초록

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.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 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 s

I claim: 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.