Beverage Dispensing System

• US 20070205221A1
• Filed: 03/06/2006
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Patel, Nilang, Ziesel, Lawrence B., Carpenter, Gregg, Newman, David R., Philips, Paul A., Rudick, Arthur C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,757,896 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/129.400
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0027 control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0032 using flow-rate sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0034 for controlling the amount of each component
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0035 the controls being based on the same metering technics
• 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 1/0044 for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0051 for mixing outside the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/006 Conventional carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0085 electro-mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets

Abstract

The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

at least one macro-ingredient source;

at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser;

a diluent source;

a dispensing valve;

a plurality of pumps or metering devices positioned between the at least one macro-ingredient source, the at least one micro-ingredient source, the diluent source and the dispensing valve; and

a user interface for receiving a request for a product type and instructing the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

2. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a control device.

3. The product dispenser of claim 2, wherein the control device instructs the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for the predetermined flow rate.

4. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one macro-ingredient source comprises a macro-ingredient with a reconstitution ratio of about 3:

1 to about 6;

1.

5. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one macro-ingredient source comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of sugar syrups, HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup), and juice concentrates.

6. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one micro-ingredient source comprises a micro-ingredient with a reconstitution ratio of about 10:

1 or higher.

7. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one micro-ingredient source comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of natural and artificial flavors, natural and artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and acid and non-acid components of flavoring.

8. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the diluent source and the at least one macro-ingredient source are each in communication with one of the plurality of pumps.

9. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one micro-ingredient source is in communication with one of the plurality of metering devices.

10. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pumps or metering devices comprises a positive displacement pump.

11. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing valve comprises a multi-flavor valve.

12. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing valve comprises a flow director in communication with the at least one macro-ingredient source and the diluent source.

13. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing valve comprises a tertiary flow assembly in communication with the at least one micro-ingredient source.

14. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of product selections.

15. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of additive selections.

16. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of intensity selections.

17. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises nutritional information.

18. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a consumer data system.

19. The product dispenser of claim 18, wherein the consumer data system comprises one or more biometric sensors.

20. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the product type comprises a custom product.

21. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the product type comprises a branded product.

22. A mixer for producing a plurality of product types, comprising:

a plurality of ingredient sources positioned about the mixer;

said plurality of ingredient sources comprises ingredients with reconstitution ratios higher than about ten to one;

a diluent source;

a plurality of pumps or metering devices in communication with the plurality of ingredient sources and the diluent source; and

a user interface for receiving a request for one of the plurality of product types and instructing the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of ingredients and diluent for a predetermined flow rate.

23. A beverage dispenser for producing a plurality of beverages, comprising:

a plurality of ingredient sources positioned about the dispenser;

the plurality of ingredient sources comprising ingredients with reconstitution ratios higher than about ten to one;

a diluent source; and

a plurality of pumps or metering devices in communication with the plurality of ingredient sources and the diluent source.

24. A product dispenser, comprising:

at least one macro-ingredient source;

at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser;

a diluent source;

a dispensing valve;

a plurality of pumps or metering devices positioned between the at least one macro-ingredient source, the at least one micro-ingredient source, the diluent source and the dispensing valve; and

a user interface for receiving a request for a branded beverage and instructing the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve.