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Beverage dispensing device with freshness indicator

  • US 8,241,918 B2
  • Filed: 06/13/2007
  • Issued: 08/14/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A device for a chilled beverage, the device comprising:

  • a display for indicating a storage temperature, a maximum storage period, a freshness of the beverage, a time left until expiry of the freshness and/or a date of expiry of the freshness;

    a data input unit for recording replacement of a beverage container;

    at least one temperature sensor for measuring the storage temperature of the beverage;

    a temperature controller for adjusting a cooling temperature of a chiller;

    a data storage unit for storing a freshness profile relating freshness of a beverage to storage temperature and length of storage; and

    a signal processing unit,wherein the temperature sensor is programmed to transmit a signal regarding a current beverage storage temperature to the signal processing unit and the signal processing unit is programmed to periodically record the current storage temperature and time of storage at the recorded storage temperature and calculate at least one of the time left until expiry of the freshness of the beverage and the date of expiry of the freshness of the beverage depending on the recorded storage temperature, the period of time at the recorded storage temperature and based on the stored freshness profile, and the signal processing unit is further configured to transmit the calculated data to the display.

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