Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-22
2001-11-27
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321938
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to dispensing equipment and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a nozzle assembly for increasing availability of drink flavors dispensed therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
Beverage dispensers dispense a beverage flavored syrup mixed with either plain water to form a drink, such as punch, or carbonated water to form a carbonated drink, such as cola. Typically, these beverage fluids are each drawn from a respective beverage fluid source by a pump. Each beverage fluid is carried by a separate beverage fluid line from a beverage fluid source to a dispensing nozzle. Beverage fluids are then combined by the dispensing nozzle to form a desired drink.
Beverage dispensers often feature a variety of drink flavors whereby each flavor requires a different beverage flavored syrup to form a desired drink. Therefore, to increase the variety of drink flavors, a separate beverage fluid line is required for every new flavor added to deliver such beverage flavored syrup to the dispensing nozzle. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, dispensing nozzles can only accommodate a limited number of beverage fluid lines, thus, compromising drink flavor availability.
Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a beverage dispenser nozzle assembly whereby a single dispensing nozzle unit from the nozzle assembly can accommodate a large number of beverage fluid lines to enhance the availability of drink flavors dispensed therefrom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a beverage dispenser nozzle assembly for increasing availability of drink flavors dispensed therefrom, includes a first, a second, and a third beverage fluid line for carrying a first beverage fluid, a second beverage fluid, and a third beverage fluid therein, respectively. A dispensing nozzle unit linked with the first, the second, and the third beverage fluid lines is provided for receiving and combining the third beverage fluid and one or, alternatively, both of the first and the second beverage fluids, thereby producing a desired drink for dispensing by the nozzle assembly.
In particular, the dispensing nozzle unit includes a base portion, an upper portion and a central inlet passageway extending through the dispensing nozzle unit from the upper portion to the base portion. The central inlet passageway includes a first collecting chamber extending through the dispensing nozzle unit and a first directional channel linked with the first collecting chamber for directing the first beverage fluid to the base portion. The central inlet passageway also includes a second collecting chamber extending through the dispensing nozzle unit and a second directional channel linked with the second collecting chamber for directing the second beverage fluid from the second collecting chamber to the base portion. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the central inlet passageway receives the first and the second beverage fluids from the first and the second beverage fluid lines and directs these fluids to the base portion for combination.
In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing nozzle unit may feature a second central passageway for accommodating the second collecting chamber and the second directional channel. As such, the dispensing nozzle unit receives the first and the second beverage fluids from the respective lines via the central inlet passageway and the second central inlet passageway, whereby these fluids are directed to the base portion for combination.
The dispensing nozzle unit further includes at least one core inlet passageway each extending through the dispensing nozzle unit and designated for receiving the third beverage fluid from the third beverage fluid line. Operatively, if for example the first beverage fluid is carbonated water, the second beverage fluid is plain water, and the third beverage fluid is cola flavored beverage flavored syrup, a “watered-down” cola is formed by carrying carbonated and plain water as well as beverage flavored syrup through the central inlet and core inlet passageways, respectively, and by combination thereof at the base portion.
The nozzle assembly includes a multi-port fitting device linked with the first beverage fluid line, the second beverage fluid line, and the dispensing nozzle unit for directing the first and second beverage fluids from the first and second beverage fluid lines to the preferred central inlet passageway. The multi-port fitting device includes a first fluid pathway in communication with the first beverage fluid line for channeling the first beverage fluid to the first collecting chamber. A second fluid pathway in communication with the second beverage fluid line is provided for channeling the second beverage fluid to the second collecting chamber. The multi-port fitting device includes a flow washer preferably disposed with the second fluid pathway for facilitating flow control over a wide range of pressures.
The nozzle assembly includes a swivel fitting device linked with a beverage fluid line, such as the first beverage fluid line, for carrying beverage fluid therein. The swivel fitting device includes a first body segment and a second body segment coupled with the first body segment in that each body segment swivels relative to one another, thereby enabling the nozzle dispensing assembly to connect with a beverage fluid line about a wide range of spatial angles. Specifically, the swivel fitting device includes a swivel inlet passageway formed by the first body segment and a swivel outlet passageway formed by the second body segment in communication with the swivel inlet passageway, whereby beverage fluid flows through the swivel fitting device from the swivel inlet passageway to the swivel outlet passageway. A flow washer may be provided between the first and the second body segments for facilitating flow control over a wide range of pressures.
In accordance with the present invention, a method for passing a first, a second, and a third beverage fluid through a nozzle assembly, includes linking a first, a second, and a third beverage fluid line with the dispensing nozzle unit. The dispensing nozzle unit thus receives and combines the first, the second, and the third beverage fluids to provide a desired drink.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser nozzle assembly and an associated method for increasing availability of drink flavors dispensed therefrom.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a single dispensing nozzle unit from the nozzle assembly that can accommodate a large number of beverage fluid lines to enhance the availability of drink flavors dispensed therefrom.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-port fitting device and a swivel fitting device for facilitating coupling of a dispensing nozzle unit with a large number of beverage fluid lines.
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4753370 (1988-06-01), Rudlick
patent: 5082143 (1992-01-01), Schramm, Jr.
patent: 5553749 (1996-09-01), Oyler et al.
Angelica Michael J.
Edwards William A.
Grewal Randeep S.
Santy, Jr. John D.
Lancer Partnership Ltd.
Makay Christopher L.
Shaver Kevin
Willatt Steven
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