Systems and methods for tracking the composition of distilled spirits in production and storage

• US 7,801,689 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Kataria, Anjali, Ambekar, Vinay, Roy, Charu
• Primary Examiner(s): Wachsman; Hal D
• Assistant Examiner(s): O MALLEY, MARY CATHERINE
• Application Number:
  US11/824,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20080091291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 702/27, 702 30- 32, 702/130, 702155-156, 705/22, 705 28- 29, 705/413, 707/102, 707/104.1
• US Class Current: 702/27
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/146 containing alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for propagating distilled spirit composition throughout production are disclosed. The composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers is tracked. A first distilled spirit from a first container in the plurality of containers is blended with a second distilled spirit from a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit. The third distilled spirit is placed into a third container in the plurality of containers and the composition of distilled spirits in the third container is computed based on the known composition and quantities of the first distilled spirit, the second distilled spirit, and the known composition and quantities already present in third container at a time prior to placing the first and second quantities into the third container. The composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the containers is then stored.

Claims

1. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in a computer-readable memory, including instructions operable to cause data processing apparatus to:

track the composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers used in the production of a distilled spirit product;

specify a blend of a first quantity of a first distilled spirit from at least a first container in the plurality of containers with a second quantity of a second distilled spirit from at least a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit;

specify the placement of the third quantity of the third distilled spirit into at least a third container in the plurality of containers;

compute the final composition of the distilled spirits in the third container based on the known composition of the first quantity of the first distilled spirit, the known composition of the second quantity of the second distilled spirit, and the known composition in the third container at a time prior to the placement of the third quantity of the third distilled spirit into the third container;

store information about the final composition, quantity and age of the distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container;

use the stored information about the final composition, quantity and age of the distilled spirits to compute an amount of taxes owed on the distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container; and

perform compliance tasks with respect to the distilled spirits including automatically populating a plurality of forms for automatic periodic submission to a regulatory agency.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising instructions operable to cause the data processing apparatus to:

receive a hydrometer reading and a temperature reading of the first container, the second container, or the third container;

compute a true percent proof of the composition in the first container, the second container, or the third container based on the hydrometer reading and the temperature reading; and

update the composition of the first container, the second container, or the third container based on the true percent proof.

3. The computer program product of claim 2, further comprising instructions operable to cause the data processing apparatus to store the updated composition of the first container, the second container, or the third container in a database.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising instructions operable to cause the data processing apparatus to:

receive a measured volume of the first container, the second container, or the third container;

compute a correction of the measured volume; and

update a composition of the first container, the second container, or the third container based on the correction of the measured volume.

5. The computer program product of claim 4, further comprising instructions operable to cause the data processing apparatus to store the correction of the measured volume in a database.

6. The computer program product of claim 4, further comprising instructions operable to cause the data processing apparatus to access a lookup table stored in a memory, the lookup table facilitating the correction of volume as a function of true percent proof and temperature.

7. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the distilled spirits in the third container is whiskey, blended whiskey with neutral spirits, blended whisky with light whiskey, blended light whiskey, imported scotch, imported Canadian whiskey, domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under, domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof, brandy distilled at 170 proof and under, brandy distilled at over 170 proof, Puerto Rican rum, Virgin Islands rum, domestic rum, gin, vodka, a cordial, a liquor, or tequila.

8. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the instructions for tracking comprise instructions for obtaining a container equipment record from a database for each container in the plurality of containers.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein each the container equipment record is created before the instructions for tracking that container equipment record are executed.

10. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the third container is a tank, barrel, mill, pot still, cast, storage silo, high column plate still, mash tub, or quashback.

11. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the instructions for specifying a blend comprise instructions for obtaining a unit operation record from a database, the unit operation record specifying the first quantity, the first container, the second quantity, and the second container.

12. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the at least a first container is in a first plant and the at least a second container is in a second plant.

13. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising instructions operable to cause a data processing apparatus to display or output the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container, wherein outputting includes outputting to a user interface device, a monitor, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer-readable memory, or a local or remote computer system.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a central processing unit; and

a memory coupled to the central processing unit, the memory storing a module for propagating distilled spirit compositions throughout a production process, the module comprising instructions operable to cause the central processing unit perform one or more operations, the module comprising;

instructions to track the composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers used in the production of a distilled spirit product;

instructions to specify a blend of a first quantity of a first distilled spirit from at least a first container in the plurality of containers with a second quantity of a second distilled spirit from at least a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit;

instructions to specify the placement of the third quantity of the third distilled spirit into at least a third container in the plurality of containers;

instructions to compute the final composition of the distilled spirits in the third container based on the known composition of the first quantity of the first distilled spirit, the known composition of the second quantity of the second distilled spirit, and the known composition in the third container at a time prior to the placement of the third quantity of the third distilled spirit into the third container;

instructions to store information about the final composition, quantity and age of the distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container;

instructions to use the stored information about the final composition, quantity and age of the distilled spirits to compute an amount of taxes owed on the distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container; and

instructions to perform compliance tasks with respect to the distilled spirits including automatically populating a plurality of forms for automatic periodic submission to a regulatory agency.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the memory stores a database and wherein the storing step comprises storing the final composition, quantity and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container in the database.

16. The apparatus product of claim 14, further comprising instructions operable to cause the data processing apparatus to periodically generate a report comprising any combination of:

(i) amounts of distilled spirits in the plurality of containers at a beginning of a period;

(ii) amounts received;

(iii) amounts dumped as alcohol flavor;

(iv) amounts mixed with wine;

(v) amounts dumped for further processing;

(vi) gains;

(vii) amounts bottled or packaged;

(viii) amounts withdrawn without payment of tax;

(ix) amounts withdrawn for research, development, or testing;

(x) amounts destroyed;

(xi) amounts used for redistillation;

(xii) amounts lost; and

(xiii) amounts on hand at the end of the end of said period.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein amounts are in quantities of proof gallons.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein amounts are reported separately for bulk ingredients and finished product.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein amounts are reported separately for each plant number or plant location that houses a container in the plurality of containers.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the period is a day, week, month, or year.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the report includes quantities of bulk spirits that have been dumped into processing, imported, bottled, bottled in bond, bottled for export during the period.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the quantities are itemized by:

(i) alcohol and neutral spirits other than vodka;

(ii) blended straight whiskey;

(iii) blended whiskey with neutral spirits;

(iv) blended whisky with light whiskey;

(v) blended light whiskey;

(vi) all other blends of 100% whiskey;

(vii) imported scotch;

(viii) imported Canadian whiskey;

(ix) domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under;

(x) domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof;

(xi) brandy distilled at 170 proof and under;

(xii) brandy distilled at over 170 proof;

(xiii) Puerto Rican rum;

(xiv) Virgin Islands rum;

(xv) domestic rum;

(xvi) gin;

(xvii) vodka;

(xviii) cordial, liquors and specialties; and

(xiv) tequila.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the at least a third container is the at least a first container or the at least a second container.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the module further comprises instructions operable to cause the central processing unit to display or output the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container, and wherein outputting includes outputting to a user interface device, a monitor, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer-readable memory, or a local or remote computer system.

25. A method of propagating distilled spirit compositions throughout a production process, the method comprising:

tracking the composition of distilled spirits in each of a plurality of containers used in the production of a distilled spirit product;

blending a first quantity of a first distilled spirit from at least a first container in the plurality of containers with a second quantity of a second distilled spirit from at least a second container in the plurality of containers to form a third quantity of a third distilled spirit;

placing the third quantity of the third distilled spirit into at least a third container in the plurality of containers;

computing the composition of the distilled spirits in the third container based on the known composition of the first quantity of the first distilled spirit, the known composition of the second quantity of the second distilled spirit, and the known composition in the third container at a time prior to the placement of the third quantity of the third distilled spirit into the third container;

storing information about the final composition, quantity and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container;

using the stored information about the final composition, quantity, and age of distilled spirits to compute an amount of taxes owed on the distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container; and

performing compliance tasks with respect to the distilled spirits including automatically populating a plurality of forms for automatic periodic submission to a regulatory agency.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the storing step comprises storing the final composition, quantity, and age of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container in a database.

27. The method of claim 25, the method further comprising:

receiving a hydrometer reading and a temperature reading of the first container, the second container, or the third container;

computing a true percent proof of the composition in the first container, the second container, or the third container based on the hydrometer reading and the temperature reading; and

updating the composition of the first container, the second container, or the third container based on the true percent proof.

28. The method of claim 27, the method further comprising storing the true percent proof in a database.

29. The method of claim 27, the method further comprising:

receiving a measured volume of the first container, the second container, or the third container;

computing a correction of the measured volume; and

updating the composition of the first container, the second container, or the third container based on the correction of the measured volume.

30. The method of claim 29, the method further comprising storing the correction of the measured volume in a database.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the distilled spirits in the third container are whiskey, blended whiskey with neutral spirits, blended whisky with light whiskey, blended light whiskey, imported scotch, imported Canadian whiskey, domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under, domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof, brandy distilled at 170 proof and under, brandy distilled at over 170 proof, Puerto, Rican rum, Virgin Islands rum, domestic rum, gin, vodka, a cordial, a liquor, or tequila.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the tracking step comprises obtaining a container equipment record from a database for each container in the plurality of containers.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein each the container equipment record is created at a time prior to the tracking step.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the third container is a tank, barrel, mill, pot still, cast, storage silo, high column plate still, mash tub, or quashback.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein the third container is empty when the third quantity of the third distilled spirit is placed into the third container.

36. The method of claim 25, wherein the blending comprises obtaining a unit operation record that specifies the first quantity, the first container, the second quantity, and the second container.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the unit operation record is stored in a database.

38. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least a first container is in a first plant and the at least a second container is in a second plant.

39. The method of claim 25, wherein the tracking step comprises periodically generating a report comprising any combination of:

(i) amounts of distilled spirits in the plurality of containers at a beginning of a period;

(ii) amounts received;

(iii) amounts dumped as alcohol flavor;

(iv) amounts mixed with wine;

(v) amounts dumped for further processing;

(vi) gains;

(vii) amounts bottled or packaged;

(viii) amounts withdrawn without payment of tax;

(ix) amounts withdrawn for research, development, or testing;

(x) amounts destroyed;

(xi) amounts used for redistillation;

(xii) amounts lost; and

(xiii) amounts on hand at the end of the end of said period.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein amounts are in quantities of proof gallons.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein amounts are reported separately for bulk ingredients and finished product.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein amounts are reported separately for each plant number or plant location that houses a container in the plurality of containers.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the period is a day, week, month, or year.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the report includes quantities of bulk spirits that have been dumped into processing, imported, bottled, bottled in bond, and bottled for export during the period.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the quantities are itemized by:

(i) alcohol and neutral spirits other than vodka;

(ii) blended straight whiskey;

(iii) blended whiskey with neutral spirits;

(iv) blended whisky with light whiskey;

(v) blended light whiskey;

(vi) all other blends of 100% whiskey;

(vii) imported scotch;

(viii) imported Canadian whiskey;

(ix) domestic whiskey distilled at 160 proof and under;

(x) domestic whiskey distilled at over 160 proof;

(xi) brandy distilled at 170 proof and under;

(xii) brandy distilled at over 170 proof;

(xiii) Puerto Rican rum;

(xiv) Virgin Islands rum;

(xv) domestic rum;

(xvi) gin;

(xvii) vodka;

(xviii) cordial, liquors and specialties; and

(xiv) tequila.

46. The method of claim 25, further comprising displaying or outputting the composition and quantity of distilled spirits in the first container, the second container, and the third container, wherein outputting includes outputting to a user interface device, a monitor, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer-readable memory, or a local or remote computer system.