Multi-tower modular dispensing system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9764935-B2
Application number	US-201514938360-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 11, 2015
Priority date	May 26, 2011
Publication date	Sep 19, 2017
Grant date	Sep 19, 2017

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a system including a multi-tower modular dispensing system including at least a first dispensing head and a second dispensing head at a counter, a transfer unit located remotely from the counter, piping extending from the transfer unit to the counter, the transfer unit including a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources, the centralized ingredient system configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the counter, the piping including a main micro bundle, the main micro bundle including at least two separate beverage ingredient lines.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing method comprising:
providing at least a first dispensing head of a first tower at a first counter;
providing at least a second dispensing head of a second tower at a second counter, the first and second counters remote from each other;
providing a transfer unit located remotely from the first counter and the second counter, the transfer unit comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources;
providing piping extending from the transfer unit to the first counter and the second counter;
supplying from the centralized ingredient system a beverage ingredient to the piping; and
dispensing of a first beverage at the first counter according to a consumer preference communicated from a social media system.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the piping is configured to supply beverage ingredients from the transfer unit to the first counter and the second counter in parallel.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending a query to a consumer within a predetermined distance from the modular dispensing system to query the consumer whether the consumer would like to purchase a beverage.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the query is based upon the preference of a consumer based on one of past purchases and identified preferences.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the query is based on a geographic location of the user.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a beverage order from a consumer via the social media system or application.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
dosing a predetermined amount of the first beverage ingredient from a first doser unit corresponding to the first dispensing head through the piping from the transfer unit to the first dispensing head; and
dosing a predetermined amount of a second beverage ingredient from a second doser unit corresponding to the second dispensing head through the piping from the transfer unit to the first dispensing head.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the piping comprises a micro bundle pipe.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first doser unit and the second doser unit are located below the counter.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first doser unit supplies an appropriate amount of each beverage ingredient through a first tower micro bundle, the first tower micro bundle comprising a plurality of separate lines, with each line corresponding to a particular beverage ingredient.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first dispensing head and the second dispensing head are each configured to receive at least two beverage ingredients selected from a flavor ingredient and an acid.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient are the same.

13. A multi-tower modular dispensing system comprising:
at least a first dispensing head of a first tower at a first counter;
at least a second dispensing head of a second tower at a second counter, the first and second counters remote from each other;
a transfer unit located remotely from the first counter and the second counter, the transfer unit comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources;
piping extending from the transfer unit to the first counter and the second counter;
wherein the centralized ingredient system is configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the first counter and for the dispensing of a second beverage at the second counter,
wherein the system is configured to communicate with a social media system.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
wherein the system is configured to query to a consumer within a predetermined distance from the modular dispensing system to query the consumer whether the consumer would like to purchase a beverage.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the query is based upon the preference of a consumer based on one of past purchases and identified preferences.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the query is based on a geographic location of the user.

17. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving a beverage order from a consumer via the social media system or application.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the system recognizes a consumer, determines whether that consumer is eligible for a gift or a promotion, and the query is based on the gift or promotion determination.

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the query is based upon a past beverage order by the consumer.

20. The system of claim 13 , wherein the dispensing head of the first or second tower is a legacy dispenser.

Assignees

• Pepsico Inc

Inventors

• Jersey Steven T
• Segiet William W
• Siegel Tom
• Kali Eddie
• Boggs Joseph
• Balstad Robert

Classifications

• G06Q10/40

  Business processes related to social networking or social networking services · CPC title

• G06Q50/12

  Hotels or restaurants · CPC title

• G06Q30/0635

  replenishment orders; recurring orders · CPC title

• B67D2210/00089

  Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals · CPC title

• B67D2210/00049

  Pipes · CPC title