Patent Application
20180327245
Beverage dispensing systems generally contain, among other things, a nozzle for the dispensing and/or mixing of ingredients. The nozzle may be connected to one or more supplies of the ingredients, with a system for transporting the ingredients to the nozzle. Conventional beverage dispensing systems may have separate nozzles for each beverage, with each nozzle connected to a supply of syrup corresponding to a particular beverage. Beverage dispensing systems may also have a single nozzle configured to dispense multiple types of beverages containing a number of different ingredients.
The nozzle may be located above a designated position where a user could position a beverage container, allowing the user to receive a beverage upon activating the beverage dispensing system. The user may activate the beverage dispensing system to receive a beverage containing one or more diluents, macro-ingredient sweeteners, and micro-ingredients.
When the same nozzle is used to dispense multiple types of beverages containing different ingredients, the possibility of cross-contamination of ingredients between beverages exists. Beverage dispensing systems may also have an ice-dispenser chute contained within the nozzle, which creates the possibility of beverage ingredients contaminating the ice-dispenser chute.
The dispensing nozzle discussed herein facilitates the dispensing of a beverage. As described herein, various aspects of the device and dispensing system are provided. As further described herein, the dispensing nozzle may comprise a housing forming a funnel at the bottom. As further described herein, the housing may envelop a nozzle manifold, which contains orifices and conduits for diluents, macro-ingredient sweeteners, and micro-ingredients, which may mix before exiting the dispensing nozzle. As further described herein, an ice dispenser may be located exterior to the nozzle. As further described herein, the components may be modular.
According to one example, a dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle manifold comprising at least a first orifice and corresponding conduit configured to receive one or more diluents, at least a second orifice and corresponding conduit configured to receive one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners, and a plurality of micro-ingredient orifices and corresponding conduits configured to receive a plurality of micro-ingredients. The dispensing nozzle further comprises the plurality of micro-ingredient orifices and corresponding conduits forming a micro-ingredient conduit system, wherein a center portion of the nozzle manifold includes the micro-ingredient conduit system.
In some embodiments, the first orifice is configured to receive at least carbonated water, and the second orifice is configured to receive at least a nutritive sweetener.
In some embodiments, the nozzle manifold is further comprised of a sweetener channel configured to receive the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners, the sweetener channel containing a plurality of holes in a bottom surface allowing the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners to pass through. The nozzle manifold is further comprised of a diluent baffle configured to receive the one or more diluents and the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners and allow the received diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener to mix.
In some embodiments, the nozzle manifold is further comprised of a sweetener channel configured to receive the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners, the sweetener channel containing a plurality of holes in a bottom surface allowing the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners to pass through. The nozzle manifold is further comprised of a diluent baffle configured to receive the one or more diluents and the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners and allow the received diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener to mix.
In some embodiments, the sweetener channel contains a valve membrane configured to prevent flow of the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners unless a threshold pressure level is reached.
In some embodiments, the second orifice and corresponding conduit contains a stop valve configured to control the flow of macro-ingredient sweetener.
In some embodiments, the dispensing nozzle is modular.
In some embodiments, the dispensing nozzle is further configured to receive a diluent to wash away one or more residual ingredients from the funnel.
In some embodiments, the dispensing nozzle further comprises a nozzle housing, wherein a bottom portion of the nozzle housing constitutes a funnel having a nozzle exit. The funnel is configured to receive the one or more diluents and the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners and allow the received diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener to flow down the funnel. The funnel is further configured to allow the received diluent, the received macro-ingredient sweetener, and the received micro-ingredients to mix about the nozzle exit.
According to another example, a beverage dispensing system, comprises a user interface configured to receive a beverage selection, a controller in communication with the user interface, and a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle manifold comprising at least a first orifice and corresponding conduit configured to receive one or more diluents, at least a second orifice and corresponding conduit configured to receive one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners, and a plurality of micro-ingredient orifices and corresponding conduits configured to receive a plurality of micro-ingredients. The plurality of micro-ingredient orifices and corresponding conduits forming a micro-ingredient conduit system, wherein a center portion of the nozzle manifold includes the micro-ingredient conduit system. The beverage dispensing system further comprises a plurality of beverage ingredients in communication with the nozzle and one or more pumps in communication with the controller, wherein the one or more pumps regulate the flow of the plurality of beverage ingredients.
In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing system further comprises an ice dispenser externally disposed to the dispensing nozzle. The ice dispenser and the dispensing nozzle are configured to dispense simultaneously into a beverage container.
In some embodiments, the first orifice is configured to receive at least carbonated water and the second orifice is configured to receive at least a nutritive sweetener.
In some embodiments, the nozzle manifold is further comprised of a sweetener channel configured to receive the macro-ingredient sweetener, the sweetener channel containing a plurality of holes in a bottom surface allowing the macro-ingredient sweetener to pass through. The nozzle manifold is further comprised of a diluent baffle configured to receive the diluent and the macro-ingredient sweetener and allow the received diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener to mix.
In some embodiments, the nozzle manifold is further comprised of a sweetener channel configured to receive the macro-ingredient sweetener, the sweetener channel containing a plurality of holes in a bottom surface allowing the macro-ingredient sweetener to pass through. The nozzle manifold is further comprised of a diluent baffle configured to receive the diluent and the macro-ingredient sweetener and allow the received diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener to mix.
In some embodiments, the sweetener channel contains a valve membrane configured to prevent flow of the macro-ingredient sweetener unless a threshold pressure level is reached.
In some embodiments, the second orifice and corresponding conduit contains a stop valve configured to control the flow of macro-ingredient sweetener.
In some embodiments, the dispensing nozzle is modular.
In some embodiments, the dispensing nozzle is further configured to receive a diluent to wash away one or more residual ingredients from the funnel.
In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing system further comprises a nozzle housing, wherein a bottom portion of the nozzle housing constitutes a funnel having a nozzle exit. The funnel is configured to receive the one or more diluents and the one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners and allow the received diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener to flow down the funnel. The funnel is further configured to allow the received diluent, the received macro-ingredient sweetener, and the received micro-ingredients to mix about the nozzle exit.
The above-described subject matter may also be implemented in other ways. Although the technologies presented herein are primarily disclosed in the context of dispensing beverages, the concepts and technologies disclosed herein are also applicable in other forms. Other variations and implementations may also be applicable. These and various other features will be apparent from a reading of the following Detailed Description and a review of the associated drawings.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended that this Summary be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same reference numbers in different figures indicate similar or identical items.
The following detailed description is directed to a dispensing nozzle for dispensing beverages, such as Coca-Cola® soft drinks, non-carbonated Coca-Cola® beverages, or the like.
In one aspect, the nozzle may have a nozzle housing with a diameter larger at the top than at the bottom, containing a funnel leading to a nozzle exit at the bottom of the housing, and enveloping a nozzle manifold. The nozzle manifold may have separate orifices and corresponding conduits for each ingredient of a beverage, including orifices and corresponding conduits for diluent, macro-ingredient sweetener, and any micro-ingredients. The micro-ingredient orifices and corresponding conduits may comprise a micro-ingredient conduit system and may be located towards the center of the nozzle manifold. The diluent orifice and corresponding conduit may be located near the outside edge of the nozzle manifold. The sweetener orifice and corresponding conduit may also be located near the outside of the nozzle manifold, opposite the diluent orifice. Each ingredient may be transported to the nozzle manifold and connected to the corresponding orifice through piping, tubing, or some other delivery conduit.
When a beverage calls for a macro-ingredient sweetener, the macro-ingredient sweetener may travel through the sweetener orifice in the top of the nozzle manifold and into the sweetener channel via the sweetener conduit. The macro-ingredient sweetener may include sweetened concentrate, sugar syrup, HFCS syrup, juice concentrate, or other types of nutritive sweeteners. The macro-ingredient sweeteners may have reconstitution ratios typically in the range of about 3:1 to about 6:1 and viscosities in the range of about 100 centipoise or higher. The sweetener channel may be annular, with an inner wall separating the flow of macro-ingredient sweetener from the micro-ingredient conduit system, and with a top and bottom surface, which extend outward from the inner wall to the nozzle housing. The bottom surface may contain sweetener holes such that, as the macro-ingredient sweetener travels in an annular path around the bottom surface, macro-ingredient sweetener flows down through the sweetener holes.
The diluent, which could be carbonated or non-carbonated water or another diluent depending on the beverage, may enter the nozzle manifold through the diluent orifice. The diluent orifice may have a sealed diluent conduit which transports the diluent through the sweetener channel before depositing the diluent above a diluent baffle. The diluent baffle may connect to the inner wall, which separates the flow of diluent from the micro-ingredient conduit system. The diluent baffle may extend outward, leaving a gap between the edge of the diluent baffle and the nozzle housing. After the diluent gets deposited onto the diluent baffle, it may travel in a substantially annular path, allowing it to mix with the macro-ingredient sweetener falling from the sweetener holes above the diluent baffle. The diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener may flow over the edge of the diluent baffle, traveling down a funnel towards the nozzle exit.
When a beverage calls for micro-ingredients, the micro-ingredients may enter the corresponding orifice at the top of the nozzle manifold. Each micro-ingredient may travel vertically downward through a corresponding conduit of uniform diameter, which may transport each micro-ingredient through the nozzle manifold. Different conduits may have different diameters. The micro-ingredients may then be deposited towards the nozzle exit. The flow of the diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener down the funnel creates a mixing action with the micro-ingredients about the nozzle exit, which allows the beverage to mix before and/or after exiting the nozzle.
The micro-ingredient may have a dilution or reconstitution ratio ranging from about ten to one (10:1), twenty to one (20:1), thirty to one (30:1), or higher. Specifically, many micro-ingredients may be in the range of fifty to one (50:1) to three hundred to one (300:1) or higher. The viscosities of the micro-ingredients typically range from about 1 to about 100 centipoise or so. Examples of micro-ingredients include natural and artificial flavors; flavor additives; natural and artificial colors; artificial sweeteners (high potency or otherwise); additives for controlling tartness, e.g., citric acid, potassium citrate; functional additives such as vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts; nutraceuticals; and over-the-counter (or otherwise) medicines such as acetaminophen and similar types of materials. As described above, the acid and non-acid components of the non-sweetened concentrate also may be separated and stored individually. The micro-ingredients may be liquid, powder (solid), or gaseous form and/or combinations thereof. The micro-ingredients may or may not require refrigeration. Non-beverage substances such as paints, dyes, oils, cosmetics, etc., also may be used. Various types of alcohols may be used as micro-ingredients or macro-ingredients.
This invention provides the benefits of reducing cross-contamination, which can occur when ingredients from a first beverage are not fully flushed from the nozzle when a second beverage is dispensed. Moving the micro-ingredients to the middle of the nozzle reduces their contact with the funnel, thereby reducing the need to flush the funnel of micro-ingredients, which are generally more difficult to flush than diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener, before, during, and/or after the dispensing of a beverage.
While the subject matter described herein is presented in the general context of beverage-dispensing nozzle with micro-ingredient orifices, those skilled in the art will recognize that other implementations may be performed in combination with other types of beverage-dispensing nozzles. Generally, beverage-dispensing nozzles include a housing, separate orifices for the ingredients, conduits for transporting the ingredients through the nozzle, a funnel, one or more areas for the ingredients to mix, and parts that perform particular tasks in dispensing a beverage. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matter described herein may be practiced with other beverage-dispensing systems.
In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustration as specific implementations or examples. Referring now to the drawings, aspects of a beverage-dispensing nozzle will be described in detail.
The nozzle manifold 102 contains orifices for each ingredient of the beverage, including the diluent orifice 104, the sweetener orifice 105, and micro-ingredient orifices 106. The diluent orifice 104 may be used for water, which may be both carbonated and non-carbonated, other types of diluents, or other fluids. The sweetener orifice 105 may be used for macro-ingredient sweeteners including sweetened concentrate, sugar syrup, HFCS syrup, juice concentrate, or other types of nutritive sweeteners. The micro-ingredient orifices 106 may be used for micro-ingredient acids, micro-ingredient non-acid flavors, and micro-ingredient sweeteners.
The diluent may be delivered to the diluent orifice 104 and corresponding diluent conduit 124 through a diluent delivery conduit 107, which may connect to the diluent orifice 104 by compressing around the diluent orifice 104 or, alternatively, screwing into the diluent orifice 104 via threads, locking into the diluent orifice via slots, or in another manner recognized by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The macro-ingredient sweetener may be delivered to the sweetener orifice 105 and corresponding sweetener conduit 125 through a sweetener delivery conduit 108, which may connect to the sweetener orifice 105 in a manner similar to the connection between the diluent orifice 104 and the diluent conduit 107. The micro-ingredients may be delivered to the corresponding micro-ingredient orifice 106 through micro-ingredient delivery conduits (not pictured), which may be connected in a manner similar to the connection between the diluent orifice 104 and the diluent conduit 107. Alternatively, the micro-ingredient delivery conduits (not pictured) may connect to a disc (not pictured) or like structure with orifices that match up with and connect to the corresponding micro-ingredient orifices 106 when mounted onto the nozzle manifold 102. The disc may screw into the inner wall 110 via threads, lock into the inner wall 110 via slots, or connect in another manner recognized by a person having ordinary skill in the art.
Beneath the top of the nozzle manifold 102 lies the sweetener channel 109. The sweetener conduit 125 may penetrate the top of the sweetener channel 109, allowing the macro-ingredient sweetener to flow into the sweetener channel 109. The diluent conduit 124 may extend through the sweetener channel 109 so as to not mix the diluent with the macro-ingredient sweetener in the sweetener channel 109. In some embodiments, a portion of the diluent may be diverted to the sweetener channel 109 so as to flush the sweetener channel 109 and prevent dripping after a dispense. The sweetener channel 109 may be annular, with an inner wall 110 separating the flow of the macro-ingredient sweetener from the flow of the micro-ingredients. The sweetener channel 109 may extend outward to the edge of the inner wall of the housing 109 or, alternatively, may contain an outer wall. Distributed around a bottom surface of the sweetener channel 109 are sweetener holes 111, which allow the macro-ingredient sweetener to exit the sweetener channel 109. The bottom surface of the sweetener channel 109 may contain a valve membrane 115, such as a liquid-molded silicone or another like material, with a pattern of slits about each of the sweetener holes 111 that may prevent macro-ingredient sweetener from flowing through the sweetener holes 111 unless the sweetener channel 109 is pressurized. Other membranes or valve configurations may be used. The sweetener conduit 125 may contain a stop valve 116, which may prevent the flow of macro-ingredient sweetener when macro-ingredient sweetener is not being pumped through the sweetener orifice 105. In some embodiments, the sweetener conduit 125 may not include the stop valve 116.
Below the sweetener channel 109 may lie a diluent baffle 112. The diluent baffle 112 may be annular, with the inner wall 110 extending at least to the top surface of the diluent baffle 112 to isolate the flow of micro-ingredients from the flow of diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener. The diluent baffle 112 extends outward towards the housing 101, leaving a gap for fluid to flow between the diluent baffle 112 and the inner wall of the housing 101. The diluent exits the diluent conduit 124 at a point above the diluent baffle 112 and contacts the top surface of the diluent baffle 112, causing the diluent to flow in a substantially annular path around the inner wall 110. As the macro-ingredient sweetener exits the sweetener holes 111 above, the macro-ingredient sweetener and diluent mix and flow over the side of the diluent baffle 112 along the funnel 113 towards the nozzle exit 103.
The micro-ingredients may flow through the micro-ingredient conduit system 117, which is located within the inner wall 110. Each micro-ingredient orifice 106 may have a corresponding micro-ingredient conduit 114, which may extend—vertically or otherwise—through the nozzle module 102 to a point at or below the level of the bottle of the diluent baffle 112. Each micro-ingredient conduit 114 may have a uniform diameter throughout. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the diameter of the micro-ingredient conduits 114 may be varied to achieve the correct flow rate for each micro-ingredient. Each micro-ingredient may exit through the bottom of the micro-ingredient conduit 114 and fall toward the nozzle exit 103. The flow of the diluent and macro-ingredient sweetener down the funnel 113 may create a mixing action with the micro-ingredients around the nozzle exit 103, which may allow the beverage to mix before and/or after exiting the nozzle 100. The micro-ingredients may fall in such a way to avoid contact with the funnel 113, which may reduce the risk of cross-contamination of ingredients between beverages. Having the micro-ingredients fall in this way may also reduce the time needed for a flush cycle, which may consist of dispensing only diluent to wash away residual ingredients on the funnel.
When a beverage calls for one or more micro-ingredients, each micro-ingredient travels through a corresponding micro-ingredient conduit 114 and falls towards the nozzle exit 103. The diluent or diluent-macro-ingredient-sweetener mixture falls over the edge of the diluent baffle 112 and flows down the inside of the housing 101 and the funnel 113 toward the nozzle exit 103 in a substantially laminar flow pattern. The flow of the fluid down the funnel 113 creates a mixing action at the nozzle exit 103, where all of the ingredients mix, including the diluent, macro-ingredient sweetener, and micro-ingredients, before and/or after exiting the nozzle 100. The substantially annular flow path at the diluent baffle 112 may translate into a spiral-shaped flow path around the funnel 113, which may lead to better mixing about the nozzle exit 103.
For example, a beverage may include one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners. As another example, a beverage may also include one or more a micro-ingredient sweeteners. As another example, a beverage may include both one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners and one or more micro-ingredient sweeteners.
To reduce cross-contamination of ingredients, the dispensing nozzle 100 may utilize a flush cycle, which may include a diluent running through the nozzle 100 before, during, and/or after the dispensing of each beverage to wash away any residual ingredients from the diluent baffle 112, housing 101, funnel 113, or nozzle exit 103. The dispensing nozzle 100 may also utilize a pre-rinse, which may include a diluent running through the nozzle 100 before any macro-ingredient sweetener is dispensed. The pre-rinse may facilitate the flow of the macro-ingredient sweetener through the dispensing nozzle 100.
Exterior to the nozzle 100 may be an ice dispenser 601. The ice dispenser 601 may be displaced away from the nozzle 100, having a stop lever 603, which may prevent the flow of ice when engaged. In one or more embodiments, ice may be dispensed simultaneously with a beverage.
The inside of the sweetener channel 109 may be hollow, allowing the macro-ingredient sweetener to enter from sweetener-port orifice 705 and move in an annular path through the sweetener channel 109. Sweetener holes 111 may be distributed around the bottom surface of the sweetener channel 109, allowing macro-ingredient sweetener to exit the sweetener channel 109 vertically downward. Eighteen sweetener holes 111 are depicted in
The diluent baffle 112 may contain a baffle lip 801 at the outer edge. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the baffle lip 801 may be altered to change the surface tension, forcing more or less diluent to flow in an annular path along the diluent baffle 112, as needed, before flowing over the edge of the diluent baffle 112.
Upon a command from the controller 914, the one or more pumps 902 may initiate the flow of one or more diluents 903, one or more micro-ingredients 904, and/or one or more macro-ingredient sweeteners 905 that correspond to the ingredients needed to dispense the received beverage selection on the user interface 901. The diluents 903 may come from an external source (not pictured), or may be contained in separate cartridges 906. The micro-ingredients 904 may come from an external source (not pictured), or may be contained in separate cartridges 907. The macro-ingredient sweeteners 905 may come from an external source (not pictured), or may be contained in separate cartridges 908. The number of cartridges 906, 907, and 908 may correspond to the number of ingredients of each diluent 903, micro-ingredient 904, and macro-ingredient sweetener 905 needed for each available beverage in the beverage dispensing system 900. The cartridges 906, 907, and 908 may be modular, designed for easy replacement when necessary.
The controller may be in communication with a diluent valve manifold 909, a micro-ingredient valve manifold 910, and a sweetener valve manifold 911. The diluents 903, micro-ingredients 904, and macro-ingredient sweeteners 905 may be delivered to the corresponding diluent valve manifold 909, micro-ingredient valve manifold 910, and sweetener valve manifold 911, which may deliver the corresponding ingredients to the dispensing nozzle 100. The dispensing nozzle 100 may operate in a manner previously described.
The beverage dispensing system 900 may also contain an ice dispenser 601, which may operate in a manner previously described. The ice dispenser 601 may communicate with the controller 901. Upon a command from the user interface 901, the controller 914 may command the ice dispenser 601 to dispense ice from an ice container 913.
It should be appreciated that the logical operations described above with reference to
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
All of the methods and processes described above may be embodied in, and fully or partially automated via, software code modules executed by one or more general purpose computers or processors. The code modules may be stored in any type of computer-readable storage medium or other computer storage device. Some or all of the methods may additionally or alternatively be embodied in specialized computer hardware.
Conditional language such as, among others, “can,” “could,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, means that certain examples include, while other examples do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language does not imply that certain features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more examples or that one or more examples necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether certain features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular example.
Conjunctive language such as the phrases “and/or” and “at least one of X, Y or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, mean that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z, or a combination thereof.
Any routine descriptions, elements or blocks in the flow diagrams described herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should be understood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions of code that include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or elements in the routine. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of the examples described herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, or executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially synchronously or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved as would be understood by those skilled in the art.
It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described examples, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2016/062030 | 11/15/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62256271 | Nov 2015 | US |
