Abstract:
A dispensing nozzle for mixing a first fluid and one or more second fluids to form a third fluid. The nozzle may include a first fluid pathway and a number of replaceable second fluid modules surrounding at least in part the first fluid pathway.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to nozzles for beverage dispensers and more particularly relates to modular multi-flavor dispensing nozzles. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Current post-mix beverage dispenser nozzles generally mix a stream of syrup, concentrate, bonus flavor, or other type of flavoring ingredient with water by shooting the stream down the center of the nozzle with the water flowing around the outside of the syrup stream. The syrup stream is directed downward with the water stream as the streams drop into the cup. The nozzle may be a multi-flavor or a single flavor nozzle. One known dispensing nozzle system is shown in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,651 to Whigham et al., entitled “Nozzle for Post Mix Beverage Dispenser”, incorporated herein by reference. 
   A multi-flavor nozzle may rely upon a water flush across the bottom of the syrup chamber to clean the part and to prevent color carry over in subsequent beverages. Flavor carryover also may be a concern. This water flush, however, may not be effective with all types of syrups. As a result, there still may be some carryover from one beverage to the next. This concern is particularly an issue if the nozzle is first used for a dark colored beverage and then a clear beverage is requested. 
   Other issues with known nozzles include their adaptability for fluids with different viscosities, flow rates, mixing ratios, and temperatures. For example, beverages such as carbonated soft drinks, sports drinks, juices, coffees, and teas all may have different flow characteristics. Current nozzles may not be able to accommodate multiple beverages with a single nozzle design and/or the nozzle may be hard-plumbed for different types of fluid flow. As a result, modification of the over-all beverage dispenser may be difficult for different types of beverages. 
   There is a desire therefore for an improved multi-flavor beverage dispenser nozzle. The nozzle should be easy to use and should be reasonably priced with respect to known dispensing nozzles. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention thus provides a dispensing nozzle for mixing a first fluid and one or more second fluids to form a third fluid. The nozzle may include a first fluid pathway and a number of replaceable second fluid modules surrounding at least in part the first fluid pathway. 
   Exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the second fluid modules having a number of outlet holes. About six (6) to about thirty (30) outlet holes may be used. The outlet holes may be circular in shape with a diameter of about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.08 inches (about 2 millimeters). The outlet holes also may be triangular in shape with a similar area. The outlet holes may have lengths of about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.25 inches (about 6.35 millimeters). The outlet holes may have angles from the horizon of about thirty degrees (30°) to about ninety degrees (90°). The outlet holes may be angled to mix the second fluid into the first fluid. 
   The first fluid may include water. The second fluid may include syrup, concentrate, a bonus flavor, or other flavoring ingredients. The third fluid may include a cold beverage and the number of outlet holes may include a first predetermined orientation. The third fluid may include a hot beverage and the number of outlet holes may include a second predetermined orientation. The replaceable second fluid modules may include a first module with a first predetermined flow orientation and a second module with a second predetermined flow orientation. 
   A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a dispensing nozzle for mixing a water stream with one of a number of syrup streams. The nozzle may include a water module for providing the water stream. The water module may include a stream director for the water stream. The nozzle also may include a number of syrup modules surrounding the water module for directing one of the syrup streams towards the stream director and the water stream. 
   The stream director may include a number of ribs. The ribs may define a number of channels. A divider may be positioned within the channels. The stream director may include a water flow end and a syrup target end. The syrup modules may include a first module with a first predetermined flow orientation and a second module with a second predetermined flow orientation. The dispensing nozzle further may include a main body with a water pathway for the water stream. The main body may include means for replaceably attaching the water module and the syrup modules thereto. The syrup modules may include a bonus flavor module or a module for another flavoring ingredient. 
   A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a dispensing nozzle for mixing a water stream with one of a number of syrup streams. The dispensing nozzle may include a main body with a pathway for the water stream. A water module may be replaceably attached to the main body. The water module may include a stream director for directing the water stream as the stream leaves the water module. A number of syrup modules may be replaceably attached to the main body. The syrup modules may surround the water module for directing one of the syrup streams towards the stream director. The syrup modules may include a number of different flow configurations. 
   An exemplary method of the present invention may provide for mixing a water stream from a water module with a syrup stream from one of a number of syrup modules to form one of a number of beverage types. The method may include the steps of selecting the beverages types, determining the flow characteristics of each of the beverage types, providing a syrup module to accommodate the determined flow characteristics, surrounding at least in part the water module with the provided syrup modules, and flowing the water stream from the water module and the syrup stream from one of the syrup modules. 
   These and other features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments in connection with the drawings and the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dispensing nozzle of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a further perspective view of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is top plan view of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the main body of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a further perspective view of a main body of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the water module of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the water module. 
       FIG. 10  is a further perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the water module of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a syrup module of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 12  is a further perspective view of the syrup module of the dispensing nozzle of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an outlet portion of the syrup module. 
       FIG. 14  is a further perspective view of the outlet portion of the syrup module. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the outlet portion of the syrup module. 
       FIG. 16  is a further perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the outlet portion of the syrup module. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the figures in which like parts represent like elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-5  show an example of a dispensing nozzle  100  of the present invention. The dispensing nozzle  100  may be used with any type of conventional post-mix beverage dispenser, including multi-flavor beverage dispensers. The present invention is not limited with respect to the type of beverage dispenser. 
   The dispensing nozzle  100  may include three main components, a main body  110 , a water module  120 , and a plurality of syrup modules  130 . The main body  100  and the water module  120  may be separate or unitary elements. Other elements also may be used. Each of the elements of the dispensing nozzle  100  may be made out of a thermoplastic, metals, or similar types of materials. For example, thermoplastics such as Zytel (nylon resin) sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours of Wilmington, Del. may be used for cold beverage applications. Similarly, thermoplastics such as Radel (Polyethersulfone) sold by BP Amoco Polymers of Chicago, Ill. may be used for hot or cold applications. Likewise, other types of thermoplastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or similar materials also may be used. The material preferably may be food grade. 
   An example of the main body  110  is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The main body  110  may be directly connected to the water circuit of a conventional beverage dispenser (not shown). The main body  110  may include a body element  140 . The body element  140  is shown to be circular but may take any convenient shape. The body  140  may define a water pathway  150  therethrough. Again, the water pathway  150  is shown as circular but may take any convenient shape. The water pathway  150  may be attached directly to the water circuit of the beverage dispenser. More than one pathway  150  may be used. For example, one pathway  150  may be used for still water and one pathway  150  may be used for soda water (carbonated water). We use the term “water” herein to refer to either or both still and/or soda water. 
   The main body  110  may have several flanges  160  attached to the body  140 . Although three (3) flanges  160  are shown, any number of flanges  160  or other type of attachment means may be used. The flanges  160  each may include a central aperture  170  so as to attach the main body  110  to the beverage dispenser via screws or other types of connection means. The main body  110  also may include a number of grooves  180  positioned within the body  140 . The grooves  180  in this example are largely “T”-shaped, although any convenient shape may be used. The grooves  180  permit the attachment of the syrup modules  130  as will be described in more detail below. The main body  110  also may include a number of protrusions  190 . The protrusions  190  in this example are largely button-shaped, although any convenient shape may be used. The protrusions  190  permit the attachment of the water module  120  as will be described in more detail below. The main body  110  also may have a circular indent  200  or a similar structure positioned along the body  140 . The circular indent  200  may be filled with an O-ring  210  or a similar structure so as to provide a watertight seal with the water module  120 . 
     FIG. 8  shows an example of the water module  120 . The water module  120  may include an upper cylinder  220 . The upper cylinder  220  is shown to be circular but may take any convenient shape. The upper cylinder  220  may be substantially hollow. The upper cylinder  220  may define more than one internal chamber depending upon, for example, the number of water pathways  150  used. The upper cylinder  220  may include a number of indentations  230 . The indentations  230  may be sized to accept the protrusions  190  of the main body  110  such that the water module  120  may be attached to the main body  110 . The indentations  230  are shown as substantially L-shaped such that the water module  120  may be twisted into position. Any other convenient shape may be used. Any other type of attachment method may be used. 
   The upper cylinder  220  also may have an outlet  240 . The outlet  240  may be substantially circular in shape and extend around the inner perimeter of the upper cylinder  220 . The outlet  240  may include a number of outlet holes  250  that extend within the upper cylinder  220  to the exterior of the water module  120 . The number, size, shape, and length of the outlet holes  250  may vary. In this example, the water module  120  may include about twelve (12) to about sixty (60) outlet holes  250  with each outlet hole  250  being about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.25 inches (about 6.35 millimeters) in diameter and 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.25 inches (about 6.35 millimeters) in length. The outlet holes  250  may be straight or angled. 
   Positioned beneath the upper cylinder  220  may be a number of ribs  260 . The ribs  260  may form pairs of ribs so as to define substantially U or V-shaped channels  270  adjacent to each or several of the outlet holes  250 . Each channel  270  may accommodate one or a number of the outlet holes  250 . Each rib  260  may have an upper portion  280  and a lower portion  290 . The upper portion  280  of each rib  260  or pairs of ribs  260  may function largely to stabilize the flow of plain water and/or reduce the water velocity and subsequent foaming with respect to soda water. The lower portion  290  of each rib  260  or pair of ribs  260  largely may function as a syrup target as will be explained in more detail below. Positioned within each channel  270  may be a divider  300 . The divider  300  may divide the channel  270  adjacent to each of or several of the outlet holes  250  so as to provide further stabilization to the water flow. The divider  300  may only extend along the upper portion  280  of the ribs  260 . The lower portion  290  of the ribs  300  thus allows several water streams to merge while acting as the syrup target. 
   In this embodiment, the ribs  260  may have a thickness of about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.125 inches (about 3.175 millimeters). The ribs  260  may extend from the upper cylinder  220  by about 0.75 inches (about 19 millimeters) to about 1.75 inches (about 44.5 millimeters) The divider  300  may have a similar thickness and may extend about half the distance from the upper cylinder  220 . Any convenient size or shape may be used. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  show an alternative embodiment of the water module  120 . In this embodiment, the water module  120  may include a number of ribs  310  with approximately twice the number of channels  270  as was described above with the ribs  260 . In this case, the channels  270  therein are about half as wide. The dividers  300  may not be used in this embodiment. The upper portion  280  of the ribs  300  thus also acts to stabilize the plain water flow and to reduce the water flow velocity and foaming in the soda water flow in a manner similar the ribs  260 . 
     FIGS. 11-14  show an example of one of the syrup modules  130 . Each module  130  may include a main body portion  320  and an outlet portion  330 . Each main body portion  320  may include an upper cylinder  340 . The upper cylinder  340  may be connected directly to a syrup circuit within a conventional beverage dispenser. The upper cylinder  340  may include a barb  350  so as to provide a watertight connection to the syrup circuit. The upper cylinder  340  also may include a connection element  360 . The connection element  360  allows the syrup module  130  to be positioned within the grooves  180  of the main body  110 . In this case, the connection element  360  is substantially T-shaped so as to be positioned within a similarly shaped groove  180  within the main body  110 . The connection element  360 , however, may take any convenient shape. Alternatively, the syrup modules  130  may be attached to the water module  120 . 
   The main body  320  also may include an expansion chamber  370 . The expansion chamber  370  may be substantially hollow. The expansion chamber  370  may provide for substantially smooth syrup flow through the outlet portion  330 . 
     FIGS. 13 and 14  show one embodiment of the outlet portion  330 . The outlet portion  330  may include a number of outlet holes  380 . The number, size, shape, length, and angle of the outlet holes  380  may vary greatly and may be customized according to the nature of the syrup or other fluid intended to be used therein. The pressure of the fluid flow therein also may vary the design of the holes  380 . Although the outlet holes  380  are shown as circular, any convenient shape may be used. The outlet holes  380  may range in number from about six (6) to about thirty (30). The outlet holes  380  may have a diameter of about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.08 inches (about 2 millimeters). The length of the outlet holes  380  also may vary. The outlet holes  380  may have a length of about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.25 inches (about 6.35 millimeters). The outlet holes  380  preferably are angled such that the syrup is shot at the lower portion  290  or the target area of the ribs  260 . The angle of the outlet holes  380  may range from thirty degrees (30°) to about ninety degrees (90°) from the horizon. It is important to note that the size, shape, orientation, and other characteristics of the outlet holes  380  may vary greatly from the examples herein. 
   The outlet  330  also may include a skirt  390 . The skirt  390  may extend the width of the outlet  330  and extend below the outlet holes  380  by about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.5 inches (about 12.7 millimeters). 
     FIGS. 15 and 16  show an alternative embodiment of the outlet  330 . In this embodiment, the outlet includes a number of triangularly shaped outlet holes  400 . The number, size, shape, length, and angle of the outlet holes  400  also may be varied. Each of the outlet holes  400  may have a similar area to that of the outlet holes  380  described above. 
   In use, the main body  110  is connected to the beverage dispenser with the water pathway  150  connecting to the water circuit. The main body  110  may be secured via screws or similar types of fastening means passing through the central aperture  170  of the flanges  160 . The water module  120  then may be positioned on the main body  110  by aligning the indentations  230  of the upper cylinder  340  with the protrusions  190  of the main body  110 . The water module  120  thus may be easily installed or removed. 
   A number of the syrup modules  130  may then be positioned on the main body  110 . Any number of syrup modules  130  may be used. In the examples of  FIGS. 1-5 , five (5) syrup modules  120  may be used. In this embodiment, up to six (6) modules may be used. The syrup modules  130  may be connected to the main body  110  by sliding the connection element  360  within the grooves  180  of the main body  110 . The upper cylinder  340  of each syrup module  130  may then be attached to a syrup circuit of the beverage dispenser via the flange lip  350 . 
   Each syrup module  130  may have a differently configured outlet  330 . The number, size, shape, length, and angle of the outlet holes  380  therein may vary according to the viscosity or other flow characteristics of the syrup or other fluid therein. The outlet holes  380  also may vary according to whether the beverage is to be served hot or cold. For example, the angle of the outlet holes  380  may be varied to improve mixing or foam height or to control color carry over. One dispensing nozzle  100  thus may accommodate beverages of different flow characteristics and temperature and may easily be modified for any desired use. A syrup module  130  configured with an outlet  330  for a first type of flow characteristic may easily be replaced with a syrup module  130  with an outlet  330  configured for a second type of flow characteristic. The syrup modules  130  also may be used with a bonus flavor, i.e., a vanilla or a cherry flavor additive, or any other type of flavoring ingredient. Other possibilities include sugar, other sweeteners, cream, and any other type of additive. 
   By way of example only, a carbonated soft drink may use about seventeen (17) outlet holes  380  with diameters of about 0.044 inches (about 1.12 millimeters). The outlet holes  380  may have about a thirty-seven degree (37°) angle from the horizon. The outlet holes  380  for a bonus flavor may extend at approximately eighty-five degrees (85°) downward. 
   When a beverage is ordered from the beverage dispenser, the water circuit and the syrup circuits therein are activated. The water proceeds through the water module  120  via the upper cylinder  220 . The water then proceeds through the outlet holes  250  of the outlet  240  and travels down along the channels  270  of ribs  260 . The upper portion  280  of the ribs  260  may stabilize the plain water flow and reduce the water flow velocity and subsequent foaming with respect to soda water. The water may flow at about one (1) ounce to about six (6) ounces per second (about 29.6 milliliters to about 177.4 milliliters per second). Any convenient flow rate may be used. 
   While the water is flowing along the ribs  260 , syrup flows from one of the syrup circuits of the beverage dispenser to one of the syrup modules  130 . The syrup enters the upper cylinder  340  and passes into the expansion chamber  370 . The syrup then flows through the outlet  330  via the specifically sized, shaped, numbered, and angled outlet holes  380 . The syrup may flow at about 0.5 ounces to about two (2) ounces per second (about 14.8 milliliters to about 59.2 milliliters per second). The flow rate will depend upon the nature of the syrup or other fluid. Any convenient flow rate may be used. 
   The syrup passes through the outlet holes  380  at an angle such that the syrup is shot at the lower portion  290  of the ribs  260 . The ribs  260  and the channels  270  help reduce the tangential velocity of the syrup and direct the syrup downward towards the consumer&#39;s cup. The syrup thus penetrates the water stream so as to provide good mixing with the water stream. Specifically, the use of the lower portion  290  of the ribs  260  helps promote good mixing such that the fluid stream has the appropriate uniform appearance with respect to color. Further, because the syrup flow is not in the center of the nozzle  100  as in known designs, it is less likely that stray droplets of syrup will be forced or sucked into the water stream in subsequent discharges. 
   Because the syrup modules  350  are replaceable and interchangeable, the syrup modules  130  may be easily exchanged to accommodate different types of beverages with respect to viscosity, fluid flow characteristics, and temperature. Likewise, the syrup modules  130  and the water module  120  also may be easily removed for cleaning and/or repair. The dispensing nozzle  100  thus provides the user with a vastly improved beverage dispenser system that may be easily modified. 
   It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.