Cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10752485-B2
Application number	US-201615779245-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 25, 2016
Priority date	Nov 25, 2015
Publication date	Aug 25, 2020
Grant date	Aug 25, 2020

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head, capable of selectively providing a cleaning function in addition to a conventional beverage dispensing function. A cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head includes a gas distributor ( 200 ) outputting a gas flowed in, and a pulse generator ( 100 ) receiving a supply of the gas supplied via a hose ( 300 ). The gas distributor ( 200 ) includes a first gas outlet ( 220 ) discharging the gas to the pulse generator ( 100 ), a second gas outlet ( 230 ) discharging the gas to a container (C) for storing liquid, an internal structure ( 200 a ) that is rotatable, and an external structure ( 200 b ) that is coupled to the internal structure ( 200 a ), to control rotation of the internal structure ( 200 a ). Whether or not to supply the gas to the pulse generator ( 100 ) through the first gas outlet ( 220 ) is determined according to whether or not the internal structure ( 200 a ) rotates.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head, comprising:
a gas distributor configured to output a gas received in the gas distributor; and
a pulse generator configured to receive a supply of the gas supplied via a hose,
wherein the pulse generator comprises:
a first inlet;
a second inlet configured to provide a gas on liquid supplied through the first inlet;
a mixing orifice;
an atomization mechanism installed between the second inlet and the mixing orifice and configured to separate the gas supplied through the second inlet with microbubbles,

wherein the gas distributor comprises:
a first gas outlet configured to discharge the gas to the second inlet;
a second gas outlet configured to discharge the gas to a container for storing the liquid;
an internal structure configured to be rotatable; and
an external structure configured to be coupled to the internal structure, and to control rotation of the internal structure, and

wherein whether or not to supply the gas to the pulse generator through the first gas outlet is determined according to whether or not the internal structure rotates, and wherein the gas distributer is further configured to simultaneously control a flow to the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet.

2. The cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head of claim 1 ,
wherein the internal structure has a predetermined circumferential portion hollowed out to include a rotation support groove,
wherein the external structure comprises:
a stopper configured to be movably inserted in the rotation support groove, to thereby rotate the internal structure;
an adjustment lever configured to rotate the internal structure through the stopper, and

wherein the internal structure is configured to be rotatable within an angular range equivalent to the rotation support groove over the predetermined circumferential portion.

3. The cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head of claim 2 ,
wherein the external structure comprises a discharge hole configured to assist the discharge of the gas to the first gas outlet,
wherein the internal structure comprises a gas discharge-preventing groove formed as a recess corresponding to the discharge hole,
wherein the discharge hole and the gas discharge-preventing groove are configured to have a blocking member interposed therebetween, and
wherein when the discharge hole, the gas discharge-preventing groove and the blocking member that is interposed are positioned in alignment with each other, the blocking member prevents the gas from passing the first gas outlet towards the pulse generator.

4. The cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head of claim 3 , wherein when the internal structure is rotated through the adjustment lever by the angular range equivalent to the predetermined circumferential portion, the discharge hole, the gas discharge-preventing groove and the blocking member that is interposed are positioned out of alignment with each other, to disable the blocking member from blocking the discharge hole and to thereby allow the gas to pass the first gas outlet and proceed as an inflowing gas to the pulse generator.

5. The cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head of claim 4 , wherein the gas discharged to the second gas outlet pressurizes the liquid stored in the container so that the liquid is output via a piping, the liquid output via the piping is supplied to the pulse generator, and the liquid flowing into the pulse generator is mixed with the inflowing gas, and is discharged involving a surging.

6. The cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head of claim 5 ,
wherein when the discharge hole, the gas discharge-preventing groove and the blocking member that is interposed are positioned in alignment with each other, the liquid is at least one of alcoholic beverages or food and beverage, and
wherein when the discharge hole, the gas discharge-preventing groove and the blocking member that is interposed are positioned out of alignment with each other, the liquid is cleaning water.

7. The cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head of claim 1 ,
wherein the external structure comprises a gas discharge groove configured to assist the discharge of the gas to the second gas outlet,
wherein the internal structure has a predetermined circumferential portion hollowed out to provide a gas discharge support groove corresponding to the gas discharge groove, and
wherein when the gas discharge groove and the gas discharge support groove are positioned in alignment with each other, the gas is discharged to the second gas outlet.

8. The cleaning module-integrated beverage dispensing head of claim 7 , wherein when the internal structure is rotated through the adjustment lever by an angular range equivalent to the predetermined circumferential portion, the gas discharge groove and the gas discharge support groove are positioned out of alignment with each other, to discharge the gas to the second gas outlet less than when the gas discharge groove and the gas discharge support groove are positioned in alignment with each other.

Assignees

• Intellectual Discovery Co Ltd

Inventors

• Park Jong-Ha

Classifications

• B08B9/0325

  Control mechanisms therefor · CPC title

• B08B9/032

  by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing (B08B9/04 takes precedence {; by fluid jets mounted on cleaning devices B08B9/0433}) · CPC title

• B67D1/07 Primary

  Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus {(B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence)} · CPC title

• B67D1/08

  Details · CPC title

• B08B9/0326

  Using pulsations · CPC title