Clean-in-Place Flush Diverter for Beverage Dispenser Nozzle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional juice dispensers have limitations in offering a wide range of beverages due to their large footprint and inadequate mixing, resulting in an unpleasant taste from undiluted concentrate residue.

Innovation Solution

A flush system for a dispenser nozzle with a flush diverter and carrier, along with a clean-in-place system, ensures proper mixing and cleaning, allowing for a variety of beverages within a compact footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional juice dispenser uses a one-to-one correspondence between juice concentrate stored and products dispensed, then the dispenser can provide a wide range of beverages, but the footprint becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of beveragesVSAvoidfootprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a single juice concentrate storage compartment that can be used for multiple beverage types by varying the diluent and flavoring combinations. The universal mixing chamber and dispensing mechanism can handle different concentrate-to-liquid ratios for various beverages, eliminating the need for separate storage compartments for each beverage type and thereby reducing the overall footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the mixing ratios and flow rates of different components (juice concentrate, water, flavoring) based on the selected beverage type. The pump and mixing chamber can vary the concentration and volume of each ingredient in real-time, allowing one storage compartment to serve multiple beverage purposes through dynamic parameter adjustment rather than static separate compartments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the dispenser dispenses viscous juice concentrate without sufficient agitation, then the dispensing process is simple, but undiluted concentrate residue remains causing unpleasant taste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing processVSAvoidundiluted concentrate residue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary mixing of the juice concentrate with water and flavoring in the mixing chamber before dispensing. This pre-dilution and mixing action ensures that the viscous concentrate is thoroughly combined with liquid components, preventing undiluted residue from reaching the cup and eliminating the need for complex post-dispense cleaning or flushing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing chamber continuously agitates and mixes the juice concentrate with water and flavoring throughout the dispensing process. The pump maintains continuous flow and the mixing mechanism operates throughout, ensuring complete dissolution and uniform distribution of the concentrate, thereby preventing any undiluted residue formation in the dispensing path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8678239B2Clean in place system for beverage dispensers

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

A flush system for a dispenser nozzle may include a flush diverter and a carrier. The flush diverter may include a dispense position and a flush position. The carrier maneuvers the flush diverter to either the dispense position or the flush position with respect to the beverage dispenser nozzle.