IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,913,879
Granted Patent B2
US 7,913,879 · App. 12/784,730 · Granted Mar 29, 2011

Beverage dispensing system

Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,913,879
App. No.
12/784,730
Granted
Mar 29, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

Claims (32)

1. A system for dispensing one or more products, comprising:

one or more macro-ingredients;

one or more micro-ingredients;

wherein at least one of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a reconstitution ratio of about twenty-five to one or higher;

a diluent; and

one or more pumps or metering devices in communication with the one or more macro-ingredients, the one or more micro-ingredients, and the diluent to dispense the one or more macro-ingredients, the one or more micro-ingredients, and the diluent to produce one of the products.

2. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more macro-ingredients comprise a sweetener.

3. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more macro-ingredients comprise a juice.

4. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a reconstitution ratio of about fifty to one or higher.

5. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a reconstitution ratio of about one hundred fifty to one or higher.

6. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more micro-ingredients comprise an acid and a non-acid.

7. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more micro-ingredients comprise a fluid selected from the group consisting of natural and artificial flavors, natural and artificial colors, natural and artificial sweeteners, vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, an acid, and a non-acid.

8. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more micro-ingredients comprise a plurality of non-refrigerated micro-ingredients.

9. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more products comprise one or more branded beverages.

10. The dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more products comprise one or more custom beverages.

11. The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a housing and wherein at least one of the one or more macro-ingredients comprises a position outside the housing.

12. The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a housing and wherein at least one of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a position within the housing.

13. The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a housing and wherein at least one of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a position outside the housing.

14. The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface for receiving a request for one of the products and instructing the one or more pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of the one or more micro-ingredients and the one or more macro-ingredients and/or the diluent.

15. The dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a multi-flavor dispensing valve in communication with the one or more pumps or metering devices.

16. A beverage dispensing system for dispensing a number of predetermined beverages, comprising:

a sweetener;

a diluent; and

one or more micro-ingredients;

wherein each of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a reconstitution ratio of about ten to one or higher and wherein the one or more micro-ingredients comprise a plurality of beverage micro-ingredients to produce the number of predetermined beverages when combined with the sweetener and the diluent.

17. The beverage dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a reconstitution ratio of about twenty-five to one or higher.

18. The beverage dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein each of the one or more micro-ingredients comprises a reconstitution ratio of about fifty to one or higher.

19. The beverage dispensing system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more micro-ingredients comprise an acid and a non-acid.

20. A method of dispensing a predetermined beverage type, comprising:

receiving a selection for the predetermined beverage type;

selecting a recipe of a plurality of micro-ingredients, a sweetener, and a diluent for the predetermined beverage type; and

mixing continuously the selected plurality of micro-ingredients, the sweetener, and the diluent to dispense the predetermined beverage type.

Continuity (2)
Continuation 11276550 · Mar 6, 2006
Related Publication 20100237099A1 · Sep 23, 2010