Product dispensing system

• US 10,562,757 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 02/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Biasi, John J., Beavis, Russell H., Goulet, Michael J., Pribyl, Eric L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waggoner, Timothy R
• Application Number:
  US13/803,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20140107835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,532 Days
• Field of Search: 700233-243
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0036 based on the timed opening of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0892 the beverage container being stored in a rack or shelf
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/221 using electrical or electro-mechanical means B67D7/224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 3/10 Geared or lobed impeller meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 3/20 having flexible movable walls, e.g. diaphragms, bellows

Abstract

A system for controlling selection and distribution of a product in a product dispensing system. The system includes a user interface for prompting a selection and selecting the product, a machine control processor in communication with the user interface, a power distribution module connected to the machine control processor, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the system through the power distribution module.

Claims

1. A system for controlling selection and distribution of a product in a product dispensing system comprising:

a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient, the flow control device comprising;

a flow measuring device configured to provide a feedback signal based upon a volume of the first ingredient flowing within the flow control device; and

a variable line impedance configured to regulate the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, the feedback signal of the flow measuring device and the first control signal provided by the controller;

a pump module configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient;

a controller configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe, and to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe;

a user interface module for prompting a selection and selecting the product;

a machine control processor in communication with the user interface module;

a power distribution module comprising;

a power supply unit;

a power distribution control; and

an AC power switch,

wherein the power supply unit, power distribution control and the AC power switch are three separate components, and

wherein the power supply unit is connected to the machine control processor and in communication with the user interface module; and

wherein the machine control processor and power distribution module communicate with the user interface module using an Ethernet connection.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine control processor further comprising:

a microprocessor; and

a communication interface.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the machine control processor controls the distribution of the product through control of the power distribution module and a control logic subsystem.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power distribution module supplys power to the machine control processor through the power supply unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication between the machine control processor and the user interface is a wireless communication.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication between the machine control processor and the user interface is a wired communication.

7. A method for controlling selection and distribution of a product from a product dispensing system comprising:

providing a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient, the flow control device comprising;

a flow measuring device configured to provide a feedback signal based upon a volume of the first ingredient flowing within the flow control device; and

a variable line impedance configured to regulate the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, the feedback signal of the flow measuring device and the first control signal provided by the controller;

a pump module configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient;

providing a controller configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe, and to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe;

prompting a selection of the product on a user interface module;

communicating the selection from the user interface module to a machine control processor; and

dispensing the product under the control of the machine control processor and a power distribution module, the power distribution module comprising;

a power supply unit;

a power distribution control; and

an AC power switch,

wherein the power supply unit, power distribution control and the AC power switch are three separate components, and

wherein the power distribution module in communication with the user interface module, and

wherein the machine control processor and power distribution module communicate with the user interface module using an Ethernet connection.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the machine control processor further comprising:

a microprocessor; and

a communication interface.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the selection is communicated to the user interface from a wireless device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless device selects the product from the user interface using a downloaded application.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless device is a device from the group comprising a smartphone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, an MP3 player, and a tablet computer.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the selection communication from the user interface to the machine control processor is a wireless communication.