Beverage dispensing system with a head capable of dispensing plural different beverages
First Claim
1. A beverage dispensing housing comprising:
- a base, the base comprising a mounting block, the mounting block having a mounting portion, a lock plate, and at least one lock plate hook;
a selectively releasable dispensing head configured to extend from said base at the mounting block, said dispensing head having a back plate and at least one back plate hook, and said dispensing head having at least three fluid passageways, wherein each of the dispensing head fluid passageways is an open passageway for receiving a separate fluid stream;
a single nozzle that extends from said dispensing head, wherein each of the dispensing head fluid passageways opens into said nozzle for discharge;
at least three individually actuated valves attached to said dispensing head, each of said valves being positioned to regulate fluid flow through a separate one of the fluid passageways;
wherein the back plate of the dispensing head is removably securable to the mounting portion of the base such that the back plate abuts the mounting block to form a wall on the base; and
wherein the lock plate further comprises a cross bar and a finger and wherein the finger is configured to retract away from the cross bar to permit the lock plate to slide upwardly to permit securing of the lock plate to the back plate, and the lock plate is configured to slide downwardly so as to permit the at least one back plate hook to engage the at least one lock plate hook to secure the lock plate to the back plate, and the finger is configured to snap over the cross bar to hold the lock plate in a locking position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing head is removably attached to a beverage dispensing system base without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and noncarbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.
37 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A beverage dispensing housing comprising:
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a base, the base comprising a mounting block, the mounting block having a mounting portion, a lock plate, and at least one lock plate hook; a selectively releasable dispensing head configured to extend from said base at the mounting block, said dispensing head having a back plate and at least one back plate hook, and said dispensing head having at least three fluid passageways, wherein each of the dispensing head fluid passageways is an open passageway for receiving a separate fluid stream; a single nozzle that extends from said dispensing head, wherein each of the dispensing head fluid passageways opens into said nozzle for discharge; at least three individually actuated valves attached to said dispensing head, each of said valves being positioned to regulate fluid flow through a separate one of the fluid passageways; wherein the back plate of the dispensing head is removably securable to the mounting portion of the base such that the back plate abuts the mounting block to form a wall on the base; and wherein the lock plate further comprises a cross bar and a finger and wherein the finger is configured to retract away from the cross bar to permit the lock plate to slide upwardly to permit securing of the lock plate to the back plate, and the lock plate is configured to slide downwardly so as to permit the at least one back plate hook to engage the at least one lock plate hook to secure the lock plate to the back plate, and the finger is configured to snap over the cross bar to hold the lock plate in a locking position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A housing comprising:
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a base comprising a mounting portion having a lock plate and a first hook; a selectively releasable dispensing head having a back plate, wherein the dispensing head is configured to extend from the base at the mounting portion the back plate having a second hook, and the dispensing head having at least three fluid passageways, wherein each of the dispensing head fluid passageways is an open passageway for receiving a separate fluid stream; a nozzle that extends from the dispensing head, wherein each of the dispensing head fluid passageways opens into said nozzle for discharge; at least three individually actuated valves attached to said dispensing head, each of said valves being positioned to regulate fluid flow through a separate one of the fluid passageways; wherein the dispensing head is secured to the base by engaging the first hook with the second hook such that when secured the dispensing head and nozzle remain fixed in relation to the base; and wherein the lock plate further comprises a cross bar and a finger and wherein the finger is configured to retract away from the cross bar to permit the lock plate to slide upwardly to permit securing of the lock plate to the back plate, and the lock plate is configured to slide downwardly so as to permit the first hook to engage the second hook to secure the lock plate to the back plate, and the finger is configured to snap over the cross bar to hold the lock plate in a locking position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A housing comprising:
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a base comprising a moveable lock plate having at least one lock plate hook; a selectively releasable dispensing head comprising a back plate and at least one back plate hook; a nozzle that extends from the dispensing head; wherein the dispensing head is configured to be temporarily fixed to the base by securing the at least one lock plate hook to the at least one back plate hook; and wherein the lock plate further comprises a cross bar and a finger and wherein the finger is configured to retract away from the cross bar to permit the lock plate to slide upwardly to permit securing of the lock plate to the back plate, and the lock plate is configured to slide downwardly so as to permit the at least one back plate hook to engage the at least one lock plate hook to secure the lock plate to the back plate, and the finger is configured to snap over the cross bar to hold the lock plate in a locking position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification