Claims:1. A liquid dispensing nozzle (100) having:
at least one inner taper portion (102B) adapted to convert turbulent flow of liquid into laminar flow of liquid;
an inner throat portion (102C) extending from said inner taper portion (102B) in a downward direction, where said inner throat portion (102C) is adapted to maintain the laminar flow of liquid and dispense the liquid; and
at least one slit (102D) provided to said inner throat portion (102C) at a dispensing end, where said slit (102D) is adapted to reduce bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof.

2. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nozzle (100) includes,
an inner first portion (102A) adapted to extend from one end of said nozzle (100) in a downward direction towards said inner taper portion (102B),
wherein
said inner first portion (102A) defines at least one inlet (102AI) adapted to facilitate entry of liquid into said nozzle (100).

3. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nozzle (100) includes,
an outer neck portion (102N) adapted to be received by a liquid conveying pipe (10L) to connect the liquid conveying pipe (10L) with said liquid dispensing nozzle (100).

4. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said nozzle (100) includes,
a stepped portion (102S) adapted to be provided below said outer neck portion (102N), said stepped portion (102S) is adapted to retain said liquid conveying pipe (10L).

5. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said nozzle (100) includes,
an outer body (102Y) adapted to extend from said outer neck portion (102N) in a downward direction.

6. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said nozzle (100) includes,
a taper nose (102Z) provided below said outer body (102Y).

7. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a diameter of said inner throat portion (102C) is lesser than a diameter of said first inner portion (102A).

8. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slit (102D) is an inverted U-shaped slit.

9. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said slit (102D) is adapted to reduce bubble formation in the liquid by reducing surface tension in said inner throat portion (102C); and
said slit (102D) extends from said taper nose (102Z) to the dispensing end of said inner throat portion (102C).

10. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said nozzle (100) is configured to be provided in a beverage vending machine (10) for dispensing laminar flow of beverages with reduced bubble formation.

11. The liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a surface of at least one of said inner throat portion (102C) and portions near said slits (102D) is made hydrophobic to reduce bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof.

12. A method (200) of dispensing liquid, said method (200) comprising:
converting turbulent flow of liquid into laminar flow of liquid through at least one inner taper portion (102B) provided in a liquid dispensing nozzle (100);
maintaining laminar flow of liquid and dispensing the liquid through an inner throat portion (102C) provided below the inner taper portion (102B) of the liquid dispensing nozzle (100); and
reducing bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed through at least one slit (102D) provided at a dispensing end of the inner throat portion (102C).

13. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said method (200) comprises,
receiving liquid into the nozzle (100) through an inner first portion (102A) of the nozzle (100) prior to said converting turbulent flow of liquid into laminar flow of liquid through at least one inner taper portion (102B) provided in the liquid dispensing nozzle (100).

14. The method (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said method (200) comprises making a surface of at least one of the inner throat portion (102C) and portions near slits (102D) to be hydrophobic to reduce surface contact of the liquid with the nozzle (100) thereby reducing the bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a liquid dispensing nozzle, which dispenses laminar flow of liquid and reduces bubble formation in the liquid. Further, embodiments herein relate to a method of dispensing liquid.

BACKGROUND
[002] A beverage vending machine is used to dispense beverages such as milk, coffee and tea which are feed in powdered form in corresponding storage chambers in the beverage vending machine. Usually, a straight nozzle or a right angle bent nozzle is used to dispense beverage from the beverage vending machine. The aforementioned nozzles produce turbulence in the flow of beverage being dispensed thereof which is undesirable. In some, cases, the flow of beverage also gets deviated from the normal at the exit hence causing spluttering and wastage of beverage. Further, bubbles are formed in the beverage during dispensing of beverage from the nozzle which is undesirable.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a liquid dispensing nozzle and a method of dispensing liquid, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a liquid dispensing nozzle, which dispenses a laminar flow of liquid and reduces bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of dispensing liquid.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a liquid dispensing nozzle for a beverage vending machine, which dispenses uniform laminar flow of beverage post the mixing stage with no spluttering and reduced bubble formation.
[007] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] Fig. 1 depicts a photographic view of a beverage vending machine provided with a plurality of liquid dispensing nozzles, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the liquid dispensing nozzle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the liquid dispensing nozzle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0012] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart indicating a method of dispensing liquid, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0014] The embodiments herein achieve a liquid dispensing nozzle, which dispenses a laminar flow of liquid and reduces bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof. Further, embodiments herein achieve a method of dispensing liquid. Referring now to the drawings Figs 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0015] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a liquid dispensing nozzle (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the liquid dispensing nozzle (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the liquid dispensing nozzle (100) is adapted to dispense laminar flow of liquid and reduces bubble formation in the liquid. In an embodiment, the liquid dispensing nozzle (100) includes an outer neck portion (102N), a stepped portion (102S), an outer body (102Y), a taper nose (102Z), an inner first portion (102A), at least one inner taper portion (102B), an inner throat portion (102C) and a plurality of slits (102D). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the liquid dispensing nozzle (100) is explained herein below with reference to be provided in a beverage vending machine (10, as shown in fig. 1) for dispensing beverages. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide the liquid dispensing nozzle (100) to be used in any other machines or oil dispensers or milk dispensing unit or water hoses or thermo flasks or pourers or stoppers or in any other applications, where dispensing of laminar flow of liquid with reduced bubble formation is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the liquid dispensing nozzle (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0016] Fig. 1 depicts a photographic view of a beverage vending machine (10) provided with a plurality of liquid dispensing nozzles (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The beverage vending machine (10) includes a plurality of canisters (10C), a plurality of mixing chambers (10M), a holding element (10H), a plurality of liquid conveying pipes (10L) and a plurality of liquid dispensing nozzles (100). Each canister (10C) is adapted to store pre-mix of corresponding beverage. Each mixing chamber (10M) is adapted to facilitate mixing of corresponding beverage. Each mixing chamber (10M) is connected to corresponding each canister (10C). Each liquid conveying pipe (10P) is adapted to transfer corresponding beverage to corresponding liquid dispensing nozzle (100). One end of each liquid conveying pipe (10P) is connected to corresponding each mixing chamber (10M) and another end of each liquid conveying pipe (10P) is connected to corresponding each liquid dispensing nozzle (100). The holding element (10H) is adapted to hold the plurality of liquid dispensing nozzles (100).
[0017] The outer neck portion (102N) of each liquid dispensing nozzle (100) is adapted to be received by corresponding each liquid conveying pipe (10L) to connect the liquid conveying pipe (10L) with the liquid dispensing nozzle (100). The stepped portion (102S) is provided below the outer neck portion (102N) and between the outer body (102Y) and the outer neck portion (102N). The stepped portion (102S) of each liquid dispensing nozzle (100) is adapted to retain corresponding each liquid conveying pipe (10L). The outer body (102Y) is adapted to extend from the outer neck portion (102N) in a downward direction. The taper nose (102Z) is provided below the outer body (102Y). A diameter of the inner throat portion (102C) is lesser than a diameter of the first inner portion (102A). The inner first portion (102A) is adapted to extend from one end of the nozzle (100) in a downward direction towards the inner taper portion (102B). The inner first portion (102A) defines at least one inlet (102AI) adapted to facilitate entry of liquid into the nozzle (100). The inner taper portion (102B) is adapted to convert turbulent flow of liquid into laminar flow of liquid. Change in pressure and velocity of the liquid occurs at the inner taper portion (102BN) to convert the turbulent flow of liquid into laminar flow of liquid. The inner throat portion (102C) extends from the inner taper portion (102B) in a downward direction, where the inner throat portion (102C) is adapted to maintain the laminar flow of liquid and dispense the liquid. Each slit (102D) is provided on to corresponding side of a dispensing end of the inner throat portion (102C), where each slit (102D) is adapted to reduce bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof. Each slit (102D) is an inverted U-shaped slit. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to provide each slit (102D) in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of each slit (102D) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Each slit (102D) is adapted to reduce bubble formation in the liquid by reducing surface tension in the inner throat portion (102C). Each slit (102D) extends from the outer portion of the taper nose (102Z) to the inner throat portion (102C) at the dispensing end. The first inner portion (102A) and the inner taper portion (102B) reduces the surface vortex that could draw air into the nozzle (100) and the slits (102D) provided at the dispensing end of the nozzle (100) further reduces the surface area that further reduces the chance of bubble formation. The first inner portion (102A) and the inner taper portion (102B) reduce the Reynold’s number of flow to convert the turbulent flow into laminar flow of liquid. Further, the end of the inner taper portion (102B) is opened to the inner throat portion (102C) that has reduced diameter thereby further reducing the Reynold’s number to maintain laminar flow of liquid from the nozzle (100).
[0018] In an embodiment, a surface of at least one of the inner throat portion (102C) and portions near slits (102D) is made hydrophobic to reduce surface contact of the liquid with the nozzle (100) thereby reducing the bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof. The nozzle (100) is made of delrin material. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the nozzle (100) to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the nozzle (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0019] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart indicating a method (200) of dispensing liquid, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the method (200) is explained herein below with reference to dispensing beverage from a beverage vending machine. However, it is also within the scope of this invention to practice/implement the entire steps of the method (200) in a same manner or in a different manner or with omission of at least one step to the method (200) or with any addition of at least one step to the method (200) for dispensing any other type of liquids from any other machines or oil dispensers or milk dispensing unit or water hoses or thermo flasks or pourers or stoppers or in any other applications, where dispensing of laminar flow of liquid with reduced bubble formation is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the method (200) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the method (200) includes, converting turbulent flow of liquid into laminar flow of liquid through at least one inner taper portion (102B) provided in a liquid dispensing nozzle (100), step (202); maintaining laminar flow of liquid and dispensing liquid through an inner throat portion (102C) provided below the inner taper portion (102B) of the liquid dispensing nozzle (100), step (204); and reducing bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed through at least one slit (102D) provided at a dispensing end of the inner throat portion (102C), step (206).
[0020] The method (200) includes, receiving liquid into the nozzle (100) through an inner first portion (102A) of the nozzle (100), step (201) prior to the method step (202) of converting turbulent flow of liquid into laminar flow of liquid through at least one inner taper portion (102B) provided in a liquid dispensing nozzle (100).
[0021] Further, the method (200) includes making a surface of at least one of the inner throat portion (102C) and portions near slits (102D) to be hydrophobic to reduce surface contact of the liquid with the nozzle (100) thereby reducing the bubble formation in the liquid being dispensed thereof.
[0022] Therefore, a liquid dispensing nozzle (100), which dispenses laminar flow of liquid with reduced bubble formation, is provided.
[0023] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.