IP Library Granted Patent US 9,809,437
Granted Patent B2
US 9,809,437 · App. 14/641,013 · Granted Nov 7, 2017

Internet-enabled beverage maker

Inventor: Francis X. Tansey, Jr. (Manalapan, NJ)
Assignee: Fountain Master, LLC
B67D1/0021A23L2/54A47J31/44A47J31/4492B65D47/2031B65D75/5811B65D75/5883B67D1/0001B67D1/0015B67D1/0051B67D1/0057B67D1/0058B67D1/0071B67D1/0078B67D1/0079B67D1/0085B67D1/0462B67D1/0801B67D1/0809B67D1/0857B67D1/0858B67D1/0869B67D1/0884B67D1/0888B67D1/10B67D1/101G06Q30/0269A23V2002/00B65D1/0238B65D1/095B65D35/28B65D35/285B65D75/5822B65D75/5855B67D2001/0811
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,809,437
App. No.
14/641,013
Granted
Nov 7, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A home beverage dispensing device for dispensing servings of a beverage, having a vessel for holding a volume of liquid. This vessel may be equipped with a refrigeration unit, or may be comprised of a removable pitcher that may be put in an external refrigerator. This invention is equipped with a radio communications controller to provide for the ability to communicate over radio frequencies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. The mixing structure also receives the optionally chilled liquid from vessel for holding a volume of liquid, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.

Claims (65)

1. A method comprising the steps of:

providing, a single serve home beverage dispensing device configured to retain at least one single serve flexible beverage pouch,

wherein said device is capable of receiving a volume of liquid, optionally carbonating said liquid, and

said device is equipped with at least one sensor, a mixing nozzle, and a controller for connecting to the internet;

said device comprising:

a vessel for holding a volume of a liquid;

a main unit comprising:

a head compartment;

a main unit housing enveloping said main unit;

a bottom;

a system for carbonating said liquid; and

a source of CO 2 ;

placing, a receptacle under the nozzle attached to a dispensing head;

combining a predetermined amount of consumable by applying pressure on and rupturing a seal of said at least one single serve flexible beverage pouch with the volume of liquid;

operating, the device, in a manner where said at least one sensor is triggered to create at least one item of information;

transmitting, via the internet, information acquired by said at least one sensor to an external server; and

transferring, said information acquired by said at least one sensor to a customer database.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is operated such that said liquid is pumped through the home beverage dispensing device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor is selected from the group of: CO 2 sensor, a QR code sensor, temperature sensor, or a water level sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said customer database contains information about a user selected from the group of: customer ID, name, address, phone, email, password, SKU info, pending orders, previous orders, and quantity.

5. A method comprising the steps of:

providing, a single serve home beverage dispensing device,

wherein said device is capable of receiving a volume of liquid, optionally carbonating said liquid, and

said device comprising:

a vessel for holding a volume of a liquid;

a main unit comprising:

a head compartment;

a main unit housing enveloping said main unit;

a bottom;

a system for carbonating said liquid;

at least one sensor;

a source of CO 2 ; and

a controller for connecting to the internet;

combining a predetermined amount of consumable by applying pressure on at least one single serve flexible beverage pouch with the volume of liquid;

operating, the device, in a manner where the sensor is triggered to create at least one item of information;

transmitting, information obtained by said at least one sensor to an internet-enabled electronic device;

viewing, via a software application, said information obtained by said at least one sensor on said internet-enabled electronic device.

6. A single serve home beverage dispensing device, comprising:

a vessel for holding a volume of a liquid;

a main unit comprising:

a head compartment, having a mechanism for applying pressure on and rupturing a seal of at least one single serve flexible beverage pouch;

a main unit housing substantially enveloping said main unit;

a bottom;

a system for carbonating said liquid;

at least one sensor;

a source of CO 2 ; and

a controller for connecting to the internet.

7. The single serve home beverage dispensing device of claim 6 further comprising:

a pump, for transferring said liquid between said vessel for holding a volume of liquid, said system for carbonating said liquid, and into a vessel located outside said home beverage dispensing device.

8. The single serve home beverage dispensing device of claim 5 , further comprising a mixing nozzle affixed to said head compartment, the mixing nozzle having a beverage concentrate inlet and a mixing liquid inlet,

wherein said beverage concentrate inlet is located in an inner portion of said mixing nozzle in relation to said mixing liquid inlet, and

wherein a beverage concentrate is configured to be mixed with a mixing liquid below said mixing nozzle.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

transmitting, information obtained by said at least one sensor to an internet-enabled electronic device;

viewing, via a software application, said information obtained by said at least one sensor on said internet-enabled electronic device.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said information is utilized for determining a user's average usage of the device and assessing said user's need for more of said predetermined amount of consumable.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said liquid is carbonated.

12. The method of claim 5 , wherein said liquid is carbonated.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of notifying a user to purchase more consumables.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the operation of the home beverage dispenser device results in a carbonated liquid being present in the vessel for holding a volume of liquid.

15. The method of claim 5 , wherein the operation of the home beverage dispenser device results in a carbonated liquid being present in the vessel for holding a volume of liquid.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the optional step of:

transmitting, via the internet, information to said home beverage dispensing device by said external server.

17. The device of claim 6 , wherein said vessel for holding a volume of liquid is removable.

18. The device of claim 6 , wherein said vessel for holding a volume of liquid further comprises a refrigeration system.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: TANSEY, FRANCIS X., JR.
To: FOUNTAIN MASTER, LLC
Reel/Frame 037461/0553 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation In Part 14620423 · Feb 12, 2015
Division 13604825 · Sep 6, 2012
Provisional Application 61532692 · Sep 9, 2011
Provisional Application 61581722 · Dec 30, 2011
Related Publication 20150183627A1 · Jul 2, 2015