Systems and methods for tracking the composition of distilled spirits in production and storage

• US 20080091291A1
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Kataria, Anjali, Ambekar, Vinay, Roy, Charu
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/116
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/146 containing alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for propagating distilled spirit composition throughout production are disclosed. The composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers is tracked. A first distilled spirit from a first container in the plurality of containers is blended with a second distilled spirit from a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit. The third distilled spirit is placed into a third container in the plurality of containers and the composition of distilled spirits in the third container is computed based on the known composition and quantities of the first distilled spirit, the second distilled spirit, and the known composition and quantities already present in third container at a time prior to placing the first and second quantities into the third container. The composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the containers is then stored.

Claims

1. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, wherein the computer program product comprises a computer readable storage medium and a computer program mechanism embedded therein, the computer program mechanism for propagating distilled spirit compositions throughout a production process, the computer program mechanism comprising instructions for:

(i) tracking the composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers used in the production of a distilled spirit product;

(ii) specifying a blend of a first quantity of a first distilled spirit from at least a first container in the plurality of containers with a second quantity of a second distilled spirit from at least a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit;

(iii) specifying the placement of said third quantity of said third distilled spirit into at least a third container in the plurality of containers;

(iv) computing the composition of the distilled spirits in the third container based on the known composition of the first quantity of the first distilled spirit, the known composition of the second quantity of the second distilled spirit, and the known composition in the third container at a time prior to said placing step (iii); and

(v) storing the composition, quantity and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container.

44. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container is outputted to a user interface device, a monitor, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer-readable memory, or a local or remote computer system;

or the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container is displayed.

2. A computer comprising:

a central processing unit; and

a memory coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing a module for propagating distilled spirit compositions throughout a production process, the module comprising instructions for;

(i) tracking the composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers used in the production of a distilled spirit product;

(ii) specifying a blend of a first quantity of a first distilled spirit from at least a first container in the plurality of containers with a second quantity of a second distilled spirit from at least a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit;

(iii) specifying a placement of said third quantity of said third distilled spirit into at least a third container in the plurality of containers;

(iv) computing the composition of the distilled spirits in the third container based on the known composition of the first quantity of the first distilled spirit, the known composition of the second quantity of the second distilled spirit, and the known composition in the third container at a time prior to said placing step (iii); and

(v) storing the composition, quantity and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container.

3. The computer of claim 2, wherein the memory stores a database and wherein the storing step comprises storing the composition, quantity and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container in said database.

4. The computer of claim 3, the module further comprises instructions for:

receiving a hydrometer reading and a temperature reading of said first tank, said second tank, or said third tank;

computing a true percent proof of the composition in said first tank, said second tank, or said third tank based on said hydrometer reading and said temperature reading; and

updating a composition of the first tank, the second tank, or the third tank based on the true percent proof.

5. The computer of claim 4, wherein the memory stores a database and wherein the module further comprises storing the updated composition of the first tank, the second tank, or the third tank in the database.

6. The computer of claim 4, the module further comprising instructions for:

receiving a measured volume of said first tank, said second tank, or said third tank;

computing a correction of the measured volume; and

updating a composition of the first tank, the second tank, or the third tank based on the correction of the measured volume.

7. The computer of claim 6, wherein the memory further stores a database and the module further comprises storing the correction of the measured volume in the database.

8. The computer of claim 6, wherein the computing step comprises accessing a lookup table stored in said memory that corrects volume as a function of true percent proof and temperature.

9. The computer of claim 2, wherein the distilled spirits in the third container is whiskey, blended whiskey with neutral spirits, blended whisky with light whiskey, blended light whiskey, imported scotch, imported Canadian whiskey, domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under, domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof, brandy distilled at 170 proof and under, brandy distilled at over 170 proof, Puerto Rican rum, Virgin Islands rum, domestic rum, gin, vodka, a cordial, a liquor, or tequila.

10. The computer of claim 2, wherein the memory stores a database and wherein the instructions for tracking comprise instructions for obtaining a container equipment record for each container in the plurality of containers from said database.

11. The computer of claim 10, wherein each said container equipment record is created at a time prior to execution of the instructions for tracking.

12. The computer of claim 2, wherein the third container is a tank, barrel, mill, pot still, cast, storage silo, high column plate still, mash tub, or quashback.

13. The computer of claim 2, wherein the memory stores a database, and wherein the instructions for blending comprise instructions for obtaining a unit operation record from the database that specifies the first quantity, the first container, the second quantity, and the second container.

14. The computer of claim 2, wherein said at least first container is in a first plant and said at least second container is in a second plant.

15. The computer of claim 2, the module further comprising instructions for generating, on a periodic basis, a report comprising any combination of:

(i) amounts of distilled spirits in the plurality of containers at a beginning of a period;

(ii) amounts received;

(iii) amounts dumped as alcohol flavor;

(iv) amounts mixed with wine;

(v) amounts dumped for further processing;

(vi) gains;

(vii) amounts bottled or packaged;

(viii) amounts withdrawn without payment of tax;

(ix) amounts withdrawn for research, development, or testing;

(x) amounts destroyed;

(xi) amounts used for redistillation;

(xii) amounts lost; and

(xiii) amounts on hand at the end of the end of said period

16. The computer of claim 15, wherein amounts are in quantities of proof gallons.

17. The computer of claim 15, wherein amounts are reported separately for bulk ingredients and finished product.

18. The computer of claim 15, wherein amounts are reported separately for each plant number or plant location that houses a container in the plurality of containers.

19. The computer of claim 15, wherein said period is a day, week, month, or year.

20. The computer of claim 15, wherein said report includes quantities of bulk spirits that have been dumped into processing, imported, bottled, bottled in bond, bottled for export during said period.

21. The computer of claim 20, wherein said quantities are itemized by:

(i) alcohol and neutral spirits other than vodka;

(ii) blended straight whiskey;

(iii) blended whiskey with neutral spirits;

(iv) blended whisky with light whiskey;

(v) blended light whiskey;

(vi) all other blends of 100% whiskey;

(vii) imported scotch;

(viii) imported Canadian whiskey;

(ix) domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under;

(x) domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof;

(xi) brandy distilled at 170 proof and under;

(xii) brandy distilled at over 170 proof;

(xiii) Puerto Rican rum;

(xiv) Virgin Islands rum;

(xv) domestic rum;

(xvi) gin;

(xvii) vodka;

(xviii) cordial, liquors and specialties; and

(xiv) tequila.

22. The computer of claim 21 wherein the at least third container is the at least first container or the at least second container.

45. The computer of claim 2, wherein the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container is outputted to a user interface device, a monitor, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer-readable memory, or a local or remote computer system;

or the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container is displayed.

23. A method of propagating distilled spirit compositions throughout a production process, the method comprising:

(i) tracking the composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers used in the production of a distilled spirit product;

(ii) blending a first quantity of a first distilled spirit from at least a first container in the plurality of containers with a second quantity of a second distilled spirit from at least a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit;

(iii) placing said third quantity of said third distilled spirit into at least a third container in the plurality of containers;

(iv) computing the composition of the distilled spirits in the third container based on the known composition of the first quantity of the first distilled spirit, the known composition of the second quantity of the second distilled spirit, and the known composition in the third container at a time prior to said placing step (iii); and

(v) storing the composition, quantity and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the storing step comprises storing the composition, quantity, and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container in a database.

25. The method of claim 23, the method further comprising:

receiving a hydrometer reading and a temperature reading of said first tank, said second tank, or said third tank;

computing a true percent proof of the composition in said first tank, said second tank, or said third tank based on said hydrometer reading and said temperature reading; and

updating a composition of the first tank, the second tank, or the third tank based on the true percent proof.

26. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising storing the true percent proof in a database.

27. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising:

receiving a measured volume of said first tank, said second tank, or said third tank;

computing a correction of the measured volume; and

updating a composition of the first tank, the second tank, or the third tank based on the correction of the measured volume.

28. The method of claim 27, the method further comprising storing the correction of the measured volume in a database.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the distilled spirits in the third container is whiskey, blended whiskey with neutral spirits, blended whisky with light whiskey, blended light whiskey, imported scotch, imported Canadian whiskey, domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under, domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof, brandy distilled at 170 proof and under, brandy distilled at over 170 proof, Puerto, Rican rum, Virgin Islands rum, domestic rum, gin, vodka, a cordial, a liquor, or tequila.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the tracking step comprises obtaining a container equipment record for each container in said plurality of containers from a database.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein each said container equipment record is created at a time prior to said tracking step (i).

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the third container is a tank, barrel, mill, pot still, cast, storage silo, high column plate still, mash tub, or quashback.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein said third container is empty at a time prior to said placing step (iii).

34. The method of claim 23, wherein the blending step (ii) comprises obtaining a unit operation record that specifies the first quantity, the first container, the second quantity, and the second container.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the unit operation record is stored in a database.

36. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least first container is in a first plant and said at least second container is in a second plant.

37. The method of claim 23, where the tracking step comprises generating, on a periodic basis, a report comprising any combination of:

(i) amounts of distilled spirits in the plurality of containers at a beginning of a period;

(ii) amounts received;

(iii) amounts dumped as alcohol flavor;

(iv) amounts mixed with wine;

(v) amounts dumped for further processing;

(vi) gains;

(vii) amounts bottled or packaged;

(viii) amounts withdrawn without payment of tax;

(ix) amounts withdrawn for research, development, or testing;

(x) amounts destroyed;

(xi) amounts used for redistillation;

(xii) amounts lost; and

(xiii) amounts on hand at the end of the end of said period

38. The method of claim 37, wherein amounts are in quantities of proof gallons.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein amounts are reported separately for bulk ingredients and finished product.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein amounts are reported separately for each plant number or plant location that houses a container in the plurality of containers.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein said period is a day, week, month, or year.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein said report includes quantities of bulk spirits that have been dumped into processing, imported, bottled, bottled in bond, and bottled for export during said period.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said quantities are itemized by:

(i) alcohol and neutral spirits other than vodka;

(ii) blended straight whiskey;

(iii) blended whiskey with neutral spirits;

(iv) blended whisky with light whiskey;

(v) blended light whiskey;

(vi) all other blends of 100% whiskey;

(vii) imported scotch;

(viii) imported Canadian whiskey;

(ix) domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under;

(x) domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof;

(xi) brandy distilled at 170 proof and under;

(xii) brandy distilled at over 170 proof;

(xiii) Puerto Rican rum;

(xiv) Virgin Islands rum;

(xv) domestic rum;

(xvi) gin;

(xvii) vodka;

(xviii) cordial, liquors and specialties; and

(xiv) tequila.

46. The method of claim 23, wherein the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container is outputted to a user interface device, a monitor, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer-readable memory, or a local or remote computer system;

or the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container is displayed.