Multi-tower modular dispensing system

• US 10,227,226 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2017
• Issued: 03/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: Jersey, Steven T., Segiet, William W., Siegel, Tom, Kali, Eddie, Boggs, Joseph, Balstad, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C
• Application Number:
  US15/689,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20180044158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0016 the beverage being stored in an intermediate container before dispensing, i.e. pre-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0031 in the form of a metering pump
• 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 1/0043 Mixing devices for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0046 Mixing chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0078 Ingredient cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0081 Dispensing valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/06 Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0857 Cooling arrangements cooling systems per se F25B
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0865 by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0867 the cooling fluid being a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0877 Advertising means advertising in general G09F
• 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 2001/075 Sanitising or sterilising the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00049 Pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 : Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 : Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a dispensing system having a multi-tower modular dispensing system that includes at least a first dispensing head and a second dispensing head at a counter and a transfer unit located remotely from the counter. Piping extends from the transfer unit to the counter. The transfer unit includes a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources. The centralized ingredient system is configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the counter. The piping includes a main micro bundle that includes at least two separate beverage ingredient lines.

Claims

1. A multi-tower modular dispensing system comprising:

a first dispensing tower comprising a first dispensing head;

a second dispensing tower comprising a second dispensing head;

a transfer unit located remotely from the first and second dispensing towers and comprising a plurality of beverage ingredient sources;

a first doser unit corresponding to the first dispensing head, wherein the first doser unit is configured to receive a first beverage ingredient from the transfer unit and dose a predetermined amount of the first beverage ingredient to the first dispensing head;

a second doser unit corresponding to the second dispensing head, wherein the second doser unit is configured to receive a second beverage ingredient from the transfer unit and dose a predetermined amount of the second beverage ingredient to the second dispensing head;

a first tower micro bundle, wherein the first doser unit supplies an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient through said first tower micro bundle; and

a second tower micro bundle, wherein the second doser unit supplies an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient through said second tower micro bundle, the second tower micro bundle comprising a plurality of separate lines, with each line corresponding to a particular beverage ingredient.

2. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first doser unit and the second doser unit are located below a counter.

3. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources, the centralized ingredient system configured to supply beverage ingredients to a main micro bundle.

4. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 3, wherein the main micro bundle is operatively connected to the first tower micro bundle.

5. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising:

a centralized ingredient system located remote from both the first and second dispensing towers; and

a local ingredient system associated with the first dispensing tower.

6. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the first doser unit is configured to supply an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient for a first predetermined beverage to the first dispensing head through the first tower micro bundle, and

wherein the second doser unit is configured to supply an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient for a second predetermined beverage to the second dispensing head.

7. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the system further provides variable pricing based on a cup size.

8. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing head of the first or second tower is a legacy dispenser.

9. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a fast fill that may include systems configured to fill a beverage container from a bottom of the beverage container.

10. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the system is connected to a social media system such that a message may be sent to a counter location that queries the consumer whether the consumer would like to purchase a beverage based upon past purchase history.

11. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the beverage is dispensed based upon an RFID identifier disposed on a beverage container.

12. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a sanitizing screen display.

13. A multi-tower modular dispensing system comprising:

at least a first dispensing tower with a first dispensing head and a second dispensing tower each located at a counter;

a transfer unit located remotely from the counter and comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources of beverage ingredients and a plurality of sweeteners, wherein the centralized ingredient system is configured to supply the beverage ingredients to piping for the dispensing of a plurality of beverages at the counter;

piping extending from the transfer unit to the counter, the piping comprising a main micro bundle configured to supply the beverage ingredients to the first dispensing head and the second dispensing head, wherein the main micro bundle comprises a plurality of beverage ingredient flavor lines;

a first doser unit corresponding to the first dispensing head and a second doser unit corresponding to the second dispensing head, wherein the first doser unit is configured to receive beverage ingredients from the transfer unit, to dose a predetermined amount of the beverage ingredients to the first dispensing head, and to supply an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient for a first predetermined beverage to the first dispensing head through a first tower micro bundle, the first tower micro bundle comprising a plurality of separate lines, with at least one line corresponding to a particular beverage ingredient of the first predetermined beverage,

wherein the second doser unit is configured to receive beverage ingredients from the transfer unit, to dose a predetermined amount of the beverage ingredients to the second dispensing head, and to supply an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient for a second predetermined beverage to the second dispensing head through a second tower micro bundle, the second tower micro bundle comprising a plurality of separate lines, with at least one line corresponding to a particular beverage ingredient of the second predetermined beverage.

14. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 13, wherein at least the first dispensing head and the second dispensing head are each configured to receive at least one carbonated water line and dispense carbonated water in a predetermined amount along with the other beverage ingredients.

15. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the first dispensing head and the second dispensing head are each configured to receive at least two beverage ingredients, the at least two beverage ingredients selected from the group consisting of a flavor ingredient and an acid.

16. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the centralized ingredient system is configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the first counter and for the dispensing of a second beverage at the second counter.

17. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured to communicate with a social media system.

18. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the dispensing head of the first or second tower is a legacy dispenser.

19. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 13, wherein the beverage is dispensed based upon an RFID identifier disposed on a beverage container.

20. The multi-tower modular dispensing system of claim 13, further comprising a sanitizing screen display.