MULTI-TOWER MODULAR DISPENSING SYSTEM

• US 20160060088A1
• Filed: 11/11/2015
• Published: 03/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: JERSEY, Steven T., SEGIET, William W., SIEGEL, Tom, KALI, Eddie, BOGGS, Joseph, BALSTAD, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,764,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0016 the beverage being stored in an intermediate container before dispensing, i.e. pre-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0031 in the form of a metering pump
• 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 1/0043 Mixing devices for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0046 Mixing chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0078 Ingredient cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0081 Dispensing valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/06 Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0857 Cooling arrangements cooling systems per se F25B
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0865 by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0867 the cooling fluid being a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0877 Advertising means advertising in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0895 Heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/075 Sanitising or sterilising the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00049 Pipes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 : Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 : Hotels or restaurants

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a system including a multi-tower modular dispensing system comprising at least a first dispensing head and a second dispensing head at a counter, a transfer unit located remotely from the counter, piping extending from the transfer unit to the counter, the transfer unit comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources, the centralized ingredient system configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the counter, the piping comprising a main micro bundle, the main micro bundle comprising at least two separate beverage ingredient lines.

Claims

1. A dispensing method comprising:

providing at least a first dispensing head of a first tower at a first counter;

providing at least a second dispensing head of a second tower at a second counter, the first and second counters remote from each other;

providing a transfer unit located remotely from the first counter and the second counter, the transfer unit comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources;

providing piping extending from the transfer unit to the first counter and the second counter;

supplying from the centralized ingredient system a beverage ingredient to the piping; and

dispensing of a first beverage at the first counter according to a consumer preference communicated from a social media system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the piping is configured to supply beverage ingredients from the transfer unit to the first counter and the second counter in parallel.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a query to a consumer within a predetermined distance from the modular dispensing system to query the consumer whether the consumer would like to purchase a beverage.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the query is based upon the preference of a consumer based on one of past purchases and identified preferences.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the query is based on a geographic location of the user.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a beverage order from a consumer via the social media system or application.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

dosing a predetermined amount of the first beverage ingredient from a first doser unit corresponding to the first dispensing head through the piping from the transfer unit to the first dispensing head; and

dosing a predetermined amount of a second beverage ingredient from a second doser unit corresponding to the second dispensing head through the piping from the transfer unit to the first dispensing head.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the piping comprises a micro bundle pipe.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first doser unit and the second doser unit are located below the counter.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first doser unit supplies an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient through a first tower micro bundle, the first tower micro bundle comprising a plurality of separate lines, with each line corresponding to a particular beverage ingredient.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dispensing head and the second dispensing head are each configured to receive at least two beverage ingredients selected from a flavor ingredient and an acid.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient are the same.

13. A multi-tower modular dispensing system comprising:

at least a first dispensing head of a first tower at a first counter;

at least a second dispensing head of a second tower at a second counter, the first and second counters remote from each other;

a transfer unit located remotely from the first counter and the second counter, the transfer unit comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources;

piping extending from the transfer unit to the first counter and the second counter;

wherein the centralized ingredient system is configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the first counter and for the dispensing of a second beverage at the second counter,

wherein the system is configured to communicate with a social media system.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

wherein the system is configured to query to a consumer within a predetermined distance from the modular dispensing system to query the consumer whether the consumer would like to purchase a beverage.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the query is based upon the preference of a consumer based on one of past purchases and identified preferences.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the query is based on a geographic location of the user.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a beverage order from a consumer via the social media system or application.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the system recognizes a consumer, determines whether that consumer is eligible for a gift or a promotion, and the query is based on the gift or promotion determination.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the query is based upon a past beverage order by the consumer.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the dispensing head of the first or second tower is a legacy dispenser.