Refrigerator operable to display an image and output a carbonated beverage

• US 20060151529A1
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beverage Works, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beverage Works, Inc.
• Inventors: Crisp, Harry Lee III
• Granted Patent: US 7,356,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/129.100
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0057 Carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0858 using compression systems
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/082 arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00036 for use with or in refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0006 responsive to coded information provided on the neck or spout of the storage container, e.g. bar-code, magnets or transponder
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/023 Door in door constructions
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/803 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/06 Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A refrigerator having a housing supporting a display device. The housing is configured to support at least one drink supply container which can contain a drink syrup associated with a carbonated beverage. The refrigerator has an input device coupled to the drink supply container which enables a user to cause carbonated beverage to flow to a beverage collector.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a housing including at least one compartment, the housing configured to support at least one drink supply container which can contain a variable volume of drink syrup, the drink syrup being associated with a carbonated beverage;

at least one door supported by the housing, the door providing access to the compartment;

a display device supported by the housing;

a water supply apparatus supported by the housing;

a gas supply apparatus supported by the housing, the gas supply apparatus fluidly connected to the water supply apparatus;

at least one input device operatively coupled to the drink supply container, the input device enabling a user to provide an input;

at least one processor operatively coupled to the display device and the input device; and

a memory device accessible by the processor, the memory device storing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to;

(a) cause the display device to display at least one image;

(b) enable the user to input a request for a serving of the carbonated beverage using the input device; and

(c) cause the serving of carbonated beverage to flow to a beverage collector.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the gas supply apparatus has at least one gas container.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the image includes an image associated with the carbonated beverage, the image selected from the group consisting of text, a symbol, a drawing, artwork and a picture.

4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the memory device stores at least one instruction executable by the processor to read a beverage data file, the beverage data file including information about the carbonated beverage, the memory device stores a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to cause the display device to graphically represent at least a portion of the information.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4, which includes a data port operatively coupled to the processor, the data port operable to receive the beverage data file and store the received beverage data file in the memory device.

6. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the beverage data file read by the processor includes price information, and the memory device stores a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to cause the display device to graphically represent at least a portion of the price information.

7. The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the beverage data file read by the processor includes nutrition information, and the memory device stores a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to cause the display device to graphically represent at least a portion of the nutrition information.

8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the input device includes a touch screen operable with the display device.

9. A refrigerator comprising:

a housing including at least one compartment;

at least one door supported by the housing, the door providing access to the compartment;

a display device supported by the housing;

a drink supply container holder supported by the housing, the drink supply container holder configured to removably hold at least one drink supply container having a drink supply outlet valve, wherein the drink supply container can contain a variable volume of drink syrup, the drink syrup being usable to produce a carbonated beverage;

at least one drink supply outlet valve actuator supported by the housing and operable to actuate the drink supply outlet valve when the drink supply outlet valve is in a position to be actuated;

a water supply apparatus supported by the housing;

a gas supply apparatus supported by the housing, the gas supply apparatus fluidly connected to the water supply apparatus;

at least one input device supported by the housing, the input device enabling a user to provide an input;

a support member connected to the housing, the support member configured to support at least one beverage collector;

at least one processor operatively coupled to the display device, the drink supply outlet valve actuator and the input device; and

a memory device accessible by the processor, the memory device storing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to;

(a) cause the display device to display at least one image, the image being associated with the carbonated beverage;

(b) enable the user to input a request for a serving of the carbonated beverage using the input device; and

(c) cause the serving of carbonated beverage to flow to a beverage collector.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the gas supply apparatus has at least one gas container.

11. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the image includes an image selected from the group consisting of text, a symbol, a drawing, artwork and a picture.

12. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the memory device stores at least one instruction executable by the processor to read a beverage data file, the beverage data file including information about the carbonated beverage, the memory device stores a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to cause the display device to graphically represent at least a portion of the information.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12, which includes a data port operatively coupled to the processor, the data port operable to receive the beverage data file and store the received beverage data file in the memory device.

14. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the beverage data file read by the processor includes price information, and the memory device stores a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to cause the display device to graphically represent at least a portion of the price information.

15. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the beverage data file read by the processor includes nutrition information, and the memory device stores a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to cause the display device to graphically represent at least a portion of the nutrition information.

16. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the input device includes a touch screen operable with the display device.

17. A refrigerator comprising:

a housing including at least one compartment;

at least one door supported by the housing, the door providing access to the compartment;

a display device supported by the housing;

a drink supply container holder supported by the housing, the drink supply container holder configured to removably hold at least one drink supply container having a drink supply outlet valve, wherein the drink supply container can contain a variable volume of drink syrup, the drink syrup being usable to produce a carbonated beverage;

at least one drink supply outlet valve actuator supported by the housing and operable to actuate the drink supply outlet valve when the drink supply outlet valve is in a position to be actuated;

a water supply apparatus supported by the housing;

a gas supply apparatus supported by the housing, the gas supply apparatus fluidly connected to the water supply apparatus;

at least one input device supported by the housing, the input device enabling a user to provide an input;

a support member connected to the housing, the support member configured to support at least one beverage collector;

at least one processor operatively coupled to the display device, the drink supply outlet valve actuator and the input device; and

a memory device accessible by the processor, the memory device storing a plurality of instructions executable by the processor to;

(a) cause the display device to graphically represent information associated with the carbonated beverage;

(b) enable the user to input a request for a serving of the carbonated beverage using the input device; and

(c) cause the serving of carbonated beverage to flow to the beverage collector.

18. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the gas supply apparatus has at least one gas container.

19. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the input device includes a touch screen operable with the display device.

20. The refrigerator of claim 17, wherein the information includes information selected for the group consisting of price information, nutrition information, consumer information, flavor information and advertisement information.