초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a beverage dispenser and more specifically to an assembly within the dispenser for mixing beverage components and optionally whipping the beverage product into a foam. The assembly includes a cleaning system that provides for cleaning of the surfaces that contact

The present invention is directed to a beverage dispenser and more specifically to an assembly within the dispenser for mixing beverage components and optionally whipping the beverage product into a foam. The assembly includes a cleaning system that provides for cleaning of the surfaces that contact the beverage product or its components.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bowl assembly for a dispensing device, the bowl assembly comprising: a bowl having a whipping mechanism positioned at an outlet of the bowl, the bowl adapted to mix and whip a liquid beverage product,a lid having a top surface that covers an opening of the bowl such that the lid closes the open

1. A bowl assembly for a dispensing device, the bowl assembly comprising: a bowl having a whipping mechanism positioned at an outlet of the bowl, the bowl adapted to mix and whip a liquid beverage product,a lid having a top surface that covers an opening of the bowl such that the lid closes the opening of the bowl, the lid further comprising a conduit that provides a liquid outlet and is connected to a tank that drains or recirculates liquid allowing the liquid to exit the bowl after the liquid has exceeded a capacity of the bowl assembly, anda seal positioned between the lid and the bowl for forming a seal between the lid and the bowl. 2. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid forms a seal with the bowl. 3. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the conduit is positioned at the highest internal point of the lid. 4. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the bowl contains an outlet that is directly joined to a dispensing head through a tube. 5. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a flow path for entry of a liquid from an external source. 6. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a flow path for entry of a liquid from an external source wherein the external source is a reservoir in fluid connection with the lid. 7. The bowl assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for cleaning the bowl assembly. 8. The bowl assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one inlet for delivering a liquid to the bowl. 9. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the bowl is a mixing bowl. 10. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a fitment interface connection for connecting an external product source. 11. The bowl assembly of claim 1, wherein the whipping mechanism comprises at least one port that is capable of delivering a liquid to the whipping mechanism. 12. A beverage dispensing device comprising: an assembly for mixing and whipping a liquid beverage product comprising a bowl including a whipping mechanism positioned at an outlet of the bowl,a lid having a top surface that covers an opening of the bowl such that the lid closes the opening of the bowl, the lid further comprising a conduit that provides a liquid outlet and is connected to a tank that drains or recirculates liquid and allows the liquid to exit the bowl after the liquid has exceeded a certain level in the bowl assembly, anda seal positioned between the lid and the bowl for forming a seal between the lid and the bowl. 13. A bowl assembly for a dispensing device, the bowl assembly comprising: a bowl adapted to mix and whip a liquid beverage product, a lid having a top surface that covers an opening of the bowl such that the lid closes the opening of the bowl, and a seal positioned between the lid and the bowl for forming a seal between the lid and the bowl, the lid further comprising: at least one flowpath for entry of a liquid product from an external product source and a fitment interface connection for connecting the external product source;a conduit that provides a liquid outlet and is connected to a tank that drains or recirculates liquid allowing the liquid to exit the bowl after the liquid has exceeded a capacity of the bowl assembly; anda hollow spear for transporting a cleaning or sanitizing fluid on product contact surfaces of a fitment and tube of the external product source, up to a pinch point as created on the tube by the fitment interface connection. 14. A bowl assembly for a dispensing device, the bowl assembly comprising: a bowl adapted to mix and whip a liquid beverage product;a lid having a top surface that covers an opening of the bowl such that the lid closes the opening of the bowl;a seal positioned between the lid and the bowl for forming a seal between the lid and the bowl;a whipping mechanism positioned at an outlet of the bowl, wherein the whipping mechanism extends rearwardly of the bowl by a drive shaft; anda cleaning seal assembly comprising a seal housing, a portion of the drive shaft being encompassed in the seal housing. 15. The bowl assembly of claim 14, wherein the cleaning seal assembly comprises an inlet for receiving a cleaning fluid and an outlet for draining cleaning fluid. 16. A method for dispensing a beverage product, the method comprising: providing a beverage dispenser having a bowl assembly including a bowl having a whipping mechanism positioned at an outlet of the bowl, the bowl covered by a lid having a top surface covering the bowl, a seal positioned between the lid and the bowl for forming a seal between the lid and the bowl, and a dispensing nozzle having a dispensing head;introducing a component of the beverage into the bowl assembly;passing the beverage component through an outlet in the bowl assembly directly to a dispensing head through a tube;passing the beverage component through the dispensing head;dispensing the beverage component; andcleaning the bowl assembly by introducing a cleaning solution into the bowl assembly until the liquid exceeds the internal capacity of the bowl assembly and a portion of the cleaning solution passes through a conduit in the lid of the bowl. 17. The method for dispensing a beverage product of claim 16, wherein the cleaning step occurs automatically at set time intervals. 18. A method for cleaning a beverage product dispenser, the method comprising: providing a beverage dispenser having a bowl assembly including a bowl having a whipping mechanism positioned at an outlet of the bowl, a lid having a top surface covering the bowl, a seal positioned between the lid and the bowl for forming a seal between the lid and the bowl, and a dispensing nozzle having a dispensing head;passing a sufficient amount of a cleaning fluid into the bowl assembly until the bowl assembly is completely filled and until a portion of the cleaning fluid passes through an outlet on the lid covering the bowl; andpassing cleaning fluid from the bowl assembly through a tube through a dispensing head. 19. The method for cleaning a beverage product dispenser of claim 18, further comprising the step of introducing cleaning fluid into the bowl assembly from an inlet in the bowl assembly. 20. The method for cleaning a beverage product dispenser of claim 18, further comprising the step of introducing cleaning fluid into the bowl from an inlet in the bowl and from an inlet in a product fitment interface, wherein the product fitment interface connects an external product source to the bowl assembly. 21. The method for cleaning a beverage product dispenser of claim 18, further comprising the step of introducing cleaning fluid into the bowl from an inlet in the bowl, from an inlet in a product fitment interface and from an inlet in a whipping mechanism, wherein the product fitment interface connects an external product source to the bowl assembly. 22. The method for cleaning a beverage product dispenser of claim 18, further comprising the step of automatically passing cleaning fluid into the bowl assembly at set time intervals. 23. The method for cleaning a beverage product dispenser of claim 18, further comprising the step of initiating a dispensing lock out until the cleaning step is completed. 24. A method for cleaning a beverage product dispenser, the method comprising: providing a beverage dispenser having a bowl assembly including a bowl,a lid having a top surface that covers an opening of the bowl such that the lid closes the opening of the bowl,a seal positioned between the lid and the bowl for forming a seal between the lid and the bowl,a whipping mechanism positioned at an outlet of the bowl and located at a rear portion of the bowl, wherein the whipping mechanism is driven by a drive shaft, anda cleaning seal assembly comprising a seal housing, a portion of the drive shaft encompassed in the seal housing; andpassing sufficient cleaning fluid to the seal housing to clean said portion of drive shaft and seal housing.