WO1990008728A1

WO1990008728A1 - Multiflavor nozzle for postmix beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO1990008728A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/000638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger C. Whigham; Annie T. Ellis
Original assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
Priority date: 1989-02-06
Filing date: 1990-02-01
Publication date: 1990-08-09
Also published as: AU5158090A

Abstract

A nozzle, preferably a multiflavor nozzle, for a postmix beverage dispenser and a method for dispensing including a nozzle body, a water passageway and a plurality of separate syrup passageways therethrough, wherein the water passageway includes a water inlet chamber, a plurality of small holes leading into an expansion chamber and then leading to a water stream shaping device including a plurality of axially extending passages, and then a first, radially extending annular chamber leading into a second axially extending annular chamber to produce an even, uniform, cylindrical stream of water surrounding a syrup stream. The CO2 comes out of solution in the water passageway to prevent foaming and no mixing occurs in the nozzle, to prevent flavor carry-over, while providing high carbonation retention and minimizing brix stratification.

Description

MULTIFLAVOR NOZZLE FOR' POSTMIX BEVERAGE DISPENSER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a nozzle for a postmix beverage dispenser, and in a preferred embodiment to a multiflavor nozzle.

Nozzles are known, however, they are subject to the problems of foaming and known multiflavor nozzles are subject to the problem of flavor carry-over when switching from one flavor to another. When carbonated water is under pressure and the pressure is reduced, the CO,, which was in solution at high pressures begins to come out of solution. If the soda water is in contact with the syrup during the period when CC is coming out of solution, foaming will occur. In addition, when mixing of syrup and water occurs in the nozzle, some syrup may remain in the nozzle and be mixed in with the next beverage dispensed, which if it is a different flavor, may cause a flavor carry-over problem. Other problems associated with known nozzles are unsatisfactory brix stratification and unsatis actorily low carbonation retention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved multiflavor nozzle that substantially eliminates or minimizes the above-mentioned problems in known nozzles.

The preferred nozzle of the present invention includes a nozzle body having a water passageway and a plurality of separate syrup passageways therethrough. Either carbonated or non-carbonated water can be fed through the water passageway. Each of the syrup passageways extends from one of a plurality of spaced apart syrup inlet ports in a top surface of the nozzle body to one of a plurality of equally, circumferentially, spaced apart, syrup outlet ports in a bottom surface of the nozzle body and located radially inside of an annular water outlet port also in such bottom surface. The water passageway includes an inlet chamber, a plurality of small holes leading into an expansion chamber to provide the majority of the pressure drop, and then a water stream shaping device including a plurality of separate

SUBST3TUT-: SHfciET __{. .} 9

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axial passages leading into a radially extending annular chamber, leading in turn into an axially extending annular chamber, from which the water exits as a uniform cylindrical stream located radially outwardly of the plurality of separate syrup outlet ports.

This nozzle allows ample time for the CO_ to come out of solution in the carbonated water passageway and for the water to stabilize before the syrup comes into contact with the water at some location below the distal end of the nozzle. The selected syrup exits into the middle of the cylindrical water stream. Some mixing occurs in the stream and additional mixing occurs in the cup. Because no mixing occurs in the nozzle, flavor carry-over is minimized. In addition, this nozzle provides high carbonation retention and minimized brix stratification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description below when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a postmix beverage dispenser in which the nozzle of this invention can be used;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the nozzle assembly of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a front side view of the nozzle assembly of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partly broken away top plan view of the nozzle assembly of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial, side cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partial, side cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of the nozzle of this invention;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the nozzle of this invention; and

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the nozzle taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows, diagramatically, a beverage dispenser 10 that can be used with the eight flavor nozzle assembly 12 of the present invention. It is noted that other numbers of flavors can alternatively be used. The beverage dispenser 10 can include other components known in the art, but since they are not part of this invention, they are not described herein.

Fig. 1 shows twelve liquid conduits 14 coming into the nozzle assembly 12 which has twelve solenoid controlled valves 16 for controlling the flow through the nozzle assembly 12. Of the twelve conduits, eight are for syrup, two for still water, and two for carbonated water (or soda water) .

Figs. 2-7 show the details of the nozzle assembly 12 and Figs. 7-9 show the details of a nozzle 18 of the present invention.

The nozzle assembly 12 includes a solenoid block 20 connected to the nozzle 18. The solenoid block 20 includes an upper block 22, a lower block 24, a circular recess 26 in its bottom surface to receive the nozzle 18, twelve inlet ports 28-39, twelve outlet ports 40-51 in the recess 26, twelve liquid passages 52-63 connecting the inlet and outlet ports, and twelve solenoid valves 6, one for each liquid passage.

Passages 52 and 54 are for still water, passages 59 and 61 are for carbonated water, and the remaining eight passages are syrup passages. The solenoid controlled valves are clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The nozzle 18 will now be described with reference to Figs. 7-9. The nozzle 18 includes a nozzle body 70 having a water passageway 72 and eight separate syrup passageways 74-81 therethrough.

Each of the syrup passageways 74-81 extend from one of a plurality of separate, circumferentially spaced apart syrup inlet ports 82-89 on a top surface 90 of the nozzle body 70 to a respective one of a plurality of separate syrup outlet ports 92-99 on a bottom surface 102 of the body. Each of the inlet ports 82-89 includes an O-ring seal 100. The syrup outlet ports 92-92 are preferably equally circumferentially spaced apart on the bottom surface 102 of the nozzle body 70 and are located inside of the exiting, cylindrical water stream 104 to be described below. Different numbers and shapes of syrup passageways, and different locations of the inlet and outlet ports and different sealing means, can be used, as desired.

The nozzle body includes a circular recess 106 in its top surface 90, in which a disc 108 is located resting on a shoulder 110. The disc separates the recess 106 into a water inlet chamber 112 and an expansion chamber 114. The disc has a plurality, preferably eight, of small, equally spaced apart water inlet holes 116, preferably having a diameter of 0.065 inch. These holes take the majority of the pressure drop. Downstream of these holes, the water spreads out in the expansion chamber 114 and then leaves the expansion chamber through eight equally circumferentially spaced apart water ports.

Downstream from these ports is a water stream shaping device 117. This stream shaping device includes eight axially extending water passages 118-125, then a radially outwardly extending first annular chamber 126, and lastly an axially extending second annular chamber 128, the distal end of which is an annular water outlet port 130 through which a uniform and even cylindrical water stream 104 exits the nozzle 18.

This stream shaping device 117 preferably consists of a solid cylindrical element .134 having an outside diameter of 1.75 inch surrounded by a second cylindrical member 136 having an inside diameter of 2.00 inch (although member 136 is shown exploded apart from the rest of the nozzle in Fig. 7, it is actually glued to the rest of the nozzle in final assembly) . As the water exits the eight water passages 118-125, it strikes the top of the element 134. The water then flows radially outwardly toward the member 136 through the first annular chamber 126 in which it spreads out. The water is then diverted downwardly through the second annular chamber 128 in which it continues to spread out into the uniform stream 104.

To properly register the nozzle 18 in the recess 26 in the solenoid block, the nozzle is provided with a locating pin 138 that fits into a hole 140 in the block 20 when the nozzle is

SUBSTITUTE SHEET properly oriented. To sealingly hold the nozzle. 18 to the block 20, the nozzle body 70 has an O-ring 142 in a groove 144. While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described above in detail, it is to be understood that variations and. modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, although the annular water outlet port can be at the same height as the syrup outlet ports, it is preferably about 1/4 inch higher, as shown in the drawings, to achieve the best shaped water stream. While it is preferred to use eight holes 116 in the disc 108, the number can vary from about four to twelve, and the hold diameter can vary from about .03 to .125 inch. Also, while eight axial passages 118-125 are preferred, this number can vary from about four to eight, and their diameter can vary from about .1875 to .25 inch. While the width of the radial and axial chambers 126 and 128 is preferably about .25 inch, this can vary from about 1/32 to 3/8 inch. As stated above, the majority of the pressure drop, about 85% thereof, occurs through the holes 116. While the syrup outlet ports are radially inside of the water stream, they could also be inside. If outside, they would preferably be at an angle toward the water stream, while if inside they are preferably axially extending (with respect to the vertical axis of the nozzle). The nozzle is preferably constructed of acrylic plastic parts glued together. While the nozzle is preferably a multiflavor nozzle, it can alternatively be used as a single flavor nozzle. While the water flow path downstream from the expansion chamber could be an axial annular chamber, the shape described above is preferred to give a uniform water stream. The expansion chamber preferably has a size of 1/16 inch high by 1.58 inch in diameter. The flow rate through the nozzle is preferably around 6-7 ounces per second, for best results.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims

_. Λ„ 90/08- 6 -What is claimed is:

1. A multiflavor nozzle for a postmix beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a nozzle body having a water passageway and a plurality of separate syrup passageways therethrough;

(b) each of said syrup passageways extending through said body from one of a plurality of separate syrup inlet ports on a surface of said body to one of a plurality of separate syrup outlet ports on a surface of said body; and

(c) said water passageway including: i) a water inlet chamber; ii) a wall of said inlet chamber having a plurality of small water passage holes thereth ough; iii) an expansion chamber downstream of said holes such that the major part of the pressure drop of the water flowing through said nozzle occurs through said holes; iv) a plurality of separate, equally spaced apart, water ports in said expansion chamber; and v) a water stream shaping device located downstream from said plurality of water ports, said device including firstly a plurality of axially extending water passages, then a radially outwardly extending, first annular chamber downstream from said axially extending passages, and lastly, an axially extending second annular chamber, the distal end of said second annular chamber being an annular water outle port in a surface of said body.

2. The nozzle as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of syrup outlet ports are located radially inside of said annular water outlet port.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

3. The nozzle as recited in claim 1 wherein said body is cylindrical and wherein said syrup inlet ports and said water inlet chamber are located on a top surface of said body.

4. The nozzle as recited in claim 1 including liquid seal means associated with each of said syrup inlet ports.

5. The nozzle as recited in claim 1 wherein said syrup outlet ports are equally circumferentially spaced apart.

6. The nozzle as recited in claim 1 wherein the top surface of said body includes a circular recess, a flat disc positioned in said recess and extending entirely across said recess and separating said recess into said water inlet chamber above said disc and said expansion chamber below said disc, wherein said disc is said wall of said inlet chamber, and wherein said water passage holes are a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced apart holes through said disc.

7. The nozzle as recited in claim 6 wherein said syrup inlet ports are located radially outwardly of said recess.

8. The nozzle as recited in claim 1 wherein said water passage holes include eight holes each having a diameter of about .06 inch, said water passages have a diameter of about .22 inch, and said second annular chamber has a radial thickness of about .25 inch.

9. The nozzle as recited in claim 1 including a valve block mounted on top of said body, said block having a plurality of syrup passages and a water passage therethrough, and including valve means mounted on said block for controlling the flow through said passages, and wherein each of said block passages has an outlet opening communicating with said body.

10. The nozzle as recited in claim 9 including a solenoid for

SUBSTITUTESHEET operating each of said valves.

11. The nozzle as recited in claim 10 wherein said block includes two still water passages and two soda water passages and wherein all four of said water passages have outlet openings communicating with said water inlet chamber.

12. The nozzle as recited in claim 10 wherein said block has a bottom surface with a recess therein and wherein said body has a size and shape as to be sealingly received into said block recess, and wherein all of the outlet ports of said block passages are in said block recess.

13. A method for dispensing a plurality of postmix beverages from a nozzle while minimizing foaming and flavor carry-over comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a nozzle body having a water passageway and a plurality of separate syrup passageways therethrough;

(b) providing each of said syrup passageways extending through said body from one of a plurality of separate syrup inlet ports on a surface of said body to one of a plurality of separate syrup outlet ports on a surface of said body;

(c) providing said wa_.ter passageway with a water inlet chamber and feeding water into said water inlet chamber, then through a plurality of small water passage holes in a wall of said inlet chamber and into an expansion chamber downstream from said holes such that the major part of the pressure drop of the water flowing through said nozzle occurs through said holes, then feeding the water from said expansion chamber into a water stream shaping device located downstream from said expansion chamber, including first feeding the water through a plurality of separate, equally spaced apart, water passages extending axially through said body, and then feeding said water into a radially outwardly extending first annular chamber downstream from said axial passages, and then into an axially

SUBSTITUTE SHEET extending second annular chamber, and then feeding the water from a distal end of said second annular chamber through an annular water outlet port in a surface of said body as a uniform, cylindrical stream of water.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 including feeding syrup from one of said syrup outlet ports simultaneously with feeding water out said annular water outlet port, with said syrup being fed out inside of said cylindrical stream of water.

15. A nozzle for a postmix beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a nozzle body having a water passageway and a separate syrup passageway therethrough;

(b) said syrup passageway extending through said body from a separate syrup inlet port on a surface of said body to a separate syrup outlet port on a surface of said body; and

(c) said water passageway including: i) a water inlet chamber; ii) a wall of said inlet chamber having a plurality of small water passage holes therethrough; iii) an expansion chamber downstream of said holes such that the major part of the pressure drop of the water flowing through said nozzle occurs through said holes; iv) a plurality of separate, equally spaced apart, water ports in said expansion chamber; and v) a water stream shaping device located downstream from said plurality of water ports, said device including firstly a plurality of axially extending water passages, then a radially outwardly extend¬ ing, first annular chamber downstream from said axially extending passages, and lastly, an axially extending second annular chamber, the distal end of said second annular chamber being an annular water outlet port in a surface of said body.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET 90/08728

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16. The nozzle as recited in claim 15 wherein said syrup outlet port is located radially inside of said annular water outlet port.

17. A method for dispensing a postmix beverage from a nozzle comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a nozzle body having a water passageway and a separate syrup passageway therethrough;

(b) providing said syrup passageway extending through said body from a separate syrup inlet port on a surface of said body to a separate syrup outlet port on a surface of said body;

(c) providing said water passageway with a water inlet chamber and feeding water into said water inlet chamber, then through a plurality of small water passage holes in a wall of said inlet chamber and into an expansion chamber downstream from said holes such that the major part of the pressure drop of the water flowing through said nozzle occurs through said holes, then feeding the water from said expansion chamber into a water stream shaping device located downstream from said expansion chamber, including first feeding the water through a plurality of separate, equally spaced apart, water passages extending axially through said body, and then feeding said water into a radially outwardly extending first annular chamber downstream from said axial passages, and then into an axially extending second annular chamber, and then feeding the water from a distal end of said second annular chamber through an annular water outlet port in a surface of said body as a uniform, cylindrical stream of water.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 including feeding syrup from said syrup outlet port simultaneously with feeding water out said annular water outlet port, with said syrup being fed out inside of said cylindrical stream of water.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET