GB2269761A

GB2269761A - Post-mix dispense nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2269761A
Application number: GB9316802A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Cook
Original assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc
Current assignee: Cornelius Inc
Priority date: 1992-08-21
Filing date: 1993-08-12
Publication date: 1994-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2013-08-12
Also published as: GB9217782D0; DE4327956A1; GB9316802D0; GB2269761B

Abstract

In a post-mix dispense nozzle (1,) in which cross-flavouring due to syrup contamination is inhibited whilst ensuring adequate mixing with reduced foaming occurs to prevent stratification of a dispensed drink, the nozzle (1,) includes a central entrainment element (21,) for relatively passive mixing of syrup and carbonated water. The syrup (5) is dripped into the entrainment element (21,) and water (7) jetted toward a regulating orifice plate (17,). The water is regulated and excess flows over a weir lip (25,) into the entrainment element (21,) for primary mixing with the syrup. The bulk of the water passes through the regulating plate (17,) for additional mixing with the syrup and water primary mix about the outlet of the nozzle (15,). <IMAGE>

Description

2269761 Dispense Nozzle The present invention relates to a dispense nozzle

and more particularly but not exclusively to a multi-flavour post-mix dispense nozzle.

A post-mix dispense nozzle is arranged to provide mixing of flavour syrup with water or carbonated/soda water. It will be appreciated that a constant problem with post-mix dispense is to balance sufficient mixing to avoid stratification of syrup and soda water whilst, ensuring there is not too much gas break out from the soda water to creat excessive foam. Furthermore, a multi-flavour dispense nozzle must ensure there is no cross contamination between syrup outlets particularly between dark syrup and light syrup drinks.

Previously, in order to reduce soda water percussion and so gas break out, impact velocity was reduced by shoulder elements to provide flow regulation. Howeverp such elements may increase agitation if not properly designed and positioned.

Furthermore, there may be a pressure drop suction effect behind these shoulder elements. This suction effect may draw syrup from syrup outlets in a multi-flavour nozzle and so cause syrup cross- contamination problems. 25 It is an objective of the present invention to provide a dispense nozzle which substantially relieves the above mentioned problems. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a dispense nozzle for carbonated water and syrup, the nozzle including distributor means arranged to distribute in use carbonated water and syrup into a mixing cavity of the nozzle, the mixing cavity 2 including water regulation means arranged to regulate carbonated water flow and an entrainment element arranged to receive syrup and carbonated water which spills over a lip in the nozzle due to regulation by the regulation means, the entrainment element encouraging primary passive mixing of syrup and carbonated water before mixing with regulated carbonated water from the regulation means.

Preferably, an orifice plate operates in association with a regulation plate to provide the regulation means to regulate carbonated water flow.

Preferably, the orifice plate includes holes arranged about the entrainment element.

Preferably, the entrainment element incorporates the lip.

Preferably, the nozzle includes wing elements to facilitate mixing of the primary mixed syrup and carbonated water with the regulated carbonated water flow.

Preferably, the entrainment element includes a tongue element to facilitate complete syrup mixing.

Preferably, the entrainment means is arranged to be washed/cleaned of syrup towards the end of dispense to inhibit syrup cross-contamination.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section of a dispense nozzle in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an axially exploded schematic cross-section of a dispense nozzle in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is the dispense nozzle illustrated in 3 Figure 2 in assembled form; and, Figure 4 illustrates in schematic cross- section the entrainment element of the nozzle illustrated in Figure 2. 5 Referring to Figure 1, a nozzle 1 includes a distributor 3 with jet passages 5, 7 for carbonated water (broken arrow path) and syrup (solid arrow path) respectively. The distributor 3 is mounted in a nozzle housing 9 with an internal mixing cavity 11 in which carbonated water and syrup are mixed in use. The housing 9 has a nozzle outlet 15 through which the carbonated water/syrup mix is projected.

The mixing cavity 11 includes an orifice plate 17, a regulation plate 19 and a syrup/carbonated water entrainment element 21. The orifice plate 17 is positioned to receive carbonated water passed through the passage 7 in distributor 3 and regulates its flow through orifices 23 in the plate 17. These orifices 23 allow most of the carbonated water to pass directly through the plate 17. However, there is a transient water build-up behind the plate 17 due to orifice 23 regulation. The water build-up creates a weir effect which -allows carbonated water to rise over an inclined lip 25 of the element 21. The carbonated water that rises above the lip 25 washes the element 21 internal surfaces which receive syrup dripped through passages 5 of the distributor 3. Thus, there is low agitation primary mixing of carbonated water and syrup in the entrainment element 21 with reduced foam formation as a result. Furthermore, in practice, the carbonated water flow continues for a period of time after syrup flow so the entrainment element 21 is cleaned of syrup and there is a reduced possibility of cross-syrup contamination.

4 The regulation plate 19 further reduces carbonated water flow rate to inhibit agitation as the flow through the plate 17 mixes with the primary syrup/carbonated water mix through the element 21.

Thus,.foam formation is reduced. It will also be noted that carbonated water flow can be further passivated by cavity expansion after the orifices 23 to reduce flow pressure. Finally, the housing 9 includes wing elements 27 to direct the regulated carbonated water flow to interact with the primary mix of syrup and carbonated water. The outlet end of the entrainment element 21 is in the form of a tube terminated obliquely to prevent surface tension causing liquid to be retained after dispense.

It has been found that a convenient ratio between the proportion of carbonated water passing through the plate 17 and through the element 21 is 4:1. Thus, ensuring adequate primary mixing of syrup and carbonated water and, cleaning of the elements 21 after dispense.

The nozzle configuration illustrated in Figure 1 allows relatively passive mixing of syrup and carbonated water through a two stage mixing process. The first primary mix occurs in the element 21 whilst a second substantial mix occurs about the outlet 15.

In neither mixing stage is the carbonated water overly jetted and so foam formation is inhibited. It should be noted that foam formation is further reduced by removing sharp edges and curves. 30 In a similar fashion to the dispense nozzle of Figure 1, a dispense nozzle 21 illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 provides efficient but low agitation mixing of syrup and carbonated water.

The nozzle 31 has a coupler element 32 arranged to jet or spray water and syrup onto an entrainment element 33. The coupler element 32 and entrainment element 33 are secured in a nozzle housing 5 34.

Syrup drips onto sloped surfaces 35 of the entrainment element 33 and flows down the inside surfaces 36. Carbonated water is jetted towards a diffusion or regulation plate 37 having holes through which the flow of water is regulated. The inhibited water flow quickly 'backs-up' and so flows over a lip 38 of the entrainment element 36. Thus, a weir effect is created.

The syrup dripped onto the sloped surfaces 35 is thus mixed with relatively passive water over flowing the lip 38 rather than jetted water. This semi-mixed or passive syrup/water solution then mixes with the bulk of jetted but diffusion plate 37 regulated water about an exit aperture 39 of the nozzle 31.

In operation, the water flow is arranged to continue after syrup dispense to ensure good cleaning of the nozzle 31. Thus, cross-contamination between syrups is reduced.

In order to further regulate water flow a diffuser disc of orifice plate 40 provides further constriction of water free flow.

The entrainment element 33 also has a tongue enlongated portion 42. This tongue portion 42 ensures no residual droplets of syrup remain in the nozzle by acting as a collection point for the syrup/water mix passing through the entrainment element 33. Thus, the last droplets of the syrup/water mix are washed away by the head of water created by the diffusion plate 37 6 and sloped surface 35/ lip 38 of the entrainment element 33. This head of water is discipated in the seconds after syrup and water flow is terminated. Furthermore, the tongue portion 42 prevents ricocheting of water within the spout with consequent confinement of beverage flow more to a vertical direction from the spout ie splatter is reduced.

The tongue portion 42 also extends up the entrainment element 33 to substantially divide it.

Thus, the initial spurt of syrup does not bounce or ricochet off the sloped surface 35 and out of the nozzle 31 before mixing with passive water.

It will be appreciated that the slopped walls 35 of the entrainment element 33 may have holes to enable water to pass into the element 33 rather than pass over lip 38.

7

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A dispense nozzle for carbonated water and syrup, the nozzle including distributor means arranged to distribute in use carbonated water and syrup into a mixing cavity of the nozzle, the mixing cavity including water regulation means arranged to regulate carbonated water flow and an entrainment element arranged to receive syrup and carbonated water which spills over a lip in the nozzle due to regulation by the regulation means, the entrainment element encouraging primary passive mixing of syrup and carbonated water before mixing with regulated carbonated water from the regulation means.

2. A dispense nozzle as claimed in claim 1 wherein an orifice plate operates in association with a regulation plate to provide the regulation means to regulate water flow.

3. A dispense nozzle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the orifice plate includes holes arranged about the entrainment element.

4. A dispense nozzle as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the entrainment element includes a lip.

5. A dispense nozzle as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the nozzle includes wing elements to facilitate mixing of the primary mixed syrup and water with the regulated water flow.

6. A dispense nozzle as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the entrainment element includes a tongue element to facilitate complete syrup mixing by presenting a final surface to be washed by the regulated water flow and to inhibit initial syrup ricochet exit from the nozzle before mixing.

7. A dispense nozzle as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the entrainment means is arranged to be 8 substantially washed/cleaned of syrup towards the end of dispense to inhibit syrup cross-contamination.

8. A dispense nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.

9. A dispense nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.