Self-monitoring, intelligent fountain dispenser

• US 6,364,159 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Original Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Inventors: Newman, David R., Quartarone, Daniel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomberg, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US09/562,315
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/39, 222/63, 222/129.3, 222/129.4
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0028 based on the timed opening of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0032 using flow-rate sensors
• 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 1/0074 Automatic carbonation control
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0871 Level gauges for beverage storage containers level indicators in general G01F
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1234 to determine the total amount
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00086 Selector circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00157 Level detected electrically by contact with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty

Abstract

An intelligent fountain dispenser performs automated control and systems diagnostics in real time. The intelligent fountain dispenser includes a controller in electrical communication with a syrup valve, a water valve, a carbonator valve, a water level sensor, a flowmeter, and an input panel. The intelligent fountain dispenser also includes a dispenser housing and a carbonator tank. Water and carbon dioxide mix in the carbonator tank to produce carbonated water. The carbonator valve supplies water to the carbonator tank in accordance with instructions received from the controller. The controller also instructs the syrup valve and the water valve in the supply of syrup and carbonated water, respectively, to the dispenser housing. The controller provides the instructions to the valves based on information received from the water level sensor, flowmeter, and input panel. The controller performs systems diagnostics by monitoring the voltage drop across current-sensing resistors associated with each of the valves. The controller can also perform system diagnostics based on information supplied by a signature resistor associated with the input panel.

Claims

1. A method for dispensing a fountain beverage comprising:

removably attaching a selected one of a plurality of consumer interfaces having differing configurations to a dispenser housing;

providing each of the plurality of consumer interfaces with a distinct signature resistor;

determining the particular configuration of the selected consumer interface removably attached to the dispenser housing based on information communicated between the signature resistor of the selected consumer interface; and

dispensing a fountain beverage with a controller in electrical communication with the selected consumer interface removably attached to the dispenser housing.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the selected consumer interface removably attached to the dispenser housing is operating properly based on information communicated between the signature resistor of the selected consumer interface.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

relaying an alert signal to an outlet when a determination is made the selected consumer interface removably attached to the dispenser housing is not operating properly; and

producing an alert notification in response to the alert signal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein producing an alert notification includes producing an audible message.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein producing an alert notification includes producing a visual message.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein producing an alert notification includes producing an alert notification to a remote-monitoring system.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selectively and removably connecting a plurality of different water supplies to the dispenser housing;

selectively and removably connecting a plurality of different syrup supplies to the dispenser housing; and

embedding software in the controller including a match list correlating the different water supplies and the different syrup supplies to each of the plurality of consumer interfaces.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising programming the software with an instruction set for properly installing any one of the plurality of consumer interfaces with the different water supplies and syrup supplies.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising delivering instructions with the embedded software for manually installing any one of the plurality of consumer interfaces with the different water supplies and syrup supplies.