Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BEVERAGE DISPENSE SYSTEMS WITH AUTOMATIC MIXING
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments described herein generally relate to beverage
dispensing.
Specifically, embodiments described herein relate to beverage dispense systems
with
automatic mixing.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Beverages may be offered to consumers from, for example, retail
refrigerators or
beverage dispense systems. Retail refrigerators can be deployed in a wide
variety of
settings, but can encourage wasteful packaging of containers. Some beverage
dispense
systems include sophisticated machinery with resource demands that inhibit the
application of the beverage dispense systems in some environments.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispense
system
configured to automatically mix a beverage in response to a user input. The
beverage
dispense system comprising a liquid container configured to contain a liquid
and a gas
container configured to contain a gas; a regulator connected to an opening of
the gas
container that is configured to regulate flow of the gas from the gas
container such that
the gas is supplied from the regulator at a pressure. The beverage dispense
system further
comprising a flavoring container configured to contain a flavoring and a
beverage
container selectively in fluid communication with the liquid container, the
gas container,
and the flavoring container that is configured to receive the liquid, gas, and
flavoring
respectively from the liquid container, gas container, and flavoring
container. The
beverage dispense system further comprising a controller that is configured to
automatically control flow of the liquid, the gas, and the flavoring to the
beverage
container in response to the user input to mix the liquid, gas, and flavoring
into the
beverage and an outlet configured to selectively dispense the beverage. The
regulator is
connected to each of the liquid container, the flavoring container, and the
beverage
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container and is configured to regulate the gas from the gas container to each
of the liquid
container, the flavoring container, and the beverage container at the
pressure.
[0004] Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispense
system
configured to automatically mix a beverage in response to a user input. The
beverage
dispense system comprising a liquid container configured to contain a liquid;
a gas
container configured to contain a gas; a flavoring container configured to
contain a
flavoring; and a beverage container selectively in fluid communication with
the liquid
container, the gas container, and the flavoring container that is configured
to receive the
liquid, gas, and flavoring respectively from the liquid container, gas
container, and
flavoring container. The beverage dispense system further comprising a
controller that is
configured to automatically control flow of the liquid, the gas, and the
flavoring to the
beverage container in response to the user input to mix the liquid, gas, and
flavoring into
the beverage. The beverage dispense system also comprising an outlet
configured to
selectively dispense the beverage and a cooler interposed between and the
liquid
container and the beverage container. The cooler comprises a passive heat sink
that does
not directly consume power and that is configured to cool the liquid that
flows from the
liquid container to the beverage container to a temperature.
[0005] Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage dispense
system
configured to automatically mix a beverage in response to a user input. The
beverage
dispense system comprising a liquid container configured to contain a liquid;
a gas
container configured to contain a gas; a flavoring container configured to
contain a
flavoring; and a beverage container selectively in fluid communication with
the liquid
container, the gas container, and the flavoring container that is configured
to receive the
liquid, gas, and flavoring respectively from the liquid container, gas
container, and
flavoring container. The beverage dispense system further comprising a first
valve
interposed between the fluid container and the beverage container that is
configured to
selectively control flow of the liquid from the fluid container to the
beverage container; a
second valve interposed between the gas container and the beverage container
that is
configured to selectively control flow of the gas from the gas container to
the beverage
container; a third valve interposed between the flavoring container and the
beverage
container that is configured to selectively control flow of the flavoring from
the flavoring
container to the beverage container; and an outlet configured to selectively
dispense the
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beverage. The beverage dispense system further comprising a controller
operatively
connected to the first, second, and third valves. The controller comprising a
computer
having a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that
are
executed by the computer in response to the user input to cause the computer
to open and
close the first, second, and third valves to automatically mix the beverage in
the beverage
container. The beverage container comprises a transparent material that allows
a user to
observe mixing of the liquid, gas, and flavoring into the beverage.
[0006] Some embodiments herein relate to a beverage dispense system
configured to
automatically mix a beverage in response to a user input. The beverage
dispense system
includes a liquid container configured to contain a liquid; a gas container
configured to
contain a gas; a flavoring container configured to contain a flavoring; a
beverage
container selectively in fluid communication with the liquid container and the
gas
container, the beverage container being configured to receive the liquid and
gas
respectively from the liquid container and gas container; and an outlet
fluidly connected
to the beverage container and the flavoring container, the outlet configured
to selectively
dispense the beverage. The beverage dispense system also includes a first
valve
interposed between the fluid container and the beverage container that is
configured to
selectively control flow of the liquid from the fluid container to the
beverage container; a
second valve interposed between the gas container and the beverage container
that is
configured to selectively control flow of the gas from the gas container to
the beverage
container; a third valve interposed between the flavoring container and the
outlet that is
configured to selectively control flow of the flavoring from the flavoring
container to the
outlet; and a controller operatively connected to the first, second, and third
valves. The
controller includes a computer having a non-transitory computer readable
medium
comprising instructions that are executed by the computer in response to the
user input to
cause the computer to open and close the first, second, and third valves to
automatically
mix the liquid and gas in the beverage container and to automatically dispense
the mix of
the liquid and gas and the flavoring through the outlet. The beverage
container comprises
a transparent material that allows a user to observe mixing of the liquid and
gas in the
beverage container.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the
specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the
description, further
serve to explain the principles thereof and to enable a person skilled in the
pertinent art to
make and use the same.
[0008] FIG. 1 shows schematic view of an example beverage
dispense system.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the example
beverage dispense system.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the example
beverage dispense system.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of the example
beverage dispense system.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of an example
beverage dispense system.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows schematic view of an example beverage
dispense system
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a first step of an example automatic beverage
mixing process using
the example beverage dispense system.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a second step of the example automatic beverage
mixing process
using the example beverage dispense system.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows a third step of the example automatic beverage
mixing process using
the example beverage dispense system.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a fourth step of the example automatic beverage
mixing process
using the example beverage dispense system.
[0018] FIG. 11 shows a fifth step of the example automatic beverage
mixing process
using the example beverage dispense system.
[0019] FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of an example computer of the
example beverage
dispense system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to representative
embodiments illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following
descriptions are
not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the
contrary, it is
intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be
included within
the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the claims.
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100211 Beverages can be offered to consumers in a number of ways. For
example, retail
refrigerators (e.g., vending machines) can offer chilled, premixed beverages
in bottles
Retail refrigerators are advantageous because, for example, they can be
economically
deployed in diverse retail settings, such as kiosks, small shops, large
stores, etc., to reach
a large number of consumers. Further, the beverages are high quality since the
ingredients
and production can be controlled by the beverage producer. But manufacturing
bottles for
retail refrigerators consumes materials, such as plastic and metals, which can
be wasteful.
Further, retail refrigerators can include active cooling that can be energy
intensive, which
can be costly and can inhibit the use of retail refrigerators in localities
with unreliable
and/or unaffordable power.
[0022] Beverages can also be offered to consumers from beverage
dispense systems that
can automatically mix and dispense one or more beverages on-demand, i.e., in
response
to user input such as pushing a button or pressing a lever. Beverage dispense
systems can
be advantageous because, for example, they can have smaller footprints than
retailer
refrigerators and can reduce the consumption of bottles (e.g., plastic).
[0023] But some beverage dispense systems can include sophisticated
machinery, which
can be expensive to manufacture and to maintain. Some beverage dispense
systems can
also be energy intensive, which can be costly to operate and can inhibit their
use in
localities with unreliable and/or unaffordable power. Some beverage dispense
systems
can also rely on local water supplies for mixing the beverage and/or for
cleaning the
beverage dispense systems, which can compromise beverage quality.
[0024] Embodiments discussed herein are directed to beverage dispense
systems that can
automatically mix and dispense one or more beverages on-demand with a limited
number
of moving parts, which can lower costs associated with manufacturing and
producing the
beverage dispense systems. The beverage dispense system can include a
transparent
beverage container, which can allow consumers to view the beverage mixing
process to
promote consumer engagement. The beverage dispense system can supply beverage
ingredients (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, and syrup) in a closed loop manner
to improve
beverage quality. The beverage dispense systems can include a cooler with an
insulated
compartment containing a passive heat sink (e.g., ice). Beverage dispense
systems with
such coolers can provide chilled beverages in localities with unreliable
and/or
unaffordable power. Structures of the beverage dispense system, such as
beverage
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ingredient containers, supply lines, fittings, the cooler, etc., can be highly
accessible,
which can facilitate cleaning, replenishment, and/or replacement of such
structures.
[0025] As discussed above, the beverage dispense system can supply
beverage
ingredients in a closed loop manner. That is, for beverage quality structures
that come in
contact with beverage ingredients, such as the beverage container, ingredient
containers
(e.g., liquid container, gas container, flavoring container), supply lines,
etc., can be kept
separate from other structures of the beverage dispense system that do not
come in
contact with beverage ingredients, such as electromechanical components.
[0026] The beverage container can contain the beverage ingredients
while the beverage
ingredients are mixed to form the beverage. Since the beverage container can
be
transparent, consumers can view the beverage mixing process to promote
consumer
engagement with the beverage dispense system. The beverage container can be
fluidly
connected to the ingredient containers and can selectively receive ingredients
from the
ingredient containers. In embodiments, the beverage dispense system can
include a single
beverage container for a single beverage. Alternatively, the beverage dispense
system can
include two or more beverage containers for two or more beverages. In
embodiments,
beverage container can be tube-shaped and can have two caps disposed
respectively at a
top and a bottom of the tube-shape. Beverage container can be airtight and can
include an
outlet, which may include a valve (e.g. manual or solenoid) at the bottom for
dispensing
beverage.
[0027] Embodiments of the beverage dispense system can include a liquid
container that
can supply a liquid, such as water, to the beverage container. The terms
liquid and water
can be used interchangeably throughout this description. Further, in
embodiments the
terms liquid or water can encompass water or other consumable liquids such as
milk,
juice, alcohol, etc. The liquid container can be a sealed, pressurized
container such as a
keg. The liquid container can be filled with water under the direction of the
beverage
producer to improve the quality of the beverage. The liquid container can be
interchangeable to facilitate replenishment and/or servicing of the beverage
dispense
system. Further, because the liquid container can be pressurized water can
flow through
the beverage dispense system without active pumping. The liquid container can
be fluidly
connected to a gas container, which can pressurize the liquid container.
Additionally or
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alternatively, the beverage dispense system can include a pump that can pump
the water
throughout the beverage dispense system.
[0028] Embodiments of the beverage dispense system can include a
flavoring container
that can supply a flavoring, such as syrup, to the beverage container. The
terms flavoring
and syrup can be used interchangeably throughout this description. Further, in
embodiments the terms flavoring or syrup can encompass any substance (with or
without
flavor) that can be added to the liquid for a given beverage including syrups,
concentrates,
vitamins, proteins, nutrients, etc. The flavoring container can be a sealed,
pressurized
container such as a bottle. The flavoring container can be filled with
flavoring under the
direction of the beverage producer to improve the quality of the beverage. The
flavoring
container can be interchangeable to facilitate replenishment and/or servicing
of the
beverage dispense system. Further, because the flavoring container can be
pressurized
flavoring can flow through the beverage dispense system without active
pumping. The
flavoring container can be fluidly connected to the gas container, which can
pressurize the
flavoring container. Additionally or alternatively, the beverage dispense
system can
include a pump that can pump the flavoring throughout the beverage dispense
system.
[0029] As discussed above, embodiments of the beverage dispense system
can include a
gas container that can supply a gas, such as carbon dioxide, to the beverage
dispense
system. The terms gas and carbon dioxide can be used interchangeably
throughout this
description. Further, in embodiments the terms gas or carbon dioxide can
encompass any
consumable gas that can be added to the liquid for a given beverage including,
for
example, nitrogen. The gas container can be a sealed, pressurized container
such as a
tank. The gas container can be filled with gas under the direction of the
beverage
producer to improve the quality of the beverage The gas container can be
interchangeable
to facilitate replenishment and/or servicing of the beverage dispense system.
Further,
because the gas container can be pressurized, gas can flow through the
beverage dispense
system without active compression. The gas container can include a regulator
to regulate
the pressure of the gas expelled from the gas container. The same gas
container with the
regulator can be fluidly connected to the liquid container, the flavoring
container, and/or
the beverage container and can supply the gas to the liquid container, the
flavoring
container, and/or the beverage container at the same regulated pressure. This
can simplify
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production and maintenance of the beverage dispense system and can reduce the
costs of
the beverage dispense system.
[0030] Embodiments of the beverage dispense system can include a cooler
that can cool
the water from the liquid container. The cooler can, for example, be an
insulated
container with an insulated lid that contains a passive heatsink, such as ice.
The insulated
lid can be opened and ice can be loaded into the insulated container. The
insulated lid can
be closed after the ice is loaded and can seal the insulated container to
limit heat transfer
with the environment surrounding the insulated container. A liquid supply
line, which can
include a stainless steel coil, can be disposed in a bottom of the insulated
container below
the ice to cool water that flows through the liquid supply line. The liquid
supply line can
have a surface area exposed to the interior of the insulated container of a
magnitude
sufficient for the ice to cool the water to less than 4 C.
[0031] Embodiments of the beverage dispense system can include a
housing. Housing
can hold various structures of the beverage dispense system including, for
example, the
beverage container, gas container, flavoring container, cooler, a controller,
a drip tray etc.
Structures within the housing can be arranged in an accessible manner so that
the
structures can be easily serviced, replenished, replaced, etc. Housing can
include cutouts
so that ingredient levels, for example in a transparent flavoring container,
can be visually
observed and monitored. Housing can also include indicia, such as logos,
trademarks,
etc., to indicate for example the type of beverages available and/or to
indicate the identity
of the beverage producer.
[0032] Embodiments of the beverage dispense system can include a
controller that can
automatically control the beverage mixing in response to user input. The
controller can
automatically control the beverage mixing using time-based logic the opens and
closes
valves of the beverage dispense system in a particular order for a particular
period of
time. For example, a user can initiate the automatic mixing of the beverage by
pushing a
button. After the user pushes the button, the controller can open a valve fit
to the liquid
supply line to supply water from the pressurized liquid container, which can
be chilled by
the cooler between the liquid container and the beverage container. The
controller can
open the valve fit to the liquid supply line for a period of time, based on a
flowrate of the
water, to control the amount of water supplied to the beverage container
(e.g., to about
two-thirds capacity of the beverage container).
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100331 Once the controlled amount of water is supplied to the beverage
container, the
controller can close the valve fit to the liquid supply line to stop flow of
the water to the
beverage container. The controller can then open a valve fit to a gas supply
line to supply
carbon dioxide to the beverage container from the regulated gas container at
the regulated
pressure. As the carbon dioxide passes through the water in the beverage
container, the
controller can open a valve fit to a flavoring supply line to supply the
flavoring to the
beverage container from the pressurized flavoring container. The controller
can open the
valve fit to the flavoring supply line for a period of time, based on a
flowrate of the
flavoring, to control the amount of flavoring added to the water in the
beverage container
(e.g., to a 1:5 flavoring to water ratio). After the controlled amount of
flavoring is
supplied to the beverage container, the controller can close the valve fit to
the flavoring
supply line. The controller can close the valve fit to the gas supply line,
for example after
the valve fit to the flavoring supply line is closed, to terminate the flow of
carbon dioxide
to the beverage container. The controller can close the valve fit to the gas
supply line after
a period of time, based on a flowrate of the carbon dioxide, to control the
amount of
carbon dioxide supplied to the beverage container. The beverage can then be
dispensed
from the outlet of the beverage container, for example, by opening a valve
manually or
automatically via the controller.
[0034] These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference
to FIGS. 1-10.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description
given herein
with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not
be construed
as limiting. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary or clear from context,
the features
of and relationships between like structures of any disclosed beverage
dispense systems
can apply to any other disclosed beverage dispense systems
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an example beverage dispense
system 100 that
can automatically mix a beverage in response to a user input, such as for
example pushing
a button. Beverage dispense system 100 can include a liquid container 102
(e.g., a keg
with, for example, a 10L or 20L capacity) that can contain a liquid, such as
water.
Beverage dispense system 100 can include a gas container 104 (e.g., a 60L
tank) that can
contain a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and can include a regulator 106 that
can regulate
flow of the gas from the gas container such that the gas is supplied from the
regulator at a
pressure. Beverage dispense system 100 can include a flavoring container 108
(e.g., a 0.5
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L bottle) configured to contain a flavoring, such as syrup. Beverage dispense
system 100
can include a beverage container 110 selectively in fluid communication with
liquid
container 102, gas container 104, and flavoring container 108. Beverage
container 110
can be air tight and can receive the liquid, gas, and flavoring respectively
from liquid
container 102, gas container 104, and flavoring container 108 to form the
beverage. In
embodiments, beverage container 110 can comprises a transparent material that
allows a
user to observe mixing of the liquid, gas, and flavoring into the beverage
within beverage
container 110. This can allow consumers to view the beverage mixing process to
promote
consumer engagement with the beverage dispense system 100. In embodiments,
beverage
container 110 can be tube-shaped and can have two caps disposed respectively
at a top
and a bottom of the tube-shape. Beverage dispense system 100 can include an
outlet 112
that can selectively dispense the beverage from the beverage container 110.
Beverage
dispense system 100 can include a controller 114 that can automatically
control flow of
the liquid, the gas, and the flavoring to beverage container 110 in response
to the user
input to mix the liquid, gas, and flavoring into the beverage.
[0036] Regulator 106 can be fluidly connected to each of liquid
container 102, flavoring
container 108, and beverage container 110 and can regulate the pressure of the
gas from
gas container 104 supplied to liquid container 102, flavoring container 108,
and/or
beverage container 110. Regulator 106 can simplify the operation of beverage
dispense
system 100 by performing multiple functions, which can reduce the number of
moving
parts in beverage dispense system 100 and lower costs associated with
manufacturing and
maintenance. For example, regulator 106 can be fluidly connected to liquid
container 102
via a first gas supply line 116, to flavoring container 108 via a second gas
supply line
118, and to beverage container 110 via a third gas supply line 120 By suppling
gas to
liquid container 102 and/or flavoring container 108 at pressure, regulator 106
can
pressurize liquid container 102 and/or flavoring container 108 to promote flow
of the
respective liquid and/or flavoring to beverage container 110. By supplying gas
to
beverage container 110 at a regulated pressure, regulator 106 can supply gas
at a regular
flowrate and controller 114 can use the regular flow rate to supply a
controlled amount of
gas, as discussed below.
[0037] In embodiments, regulator 106 can regulate the pressure of gas
supplied to liquid
container 102 without intervening control of the gas between regulator 106 and
liquid
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container 102. Additionally or alternatively, regulator 106 can regulate the
pressure of gas
supplied to flavoring container 108 without intervening control of the gas
between
regulator 106 and flavoring container 108. This can simplify the beverage
dispense
system 100 by limiting the number of moving parts.
[0038] In embodiments, beverage dispense system 100 can include a
cooler 122 that can
cool liquid supplied to beverage container 110. For example, cooler 122 can be
interposed
between liquid container 102 and beverage container 110 to cool the liquid
that flows
from liquid container 102 to beverage container 110 to a temperature. Cooler
122 can be
an insulated compartment and can have an insulated lid that provides access to
an interior
of the insulated compartment. Beverage dispense system 100 can include a
liquid supply
line 124 that supplies liquid from liquid container 102 to beverage container
110. Liquid
supply line 124 can extend through the insulated compartment of cooler 122 and
liquid
flowing through liquid supply line 124 can exchange heat through liquid supply
line 124
to the cooler 122 to cool the liquid. In embodiments, cooler 122 can include a
passive
heat sink 123 that does not directly consume power, which can help beverage
dispense
system 100 offer chilled beverages in localities with unreliable and/or
unaffordable
power. Passive heat sink 123 can be, for example, ice or other cold material.
Additionally
or alternatively, passive heat sink 123 can include a plate (e.g., of metal)
that can promote
even heat transfer between liquid supply line 124 and passive heat sink 123.
[0039] Cooler 122 can cool liquid entering the cooler 122 at a first
temperature to a
second temperature as the fluid exits cooler 122. The first temperature can be
for example
between 28 C and 35 C and the second temperature can be for example less
than 4 C.
In embodiments, the liquid can be water that can flow through liquid supply
line 124 at
known flowrate Liquid supply line 124 can have a surface area 125 (e g ,
including a coil
shaped portion of liquid supply line 124) exposed to the interior of the
insulated
compartment. Surface area 125 can be of a magnitude sufficient to transfer
heat from the
water to the passive heat sink (e.g., ice) to cool the water that enters
cooler 122 from fluid
container 102 at the first temperature and at the flowrate to the second
temperature as the
water exits the cooler 122 on its way to beverage container 110. In
embodiments, liquid
supply line 124 can have insulation between exit of cooler 122 and beverage
container
110 reduce heat transfer between the liquid in the liquid supply line 124 and
the
environment to keep liquid cool.
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[0040] Beverage dispense system 100 can include one or more fittings
that fluidly
connect various structures. For example, beverage dispense system 100 can
include a first
fitting 126 that fluidly connects liquid supply line 124 to beverage container
110 so that
liquid can flow from liquid supply line 124 into beverage container 110. First
fitting 126
can be provided at a top or a bottom of container 110. Beverage dispense
system 100 can
include a second fitting 128 that fluidly connects third gas supply line 120
to beverage
container 110 so that gas can flow from third gas supply line 120 to beverage
container
110. Second fitting 128 can be provided at a top or a bottom of beverage
container 110. In
embodiments, second fitting 128 is provided at a top of beverage container 110
and an
extension line is provided from the top to the bottom of beverage container
110 such that
gas is supplied from the bottom of beverage container 110. Suppling gas at the
bottom of
beverage container 110 (e.g., with second fitting 128 at the bottom of
beverage container
110 or via an extension line) can promote, for example, carbonization of
beverage by
increasing the exposure of the gas to the liquid in beverage container 110.
Beverage
dispense system 100 can include a third fitting 130 that fluidly connects a
flavoring
supply line 132 to beverage container 110 so that flavoring can flow from
flavoring
supply line 132 to beverage container 110. Third fitting 130 can be provided
at a top or a
bottom of beverage container 110.
[0041] In embodiments, third fitting 130 is provided at a bottom of
beverage container
110. Alternatively, third fitting 130 can be provided at a top of beverage
container 110
and an extension line can be provided from the top to the bottom of beverage
container
110 such that flavoring is supplied from the bottom of beverage container 110.
Suppling
flavoring at the bottom of beverage container 110 (e.g., with third fitting
130 at the
bottom of beverage container 110 or via an extension line) can promote, for
example,
mixing of the beverage by increasing the exposure of the flavoring to the
liquid in
beverage container 110. Flavoring supply line 132 can be fluidly connected to
flavoring
container 108 and can supply flavoring from flavoring container 108 to
beverage
container 110.
[0042] Any or all of first, second, and third fittings 126, 128, 130
can respectively include
first, second, and third valves that selectively open and close openings
within the
respective first, second, and third fittings 126, 128, 130 to selectively
control flow of fluid
to beverage container 110. For example, first fitting 126 can include a first
valve
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interposed between fluid container 102 and beverage container 110, which is
configured
to selectively control flow of liquid from fluid container 102 to beverage
container 110.
Second fitting 128 can include a second valve interposed between gas container
104 and
beverage container 110, which is configured to selectively control flow of gas
from gas
container 104 to beverage container 110. Third fitting 130 can include a third
valve
interposed between flavoring container 108 and beverage container 110, which
is
configured to selectively control flow of flavoring from flavoring container
108 to
beverage container 110. Controller 114 can be operatively connected to any of
the valves
of the first, second, and third fittings 126, 128, 130 and can selectively
open and close any
of the valves in response to user input to automatically mix the beverage in
beverage
container 110.
[0043] In embodiments, outlet 112 can include a fourth valve that can
selectively open
and close to dispense beverage from beverage container 110. The fourth valve
can be
operatively connected to controller 114 and controller 114 can automatically
open the
fourth valve to dispense the beverage after the liquid, gas, and flavoring are
mixed into
the beverage in beverage container 110. Additionally or alternatively, fourth
valve can be
manually opened (e.g., with a lever) by the user to manually dispense beverage
from
beverage container 110.
[0044] Structures of the beverage dispense system 100 can be housed
together in a
housing 134. Housing 134 can house, for example, any or all of beverage
container 110,
gas container 104, flavoring container 108, cooler 122, controller 114, a drip
tray 136
located below outlet 112 for collecting beverage that drips from outlet 112,
outlet 112,
first, second, and third fittings 126, 128, 130, liquid supply line 124,
regulator 106, first
gas supply line 116, second gas supply line 118, third gas supply line 120,
flavoring gas
supply line 132, among others. Structures of beverage dispense system 110
housed in
housing 134 can be arranged in an accessible manner so that the structures can
be easily
serviced, replenished, replaced, etc. Housing 134 can also include indicia,
such as logos,
trademarks, etc., to indicate for example the type of beverages available
and/or to indicate
the identity of the beverage producer.
[0045] In embodiments, any or all structures of beverage dispense
system 100 that come
in contact with beverage ingredients can include smooth inner surfaces that
can be easily
cleaned. Additionally or alternatively, any or all structures of beverage
dispense system
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100 that come in contact with beverage ingredients can be flushed for cleaning
periodically with, e.g., water and/or carbon dioxide. Additionally or
alternatively, any or
all structures of beverage dispense system 100 that come in contact with
beverage
ingredients between containers (i.e., fluid container 102, gas container 104,
flavoring
container 108, and beverage container 110) and outlet 112 can be provided in a
closed
loop that is sealed from the external environment to prevent unwanted
substances from
mixing with and/or contaminating the beverage.
[0046] In embodiments, any or all of liquid container 102, gas
container 104, and
flavoring container 108 can be refillable and/or replaceable by a beverage
producer.
Accordingly, beverage producer can maintain control over beverage ingredients
and
beverage dispense system 100 can produce high quality beverages.
[0047] In embodiments, beverage dispense system 100 can include a
single beverage
container 110 and a single flavoring container 108 for producing a single
beverage.
Alternatively, beverage dispense system 100 can include more than one beverage
container 110 respectively associated with a flavoring container 108 for
producing
multiple beverages one in each respective beverage container 100. For example,
beverage
dispense system 100 can include two beverage containers 110 and two flavoring
containers 108, each beverage container 110 being associated with one of the
two
flavoring containers 108 such that beverage dispense system 100 can dispense
multiple
beverages, one from each beverage container 110.
[0048] FIGS. 2-4 show perspective views of the example beverage
dispense system 100.
In embodiments, housing 134 can be provided on a countertop 138. Liquid supply
102
can be provided on a floor 140 adjacent to countertop 138. Housing can include
cutouts
142 so that ingredient levels, for example in a transparent flavoring
container 108, can be
visually observed and monitored. Housing 134 can include an access panel 144
(e.g., at a
rear of housing 134) to provide access to structures of beverage dispense
system 100, as
shown in FIG. 3.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 4, cooler 122 can include an insulated lid 146
and an insulated
container 148. Insulated lid 146 can seal and selectively provide access to
insulated
container 148, for example for replenishing insulated container 148 with ice.
Surface area
125 of liquid supply line 124 can include a coil shape disposed at a bottom of
insulated
container 148 to provide an increased surface area relative to a straight
supply line.
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[0050] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of beverage dispense
system 100. In this
embodiment, a single beverage container 110 is present, with outlet 112 being
positioned
adjacent to beverage container 100 such that both beverage container 110 and
outlet 112
are aligned horizontally. Drip tray 136 is positioned immediately below
beverage
container 110 and outlet 112 to capture drips from outlet 110. In this
embodiment, outlet
112 is the automatic version that does not require user control (e.g., from a
lever) to
dispense the beverage. As discussed above, controller 114 controls the
dispensing of
beverage from outlet 112. The remaining elements present in FIG. 5 are
identical to the
elements discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2-4.
[0051] FIGS. 7-11 respectively show steps of an example automatic
beverage mixing
process using the example beverage dispense system 100. For this example
automatic
beverage mixing process, the beverage is comprised of water, carbon dioxide,
and syrup.
But the example automatic beverage mixing process can involve mixing of any
fluids,
gases, and flavorings discussed herein. The process can begin at a first step,
as shown in
FIG. 7, at which a user can input a beverage selection into controller 114.
For example,
controller 114 can include a user interface 115 that can have a button for
each beverage
that beverage dispense system 100 can automatically mix. The user input can
involve
pushing the button to initiate automatic mixing of the beverage associated
with the button.
[0052] At a second step of the process, as shown in FIG. 8, controller
114 can control the
supply of water to beverage container 110. For example, controller 114 can
open the first
valve in first fitting 126 to control flow of water from liquid container 102
to beverage
container 110. Controller 114 can control the amount of water supplied to
beverage
container 110 by, for example, opening the first valve in first fitting 126
for a first period
of time The first period of time can be set based upon the flowrate of water
from liquid
container 102 to beverage container 110 such that a controlled amount of water
can be
supplied to beverage container 110. Controller 114 can cause first valve of
first fitting
126 to open for the first period of time and can cause the first valve of the
first fitting 126
to close after expiration of the first period of time. Because the first
period of time can be
set based upon the flowrate of water, controller 114 can control the amount
(i.e., to the
controlled amount) of water supplied to beverage container 110. In
embodiments, first
fitting 126 can be disposed at a top of beverage container 110 such that water
can be
supplied from the top of beverage container 110. Alternatively, first fitting
126 can be
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disposed at a bottom of beverage container 110 such that the water can be
supplied from
the bottom of beverage container 110.
[0053] At a third step of the process, as shown in FIG. 9, controller
114 can control the
supply of carbon dioxide to beverage container 110. For example, controller
114 can open
the second valve in second fitting 128 to control flow of carbon dioxide from
gas
container 104 to beverage container 110. Controller 114 can control the amount
of carbon
dioxide supplied to beverage container 110 by, for example, opening the second
valve in
second fitting 128 for a second period of time. The second period of time can
be set based
upon the flowrate of carbon dioxide from gas container 104 to beverage
container 110
such that a controlled amount of carbon dioxide can be supplied to beverage
container
110. Controller 114 can cause second valve of second fitting 128 to open for a
second
period of time and can cause the second valve of the second fitting 128 to
close after
expiration of the second period of time. Because the second period of time can
be set
based upon the flowrate of carbon dioxide, controller 114 can control the
amount (i.e., to
the controlled amount) of carbon dioxide supplied to beverage container 110.
In
embodiments the second period of time can begin after expiration of the first
period of
time such that carbon dioxide flows into beverage container 110 after all
water has been
supplied to beverage container 110, which can improve carbonization of the
beverage by
increasing the amount of water exposed to the carbon dioxide.
[0054] In embodiments, second fitting 128 can be disposed at a bottom
of beverage
container 110 such that carbon dioxide is dispensed from the bottom of
beverage
container 110 or an extension line can be provided to supply carbon dioxide at
the bottom
of the beverage container 110. This arrangement can improve carbonization of
the
beverage since the carbon dioxide rises through the water from the bottom to
the top of
beverage container 110 after being supplied to beverage container 110 thereby
maximizing the exposure of the carbon dioxide to the water and dissolution
therein.
[0055] In embodiments, controller 114 can control flow of the gas at
the pressure from
regulator 106 to beverage container 110, but does not control flow of the gas
at the
pressure from regulator 106 to liquid container 102. Additionally or
alternatively,
controller 114 can control flow of the gas at the pressure from regulator 106
to beverage
container 110, but does not control flow of the gas at the pressure from
regulator 106 to
flavoring container 108. Instead, gas flows from regulator 106 to liquid
container 102
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and/or flavoring container 108 without active control, which can simplify the
beverage
dispense system 100 by, for example, limiting the number of moving parts.
[0056] At third step of the process, as shown in FIG. 10, controller
114 can control the
supply of the syrup to beverage container 110. For example, controller 114 can
open the
third valve in third fitting 130 to control flow of syrup from flavoring
container 108 to
beverage container 110. Controller can control the amount of syrup supplied to
beverage
container 110 by, for example, opening the third valve in third fitting 130
for a third
period of time. The third period of time can be set based upon the flowrate of
syrup from
flavoring container 108 to beverage container 110 such that a controlled
amount of syrup
can be supplied to beverage container 110. Controller 114 can cause third
valve of third
fitting 130 to open for the third period of time and can cause the third valve
of the third
fitting 130 to close after expiration of the third period of time. Because the
third period of
time can be set based upon the flowrate of syrup, controller 114 can control
the amount
(i.e., to the controlled amount) of syrup supplied to beverage container 110.
In
embodiments, controller 114 can open the third valve of third fitting 130
after expiration
of the first period of time and during the second period of time. This
arrangement can
improve mixing of the syrup in the water since the supply of the carbon
dioxide in the
water can agitate the water and improve mixing of the syrup during the supply
of the
syrup.
[0057] At a fourth step of the process, as shown in FIG. 11, the mixed
beverage can be
dispensed from outlet 112 into for example a cup. In embodiments, a user can
manually
open the fourth valve of outlet 112 using for example a manual lever.
Alternatively,
controller 114 can automatically open fourth valve of outlet 112 after
completion of the
mixing of the beverage (e.g. after expiration of the second period of time)
[0058] A modified example of an automatic beverage mixing process
proceeds in a
similar manner as discussed immediately above. However, in this example
process,
instead of routing flavoring from flavoring container 108 to beverage
container 110, the
flavoring is routed directly to outlet 112. Controller 114 is configured to
synchronize the
flow of flavoring to outlet 110 with the flow of the combined liquid and
carbon dioxide
from beverage container 110. The flavoring and combined liquid and carbon
dioxide meet
at outlet 112, which is configured to mix the flavoring and carbonated liquid
as it is
dispensed from outlet 112. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the
modification made
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to the schematic of FIG. 1 to accommodate this example process. Specifically,
as shown
in FIG. 6, line 130 is routed directly to nozzle 112, instead of to beverage
container 110.
Fitting 130 (and corresponding third valve) is also moved to outlet 112.
Controller 114
can control the flow of flavoring to outlet 112 in the same manner as it
controls the
flavoring flow to beverage container 110 in the embodiment discussed above. In
some
embodiments of this modified process, controller 114 is configured to supply
gas to
beverage container 110 before it supplied liquid to beverage container 110. In
this
instance, the first period of time and the second period of time discussed
above with
respect to opening the first and second valves can be reversed (i.e., the
second valve
controlling gas flow is opened first, before the first valve controlling
liquid flow). This
can lengthen the mixing time of the gas and liquid and improve the resulting
carbonation
of the liquid.
[0059] As discussed previously, beverage dispense system 100 can
include controller
114. FIG. 12 illustrates an example computer 1000, aspects of which can be
incorporated
into embodiments of controller 114.
[0060] In embodiments, computer 1000 can be implemented as computer-
readable code.
If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commercially
available
processing platform or a special purpose device. One of ordinary skill in the
art may
appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced
with various
computer configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems,
minicomputers,
and mainframe computers, computer linked or clustered with distributed
functions, as
well as pervasive or miniature computers that can be embedded into virtually
any device.
[0061] For instance, at least one processor device and a memory can be
used to
implement the above described embodiments_ A processor device can be a single
processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof. Processor
devices may have
one or more processor "cores."
[0062] Various embodiments of the inventions can be implemented in
terms of this
example computer 1000. After reading this description, it will become apparent
to a
person skilled in the relevant art how to implement one or more of the
inventions using
other computers or computer architectures. Although operations can be
described as a
sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in
parallel,
concurrently, or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored
locally or
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remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. In addition, in
some
embodiments the order of operations can be rearranged without departing from
the spirit
of the disclosed subject matter.
[0063] Processor 1004 can be a special purpose or a general purpose
processor device. As
will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, processor 1004 may
also be a
single processor in a multi-core/multiprocessor system, such system operating
alone, or in
a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm.
Processor 1004 is
connected to a communication infrastructure 1006, for example, a bus, message
queue,
network, or multi-core message-passing scheme.
[0064] Computer 1000 can include a main memory 1008, for example,
random access
memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 1010. Secondary memory
1010 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1012, or removable storage
drive 1014.
Removable storage drive 1014 may include a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape
drive, an
optical disk drive, a flash memory, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, or the
like. The
removable storage drive 1014 reads from or writes to a removable storage unit
1018 in a
well-known manner. Removable storage unit 1018 may include a floppy disk,
magnetic
tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by and written to by removable storage
drive 1014.
As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art, removable
storage unit 1018
includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer
software or
data.
[0065] Computer 1000 may include a display interface 1002 (which can
include input and
output devices such as keyboards, mice, etc.) that forwards graphics, text,
and other data
from communication infrastructure 1006 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for
display
on a display unit 1030
[0066] In implementations, secondary memory 1010 may include other
similar means for
allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer
1000. Such
means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 1022 and an interface
1020.
Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface
(such as
that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM,
or
PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 1022 and
interfaces
1020 which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable
storage unit
1022 to computer 1000.
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[0067] Computer 1000 may also include a communication interface 1024.
Communication interface 1024 allows software and data to be transferred
between
computer 1000 and other devices, such as communication between control 114 and
valves
of beverage dispense system 100, or between remote device used to initiate
dispensing
without directly contacting dispenser. Communication interface 1024 may
include a
modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, a
PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via
communication
interface 1024 can be in the form of signals, which can be electronic,
electromagnetic,
optical, or other signals capable of being received by communication interface
1024.
These signals can be provided to communication interface 1024 via a
communication
path 1026. Communication path 1026 carries signals and can be implemented
using wire
or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or
other
communication channels.
[0068] Computer 1000 can include a non-transitory computer readable
medium, a
computer program medium, a computer usable medium, etc., such as removable
storage
unit 1018, removable storage unit 1022, and a hard disk installed in hard disk
drive 1012.
Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memories,
such as main memory 1008 and secondary memory 1010, which can be memory
semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.).
[0069] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) or
databases are stored in
main memory 1008 or secondary memory 1010. Computer programs may also be
received via communication interface 1024. Such computer programs, when
executed,
enable computer 1000 to implement the embodiments as discussed herein. In
particular,
the computer programs, when executed, enable processor 1004 to implement the
processes of the embodiments discussed here. Accordingly, such computer
programs
represent controllers of computer 1000. Where the embodiments are implemented
using
software, the software can be stored in a computer program product and loaded
into
computer 1000 using removable storage drive 1014, interface 1020, and hard
disk drive
1012, or communication interface 1024.
[0070] Embodiments of the inventions also can be directed to computer
program products
comprising software stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, when
executed in one or more data processing device, causes a data processing
device(s) to
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operate as described herein. Embodiments of the inventions may employ any
computer
useable or readable medium. Examples of computer useable mediums include, but
are not
limited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory),
secondary
storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD RUMS, ZIP disks, tapes,
magnetic
storage devices, and optical storage devices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage
device,
etc.).
[0071] In an embodiment of a beverage dispense system configured to
automatically mix
a beverage in response to a user input, the beverage dispense system includes
a liquid
container configured to contain a liquid; a gas container configured to
contain a gas;
a flavoring container configured to contain a flavoring; a beverage container
selectively in fluid communication with the liquid container and the gas
container, the
beverage container being configured to receive the liquid and gas respectively
from the
liquid container and gas container; an outlet fluidly connected to the
beverage container
and the flavoring container, the outlet configured to selectively dispense the
beverage;
a first valve interposed between the fluid container and the beverage
container that
is configured to selectively control flow of the liquid from the fluid
container to the
beverage container; a second valve interposed between the gas container and
the beverage
container that is configured to selectively control flow of the gas from the
gas container to
the beverage container; a third valve interposed between the flavoring
container and the
outlet that is configured to selectively control flow of the flavoring from
the flavoring
container to the outlet; and a controller operatively connected to the first,
second, and
third valves, the controller comprising a computer having a non-transitory
computer
readable medium comprising instructions that are executed by the computer in
response
to the user input to cause the computer to open and close the first, second,
and third
valves to automatically mix the liquid and gas in the beverage container and
to
automatically dispense the mix of the liquid and gas and the flavoring through
the outlet,
wherein the beverage container comprises a transparent material that allows a
user to
observe mixing of the liquid and gas in the beverage container.
[0072] In a further embodiment of a beverage dispense system, the
instructions that are
executed by the computer in cause the computer to open the second valve for a
second
period of time to cause the gas to flow from the gas container to the beverage
container
and close the second valve after expiration of the second period of time.
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[0073] In a further embodiment of a beverage dispense system, the
instructions that are
executed by the computer cause the computer to open the first valve, after
expiration of
the second period of time, for a first period of time to cause the liquid to
flow from the
liquid container to the beverage container and mix with the gas in the
beverage container
and close the first valve after expiration of the first period of time.
[0074] A further embodiment of a beverage dispense system includes a
fourth valve
fluidly connected to the beverage container and the outlet and operatively
connected to
the controller, wherein the instructions cause the computer to open the third
valve, after
expiration of the first period of time and during the second period of time,
for a third
period of time to cause the flavoring to flow from the flavoring container to
the outlet,
and wherein the instructions further cause the computer to open the fourth
valve
simultaneously with the third valve to allow the mix of gas and liquid in the
beverage
container to flow to the outlet.
[0075] In a further embodiment of a beverage dispense system, the
computer comprises a
button that provides an interface between the user and the computer and the
user input
comprises a push of the button.
[0076] In a further embodiment of a beverage dispense system, the
outlet is configured to
mix the liquid and gas from the beverage container with the flavoring from the
flavoring
container to create the beverage.
[0077] It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section,
and not the Summary
and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The
Summary and
Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments
of the
present invention(s) as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not
intended to limit
the present invention(s) and the appended claims in any way.
[0078] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so
fully reveal the
general nature of the invention(s) that others can, by applying knowledge
within the skill
of the art, readily modify or adapt for various applications such specific
embodiments,
without undue experimentation, and without departing from the general concept
of the
present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are
intended to be
within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments,
based on the
teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the
phraseology or
terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation,
such that the
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terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted
by the skilled
artisan in light of the teachings and guidance herein.
[0079] References to "an embodiment," "embodiments," etc., indicate
that the
embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic, but
every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,
structure, or
characteristic. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described
in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the
knowledge of one
skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other
embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
[0080] The breadth and scope of the present invention(s) should not be
limited by any of
the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in
accordance
with the following claims and their equivalents.
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