Abstract:
A multiple flavor beverage dispensing nozzle includes at least one disposable beverage flavor syrup injector for injecting flavor syrup into a mixing fluid. The flavor syrup injector injects flavor syrup at an angle towards the longitudinal axis of the nozzle exit orifice such that the nozzle exit orifice does not come in contact with the syrup, avoiding color and flavor contamination of other dispensed beverages. Also, by injecting the syrup at an angle, the mixing fluid intersects with the syrup in midair below the surface of the nozzle, resulting in a complete and gentle mixing of syrup and mixing fluid, without syrup residue accumulating on any surface in contact with any other flavor. By directing the mixing fluid through and around the housing containing the flavor syrup injectors, a uniform even circular flow of mixing fluid is dispensed from the exit orifice of the nozzle. By using multiple flavor syrup injectors, a nozzle may contain several different flavors in a smaller space than a single flavor nozzle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a nozzle for a beverage dispensing device and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzle capable of dispensing various mixing fluids, flavor syrups, flavor shots and other liquids from a single nozzle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A significant amount of income for food service establishments is derived from beverage sales. This is true for both “Fast-food” businesses and “upscale” restaurants, as well as convenience stores, snack bars, movie theater concession counters and other type of business where beverages are served. 
         [0005]    Many of these establishments use beverage dispensing devices that mix the various components of the beverage at the location of dispensing, such as devices that dispense a beverage by placing a cup under a nozzle on the device. When the device is activated to dispense, for example, a cola beverage, the device simultaneously dispenses carbonated water and a cola syrup, which mix together to form the cola beverage in the cup. 
         [0006]    One problem in this area is that beverage dispensing devices used to serve soft drinks and other non-carbonated beverages are large and take up significant amounts of space. Most beverage dispensing devices typically use a single nozzle to dispense each individual beverage. Each nozzle has its own individual dispensing bay in the beverage dispensing device which must be wide enough for the area under the nozzle to accommodate the width of the cups or glasses that the beverage will be served in. With cup sizes reaching 32 fluid ounces and larger, these spaces must be several inches in width to accommodate the largest size cups. When the amount of space necessary for each individual drink to be dispensed from a single nozzle is multiplied by the number of different drinks that the business wishes to serve from the beverage dispensing device, this can require a beverage dispensing device to have a large footprint if it wishes to dispense a wide variety of beverages. 
         [0007]    As in most businesses, a food service establishment&#39;s expenses such as rent, build-out costs and utilities increase by the amount of space it occupies. Accordingly, the conservation of space in a food service establishment results is a savings to the business by reducing the necessary operating space, as well as freeing up counter space for other functions. One method in which space may be saved would be in decreasing the footprint of beverage dispensing devices. 
         [0008]    This may be accomplished by using a multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzle. This nozzle would have the ability to dispense different mixing fluids, such as plain or carbonated water, as well as different syrups and flavors, such as cola syrup, root beer syrup, cherry flavoring and lemon flavoring. By using a single nozzle capable of dispensing multiple beverages to replace nozzles dispensing individual beverages, considerable space would be saved. Several different beverages could be dispensed in the same area or bay that previously only one beverage could be dispensed. 
         [0009]    A problem inherent in beverage dispensing devices using multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzles is cross-contamination/color carry-over. This occurs when a dark colored beverage is dispensed prior to a light colored beverage. Residual amounts of the dark beverage may remain in an area common to both beverage delivery routes or areas in proximity to the dispensing route of the light beverage. When the light beverage is dispensed, the residual amounts of the dark beverage will mix with the light beverage, causing a discoloration and possibly a flavor alteration of the light colored beverage. 
         [0010]    Another drawback of current beverage dispensing devices using multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzles is the inability to deliver a “flavor shot.” The capability of dispensing a small amount of a concentrated flavor syrup, such as lemon flavoring for hot or iced tea without combining with a mixing fluid, would be a significant advantage if it could be accomplished without affecting the color or taste of beverages to be dispensed after the “flavor shot” (unless they actually contain the lemon flavoring) due to the carry-over of the concentrated flavor syrup to the next dispensed drink, for the same reasons as previously mentioned. In addition, being able to mix the liquid used in a “flavor shot” with a mixing fluid such as carbonated or plain water to produce a beverage (such as lemonade using the previously mentioned lemon “flavor shot”) would be an additional benefit. 
         [0011]    Another difficulty in using multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzles is achieving a minimum amount of carbonation while adequately mixing the mixing fluid and flavor syrup. If dispensed in a forceful manner, carbonated water will foam up and fizz, losing carbonation and creating a drink that is perceived as “flat.” However, if the syrup and carbonated water are not combined together properly to insure adequate mixing, stratification of the syrup and carbonated water will occur in the beverage which will effect the taste of the beverage. 
         [0012]    Additional obstacles to using multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzles are: handling the range of viscosities of mixing fluids and syrups; syrup drops hanging off nozzles; the retaining of pungent flavors through permeation of component parts of the multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzle; accounting for the different physical properties in carbonated and plain water as to provide a smooth stream of fluid, the splashing of fluids and syrups on the user when dispensing; the need for gluing and sonic welding of component parts, the large number of parts needed to construct a nozzle capable of dispensing multiple flavor syrups and flavor shots, and the problem of mixing fluid continuing to flow or drip after the dispensing of the beverage. 
         [0013]    Previous attempts to use multiple flavor beverage mixing nozzles have been unsuccessful in resolving all of the problems mentioned above, mainly because of the proximity of the flavor syrup dispensing exit channels to each other. Difficulty exists in maintaining adequate isolation of each of the conduits dispensing syrups or flavor shots to eliminate cross-contamination or color-carryover. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus for a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle, comprising an inlet cap with a fluid passageway for mixing fluids and a plurality of apertures for the placement of replaceable flavor syrup injectors with removable injector caps to keep separate the mixing fluid and flavor syrup; an inner body which allows for the seating of the fluid injectors and further defines a fluid pathway for the mixing fluid; a main body for encasing the inlet cap, inner body and flavor syrup injectors assembly and further defining a fluid pathway for the mixing fluid; a locking plate and a removable over-molded outer nozzle which creates an even circular flow of mixing fluid to mix in midair with the flavor syrups. 
         [0015]    By seating the flavor syrup injectors in an inner body, which is attached to a lower nozzle and a mounting ring, only a few parts are necessary. By snap-fitting removable injector caps onto the syrup flavor injectors and seating the syrup flavor injectors within the inner body, a corset-effect is created thereby securing the injector caps onto the syrup flavor injectors. By using a locking ring to hold the parts together, the loosening of several screws allows for simple disassembly and minimal effort for the removal and replacement of the injectors, as well as allowing easy and thorough cleaning of the component parts. The use of molded parts to form the inner body that fit together to create injector seats and fluid pathways eliminates the need for gluing and sonic welding. 
         [0016]    The use of a removable over-molded outer nozzle allows the user to easily remove the outer nozzle from the device for cleaning and eliminates the need for an o-ring or similar sealing method, which is difficult to remove and hard to clean. 
         [0017]    By using individual, easily-replaceable, separated flavor syrup injectors for each beverage, many advantages are realized. By physically separating the flavor syrup injectors, each flavor has its own individual pathway, which eliminates the individual syrups coming in contact with each other and preventing carry-over and mixing of flavors that occurs in shared syrup pathways. This separation also allows for the dispensing of flavor shots. The effect of carry-over and mixing of flavors is more pronounced in a flavor shot because the syrup is not diluted with a mixing fluid, creating a more concentrated residue on surfaces the flavor shot contacts. Because of the separate syrup pathways created by the separated injectors, the syrup from the flavor shot does not come in contact with the syrup that forms the next dispensed beverage. 
         [0018]    By using easily replaceable injectors, pungent flavor contamination is eliminated. A user may decide to change a beverage selection in a beverage dispensing device, for example replacing a cola beverage for a lemon beverage. The pungent flavor of the cola, which can leach into the surfaces it comes in contact with it and affect the taste of other dispensed beverages sharing that surface, cannot contaminate the lemon beverage since the lemon beverage would receive syrup from a new and separate flavor syrup injector. 
         [0019]    Midair mixing of the mixing fluid and flavor syrup below the exit orifice of the nozzle is accomplished by using angled nozzles in the injector. The angle of the nozzles in the injector causes the syrup to be injected into the mixing fluid while avoiding contact with any part of the nozzle. Isolating the mixing fluid and flavor syrup until they mix outside of the nozzle and keeping the flavor syrup from coming into contact with the nozzle surface prevents any flavor syrup dispensed by the nozzle from having to share a common pathway with any other syrup. By doing so, residual amounts of a previously mixed beverage cannot combine with subsequently mixed beverages, thus preventing any alteration of the flavor or color. In addition, by creating a circular curtain of water and injecting a flavor into it at an angle in midair results in an efficient mixing of the flavor syrup and mixing fluid in a non-forceful manner, eliminating stratification of the beverage and reducing carbonation loss. 
         [0020]    Problems presented by the different viscosities of syrups can be addressed by altering the size and amount of angled nozzles in the flavor syrup injector. 
         [0021]    It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle that incorporates flavor syrup and flavor shot injectors for beverage dispensing devices, thereby reducing the size of the device. 
         [0022]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle that is capable of dispensing multiple flavors while preventing carry-over and cross-contamination between different flavored syrups and flavor shots. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle that mixes the flavor syrup and mixing fluid in midair, so that a gentle but complete mixing of the syrup takes place without a loss of carbonation. 
         [0024]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle that uses very few parts and does not require elaborate gluing and sonic welding to construct. 
         [0025]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle that eliminates stratification between flavor syrups and mixing fluid. 
         [0026]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle that eliminates dripping of mixing fluid after a beverage has been dispensed. 
         [0027]    Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following. Also, it should be understood that the scope of this invention is intended to be broad, and any combination of any subset of the features, elements, or steps described herein is part of the intended scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  provides an exploded view of a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle according to the preferred embodiment as viewed from below. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  provides an exploded view of a multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle according to the preferred embodiment as viewed from above. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  provides a cross section view of an inlet cap with the flavor syrup injectors removed, according to the preferred embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  provides a cross-section view of an inner body with the injectors removed, according to the preferred embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  provides an exploded view of a flavor syrup injector, according to the preferred embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  provides a cross-section view of a flavor syrup injector, according to the preferred embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  provides a perspective view and partial cross section-view from below of a flavor syrup injector assembly with the seated injectors, according to the preferred embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  provides a cross-section of the multiple flavored beverage mixing nozzle with the locking plate removed and fluid pathways shown, according to the preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0036]    A detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is further to be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps. 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , a beverage dispensing nozzle  10  includes a locking plate  20 , an o-ring  22 , an inlet cap  18 , an inner body  26 , at least one flavor syrup injector  27 , a main body  28  and, an outer nozzle  29 . In the preferred embodiment, the number of flavor syrup injectors  27  shown is six, nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that only one is required and that the total number of flavor syrup injectors  27  depends on the desired number of dispensed flavors and is limited only by size constraints. 
         [0038]    In  FIGS. 1-3 , the inlet cap  18  includes a disk shaped member  30  containing at least one upper inlet cap apertures  31 , at least one lower inlet cap apertures  41 , a circumferential groove  32  surrounding the member  30  in which an o-ring  22  is seated, and alignment tabs  34 ,  35  projecting outward from the member  30 . The inlet cap  18  further includes a hollow cylindrical extension  36  extending from the top center of the member  30 . An inlet port  40  and a barbed end  39  at the top of the extension  36  allows for the connection of the inlet cap  18  to a mixing fluid source (not shown) for receiving a mixing fluid. A cavity  37  in the bottom center of the member  30  communicates with the hollow portion of the extension  36  and the inlet port  40  to form a fluid conduit  38 . A check valve  24  is disposed in the cavity  37  and secured in place with a ring retainer  25 . In the preferred embodiment, the number of the upper inlet cap apertures  31  and the lower inlet cap apertures  41  in the disk shaped member  30  shown is six, nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that only one is required and that the total number of the upper inlet cap apertures  31  and the lower inlet cap apertures  41  depends on the desired number of dispensed flavors and is limited only by size constraints. 
         [0039]    In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the inner body  26  has a substantially drum-like shape and includes a plurality of inner body spokes  50  that extend radially from the top circumference of the inner body  26 , a plurality of upper injector apertures  51 , a protruding shoulder  78  and a plurality of corresponding spacing rings  58 . The aperture  51  communicates with the inner body cavity  52 , which communicates with the lower injector apertures  53  to form an inner body injector conduit  55 . The rings  58  have an inner diameter equal to that of the aperture  51  and extend the position of the apertures  51  past the upper surface of the inner body  26 . A recessed chamber  54  in the lower portion of the inner body  26  forms a circular wall  56  around the apertures  53 . Inner body cavity  52  contains an alignment groove  57  that extends partially into inner body injector conduit  55 . 
         [0040]    In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  6 , a flavor syrup injector  27  has a substantially tubular shape with a first end  83  and second end  84 . A fluid conduit  69  extends substantially through the center of the flavor syrup injector  27  from the first end  83  to the second end  84 . The first end  83  includes an inlet port  70  and a barbed end  71 , which allow for the connection of the flavor syrup injector  27  to a flavor syrup source (not shown). The flavor syrup injector  27  also includes circular o-ring grooves  72 ,  73  for the seating of o-rings  75 ,  76 . A circular locking groove  74  is disposed between the first end  83  and an o-ring groove  72 . At the second end  84  is an outlet port  81 , wider in diameter than the conduit  69  and offset from the longitudinal axis of the flavor syrup injector  27 , on which an injector cap  77  snap fits onto the flavor syrup injector  27 . The injector cap  77  is offset from the longitudinal axis of the flavor syrup injector  27  by the positioning of an outlet port  81  in relation to the flavor syrup injector  27 . The injector cap  77  contains at least one directionally angled nozzle  85 . In the preferred embodiment, the number of the directionally angled nozzles  85  shown is six, nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that although at least one directionally angled nozzle  85  is required, the total number may vary dependent on the size, location or shape of the directionally angled nozzle  85  within the injector cap  77 . The injector cap  77  is disposed onto the flavor syrup injector  27  by an alignment tab  79 , which correct positions the directionally angled nozzle  85 . The inlet port  70 , the fluid conduit  69 , the outlet port  81  and the nozzles  85  communicate fluidly with each other to form flavor syrup fluid passageway  82 . 
         [0041]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a main body  28  includes a mounting ring member  90  which allows the connection of the main body  28  to a standard beverage dispensing valve device using suitable and well known means. The mounting ring member  90  further includes self-tapping holes  91 ,  92 ,  93  for the receiving of locking screws  97 ,  98 ,  99 . The inner circumferential surface  101  of the main body  28  extends past the bottom of the mounting ring  90  to form a tubular cavity  102 . Alignment grooves  103 ,  104  are disposed in the mounting ring member  90  along the edge of the inner circumferential surface  101 . Projecting from the bottom surface of the mounting ring member  90  are a plurality of slide locking sleeves, of which slide locking sleeves  105 ,  106 , and  107  are shown. 
         [0042]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the outer nozzle  29  is hollow and frustoconicular-shaped, with the cross sectional area of the outer nozzle  29  gradually decreasing from top to bottom, resulting in a fluid entry orifice  120  at the top and a smaller fluid exit orifice  121  at the bottom, which communicate with the hollow interior of the outer nozzle  29  to form a fluid passageway  127 . Below the fluid entry orifice  120  residing on the outer surface of the outer nozzle  29  are a plurality of locking tabs, of which locking tabs  122 ,  123 , and  124  are shown. A protruding nozzle ring  126  is located beneath the locking tabs  122 ,  123  and  124  to create a flat horizontal surface extending outwards from below the fluid entry orifice  120 . In the preferred embodiment, the outer nozzle  29  includes an over-molded seal  128  integral with the outer nozzle  29  and thus removable therewith during cleaning, thereby eliminating the need for a separate o-ring or similar sealing method. 
         [0043]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a circular shaped locking plate  20  includes a plurality of rounded rectangular protrusions  135 ,  136 ,  137 , each having an opening  141 ,  142 ,  143  that receives the locking screw  97 ,  98 ,  99 . The shape of openings  141 ,  142 ,  143  is such that a screw head is capable of fitting through a wider portion of openings  141 ,  142 ,  143 , and cannot be removed when the opening is shifted to lock the screw within the narrower portion of the opening. The center of the locking plate has an opening  147  complimentary in shape to the protruding sections of the flavor syrup injectors  27  and the cylindrical extension  36  of the inlet cap  18 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 7 , a flavor syrup injector assembly  150  is comprised of the inlet cap  18 , the inner body  26  and at least one flavor syrup injector  27 . A flavor syrup injector  27  is inserted into inner body injector conduit  55  of inner body  26  by inserting the first end  83  into a lower body injector aperture  53 . The offset positioning of the injector cap  77  in relation to the flavor syrup injector  27  is complimentary in shape to the alignment groove  57  in the inner body  26 , which positionally seats the flavor syrup injector  27  properly when fitted into the inner body  26  so that the nozzles  85  are angled towards the longitudinal axis of beverage dispensing nozzle  10 . The snap fitting of injector cap  77  onto flavor syrup injector  27  in combination with the fitting of injector cap  77  into apertures  53  secures injector cap  77  onto flavor syrup injector  27 . In the preferred embodiment, the nozzles  85  angle toward the longitudinal axis is between three and six degrees from horizontal, nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any angle that produces a flavor syrup path that intersects the mixing fluid path at the desired midair mixing point is sufficient. An O-ring  76  creates a watertight seal between the inner body  26  and the flavor syrup injector  27  and frictionally seats the flavor syrup injector  27  within the inner body injector conduit  55 . The check valve  24  is placed within the cavity  37  and held in place by the snap fitting of the ring retainer  25  in the cavity  37 . The flavor syrup injector  27  is inserted into the lower inlet cap aperture  41  of the inlet cap  18  until it protrudes from the upper inlet cap apertures  31  and the spacing ring  58  on the inner body  26 , which is in communication with the inlet cap  18 . The o-ring  75  creates a watertight seal between the inlet cap  18  and the flavor syrup injector  27 , and frictionally seats the flavor syrup injector  27  within the inlet cap  18 . The remaining flavor syrup injectors  27  are seated in the same manner, forming the flavor syrup injector assembly  150 . In the preferred embodiment, the number of flavor syrup injectors  27  shown is six, nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any number of flavor syrup injectors  27  may be used and is limited only by size constraints. 
         [0045]    In  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8 , the flavor syrup injector assembly  150  fits into the main body  28 . The alignment grooves  34 ,  35  of the inlet cap  18  are complimentary in shape to the alignment grooves  103 ,  104  of the main body  28  which positionally seats and locks the flavor syrup injector assembly  150  in place within the main body  28 . The outer nozzle  29  is secured to the main body  28 . The locking tabs  122 ,  123 ,  124  on the outer nozzle  29  are complimentary in shape to the slide locking sleeves  105 ,  106 ,  107  of the mounting ring member  90 . By inserting the locking tabs  122 ,  123 ,  124  into the slide locking sleeves  105 ,  106 ,  107 , the locking tabs  122 ,  123 ,  124  engage the slide locking sleeves  105 ,  106 ,  107 , securing the outer nozzle  29  to the mounting ring member  90 . The seating of inner body  26  within the main body  28  causes the inner body spokes  50  to communicate with the inner circumferential surface  101  of the main body  28 , creating fluid pathways  151  between the inner body spokes  50  and the inner circumferential surface  101 , which extend downwards from the inner body spokes  50 , along the fluid passageway  127 , over and around protruding shoulder  78  and exiting at the fluid exit orifice  121 . 
         [0046]    In  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7 , the locking plate  20  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) secures and holds the flavor syrup injector assembly  150 , (comprised of the inlet cap  18 , the inner body  26  and the flavor syrup injectors  27 ) to the main body  28 . The locking plate  20 , having an opening  147  complimentary in shape to the protruding sections of the flavor syrup injectors  27  and the cylindrical extension  36  of the inlet cap  18 , fits over the protruding sections of the flavor syrup injectors  27  and the cylindrical extension  36  of the inlet cap  18 . The self-tapping holes  91 ,  92 ,  93  in the mounting ring member  90  receive the locking screws  97 ,  98 ,  99 . The locking screws  97 ,  98 ,  99  are partially screwed into receptive self-tapping holes  91 ,  92 ,  93  and the locking plate  20  is placed onto the mounting ring member  90  over the protruding sections of the flavor syrup injectors  27  and the cylindrical extension  36  of the inlet cap  18 . By placing the center of openings  141 ,  142 ,  143  of the circular rounded rectangular protrusions  135 ,  136 ,  137  over the locking screws  97 ,  98 ,  99 , the locking plate  20  is sealed to the inlet cap  18 . By turning the locking plate  20 , the openings  141 ,  142 ,  143  engage the circular locking groove  74  of the flavor syrup injector  27 , securing and holding the flavor syrup injector assembly  150  in contact with the main body  28 . Tightening the locking screws  97 ,  98 ,  99  secures the locking plate  20  to the main body  28 . 
         [0047]    The inlet cap  18  and the inner body  26  communicate with each other as components of the flavor syrup injector assembly  150 . The spacing rings  58  align with the lower inlet cap apertures  41  by the seating of the flavor syrup injector  27 , creating a defined fluid passageway  152  in the void created between the inlet cap  18 , the inner body  26 , and around the spacing rings  58 . The fluid passageway  152  fluidly communicates with the fluid pathway  151  and the fluid passageway  127  below it, and the fluid conduit  69  above it. 
         [0048]    The beverage dispensing nozzle  10  in operation would be attached to a beverage dispensing device by using suitable and well known means. The inlet cap  18  would receive a mixing fluid from a mixing fluid source (not shown). The mixing fluid enters the inlet cap  18  through the inlet port  70  and flows through the inlet cap  18  through the fluid conduit  38  to the fluid passageway  152 . In the fluid passageway  152 , the mixing fluid flows omnidirectionally outward away from the fluid conduit  38  towards the inner body spokes  50  and through the fluid pathways  151  between the inner body spokes  50  and the inner circumferential surface  101 . The mixing fluid flows through and around the fluid passageway  127  past protruding shoulder  78  to its exit at the fluid exit orifice  121 . The fluid path of the mixing fluid is shown in  FIG. 8  by a black dashed line  153 . Exiting the fluid orifice  121 , the mixing fluid falls as a stream of water with an even flow of fluid around the circumference of the fluid orifice  121 , coalescing as it exits the nozzle  85 . The fluid path of the mixing fluid upon exit from the fluid orifice  121  is indicated by black dashed lines  154 . 
         [0049]    The flavor syrup enters the appropriate flavor syrup injector  27  through the inlet port  40 , which receives a flavor syrup from a flavor syrup source (not shown). The flavor syrup flows under pressure through the flavor syrup fluid passageway  82 . The fluid pathway of the flavor syrup through the flavor syrup injector  27  is shown by a black dashed line  155 . From the flavor syrup fluid passageway  82 , the flavor syrup exits under pressure through the angled nozzles  85 , which are angled towards the longitudinal axis of the beverage dispensing nozzle  10 . The fluid pathway of the flavor syrup upon exiting the nozzle  85  is shown by a black dotted dashed line  156 . The pathways of the mixing fluid and the flavor syrup intersect at a mixing point  157 , where they combine to form the beverage. Additional different flavors are dispensed through other injectors which operate identically as described above. 
         [0050]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing detailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.