Container-less custom beverage vending invention

• US 10,000,370 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2016
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MYX Drinks LLC
• Original Assignee: Ecowell, LLC
• Inventors: Bethuy, Timothy William, David, Preston Fitzjarrell, Wiant, Matthew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Michael
• Application Number:
  US15/252,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20160368753A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 700233, 700239, 700240
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/00 Apparatus for making beverages household machines or implements for straining foodstuffs A47J19/00; preparation of non-alcoholic beverages, e.g. by adding ingredients to fruit or vegetable juices, A23L2/00; coffee or tea pots A47G19/14; tea infusers A47G19/16; brewing of beer C12C; preparation of wine or other alcoholic beverages C12G
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4403 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0025 based on volumetric dosing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0031 in the form of a metering pump
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0037 based on volumetric dosing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/004 the diluent being supplied from water mains
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0041 Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0046 Mixing chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/005 with means for converging streams
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0052 by means for directing respective streams together
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0067 Cooling coil
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0068 Cooling bath
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/07 Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0869 using solid state elements, e.g. Peltier cells
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0884 Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0895 Heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/108 of the peristaltic type
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1206 Flow detectors
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/122 modulating a pumping rate
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1231 : Metering pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1238 : comprising means for detecting the liquid level in vessels to be filled, e.g. using ultrasonic waves, optical reflexion, probes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0097 : using a pump
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00007 : for gas
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00015 : UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 : Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 : Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 : for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/10 : with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles

Abstract

Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage vending machine and its operation are described. An embedded computer interface allows consumers to create their own drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dispensed in a container. The beverages may be made from hot water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with various flavors of syrup, sweeteners and nutritional supplements. Identification may be presented and the computer recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer'"'"'s account to determine funds available and previous drink selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dispense area.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

a plurality of reservoirs holding a respective plurality of separate ingredients to be used in beverage recipes;

a user interface for selection of a user-defined custom beverage to be dispensed, based on user input indicating user preferences associated with one or more ingredients among the plurality of separate ingredients to be combined;

one or more ingredient pumps respectively connected to the plurality of reservoirs;

a controller for separately controlling each of the one or more ingredient pumps to select any combination of the plurality of separate ingredients to form one or more selected ingredients, the controller being adapted to create the custom beverage by controlling selection of certain combinations and amounts among the plurality of separate ingredients based on the user preferences received in the user input, such that, for each selected ingredient, the controller determines a predefined dosing amount to be dispensed by repeatedly measuring varying amounts of the respective ingredient amount being dispensed by using a differential pressure sensor or a pulse counter sensor until the predefined dosing amount is reached; and

a nozzle dispenser in communication with the one or more ingredient pumps for independently receiving the one more selected ingredients and mixing the one or more selected ingredients to form the custom beverage and to dispense the custom beverage.

2. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the custom beverage comprises water and at least one of one or more flavor ingredients, one or more acids, one or more sweeteners and one or more supplements held within the plurality of reservoirs.

3. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the one or more acids include at least one of citric acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid.

4. The beverage dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the one or more supplements include at least one of one or more vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, fiber, essential fatty acids, amino acids, probiotics, digestive enzymes, appetite suppressants, electrolytes, anti-acids, protein, glucosamine and chondroitin, CoQ10, curcumin, collagen, chemical extracts, brewer'"'"'s yeast, spirulina, bee pollen, royal jelly, herbs and caffeine.

5. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the custom beverage includes one or more of an alcohol or at least one of ethanol based spirits, wine, or beer.

6. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the user input is adapted for one or more of:

selecting one or more flavor ingredients,

selecting one or more ingredient varietals,

selecting relative strengths of the selected flavor ingredients,

selecting a sweetener type,

selecting a relative sweetness level of the selected sweetener type,

selecting an acid ingredient,

selecting a tartness level,

selecting one or more water choices,

selecting a temperature range of the selected water choices, and

selecting a carbonation level of the selected water choices.

7. The beverage dispensing system of claim 6, wherein the sweetener type is associated with one or more different calorie levels.

8. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the user input is a result of a user personally selecting the one or more ingredients among the plurality of separate ingredients and at least one of an amount, a concentration, a percentage or a ratio of the one or more ingredients to be used to create the custom beverage.

9. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising one or more water choices comprising a temperature range from cold to hot and a carbonation level from non-carbonated to fully carbonated selectable by a user to define the custom beverage.

10. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a memory device coupled to the controller and the user interface, wherein the user interface is in communication with the memory device to store and manage the user preferences.

11. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises an interactive display for displaying ingredient selection parameters for creating the custom beverage.

12. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls dispensing of each selected ingredient by repeatedly measuring varying amounts of the respective ingredient actually being dispensed.

13. A method for dispensing a beverage comprising:

storing a plurality of separate ingredients to be used in beverage recipes in a respective plurality of reservoirs, the plurality of reservoirs respectively connected to a plurality of ingredient pumps;

receiving, via a user interface, user input indicating selection of a user-defined custom beverage to be dispensed, the user input indicating user preferences associated with one or more ingredients among the plurality of separate ingredients to be combined;

separately controlling, by a controller, each ingredient pump to select any combination of the plurality of separate ingredients to form one or more selected ingredients, such that the custom beverage is created by the controller controlling selection of certain combinations and amounts among the plurality of separate ingredients based on the user preferences received in the user input, such that, for each selected ingredient, the controller determines a predefined dosing amount to be dispensed by repeatedly measuring varying amounts of the respective ingredient amount being dispensed by using a differential pressure sensor or a pulse counter sensor until the predefined dosing amount is reached;

independently receiving, by a nozzle dispenser in communication with the plurality of ingredient pumps, the one more selected ingredients;

mixing, within the nozzle dispenser, the one or more selected ingredients to form the custom beverage; and

dispensing, by the nozzle dispenser, the custom beverage.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the custom beverage comprises water and at least one of one or more flavor ingredients, one or more acids, one or more sweeteners and one or more supplements held within the plurality of reservoirs.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the user input is adapted for one or more of:

selecting one or more flavor ingredients,

selecting one or more ingredient varietals,

selecting relative strengths of the selected flavor ingredients,

selecting a sweetener type associated with one or more different calorie levels,

selecting a relative sweetness level of the selected sweetener type,

selecting an acid ingredient,

selecting a tartness level,

selecting one or more water choices,

selecting a temperature range of the selected water choices, and

selecting a carbonation level of the selected water choices.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the user input is a result of a user personally selecting the one or more ingredients among the plurality of separate ingredients and at least one of an amount, a concentration, a percentage or a ratio of the one or more ingredients to be used to create the custom beverage.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the user input includes selection of one or more water choices comprising a temperature range from cold to hot and a carbonation level from non-carbonated to fully carbonated to define the custom beverage.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the controller controls dispensing of each selected ingredient by repeatedly measuring varying amounts of the respective ingredient actually being dispensed.

19. A method for dispensing a beverage comprising:

storing a plurality of separate ingredients to be used in customizable beverage recipes in a respective plurality of reservoirs, the plurality of reservoirs interconnected to a dosing system for

controlling a concentration of any ingredient among the plurality of separate ingredients;

receiving, by a controller coupled to the dosing system, user input indicating user preferences for the beverage;

controlling, by the controller, responsive to the user input, the dosing system to select any combination among the plurality of separate ingredients according to the user preferences;

controlling, by the dosing system, selection of certain combinations and concentrations among the plurality of separate ingredients based on the user preferences to form one or more selected ingredients associated with the beverage, such that, for each selected ingredient, the dosing system determines a predefined dosing amount to be dispensed by repeatedly measuring varying amounts of the respective ingredient amount being dispensed by using a differential pressure sensor or a pulse counter sensor until the predefined dosing amount is reached;

independently receiving, by a dispense nozzle in communication with the dosing system, each selected ingredient associated with the beverage and water;

mixing, within the dispense nozzle, the one or more selected ingredients and the water; and

dispensing, by the dispense nozzle, the beverage mixed in the dispense nozzle.

20. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising:

dispensing, by least one outlet tube coupled to the dispense nozzle and separate from an outlet of the dispense nozzle, one or more water choices comprising a temperature range from cold to hot and a carbonation level from non-carbonated to fully carbonated selectable by a user to define the beverage.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the controlling of the selection of certain combinations and concentrations among the plurality of separate ingredients includes:

activating, for each selected ingredient, a respective ingredient pump coupled to a corresponding reservoir among the plurality of reservoirs;

measuring, for each selected ingredient, by the differential pressure sensor, a differential pressure of the respective selected ingredient when the respective ingredient pump is in operation;

determining, for each selected ingredient, by the controller, a flow rate of the corresponding selected ingredient based on the measured differential pressure; and

controlling, for each selected ingredient, by the controller, operation of the respective ingredient pump based on the flow rate with respect to the user preferences for the beverage.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the controlling of the selection of certain combinations and concentrations among the plurality of separate ingredients includes:

activating, for each selected ingredient, a respective ingredient pump coupled to a corresponding reservoir among the plurality of reservoirs;

measuring, for each selected ingredient, by the pulse counter sensor, pulses associated with rotation of the corresponding ingredient pump when the respective ingredient pump is in operation;

determining, for each selected ingredient, by the controller, a dispense amount of the corresponding selected ingredient from the respective measured pulses; and

controlling, for each selected ingredient, by the controller, operation of the respective ingredient pump based on the dispense amount with respect to the user preferences for the beverage.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the measured pulses are generated by a volume of each respective ingredient being dispensed.

24. The method of claim 19, the method further including purifying the water via at least one filter prior to directing the water to the dispense nozzle.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the purifying of the water includes:

providing a booster pump in communication with the controller and a water supply source of the water;

storing, in an accumulator tank, a reserve supply of water, the accumulator tank being in communication with an outlet of the booster pump and an inlet of the at least one filter;

measuring, by a pressure sensor in communication with an outlet of the at least one filter and the controller, a water pressure from the outlet of the at least one filter; and

controlling, by the controller, the booster pump to adjust a flow rate of the water output by the at least one filter based on at least one of the measured water pressure and an operational state of a beverage dispensing system.

26. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising cooling the water via a thermo-electric cooling (TEC) cooling system prior to transferring the water to the dispense nozzle.

27. The method of claim 26, the method further comprising carbonating the water by the TEC cooling system prior to transferring the water to the dispense nozzle.

28. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising heating the water via a heater tank prior to transferring the water to the dispense nozzle.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the dosing system controls dispensing of each selected ingredient by repeatedly measuring varying amounts of the respective ingredient actually being dispensed.