Self-monitoring, intelligent fountain dispenser

• US 6,536,626 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2002
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Newman, David R., Quartarone, Daniel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomberg, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US10/087,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/52, 222/39, 222/63, 222/129.1, 222/129.2, 222/129.3, 222/129.4
• US Class Current: 222/39
• 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. An automated fountain dispenser comprising:

a carbonator tank where water and carbon dioxide mix to produce carbonated water;

a flowmeter in fluid communication with the carbonator tank, the flowmeter being capable of monitoring the output of carbonated water from the carbonator tank;

a carbonator valve in fluid communication with the carbonator tank, wherein the carbonator valve regulates the flow of water into the carbonator tank;

an input panel for inputting a pour demand of beverage quantities; and

a controller, the controller being in electrical communication with the flowmeter, the carbonator valve, and the input panel for coordinating operation thereof.

2. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a high-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the high-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined high level; and

a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level;

wherein the controller can detect the failure of either of the high-level probe or low-level probe by determining whether the probes actually signal when the water level reaches the respective levels that would cause the probes to signal.

3. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 2, further comprising an outlet in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the controller relays an alert signal to the outlet when the at least one of the high-level probe and the low-level probe is not operating properly, and further wherein the outlet produces an alert notification in response.

4. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 3, wherein the outlet is a sound-emitting device, and further wherein the alert notification produced by the sound-emitting device is an audible message.

5. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 3, wherein the outlet is a diagnostic display, and further wherein the alert notification produced by the diagnostic display is a visual message.

6. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 3, wherein the outlet is a remote-monitoring system.

7. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 6, wherein the alert notification produced by the remote-monitoring system is an audible message.

8. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 6, wherein the alert notification produced by the remote-monitoring system is a visual message.

9. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller can maintain the level of water in the carbonator tank at a desired level by monitoring the output of carbonated water and the pour demand, and commanding, as necessary, the carbonator valve to open to allow water into the carbonator tank.

10. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 9, further comprising:

a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level.

11. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 10, wherein the controller commands the carbonator valve to open before the level of water reaches the predetermined low level and before the low-level probe can sense and signal that the level of water inside the carbonator tank has reached the predetermined low level.

12. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a high-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the high level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined high level,

wherein the controller can detect failure of the high-level probe by determining whether the probe actually signals when the water level reaches the level that would cause the probe to signal.

13. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low-level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level;

wherein the controller can detect failure of the low-level probe by determining whether the probe actually signals when the water level reaches the level that would cause the probe to signal.

14. An automated fountain dispenser comprising:

a controller;

a dispenser housing;

a carbonator tank where water and carbon dioxide mix to produce carbonated water;

a syrup valve that supplies syrup to the fountain dispenser;

a water valve that supplies the carbonated water to the fountain dispenser;

a carbonator valve that regulates the supply water to the carbonator tank;

a flowmeter in fluid communication with the carbonator tank, the flowmeter being capable of measuring the output of carbonated water from the carbonator tank; and

an input panel capable of receiving a pour demand, the input panel selected from a plurality of consumer interfaces of differing configurations, each consumer interface being selectively and removably attachable to the dispenser housing,

wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the syrup valve, the water valve, the carbonator valve, the flowmeter, and the input panel.

15. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, further comprising at least one current-sensing resistor in association with each of the syrup valve, the water valve, and the carbonator valve,

wherein each current-sensing resistor is in electrical communication with the controller.

16. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a distinct signature resistor in association with each of the plurality of consumer interfaces,

wherein the signature resistor can communicate to the controller the particular configuration of the selected consumer interface removably attached to the dispenser housing.

17. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, wherein the controller can maintain the level of water in the carbonator tank at a desired level by monitoring the output of carbonated water and the pour demand, and commanding, as necessary, the carbonator valve to open to allow water into the carbonator tank.

18. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, further comprising:

a high-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the high level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined high level; and

a low-level probe extending inside the carbonator tank, wherein the low level probe senses and signals when the level of water inside the carbonator tank reaches a predetermined low level;

wherein the controller can detect the failure of either of the high-level probe or low-level probe by determining whether the probes actually signal when the water level reaches the respective levels that would cause the probes to signal.

19. The automated fountain dispenser of claim 14, wherein the syrup valve, the water valve, and the carbonator valve each include a solenoid.