Beverage dispenser nozzle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9415991-B2
Application number	US-201414480153-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 8, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Aug 16, 2016
Grant date	Aug 16, 2016

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow may include a flow channel, a housing, a flow restrictor, and a housing adjustment member. The flow channel defines a fluid pathway for the fluid flow. The fluid pathway includes an inlet and an exit. The housing surrounds the flow channel. The housing comprises an exterior surface defining a first threaded portion. The flow restrictor is located within the housing and proximate the exit. The housing adjustment member includes a second threaded portion in contact with the first threaded portion. Embodiments may include a method for controlling a fluid flow. The method comprises: causing the fluid flow to pass through a flow channel having an inlet and an exit; restricting, via a flow restrictor, the fluid flow, the flow restrictor located proximate the exit; and adjusting a position of the flow restrictor to further restrict or unrestrict the fluid flow.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow, the apparatus comprising:
a flow channel defining a fluid pathway for the fluid flow, the fluid pathway including an inlet and an exit;
a housing surrounding the flow channel, the housing comprising an exterior surface defining a first threaded portion;
a flow restrictor located within the housing and proximate the exit;
a housing adjustment member comprising a second threaded portion in contact with the first threaded portion;
a distributor defining a first flow channel in fluid communication with a first plurality of delivery ports located proximate the exit and a second flow channel in fluid communication with a second plurality of delivery ports located proximate the exit; and
a distributor top bounding at least a portion of the first flow channel and the second flow channel, the distributor top defining a first input port in fluid communication with the first flow channel and a second input port in fluid communication with the second flow channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises a protuberance sized to at least partially block the exit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow channel passes through the distributor and the distributor top, the first plurality of delivery ports arranged to inject a second flow into the fluid flow, the second plurality of delivery ports arranged to inject a third flow into the fluid flow.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of delivery ports and the second plurality of delivery ports are arranged to cause post-mixing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing and flow restrictor are arranged to maintain a consistent backpressure within the fluid flow.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein the flow channel defining the fluid pathway comprises the flow channel defining an annulus, and
wherein the flow restrictor comprises at least one protuberance having a protuberance complimentary to the annulus.

7. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a carbonator; and
a nozzle in fluid communication with the carbonator, nozzle comprising:
a flow channel defining a fluid pathway for the fluid flow, the fluid pathway including an inlet and an exit, the inlet in fluid communication with the carbonator;
a housing surrounding the flow channel, the housing comprising an exterior surface defining a first threaded portion;
a flow restrictor located within the housing and proximate the exit; and
a housing adjustment member comprising a second threaded portion in contact with the first threaded portion;

a distributor defining a first flow channel in fluid communication with a first plurality of delivery ports located proximate the exit and outside the flow channel and a second flow channel in fluid communication with a second plurality of delivery ports located proximate the exit and outside the flow channel; and
a distributor top bounding at least a portion of the first flow channel and the second flow channel, the distributor top defining a first input port in fluid communication with the first flow channel and a second input port in fluid communication with the second flow channel.

8. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises a protuberance sized to at least partially block the exit.

9. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the housing and flow restrictor are arranged to maintain a consistent backpressure within the fluid flow.

10. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the flow channel defining the fluid pathway comprises the flow channel defining an annulus, and
wherein the flow restrictor comprises at least one protuberance having a protuberance complimentary to the annulus.

11. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the flow channel passes through the distributor and the distributor top, the first plurality of delivery ports arranged to inject a second flow into the fluid flow, the second plurality of delivery ports arranged to inject a third flow into the fluid flow.

12. The beverage dispenser of claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of delivery ports and the second plurality of delivery ports are arranged to cause post-mixing.

13. The beverage dispenser of claim 7 , further comprising:
a pressure sensor located between the carbonator and the inlet;
a step motor mechanically coupled to the housing adjustment member; and
a control module in electrical communication with the pressure sensor and the step motor.

14. The beverage dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the pressure sensor is operative to output a signal to the control module, the signal indicating the backpressure, and
wherein the control module is operative to actuate the step motor in response to receiving the signal, to maintain a constant backpressure within the flow channel.

Assignees

• Coca Cola Co

Inventors

• Green C Brad

Classifications

• B67D1/0017 Primary

  the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed · CPC title

• B67D1/0884

  Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure · CPC title

• B67D1/006

  Conventional carbonators · CPC title

• B67D1/1286

  by mechanical construction · CPC title

• B67D1/0021 Primary

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