Dispensing device with self-cleaning nozzle

• US 20060213928A1
• Filed: 02/08/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Reddy, Balakrishna, Ufheil, Gerhard, Farrell, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,562,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/148
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/401 whereby the powder ingredients and the water are delivered to a mixing bowl
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/46 Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/469 Details of hydraulic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/60 Cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0321 using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid E04F17/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/07 Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4245 Cleaning or steam sterilizing

Abstract

The present invention is directed to beverage dispensers and more specifically to a beverage dispensing nozzle that provides a short and direct beverage pathway. The nozzle is adapted for use in a self-cleaning assembly that provides for efficient cleaning of all of its surfaces that contact beverage products. The nozzle can be configured with an inlet port that provides a relatively direct product flow pathway from a beverage mixing chamber in the dispenser.

Claims

1. A nozzle for a dispensing device comprising:

a dispensing head traversed by a substantially straight flow pathway.

2. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said dispensing head further comprises a tube forming an inlet port on the dispensing head.

3. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 1, wherein said dispensing head further comprises a tube forming an inlet port on the dispensing head wherein the inlet port is in fluid connection with a whipping assembly.

4. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising an inlet port on the dispensing head wherein the inlet port is joined to a non-moving tube in fluid connection with an outlet port of a whipping assembly.

5. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing head further comprises an outlet port.

6. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a cylinder, a piston and a dispensing head wherein the piston and dispensing head are joined and housed within the cylinder such that the cylinder can be moved with respect to the assembly to position the dispensing head in a dispensing position and a cleaning position.

7. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 6, wherein the piston is fastened to a frame.

8. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 6, wherein the cylinder comprises at least one port through which a cleaning fluid can flow.

9. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 6, wherein the cylinder comprises at least two ports through which a cleaning fluid can flow.

10. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising an actuator, a cylinder, a piston and a dispensing head wherein the cylinder is mounted to the actuator, and wherein the piston and dispensing head are joined in an assembly and housed within the cylinder such that the actuator is capable of moving the cylinder with respect to the assembly to position the dispensing head in a dispensing position and a cleaning position.

11. The nozzle for the dispensing device of claim 10, wherein an actuator can move the cylinder between at least two positions such that the dispensing head can be in a beverage dispensing or a cleaning position.

12. A nozzle for a beverage dispensing device comprising:

a dispensing head comprising a beverage delivery outlet and a cylinder;

wherein at least one of said head or cylinder is moveable relative to the other for encompassing, in a cleaning position, the beverage delivery outlet and diverting the flowpath to at least one drain port for draining liquid; and

wherein the dispensing head is traversed by a portion of beverage conduit from the top of the dispensing head to the bottom of the dispensing head up to the beverage delivery outlet.

13. The nozzle for a beverage dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the portion of beverage conduit is substantially straight from the top to the bottom of the dispensing head.

14. The nozzle for a beverage dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the cylinder comprises two vertically spaced apart drain conduits.

15. The nozzle for a beverage dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the portion of conduit is a rigid tube.

16. The nozzle for a beverage dispensing device of claim 15, wherein the portion of conduit is a part of beverage conduit which extends upwardly beyond the dispenser head.

17. The nozzle for a beverage dispensing device of claim 16, wherein the beverage conduit has a bend with an angle of no less than about 90 degrees.

18. A beverage dispensing device comprising:

a nozzle for a dispensing device comprising a dispensing head wherein the dispensing head is traversed by a portion of substantially straight flow pathway from an inlet to an outlet.

19. The dispensing device of claim 18, wherein said inlet further comprises, a rigid tube forming an inlet port on the dispensing head.

20. The dispensing device of claim 18, wherein said conduit has a bend having an angle of about 90 degrees or greater.

21. The dispensing device of claim 18, wherein said inlet further comprises a rigid beverage tube forming an inlet port on the dispensing head and a portion of rigid beverage tube has a substantially straight pathway and a portion of rigid beverage tube extends upwardly beyond the dispenser head.

22. The dispensing device of claim 18, wherein said inlet further comprises a rigid beverage tube forming an inlet port on the dispensing head and a portion of rigid beverage tube has a substantially straight pathway and a portion of rigid beverage tube extends upwardly beyond the dispenser head and is joined to an outlet port or flexible tube of a whipping assembly.

23. The dispensing device of claim 18 wherein the nozzle further comprises an actuator, a cylinder, a piston and a dispensing head, wherein the cylinder is mounted to the actuator, and wherein the piston and dispensing head are joined in an assembly and housed within the cylinder such that the actuator is capable of moving the cylinder with respect to the assembly to position the dispensing head in a dispensing position and a cleaning position.

24. The dispensing device of claim 23, wherein the cylinder of the nozzle comprises a cleaning fluid drain port which can receive cleaning fluid from the dispenser head.

25. The dispensing device of claim 23, wherein the cylinder of the nozzle comprises two ports which can receive a cleaning fluid.