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In a beverage dispenser of the type having a diluent mixed with a syrup to produce the beverage to be dispensed, provision is made for utilizing a relatively high flow rate. To achieve the relatively high flow rate, a depressurizing system utilizing a vortex chamber is located at the output end of t

In a beverage dispenser of the type having a diluent mixed with a syrup to produce the beverage to be dispensed, provision is made for utilizing a relatively high flow rate. To achieve the relatively high flow rate, a depressurizing system utilizing a vortex chamber is located at the output end of the valve arrangement. The flow path of the diluent through the valve arrangement before the depressurizing system is designed to minimize pressure drops. Diluent leaving the depressurizing system has its velocity decreased by a diffusing structure before being passed for mixing with the syrup. The diffusing system also decreases the swirl imparted to the diluent in the depressurizing system.

대표청구항 ▼

A valve arrangement for apparatus having relatively fast flow of a diluent to be mixed with a syrup for dispensing a mixed beverage comprising: a body member; a diluent passage formed in said body member for receiving and conveying pressurized diluent; a diluent valve to selectively block or permit

A valve arrangement for apparatus having relatively fast flow of a diluent to be mixed with a syrup for dispensing a mixed beverage comprising: a body member; a diluent passage formed in said body member for receiving and conveying pressurized diluent; a diluent valve to selectively block or permit diluent flow through said diluent passage; a syrup passage formed in said body member for receiving and conveying syrup; a syrup valve to selectively block or permit syrup flow through said syrup passage; a syrup tube to receive syrup from said syrup passage and convey the syrup to a location for mixing with the diluent; depressurizing means located at the end of said diluent passage to lower the pressure of diluent that flows from said diluent passage, said diluent passage and said diluent valve being designed to minimize the pressure drop prior to said depressurizing means; a diffuser element adapted to fit over said syrup tube, said diffuser element having a frusto-conical interior cavity; a diffuser opening formed between said diffuser element and said syrup tube to convey diluent from said depressurizing means to the smaller end of said frusto-conical cavity; and a protruding shoulder formed on said syrup tube beyond the large end of said frusto-conical cavity, the upper portion of said shoulder being shaped to impede diluent flow sufficiently to fill with diluent the space between the surface of said diffuser element forming said frusto-conical cavity and the outer surface of said syrup tube, the lower portion of said shoulder being shaped to decrease the velocity of the diluent to a desired value.