IP Library Granted Patent US 7,919,042
Granted Patent B2
US 7,919,042 · App. 12/012,500 · Granted Apr 5, 2011

Sterilization of consumable composition dispensers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,919,042
App. No.
12/012,500
Granted
Apr 5, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems for programmed dispensation of consumable compositions are provided. A method for sterilizing a beverage container may comprise: (a) detecting a sterilization status of a beverage container; and (b) controlling functionality of a controllable device according to the sterilization status. A system for sterilizing a beverage container may comprise: (a) detecting a sterilization status of a beverage container; and (b) controlling functionality of a controllable device according to the sterilization status. A method for sterilizing a beverage container may comprise: (a) detecting an identity of a consumable composition; and (b) controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition. A system for sterilizing a beverage container may comprise: (a) detecting an identity of a consumable composition; and (b) controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition.

Claims (37)

1. A method for sterilizing a consumable composition dispenser, the method comprising:

detecting an identity of a consumable composition; and

controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition, wherein the controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises: shielding at least a portion of the beverage container containing a radiation sensitive consumable composition from a radiation sterilization module.

2. A system for sterilizing a consumable composition dispenser, the system comprising:

means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition; and

means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition, wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises: means for shielding at least a portion of the beverage container containing a radiation sensitive consumable composition from a radiation sterilization module.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition further comprises:

means for detecting an identity of a radiation-sensitive consumable composition.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition further comprises:

means for detecting an identity of a chemical-sensitive consumable composition.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition further comprises:

means for detecting an identity of a heat-sensitive consumable composition.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition further comprises:

means for receiving an inputted identity of a consumable composition.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition further comprises:

means for receiving a transmitted identity of a consumable composition.

8. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises:

means for disabling at least a portion of a radiation sterilization module.

9. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises:

means for irradiating a radiation-sensitive consumable composition with a radiation sterilization module.

10. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises:

means for disabling at least a portion of a chemical sterilization module.

11. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises:

means for contacting a chemical-sensitive consumable composition with a chemical sterilization agent.

12. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises:

means for disabling at least a portion of a thermal sterilization module.

13. The system of claim 2 , wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises:

means for heating a heat-sensitive consumable composition with a thermal sterilization module.

14. A system for sterilizing a consumable composition dispenser, the system comprising:

means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition; and

means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition, wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises: means for shielding at least a portion of the beverage container containing a chemical-sensitive consumable composition from a chemical sterilization module.

15. A system for sterilizing a consumable composition dispenser, the system comprising:

means for detecting an identity of a consumable composition; and

means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition, wherein the means for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises: means for shielding at least a portion of the beverage container containing a heat sensitive consumable composition from a thermal sterilization module.

16. A system for sterilizing a consumable composition dispenser, the system comprising:

circuitry for detecting an identity of a consumable composition;

circuitry for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition, wherein the circuitry for controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition further comprises: circuitry for shielding at least a portion of the beverage container containing a radiation sensitive consumable composition from a radiation sterilization module.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2016
From: THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND I LLC
To: GEARBOX, LLC
Reel/Frame 037540/0134 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2010
From: SEARETE LLC
To: THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND I, LLC
Reel/Frame 025511/0189 →