Multiple flavor beverage dispensing air-mix nozzle

Abstract

In a beverage dispensing nozzle, a cap member includes first, second, and third beverage syrup inlet ports coupled to a respective first, second, and third beverage syrup sources and a mixing fluid inlet port coupled to a mixing fluid source. An inner housing including a chamber is coupled to the cap member. A first annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a first annular beverage syrup channel with the inner housing, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the first annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern. A second annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a second annular beverage syrup channel with the first annulus, wherein the second beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the second annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern. A third annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a third annular beverage syrup channel with the second annulus, wherein the third beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the third annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern. The first annulus, the second annulus, and the third annulus align to define an irregularly shaped beverage syrup outlet that manipulates the annular flow pattern of the beverage syrup to prevent beverage syrup carryover. An outer housing coupled to the cap member defines an annular mixing fluid channel with the inner housing, wherein the mixing fluid inlet port communicates mixing fluid to the annular mixing fluid channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern that contacts exiting beverage syrup to mix therewith outside the beverage dispensing nozzle.