METHOD OF MAKING A MANIFOLD SYSTEM FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSER

摘要

A manifold for a liquid dispensing system has at least two layers. The first layer has multiple through holes along its thickness direction, and one or more fluid channels perpendicular to the thickness direction. The second layer has one or more through holes along its thickness direction, each communicating with one of the through holes of the first layer. The second layer also has one or more fluid channels perpendicular to the thickness direction. The fluid channels each have an inlet at the edge of the respective layer and an outlet at one of the through holes. The second layer also has one or more holes defining valve bores. A valve in each of the valve bores controls flow of a liquid to a respective one of the fluid channels of the second layer. Also provided are a liquid dispensing system and a method of manufacturing a manifold.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a manifold for use in a liquid dispensing tower, comprising:
manufacturing a first upper layer, the first layer comprising:
one or more first through holes substantially along a thickness direction thereof, andone or more first fluid channels in a first plane, transverse to the thickness direction, wherein the first fluid channels are disposed entirely within the first layer; manufacturing a second lower layer, the second layer comprising:
one or more second through holes substantially along a thickness direction thereof,one or more second fluid channels in a second plane, transverse to the thickness direction, wherein the second fluid channels are disposed entirely within the second layer, andone or more additional holes, each additional hole defining at least a portion of a valve bore, wherein the valve bore is configured and dimensioned for a valve to be positioned therein and to control flow of a liquid to a respective one of the second fluid channels; wherein each fluid channel comprises an inlet at an edge of its respective layer and an outlet at a respective one of the through holes; attaching the first layer directly or indirectly to the second layer, in an orientation in which the thickness direction of the first layer is substantially identical to the thickness direction of the second layer, such that each of the second through holes is in fluid communication with one of the first through holes, wherein the first and second layers of the manifold are discrete pieces of material that are not monolithic with one another; and incorporating the manifold in an upper portion of a beverage dispensing tower configured to dispense liquid in a generally downward direction, the beverage dispensing tower including:
a trunk extending downward from the upper portion and supporting the upper portion; anda base extending outward from a bottom portion of the trunk, the base being configured to be stably set on a flat surface to thereby support the tower on the flat surface, the base comprising an upper surface beneath the manifold and configured to stably support a cup thereon such that the cup can receive the liquid from the manifold.