Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02903445 2017-01-03
INTERMITTENT DOSING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
1021 This disclosure relates generally to a method and beverage dispensing
system for the dispensing
of beverages, e.g., for cafeterias, restaurants (including fast food
restaurants), theatres,
convenience stores, gas stations, and other entertainment and/or food service
venues.
BACKGROUND
[03] Various beverage dispensers, such as those at cafeterias, restaurants,
theatres and other
entertainment and/or food service venues, typically have either a "drop in"
dispenser apparatus
or a counter top type dispenser apparatus. In a drop in dispenser apparatus,
the dispenser
apparatus is self-contained and may be dropped into an aperture of a counter
top. In a counter
top type dispenser apparatus, the dispenser apparatus is placed on a counter
top. In conventional
beverage dispensers, a dispensing head is coupled to a particular drink syrup
supply source via a
single pipe dedicated to supply the particular drink syrup to that dispensing
head, wherein the
particular drink syrup supply source is typically located near the counter
top, i.e., directly under
the counter top, or directly over the counter top.
[04] A user will typically place a cup under the signage of the selected
beverage and either press a
button or press the cup against a dispensing lever to activate the dispenser
so that the selected
beverage is delivered from the dispensing head corresponding to the
- 1 -
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
selected beverage and into the cup until pressure is withdrawn from the button
or
lever.
[05] Conventional beverage dispensers are typically limited to dispensing a
limited number
of drinks. For example, drinks typically available at a conventional beverage
dispenser are a regular cola beverage, a diet cola beverage, perhaps one or
several
non-cola carbonated beverages, such as a lemon-lime flavored carbonated
beverage or
some other fruit-flavored drink (e.g., orange flavored carbonated beverage,
and/or
root beer), and perhaps one more non-carbonated beverage(s), such as a tea
and/or a
lemonade.
[06] Conventional dispensers typically dose simultaneously components of a
mixture or
beverage, and the final product is obtained as a result of mixing of two or
more
continuous flows of the product components. This conventional approach may
work
well when only low concentrated components are used. If, however, one or more
of
the components is highly concentrated, the flow rate of such highly
concentrated
component(s) required for continuous mixing becomes very small. In order to
create
and maintain such very small and stable flows, very precise and thus more
expensive
dosing and dispensing equipment is required. Less expensive but less precise
equipment may be able to dose highly concentrated components with required
level of
accuracy, but the resulting flow rate of the created flow of such components
may be
unacceptably high and thus inappropriate for continuous mixing of flows.
[07] What is needed is a beverage dispensing system that does not have the
limitations and
disadvantages of conventional beverage dispensers and methods.
SUMMARY
[08] In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an intermittent dosing
system. The
intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and dispense at least one
highly
concentrated free-flowing micro component. In an aspect of the disclosure, the
intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and intermittently dispense
at least
one highly concentrated free-flowing micro component.
[09] In one aspect of the disclosure a system is provided, the system
comprising a source
of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent and a source of a
highly
-2-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
concentrated micro component to be received in a micro dosing device. The
highly
concentrated micro component along with the diluent may be dosed using
different
time periods and under different pressures. The micro dosing device is
configured to
receive and dose the highly concentrated micro component or micro components
under different pressures and at different time intervals than the diluent.
[10] In another aspect of the disclosure, the system comprising a source of a
diluent is
configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period of time, a
source of a
highly concentrated micro component, and a micro dosing device. The micro
dosing
device is configured to receive the highly concentrated micro component from
the
source of the highly concentrated micro component and dose the highly
concentrated
micro component during a second period of time. The second period of time may
be
less than the first period of time, and the second period of time may overlap
with a
portion of the first period of time. The system comprises a controller, the
controller
configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by
the
micro dosing device. The system comprises a dispenser, the dispenser
configured to
allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro component dosed
by
the micro dosing device and the flow of the diluent.
[11] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will be
apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrated
embodiments
thereof which are to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[12] FIG. 1 is schematic view of an embodiment of a dispensing system
according to
various aspects of the disclosure.
[13] FIG. lA illustrates another schematic view of a dispensing system in
accordance with
various aspects of the disclosure.
[14] FIG. 2 illustrates a time diagram of dispensing in accordance with
various aspects of
the disclosure.
[15] FIG. 3 illustrates a time diagram of dispensing in accordance with
various aspects of
the disclosure.
-3-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
[16] FIG. 4 illustrates a time diagram of dispensing in accordance with
various aspects of
the disclosure.
[17] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method in accordance with various
aspects of
the disclosure.
[18] FIG. 6 illustrates a dosing control unit in accordance with various
aspects of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[19] The embodiments discussed below may be used to form a wide variety of
beverages,
including but not limited to cold and hot beverages, and including but not
limited to
beverages known under any PepsiCo branded name, such as Pepsi-Cola .
[20] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a transfer unit or
dosing system
and/or portions thereof that feed a dispenser with a free flowing product may
be
located remotely from a counter, such as in a back room, or at the counter,
such as
below or over the counter.
[21] In one aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided, the method
comprising
providing a flow of the diluent during a first period of time and dosing a
highly
concentrated micro component during a second period of time, the second period
of
time being less than the first period of time, the second period of time
overlapping
with a portion of the first period of time. The method may further comprise
controlling the dosing of the highly concentrated micro components at
different
pressures for varying amounts of time.
[22] In one aspect of the disclosure a system is provided, the system
comprising a source
of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period
of time,
and a plurality of highly concentrated micro component sources, each of the
plurality
of highly concentrated micro component sources having a corresponding micro
component. The system may comprise a plurality of micro dosing devices, each
micro dosing device configured to receive a highly concentrated micro
component
from a corresponding source of highly concentrated micro component, each micro
dosing device configured to provide dosing of the highly concentrated micro
-4-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
component corresponding thereto during a second period of time. The second
period
of time may be less than the first period of time, the second period of time
overlapping with a portion of the first period of time. The system may
comprise a
controller, the controller configured to control the dosing of the highly
concentrated
micro component by each micro dosing device. The system may comprise a
dispenser, the dispenser configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the
highly
concentrated micro components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the flow
of
the diluent.
[23] In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus
comprising a
cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component having
a
ratio by weight of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a
diluent
of at least about 30:1. In an aspect, the ratio by weight of the highly
concentrated
free-flowing micro component to a diluent of at least about 1000:1. The
apparatus
may comprise a dosing device, the dosing device configured to intermittently
dose a
predetermined amount of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component
at a
predetermined flow rate. The apparatus may comprise a controller, the
controller
configured to control the intermittent dosing by the dosing device.
[24] In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus
comprising a
cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component for a
food
product. The apparatus may comprise a dosing device, the dosing device
configured
to intermittently dose a predetermined amount of the highly concentrated free-
flowing
micro component at a predetermined flow rate. The apparatus may comprise a
source
of a free-flowing macro component for the food product. The apparatus may
comprise a mixing device, the mixing device configured to receive the highly
concentrated free-flowing micro component dosed by the dosing device and the
free-
flowing macro component from the source of the free-flowing macro component.
The apparatus may comprise a controller, the controller configured to control
the
intermittent dosing by the dosing device so that the dosing device doses the
highly
concentrated free-flowing component to the mixing device for a period of time
that is
less than the period of time in which the free-flowing macro component is
dispensed
to the mixing device.
-5-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
[25] In an aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided. The method may
comprise
intermittent dispensing of a predetermined amount of a highly concentrated
free-
flowing micro component for a food product, dispensing a predetermined amount
of a
free-flowing macro component for the food product, combining the highly
concentrated free-flowing micro component and the free-flowing macro
component,
the intermittent dispensing of the free-flowing micro component being less
than the
period of time in which the free-flowing macro component is dispensed.
[26] In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an intermittent dosing
system. The
intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and dispense at least one
highly
concentrated free-flowing micro component. In an aspect of the disclosure, the
intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and intermittently dispense
at least
one highly concentrated free-flowing micro component. By way of example, but
not
limitation, the intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and
intermittently
dispense a highly concentrated free-flowing micro component wherein the ratio
by
weight of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a diluent
(e.g.,
water) may be the following: high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) ¨ at least 5:1;
non-
nutritive sweetener ¨ at least about 19:1 e.g., between 15:1 and 45:1;
lemonade
flavoring ¨ at least 100:1; non-cola carbonated soft drink ¨ at least 150:1;
carbonated
cola soft drink ¨ at least 500:1. For a relatively pure concentrate, the ratio
by weight
of a highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a diluent (e.g.,
water) is at
least 200:1.
[27] In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus
comprising a
cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component having
a
ratio by weight of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a
diluent
of at least about 19:1. The apparatus may comprise a micro dosing device, the
micro
dosing device configured to intermittently dose a predetermined amount of the
highly
concentrated free-flowing micro component at a predetermined flow rate. The
apparatus may comprise a controller, the controller configured to control the
intermittent dosing by the micro dosing device.
[28] In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus
comprising a
cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component for a
food
product. The apparatus may comprise a dosing device, the dosing device
configured
-6-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
to intermittently dose a predetermined amount of the highly concentrated free-
flowing
micro component at a predetermined flow rate. The apparatus may comprise a
source
of a free-flowing macro component for the food product. The apparatus may
comprise a mixing device, the mixing device configured to receive the highly
concentrated free-flowing micro component dosed by the micro dosing device and
the
free-flowing macro component from the source of the free-flowing macro
component.
The apparatus may comprise a controller, the controller configured to control
the
intermittent dosing by the micro dosing device so that the micro dosing device
doses
the highly concentrated free-flowing component to the mixing device for a
period of
time that is less than the period of time in which the free-flowing macro
component is
dispensed to the mixing device.
[29] In an aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided. The method may
comprise
intermittent dispensing of a predetermined amount of a highly concentrated
free-
flowing micro component for a food product, dispensing a predetermined amount
of a
free-flowing macro component for the food product, combining the highly
concentrated free-flowing micro component and the free-flowing macro
component,
the intermittent dispensing of the free-flowing micro component being less
than the
period of time in which the free-flowing macro component is dispensed.
[30] FIG. 1 shows a system 1200 comprising a dosing control unit 1203. Dosing
control
unit 1203 may comprise a controller 1202. Controller 1202 may be operatively
connected to a dosing device 1204. In accordance with an aspect of the
disclosure,
controller 1202 may be configured to control dosing by dosing device 1204 so
that the
dosing is intermittent dosing of a highly concentrated micro component 1206.
As
shown in FIG. 1, two-way communication may be provided between controller 1202
and dosing device 1204 so that controller 1202 can deliver instructions to
dosing
device 1204, and dosing device 1204 can deliver to the controller 1202
information
relating to the operation of dosing device 1204. Dosing device 1204 may be a
dosing
device configured to dose one or more liquid components of a plurality of
sources.
Each source may comprise a cartridge 1201. Each source may comprise a
component
of a free flowing product. The free flowing product may comprise a food
product.
The food product may comprise a beverage. Thus, each source of the plurality
of
sources may comprise a highly concentrated micro component. Each highly
-7-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
concentrated micro component may comprise, for example, one or more of
beverage
ingredients.
[31] As shown in FIG 1, controller 1202 may be configured to control operation
of micro
component pump 1208 and micro component valve 1210 via two way communication
between controller 1202 and micro component pump 1208 and micro component
valve 1210, respectively.
[32] Controller 1202 may be configured to control intermittent dosing of one
or more other
micro components 1216, in a similar manner as for micro component 1206, e.g.,
controlling via two way communication (not shown) between controller 1202 and
a
micro dosing device, a micro component pump, and/or a micro component valve
corresponding to each micro component 1216.
[33] Controller 1202 may be configured to control dosing of a sweetener 1218,
in a similar
manner as for micro component 1206, e.g., controlling via two way
communication
(not shown) between controller 1202 and a dosing device, a pump, and/or a
component valve corresponding to the sweetener 1218. In accordance with the
present disclosure, dosing of the sweetener may be intermittent or not
intermittent. In
accordance with the present disclosure, a dosing device, a pump, and/or a
component
valve corresponding to the sweetener 1218 may be a micro dosing device, a
micro
component pump, and/or a micro component valve corresponding to sweetener
1218,
respectively.
[34] Controller 1202 may be configured to control operation of water pump 1212
and main
diluent valve 1214 via two way communication between controller 1202 and water
pump 1212 and main diluent valve 1214, respectively.
[35] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a highly concentrated
liquid micro
component 1206 is intermittently dosed and dispensed, and the intermittent
dose of
micro component 1206 may be mixed with the flow of other components 1216, and
or
mixed with a low concentrated and/or macro component(s). By using intermittent
dosing and dispensing of the highly concentrated liquid micro component 1206,
less
precise and thus less expensive equipment is required than if the highly
concentrated
liquid micro component 1206 was continuously dosed and dispensed so as to mix
with a continuous flow of low concentrated liquid macro component(s). For
example,
-8-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
highly concentrated liquid micro component 1206 may mix with a flow of low
concentrated liquid macro components prior to or at dispensing nozzle 1220. In
an
aspect of the present disclosure, highly concentrated liquid micro component
1206
may mix with a flow of low concentrated liquid macro components in cup 1222
placed underneath dispensing nozzle 1220. The mixing of highly concentrated
liquid
micro component 1206 and other beverage components results in a finished
beverage
1224.
[36] FIG. lA shows another system 1200A for a dispensing system in accordance
with
various aspect of the disclosure that may be used in place of or with various
components shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 1203 (of FIG. 1) may comprise a
controller 1202 that may be operatively connected to a micro component valve
1204A. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, controller 1202 may be
configured to control dosing by micro component valve 1204A so that the dosing
is
intermittent dosing of a highly concentrated micro component 1206.
[37] Two-way communication may be provided between controller 1202 and micro
component valve 1204A so that controller 1202 can deliver instructions to
micro
component valve 1204A, and micro component valve 1204A can deliver to the
controller 1202 information relating to the operation of micro component valve
1204A. Micro component valve 1204A may be configured to dose one or more
liquid
components of a plurality of sources. Each source may comprise a cartridge
1201.
Each source may comprise a component of a free flowing product. The free
flowing
product may comprise a food product. The food product may comprise a beverage.
Thus, each source of the plurality of sources may comprise a highly
concentrated
micro component. Each highly concentrated micro component may comprise, for
example, one or more of beverage ingredients.
[38] Controller 1202 may be configured to control operation of micro component
pump
1208A via two way communication between controller 1202 and micro component
pump 1208A. Controller 1202 may be configured to control intermittent dosing
of
one or more other micro components 1216, in a similar manner as for micro
component 1206, e.g., controlling via two way communication (not shown)
between
controller 1202 and a micro dosing device, a micro component pump, and/or a
micro
component valve corresponding to each micro component 1216.
-9-
CA 02903445 2017-01-03
[39] Controller 1202 may also be configured to control operation of air
vent 1103, accumulator
1105, and regulator 1107. The controller may control set points of each device
to ensure proper
dosing of the highly concentrated micro components. In another embodiment, air
vent 1103,
accumulator 1105, and regulator 1107 may be factory set and adjusted at
various maintenance
cycles.
[40] In an embodiment, controller 1202 may retrieve from memory
instructions regarding the dosing
characteristics for a particular micro component. The dosing characteristics
may include a
pressure setting and dispensing time for each micro component. Based on the
received dosing
characteristics, controller 1202 may control micro component pump 1208 A and
micro
component valve 1204A based on those characteristics. For instance, in an
embodiment, micro
component pump 1208 A may pump highly concentrated micro component 1206 from
its
cartridge 1201 via check valve 1101. An air vent 1103 may remove any air
trapped in the line
between the micro component pump 1208 A discharge through to the micro
component valve
1204 A.
[41] In an aspect of the disclosure, accumulator 1105 may store or keep the
highly concentrated
micro component 1206 under a set pressure until instructed by the controller
1202 to open
micro component valve 1204 A. The pressure may be regulated by a regulator
1107 based upon
the particular micro component characteristics and/or other external factors
such as ambient
temperature or pressure. In an embodiment, controller 1202 based on the dosing
characteristics,
including the pressure setting for each of micro components stored in the
accumulator, opens
the micro component valve 1204 A for a corresponding amount of time to dose a
predetermined
amount of micro component. For example, a particular micro component may have
a pressure
regular setting of approximately twenty-five psi and enable its associated
micro component
valve to stay open for approximately eight milliseconds. In another
embodiment, a micro
component that includes a more viscous product such as a juice may require a
higher pressure
and/or a longer micro component valve opening time to obtain proper dosing.
[42] Controller 1202 may be configured to control dosing of a sweetener
1218, in a similar manner
as for micro component 1206, e.g., controlling via two way communication (not
shown)
between controller 1202 and a micro component valve, a pump, and/or a
- 10 -
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
component valve corresponding to the sweetener 1218. In accordance with the
present disclosure, dosing of the sweetener may be intermittent or not
intermittent. In
accordance with the present disclosure, the sweetener 1218 may be located
under a
counter or remotely such as in a back room. The sweetener 1218 may be
connected
via a connector to a dual acting diagram pump which extracts the sweetener and
pumps it to the front room having the dispenser. An air vent may be located
near the
pump discharge to remove any trapped air. A regulator may be used to regulate
the
pressure of the sweetener stream. In an embodiment, the sweetener stream may
be
dosed by a micro component valve. In another embodiment, the sweetener stream
may be split into multiple sweetener streams and dosed by multiple micro
component
valves to provide a more uniform flow pattern with improved final beverage
characteristics.
[43] In another aspect of the disclosure, controller 1202 may also be
configured to control
dosing of a non-nutritive sweetener. The non-nutritive sweetener may be dosed
similar to the sweetener stream 1218, discussed above. The non-nutritive
sweetener
may also be split into multiple streams to provide a more uniform flow pattern
with
improved final beverage characteristics.
[44] Controller 1202 may be configured to control operation of water pump 1212
and main
diluent valve 1214 via two way communication between controller 1202 and water
pump 1212 and main diluent valve 1214, respectively. In an embodiment, two
independent diluent streams may be utilized such as a carbonated diluent
stream and a
non-carbonated diluent stream. Each diluent stream may have its own dilute
pump
1212A and 1212B. In an embodiment, the diluent streams may be treated in the
back
room with a water treatment package to remove all of the chlorine. Also, the
total
alkalinity may also be reduced. The diluent streams may be pumped to the front
room
having the dispenser through a recirculating system. In an embodiment, both
the
carbonated diluent stream and the non-carbonated diluent stream are
recirculated.
The recirculated diluent streams provide increased beverage selections as
beverages
having different compositions of carbonated and non-carbonated diluents may be
dosed.
[45] In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing system may include a low
volumetric
dosing device. A low volumetric dispensing system may include a pump, an
-11-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
accumulator, an air vent, and the low volumetric dosing device. The low
volumetric
dosing device may include a fillable chamber to hold and dispense precise
amounts of
the micro component based on the beverage selection.
[46] FIG. 2 illustrates dispensing of a portion of beverage in accordance with
an
embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, a highly
concentrated
micro component(s) 1308 is intermittently dispensed from time 1310 to time
1312,
from time 1314 to time 1316, from time 1318 to time 1320, from time 1322 to
time
1324, from time 1326 to time 1328, and from time 1330 to time 1332. As shown
in
FIG. 2, a macro component 1304 is continuously dispensed from time 1302 to
time
1306. As shown in FIG. 2, in an aspect of the disclosure, time 1302 may be the
same
as time 1310.
[47] The length and frequency of the intermittent dosing times of highly
concentrated
micro component 1308 may be selected so that the total amount of micro
component
1308 will meet the desirable composition of the dispensed mixture, e.g., the
dispensed
mixture 1220.
[48] FIG. 3 illustrates an optional approach, wherein dispensing of a highly
concentrated
micro component 1400 is dispensed from time 1410 to time 1412. FIG. 3
illustrates
dispensing of a macro component 1404 from time 1402 to time 1406. Macro
component dispensing time 1402 to time 1406 may be longer than micro component
dispensing time 1410 to time 1412. Time 1402 may be the same as time 1410. The
start of micro component dispensing time 1410 and the start of macro component
dispensing time 1402 may begin when a customer or user activates dispensing,
such
as by e.g., activating an actuator, e.g., pressing a start button or otherwise
activates the
dispensing.
[49] FIG. 4 illustrates dispensing of a highly concentrated micro component
1400 is
performed sequentially from time 1410 to time 1412, from time 1414 to time
1416,
from time 1418 to time 1420, from time 1422 to time 1424, from time 1426 to
time
1428, and from time 1430 to time 1432.
[50] As shown in FIG. 4, macro component 1404 may be dispensed sequentially
from time
1402 to time 1444, from time 1446 to time 1448, from time 1450 to time 1452,
from
-12-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
time 1454 to time 1456, from time 1458 to time 1460, and from time 1462 to
time
1464.
[51] As shown in FIG. 4, in an aspect of the disclosure, time 1402 may be the
same as time
1410, time 1446 may be the same as time 1414, time 1450 may be the same as
time
1418, time 1454 may be the same as time 1422, time 1458 may be the same as
time
1426, and time 1462 may be the same as time 1430.
[52] As shown in FIG. 4, in an aspect of the disclosure, time 1444 is prior to
time 1446 and
time 1414, time 1448 is prior to time 1450 and 1418, time 1452 is prior to
time 1454
and 1422, time 1456 is prior to time 1458 and 1426, and time 1460 is prior to
time
1462 and time 1430.
[53] As illustrated in FIG. 4, macro component dispensing time 1402 to time
1444 may be
longer than micro component dispensing time 1410 to time 1412, macro component
dispensing time 1446 to time 1448 may be longer than micro component
dispensing
time 1414 to time 1416, macro component dispensing time 1450 to time 1452 may
be
longer than micro component dispensing time 1418 to time 1420, macro component
dispensing time 1454 to time 1456 may be longer than micro component
dispensing
time 1422 to time 1424, macro component dispensing time 1458 to time 1460 may
be
longer than micro component dispensing time 1426 to time 1428, and macro
component dispensing time 1462 to time 1464 may be longer than micro component
dispensing time 1430 to time 1432.
[54] The start of micro component dispensing time 1402 and the start of macro
component
dispensing time 1406 may begin when a customer or user presses a start button
or
otherwise activates the dispensing.
[55] The start of micro component dispensing time 1402 and the start of macro
component
dispensing time 1406 may begin when a customer or user presses a start button
or
otherwise activates the dispensing. The end of micro component dispensing time
1416
may occur when a customer or user releases a start button or otherwise
activates the
end of dispensing of the micro component. As shown in FIG. 4, since macro
component dispensing time 1426 may be longer than micro component dispensing
time 1416, macro component dispensing time 1426 may not end at the same time
as
micro component dispensing time 1416 ends.
-13-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
[56] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 1500 in accordance with
various aspects
of the disclosure. In step 1501, a flow of a diluent is provided during a
first period of
time. In step 1502, dosing of a highly concentrated micro component occurs
during a
second period of time. The second period of time may be less than the first
period of
time. The second period of time may overlap with a portion of the first period
of
time. In step 1503, controlling the dosing of the highly concentrated micro
component occurs. In step 1504, mixing of the dosed highly concentrated micro
component and the flow of the diluent to form a mixture occurs. In step 1505,
dispensing of the mixture from a dispenser occurs.
[57] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a dosing control unit 1203, as shown in
FIG. 1.
Dosing control unit 1203 may comprise a controller 1202 as shown in FIG. 1.
Controller 1202 may comprise a processor. Dosing control unit 1203 may further
comprise at least one non-transitory memory 602, a display 604, and a
communication
interface 608. Controller 1202 may execute computer-executable instructions
present
in non-transitory memory 602 such that, for example, dosing control unit 1203
may
send and receive information via a network (not shown).
[58] Dosing control unit 1203 may further include or be in communication with
a system
bus (not shown). A system bus may be any of several types of bus structures
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using
any of a variety of bus architectures. The structure of system non-transitory
memory
is well known to those skilled in the art and may include a basic input/output
system
(BIOS) stored in a read only memory (ROM) and one or more program modules such
as operating systems, application programs and program data stored in random
access
memory (RAM). Dosing control unit 1203 may be configured to allow dosing
control
unit 1203 to communicate other devices in system 1200, for example, micro-
component pump 1208, micro dosing device 1204, micro-component valve 1210,
water pump 1212, and/or main diluent valve 1214. Dosing control unit 1203 may
also
include a variety of interface units and drives (not shown) for reading and
writing
data.
[59] Those of skill in the art will recognize that, in accordance with the
disclosure, any
suitable network connections and other ways of establishing a communications
link
between dosing control unit 1203 and other devices in system 1200. The
existence of
-14-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
any of various well-known protocols, such as TCP/IP, Frame Relay, Ethernet,
FTP,
HTTP and the like, is presumed, and a central processor unit or computer may
be
operated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web
pages from a
web-based server. Furthermore, any of various conventional web browsers may be
used to display and manipulate data on web pages.
[60] Those of skill in the art will recognize that, in accordance with the
disclosure, dosing
control unit 1203 may include an associated computer-readable medium
containing
instructions for controlling system 1200 and implement the exemplary
embodiments
that are disclosed herein.
[61] Dosing control unit 1203 may also include various input devices 610.
Input devices
610 may include keyboards, track balls, readers, mice, joy sticks, buttons,
and bill and
coin validators.
[62] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a system is provided
comprising a source
of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period
of time.
The system may comprise a source of a highly concentrated micro component. The
system may comprise a micro dosing device, wherein the micro dosing device may
be
configured to receive the highly concentrated micro component from the source
of the
highly concentrated micro component and dose the highly concentrated micro
component during a second period of time. The second period of time may be
less
than the first period of time, and the second period of time may overlap with
a portion
of the first period of time. The system may comprise a controller. The
controller may
be configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component
by
the micro dosing device. The system may comprise a dispenser. The dispenser
may
be configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated
micro
component dosed by the micro dosing device and the flow of the diluent.
[63] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the dispenser
may comprise a
dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle may be configured to dispense a
mixture
of the highly concentrated micro component dosed by the micro dosing device
and
the flow of the diluent in the dispenser.
[64] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may
comprise a
micro component pump. The micro component pump may be positioned upstream
-15-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
of the micro dosing device. The micro component pump may be positioned
downstream of the source of the highly concentrated micro component. The
controller may be configured to control the operation of the micro component
pump.
[65] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may
comprise a
micro component valve. The micro component valve may be positioned
downstream of the micro dosing device and upstream of the dispenser. The
controller may be configured to control the operation of the micro component
valve.
For example, the controller may be configured to control the operation of
equipment
so that the second period of time may begin at about the same time as the
first
period of time begins.
[66] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may
comprise the
source of a highly concentrated micro component that has a ratio by weight of
micro
component to a diluent of at least 1000:1. The diluent may comprise a macro
component. The diluent may comprise water.
[67] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may
comprise a
main diluent valve. The main diluent valve may be configured to provide the
diluent from the source of diluent to the dispenser. The controller may be
configured to control the operation of the main diluent valve.
[68] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may
comprise a
micro dosing device configured to receive the highly concentrated micro
component
from the source of the highly concentrated micro component, and may provide
dosing of the highly concentrated micro component during a third period of
time.
The third period of time may be less than the first period of time. The third
period
of time may overlap with a portion of the first period of time. In an aspect,
the third
period of time does not overlap with the second period of time, and the second
period of time and third period of time in combination are less than the first
period
of time. The second period of time and the third period of time may be of
substantially equal duration. The second period of time may begin at about the
same time that the first period of time begins. The third period of time may
end
before the first period of time ends.
-16-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
[69] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may
comprise an
actuator. The actuator may be configured to be actuated by a user. In an
aspect,
when a user actuates the actuator, the micro dosing device doses the highly
concentrated micro component for the second period of time.
[70] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method of
dosing is
provided. The method may comprise providing a flow of the diluent during a
first
period of time. The method may comprise dosing a highly concentrated micro
component during a second period of time. The second period of time may be
less
than the first period of time. The second period of time may overlap with a
portion
of the first period of time. The method may comprise controlling the dosing of
the
highly concentrated micro component. The method may comprise mixing of the
dosed highly concentrated micro component and the flow of the diluent to form
a
mixture. The method may comprise dispensing the mixture from the dispenser.
[71] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the method may
further
comprise dosing of the highly concentrated micro component during a third
period
of time, the third period of time being less than the first period of time.
The third
period of time may overlap with a portion of the first period of time. The
second
period of time may end before the third period of time begins, and the second
period
of time and third period of time in combination may be less than the first
period of
time. The second period of time and the third period of time may be of
substantially
equal duration. The second period of time may begin at about the same time
that
the first period of time begins. The third period of time may end before the
first
period of time ends. The method may further comprise actuating an actuator,
the
actuator configured to be actuated by a user, wherein when a user actuates the
actuator, the dosing begins of the highly concentrated micro component for the
second period of time. In an aspect, when the user stops actuating the
actuator, the
dosing of the highly concentrated micro component ends.
[72] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may
comprise a
source of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first
period
of time. The system may comprise a plurality of highly concentrated micro
component sources, each of the plurality of highly concentrated micro
component
sources having a corresponding micro component. The system may comprise a
-17-
CA 02903445 2015-08-31
WO 2014/152974 PCT/US2014/028484
plurality of micro dosing devices, each micro dosing device configured to
receive a
highly concentrated micro component from a corresponding source of highly
concentrated micro component. Each micro dosing device may be configured to
provide dosing of the highly concentrated micro component corresponding
thereto.
The system may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to
control
the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by each micro dosing
device
corresponding thereto such that at least one highly concentrated micro
component is
dosed during a second period of time, the second period of time being less
than the
first period of time, the second period of time overlapping with a portion of
the first
period of time. The system may comprise a dispenser. The dispenser may be
configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro
components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the flow of the diluent. The
system may comprise a dispensing nozzle configured to dispense a mixture of
the
highly concentrated micro components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the
flow of the at least one diluent in the dispenser.
[73] Those of skill in the art will recognize that in accordance with the
disclosure any of
the features and/or options in one embodiment or example can be combined with
any of the features and/or options of another embodiment or example.
[74] The disclosure herein has been described and illustrated with
reference to the
embodiments of the figures, but it should be understood that the features of
the
disclosure are susceptible to modification, alteration, changes or
substitution
without departing significantly from the spirit of the disclosure. For
example, the
dimensions, number, size and shape of the various components may be altered to
fit
specific applications. Accordingly, the specific embodiments illustrated and
described herein are for illustrative purposes only.
-18-
