Beverage dispenser system with remote ingredients handling

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10800643-B2
Application number	US-201515310664-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2015
Priority date	May 12, 2014
Publication date	Oct 13, 2020
Grant date	Oct 13, 2020

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A product dispensing system comprising:
a dispensing tower having a nozzle for dispensing a product, the dispensing tower positioned on a counter;
a micro-ingredient tower configured to receive a micro-ingredient package, the micro-ingredient tower positioned below the counter;
a micro-ingredient pump or metering device in communication with the micro-ingredient tower and adapted to dispense micro-ingredient from the micro-ingredient package to the nozzle, the micro-ingredient pump or metering device positioned below the counter;
a macro-ingredient pump adapted to dispense macro-ingredient from a macro-ingredient package to the nozzle, the macro-ingredient pump positioned below the counter;
a heat exchanger downstream from the macro-ingredient pump for cooling the macro-ingredient; and
a core dispense module (CDM) adapted to control the micro-ingredient pump or metering device and further adapted to control the macro-ingredient pump, the CDM remotely positioned from the dispensing tower.

2. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the macro-ingredient package is positioned in a back room.

3. The product dispensing system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is positioned in the dispenser.

4. The product dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a carbonated water source positioned remotely from the dispenser tower, the carbonated water source adapted to supply carbonated water to the nozzle.

5. The product dispensing system of claim 4 wherein the carbonated water source is positioned in a back room.

6. The product dispenser system of claim 5 , wherein the carbonated water source is configured to recirculate carbonated water between the carbonated water source and the heat exchanger to define a recirculation loop.

7. The product dispenser system of claim 6 further comprising a still water source adapted to supply still water to the nozzle bundled with the recirculation loop.

8. The product dispensing system of claim 1 further comprising a human machine interface (HMI) module adapted to receive user inputs, the HMI module positioned in the dispensing tower and in communication with the CDM.

9. The product dispensing system of claim 8 further comprising a user interface adapted to be utilized to select the product, the user interface in communication with the HMI module.

10. The product dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the HMI module is configured to receive the user inputs from an external device.

11. The product dispenser system of claim 10 wherein the external device is configured for short range wireless communications via a wireless interface with the dispensing tower.

Assignees

• Coca Cola Co

Inventors

• Gatipon Shaun B
• Quartarone Daniel S

Classifications

• B67D1/0037 Primary

  based on volumetric dosing · CPC title

• B67D1/0888

  Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means) · CPC title

• B67D1/0078

  Ingredient cartridges · CPC title

• B67D1/06

  Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters (shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00) · CPC title

• B67D1/004

  the diluent being supplied from water mains · CPC title