Post-mix beverage dispenser for creating frothed beverages
OwnerDavid Foxinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A post-mix beverage dispenser includes a jet, in fluid communication with a source of non-carbonated diluent, extending into a mixing chamber of the dispenser. The jet includes an aperture, typically in a sidewall thereof, configured to spray the diluent towards the wall of the mixing chamber. A diffuser is disposed below the jet. The diffuser may be in fluid communication with a concentrate dispensing outlet so as to emit concentrate into the mixing chamber. The diluent and concentrate collide in the mixing chamber to create a frothed beverage.
Claims31
A post-mix beverage dispenser head for creating a frothed beverage, comprising:
- a spout attached to the dispenser head and cooperatively defining a mixing chamber having an inner wall;
- a jet disposed within a diluent outlet of the dispenser head so as to be in fluid communication with the diluent and extend into the mixing chamber, the jet including an aperture configured to spray the diluent towards the wall of the mixing chamber generally opposite the jet, wherein the jet comprises a body configured to be inserted into the diluent outlet, and wherein the aperture is formed in a side wall thereof so as to emit the diluent generally transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof;
- a concentrate dispensing outlet in fluid communication with a source of beverage concentrate and positioned to eject concentrate into the mixing chamber such that the concentrate collides with the diluent spray to create a frothed beverage;
- and
- a diffuser disposed in the spout below the jet.
A post-mix beverage dispenser head for creating a frothed beverage, comprising:
- a mixing chamber defined by an outlet spout attached to the dispenser head, the dispensing head including inlet conduits fluidly connected to sources of diluent and concentrate, and valves for controlling the flow of diluent and concentrate from the inlet conduits to the mixing chamber;
- a jet extending from the diluent conduit and into the mixing chamber, the jet including an aperture formed in a sidewall thereof and configured to spray the diluent towards a wall of the mixing chamber generally opposite the jet;
- and
- a diffuser having a hollow tube in fluid communication with the beverage concentrate conduit, a plate extending from the shaft and having a plurality of apertures formed therein, and an outlet formed in the diffuser above the plate for ejecting concentrate into the mixing chamber such that the concentrate collides with the diluent spray to create a frothed beverage.
A diffuser for use in a post-mix beverage dispenser head having an outlet spout attached to a dispensing head, the dispensing head including conduits fluidly connected to sources of diluent and concentrate, and valves for controlling the flow of diluent and concentrate from the conduits, the diffuser comprising:
- a hollow shaft having an open end insertable into the concentrate dispensing outlet;
- a single plate extending outwardly from the shaft adjacent to an opposite closed end thereof, the plate having a plurality of apertures formed therein;
- and
- an outlet formed in the hollow shaft above the plate for emitting the concentrate for mixing with the diluent.
A diffuser for use in a post-mix beverage dispenser head having an outlet spout attached to a dispensing head, the dispensing head including conduits fluidly connected to sources of diluent and concentrate, and valves for controlling the flow of diluent and concentrate from the conduits, the diffuser comprising:
- a central hollow shaft defining a bore extending therewithin that terminates in a closed end, an open end of the shaft insertable into the concentrate dispensing outlet such that the concentrate flows into the bore;
- a plate defining a plurality of apertures extending outwardly from the shaft in spaced relation to the open end of the shaft;
- and
- a concentrate outlet formed in the hollow shaft, so as to fluidly communicate with the bore, above the plate for emitting the concentrate for mixing with the diluent, such that the diluent impinges upon the concentrate in a turbulent manner to create a fluid-foam mixture before the mixture passes over the plate and dispensed through the outlet spout.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.