Plural Measured Charges In Single Drink Patents (Class 222/129.4)
  • Patent number: 11857101
    Abstract: The coffee dispenser disclosed herein may serve a single serving of coffee. The coffee dispenser may including a coffee concentrate fluid line which intersects with a water fluid line at a junction to allow mixing of coffee concentrate with water as the respective fluids flow through the coffee dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 11821415
    Abstract: An embodiment system and method for dispensing multiple dairy products includes a dispenser which houses two or more dairy product bases with different formulations, which may be combined with or without water to create a multitude of homogenous dairy beverages. The two or more dairy product bases may be mixed together first and then separately mixed with water, mixed together simultaneously with water, or mixed together without adding water. They may be mixed together with or without additional flavoring, ingredients, mineral or nutritional additives. The dispenser comprises a pump with a quick-release mechanism to allow for quick and clean maintenance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: fairlife, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Dobbins, Timothy Peter Doelman, John Hengesbach, Brett Malsom
  • Patent number: 11565926
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a drink in a drink preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filed with a drink substance (7), and a cartridge receiver (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the drink substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), and said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receiver (10) of the cartridge system (1), the drink preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a drink (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Freezio AG
    Inventors: Marc Krüger, Günter Empi, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 11542144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: FREEZIO AG
    Inventors: Marc Krüger, Günter Empl, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 11510865
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to oral compositions and methods for freshening breath and oral cleansing, and more particularly, to oral compositions comprising a combination of an extract of magnolia and a hydrocarbon. The oral compositions are useful for improving oral health, including freshening breath and reducing the adherence of plaque to teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANY
    Inventors: Henk J. Busscher, Michael W. Dodds, Amarnath Maitra, Stefan Wessel, Henny C. Van Der Mei
  • Patent number: 11446477
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating skin has a console with a user input device and a handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly is configured to treat skin. A fluid line provides fluid communication between the console and the handpiece assembly. A manifold system is coupled to the console and controlled by the user input device. The manifold system is configured to hold releasably a plurality of fluid sources and deliver fluid from at least one of the plurality of fluid sources to the handpiece assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HydraFacial LLC
    Inventors: Roger Ignon, Scott Mallett, Abraham Solano, William Cohen
  • Patent number: 11419458
    Abstract: An economical blender with a removable, motor driven spindle assembly to perform blending, a motor driven elevator used to lift a cup with food or beverage up to the spindle assembly and a liquid reservoir which allows liquid to be inserted into the food or beverage during blending. The removable spindle assembly has a quick release coupler and a compression spring which connects the quick release coupler to a cup cover. Blending is accomplished by connecting a motor driven inner spindle drive shaft to a concentric outer spindle drive tube through cogged couplers. The outer spindle drive tube powers a blending tool and, like the blending tool, is removable with the spindle assembly for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: f'Real! Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Clayton G. Gardner, Jens P. Voges, Shek Fai Lau, Andrew Geppert
  • Patent number: 11407630
    Abstract: An on demand functional beverage dispenser is provided that outputs an enhanced flavored mixture by combining a liquid with a flavored product and a functional product including a dietary supplement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Smart Soda Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lior Shafir
  • Patent number: 11339045
    Abstract: Flavor and additive delivery systems and methods for beverage dispensers are disclosed. An example manifold of a beverage dispenser includes a base defining a base cavity and configured to extend through an opening defined by an outer wall. The manifold includes a first housing coupled to the base and defining a housing cavity. The base cavity and the housing cavity are adjacent to each other to form a chamber. The manifold includes a body coupled to the first housing and defining a body cavity and angled apertures. The manifold includes an insert housing that is coupled to the body and extends at least partially through the body cavity. The manifold includes an insert housed within the insert housing and defining a water outlet for spraying water downward into the chamber. The angled apertures are configured to receive nozzles that extend at least partially into the chamber at the predefined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Conway, Cesar Ramirez, Erik Lynch, Bart Peeters, Robert Zudic, Marilyn Bombard, Samuel Goodrow
  • Patent number: 11337533
    Abstract: A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly. In certain embodiments, one or more positive displacement pumping mechanisms are configured to pump additive liquid from additive containers into a beverage chamber. Other features relate to audio engagement processing. Other features relate to situational processing. Other features relate to group engagement processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Infuze, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jonathon Perrelli, Robert Lawson-Shanks, Elizabeth Hubler, Mark Lyons
  • Patent number: 11274027
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: FREEZIO AG
    Inventors: Marc Krüger, Günter Empl, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 11246455
    Abstract: A kitchen appliance (1), comprising: a base unit (100); and a food processor (500) having an outlet (416) for outputting processed food; wherein the food processor (500) is arranged to be mounted on the base unit (100) for operation such that it is capable of movement between two operating positions, whereby the outlet (416) is positionable at two different places.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: KENWOOD LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Seidler, Martin Hunt, Ben Woodling, Jamie Cox, Jamie Weaden
  • Patent number: 11148926
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filled with a beverage substance (7), and a cartridge receptacle (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receptacle (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), the cartridge receptacle (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receptacle (10) of the cartridge system (1), the beverage preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a beverage (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Freezio AG
    Inventors: Marc Krüger, Günter Empl, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 10918238
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a system including a modular dispensing system comprising a first module comprising a cold engine assembly, and a second module comprising a hot engine assembly. The system comprises a carbonator configured to dissolve carbon dioxide in water to form carbonated water. The cold engine assembly comprises a cold bath. A cold liquid mixer is configured to mix a concentrate and the carbonated water to form a cold ready-to-drink liquid. The hot engine assembly comprises a hot tank. A hot liquid mixer is configured to mix the hot water from the hot tank and a powder to form a hot ready-to-drink liquid. In an aspect, the cold engine assembly and the hot engine assembly form a single dispensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurmeet Bhutani, Rahul Sadashiv Kamble, Tanmaya Vats
  • Patent number: 10858232
    Abstract: A system for dispensing one or more beverages is disclosed. The system may include a nozzle, one or more macro-ingredients in fluid communication with the nozzle, and a number of micro-ingredients in fluid communication with the nozzle. The nozzle is configured to dispense a beverage formed by the one or more macro-ingredients and one or more of the micro-ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Gregg Carpenter, Arthur G. Rudick, David Slagley, Dick P. Welch, Daniel S. Quartarone, Douglas Jon McDougall
  • Patent number: 10800643
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser system with remote ingredients handling. The beverage dispenser system includes at least one dispenser having a nozzle. Micro-ingredients and macro-ingredients are remotely positioned such as under the counter or in a back room to physically separate the micro-ingredients and macro-ingredients from the dispenser. Pumps or metering devises for providing the micro-ingredients and the macro-ingredients are also physically separated from the dispenser. The beverage system may also include a heat exchanger for cooling the macro-ingredients as well as still water and carbonated water. The heat exchanger may be positioned in the dispenser, on the dispenser, under the counter, or within the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: Shaun B. Gatipon, Daniel S. Quartarone
  • Patent number: 10752482
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a machine (1) for preparing beverages and presenting a plurality of beverage concentrate cartridges (2) provided so that can collect a respective beverage concentrate (3), and a concentrate discharge device (4) adapted so that can interact with each one of said beverage concentrate cartridges (2), without using fluid connections between the exit parts (22) of said beverage concentrate cartridges (2) and a service disposition (11) of the machine that comprises a discharge zone where there can be placed a beverage recipient. The present invention further refers to a process for preparing beverages based upon a machine (1) for preparing beverages of the type of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NOVADELTA—COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS S.A.
    Inventor: Rui Miguel Nabeiro
  • Patent number: 10752483
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a housing having a dispensing location for liquid disposed above a repository for a liquid storage container. A pressurising assembly including an air pump supplies gas to pressurize the container and cause liquid to leave the container via a delivery tube. A replaceable flow assembly including a manifold 30 and a reservoir 18 conveys liquid from the delivery tube 16 to the reservoir and thence from the reservoir 18 to the dispensing location. The manifold has an underside which includes a riser tube connector 36 and a reservoir connector 40 to rigidly mount the manifold on the reservoir. An upper side of the manifold has an outlet 33 located directly above the reservoir connector 40. The manifold contains a chamber 58 configured to convey liquid from the riser tube connector 36 to the reservoir 18 and a connector 37 for feeding a second reservoir provided with a steam venting valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: EBAC LIMITED
    Inventors: Clyde Pittaway, Thomas James Coverdale, Lee Higginbottom, Graeme Thomas Leighton
  • Patent number: 10729620
    Abstract: An improved baby bottle apparatus having a baby bottle adapted to be filled with a liquid and any chosen additives and then releasably attached to a base member with the base member adapted to releasably connect with the bottle member and heat a liquid to a desired temperature and stir the liquid to mix any chosen additives added to the liquid before a baby sucks on the nipple and drinks the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Oksana Monet Goodin
  • Patent number: 10730023
    Abstract: In a method for infusing a gas from a gas source into a liquid beverage, liquid beverage is driven from a beverage container into a liquid inlet port of a venturi mixing device. Nitrogen is infused into the liquid beverage by driving nitrogen through a gas inlet port of the venturi mixing device, thereby delivering nitrogen-infused liquid beverage to a discharge port of the venturi mixing device. The nitrogen-infused liquid beverage is poured from the discharge port through a faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Cuatro Connect LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Hyde, James G. Neighbors, Brian T. Holland, Jackie Fendley, Robert F. Hoskin
  • Patent number: 10710031
    Abstract: A chilling reservoir for providing in-line carbonation in a beverage dispenser includes a housing having a first beverage material pathway extending therethrough. The first beverage material pathway may have a flow inlet arrangement and a flow outlet arrangement. The chilling reservoir also includes a heat exchanger arrangement that is positioned and configured to be selectively operated to chill beverage material passing through the first beverage material pathway. The chilling reservoir also includes a carbonation chamber operably positioned in the first beverage material pathway of the housing. The carbonation chamber may be configured to removably receive therein a carbonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rudick
  • Patent number: 10654013
    Abstract: An automatic fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus using a minimum of two powered actuating mechanisms to retrieve fluids from a plurality of fluid containers, mix said fluids, and dispense said fluids into a plurality of dispensed fluid containers. Fluids are stored until requested and mixed in accordance with operator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Douglas Palmer, Victor Matayoshi De Marco
  • Patent number: 10611620
    Abstract: A dosing pump for dosing metered amounts of liquid product, includes an inlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a storage container, an output adapted to be connected to a beverage dispensing machine for receiving metered amounts of liquid product, and a dosing chamber arranged for transferring a liquid from the inlet to the output. The dosing chamber is at least partly filled with a liquid different from the liquid product. The different liquid can be a cleaning fluid, or be food compliant. The dosing pump can be included in an exchangeable supply pack filled with the liquid product for connecting to a beverage dispensing machine, and the output can be adapted to be brought into fluid connection with a beverage dispensing machine. When associated with a beverage dispensing machine, the dosing pump can be operated to allow the different fluid to be pumped through the beverage dispensing machine prior to a first dosing cycle of liquid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Jaap Willem Baldée, Michiel Mooibroek
  • Patent number: 10519021
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing beverage from a container, such as wine from a wine bottle. Dispensing may be automatically controlled based on a detected orientation of the container, e.g., dispensing may occur when a bottle is tilted as if to pour from the bottle and stopped when the bottle is oriented upright. Dispensing may be stopped when the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis even while in a pour orientation. A remaining amount of beverage in the container and/or an amount of pressurized gas used to drive dispensing may be detected and beverage dispensing controlled accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Coravin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rider, Gregory Lambrecht, Andrew S. Sweezey, Chris Vogt
  • Patent number: 10442671
    Abstract: Disclosed is a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a non-mixed fluid along with a post-mix fluid. The post-mix fluid is formed by mixing a base beverage with at least one beverage additive. For example, the beverage dispensing system may dispense a post-mix fluid (e.g. cola) and a non-mixed fluid (e.g. spirits) separately. In some embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed simultaneously with the non-mixed fluid from separate fluid outlet ports. In other embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed from a first fluid outlet port and, subsequently, the non-mixed fluid may be dispensed from a second fluid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: 10420439
    Abstract: A single liquid protein beverage dispensing system is disclosed that automatically mixes a drink mix powder, such as protein powder, with a chilled or ambient temperature liquid, preferably water, to form a mixed protein liquid beverage or drink of uniform consistency. The system can provide for different amounts of water from a reservoir to be mixed with at least one or up to three different types of protein powders and then dispensed into a beverage container. The system has an electronic user interface by which the user can make various combinations of liquid amounts and powder selections to prepare a mixed drink. An advantageous feature of the system is that, because of the density and moisture content of every powder, the system provides vibration assistance for the powders to agitate during dispensing which prevents clumping of the powder in the liquid during mixing of the powder with the liquid to provide a beverage admixture of uniform consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: EZ PROTEIN LLC
    Inventors: Kurt R. Madic, Ryan J. Madic, Zachary E. Conrad
  • Patent number: 10351408
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher F. Zemko
  • Patent number: 10279973
    Abstract: The invention concerns pack (1) with an inner volume (2) in which a food or beverage ingredient (7) is stored and in which a beverage is produced when water is introduced inside, —said inner volume (2) being defined by two sheets of material (10) joined to one another at their edges and said inner volume (2) presenting a generally plane shape defining a plane (P) vertically oriented during beverage production, —said pack comprising at least one inlet (3) for introducing water in the inner volume and at least one outlet (4) for delivering the beverage from said inner volume, the water inlet (3) and the beverage outlet (4) being included in one single insert (5), said single insert (5) being positioned at the bottom of the pack and being partially positioned between two joined edges of the sheets of material (10), —said water inlet (3) being closed by one sheet of material (10) defining the inner volume (2), —wherein the single insert (5) comprises a centering hole (53) extending essentially perpendicularly to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Silvio Butscher, Thomas Kaeser, Alfred Yoakim, Cynthia Scherz, Jean-Luc Denisart
  • Patent number: 10233003
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system for dispensing alcoholic beverages includes a beverage dispensing package and a connector assembly configured to be coupled to the package. The package includes an outer container and at least one divider positioned within the outer container to form a plurality of compartments. The package also includes a plurality of inner containers, with one of the inner containers positioned within each of the compartments. Each inner container stores an alcoholic beverage and each container includes an outlet to enable the alcoholic beverage to be dispensed. The connector assembly includes a plurality of connectors for coupling to a respective outlet of the inner containers, and a dispensing line coupled to the connectors. The connector assembly couples the inner containers in flow communication with the dispensing line to enable the alcoholic beverages within each of the inner containers to be jointly dispensed through the dispensing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAR EVOLUTION LLC
    Inventors: Peter DeRaedt, Bernd Witzany
  • Patent number: 10147326
    Abstract: A method of gathering and distributing critical weather event information is provided. The method includes monitoring for critical weather events based on defined critical weather event thresholds with an onboard producer weather detection unit of at least one producer vehicle. The critical weather event thresholds are dynamically reconfigured based at least in part on consumption needs of the consumer vehicle. The detected critical weather event and associated time stamp and geolocation information are communicated to a base station. The detected critical weather event is fused with other weather data at the base station to produce a unified weather event image that includes the detected critical weather event. Prediction algorithms are applied to the unified weather event image and are parsed into predefined grid cells of a geo-spatial grid. The predicted weather data is up-linked to a consumer vehicle anticipated to travel within at least one grid cell of the geo-spatial grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Anantha Chandrasekhar Koduru, Kenneth R. Jongsma, Sibu Parakkattu Narayanan, Subhadip Datta, Siva Gudla
  • Patent number: 10046959
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing a selectable beverage from a post-mix beverage dispenser are provided. In one embodiment, the method for providing a beverage having a separately selected color from a post-mix beverage dispensing system comprises: (a) providing at least two beverage bases for dispense from the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (b) separately storing at least two colorants in the post-mix beverage dispensing system; (c) receiving a request for a selected beverage base and the separately selected color with a computer processor; and (d) in response to the selection of the selected beverage base and the separately selected color, automatically dispensing through a single faucet of the post-mix beverage dispensing system, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, the selected beverage base and at least one of the colorants to provide the beverage having the separately selected color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rudick
  • Patent number: 9981839
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for conditioning a liquid stream with a liquid dispensing system associated with a refrigerator, preparing an enhanced beverage using one or more of the individually conditioned liquid streams and a liquid enhancement device and minimizing the potential for back contamination of the liquid dispensing system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tiemen Van Dillen, Lukasz D. Skalski, Luca Gamberoni, Ronald L. Voglewede, Nihat O. Cur, Gregory G. Hortin
  • Patent number: 9974416
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing, an aperture, a receptacle, a heating element, and an actuator. When a reservoir is received within the receptacle, an outlet port of the reservoir is exposed through the aperture. The heating element heats fluid housed within the reservoir. The actuator provides a dispensing force that induces a flow of the heated fluid. In some embodiments, the heater is an inductive heater. In other embodiments, the heater is a resistive heater. The dispenser dispenses the fluid through the aperture. Another embodiment of a dispenser may include a housing, an aperture, a receptacle within the housing, an actuator configured to receive a fluid reservoir, and a power source. The power source provides power to the actuator. The power source includes an alternating current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Toaster Labs, INc.
    Inventors: Amy Carol Buckalter, David Oscar Iverson, Garet Glenn Nenninger, Roland David Horth, Jonathan B. Hadley
  • Patent number: 9814345
    Abstract: A technique for preparing baby formula includes containing an amount of powdered formula, premeasured to provide a single serving of baby formula, containing an amount of water, premeasured to provide at least a single serving of baby formula, heating the water, and dispensing both the premeasured formula and the water for providing a single serving into a bottle or other vessel when the water reaches a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Miravan, LLC
    Inventors: Miriam Kutcher, Evan Kutcher
  • Patent number: 9776848
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser for providing mixed beverages. The beverage dispenser has a housing containing a plurality of first liquids, a plurality of second liquids, and a water supply, wherein the first liquids comprise liquors, and wherein the second liquids comprise mixer syrup. The beverage dispenser also has an interface, a dispensing spout and a server. The interface is provided on the housing to input variable data and receive variable instructions. The server electrically operates valves to control the flow of first liquids, second liquids and water to the beverage dispenser spout based on instructions entered at the interface and a pouring schema stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Bar USA LLC
    Inventors: William Metropulos, Tim Knecht, John Sugrue, Wayne Alpert, Kevin Hinterlong
  • Patent number: 9656849
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve dispensing system that can be used in a beverage dispenser. In particular, the valve dispensing system has individual valve module components that control the flow of a beverage or beverage component, and a plurality of valve module components may be combined to form a system capable of dispensing a plurality of beverages and/or beverage components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Cornelus, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil C. Hawken
  • Patent number: 9617138
    Abstract: An output unit for a beverage dispenser outputs hot beverages and/or ingredients for beverages to a container standing below the output unit. The output unit has one or more outlet assemblies for beverages and/or ingredients. Improved cleaning and/or mixing is achieved in that each of the outlet assemblies has a central inner outlet and an outer outlet which concentrically encloses the inner outlet, and in that the outer outlet is designed as a ring nozzle directed in the outlet direction so that a fluid which is output through the outer outlet encloses the inner outlet in the form of a concentric liquid sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SCHAERER AG
    Inventors: Bruno Mosimann, Peter Sinzig, Felix Bühlmann
  • Patent number: 9554589
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for calculating a food additive. A first method includes identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient, identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient and calculating a set of chemical compounds for the food additive such that an olfactory perception of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient. A first device includes a database storing information identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient and identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient, and a processor for calculating a food additive such that an olfactory perception of flavors of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kush R. Varshney, Lav R. Varshney
  • Patent number: 9420912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage-preparation device (1, 40) provided with a storage container (2) for liquid, a dispensing (4, 43) line connected to the storage container (2), at least two beverage-dispensing stations (6, 7, 9) each provided with a collecting reservoir (11, 12, 18, 41, 42), which collecting reservoirs are movable with respect to the dispensing line, a driving device (5, 21, 22) which engages with the dispensing line and/or the collecting reservoirs for displacing the dispensing line with respect to the collecting reservoirs in order to selectively bring the collecting reservoirs into liquid communication with the dispensing line and a control unit for controlling the driving device, characterized in that, within a dispensing period Td, the control unit brings the dispensing line into liquid communication with a first collecting reservoir in order to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid to each collecting reservoir, then with a second collecting reservoir and after that again w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BRAVILOR HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Ramon Eduard Verhoeven, Carlos Nicolaas Jozef Maria Koopman, Johannes Theodorus Emerentia Huiberts
  • Patent number: 9417221
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for calculating a food additive. A first method includes identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient, identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient and calculating a set of chemical compounds for the food additive such that an olfactory perception of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient. A first device includes a database storing information identifying chemical compounds of an averse food ingredient and identifying chemical compounds of a flavorful food ingredient, and a processor for calculating a food additive such that an olfactory perception of flavors of a mixture of the averse food ingredient, the flavorful food ingredient and the food additive is the same as an olfactory perception of only the flavorful food ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kush R. Varshney, Lav R. Varshney
  • Patent number: 9387518
    Abstract: An automated object sorting system is provided. In various embodiments, the automated object sorting system includes an automated object extraction assembly and an automated object collection assembly. The automated object extraction assembly extracts one or more objects from an object sorting tray based on one or more attributes and/or traits of interest. The automated collection assembly selectively deposits the extracted objects in selected collection receptacles according to the particular attributes and/or traits of each respective object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Deppermann
  • Patent number: 9380908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a milk-frothing apparatus, in particular for a coffee or espresso machine, comprising a froth-generating unit (22) which is in the form of a disposable part, which is easy to replace, and has a mixing chamber (40), an outlet (39), which leads to the outside from the mixing chamber (40), for the generated milk froth, and first means (42) through which the froth-generating unit (22) is supplied with steam and air (53), and also second means (43) through which the froth-generating unit (22) is supplied with milk, wherein the froth-generating unit (22) can be connected to a holding means (30) in a detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SCHAERER AG
    Inventors: Bruno Aeberhard, Peter Egli, Bruno Mosimann, André Lüssi
  • Patent number: 9370273
    Abstract: An apparatus and method may be configured for detecting selection between a hot version and a cold version of a beverage, causing opening of a first of a plurality of valves and closing of a second of the plurality of valves for providing water to a first of a plurality of mixing chambers based on the selection, causing delivery of beverage concentrate to the first mixing chamber, controlling a flow rate of the water and a flow rate of the beverage concentrate into the mixing chamber for mixing of the water with the beverage concentrate in a controlled ratio to create the beverage, and dispensing the beverage from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuejun Li, William W. Segiet, Fernando A. Ubidia, John F. Lewis, Aaron M. Stein
  • Patent number: 9352287
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus, puncturing mechanism, and cartridge are disclosed. The mixing apparatus has a housing and a drawer with a recess. Corresponding cartridges may be inserted into the drawer and slid into the housing to facilitate mixing a liquid with contents of the cartridge. The liquid may originate from a reservoir in the mixing apparatus or a direct line. Also inside the housing of the mixing apparatus is the puncturing mechanism. The puncturing mechanism has a nozzle configured to puncture a lid of a cartridge and inject liquid to mix with the contents of the cartridge. The puncturing mechanism is further configured to drive an internal puncturing unit inside of the cartridge through a lower portion of the cartridge to allow liquid from the nozzle and contents of the cartridge to be dispensed into a receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: FORMULANOW, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Snider, Nikki Lamb, Aaron Lamb
  • Patent number: 9320382
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing of a substance from a capsule . More specifically, (1) a capsule, (2) a beverage dispenser for receiving the capsule, and (3) mechanisms within the beverage dispenser that automatically open the capsule and rotate the capsule while mixing a beverage within the capsule to pour into a user beverage container or glass. The apparatus and method for cracking and peeling open the capsule provides a more hygienic approach to capsule-based beverage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: La Vit Technology LLC
    Inventors: Gian Matteo Lo Faro, John R. Laverack, Yuanli Shentu, Kurt R. Weseman, George E. Riehm, Greg G. Weaver
  • Patent number: 9173517
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing nutritional products including a number of storage hoppers for powdered ingredients, a controllable outlet connected to each storage hopper and operable to release controlled amounts of the powdered ingredients, a controllable liquid supply, a mixer, and a control system including a user interface for capturing data from a user. The control system uses the data that the user inputs to determine the quantity of each powdered ingredient and the quantity of liquid to be released to create a nutritional product, and sends signals to the liquid supply and the outlets to release the determined quantity of liquid and each powdered ingredient into the mixer to be mixed before being dispensed into a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: BIOSAUCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tom Bulgin
  • Publication number: 20150129614
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow may include a flow channel, a housing, a flow restrictor, and a housing adjustment member. The flow channel defines a fluid pathway for the fluid flow. The fluid pathway includes an inlet and an exit. The housing surrounds the flow channel. The housing comprises an exterior surface defining a first threaded portion. The flow restrictor is located within the housing and proximate the exit. The housing adjustment member includes a second threaded portion in contact with the first threaded portion. Embodiments may include a method for controlling a fluid flow. The method comprises: causing the fluid flow to pass through a flow channel having an inlet and an exit; restricting, via a flow restrictor, the fluid flow, the flow restrictor located proximate the exit; and adjusting a position of the flow restrictor to further restrict or unrestrict the fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: C. Brad Green
  • Patent number: 9010577
    Abstract: A fountain beverage dispenser for constituting a beverage by mixture of a beverage syrup and a diluent for the syrup is characterized by use of a highly concentrated beverage syrup supply and at least one diluent and syrup blending station for diluting the highly concentrated syrup with diluent before the diluted syrup is mixed with diluent in the final mixture of syrup and diluent delivered to a dispensing nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventor: George Harold Hoover
  • Patent number: 8998035
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are disclosed for controllably dispensing a liquid beverage concentrate for use in dispensing a beverage. The beverage may contain liquid beverage concentrate in combination with a liquid dilution ingredient such as water and may also include one or more additional ingredients. This system, method, and apparatus provides more precise control of the quantity of beverage concentrate dispensed by operating a pump used to dispense the concentrate based on the number of pulses of concentrate dispensed. A calibration is made to determine the measure of concentrate in each pulse. This volume per pulse is recorded and stored in a controller to controllably dispense a precise volume for a specific type of concentrate based on a predetermined recipe retained in the controller for each drink, type, and volume of the finished beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Ford
  • Publication number: 20150075388
    Abstract: A water dispenser having beverage-making function is provided. The water dispenser can include a body defining a beverage making cavity with an open side therein; a beverage making assembly disposed in the beverage making cavity and including a beverage container for accommodating a beverage capsule, the beverage container having a first penetration member for penetrating a bottom of the beverage capsule; and a water injection mechanism for supplying water to the beverage capsule and having a second penetration member for penetrating a top of the beverage capsule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Bingfeng DENG, Yong GAO, Long MA