates are mixed in a controlled, enclosed environment. The mixing chamber provides a localized area with specific properties (enclosed, washable surfaces) that prevent flavor carry-over, while still allowing efficient mixing to occur within that confined space before dispensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the mixing function from exposed surfaces and relocates it to a dedicated, enclosed mixing chamber. By separating the mixing process from the dispensing pathway and confining it to a specific enclosed space with washable surfaces, the system prevents flavor carry-over while maintaining mixing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If nozzle housing is sealed to prevent contamination, then hygiene is improved, but air pockets become trapped causing inconsistent dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecontaminationVSAvoiddispensing consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vent acts as an intermediary that reconciles the conflicting requirements of sealing and air pocket management. It provides a controlled opening that allows air to escape while preventing contamination, maintaining both hygiene and dispensing consistency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The vent ensures continuous operation by preventing air pocket formation that would disrupt the flow. By continuously allowing air to escape during the dispensing process, the system maintains consistent flow and prevents interruptions, ensuring reliable and consistent dispensing while remaining sealed against contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The design ensures consistent, splash-free dispensing of mixed beverages, preventing cross-contamination and flavor alteration, while maintaining the quality of both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks by managing air pockets and flow paths effectively.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining air pressure equilibrium and organizing diluent flows into uniform streams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir pressure equilibrium: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

a diffuser adapted to organize flows of diluent along the interior surface of the nozzle housing into multiple substantially uniform individual flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow organization: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 3

the nozzle housing is adapted to coalesce beverage components flowing from the mixer body and diluent flowing about the mixer body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoalescence: Cohesion

Data Source

PatentUS20240010484A1Methods and apparatus for post-mix drink dispensing
Publication Date: 2024.01.11 LANCER CORP
  • US20240010484A1 patent drawing
  • US20240010484A1 patent drawing
  • US20240010484A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A post-mix drink dispenser includes a mixer body securable to a drink dispensing system and having at least one beverage concentrate inlet and outlet sheltered within a downwardly open cavity in the bottom thereof; a diluent channel formed exterior to the cavity and about a lower sidewall of the mixer body; and a nozzle housing securable in place about the mixer body. The dispenser includes an air channel formed in a wall portion of the nozzle housing, a diffuser to organize flows of diluent along the interior surface of the nozzle housing, or both a vent and a diffuser. The air channel includes provisions to impede ingress of diluent, and to contain flow through the channel of liquid beverage components. The diffuser may be formed unitary with the nozzle housing, or may be selectively removable from the drink dispenser.