System, method, and apparatus for dispensing variable quantities of additives and controlling characteristics thereof in a beverage

• US 10,231,567 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2016
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cirkul, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lifefuels Inc. (Infuze, LLC)
• Inventors: Perrelli, Jonathon E., Wheatley, David J., Wheatley, Maxim D., Metlen, Todd, Bacon, Connor J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust, Timothy L
• Application Number:
  US15/179,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20170156540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/005 Portable or compact beverage making apparatus, e.g. for travelling, for use in automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/521 the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0001 by squeezing collapsible or flexible storage containers B67D1/0462 takes precedence
• 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 1/0017 the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0019 based on volumetric dosing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0078 Ingredient cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0871 Level gauges for beverage storage containers level indicators in general G01F
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0872 Aesthetics, advertising
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• 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 1/1247 Means for detecting the presence or absence of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0091 Component storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/082 arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/1259 Fluid level control devices
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/1263 the level being detected electrically
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00065 related to the use of drinking cups or glasses
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0012 : related to concentrate handling
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00128 : relating to outdoor use; movable; portable
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00146 : Component storage means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/292 : Light , e.g. infrared or ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2921 : for discrete levels

Abstract

Provided is a portable, self-contained beverage apparatus. The beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly.

Claims

1. A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus, comprising:

a container assembly that includes a container, the container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid;

a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly, the dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container;

the dispensing assembly including one or more apertures, each of such apertures provided to retain a vessel such that one or more vessels are provided, and

the one or more vessels respectively containing an additive, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and

a level sensor disposed within the container assembly, the level sensor for determining a plurality of liquid levels, over time, of the liquid stored in the container;

the portable, self-contained beverage apparatus further comprising;

a controller that controls the dispensing, by the dispensing assembly, of the variable, non-zero quantities of the one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container; and

wherein the controller controls the dispensing, by the dispensing assembly, of the variable, non-zero quantities of the one or more additives based on a liquid level, of the plurality of liquid levels, determined by the level sensor and the known storage capacity of the container.

2. The portable, self-contained beverage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more apertures is a plurality of apertures, and the plurality of apertures are positioned radially about the dispensing assembly.

3. The portable, self-contained beverage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more apertures is a plurality of apertures, and the plurality of apertures is constituted by three apertures.

4. The portable, self-contained beverage apparatus of claim 1, the container assembly including:

a connection portion; and

the container slidably and removably fitted to the connection portion, and the container being provided to receive the dispensing assembly adjacent an end of the container.

5. The portable, self-contained beverage apparatus of claim 1, the controller provided in the container assembly.

6. A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus, comprising:

a container assembly that includes a container, the container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid;

a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly, the dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container;

the dispensing assembly including one or more apertures, each of such apertures provided to retain a vessel such that one or more vessels are provided,

the one or more vessels respectively containing an additive, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid;

a level sensor disposed within the container assembly, the level sensor for determining a plurality of liquid levels, over time, of the liquid stored in the container; and

the portable, self-contained beverage apparatus further comprising;

a reader device that reads identification information on at least one vessel, of the one or more vessels, respectively retained in the one or more apertures, and a controller controlling the dispensing, by the dispensing assembly, based on the identification information.

7. A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus, comprising:

a container assembly that includes a container, the container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid;

a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly, the dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container;

the dispensing assembly including one or more apertures, each of such apertures provided to retain a vessel such that one or more vessels are provided,

the one or more vessels respectively containing an additive, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid;

a level sensor disposed within the container assembly, the level sensor for determining a plurality of liquid levels, over time, of the liquid stored in the container; and

the portable, self-contained beverage apparatus further comprising;

a reader device that reads identification information on at least one vessel, of the one or more vessels; and

the level sensor sensing the plurality of liquid levels over a time period, so as to input sensed levels at different times in the time period,

a controller tracking the sensed levels over the time period, and the controller tracking the quantities of the one or more additives, which are dispensed, over the time period,

a memory device storing (a) the sensed levels, and (2) the quantities of the one or more additives, which are dispensed, over the time period, and

the memory device storing the identification information of the at least one vessel, of the one or more vessels, in data association with the sensed levels and the quantities of the one or more additives.

8. A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus, comprising:

a container assembly that includes a container, the container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid;

a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly, the dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container;

the dispensing assembly including one or more apertures, each of such apertures provided to retain a vessel such that one or more vessels are provided, and

the one or more vessels respectively containing an additive, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and

a level sensor disposed within the container assembly, the level sensor for determining a plurality of liquid levels, over time, of the liquid stored in the container;

the portable, self-contained beverage apparatus further comprising;

a controller controls the dispensing, by the dispensing assembly, of the variable, non-zero quantities of the one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container; and

the controller controlling the dispensing, by the dispensing assembly, to achieve a targeted concentration of at least one of the additives, of the one or more additives, in the liquid stored in the container assembly, and the controlling is based on a liquid level, of the plurality of liquid levels, determined by the level sensor and the known storage capacity of the container.

9. A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus, comprising:

a container assembly that includes a container, the container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid;

a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly, the dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container;

the dispensing assembly including one or more apertures, each of such apertures provided to retain a vessel such that one or more vessels are provided, and

the one or more vessels respectively containing an additive, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and

a level sensor disposed within the container assembly, the level sensor for determining a plurality of liquid levels, over time, of the liquid stored in the container; and

the portable, self-contained beverage apparatus further comprising;

a controller controls the dispensing, by the dispensing assembly, of the variable, non-zero quantities of the one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container; and

the level sensor sensing the plurality of liquid levels over a time period, so as to input sensed levels at different times in the time period;

the controller tracking the sensed levels over the time period, and the controller tracking the quantities of the one or more additives, which are dispensed, over the time period; and

the apparatus further comprising a memory device storing the sensed levels over the time period, and the memory device storing the quantities of the one or more additives, which are dispensed, over the time period.

10. The portable, self-contained beverage apparatus of claim 9,

the controller controlling the dispensing by the dispensing assembly, over the time period, to maintain a targeted concentration of at least one additive, of the one or more additives, and

the controlling the dispensing, by the controller, is based on (a) the sensed levels over the time period, and (2) the quantities of the one or more additives, which are dispensed, over the time period.

11. A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus, comprising:

a container assembly that includes a container, the container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid;

a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly, the dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container;

the dispensing assembly including one or more apertures, each of such apertures provided to retain a vessel such that one or more vessels are provided, and

the one or more vessels respectively containing an additive, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and

a level sensor disposed within the container assembly, the level sensor for determining a plurality of liquid levels, over time, of the liquid stored in the container; and

wherein the one or more apertures is a plurality of apertures, and the plurality of apertures are positioned radially about the dispensing assembly; and

the dispensing assembly further including;

a gear arrangement provided proximate to at least one of the apertures, of the one or more apertures, the gear arrangement provided to create a dispensing event from a vessel, of the one or more vessels.

12. A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus, comprising:

a container assembly that includes a container, the container having a known storage capacity for storing a liquid;

a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly, the dispensing assembly dispensing variable, non-zero quantities of one or more additives into the liquid stored in the container;

the dispensing assembly including one or more apertures, each of such apertures provided to retain a vessel such that one or more vessels are provided, and

the one or more vessels respectively containing an additive, of the one or more additives, to be dispensed into the liquid; and

a level sensor disposed within the container assembly, the level sensor for determining a plurality of liquid levels, over time, of the liquid stored in the container;

wherein the one or more vessels being at least two vessels that contain different respective additives, each to be dispensed into the liquid stored in the container assembly; and

wherein each of the one or more vessels has a variable internal volume.

13. The portable, self-contained beverage apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the one or more vessels includes a one-way valve through which an additive, of the one or more additives, is dispensed into the liquid stored in the container.