System and method for dispensing a liquid beverage concentrate
First Claim
1. A method for automatically preparing and dispensing a beverage product containing at least two different components, which method comprises:
- providing and retaining at least two different components in separate compartments of a single packaging assembly, wherein the components are capable of forming a beverage after being combined;
pumping the at least two different components from the separate compartments of the packaging assembly at a predetermined rate suitable for combining the at least two different components and to withdraw them from the compartments in a uniform manner relative to each other;
combining the at least two pumped components by withdrawing them from the packaging assembly and mixing them together, optionally with a diluent, in relative amounts to form a consumable beverage product; and
dispensing the consumable beverage product for consumption by a consumer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is related to a device and method for dispensing dual component liquids or concentrates packaged in separate containers to provide protection from effects such as oxidation and moisture loss. The liquids or concentrates can be dispensed through a pumping system, preferably including a peristaltic pump, mixed together, and optionally diluted with another liquid, such as water, to provide a consumable beverage. In addition, the device of the present invention can dispense liquids or concentrates having different viscosities, such that they are mixed together in the proper ratio.
113 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automatically preparing and dispensing a beverage product containing at least two different components, which method comprises:
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providing and retaining at least two different components in separate compartments of a single packaging assembly, wherein the components are capable of forming a beverage after being combined;
pumping the at least two different components from the separate compartments of the packaging assembly at a predetermined rate suitable for combining the at least two different components and to withdraw them from the compartments in a uniform manner relative to each other;
combining the at least two pumped components by withdrawing them from the packaging assembly and mixing them together, optionally with a diluent, in relative amounts to form a consumable beverage product; and
dispensing the consumable beverage product for consumption by a consumer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for improving quality of a dispensed coffee beverage containing at least two different components from a dispensation system, which method comprises:
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providing and retaining at least two different components in separate compartments of a single removable packaging assembly of the dispensation system, wherein the components are capable of forming a coffee beverage after being combined;
pumping the at least two different components from the separate compartments of the packaging assembly and combining the at least two components by mixing them together, optionally with a diluent, in relative amounts to form a consumable beverage product; and
dispensing the consumable beverage product for consumption by a consumer. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for dispensing a beverage product containing at least two different components, which method comprises:
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providing and retaining at least two different components in separate compartments of a single packaging assembly, wherein the components are capable of forming a beverage after being combined and the compartments contain relative amounts of each component, such that each compartment empties uniformly relative to the other compartment(s) at a determined rate;
combining the at least two components by withdrawing them from the packaging assembly and mixing them together, optionally with a diluent, in an addition chamber operatively associated with the compartments of the packaging assembly to form a mixture; and
dispensing the mixture as a beverage product or beverage-forming product for consumption by a consumer using a pump assembly associated with the addition chamber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification