Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for monitoring beverage dispenser. A system for controlling beverage quality comprises a beverage dispenser monitoring unit comprising: a plurality of weight sensors each positioned below one of a plurality of syrup containers connected to a beverage dispenser, and a first network adapter configured to communicate with a control unit. The control unit configured to detect a low weight reading from a weight sensor of the plurality of weight sensors of the beverage dispenser monitoring unit via the second network adapter, determine a syrup container of the plurality of syrup containers associated with the weight sensor, and provide a notification of low syrup level indicating the syrup container to at least one of the plurality of user interface devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2020
Date of Patent:
April 23, 2024
Assignee:
Walmart Apollo, LLC
Inventors:
Christine L. Andrews, Rohit C. Dharmadhikari, Jose A. Estrada, Mayra R. Harmon
Abstract: A re-mixing dispenser for containing and dispensing a liquid. The dispenser may have one or more tubes, each containing a different liquid. At least one of the liquids may be re-mixed in situ, using a special two-piece plunger and plunger rod. A mixing piece of the two-piece plunger is moveable independently of a top piece and has blades that allow it to move through the liquid. A plunger rod is removably attached to the mixing piece and is operable to move the mixing piece up and down within the tube during mixing. The two plunger pieces are joined and moved as a single plunger during dispensing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 5, 2020
Date of Patent:
April 16, 2024
Assignee:
Southwest Research Institute
Inventors:
Cole Buss, Eric Kroeger, Taylor W. Batholomew
Abstract: A portable grout device is provided. The device includes a grout hopper, a cylindrical tube portion connected to and operable to receive grout from the grout hopper, and a drive shaft and auger assembly within the cylindrical tube portion. The drive shaft and auger assembly includes a central shaft and a helical auger screw operable to push the grout out of an end of the cylindrical tube portion.