Inserts and nozzle assemblies for beverage dispensers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11345583-B2
Application number	US-202016935891-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 22, 2020
Priority date	Aug 1, 2017
Publication date	May 31, 2022
Grant date	May 31, 2022

Abstract

An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage dispenser comprising:
an additive fluid manifold configured to dispense an additive fluid;
a base fluid module configured to receive a first base fluid and a second base fluid;
a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid from the base fluid module and a downstream end configured to dispense the first base fluid; and
a stem having a first end configured to receive the second base fluid from the base fluid module and a second end configured to dispense the second base fluid;
wherein the downstream end of the diffuser is upstream of the second end of the stem such that the additive fluid dispensed from the additive module mixes with the first base fluid before mixing with the second base fluid, and wherein the first base fluid, the second base fluid, and the additive fluid mix to form a mixed beverage.

2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle configured to the dispense the mixed beverage.

3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the additive fluid manifold has center axis, and wherein the base fluid module, the diffuser, and the stem are each aligned along the center axis.

4. The beverage dispenser according to claim 3 , wherein the additive fluid manifold encircles the base fluid module, the diffuser, and the stem.

5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the additive fluid manifold has a center axis, and wherein the additive fluid manifold is configured to radially inwardly dispense the additive fluid toward the stem.

6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the diffuser includes a shoulder member between the upstream end and the downstream end of the diffuser, the shoulder member having an outer perimeter and a plurality of cutouts along the outer perimeter that extend through the shoulder member; and
wherein the additive fluid manifold has a center axis and the shoulder member is configured to radially outwardly direct the first fluid through the plurality of cutouts.

7. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the diffuser includes a shoulder member between the upstream end and the downstream end of the diffuser, the shoulder member having an inner perimeter and a plurality of channels along the inner perimeter that extend through the shoulder member; and
wherein the additive fluid manifold has center axis, and wherein the shoulder member is further configured to radially inwardly direct the first fluid such that the first fluid flows through the plurality of channels.

8. The beverage dispenser according to claim 7 , wherein the diffuser has a center bore in which the stem is positioned, and wherein the first fluid passing through the plurality of channels flows along an outer surface of the stem.

9. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8 , wherein the stem has a flange configured to radially outwardly direct the first base fluid flowing along the outer surface of the stem.

10. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the stem is configured to maintain separation of the second base fluid from the first base fluid and the additive fluid until the second base fluid is dispensed from the second end of the stem.

11. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the additive fluid manifold has center axis, and wherein the stem has an outer surface, and
wherein the second end of the stem has a flange configured to radially outwardly direct the first base fluid the flowing along the outer surface of the stem.

12. The beverage dispenser according to claim 11 , wherein the second end of the stem has a plurality of outlets that radially outwardly dispense the second base fluid.

13. The beverage dispenser according to claim 12 , further comprising a nozzle having an interior surface along which the first base fluid and the second base fluid flow such that the first base fluid, the second base fluid, and the additive fluid mix to from the mixed beverage; and
wherein the nozzle is configured to dispense the mixed beverage.

14. A nozzle assembly for use with a beverage dispenser having a base fluid module configured to dispense a first base fluid and a second base fluid and an additive manifold configured to dispense an additive fluid, the nozzle assembly comprising:
an insert including:
a stem having a first end configured to receive the second base fluid from the base fluid module and a second end configured to dispense the second base fluid; and
a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid from the base fluid module and an downstream end configured to dispense the first base fluid; and

a nozzle configured to receive the first base fluid from the diffuser, the second base fluid from the stem, and the additive fluid from the additive fluid manifold, wherein the first base fluid, the second base fluid, and the additive fluid mix in the nozzle to form a mixed beverage;
wherein the downstream end of the diffuser is upstream of the second end of the stem such that the additive fluid dispensed from the additive module mixes with the first base fluid before mixing with the second base fluid;
wherein the stem is configured to maintain separation of the second base fluid from the first base fluid and the additive fluid until the second base fluid is dispensed from the second end of the stem;
wherein the diffuser extends along an axis and includes a shoulder member between the upstream end and the downstream end of the diffuser, the shoulder member having an inner perimeter and a plurality of channels along the inner perimeter that extend through the shoulder member;
wherein the shoulder member is further configured to radially inwardly direct the first fluid such that the first fluid flows through the plurality of channels; and
wherein the diffuser has a center bore in which the stem is positioned, and wherein the first fluid that flows through the plurality of channels flows along an outer surface of the stem.

15. The nozzle assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the stem has a flange configured to radially outwardly direct the first base fluid that flows along the outer surface of the stem.

16. The nozzle assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the second end of the stem has a plurality of outlets configured to radially outwardly dispense the second base fluid.

17. A nozzle assembly for use with a beverage dispenser having a base fluid module configured to dispense a first base fluid and a second base fluid and an additive manifold configured to dispense an additive fluid, the nozzle assembly comprising:
an insert including:
a stem having a first end configured to receive the second base fluid from the base fluid module and a second end configured to dispense the second base fluid; and
a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid from the base fluid module and an downstream end configured to dispense the first base fluid; and

a nozzle configured to receive the first base fluid from the diffuser, the second base fluid from the stem, and the additive fluid from the additive fluid manifold, wherein the first base fluid, the second base fluid, and the additive fluid mix in the nozzle to form a mixed beverage;
wherein the downstream end of the diffuser is upstream of the second end of the stem such that the additive fluid dispensed from the additive module mixes with the first base fluid before mixing with the second base fluid;
wherein the stem is configured to maintain separation of the second base fluid from the first b

Assignees

• Marmon Foodservice Technologies Inc

Inventors

• Aslam Arsalan
• Aravinda Sandesh
• Zoellick Kurt
• Zemko Christopher F
• Moore William J

Classifications

• B67D1/0048

  with baffles · CPC title

• B67D1/005 Primary

  with means for converging streams · CPC title

• B67D1/0081

  Dispensing valves · CPC title

• B67D2210/00031

  Housing · CPC title

• B67D1/0021

  the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers · CPC title