IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,757,896
Granted Patent B2
US 7,757,896 · App. 11/276,550 · Granted Jul 20, 2010

Beverage dispensing system

Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,757,896
App. No.
11/276,550
Granted
Jul 20, 2010
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 (43)

1. A product dispenser system, comprising:

at least one macro-ingredient source with at least one macro-ingredient therein;

at least one micro-ingredient source with at least one micro-ingredient therein having a reconstitution ratio of about 10:1 or higher positioned about the dispenser;

a diluent source;

a dispensing valve;

a plurality of pumps or metering devices positioned between the at least one macro-ingredient source, the at least one micro-ingredient source, the diluent source and the dispensing valve; and

a user interface for receiving a request for a product type and instructing the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense continuously a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

2. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a control device.

3. The product dispenser system of claim 2 , wherein the control device instructs the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense the predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for the predetermined flow rate.

4. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one macro-ingredient source comprises a macro-ingredient with a reconstitution ratio of about 3:1 to about 6:1.

5. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one macro-ingredient source comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of sugar syrups, HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup), and juice concentrates.

6. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one micro-ingredient source comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of natural and artificial flavors, natural and artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and acid and non-acid components of flavoring.

7. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the diluent source and the at least one macro-ingredient source are each in communication with one of the plurality of pumps.

8. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one micro-ingredient source is in communication with one of the plurality of metering devices.

9. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing valve comprises a multi-flavor valve.

10. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing valve comprises a flow director in communication with the at least one macro-ingredient source and the diluent source.

11. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing valve comprises a tertiary flow assembly in communication with the at least one micro-ingredient source.

12. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of product selections.

13. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of additive selections.

14. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of intensity selections.

15. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises nutritional information.

16. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , further comprising a consumer data system.

17. The product dispenser system of claim 16 , wherein the consumer data system comprises one or more biometric sensors.

18. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the product type comprises a custom product.

19. The product dispenser system of claim 1 , wherein the product type comprises a branded product.

20. A mixing system for producing a plurality of product types, comprising:

a plurality of ingredient sources positioned about a mixer;

one or more of the plurality of ingredient sources comprises ingredients with reconstitution ratios higher than about ten to one;

a diluent source;

a plurality of pumps or metering devices in communication with the plurality of ingredient sources and the diluent source; and

a user interface for receiving a request for one of the plurality of product types and instructing the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense continuously a predetermined type and ratio of ingredients and diluent for a predetermined flow rate.

21. A beverage dispenser system for producing a plurality of beverages, comprising:

a plurality of ingredient sources positioned about the dispenser;

the plurality of ingredient sources comprising ingredients with reconstitution ratios higher than about ten to one;

a diluent source with a diluent therein; and

a plurality of pumps or metering devices in communication with the plurality of micro-ingredient sources and the diluent source to dispense continuously a predetermined type and ratio of ingredients and diluent.

22. A product dispenser system, comprising:

at least one macro-ingredient source;

at least one micro-ingredient source with at least one micro-ingredient therein having a reconstitution ratio of about 10:1 or higher positioned about the dispenser;

a diluent source;

a dispensing valve;

a plurality of pumps or metering devices positioned between the at least one macro-ingredient source, the at least one micro-ingredient source, the diluent source and the dispensing valve; and

a user interface for receiving a request for a branded beverage and instructing the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense continuously a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2006
From: CARPENTER, GREGG; NEWMAN, DAVID; PATEL, NILANG; PHILLIPS, PAUL A.; RUDICK, ARTHUR G.; ZIESEL, LAWRENCE B.
To: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Reel/Frame 017601/0212 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070205221A1 · Sep 6, 2007