Juice dispensing system

• US 9,821,992 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2006
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Rudick, Arthur G., Newman, David R., Patel, Nilang, Phillips, Paul A., Carpenter, Gregg, Ziesel, Lawrence B.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US11/276,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,278 Days
• Field of Search: 2221292, 2221293, 2221294, 2221291, 2221451, 2221455, 2221456, 222132, 222 1, 222135, 2221445
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0025 based on volumetric dosing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0047 with movable parts, e.g. for stirring
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/07 Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds

Abstract

The present application describes a product mixing device. The product mixing device includes an ingredient combination chamber and means for agitation positioned about the ingredient combination chamber. The ingredient combination chamber includes a diluent inlet, a number of macro-ingredient inlets, a number of micro-ingredient inlets, and an outlet.

Claims

1. A product mixing system, comprising:

an ingredient combination chamber;

the ingredient combination chamber comprising a diluent inlet for a diluent, a plurality of macro-ingredient inlets for one or more macro-ingredients, a plurality of micro-ingredient inlets for a plurality of micro-ingredients, and an outlet for mixing the diluent, the one or more macro-ingredients, and the plurality of micro-ingredients therein;

wherein the micro-ingredients comprise liquid micro-ingredients with reconstitution ratios in the range of about ten to one or higher;

means for agitation positioned downstream of the ingredient combination chamber;

a plurality of pumping or metering devices in communication with the diluent inlet, the plurality of macro-ingredient inlets, and the plurality of micro-ingredient inlets to dispense continuously a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the ingredient combination chamber and the means for agitation and to dispense diluent to the ingredient combination chamber and the means for agitation to flush the ingredient combination chamber and the means for agitation;

a flush fluid flow path adapted to direct a flush fluid stream from the means for agitation to a drain; and

a flush diverter positioned downstream of the means for agitation for diverting the flush fluid stream.

2. The product mixing system of claim 1, wherein the flush diverter comprises a pivoting flow diverter positioned about the drain.

3. The product mixing system of claim 1, wherein the flush diverter comprises a linear diverter positioned about the drain.

4. The product mixing system of claim 3, wherein the linear diverter comprises a drawer operated by a solenoid.

5. The product mixing system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface.

6. The product mixing system of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of product selections.

7. The product mixing system of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of product use indicators to indicate that a product has been selected.

8. The product mixing system of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of additive selections.

9. The product mixing system of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of portion selections.

10. The product mixing system of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of intensity selections.

11. The product mixing system of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises a consumer data system.

12. The product mixing system of claim 11, wherein the consumer data system comprises a communications device.

13. The product mixing system of claim 11, wherein the consumer data system comprises a biometric sensor.

14. The product mixing stream of claim 1, wherein the flush diverter is selectively activated.

15. The product mixing stream of claim 1, wherein the flow diverter diverts the flush fluid stream from an exit tube to the drain.