Vessel activated beverage dispenser

• US 8,757,222 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Rudick, Arthur G., Mattos, Louis Jr., Mattos, Nilton Antonio Moreira, Zhang, Qiuchen Peter, Kolls, H. Brock
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US12/767,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20110264284A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/95, 141/198
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1236 comprising means for detecting the size of vessels to be filled
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0064 for processing of food articles cooking vessels A47J37/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/009 User recognition or proximity detection

Abstract

A product dispenser for use with a container. The product dispenser may include a container motion detector to detect the container in motion, a graphical user interface, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives a plurality of data associated with the container in motion from the container motion detector and implements instructions that perform the steps of determining the motion of the container, enabling a user to interact with the graphical user interface, and allowing the user to rotate or move the container to select a product type from the graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

a container motion detector to detect a container in motion;

a graphical user interface; and

a microprocessor

that receives data associated with the container in motion from the container motion detector and implements instructions that, in response to implementation, cause the microprocessor to determine the motion of the container, to enable a user to interact with the graphical user interface, and to permit the user to select a product type from the graphical user interface via rotation of the container or movement of the container.

2. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a radiation source, wherein the radiation source transmits radiation against the container and the container motion detector receives a reflected radiation scattered off of the container.

3. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a dispense actuator, wherein the dispense actuator activates the dispensing of a product type.

4. The product dispenser of claim 3, further comprising a user selection detector functionally coupled to the microprocessor.

5. The product dispenser of claim 4, wherein the user selection detector comprises an accelerometer.

6. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a print mechanism, wherein the print mechanism is functionally coupled to the microprocessor and orientated proximate to the container for printing indicia on the container.

7. The product dispenser of claim 6, wherein the container is coated with a radiation active ink and wherein the print mechanism prints via pixel radiation exposure, whereby the print mechanism forms one or more text and/or graphic images on the container.

8. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an indicia reader, wherein the indicia reader is functionally coupled to the microprocessor and is configured to read indicia printed on the container.

9. The product dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a digital interface, wherein the digital interface is functionally coupled to a computing platform.

10. The product dispenser of claim 9, wherein the computing platform comprises one or more an order entry system, a computer, an automated beverage system, a vending machine, or a fountain dispenser.

11. The product dispenser of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor implements instructions that, in response to implementation, cause the product type selected to be dispensed into the container.

12. A beverage dispenser, comprising:

a vessel motion detector to detect a vessel in motion;

a print mechanism; and

a microprocessor

that receives data associated with the vessel in motion from the vessel motion detector and implements instructions that, in response to implementation, cause the microprocessor to permit the user to select a beverage type via rotation of the vessel or movement of the vessel, and to instruct the print mechanism to print indicia on the vessel related to the beverage type.

13. The beverage dispenser of claim 12, further comprising a radiation source, wherein the radiation source transmits radiation against the vessel and the vessel motion detector receives a reflected radiation scattered off of the vessel.

14. The beverage dispenser of claim 12, further comprising an indicia reader, wherein the indicia reader is functionally coupled to the microprocessor and is configured to read the indicia printed on the vessel.

15. A method of dispensing beverages from a beverage dispenser, comprising:

tracking the motion of a vessel about the beverage dispenser via a vessel motion detector;

translating the motion of the vessel into movement on a graphical user interface;

receiving a beverage selection on the graphical user interface via movement of the vessel; and

dispensing a selected beverage into the vessel.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting radiation via a radiation source against the vessel, wherein a reflected radiation scattered off the vessel is received at the vessel motion detector.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining the beverage selection by actuating a dispense actuator.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising printing indicia on the vessel.