Nozzle With Isolation Porting For Beverage Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage dispensing systems that use a single discharge nozzle for multiple beverages face issues of cross-contamination, color carry-over, and inadequate mixing due to the viscosity of beverage additives, leading to inconsistent and undesirable beverage quality.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing system featuring a diffuser block with primary and secondary outlet ports, a transition plate with channels and outer outlet ports, and an external port nozzle that allows for separate and non-mixed dispensing of post-mix and non-mix beverages, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring adequate mixing by directing each fluid through distinct outlet paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple beverage dispensing devices are used to dispense different beverages, then cross-contamination between beverages is prevented, but the device occupies valuable floor space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple beverage dispensing functions into a single nozzle assembly. The diffuser block contains multiple fluid channels (first channel for post-mix beverage, second channel for non-mix beverage) that converge to separate outlet ports, allowing one physical device to dispense multiple beverage types without cross-contamination through dedicated fluid pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle assembly is segmented into distinct fluid channels and outlet ports. The first fluid channel and second fluid channel are separate and independent, each leading to its own outlet port. This segmentation allows different beverages to be dispensed simultaneously or sequentially without mixing or contamination, while using a single compact device.
2Area of stationary object
If a single discharge nozzle is used for multiple beverages, then floor space is reduced, but cross-contamination and color carry-over occur between beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly divides the fluid delivery system into separate channels - a first fluid channel for post-mix beverages and a second fluid channel for non-mix beverages. Each channel has its own outlet port, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining a compact single-nozzle design that saves floor space.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the nozzle assembly have specialized functions: the first fluid channel and outlet port are optimized for post-mix beverages, while the second fluid channel and outlet port are optimized for non-mix beverages. This local specialization ensures each beverage type is dispensed through appropriate pathways without contamination.
3Manufacturing precision
If beverage additive and base beverage are mixed within the nozzle, then consistent beverage quality is achieved, but residual additive causes contamination of subsequent beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments beverage dispensing into two independent channels: the first fluid channel mixes beverage additive with base beverage for consistent post-mix beverages, while the second fluid channel delivers non-mix beverages without contamination. The separate outlet ports ensure residual additives in one channel do not affect beverages from the other channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the mixing function to only the first fluid channel, while the second fluid channel remains separate for non-mix beverages. This extraction prevents residual additives from the mixing channel from contaminating the non-mix beverage channel, maintaining both consistency where needed and purity where required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a non-mixed fluid along with a post-mix fluid. The post-mix fluid is formed by mixing a base beverage with at least one beverage additive. For example, the beverage dispensing system may dispense a post-mix fluid (e.g. cola) and a non-mixed fluid (e.g. spirits) separately. In some embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed simultaneously with the non-mixed fluid from separate fluid outlet ports. In other embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed from a first fluid outlet port and, subsequently, the non-mixed fluid may be dispensed from a second fluid outlet port.