Cabinet-type Dispenser For Single Mixed Drinks Patents (Class 222/129.1)
  • Patent number: 11878901
    Abstract: A mounting assembly includes a beverage mounting assembly having a housing. The housing has a housing wall that surrounds a cavity. A valve body is connectable to the beverage mounting assembly. The valve body is connectable to the beverage mounting assembly via a clip. The clip is insertable into both the housing and the valve body to connect the valve body to the beverage mounting assembly. At least one actuator is disposed in the cavity of the housing. The actuator rotates from a closed position to an open position that actuates pressure to the valve body from a liquid source. The actuator is separate from the clip that connects the housing to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: WELBILT FOODSERVIE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Wallace Brown, Bruce Burton
  • Patent number: 11802037
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing system having a handheld liquid dispense device with a body portion and a dispensing head. The dispensing system includes an ingredient system located remotely from the handheld liquid dispense device, piping extending from the ingredient system to the handheld liquid dispense device, the ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources and configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a beverage from the handheld liquid dispense device. The dispensing system may also include a user interface device configured to receive a first user selection for a beverage and a second user selection for an ingredient modifying the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert William Balstad, Scott Thomas Loomis
  • Patent number: 11760621
    Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing tap valve to dispense a beverage into a vessel. A connection and mounting assembly is configured for mounting the post-mix beverage dispensing valve a wall and connecting with a source of a beverage product and a source of water. A drafting head is formed as an elongate cylindrical body with an internal bore. A piston shaft is operable by a tap actuator to selectively block and permit a flow of the beverage syrup and the water through the internal bores. The piston shaft carries a seal, a flow guide, and a spring. The seal abuts and seal with the facet to prevent flow through the internal bores. A slight gap between the flow guide and the inner surface of the bore to obtain a desired mixture rate between the beverage syrup and the water source by regulating the area of flow around the flow guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Curci
  • Patent number: 11659965
    Abstract: An exemplary dispensing system includes a dispenser, an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The dispenser includes a container for holding liquid, a liquid pump, an air pump, an outlet nozzle, and a foaming media. The actuator causes the dispenser to dispense liquid or foam. The sensor generates an input signal indicative of a status of the container. The controller receives the input signal, generates at least one output signal, and prevents the dispenser from dispensing liquid or foam if a breach is detected in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bullock, Scott Proper
  • Patent number: 11641984
    Abstract: A commodity dispenser system includes a terminal dispenser device with a container configured to contain a commodity. The terminal dispenser device includes a user-controlled dispenser for selectively dispensing the commodity from the container. The terminal dispenser device includes a sensor and a communication device, and the sensor is configured to detect an inventory condition of the commodity within the container. The system further includes a server configured to communicate with the communication device of the terminal dispenser device, receive a communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected, and initiate an order for a replenishing shipment of the commodity to the dispenser device based, at least partly, on the communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Elif Affan, Glenn William Kaye, Nicholas Robert Bull, Daniel Peter Sterling, Mark A. Granja
  • Patent number: 11613457
    Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: James Dalberg, Jevawn Sebastian Roberts, Brian B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11596260
    Abstract: A beverage making apparatus including at least a beverage producing portion, a controllable by-pass water system, and at least one of a sweetener system or flavoring system in which the sweetener system and/or flavoring system controllably mixes a sweetener ingredient and/or flavoring ingredient with water external to the housing without mixing in a confined structure. A method for producing a beverage is provided including at least the steps of: providing a beverage making apparatus; providing a water dispensing system; providing at least one of a sweetener dispensing system and flavoring system; and controllably dispensing water and at least one of sweetener and flavoring externally of the apparatus for combination with beverage produced by the beverage making apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Clark, Jason M. Banning, Todd Anhalt
  • Patent number: 11429120
    Abstract: A flow control device is disclosed. The flow control device includes a solenoid, the solenoid including an armature. Also, a piston connected to the armature. The piston includes a primary orifice. The piston having an open position and a closed position. A piston spring connected to the piston is also includes and at least one secondary orifice. The movement of the piston to the open position at least partially opens the at least one secondary orifice and the movement of the piston to the closed position at least partially closes the at least one secondary orifice. The movement of the armature actuates the piston movement and controls fluid flow from the primary orifice through the at least one secondary orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Russell H. Beavis, Benjamin W. Jones, John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Casey P. Manning, Felix Winkler, Robert A. Charles
  • Patent number: 11427457
    Abstract: Consumption safety and quality assurance features for fluid mixture dispensing systems, such as a beverage dispensing device, are disclosed. A disclosed beverage dispensing device includes a final dispense chamber and a dispenser for the final dispense chamber. The beverage dispensing device is configured to mix a beverage and store the beverage in the final dispense chamber prior to a final dispense of the beverage from the beverage dispensing device. The beverage dispensing device is further configured to determine at least one parameter of the beverage. The dispenser is locked if the at least one parameter does not satisfy an expected standard and unlocked if the at least one parameter does satisfy the expected standard. The expected standard can be a safety standard or a quality standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Cana Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Michelsen, Gregory Allen Springer, Nicholas D. Posner, Yashodhan Deshpande
  • Patent number: 11365107
    Abstract: A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Russell H. Beavis, Benjamin W. Jones, Jr., John M. Kerwin, Larry B. Gray, Casey P. Manning, Felix Winkler, Robert A. Charles
  • Patent number: 11345584
    Abstract: A hand-held beverage dispenser includes a handle body, within which multiple valve units are contained. Two sets of fluid flow paths are provided into the handle body. The sets of fluid flow paths are mutually exclusive one to the other. Each flow path of the first set is in fluid communication with each valve unit, whereas only a predetermined one of the second set of fluid flow paths is in fluid communication with each valve unit. Each valve unit includes a flow control valve and a selection valve. The selection valve determines on an ad hoc basis which of the first set of flow paths will be utilized at any given time, while the flow control valve provides single action simultaneous ON-OFF control of fluid flows through both the selected flow path and the predetermined flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Martin, Anthony Joseph Behe, Jr., Paul Watkins, Ricardo Abugarade Rodriguez, Merrill R. Good
  • Patent number: 11311137
    Abstract: An exchangeable supply pack for a beverage dispensing machine. The pack comprises a doser including a pump assembly comprising a pump channel between an inlet and an outlet, for receiving a fluid from an ingredient container and for pumping it to the outlet. The pump assembly comprises a pump chamber and at least two engaging gears forming a gear pump. At least one of said gears forms a driving gear and comprises a shaft opening for receiving a driving axle of the beverage dispensing machine. The shaft opening coincides with an axle reception opening of a support wall of the pump chamber, and a flexible seal is arranged at least between the driving gear and the support wall. The seal comprises a through opening coinciding with the shaft opening and the axle reception opening for receiving the driving axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Koen Standaar, Leonardus Henricus Wilhelmus Giesen
  • Patent number: 11311138
    Abstract: An automatic device for brewing beverages at least comprises an ice cube meter, at least one beverage supply device, at least one robotic arm, a feed conveyor belt, a plurality of feeders, and a film sealing machine, mainly uses the robotic arm to take up ice cubes and a beverage from the ice cube meter and the beverage supply device with a hand-shake cup, then shake and mix, and pour the shaken and mixed beverage and ice cubes into a beverage cup, the beverage cup is conveyed to pass through the feeders by the feed conveyor belt, ingredient is squeezed into the beverage cup by the feeder, and finally the beverage cup containing the beverage, ice cubes and ingredient is conveyed by the feed conveyor belt to the film sealing machine for sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN INTELLIGENT ROBOTICS COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Tsung Huang, Chun-Hung Lin, Fu-Kuan Hsu, Tsan-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 11297850
    Abstract: Applicants have created an improved multi-flavor food and/or beverage dispenser including an improved nozzle for injection of flavored liquids into a base liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: FBD Partnership, IP
    Inventors: Igor V. Popov, Clifton Jones, Alejandro Ramirez, Jeanko J. Lara, Matthew Gates
  • Patent number: 11261412
    Abstract: A liquid transport method is disclosed for efficiently producing cell cultures. The liquid transport method of the present disclosure, which is in processing of cells, includes: a) a step in which a container holding a liquid is gripped by a gripping tool of a robot; and b) a step in which the liquid in the container is transported to a collection container by rotating the gripped container. In steps a) and b) the robot operates such as not to pass over a vertical line of an opening of the collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouichirou Yori, Makoto Jinno
  • Patent number: 11262116
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided, as provided herein, include a cabinet, a door, and an ice bin. The ice bin may be removably received within a chilled chamber and include a bin body and a non-vertical auger. The bin body may define a storage volume to receive ice therein and a dispenser opening in fluid communication with the storage volume. The non-vertical auger may include a rotation shaft extending along a rotation axis and an auger blade coiled about the rotation shaft. The auger blade may define an expanding radius along the rotation axis from a first blade end to a second blade end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Charles Benjamin Miller, Bradley Nicholas Gilkey
  • Patent number: 11230467
    Abstract: A detection device for detecting that a source is sold-out for a beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser dispensing from the source via a valve controlled by a solenoid. A circuit board is configured to be positioned on the valve proximal to the solenoid. A detector is coupled to the circuit board, where the solenoid creates a magnetic field when dispensing from the valve, and where the detector detects the magnetic field created by the solenoid and consequently produces an electrical output. A control system is coupled to the circuit board in communication with the detector. The control system is configured to access threshold data and to compare the electrical output of the detector to the threshold data. The control system indicates that the source is sold-out based upon the comparison of the electrical output to the threshold data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Prochaska, E. Scott Sevcik, Michael Hanley, David K. Njaastad
  • Patent number: 11230465
    Abstract: A system for sensing empty soft drink syrup containers in a soda pop dispensing arrangement is provided that includes at least one soft drink syrup container; a mixing station for mixing water and CO2 with soft drink syrup to make a soda pop mixture; a pump for pumping soft drink syrup to the mixing station and beyond to be dispensed; a CO2 container providing CO2 gas; and a soda pop dispenser apparatus. The system also includes a first tubing transmission line extending between the soft drink syrup container and the pump for carrying soft drink syrup, a second tubing transmission line for carrying soft drink syrup between the pump and the mixing station, and a third tubing transmission line extending between the mixing station and the soda pop dispenser for carrying soda pop to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin M. Candler, Mark Riddle
  • Patent number: 11219328
    Abstract: A system for preparing beverage consumptions comprising an appliance to prepare and dispense a beverage and at least one exchangeable supply pack. The appliance includes a loading channel to receive the exchangeable supply pack. The exchangeable supply pack has a container to hold a beverage related ingredient, a drive port to receive a driving torque and an ingredient outlet port. The loading channel has a protruding drive shaft for transmitting torque from the appliance to the supply pack, and an ingredient receiving connector for conveying the ingredient from the supply pack to the appliance. The drive port and outlet port of the supply pack are coupled to the drive shaft and the receiving connector. The drive port includes an opening with a concave tapered inner wall defining a funnel shape and cooperates with the protruding drive shaft to assist in aligning the outlet port with respect to the receiving connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Johan Dees, Craig Martin Wilkinson, Leonardus Henricus Wilhelmus Giesen, Pim Verburg, Wouter Plechelmus Bernardus Nijland
  • Patent number: 11203517
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing head includes a housing having a front, a rear, and a base that extends between the front and the rear. A mixing nozzle is configured to dispense a flow of beverage via the base. A valve is configured to control the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle, and a switch is movable into and between a closed position in which the valve opens the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle and an open position in which the valve closes the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle. A lighting module disposed in the housing is configured to illuminate the front of the housing and the base of the housing when the switch is moved into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Novelle, Steven Miller, Kurt Zoellick
  • Patent number: 11142444
    Abstract: A refrigerated beverage dispenser conversion system includes an electric pump configured for being mounted within an interior of a refrigerated beverage dispenser, the electric pump having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet barb is operatively connected to the electric pump at the inlet, and an inlet hose is operatively connected to the inlet barb at a first end of the inlet hose. The inlet barb and the inlet hose are sized to engage an outlet of a container disposed within the refrigerated beverage dispenser to bring the container in fluid communication with the electric pump. An outlet barb is operatively connected to the electric pump at the outlet and sized for operatively connecting to an outlet hose in fluid communication with an outlet of the refrigerated beverage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: WANDERING BEAR INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Bachmann, Benjamin Gordon, David Finger
  • Patent number: 11091359
    Abstract: A unitary dispensing nozzle for co-injecting two or more liquids of different viscosity, solubility and/or miscibility at high filling speed to improve homogeneous mixing of such liquids, while said nozzle is an integral piece free of any movable parts and substantially free of dead space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Justin Thomas Cacciatore, Chong Gu, Scott William Capeci, Ilse Maria Cyrilla D'Haeseleer, Vincenzo Guida, Boon Ho Ng, Qi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11078066
    Abstract: Disclosed is a post-mix beverage dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle includes an input fitting, a cap, an insert, and a body. The dispensing nozzle defines a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path flows from a first input port offset from a central axis of the dispensing nozzle to a mixing chamber. The second flow path flows from an input port offset from the central axis of the dispensing nozzle to the mixing chamber. At the point of the mixing chamber both the first flow path and second flow path have uniform flow rates in all radial directions around the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Cullen James Crackel, Thomas Hecht, Silas Veloz
  • Patent number: 11076614
    Abstract: A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid products, including: a processing container for processing a basic liquid or semi-liquid product, defining a processing chamber and provided with a stirrer rotating inside the processing chamber; a thermal treatment system associated with the processing container for heating and/or cooling the processing chamber; a dispensing device which is associated with the processing container to receive therefrom the processed, basic liquid or semi-liquid product, and which is equipped with controls for delivering the processed, basic liquid or semi-liquid product to the outside of the processing container; an electronic control unit for controlling at least one actuator of the machine, a plurality of syrup containers, at least one heating and/or cooling device connectable to one or more of the syrup containers and/or connecting pipes and/or pumps in order to thermally treat the syrups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: ALI S.P.A.-CARPIGIANI GROUP
    Inventors: Andrea Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
  • Patent number: 11053110
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly that can include first and second elements is provided. The first element can define a first outlet through which a first liquid is dispensed. The second element can define a second outlet through which a second liquid is dispensed. The first liquid can form an internal liquid stream when dispensed through the first outlet. The second liquid can form an annular liquid column around the internal liquid stream when dispensed through the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lazatin, Bryan Ellis Wagenknecht, William Roger Mainwaring-Burton, Linda Marie Donoghue, Thomas Adam Sullivan, Michael M. Martin
  • Patent number: 11009278
    Abstract: A variable ice dispenser for a refrigerator utilizes a variable control suitable for varying the rate of ice dispensing by the dispenser. In some instances, the variable control includes a variable control actuator that is movable between a range of positions including a home position, and movement of the variable control actuator in a first direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense cubed ice while movement of the variable control actuator in a second direction from the home position causes the variable ice dispenser to dispense crushed ice. Further, in some instances, the variable control may also selectively activate the ice dispenser such that the variable control actuator controls the ice dispensing rate while the variable ice dispenser is activated. In addition, in some instances, a variable control may also include a secondary control that switches between ice and water dispensing modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eric Scalf
  • Patent number: 10993587
    Abstract: The invention provides a bathroom fixture in the form of an electronic mirror with a touchlessly operated fluid dispenser. The device provides visual cues to assist in the touchless operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: OP-Hygiene IP GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, David Duncan, Hendrik Ophardt
  • Patent number: 10968093
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for producing a beverage, in particular a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge that has a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, a beverage preparation unit with a cartridge receptacle into which the cartridge can be reversibly inserted, and a cartridge discharge device which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir into a mixing chamber; furthermore, the beverage preparation unit comprises a fluid supply which opens into the mixing chamber, or the system includes a movable plunger which is placed inside the reservoir and can be transferred from a starting position into a final position by means of the cartridge discharge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Freezio AG
    Inventors: Marc Krüger, Günter Empl, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 10926991
    Abstract: A water dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing hole through which hot water is dispensed, a heating passage unit communicating with the dispensing hole; a heating unit for heating water flowing through the heating passage unit, an input unit for inputting a hot water dispensing command for dispensing the hot water through the dispensing hole, a hot water valve for adjusting a flow of the hot water heated in the heating passage unit, and a controller for controlling the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungyong Shin, Euisung Kim, Sunyoung Park
  • Patent number: 10894706
    Abstract: A system and method for delivery of customized quantities of dietary and nutraceutical supplements in real time to a user having a beverage delivery apparatus with a plurality of storage compartments. Each of the storage compartments configured to contain at least one seed capsule that contains the dietary and nutraceutical supplements. The beverage delivery apparatus further includes a receiving chamber that is configured to receive the dietary and nutraceutical supplements from the seed capsule. The receiving chamber allows for an access to a liquid that facilitates blending the dietary and nutraceutical supplements with the liquid to make a customized consumable beverage that contains the specific formulation of dietary and nutraceutical supplements supplied by the seed capsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: MIXFIT INC.
    Inventors: Marco Iotti, Enald Beqiraj, Reza Zanjani, Jesse Caruso
  • Patent number: 10865090
    Abstract: A cooling system for use in a beverage dispenser, the cooling system including: a cold plate having a top surface and a side surface; a carbonator arranged in a non-horizontal orientation relative to the cold plate, the carbonator having a sidewall, a lower uninsulated portion of the sidewall of the carbonator being in thermal communication with the side surface of the cold plate; and a fastener coupling the carbonator to the cold plate, the fastener having a lower thermal conductivity as compared to a thermal conductivity of the carbonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Lawrence B. Ziesel
  • Patent number: 10845117
    Abstract: A variable fluid dispenser for a refrigerator utilizes a variable control suitable for varying the rate of fluid dispensing by the dispenser. In some instances, the variable control may include a rotary control actuator that varies the fluid dispensing rate of the variable dispenser, and in some instances, the variable control may include a variable control actuator movable between a range of positions that includes a home position at which the variable dispenser is deactivated. In such instances, movement of the variable control actuator away from the home position both activates the variable dispenser to dispense fluid and increases the fluid dispensing rate of the variable dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Scalf, Mark W. Wilson, Paul Staun
  • Patent number: 10836625
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to conduits, devices, systems and methods, which may include a dispensing device including a valve configured to interact with an inlet stream, the inlet stream having a first pressure, the valve having an outlet area with an outlet stream, the outlet stream having a second pressure; and a solenoid configured to interact with the outlet stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: GATE CPV SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John Newton, Peter Brooke, Dustin Hartsfield, Michael Cheney, Gillian Callaghan, Scott Ross
  • Patent number: 10793412
    Abstract: An interactive robotic station for beverage preparation comprising a user input interface (101), automated ingredient dispensers (41), a robotic station (105) to collect ingredients from the dispenser, mix the ingredients, perform bartending operation, preferably mixing and/or shaking and/or muddling and/or blending and/or straining, pour the beverage in an open top container (5) and provide the container to a user, and a control unit (103) to automatically control the dispensers and the robotic station based on the inputs from the input interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Carlo Filippo Ratti
  • Patent number: 10787356
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is provided. The beverage dispensing system can include a nozzle module connected to a beverage dispenser housing. The nozzle module can be vertically and/or horizontally spaced from a beverage dispenser valve and nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Madden, Steven T. Jersey, Scott Thomas Loomis, Fernando A. Ubidia
  • Patent number: 10773942
    Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Zemko, Vincenzo DiFatta
  • Patent number: 10765126
    Abstract: A container contains a food product to be dispensed, the container volume being closed by a closure and including an identification member; the container being further provided with an engagement member designed to engage with a corresponding driving member to displace the identification member according to a certain pre-defined path in order to allow its reading. A device is operable with such a container, the device has a driving element and a reader, the driving element engaging with the container to displace the identification member according to a certain pre-defined path with respect to the reader. A system prepares cold or frozen dessert products from a fluid contained in a container, the system has a container and a device operating it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Andre Noth, Alexandre Kollep, Damien Neurohr, Etienne Claude Jaquier
  • Patent number: 10766756
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a beverage nozzle for mixing at least a first beverage ingredient and a second beverage ingredient into a homogeneous mixture. The beverage nozzle comprising a housing comprising a first portion and a second portion and a first inlet in fluid communication with the housing. The first inlet is configured to provide the first beverage ingredient to the housing. The beverage nozzle also includes a second inlet in fluid communication with the housing. The second inlet is configured to provide the second beverage ingredient to the housing. In addition, the beverage nozzle includes a mixing core disposed within the housing. The mixing core is configured to mix the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient into the homogeneous mixture. Further, the beverage nozzle includes an outlet disposed about the housing, wherein the homogeneous mixture exits the housing by way of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Shaun B. Gatipon, Alejandro J. Santamaria, Joshua B. Wilson, Robert B. Brownell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10752481
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a gas infusion device that receives a base fluid and a gas and dispenses a gas infused liquid, a ratio pump that receives the gas infused liquid and a concentrate from a concentrate source and dispenses a predetermined ratio of the gas infused liquid and the concentrate, and a mixing chamber that mixes the predetermined ratio of the gas infused liquid and the concentrate to form a reconstituted beverage. An insulated enclosure has an interior space in which the ratio pump and the mixing chamber are positioned. A cooling heat exchanger is positioned in the insulated enclosure, and a first refrigeration system circulates a cooling media through the cooling heat exchanger to thereby cool the interior space to a suitable temperature such that the gas infused liquid and the concentrate dispensed from the ratio pump and the mixing chamber are cooled to the suitable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Cornelius Beverage Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Cook
  • Patent number: 10745264
    Abstract: A beverage supplying device, wherein the device is provided with a controller for discharging the beverage selected from multiple types of beverages from a prescribed nozzle, and a storage unit for storing data that indicates the dilution ratio of each of the beverages, the remaining amount of each of the syrups, and the supply amount per container of the beverage. The controller calculates the discharge amount per container of syrup used to produce the selected beverage on the basis of the data indicating the dilution ratio of the selected beverage, and the data indicating the supply amount per container of the beverage. Next, the controller calculates the number of selected beverages available for sale on the basis of the data indicating the remaining amount of syrup used to produce the selected beverage and the calculated discharge amount, and displays available-for-sale numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Makino, Akira Goitsuka, Fumihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10710864
    Abstract: A drink vending apparatus comprises a housing, one or more ingredient cartridges removably coupled to the housing, a mixing container, a dispensing nozzle, and a control unit. A user provides user commands from a smart device to the control unit that comprises drink requests from the user. In response thereto, ingredients are dispensed from one or more of the ingredient cartridges into the mixing container, and the mixed ingredients are dispensed from the mixing container into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Somabar Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Jangbarwala, Dylan Purcell-Lowe
  • Patent number: 10676337
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus including at least one multiple lever-switching assembly where the lever assembly has a plurality of levers and valves configured to dispense fluids, flavorings, syrups, and optionally pressurized gas through one or more channels in each of the assemblies. The levers are part of a mechanical hydraulic system, that is not reliant on electrical connections to control or regulate the dispensing of fluids. Each set of levers can operate independently or in combination with other levers on the assembly, and can further actuate individual valves or more than one valve within the body of each assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 10604398
    Abstract: A high diluent to concentrate volumetric ratio post-mix drink dispenser includes a mixer and a nozzle housing. The mixer defines a mixing pathway adapted to receive a diluent flow from a diluent source and a concentrate pathway adapted to receive a concentrate flow from a concentrate source. The concentrate pathway communicates with the mixing pathway to deliver concentrate therein. The mixing pathway manipulates the diluent flow therein to decrease the pressure thereof, thereby creating a low pressure region at the concentrate pathway that promotes introduction of the concentrate into the diluent for mixing therewith. The nozzle housing couples with the mixer such that the nozzle housing receives mixed diluent and concentrate from the mixing pathway and delivers the mixed diluent and concentrate therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Smeller, Robert L. Robinson, Brandon P. Ojeda, Linda M. Voller
  • Patent number: 10577234
    Abstract: A drink vending apparatus comprises a housing, one or more ingredient cartridges removably coupled to the housing, a mixing container, a dispensing nozzle, and a control unit. A user provides user commands from a smart device to the control unit that comprises drink requests from the user. In response thereto, ingredients are dispensed from one or more of the ingredient cartridges into the mixing container, and the mixed ingredients are dispensed from the mixing container into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Somabar, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Jangbarwala, Dylan Purcell-Lowe
  • Patent number: 10570004
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser is disclosed herein. The beverage dispenser may include a housing configured to house at least one beverage container therein. The beverage container may include an identification tag associated therewith. At least one identification tag reader may be disposed within the housing. The identification tag reader may be configured to detect the identification tag associated with the beverage container. The beverage dispenser also may include a user interface disposed about an exterior of the housing. The user interface may include at least one beverage identification area that corresponds to the beverage container. At least one controller may be in communication with the at least one identification tag reader and the user interface. The controller may be configured to update the beverage identification area based at least in part on the identification of the beverage container by the identification tag reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Shaun B. Gatipon
  • Patent number: 10548336
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly and adapter provided for selectively interconnecting to a soft serve dispenser to allow filling of farinaceous products such as donuts with a soft serve product. One of the adapter and the nozzle assembly can include a cleansing port for receiving a cleaning solution to allow periodic cleaning of the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly is separable from the adapter to permit the adapter to remain operably connected to the soft serve dispenser through which soft serve product can be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Idea Boxx, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Tuchrelo, Nathan E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10544027
    Abstract: The present application thus provides a beverage dispensing system for combining a macro-ingredient flow and a carbonated water flow. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle, a carbonated water source in communication with the nozzle via a carbonated water conduit and a carbonated water recirculation conduit, a macro-ingredient source in communication with the nozzle via a macro-ingredient conduit, and a macro-ingredient pump and an air chamber in communication with the macro-ingredient conduit. The carbonated water recirculation conduit is in communication with the air chamber for heat exchange therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Shaun B. Gatipon, Adam Daniel Ambrecht, Kirk William Charles, Craig Jay Cochran, Christopher Ross Vickers
  • Patent number: 10508257
    Abstract: A beverage making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein, a fermentation tank cover covering the opening, and a heat exchange element arranged in contact with the fermentation tank. The beverage making apparatus also includes a first channel including a first end that is connected to the fermentation tank assembly; and a second end connected to: a second channel connected to a water tank, and a third channel connected to a dispenser of the beverage making apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunyoung Park, Chungook Chong, Heeyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 10501304
    Abstract: A drink vending apparatus comprises a housing, one or more ingredient cartridges removably coupled to the housing, a mixing container, a dispensing nozzle, and a control unit. A user provides user commands from a smart device to the control unit that comprises drink requests from the user. In response thereto, ingredients are dispensed from one or more of the ingredient cartridges into the mixing container, and the mixed ingredients are dispensed from the mixing container into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Somabar, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Jangbarwala, Dylan Purcell-Lowe
  • Patent number: 10470605
    Abstract: A beverage machine system that includes: an insulated potable liquid storage tank having an interior volume; a liquid carbonator spaced within the interior volume of the insulated potable liquid storage tank and submerged therein; a high pressure potable liquid pump configured to pump potable liquid from the interior volume of the insulated potable liquid storage tank through a potable liquid conduit to a spray nozzle within an interior volume of the liquid carbonator; and a cooling coil positioned in a spaced apart relationship but wound around the carbonator such that the cooling coil does not physically touch an exterior surface of the carbonator submersed within the chilled potable liquid and the space between the cooling coil and the carbonator is at least substantially free of any other structure other than periodic frozen potable liquid adjacent the cooling coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Erdogan Ergican, Sann Naing, Rodrigo Dos Santo Rengel, Sergio Luis Da Silva, Andre Goncalez Ribeiro