Method and apparatus for providing a selectable beverage

• US 8,434,642 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2012
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Rudick, Arthur G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US13/439,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20120223096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 2221291-1294, 222/145.6, 222/132, 222/52, 222/145.5, 222/144.5, 222/145.1, 700/231, 700/237, 700/239, 700/241, 992/80
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0022 the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0036 based on the timed opening of valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0044 for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/06 Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00086 Selector circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00091 Bar management means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for providing a selectable beverage from a post-mix beverage dispenser are provided. In one embodiment, the method for providing a beverage having a separately selected color from a post-mix beverage dispensing system comprises: (a) providing at least two beverage bases for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (b) separately storing at least two colorants in the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (c) receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color with a computer processor; and (d) in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, automatically dispensing through a single faucet of the post-mix beverage dispensing system, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, the selected beverage base and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

Claims

1. A method for providing a beverage having a separately selected color from a post-mix beverage dispensing system comprising:

a. providing at least two substantially colorless beverage bases for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

b. separately storing at least two colorants in the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

c. receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color with a computer processor; and

d. in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, automatically dispensing through a dispenser, in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, the selected beverage base and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the separately selected color is selected from a range of colors that can be produced by combining the at least two colorants in various proportions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the separately selected color comprises a separately selected color having a separately selected intensity, separately selected saturation, or separately selected brightness.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the separately selected color is selected by an automated program.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the automated program is a pre-programmed recipe, a randomizing program, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

e. separately storing at least one additive in the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

f. receiving a request for at least one selected additive with the computer processor; and

g. in response to the selection of the selected beverage base, the separately selected color, and the at least one selected additive, automatically dispensing through the dispenser of the post-mix beverage dispensing system in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, the selected beverage base, at least one of the colorants, and the at least one selected additive to provide the beverage having the separately selected color and the at least one selected additive.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the at least two substantially colorless beverage bases comprises separately storing in the post-mix beverage dispensing system at least two beverage base components for forming the substantially colorless beverage bases, and wherein the step of automatically dispensing comprises automatically dispensing through the dispenser, in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, at least two of the beverage base components and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the beverage base components are selected from the group consisting of water, carbonated water, sweeteners, thickeners, dairy products, soy products, fruit products, vegetable products, food products, and combinations thereof.

9. A post-mix beverage dispensing system for providing a beverage having a separately selected color, the post-mix beverage dispensing system comprising:

a. at least two sources for providing at least two substantially colorless beverage bases for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

b. at least two colorant storage containers for separately storing at least two colorants in the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

c. a computer processor for receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color; and

d. a dispenser for automatically dispensing, in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, the selected beverage base and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

10. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 9, wherein the separately selected color is selected from a range of colors that can be produced by combining the at least two colorants in various proportions.

11. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 9, wherein the separately selected color comprises a separately selected color having a separately selected intensity, separately selected saturation, or separately selected brightness.

12. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 9, wherein the separately selected color is selected by an automated program.

13. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 12, wherein the automated program is a pre-programmed recipe, a randomizing program, or a combination thereof.

14. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 9 further comprising:

e. at least one additive storage container for separately storing at least one additive, wherein the computer processor is adapted to receive a request for at least one selected additive, and wherein the dispenser is adapted to automatically dispense, in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, in response to the selection of the selected beverage base, the separately selected color, and the at least one selected additive, the selected beverage base, at least one of the colorants, and the at least one selected additive to provide the beverage having the separately selected color and the at least one selected additive.

15. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 9, wherein the sources comprise at least two storage containers for separately storing at least two beverage base components for forming the at least two substantially colorless beverage bases, and wherein the dispenser is adapted to automatically dispense, in a predetermined ratio for any volume of beverage dispensed, at least two of the beverage base components and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the beverage base components are selected from the group consisting of water, carbonated water, sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, thickeners, dairy products, soy products, fruit products, vegetable products, food products, and combinations thereof.

17. A method for providing a beverage having a separately selected color from a post-mix beverage dispensing system comprising:

a. providing at least one uncolored beverage base for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

b. separately storing at least one colorant in the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

c. receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color with a computer processor; and

d. in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, automatically dispensing through a dispenser the selected beverage base and at least one of the at least one colorant to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the separately selected color is selected from a range of colors that can be produced by providing the at least one colorant in various proportions.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the separately selected color comprises a separately selected color having a separately selected intensity, separately selected saturation, or separately selected brightness.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the separately selected color is selected by an automated program.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the automated program is a pre-programmed recipe, a randomizing program, or a combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

e. separately storing at least one additive in the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

f. receiving a request for at least one selected additive with the computer processor; and

g. in response to the selection of the selected beverage base, the separately selected color, and the at least one selected additive, automatically dispensing through the dispenser of the post-mix beverage dispensing system, the selected beverage base, at least one of the at least one colorant, and the at least one selected additive to provide the beverage having the separately selected color and the at least one selected additive.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing the at least one uncolored beverage base comprises separately storing in the post-mix beverage dispensing system at least one beverage base component for forming the at least one uncolored beverage base, and wherein the step of automatically dispensing comprises automatically dispensing at least one of the at least one beverage base component and at least one of the at least one colorant to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one beverage base component is selected from the group consisting of water, carbonated water, sweeteners, thickeners, dairy products, soy products, fruit products, vegetable products, food products, and combinations thereof.

25. A post-mix beverage dispensing system for providing a beverage having a separately selected color, the post-mix beverage dispensing system comprising:

a. at least one source for providing at least one uncolored beverage base for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

b. at least one colorant storage container for separately storing at least one colorant in the post-mix beverage dispensing system;

c. a computer processor for receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color; and

d. a dispenser for automatically dispensing, in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, the selected beverage base and at least one of the at least one colorant to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

26. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the separately selected color is selected from a range of colors that can be produced by providing the at least one colorant in various proportions.

27. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the separately selected color comprises a separately selected color having a separately selected intensity, separately selected saturation, or separately selected brightness.

28. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the separately selected color is selected by an automated program.

29. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 28, wherein the automated program is a pre-programmed recipe, a randomizing program, or a combination thereof.

30. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 25 further comprising:

e. at least one additive storage container for separately storing at least one additive, wherein the computer processor is adapted to receive a request for at least one selected additive, and wherein the dispenser is adapted to automatically dispense, in response to the selection of the selected beverage base, the separately selected color, and the at least one selected additive, the selected beverage base, at least one of the at least one colorant, and the at least one selected additive to provide the beverage having the separately selected color and the at least one selected additive.

31. The post-mix beverage dispensing system of claim 25, wherein the source comprises at least one storage container for separately storing at least one beverage base component for forming the at least one uncolored beverage base, and wherein the dispenser is adapted to automatically dispense, at least one of the at least one beverage base component and at least one of the at least one colorant to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one beverage base component is selected from the group consisting of water, carbonated water, sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, thickeners, dairy products, soy products, fruit products, vegetable products, food products, and combinations thereof.