Vertical beverage dispensing manifolds, dispensers including the same, and methods of dispensing a beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers have limited capabilities in terms of variety and customization, failing to meet consumer demands for a wide range of beverage options and personalized choices, which can lead to reduced customer satisfaction and sales.
Innovation Solution
A vertical dispensing manifold system with modular design, featuring a hollow shaft with multiple orifices for ingredient introduction and a dispensing nozzle, allowing for uniform flow and easy assembly/disassembly, enabling the mixing of various beverages and customization options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pipe dedicated to supply a particular drink syrup to a dispensing head is used, then the reliability of beverage supply is improved, but the device complexity increases and the adaptability to different beverage types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal dispensing head design that can accommodate multiple beverage types through a single manifold system. The manifold integrates multiple syrup supply lines and allows selective connection to different dispensing heads, enabling one dispensing head to potentially serve multiple beverage types by changing connections rather than requiring dedicated pipes for each beverage type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the beverage supply into separate syrup and water lines that converge at the manifold. This segmentation allows independent control and supply of different components, enabling flexible combination for various beverage types while maintaining reliable supply through dedicated lines for each component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated dispensing head for each beverage is provided, then the adaptability to different beverage types is improved, but the device complexity and the number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold serves as a universal distribution point that can supply multiple beverage types through a reduced number of dispensing heads. By centralizing the mixing and distribution function in the manifold, the system achieves multi-beverage capability without requiring a proportional increase in dispensing heads for each beverage type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple syrup supply lines and water supply into a single manifold structure where mixing occurs. This consolidation allows multiple beverage formulations to be created at one location rather than requiring separate dedicated dispensing systems for each beverage type, reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beverage types and customization options are added, then the adaptability and user satisfaction are improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments beverage customization into separate controllable lines for different syrups and water, allowing independent adjustment of each component. This segmentation enables flexible beverage formulation while maintaining simple, isolated pathways that are easier to clean, flush, and maintain compared to complex mixed-flow systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold acts as an intermediary mixing chamber that simplifies the complexity of combining multiple ingredients. By providing a centralized mixing point with standardized connections, it mediates between multiple syrup sources and the dispensing head, making the system easier to control and maintain than direct complex routing would require.
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 system provides a wide variety of beverage options, ensures uniform mixing, reduces carry-over between different beverages, and facilitates easy maintenance and upgrading, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source to establish a vacuum in the manifold to draw the concentrate from the supply of concentrate into the manifold
Data Source
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AI summary
Vertical beverage dispensers including a vertical dispensing manifold for dispensing a beverage. The vertical dispensing manifold may include an input port coupled to one end of a vertical shaft and a dispensing nozzle coupled to the other end of the vertical shaft. The vertical shaft may include a hollow interior and a plurality of orifices for introducing ingredients into the hollow interior formed in the sidewall of the vertical shaft. The vertical shaft may define a vertical flow path for the flow of a base liquid from the input port, through the vertical shaft to combine with one or more ingredients, and to the dispensing nozzle. The flow of base liquid and ingredients within the vertical shaft may be uniform.