Methods and systems for utilizing delayed dilution, mixing and filtration for providing customized beverages on demand

• US 6,759,072 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2000
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adam Ekonomon, Jeannette L. Knudsen, Folgers Coffee Company The (The J. M. Smucker Company)
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Gutwein, Roger William, Connor, Christopher Wade
• Primary Examiner(s): WEIER, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US09/638,704
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 426/429, 426/431, 426/435, 426/597, 426/590, 426/432, 426/430, 426/433, 426/594
• US Class Current: 426/433
• CPC Class Codes: A23F 5/243 Liquid, semi-liquid or non-dried semi-solid coffee extract preparations; Coffee gels; Liquid coffee in solid capsules A23F5/246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/40 Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/41 of liquid ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/52 Alarm-clock-controlled mechanisms for coffee- or tea-making apparatus ; Timers for coffee- or tea-making apparatus; Electronic control devices for coffee- or tea-making apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/521 the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a computer or a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/005 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

System for making and delivering a customized beverage product to a consumer having a user interface, a customization director in communication with a customization data store and the user interface, wherein the customization director includes executable instructions for determining a user'"'"'s customized formulation; and a beverage delivery system in communication with the customization director, wherein the beverage delivery system includes executable instructions for delivering a customized beverage product. Method for delivering a customized beverage product to an individual including the steps of obtaining consumer preference data; determining a consumer beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data; and providing the consumer a customized beverage corresponding to the customized beverage formulation, utilizing one or more of delayed dilution, delayed mixing, and delayed filtering, in any order.

Claims

1. A method for delivering an individually customized beverage product to an individual consumer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a customization interface (consumer interface) obtaining consumer preference data;

b) said customization interface processes said consumer preference data;

c) said customization interface communicates with a beverage delivery system;

d) said beverage delivery system delivers an individually customized beverage, based upon the consumer preference data processed by the customization interface, wherein the beverage delivery system performs one or more of the following steps, in any order;

1) customizing the dilution of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the dilution of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

2) customizing the mixing of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the mixing of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract; and

3) customizing the filtering of the beverage extract based upon an individual consumer'"'"'s preferences, and delaying the filtering of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the customization interface utilizes a Global Assimilation Customization Systems.

2. A method for delivering an individually customized beverage product to an individual consumer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a customization interface (consumer interface) obtaining consumer preference data regarding said consumer'"'"'s preferences;

b) said customization interface processes said consumer preference data;

c) said customization interface communicates with the consumer to provide an individually customized recommendation to be utilized by the consumer in selecting a suitable beverage operation from the beverage delivery system;

wherein the beverage delivery system performs one or more of the following steps, in any order;

1) customizing the dilution of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the dilution of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

2) customizing the mixing of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the mixing of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

3) customizing the filtering of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the filtering of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the consumer inputs said recommendation to the beverage delivery system.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein a customized beverage is delivered by the beverage delivery system.

5. A method for delivering an individually customized beverage product to an individual consumer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a customization interface (consumer interface) obtaining consumer preference data regarding said consumer'"'"'s preferences;

b) said customization interface processes said consumer preference data;

c) said customization interface communicates with the consumer to prove an individually customized selection identification to be utilized by the consumer in selecting a suitable beverage option from the beverage delivery system wherein the beverage delivery system performs one or more of the following steps, in any order;

1) customizing the dilution of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the dilution of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

2) customizing the mixing of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the mixing of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

3) customizing the filtering of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the filtering of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the consumer inputs said identification to the beverage delivery system.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein a customized beverage is delivered by the beverage delivery system.

8. A method for delivering an individually customized information related to beverage product options to an individual consumer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a customization interface (consumer interface) obtaining consumer preference data regarding said consumer'"'"'s preferences;

b) said customization interface processes said consumer preference data;

c) said customization interface provides customization information to the individual consumer;

wherein the beverage delivery system performs one or more of the following steps, in any order;

1) customizing the dilution of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the dilution of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

2) customizing the mixing of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the mixing of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

3) customizing the filtering of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the filtering of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract.

17. The method of claim 8 wherein the customization interface utilizes a Global Assimilation Customization Systems.

9. A method for delivering an individually customized recommendation for beverage product options to an individual consumer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a customization interface (consumer interface) obtaining consumer preference data regarding said consumer'"'"'s preferences;

b) said customization interface processes said consumer preference data;

c) said customization interface delivers the individually customized recommendation to the consumer to be utilized by the consumer in selecting a suitable beverage option from the beverage delivery system;

wherein the beverage delivery system performs one or more of the following steps, in any order;

1) customizing the dilution of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the dilution of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

2) customizing the mixing of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the mixing of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

3) customizing the filtering of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the filtering of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the consumer inputs said recommendation to the beverage supply system.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein a customized beverage is delivered by the beverage supply system.

18. The method of claim 9 wherein the customization interface utilizes a Global Assimilation Customization Systems.

12. A method for delivering an individually customized selection identification regarding beverage product options to an individual consumer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) a customization interface (consumer interface) obtaining customer preference data regarding said consumer'"'"'s preferences;

b) said customization interface processes said customer preference data;

c) said customization interface communicates with the consumer to prove an individually customized selection identification to be utilized by the consumer in selecting a suitable beverage option from the beverage delivery system;

wherein the beverage delivery system performs one or more of the following steps, in any order;

1) customizing the dilution of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the dilution of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

2) customizing the mixing of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the mixing of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract;

3) customizing the filtering of the beverage extract based upon the consumer preference data, and delaying the filtering of the beverage extract for a minimum period of about 5 minutes after the onset of brewing of the extract.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the consumer inputs said identification to the beverage delivery system.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein a customized beverage is delivered by the beverage delivery system.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the consumer is given an identification mechanism for future use with a beverage delivery system.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the customization interface utilizes a Global Assimilation Customization Systems.