HK1114369A - Beverage dispenser with additive dispensing - Google Patents

Description

Beverage dispenser with additive dispensing

Technical Field

The present invention relates to dispensing beverages. More particularly, the present invention relates to the preparation of beverages with a base fluid and selected additives.

Background

A beverage dispenser is a device that prepares a beverage from one or more beverage sources. In some types of beverage dispensers, a beverage source comprising a concentrate and/or a powder is mixed with a liquid (e.g., water) to prepare a beverage. Some types of dispensers require concentrate to dispense a relatively icer beverage (e.g., soft drinks), while other types of dispensers dispense relatively hot beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, and hot chocolate), for example, using a powder.

A conventional ice beverage dispenser is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 5960997. The dispenser dispenses a syrup of a base beverage, such as a soft drink, and an agent for diluting the syrup into a cup. The dispenser also dispenses the flavoring into the cup at the same time as and throughout the dispensing of the base beverage so as to maintain a constant ratio between the volume of the base beverage and the volume of the flavoring. While maintaining a constant ratio, this can result in less than ideal mixing.

U.S. patent No.6419120 discloses a conventional hot beverage dispenser. The dispenser has a plurality of flavor dispensers and prepares a flavored beverage by dispensing a base powder, water, and one or more flavors into a cup.

The solids may remain stuck to the flavor when the powders are mixed to provide a beverage. When flavors are added, they can stick to the remaining solids, which can result in flavor concentrations and non-uniformity when the concentration of solids is high. When producing an ice beverage, the powder is particularly difficult to dissolve sufficiently to avoid the presence of large solid agglomerates. Accordingly, there is a need for a dispenser and method of dispensing to provide improved mixing of the additive with the base liquid during preparation of a flavored beverage.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to beverage dispensers and methods of dispensing that may provide improved mixing of one or more additives (e.g., flavorings) with a base liquid. For example, by varying the proportion of additive dispensed, mixing can be improved when dispensing the base fluid. It is particularly advantageous to vary the ratio of additive to base liquid, for example, when varying the ratio during dispensing, preferably reducing the ratio of additive to base liquid at one or both of the start and end of beverage dispensing.

Reducing the ratio of additive to base liquid at the start of beverage dispensing ensures that there is no, or at least a reduced amount of additive sticking to the walls of the receptacle and not being completely mixed, and also ensures that there is always sufficient liquid and turbulence created by the base liquid for the additive to be completely mixed with said base liquid (for example diluted by dilution or dispersion).

Reducing the ratio of additive to base liquid at the end of beverage dispensing also ensures that there is no, or at least a reduced amount of, additive that remains on top of the beverage without mixing, which would degrade the taste of the beverage.

Regardless of whether the beverage is hot or cold, a dispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention can deliver a significantly improved degree of flavoring mixing.

In a preferred method of preparing a beverage, a base liquid is dispensed from a dispensing device into a container. A flowable additive is dispensed from the dispensing device into the container during dispensing of the base liquid to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid to form the beverage. Preferably, the dispensing of the base fluid and the flowable additive is controlled during dispensing to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base fluid within the vessel.

In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing of the additive is initiated after the base liquid has begun to be dispensed. For example, in one such embodiment, the dispensing of the base fluid begins at least about 1 second before the additive begins to be dispensed. The dispensing of the base liquid may be stopped at the same time as or at a later time, preferably not before, the dispensing of the flowable additive is stopped.

The dispensing of the base liquid is preferably stopped after the dispensing of the flowable additive is stopped, so as to change the concentration of the additive in the base liquid after the dispensing of the additive is stopped. For example, the dispensing of the base fluid may be stopped after a stopping period of time following the stopping of the dispensing of the additive, where the stopping period of time is proportional to the duration of the dispensing of the additive.

The dispensing of the base fluid and the additive may be controlled by operating a dispensing control device. For example, the base fluid and the additive may be dispensed for a predetermined period of time in response to operation of the dispensing control device. For another example, the base liquid may be freely dispensed for a predetermined period of time longer than the dispensing time of the additive after operation of the dispensing control device.

The additive is preferably dispensed to mix with the base fluid during dispensing of the base fluid. The additive may be mixed in the base fluid in relative concentrations, typically in the range of 1: 1000 to 1: 25 by volume of additive to base fluid. The additives may include one or more of flavorings, nutritional supplements, coffee or tea boosters (bosts), sweeteners, aroma enhancers or reducers, colorants, aromas, and substances selected to increase the consistency of the base liquid.

Additionally, the additive may be dispensed in a plurality of pulses having a predetermined duration. Preferably, the base liquid is dispensed at least before the start of the pulse, and preferably also at the start of the pulse. It is also preferred that the base liquid is dispensed after the pulse has ceased. A series of pulses may be started and/or stopped depending on the operation of the dispensing control device.

In one aspect, the additive is dispensed during a period of time that increases with the volume of beverage to be dispensed. This ensures that the beverage maintains the proper dosage and has a constant concentration of additive regardless of the size of the beverage dispensed.

In another aspect, the concentration of the additive in the beverage may be selected according to a selection made by the user. Thus, the additive dispensing time may be varied (e.g., increased) depending on the selected concentration (e.g., when a higher additive concentration is desired).

More specifically, the additive may be dispensed by the following steps:

a-obtaining preference information about a desired beverage size "V" in the selection of different beverage sizes from the dispensing control means of the dispensing device,

b-optionally, obtaining preferred information about a desired additive concentration "X" for a beverage size in the selection (e.g. low, medium, high) of additive concentrations from the dispensing control means of the dispensing device, and

c-controlling the dispensing device to dispense the additive during the additive dispensing cycle time "Y" in a manner that is related to (e.g. proportional to) the size of the beverage and optionally also corresponds to the selected concentration "X".

It should be noted that steps a-and b-may occur simultaneously or sequentially in any possible order.

The distribution control means for the preference information may comprise any suitable type of user interface. The user interface may be a switch panel, a touch screen, a portable computer or telephone, or any other equivalent device. The preference information may actually be stored in a storage medium of a controller connected to the user interface, the information containing instructions for causing the controller to initiate dispensing of the additive.

Preferably, the additive is dispensed from a source of less than all of the plurality of additive sources to produce a single beverage. The additive source itself may be selected in accordance with the operation of the selection control means of the dispensing device.

Preferably, the base liquid is prepared within the dispensing device by mixing the beverage ingredient with the first liquid. The beverage component may include a protein-rich liquid, juice, coffee, tea, cocoa, milk-based liquid, grain, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the beverage ingredients include one or more of a coffee or cocoa base, a sweetener, and a whitener, such as a creamer or dairy creamer with pure milk solids (dairy maker). The beverage ingredients and first liquid may be whipped to form a foam layer on the liquid layer in the dispensed base liquid. The amount of additive dispensed last may be mixed with the base fluid.

In another embodiment of the method of preparing a beverage, the base liquid is dispensed from a dispensing device into the container. The flowable additive is automatically dispensed from the dispensing device into the container during dispensing of the base liquid in a plurality of pulses of predetermined duration to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid. The pulse preferably starts after the start of the dispensing of the base liquid and does not end substantially until the dispensing of the base liquid stops.

In one mode of the method of the invention, the beverage is dispensed in response to a user actuating a button on a free-flow basis. To this end, the dispensing of the beverage may be controlled in the following order:

a-starting the dispensing of the beverage base at a starting time T-0,

b-starting the pulsed delivery of the additive after a delay a in seconds from the start time T-0, which corresponds to the formula:

A＝v/(V/Z)

where volume "V" is the minimum volume of beverage base required prior to pulsing the additive, V is the actual beverage volume, Z is the total dispensing time of the beverage in seconds,

c-pulsing the additive at time intervals corresponding to the formula:

(Z-2. a)/n;

wherein n is the total number of pulses required to deliver X mL of additive in the beverage, obtained by the formula n X/q, where q is the amount of additive delivered per pulse by the additive metering device,

d-optionally, pulsing the last pulse of additive after a time delay obtained by the following formula:

t ═ Z-A (sec)

e-stopping dispensing the beverage base after a time delay T ═ Z.

In a preferred method of preparing a non-carbonated beverage, a base liquid is prepared within a dispensing device by mixing a beverage ingredient with a first liquid. The base liquid is dispensed from the dispensing device into the container through the base liquid nozzle. Flowable additive is dispensed from the dispensing device into the container through the additive nozzle during dispensing of the base liquid to mix with the base liquid. The base fluid nozzle and the additive nozzle are preferably spaced apart to prevent cross-contamination between the injected base fluid and the injected additive.

A preferred beverage dispensing apparatus includes a base liquid source, an additive source, a base liquid dispensing mechanism, an additive dispensing mechanism, and a controller. A base liquid dispensing mechanism is operatively associated with the base liquid source for dispensing the base liquid into the container, and an additive dispensing mechanism is operatively associated with the additive source for dispensing the flowable additive into the container. A controller is associated with the dispensing mechanism to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base liquid within the container during dispensing. The dispensing mechanism is configured such that the flowable additive is mixed with the base liquid during dispensing of the base liquid to provide the beverage. The beverage dispensing apparatus may further comprise a heater configured to heat the base liquid to provide a warm or hot beverage and/or a cooler for cooling the base liquid to provide an iced beverage.

The controller is preferably configured to cause the additive dispensing mechanism to commence dispensing the base liquid in response to the base liquid dispensing mechanism and thereafter commence dispensing the additive. In addition, the controller is preferably configured to cause the base liquid dispensing mechanism to continue dispensing base liquid for a predetermined period of time after the additive dispensing mechanism ceases to dispense the additive. The controller may be configured to cause the additive dispensing mechanism to dispense the additive in pulses having a predetermined duration.

The additive dispensing mechanism may include a pumping mechanism associated with the additive source for pumping the additive from the additive source into the container.

Another preferred beverage dispensing apparatus includes a first liquid source, a beverage ingredient source, and a mixing system. A mixing system is operatively associated with the first liquid source and the beverage ingredient source to receive the first liquid and the beverage ingredient from the sources and mix them to prepare a base liquid.

Drawings

These and other features of the disclosed beverage dispenser and dispensing method will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. The figures are not drawn to scale and only show relative dimensions.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage dispenser;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mixing mechanism within the embodiment of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 1; and

fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a method of preparing a beverage using the dispenser of fig. 1 and 2.

Detailed Description

Illustrative embodiments are described below to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed beverage dispenser and dispensing method. One or more examples of the illustrative embodiments are shown in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the disclosed dispenser and dispensing method may be altered and modified to provide the dispenser and dispensing method for other applications, and that other additions and modifications may be made to the disclosed dispenser and dispensing method without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, features of the illustrative embodiments may be combined, separated, interchanged, and/or rearranged to generate other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dispenser 100 of the preferred embodiment includes a base storage chamber 102 that stores beverage ingredients and is in fluid communication with a base-liquid dispensing mechanism 106. Additive container 112 stores an additive and is in fluid communication with additive dispensing mechanism 116. The mixing mechanism 130 is disposed in fluid communication with the dispensing mechanisms 106 and 116 and the liquid source 120. The dispenser 100 also includes a controller 145 that is operatively connected to the dispensing mechanisms 106 and 116, the liquid source 120, and the mixing mechanism 130.

The dispenser 100 also includes a number of structural features whose function is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the dispenser 100 may include a housing 182; shelves 184, 186, 188 attached to the housing 182 and supporting the storage compartment 102, the receptacle 112, and other components; a container 150 for receiving the dispensed flavored beverage; and a drip tray or drain 190 for collecting spills or leaks (liquid) from the container 150.

The dispenser 100 is preferably configured to prepare a variety of beverages, including both relatively hot and relatively cold beverages. Some embodiments are configured to dispense either a warmer or a colder beverage, but not both.

As will be further explained below, during operation of dispenser 100, controller 145 preferably causes base liquid dispensing mechanism 106 and additive dispensing mechanism 116 to dispense base liquid (which is prepared from the beverage ingredients stored in chamber 102) and one or more additives into container 150. Generally, during such operation, the controller 145 controls the dispensing of the base fluid and the additive to vary the concentration of the dispensed additive within the dispensed base fluid as the base fluid is dispensed.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the base-liquid dispensing mechanism 106 includes an ingredient delivery mechanism, such as a pump 140, fluidly connected to the storage chambers 102 by conduits (e.g., tubing and plugs) for delivering beverage ingredients from those chambers to the mixing mechanism 130. The storage chamber 102 may store a variety of beverage ingredients such as, but not limited to, concentrates, liquids, syrups, and/or combinations thereof that may be used to prepare a beverage suitable for human consumption. For example, the storage chamber 102 can store beverage ingredients including bases of cocoa, coffee, hot chocolate, and/or tea; sweeteners (e.g., sugars or artificial sweeteners); and/or a whitening agent (e.g., a dairy creamer or creamer). As used herein, the term "concentrate" refers to a fluid concentrate, such as a liquid concentrate. Preferably, the binder component is not a powder. Thus, the means for handling the concentrate, such as the ingredient delivery means, comprises means configured to handle the fluid concentrate instead of the powder. For example, a pump may be used instead of an auger. Preferably, the base-liquid dispensing mechanism 106 includes a metering system, such as a separate pump 140 for each different storage chamber 102, to prevent or inhibit cross-contamination between the different beverage ingredients stored within the storage chambers 102.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, additive dispensing mechanism 116 includes a pump 160, and pump 160 is coupled to containers 112 to deliver additives from those containers to mixing mechanism 130. The container 112 may store a variety of additives such as, but not limited to, concentrates, liquids, emulsions, and syrups. For example, the container 112 may store flavorings (e.g., vanilla extract), nutritional supplements (e.g., vitamins and/or minerals, whey or bran, or substances recognized to improve mental and physical conditions), coffee or tea boosters, sweeteners, whiteners, flavor enhancers, flavor reducers, colorants, aromas, substances used to increase the consistency of the base fluid (e.g., substances capable of forming foam), and/or combinations of the foregoing. Preferably, additive dispensing mechanism 116 includes separate pumps 160 for each of the different containers 112 to prevent or inhibit cross-contamination between the different additives stored within containers 112.

A variety of pumping mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as peristaltic, piston, and diaphragm pumps, may be used for base-liquid dispensing mechanism 106 and additive dispensing mechanism 116 to deliver beverage ingredients from storage chamber 102 to mixing mechanism 130 and additives from container 116 to mixing mechanism 130. Preferably, pumps 140 and 160 are capable of providing a liquid flow, such as a liquid jet.

Base liquid dispensing mechanism 106 of the preferred embodiment is also associated with a liquid source 120 that provides a liquid that can be mixed with one or more beverage ingredients and/or one or more beverages within mixing mechanism 130 to provide a base liquid. Typically, the liquid or diluent source 120 is a source of potable water at ambient temperature and is connected to valves and/or pumps of the base-liquid dispensing mechanism 106 controlled by the controller 145. As shown in fig. 1, the liquid source 120 may be in fluid communication with a heating unit 121 (e.g., a boiler) and/or a cooling unit 123 (e.g., a refrigeration unit) that is operably connected to the controller 145 and controlled to provide hotter or colder water to the mixing mechanism 130. However, in one embodiment, the liquid source comprises a dedicated hot water source, a dedicated cold water source, or both (e.g., a dedicated source external to the dispenser 100), which may be entirely a heating and/or cooling unit. In some embodiments, the liquid source 120 is a source of liquid other than water at ambient temperature, such as, but not limited to, soda, cream, juice, or milk.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the mixing mechanism 130 includes a mixing cup 170, which is preferably configured as a funnel and fluidly connected to a whipping chamber 174 having an inlet 173 and an outlet 175 via a conduit 172. The mixing cup 170 is in fluid communication with the pump 140 and the liquid source 120 for receiving the beverage ingredients and liquid therefrom. Whipping chamber 174 preferably comprises a whipper 176 operatively connected to controller 145 and comprising whipper elements, such as blades or fins 177 of an impeller, for whipping the base liquid from mixing cup 170 and entering chamber 174 via conduit 172 and inlet 173. Various whippers known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., disc and blade whippers) may be used as whippers 176 to whip the base fluid.

The mixing mechanism 130 includes a base fluid dispensing nozzle 192 in communication with the outlet 175 of the whipping chamber 174, a delivery guard 194 surrounding the base fluid dispensing nozzle 192, and one or more additive nozzles 196. The base fluid dispensing nozzle 192 directs base fluid through the outlet 175 of the whipping chamber 174 into the container 150. The delivery guard 194, which is coupled to the dispensing nozzle 192, particularly via a gasket and clamp assembly 198, prevents or inhibits substantial outward splashing and/or spreading of the liquid dispensed from the dispenser 100 to the exterior of the delivery area, i.e., the open end of the container 150. The additive nozzle 196 is in fluid communication with the pump 160 and is disposed along a longitudinal axis of the dispensing nozzle 192 for dispensing additive into the container 150. Within the delivery guard 194, the nozzles 192 are spaced apart from the additive nozzles 196, and the additive nozzles 196 are spaced apart from one another to prevent or inhibit sputtering and cross-contamination between the base fluid and the additive and among the additives during operation of the dispenser 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the delivery guard 194 comprises a hollow cylindrical member made of plastic, metal, or other suitable material having a closed end 195, an open end 197, and one or more apertures formed in the closed end 195 and spaced along an arc. The apertures are sized, shaped, and arranged such that when the additive nozzle 196 is disposed therein, the nozzle 196 is supported and positioned to direct the additive into the container 150. Alternatively, the delivery guard 194 comprises a solid cylindrical (or other shaped) member through which is formed one or more passages sized, shaped, and positioned to direct the additive from the pump 160 to the reservoir 150. A variety of arrangements are contemplated to achieve the protective and retaining functions of the delivery guard 194. Suitable shapes for the shield include full circular, semi-circular or other shapes suitable for a dispensing system.

As shown in fig. 1, controller 145 is operatively connected to base-liquid dispensing mechanism 106 (e.g., pump 140), additive dispensing mechanism 116 (e.g., pump 160), liquid source 120 (in some embodiments, heating and cooling units 121 and 123), and mixing mechanism 130 (e.g., whipper 176). The controller 145 is a processor-controlled device that is capable of controlling the flow and timing of the dispensing of beverage ingredients, additives, and liquids. A variety of processor-controlled devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used as the controller 145 to control the operation of the dispenser 100 and its constituent mechanisms. Some such devices include, but are not limited to, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), programmable timing devices, personal computers, computer workstations, laptop computers, server computers, mainframe computers, hand-held devices (e.g., personal digital assistants (PCs), mobile phones, etc.), information appliances, and the like. As further explained herein, in some embodiments, the controller 145 is operatively connected to a user interface, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, trackball, keypad, or the like, for receiving commands and/or other information from a user of the dispenser 100.

As previously explained, during operation of the dispenser 100, the controller 145 controls the dispensing of the base liquid and the additive to vary the concentration of the dispensed additive within the dispensed base liquid during the dispensing of the base liquid. Preferably, the controller 145 controls the dispensing such that the dispenser (i) dispenses the base liquid and the additive, (ii) begins dispensing the additive later than the dispensing of the base liquid, and (iii) ends the dispensing of the additive no later than the end of the dispensing of the base liquid. Dispensing the additive in this manner promotes mixing between the additive and the base liquid by utilizing the naturally occurring agitation within the prepared beverage caused by the impact of the dispensed jet-like fluid stream. In addition to facilitating mixing, stopping the dispensing of the additive no later than the dispensing of the base liquid reduces waste by inhibiting the additive from splashing from the surface of the prepared beverage.

While jet-type flow or injection is preferred for the additive, non-jet flow may also be used. Preferably, however, the stream is generated by forcing the stream out of the nozzle at high pressure to promote mixing. Typical flow rates are about 0.25 fluid ounces per second (i.e., 7.1 grams per second) to about 10 fluid ounces per second (i.e., 283.5 grams per second), more typically between about 0.5 and 3 fluid ounces per second (i.e., 14.18 and 85.1 grams per second, respectively), with a preferred flow rate of about 1 fluid ounce per second (i.e., 28.35 grams per second).

Generally, the controller 145 is in communication with one or more storage media containing instructions for causing the controller 145 to prepare a flavored beverage. These instructions may include instructions for controlling pumps 140 and 160, heating and cooling units 121 and 123, and other components (e.g., the components shown in fig. 1-3) to generate and/or dispense a base fluid and/or one or more additives to container 150.

Typically, the controller 145 receives a selection of a desired flavored beverage from an operator or user of the dispenser 100 via a user interface. For example, the controller 145 may receive a selection by detecting a mouse click, a keyboard entry, a keypad entry, and/or another input event triggered by the user. In some embodiments, the controller 145 automatically prepares the selected flavored beverage based on receiving the selection. For example, in some such embodiments, the controller 145 dispenses the base fluid and the one or more additives according to instructions within the storage medium (e.g., instructions related to the timing and flow rates of the dispensing). Alternatively, in some embodiments, controller 145 prepares the beverage according to instructions contained within the storage medium and user instructions received during dispensing. For example, in some such embodiments, controller 145 determines the timing of dispensing one or more additives into container 150 based on user input.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a method of preparing a flavored beverage using the dispenser shown and described in fig. 1 and 2. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the disclosed dispensing method is not limited to the exemplary method shown in fig. 3, but rather, a different dispenser may be used to prepare beverages than those shown in fig. 1 and 2, and the beverages may be prepared according to features other than and/or in addition to those shown in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 3, a selection of a flavored beverage is received via, for example, a user interface (310 in fig. 3). Based on the received selection, the controller 145 prepares a base liquid (320 in fig. 3) corresponding to the (beverage) selection to be prepared and dispenses the base liquid into the container 150 (330 in fig. 3).

In most embodiments, the base liquid is prepared by mixing one or more beverage ingredients stored within the storage chamber 102 with liquid from the liquid source 120. Preferably, the at least one beverage ingredient comprises a flowable liquid concentrate. (of course, in some embodiments, the base liquid may include liquid from the liquid source 120 itself, or alternatively, one or more liquid beverage ingredients that do not need to be mixed with liquid from the liquid source 120). Accordingly, the controller 145 typically prepares the base liquid by activating the pump 140 and/or other components to direct predetermined amounts of one or more beverage ingredients and liquid from the liquid source 120 into the mixing mechanism 130 (e.g., the mixing cup 170). In some embodiments, controller 145 prepares the base fluid at substantially ambient temperature. Alternatively, in some embodiments, controller 145 prepares the base liquid by heating or cooling the liquid from liquid source 120 (i.e., by passing the liquid through heating unit 121 or cooling unit 123) before directing the liquid to mixing mechanism 130. Cooling the liquid from the liquid source 120 may produce a cooler base liquid. The base liquid may be dispensed at less than about 50 c for some beverages, at less than about 40 c, 30 c, 25 c, or 20 c for different types of beverages, for ice beverages, or even at less than 10 c. Some beverages may be dispensed at room temperature, e.g., around 20 ℃ or above 20 ℃, while other beverages may be dispensed at elevated temperatures, e.g., above 40 ℃ and more preferably above about 50 ℃.

After dispensing of the base liquid into the container 150 has begun, the controller 145 dispenses an additive corresponding to the user-selected flavored beverage into the container 150 by activating the pump 160 and controls the dispensing of the additive and the base liquid (i.e., controls the pumps 140 and/or 160 and/or other components of the dispenser 100) such that the concentration of the dispensed additive within the dispensed base liquid varies with the time the base liquid is dispensed (340 in fig. 3).

As previously mentioned, the additive dispensing preferably begins after the start time of the base fluid dispensing in order to facilitate mixing between the additive and the base fluid. Although dispensing of the additive may begin about 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds after the start time of dispensing of the base liquid, dispensing of the additive preferably begins at least 1 second after the start time of dispensing of the base liquid to facilitate mixing. In most embodiments, the dispensing of the additive will begin about 1 to 3 seconds after the start time of the base fluid dispensing.

The concentration of the dispensed additive in the dispensed base fluid is preferably between about 1: 1000 and about 1: 25 additive-base fluid volume ratio. Preferably, for coffee products, the concentration is from about 0.1mL of additive per 250mL of base fluid to as much as about 2mL of additive per 250mL of base fluid, and about 0.5mL of additive to 10mL of additive per 250mL of base fluid in the nutritional supplement or tissue modifying compound. The actual concentration of the additive in the base liquid will depend on the type of additive and base liquid, the type of beverage to be prepared, and other factors known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the controller 145 causes the additive to be dispensed into the container 150 continuously, i.e., in a continuous flow throughout the additive dispensing period. The controller 145 may be configured to continuously dispense the additive in accordance with instructions stored within the storage medium and/or user instructions received via the user interface (e.g., in accordance with the "press and hold" operation described previously).

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the controller 145 intermittently dispenses or "pulses" the additive into the container 150. The controller 145 may be configured to pulse the additive according to instructions stored in the storage medium, such as instructions indicative of the number of pulses, the duty cycle (i.e., a ratio in percent indicative of the ratio of the duration of each pulse to the total cycle time), the start time of the pulse delivery relative to the start time of the base fluid dispense, and the end time of the pulse delivery relative to the start time and/or the end time of the base fluid dispense. In some "pulsing" embodiments, the dispensing of the base fluid may be paused during pulsing, i.e., may be stopped prior to additive pulsing and restarted after additive pulsing. Preferably, however, the base fluid is dispensed throughout the additive pulse delivery period so as to enhance mixing between the base fluid and the additive. Alternatively, the controller 145 may cause the additive to be pulsed in accordance with user instructions received via the user interface (e.g., in accordance with the "push" operation described previously). In such embodiments, characteristics of the pulse delivery (e.g., number of pulses, duration between (individual pulses), start time, duty cycle, and end time) may be determined by user input, for example, the particular beverage and additive selected.

Finally, the controller 145 causes the dispensing of the additive to stop (360 in FIG. 3) and the dispensing of the base liquid to stop (370 in FIG. 3). Typically, the controller controls the dispensing time such that during time period T₁Distributing base liquid in internal period and in time period T₂Internal distribution of additive, wherein time period T₂In a time period T₁Starts after the start, and the time period T₂Is not later than the time period T₁Is terminated. When the additive is pulsed, the time period T₂Representing the total additive dispensing cycle time. Preferably, the additive dispensing is terminated before the base fluid dispensing is terminated (i.e., time period T)₂In a time period T₁Before termination) in order to enhance mixing between the additive and the base liquid and to prevent or inhibit splashing of the additive from the surface of the dispensed beverage. To this end, in most embodiments, the additive dispensing will be at the base fluid dispensingThe termination is terminated (before) about 2 seconds. In some embodiments, the base fluid dispensing may stop after a period of time ("stop period") following termination of the additive dispensing. The duration of this period may be related to the additive dispensing period T₂And (4) in proportion.

In some embodiments, controller 145 controls the dispensing of the base liquid such that during at least a portion of the base liquid dispensing time period (preferably, during the terminal portion of the dispensing time period), the base liquid is whipped by whipper 176 prior to dispensing the base liquid into container 150. For example, in some such embodiments, the controller 145 may cause the base liquid to be whipped by the whipper 176 near the end of the dispensing period of the base liquid so as to form a foam layer on the liquid beverage within the container 150 (e.g., to provide a foam layer for a coffee beverage such as cappuccino or latte). The whipping period may be based on instructions stored within the storage medium and/or may be determined from operator instructions received via the user interface.

As previously described, controller 145 may cause one or more additives to be dispensed into container 150 (340 in fig. 3). In embodiments in which more than one additive is dispensed, controller 145 and/or a user via the user interface may control the dispensing characteristics of each additive, such as the start time of the dispensing, the end time of the dispensing, and the like. In one such embodiment, the start time and the end time for dispensing two or more additives overlap each other such that the additives are dispensed simultaneously, thereby enhancing mixing between the additives. In another embodiment, the start time and/or the end time may be different in order to prevent or inhibit cross-contamination that may occur during simultaneous dispensing.

Although the disclosed beverage dispenser and dispensing method have been shown and described with respect to illustrative embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and/or be able to ascertain many equivalents to those embodiments using routine experimentation. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

For example, although the disclosed beverage dispenser is described with respect to beverage ingredients stored within a "storage chamber" and "additives" stored within a "container", the disclosed beverage dispenser is not limited to such storage media and may be suitably modified to store beverage ingredients and/or additives within other types of storage media, such as, but not limited to, bags, cartons, cylinders, hoppers, and the like. Also, reference herein to storage chambers and containers is for convenience only and should be more generally understood to refer to storage media for storing beverage ingredients and additives.

As another example, the disclosed beverage dispenser is not limited to storing beverage ingredients and/or additives inside the housing 182, but may be suitably modified to store and attach one or more beverage ingredients and/or one or more additives outside the housing 182, and/or to store and not attach to the housing outside the housing 182 (e.g., at a location remote from the housing). Further, the disclosed beverage dispensers may be suitably modified to store beverage ingredients at locations within the housing 182 other than those shown and disclosed herein. As another example, the disclosed beverage dispenser is not limited to the types and/or arrangements of components shown in fig. 1 and 2, and may be suitably modified to provide the mixing features described herein with different types and/or arrangements of components. Unless otherwise indicated, the use of the articles "a" and "an" herein to modify a noun is to be understood to include one or more than one of the modified noun.

Example 1. automatic control of dose adjustment and amount of additive dispensed for beverage concentration:

table 1 below gives an example of control instructions for dispensing an additive to a 240mL beverage to obtain a final beverage concentration of approximately 0.3mL ("low concentration"), 0.4mL ("medium concentration") and 0.5mL ("high concentration") of additive in the beverage, respectively:

TABLE 1

Amount of additive	Concentration of additive	Volume of additive (mL)	Dispensing time (seconds) of additive	Frequency (number of pulses per second)	Additive volume per pulse (mL)	Duty ratio (%)
							1	Is low in	0.3	3.4	3	0.025	54
In	0.4	4.7	3	0.03	54
						Height of		0.5	5.8	3	0.03	54
2	Is low in	0.15	2.6	2	0.03								66
						In	0.2	3.6	2	0.03	70

	Height of	0.25	4.1	2	0.032	40
							3	Is low in	0.1	3.1	1	0.035	10
In	0.133	4.1	1	0.035	10
						Height of		0.166	5.1	1	0.035	30
4*	Is low in	0.075	3 (i.e., 0.9 seconds for each pair of pumps with a 1.1 second dwell)	4	0.025								60
						In	0.1	3 (i.e., 1 for each pair of pumps).5 seconds)	3	0.025	70
	Height of	0.125	3 (i.e., 1.5 seconds for each pair of pumps)	3	0.031							54

^*When three or more additives are simultaneously operated, the controller simultaneously operates two pumps.

Example 2 beverage dispensing control according to free flow mode:

the free flow mode of beverage dispensing refers to the ability of the user to control the volume of beverage dispensed. One possible way is to keep the control switch depressed during the desired dispensing time and stop the beverage dispensing whenever the switch is released, so that the desired beverage volume can be controlled. There are other ways, such as repeatedly pressurizing a switch to turn the beverage base pump on and off.

One aspect is the ability to deliver the correct amount of additive. The second aspect is to provide a well-mixed beverage with sufficient dilution of the additive in the beverage base.

Preferably, the pressure exerted by the user on the switch (for example, a constant or discontinuous pressure according to the control system) ensures firstly the activation of the pump for the beverage base and secondly the activation of the at least one additive dosing pump after a small time delay.

To ensure that the correct amount of additive is dosed, the control of the dispenser may dispense the additive at a rate proportional to the beverage dispensing rate. The control of the free-flow mode is set to prompt an operator on site or a dispenser manufacturer at the factory to enter the actual beverage volume ("V") in mL and the total beverage dispensing time ("Z") in seconds (e.g., Z ═ 3.4 seconds). Thus, the beverage base flow is equal to V/Z.

For example, for a beverage base requiring a volume of 0.3mL of additive to be dispensed per 240mL ("V"), a minimum volume of 33mL of beverage base being required before the additive begins to be dispensed, the time required to dispense 33mL of beverage base is equal to 33/(V/Z) (i.e., about 0.46 seconds).

Thus, the preferred order of delivering the beverage is:

step a-start beverage base dispensing at time T-0 corresponding to user input,

step B-the additive pump is first actuated one pulse after a delay of 33/(V/Z) seconds (i.e. 0.46 seconds) a,

step C-subsequently, the additive pump is actuated at least one pulse at each time interval (Z-2 a)/12 seconds (i.e. approximately every 0.206 seconds),

step D-the additive pump is finally actuated for the last pulse afterA delay of T ═ Z-A seconds (i.e. 2.94 seconds),

step E-automatically stop beverage base dispensing at time T ═ Z seconds (i.e. 3.4 seconds).

It has to be noted that step d-may be omitted in this sequence, but in order to better mix the additives and obtain a more homogeneous beverage, the sequence should preferably comprise step d-. When the actuation button is released before the full beverage volume is delivered, the user may stop the sequence after steps c-or d-. In a preferred sequence, step d is performed and delivery of the beverage base is ended before step e, as the actuation button is released during step c. This again ensures good mixing of the additive in the beverage.

As an example, table 2 below gives the time intervals, percentage duty cycles and frequency at which up to four additives are dispensed during beverage preparation.

TABLE 2

Beverage volume "V" (mL)	Beverage concentration (in mL of additive)	Amount of additive dispensed	Time interval (seconds) between two pulses	Duty ratio (%)	Frequency (pulse/second)
						240	0.3	1	(Z-2*A)/12	54	3
0.3	2	(Z-2*A)/6	54	3

	0.3	3	(Z-2*A)/3	10	1
						0.3	4	(Z-2*A)/3	54	3
	0.4	1	(Z-2*A)/16	54	3
						0.4	2	(Z-2*A)/8	54	3
	0.4	3	(Z-2*A)/4	10	1
						0.4	4	(Z-2*A)/4	54	3
	0.5	1	(Z-2*A)/20	54	3
						0.5	2	(Z-2*A)/10	54	3
	0.5	3	(Z-2*A)/5	10	1
						0.5	4	(Z-2*A)/5	54	3

The time interval specifies the amount of time that elapses between two successive actuations of the additive pump for only one additive. Thus, when two or three additives are dosed, each additive pump can be activated in turn at less frequent intervals, since the amount of each additive in the beverage is 2 or 3 times lower. For example, if the amount of each additive required in the beverage is equal, the time interval between two consecutive pulses of the same additive pump can be twice as long when dosing two additives as shown in table 2. For example, if the amount of each additive required in the beverage is the same, the time interval between two successive pulses of the same additive pump can be three times longer when three additives are dosed.

The time interval for each additive pump depends, of course, on the amount of additive dosed and the dose of each additive required in the beverage. The ratio of additives may be different from the average distribution among the additives, and the time interval for delivering each additive may be different from additive to additive.

Claims (35)

1. A method of preparing a beverage comprising:

mixing a fluid concentrate beverage ingredient with a first liquid to provide a base liquid;

dispensing a base liquid from a dispensing device into the container;

dosing and dispensing a flowable additive from the dispensing device into the container during dispensing of the base liquid to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid to provide the beverage; and

the dispensing of the base fluid and the additive is controlled during dispensing to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base fluid within the vessel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein dispensing the additive is initiated after dispensing of the base fluid has begun, the method further comprising:

stopping dispensing of the flowable additive; and is

The dispensing of the base fluid is stopped substantially no earlier than the time at which the dispensing of the flowable additive is stopped.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein dispensing the base fluid is stopped after dispensing of the flowable additive is stopped to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base fluid after dispensing of the additive is stopped, the method further comprising mixing the last dispensed amount of the additive with the base fluid.

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the dispensing of the base liquid is stopped after a stopping period of time after the stopping of the dispensing of the additive, wherein the stopping period of time is proportional to the duration of the dispensing of the additive.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising operating a dispensing control device to stop dispensing of the base liquid and the additive, wherein the base liquid is automatically dispensed for a predetermined period of time longer than the dispensing time of the additive after operating the dispensing control device.

6. The method of any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising automatically dispensing the base fluid and the additive within a predetermined time period in response to operating a dispensing control device.

7. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the additive is dispensed in a plurality of pulses of predetermined duration, the base liquid being dispensed at least before and at the start of the pulses.

8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the base liquid is dispensed after the pulse has ceased.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the additive is dispensed during a period of time which increases with the size of the beverage to be dispensed.

10. Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the additive is dispensed during a period of time that increases with the strength of the beverage to be dispensed.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the additive is dispensed by the following steps:

a-obtaining preference information about a desired beverage size "V" in the selection of different beverage sizes from the dispensing control means of the dispensing device,

b-optionally, obtaining preferred information about a desired additive concentration "X" for a beverage size in the selection (e.g. low, medium, high) of additive concentrations from the dispensing control means of the dispensing device, and

c-controlling the dispensing device to dispense the additive during the additive cycle time "Y" in a manner which is related to the size of the beverage and optionally also to the selected concentration "X".

12. Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the dispensing of the beverage is controlled in the following order:

a-starting the dispensing of the beverage base at a starting time T-0,

b-starting the pulsed delivery of the additive after a delay a in seconds from the start time T-0, which corresponds to the formula:

A＝v/(V/Z)

where volume "V" is the minimum volume of beverage base required prior to pulsing the additive, V is the actual beverage volume, Z is the total dispensing time of the beverage in seconds,

c-pulsing the additive at time intervals corresponding to the formula:

(Z-2. a)/n;

wherein n is the total number of pulses required to deliver X mL of additive in the beverage, obtained by the formula n X/q, where q is the amount of additive delivered per pulse by the additive metering device,

d-optionally, pulsing the last pulse of additive after a time delay obtained by the following formula:

t ═ Z-A (sec)

e-stopping dispensing the beverage base after a time delay T ═ Z.

13. A method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising operating a dispensing control means of the dispensing device to direct a series of said pulses.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the series of pulses is stopped in response to operating the dispensing control device.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein dispensing the base fluid begins at least about 1 second before dispensing the additive begins.

16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising operating a selection control means of the dispensing means to select one or more additive sources from which to dispense the additive.

17. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the additive comprises one or more of a flavoring, a nutritional supplement, a coffee or tea stimulant, a sweetener, a flavour enhancer or reducer, a colouring agent, an aroma agent and a substance formulated to increase the consistency of the base liquid.

18. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising whipping the beverage ingredient and the first liquid to form a froth layer on the liquid layer in the dispensed base liquid.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the beverage component comprises a protein-rich liquid, juice, coffee, tea, cocoa, milk, grain, or combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the beverage ingredient comprises a coffee, cocoa, or tea base; a sweetener; and one or more of a whitening agent.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the whitening agent comprises a creamer.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the whitening agent comprises a dairy creamer comprising milk solids.

23. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additive is mixed in the base liquid in a relative concentration of from about 1: 1000 to about 1: 25 by volume of the base additive to base liquid.

24. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the base liquid is dispensed at a temperature of at least about 50 ℃.

25. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the base liquid is dispensed at a temperature of less than about 50 ℃.

26. A method of preparing a beverage comprising:

dispensing a base fluid from a dispensing device into the container at a temperature below about 50 ℃, wherein the base fluid comprises protein, milk-based ingredients, fat, carbohydrate, non-milk whitening agent, or mixtures thereof;

dispensing a flowable additive from the dispensing device into the container during dispensing of the base liquid to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid to provide the beverage; and

the dispensing of the base fluid and the additive is controlled during dispensing to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base fluid within the vessel.

27. A method of preparing a beverage comprising:

dispensing a base liquid from a dispensing device into the container; and

automatically dispensing a flowable additive from a dispensing device into a container during dispensing of a base liquid in a plurality of pulses of predetermined duration to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid, the pulses beginning after the start of dispensing of the base liquid and ending substantially until dispensing of the base liquid ceases.

28. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:

a first liquid source;

a source of fluid concentrate beverage ingredients; and

a mixing system operatively associated with the first liquid source and the beverage ingredient source for receiving the first liquid and the beverage ingredient from the sources and mixing them to prepare a base liquid;

a base liquid dispensing mechanism comprising an ingredient delivery mechanism configured to deliver a beverage ingredient to the mixing mechanism, the base liquid dispensing mechanism further associated with a base liquid mixing system for dispensing a base liquid from the base liquid mixing system into the container;

a source of an additive;

an additive dispensing mechanism operably associated with the additive source for dispensing the flowable additive from the additive source into the container, wherein the additive dispensing mechanism is configured such that the flowable additive is mixed with the base liquid during dispensing of the base liquid to provide the beverage; and

a controller associated with the dispensing mechanism to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base liquid within the container during dispensing.

29. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 28 wherein the controller is configured to cause the additive dispensing mechanism to begin dispensing the base liquid in response to the base liquid dispensing mechanism and thereafter begin dispensing the additive, and to cause the base liquid dispensing mechanism to continue dispensing the base liquid for a predetermined period of time after the additive dispensing mechanism ceases dispensing the additive.

30. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 29 wherein the additive dispensing mechanism comprises a pumping mechanism associated with the additive source for pumping additive from the additive source into the container.

31. A beverage dispensing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 28 to 30, wherein the controller is configured to cause the additive dispensing mechanism to dispense the additive in pulses having a predetermined duration.

32. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 30 wherein the beverage dispensing apparatus comprises:

means for selecting a desired beverage size (i.e. volume) "V" in a selection of different beverage sizes (i.e. volumes),

optionally, means for selecting a desired concentration "X" among a selection of different additive concentrations,

a control device configured to adjust the concentration of the additive as a function of the beverage size by dispensing the additive during a dispensing cycle time "Y" that is related to the size (i.e., volume) "V" of the beverage and, optionally, also related to a selected additive concentration "X".

33. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 32 further comprising a heater configured to heat the first liquid source to provide the hot beverage.

34. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 32 wherein the beverage dispensing apparatus is configured to dispense the base liquid at less than about 50 ℃.

35. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a cooling unit configured to provide a source of the first liquid at a temperature below ambient temperature to cool the base liquid.