Beverage dispense valve controlled by wireless technology

• US 10,315,907 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: Segiet, William W., Gray, Alex L., Ubidia, Fernando A., Stein, Aaron M., Lewis, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maust, Timothy L
• Application Number:
  US15/624,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20170283244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 141 86, 141 94, 141 98, 141192, 141198, 235381-3825
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0882 Devices for controlling the dispensing conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0894 for the vessel to be filled
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1279 regulating the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0074 Safety or warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0077 Electronic circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication

Abstract

Methods and systems directed to dispensing fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology are provided. Aspects relate to a beverage dispenser with a dispensing system housing, a valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing and extending from the dispensing system housing. The valve housing may be configured to dispense a beverage and include self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the valve housing. In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser has one or more additional valve housings positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing. The valve housing may be configured to dispense a beverage and include self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the valve housing.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

a beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser comprising;

a dispensing system housing; and

a valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing and extending from the dispensing system housing, the valve housing comprising;

a valve configured to dispense a beverage, and

self-contained electronics for communication between a beverage container and the beverage dispenser, the self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the valve housing,

wherein the self-contained electronics are configured to transmit and receive a signal from a container wireless transceiver, and

wherein the self-contained electronics are configured to control the operation of the beverage dispenser without contact between the beverage container and the beverage dispenser.

2. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the self-contained electronics include a circuit board.

3. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the signal includes validation data.

4. The beverage dispensing system of claim 3, wherein the self-contained electronics are configured to activate the valve based on the signal.

5. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising

a beverage container, the beverage container comprising:

a sidewall disposed around a central bottom, the central bottom being distal to an opening for receiving a beverage, and

a container wireless transceiver associated with the beverage container to communicate with the self-contained electronics.

6. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein the container wireless transceiver is configured to transmit the signal, the signal including validation data indicative that the beverage container is valid to receive a beverage and/or a position of the beverage container.

7. The beverage dispensing system of claim 5, wherein the system further comprises a valve lever to actuate the valve and dispense a beverage from the valve into the beverage container.

8. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

a beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser comprising;

a dispensing system housing;

a first valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing and extending from the dispensing system housing, the first valve housing comprising;

a first valve configured to dispense a first beverage, and

first self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the first valve housing; and

a second valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing and extending from the dispensing system housing, the second valve housing comprising;

a second valve configured to dispense a second beverage, and

second self-contained electronics disposed within an interior area of the second valve housing,

wherein the first self-contained electronics facilitate communication between a first beverage container and the beverage dispenser,

wherein the first self-contained electronics are configured to transmit and receive a signal from a container wireless transceiver associated with a first beverage container, and

wherein the first self-contained electronics are configured to activate the first valve without contact between the beverage container and the beverage dispenser.

9. The beverage dispensing system of claim 8, wherein the self-contained electronics transmit and receive a first signal, the first signal including first validation data.

10. The beverage dispensing system of claim 9, wherein the first self-contained electronics are configured to activate the first valve based on the first signal.

11. The beverage dispensing system of claim 10, wherein the second self-contained electronics facilitate communication between the container and the beverage dispenser.

12. The beverage dispensing system of claim 11, wherein the second self-contained electronics are configured to receive a second signal from a second container wireless transceiver associated with a second beverage container, the second signal including second validation data.

13. The beverage dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the second self-contained electronics are configured to activate the second valve based on the second signal.

14. A method for dispensing a beverage from a beverage dispensing system, the method comprising:

transmitting a signal from a beverage container wireless transceiver to self-contained electronics, the self-contained electronics being positioned within a valve housing that extends from and is positioned exterior to a beverage dispensing system housing, the valve housing further including a valve to dispense a beverage;

receiving the signal with the self-contained electronics; and

activating the valve based on the signal without contact between the beverage dispensing system and the beverage container.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the signal includes validation data corresponding to a beverage container associated with the beverage container wireless transceiver.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the beverage container wireless transceiver transmits the signal to the self-contained electronics when the beverage container is in close proximity to the beverage dispensing system.

17. The method of claim 14, herein the self-contained electronics continually transmits an electronic signal.