Abstract:
The invention relates to a valve dispensing system that can be used in a beverage dispenser. In particular, the valve dispensing system has individual valve module components that control the flow of a beverage or beverage component, and a plurality of valve module components may be combined to form a system capable of dispensing a plurality of beverages and/or beverage components.

Description:
This Application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/832,599, filed on Jun. 7, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of beverage dispensers, and more particularly to a modular valve assembly in which an array of valve modules are connected to a manifold for dispensing multiple different beverages through a single nozzle dispense point. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a valve assembly for dispensing multiple beverages through a single nozzle dispense point. One aspect of the invention recognizes the need for a modular valve assembly that can easily be expanded to allow more types of beverages to be dispensed. A valve module has multiple fluid pathways and a flow control and shut-off component for controlling the flow of fluid through each pathway. A manifold is configured to receive at least one valve module, but may also be configured to receive multiple valve modules. Valve modules can easily be added to the manifold to expand the dispensing capacity of the valve assembly. The manifold also contains pathways for directing the fluid to a diffuser, which releases the fluid into a single nozzle dispense point. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a valve module having two fluid pathways. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a manifold. 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective of a valve module, manifold, and nozzle connected to each other. 
         FIG. 4  shows a seal, syrup tips, diffuser and nozzle. 
         FIG. 5  shows an array of valve modules positioned within a housing. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-5  show an embodiment of the valve assembly. The valve assembly  50 , as in  FIG. 5 , uses one or more valve modules  10 , as seen for example in  FIG. 1 , to create an expandable array of valves capable of dispensing different beverages. Valve module  10  contains fluid pathways  11 ,  12 , that may be interfaced to a manifold  20 . When a valve module  10  is connected to the manifold  20 , the fluid pathway(s)  11 ,  12  of the valve module  10  interface with a corresponding pathway in the manifold  21 ,  22 . The manifold  20  and manifold pathways  21  and  22  are show in greater detail in  FIG. 2 . In this way, a fluid may travel through a fluid pathway  11 ,  12  in the valve module  10  and into the corresponding pathway of the manifold  21 ,  22 , which routes the fluid to a common dispense point  23 . At the common dispense point  23 , a diffuser  31  (as seen for example in  FIG. 4 ) diffuses the fluid into a nozzle  32 , where the fluid may mix with other fluids to create a beverage. Flow control  13 ,  14  and shut-off components  15 ,  16  in the valve module control the amount of fluid that flows through the pathways. Although valve module  10  in  FIG. 1  is shown having two sets of fluid pathways  11 ,  12 , it is understood that each valve module  10  may have any number of pathways. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 1 , the valve module  10  is shown as having two separate fluid pathways  11 ,  12 . The fluid pathways  11 ,  12  are not in communication with each other. Each fluid pathway  11 ,  12  is controlled by a shut-off component  15 ,  16  and a flow control component  13 ,  14 . Together, the shut-off component  15 ,  16  and the flow control component  13 ,  14  control the rate (or completely stop the flow) of a fluid flowing through the fluid pathways  11 ,  12 . Although the shut-off component  15 ,  16  and the flow control components  11 ,  12  are shown separately in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , it is also possible for a single component to control both the flow and the shut-off of a pathway. 
     In one embodiment, the shut-off component  15 ,  16  may be a solenoid designed to be ¼ turn twist on, which requires no tools to remove, install, or service. The solenoid may use a 24v DC direct pull and plunger assembly, but alternatively a “hit and hold” solenoid using electronic controls could also be used. For the flow-control component, a differential pressure ceramic flow control may be used. In an alternate embodiment, the flow-control component may include stepper motor rotary controls that function on flow feedback. 
     The fluid pathways  11 ,  12  are configured to interface with a manifold  20  (see  FIG. 2 ) on one end, and with a backblock  51  (see  FIG. 5 ) on the other end. The backblock  51  provides fluid which may flow through the fluid pathways  11 ,  12  when the shut-off component  15 ,  16  and flow control component  13 ,  14  are in the open position. The backblock  51  may contain an interface to a fluid source. The backblock  51  may further include a heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a fluid. An example thereof is disclosed in Applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. App. 61/831,517, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. The backblock  51  may be fastened to the housing using mating “dove-tail” fasteners  52 ,  53  as see in  FIG. 5 . More specifically,  FIG. 5  shows a dovetail  52  on the backblock, and a mating receptacle  53  on the housing. Using mating dove-tail features to connect the housing to the backblock provides the added benefit being easily detachable for cleaning. 
     The fluid flowing from the backblock  51  into the valve module(s)  10  may be a branded beverage, or the fluid may be a beverage component, such as a syrup, concentrate, water, or carbonated water. The embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows a valve module  10  having two fluid pathways  11 ,  12 . But, a valve module  10  may have any number of fluid pathways. An advantage of using two fluid pathways per valve module is the ability to closely match the number of valves required by adding or removing valve modules. 
     Optionally, one or more of the valve modules may be in electronic communication with a CPU. Via the electronic communication, the CPU may be able to control either the valve module&#39;s shut off component and/or its flow control, thereby allowing the CPU to effectively control the volume and/or rate at which each of the valve modules dispenses a beverage. The valve modules may be controlled by a CPU, which receives a beverage recipe and drink size through an input, such as a touch screen or a conventional button, and operates the relevant valve modules  10  to dispense the required amount of each fluid. In other words, each valve module  10  contains a component of a beverage, and the CPU may operate the valve module(s)  10  to dispense the correct amount of each beverage component required to construct a beverage. The CPU may be in communication with a computer readable memory that uses non-transitory memory to store data representative of a beverage recipe. Thus, the CPU knows the correct amount of each beverage component that must be dispensed to construct a beverage. The CPU controls the opening and closing of the flow-control components  13 ,  14  of each valve module  10 . Thus, the CPU may open any desired combination of valves for a predetermined time period to dispense the required quantity of each fluid. 
       FIG. 2  shows a manifold  20  which interfaces with the valve module  10 . In  FIG. 3 , a manifold  20  and a valve module  10  are shown in the interfaced configuration. The manifold  20  used in this embodiment has five sets of two fluid pathways. Each set of these manifold pathways interfaces with the valve module fluid pathways when a valve module  10  is connected to the manifold. Thus, the manifold of  FIG. 2  is capable of interfacing with five valve modules, where each valve module has two fluid pathways. It is understood that the manifold may be configured to receive any number of valve modules. Likewise, the housing  54  shown in  FIG. 5  is configured to hold five valve modules, but may also be expanded according to a user&#39;s needs. 
     The manifold pathways  21 ,  22  direct fluid to a common dispense point  23 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the common dispense point  23  is positioned near the center of the manifold, but alternate configurations are also possible. Moreover, it is preferable, but not necessary, that each manifold pathway  21 ,  22  have a slight downward slope from valve module interface to the common dispense point. A downward-sloping manifold pathway takes advantage of gravity to help move fluid to the common dispense point. 
     The manifold pathways  21 ,  22  of  FIG. 2  are not in fluid communication with each other. It is envisioned that the fluid pathways  11 ,  12  of the valve module  10 , and by extension the manifold pathways  21 ,  22 , can carry different flavored beverages or beverage components. Separating the manifold pathways  21 ,  22  ensures that cross-contamination does not occur. Although there may be instances in which it is desirable to mix multiple beverages or beverages components (i.e. mixing a cherry concentrate with a cola beverage, or mixing a cola concentrate with carbonated water), the embodiment of  FIG. 2  contemplates that such mixing should preferably occur in the nozzle. 
     In alternative embodiments, a subset of the manifold pathways  21 ,  22  may be in fluid communication with each other. For example, it may be desirable to create a common manifold pathway that mixes uncarbonated water and carbonated water to create a mid-carbonated water. 
     At the common dispense point  23 , the manifold pathways  21 ,  22  open into a diffuser  31 . The diffuser  31  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The diffuser  31  is designed to cause fluids to disperse into the nozzle  32 . The various ridges and edges shown in the diffuser  31  of  FIG. 4  have the effect of causing fluid to disperse evenly in the nozzle. The diffuser  31  provides the advantage of causing an even distribution of the fluid into the nozzle, which is beneficial because it enhances the mixing of multiple fluids. For example, where a cola and a cherry flavor are mixed in the nozzle  32 , the diffuser  31  enhances the mixing of the fluids. Similarly, the diffuser  31  enhances the mixing of beverage syrup or concentrate with water or carbonated water. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the diffuser  31  is designed to flow up to  4  ounces of water per second. 
     Moreover, syrup tips  33  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) may be used to guide fluid from the manifold pathways  21 ,  22  into the diffuser  31 . The use of syrup tips  33  provides the added benefit of reducing backsplash, and thus reducing the possibility of cross-contamination. Similarly, a seal  34  may be used to reduce potential leakage. In one embodiment, the seal  34  is a face-sealing silicon seal, which is easier to clean than typical  0 -ring and bore type assemblies. 
       FIG. 3  shows a valve module  10  and a nozzle  32  mounted to the manifold  20 . In operation, the valve module  10  and manifold  32  may be placed in a housing (not shown). Additional valve modules may be attached to the manifold in order to expand the dispense capability of the valve assembly. 
     It will thus be seen that the present disclosure teaches a valve assembly  50  for dispensing multiple beverages via a common nozzle  32  dispense point. The valve assembly  50  includes a plurality of valve modules  10 , each valve module  10  having a plurality of separate fluid pathways  11 ,  12 . A plurality of flow control components  13 ,  14  are configured to control flow of fluid in the separate fluid pathways  11 ,  12 . A backblock  51 ,  52  couples the valve modules  10  to a fluid source for providing a flow of fluid to the separate fluid pathways  11 ,  12 . A dispenser nozzle  32  forms the common nozzle  32  dispense point for the valve modules  10 . A diffuser  31  receives the flow of fluid from the valve modules  10  and diffuses the flow of fluid into the dispenser nozzle  32 . 
     Each of the valve modules  10  has a back side  60  that interfaces with the backblock  51 ,  52  and a bottom side  62  that interfaces with the diffuser  31 . Each of the valve modules  10  also has a front side  64  that is opposite the back side  60 . As show in  FIG. 1 , the bottom side  62  is perpendicular to the back side  60  and perpendicular to the front side  64 . Each of the flow control components  13 ,  14  has a flow control device  66 ,  68  for controlling flow of fluid therethrough. Each flow control device  66 ,  68  faces the front side  64  so that the flow control device  66 ,  68  is easily accessed without removing the flow control component  10  from the valve assembly  50 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , each separate fluid pathway  11 ,  12  extends horizontally from the back side  60  towards the front side  64  and then vertically downwardly to the bottom side  62 . The separate fluid pathways  11 ,  12  extend parallel to each other from the back side  60  towards the front side  64  and then vertically downwardly to the bottom side  62 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the flow control components  13 ,  14  are vertically aligned on top of each other and are horizontally offset from each other so that the flow control devices  66 ,  68  are offset from each other. In the illustrated example, the flow control devices  66 ,  68  include a screw having a screwhead that faces the front side  64 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , the shut off valves  15 ,  16  are located at the bottom side  62  and on opposite sides of the separate fluid pathways  11 ,  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the diffuser  31  has a plurality of apertures  70  there through and a plurality of syrup tips  72  that are received in the plurality of apertures  70 . The seal  34  forms a seal on the diffuser  31  and with the plurality of syrup tips  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the diffuser  31  has a radially outer perimeteral surface  74  having axially extending ridges  76  that are configured to evenly distribute water to the dispenser nozzle  32 . The diffuser  31  also has circumferentially extending channels  78  located below the ridges  76  and further configured to evenly distribute water to the dispenser nozzle  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the dispenser nozzle  32  has an inner cavity  80  with a plurality of helical ribs  82  for inducing helical flow through the dispenser nozzle  32 .