Beverage dispense valve controlled by wireless technology

• US 9,708,170 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2015
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: Lewis, John F., Segiet, William W., Ubidia, Fernando A., Gray, Alex L., Stein, Aaron M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US14/968,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20160096715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 141 83, 141 94, 141 98, 141192, 141198, 235381-3825, 3405721
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0882 Devices for controlling the dispensing conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0894 for the vessel to be filled
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1279 regulating the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0074 Safety or warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0077 Electronic circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/10 with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication

Abstract

Methods and systems directed to dispensing, fluids, such as beverages, using wireless technology are provided. Aspects relate to a container, such as a beverage cup, having a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals to a second wireless transceiver associated with a dispenser. The wireless transceiver may be configured to transmit electronic signals indicative that the container is validated to receive a beverage and whether it is properly located to receive the beverage from a valve of the dispenser. Further aspects of the invention relate to a beverage dispersing system having, a wireless transceiver. In one embodiment, the dispenser is configured to receive a return signal from a container indicative that the container is validated to receive a beverage and whether the container is properly located to receive a beverage from a valve of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

at least one beverage container, the beverage container comprising;

a sidewall disposed around a central bottom, wherein the bottom is distal to an opening for receiving a beverage, and

a container wireless transceiver associated with the container; and

at least one beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser comprising;

a dispensing system housing,

a wirelessly transmitting valve extending from the dispensing system housing, the wirelessly transmitting valve being configured to dispense the beverage into the container located below the valve, the wirelessly transmitting valve including a valve wireless transceiver located in a valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing, the wireless transceiver being configured to communicate with the container wireless transceiver on the beverage container to authorize dispensing the beverage, and

a non-wirelessly transmitting valve extending from the dispensing system housing, the non-wirelessly transmitting valve being configured to dispense the beverage into the container without communicating with the container wireless transceiver.

2. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container wireless transceiver is affixed to the bottom of the container.

3. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container wireless transceiver is affixed to the sidewall of the container.

4. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container wireless transceiver is located in an impermeable layer between the sidewall and the bottom of the container, wherein the impermeable layer is not in fluid communication with the location where the beverage would be received in the opening.

5. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container wireless transceiver is configured to transmit an electronic signal indicative that the beverage container is validated to receive a beverage and whether the beverage container is properly located to receive the beverage from the valve of the drink dispenser.

6. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of wirelessly transmitting valves and a plurality of non-wirelessly transmitting valves.

7. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 6, wherein each valve housing includes self-contained electronics, wherein the self-contained electronics control the functionality of the wirelessly transmitting valve.

8. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the wirelessly transmitting valve includes a relay or electromechanical switch that turns the valve on or off based on the communication between the container wireless transceiver and the dispenser wireless transceiver.

9. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a valve lever to actuate the wirelessly transmitting valve and dispense a beverage from the wirelessly transmitting valve into the container.

10. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 9, wherein the valve wireless transceiver is located on the valve lever.

11. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 9, wherein the valve lever includes a lever backing that extends from the housing, wherein the dispenser wireless transceiver is located on the lever backing.

12. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the valve wireless transceiver is configured to receive a return signal from a compatible container indicative that the beverage container is validated to receive the beverage from the beverage dispenser and whether the beverage container is properly located to receive the beverage.

13. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the valve wireless transceiver is positioned such that upon placement of a compatible container in a location to properly receive the beverage from the wirelessly transmitting valve, the valve wireless transceiver is aligned with the container wireless transceiver of the beverage container.

14. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein when the beverage container is placed under the wirelessly transmitting valve, the valve wireless transceiver transmits a first electronic signal to the beverage container and the container wireless transceiver transmits a second electronic signal to the valve wireless transceiver to confirm proper placement under the wirelessly transmitting valve and to con firm that the beverage container is a compatible container to receive the beverage from the wirelessly transmitting valve, and wherein, upon a push button or lever actuation, the valve subsequently dispenses the beverage into the beverage container.

15. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the valve wireless transceiver transmits an electronic signal that is continually transmitted.

16. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the valve wireless transceiver and the container wireless transceiver transfer information that can be rewritten.

17. A beverage dispensing system comprising:

at least one beverage container, the beverage container comprising;

a sidewall disposed around a central bottom, wherein the bottom is distal to an opening for receiving a beverage, and

a container wireless transceiver associated with the container; and

at least one beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser comprising;

a dispensing system housing,

a wirelessly transmitting valve extending from the dispensing system housing, the wirelessly transmitting valve being configured to dispense the beverage into the container located below the valve, the wirelessly transmitting valve including a valve housing positioned exterior to the dispensing system housing, the wirelessly transmitting valve further including a backing that extends downward from the valve housing, the backing including a valve wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the container wireless transceiver on the beverage container to authorize dispensing the beverage, and

a non-wirelessly transmitting valve extending from the dispensing system housing, the non-wirelessly transmitting valve being configured to dispense the beverage into the container without communicating with the container wireless transceiver.

18. The beverage dispensing system of claim 17, wherein the valve wireless transceiver is positioned on a lower portion of the backing.

19. The beverage dispensing system of claim 17, further comprising a valve lever to actuate the wirelessly transmitting valve,

wherein pressure of the container upon the valve lever transmits a signal indicating presence of the container.