Dispensing nozzle
A dispensing nozzle for mixing a first fluid and one or more second fluids to form a third fluid. The nozzle may include a first fluid pathway and a number of replaceable second fluid modules surrounding at least in part the first fluid pathway.
1. A dispensing nozzle for mixing a first fluid and one or more second fluids to form a third fluid, comprising:
a first fluid pathway; and
a plurality of replaceable second fluid modules surrounding at least in part said first fluid pathway;
wherein each of said plurality of replaceable second fluid modules comprises a plurality of outlet holes.
2. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of outlet holes comprises about six (6) to about thirty (30) outlet holes.
3. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of outlet holes comprises a circular hole.
4. The dispensing nozzle of claim 3 , wherein said plurality of circular holes comprises a diameter of about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.08 inches (about 2 millimeters).
5. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of outlet holes comprises a triangular hole.
6. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of outlet holes comprises an angle from the horizon of about thirty degrees (30°) to about ninety degrees (90°).
7. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of outlet holes comprises a length of about 0.03 inches (about 0.76 millimeters) to about 0.25 inches (about 6.35 millimeters).
8. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of outlet holes are angled to mix the second fluid into the first fluid.
9. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid comprises still or carbonated water.
10. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid comprises syrup or concentrate.
11. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the second fluid comprises a flavoring ingredient.
12. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the third fluid comprises a cold beverage and wherein said plurality of outlet holes comprises a first predetermined orientation.
13. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the third fluid comprises a hot beverage and wherein said plurality of outlet holes comprises a second predetermined orientation.
14. The dispensing nozzle of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of replaceable second fluid modules comprises a first module with a first predetermined flow orientation and a second module with a second predetermined flow orientation.
15. A dispensing nozzle for mixing a water stream and one of a number of syrup streams, comprising:
a water module for providing the water stream;
said water module comprising a stream director for the water stream; and
a plurality of syrup modules surrounding said water module for directing the one of a number of syrup streams towards the stream director.
16. The dispensing nozzle of claim 15 , wherein said stream director comprises a plurality of ribs.
17. The dispensing nozzle of claim 16 , wherein said plurality of ribs defines a plurality of channels.
18. The dispensing nozzle of claim 17 , wherein said stream director comprises a plurality of dividers, one of said plurality of dividers positioned within one of said plurality of channels.
19. The dispensing nozzle of claim 15 , wherein said stream director comprises a water flow end and a syrup target end.
20. The dispensing nozzle of claim 15 , wherein each of said plurality of syrup modules comprises a plurality of outlet holes.
21. The dispensing nozzle of claim 20 , wherein said plurality of syrup modules comprises a first module with a first predetermined flow orientation and a second module with a second predetermined flow orientation.
22. The dispensing nozzle of claim 15 , further comprising a main body, said main body comprising a water pathway for the water stream.
23. The dispensing nozzle of claim 22 , wherein said main body comprises means for replaceably attaching said water module thereto.
24. The dispensing nozzle of claim 22 , wherein said main body comprise means for replaceably attaching said plurality of syrup modules thereto.
25. The dispensing nozzle of claim 15 , wherein said plurality of syrup modules comprises a module for a bonus flavor or other flavoring ingredient.
26. A dispensing nozzle for mixing a water stream and one of a number of syrup streams, comprising:
a main body with a pathway for the water stream;
a water module replaceably attached to said main body;
said water module comprising a stream director for directing said water stream as it leaves said water module; and
a plurality of syrup modules replaceably attached to said main body;
said plurality of syrup modules surrounding said water module for directing the one of a number of syrup streams towards the stream director;
said plurality of syrup modules comprising a plurality of different flow configurations.
27. A method for mixing a water stream from a water module with a syrup stream from one of a number of syrup modules to form one of a number of beverage types, comprising:
selecting the beverages types;
determining the flow characteristics of each of the beverage types;
providing a syrup module to accommodate the determined flow characteristics;
surrounding at least in part the water module with the provided syrup modules; and
flowing the water stream from the water module and the syrup stream from one of the syrup modules.