CN117222595A - Membrane for reservoir sealing in a fluid mixture dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid mixture dispensing system having a pressurized ingredient cartridge (5, 16) includes a plurality of reservoirs (6, 6A, 6B), each containing a respective ingredient. These reservoirs are connected to corresponding apertures (15) in the plate (40). The respective ingredients may be dispensed through the respective apertures. A single membrane (30) selectively seals a plurality of the apertures. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In a particular embodiment, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. The diluent flows from the inlet through the one or more channels to the outlet and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.

Description

Membrane for reservoir sealing in a fluid mixture dispensing system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No.63/146,461, filed on 5 at 2 months of 2021, and U.S. patent application No.17/547,081, filed on 9 at 12 months of 2021, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

Background

Typical beverage dispensing systems combine a diluent (e.g., water) with a base beverage ingredient (such as a concentrate or syrup made up of a variety of other ingredients). However, these base beverage ingredients often require considerable storage space and may even need to be kept refrigerated to prevent spoilage. Thus, these basic beverage ingredients are likely not even to be stored in the same room as the beverage dispensing system, let alone in the beverage dispensing system itself. In addition, each beverage may require its own unique base beverage ingredient, further increasing the storage space and overall footprint of the beverage dispensing system. Furthermore, typical beverage dispensing systems do not allow for customization of beverages as well as home use.

Disclosure of Invention

According to various embodiments, fluid mixture dispensing is accomplished by an automated fluid mixture dispensing system. The system produces a mixture of beverages, cleaning products, cosmetic compounds, and/or various other fluid mixtures. Based on user selections, optionally customized by a user, the system is configured to prepare and dispense a plurality of fluid mixtures based on a set of base solvents and ingredients. The system can rely on a predetermined chemical composition of the fluid mixture in order to allow the system to prepare the fluid mixture. For example, chemical analysis of a particular wine or perfume produces a list of chemical ingredients or components that make up the particular wine or perfume. The system disclosed herein is capable of preparing a fluid mixture (e.g., nepheline white wine) depending on such predetermined list of chemical ingredients for the fluid mixture specified by the user. Some of the chemical ingredients may be dispensed in a relatively large percentage by volume in the final mixture (e.g., a glass of wine may have approximately 10-15% ethanol), while other ingredients may be dispensed in a volume of less than 0.1 mL.

Thus, the system disclosed herein is configured to form a fluid mixture based on a predetermined amount of the individual chemical ingredients that make up the fluid mixture, rather than forming the fluid mixture from concentrate or syrup alone, allowing for custom and selection levels not available with current beverage systems. In some embodiments, because small amounts (e.g., less than 0.1 mL) of individual chemical ingredients have a large impact on the fluid mixture properties (e.g., taste), the overall storage or footprint of the system is significantly smaller than those dispensing systems that rely on syrups and/or concentrates.

According to various embodiments, a particular one of the systems disclosed herein includes a plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing zero or more combinations of the respective ingredients and each of the following components: optionally and/or selectively pressurizable cartridges (also referred to as ingredient cartridges) to house a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; a solvent reservoir containing a corresponding solvent (e.g., diluent); a solvent inlet, such as a water inlet connected to an external water supply; a mixing channel; a dissolution chamber; a mixing chamber; a dispenser (e.g., a nozzle); a drip tray (e.g., a waste reservoir); a carbonator; a heat exchanger; a pneumatic system; pumps, such as motor-operated or pressure-operated pumps; a microfluidic pump; a fluid mixture holder sensor (to monitor whether a container for a fluid mixture is present); a drip tray sensor (to monitor the presence of the drip tray and/or the amount of fluid in the drip tray); a dispense sensor (to monitor a dispense profile of the fluid mixture); valves, such as electromechanical valves; interconnection hardware, such as pipes and/or tubing; a temperature sensor; a pressure sensor; a flow sensor; a user interface, such as a dashboard; a controller, such as a microprocessor; and any other device, sensor or apparatus used in a fluid dispensing system.

In some embodiments, one or more sources (e.g., ingredient reservoirs and/or solvent reservoirs) are fluidly connected to one or more collection points in a fluid path (flow) from the one or more sources to the dispenser. The collection point includes one or more mixing channels, mixing chambers, dissolution chambers, and dispensers in various embodiments. The number and type of collection points in a particular system depends on the use (e.g., environment) of the system, and/or the type of solvent and type of ingredients required to produce the desired fluid mixture. For example, the beverage dispensing system is configured with different sets of components, including different collection points and/or different collection point arrangements as compared to the cleaning fluid dispensing system.

In some embodiments, the solvent stream from the solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively heated and/or cooled by the heat exchanger as it flows to the next collection point (e.g., the solvent stream passes through a serpentine tube embedded in the heat exchanger). In further embodiments, one heat exchanger is configured to heat and/or cool more than two solvent streams. In various embodiments, any collection point is optionally and/or selectively heated and/or cooled by a heat exchanger. In particular embodiments, one or more temperature sensors are used before and/or after the heat exchanger, such as to measure the temperature of one or more input streams to the heat exchanger or the temperature of an output stream from the heat exchanger. In various embodiments, temperature sensors are used in other parts of the system, such as measuring the temperature of the solvent in the solvent reservoir, the temperature of the solvent from the solvent inlet, or the temperature of a fluid or gas at any point in the system (e.g., a fluid at a dispenser or a gas in a cartridge).

In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to monitor any sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a fluid mixture holder sensor, a drip tray sensor, or a dispense sensor) in real time and is capable of controlling any controllable component (e.g., a valve, a pump, a microfluidic pump, a pneumatic system, or a heat exchanger). By monitoring the sensors and controlling the controllable components, the controller is programmed to prepare one of a plurality of fluid mixtures according to the respective recipe (also referred to herein as the recipe) using the ingredients and the solvent. The controller is also programmed to produce a series of different types of fluid mixtures, such as a glass of wine, followed by a manhattan cocktail, using the corresponding recipe. The recipe specifies such things as: the amount of one or more ingredients to be used; the amount of one or more solvents to be used; an operational sequence such as a sequence of ingredients and/or solvent dispensing, or a sequence of pump and/or valve actuation; heating and/or cooling instructions for one or more streams and/or collection points; carbonation requirements such as whether the water stream passes through the carbonator or the amount of carbonated water to be added; pre-or post-dispense flush instructions; other techniques for producing fluid mixtures; and any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments and/or usage scenarios, the controller is programmed to purge (flush) the system, such as by dispensing a quantity of a particular solvent to flow through the system into the drip tray, between generating different types of fluid mixtures. In some embodiments, the system is capable of producing a fluid mixture having a volume of up to one liter. In other embodiments, the system is capable of producing a fluid mixture having a volume of up to three liters. In industrial applications, the system is capable of producing fluid mixtures in volumes of hundreds or thousands of liters.

In various embodiments, the controller may access and/or contain a library of predefined prescriptions. According to various embodiments, the controller generates one or more of the following specific fluid mixtures: responsive to the request, such as through a user interface (e.g., a dashboard); responsive to a command received over a network, such as a command received from a computer or smart phone; automatically generating; according to a programmed schedule; other techniques for controlling the production of a fluid mixture at a desired time and/or location; and any combination of the foregoing. In a further embodiment, the prescription is customizable, such as by a user customizing on a user interface, to modify a particular prescription for a particular need of the user. For example, the user selects a prescription for a manhattan cocktail, but changes the default amount of bitter dose to be used.

In various embodiments having a fluid mixture holder sensor, the controller is programmed to dispense the fluid mixture only when the fluid mixture holder (e.g., a cup or other container under the dispenser) is detected by the fluid mixture holder sensor. For example, the controller will not begin generating the fluid mixture unless the fluid mixture holder sensor detects a container below the dispenser.

In various embodiments having a drip tray sensor, the controller is programmed to determine whether a drip tray is present and/or the amount of fluid in the drip tray. In further embodiments, the controller is programmed to dispense no fluid mixture if the drip tray is not present and/or the amount of fluid in the drip tray is greater than a threshold.

In various embodiments with dispense sensors, the controller is programmed to determine whether the fluid mixture to be dispensed or being dispensed has a satisfactory dispense profile. For example, the dispense sensor is configured to determine one or more of a flow rate, a viscosity, a carbonation level, a sweetness (e.g., sugar content), or an alcohol content of the fluid mixture.

In some embodiments having a flow sensor, the controller is programmed to determine whether the fluid flow at a point in the system is as expected (e.g., measuring a flow rate) and/or to determine the volume of fluid passing through a point in the system (e.g., measuring an amount of fluid).

In some embodiments having a pressure sensor, the controller is programmed to determine whether the pressure in the container, such as the pressurized cartridge, is at a desired level, and/or monitor the pressure in the container over time.

In various embodiments, the controller is programmed to detect (such as with a sensor) or determine (such as by comparing the accumulated amount of the ingredient to the initial volume) whether the particular ingredient reservoir or the particular solvent reservoir has a corresponding threshold amount less than its remaining content. For example, the controller is programmed to determine that a particular one of the plurality of solvent reservoirs is nearly empty after dispensing the plurality of fluid mixtures.

In some embodiments, the controller is programmed to signal a condition to the user, such as a condition reported by the fluid mixture holder sensor, the drip tray sensor, and/or the dispense sensor, by a visual (e.g., a flashing light or a message on a display) or audible (e.g., a beep or spoken phrase) method. In further embodiments, in response to detecting the condition, the controller is programmed to maintain the fluid mixture in the mixing chamber (e.g., by controlling the valve) and not dispense the fluid mixture until the condition is remedied and/or overridden by the user. For example, the lack of a cup for holding the fluid mixture, as detected by the fluid mixture holder sensor, causes the fluid mixture to be held in the mixing chamber prior to the dispenser.

In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoir contains an ingredient, such as a solid (including a crystal, powder, or other form of solid), liquid, or gas used in the preparation of a fluid mixture. Similarly, the solvent reservoir contains a solvent, such as a liquid or gas, for preparing the fluid mixture. Typically, but not in all embodiments and/or use scenarios, the ingredient reservoir has a smaller volume than the solvent reservoir, and/or the ingredient is used in a lower amount than the solvent in the fluid mixture. Examples of ingredients include flavors, syrups, and chemicals such as citric acid (in solid form or in solution). Examples of the solvent include alcohols (e.g., ethanol or isopropanol), water, ethyl lactate, and propylene glycol. In a specific embodiment, there are at least three ingredient reservoirs. In further embodiments, there are tens or more ingredient reservoirs. Typical systems have more than two solvent reservoirs, but some systems have only one solvent reservoir, while other systems may not have any solvent reservoir. For example, an alcohol-free, low-calorie beverage production system with a carbonator requires only one water reservoir, or alternatively, only one water inlet (no water reservoir). In particular embodiments, at least some of the solvent reservoirs are replaceable and/or refillable (e.g., when the amount of solvent in the solvent reservoir is below a threshold).

According to various embodiments, the amount of a particular ingredient dispensed into the fluid mixture varies from a fraction of a milliliter (e.g., 0.01mL or less) to a few liters (e.g., three liters) (of course, equivalent variations within the range of amounts dispensed are applicable for solid or gaseous ingredients). The amount of the particular solvent used in the fluid mixture similarly varies. For example, a cup of wine has an alcohol content of 10% while a manhattan cocktail has an alcohol content of 34%.

In some embodiments, a plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the cartridge. In further embodiments, there are a plurality of such cartridges, such as ingredient reservoirs having different sets, as a back-up/backup cartridge, and/or in a system having a plurality of dispensers. According to various embodiments, each of the ingredient reservoirs is of one or more types, such as: an air bag; a syringe; a gravity dispensing chamber; a particle dispenser; a pierceable volume (pierceable volume); and any other container for solids (including crystals, powders or other forms of solids), liquids or gases. In various embodiments, all ingredient reservoirs in the cartridge are of the same type. In other embodiments, the cartridge contains more than two types of ingredient reservoirs. According to various embodiments, each of the ingredient reservoirs has one or more dimensions, such as: small size (e.g., one ounce or less, or two ounces or less); in various embodiments, all of the ingredient reservoirs of the cartridge have the same size.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of one or more ingredients from an ingredient reservoir in the cartridge into one or more mixing channels. In various embodiments, one or more mixing channels are embedded in and/or are part of the cartridge. In a first example, the ingredients are dispensed by individually controlled microfluidic pumps. In a second example, the cartridge is sealed (or contains a sealed interior chamber) and the ingredients are dispensed at least in part by pressurizing the cartridge (or interior chamber) and controlling the respective valve of each of the ingredient reservoirs to select which ingredient reservoirs are enabled to dispense the ingredients. The controller is programmed to dispense a given amount of each selected ingredient by controlling and/or by monitoring one or more of the following: pressure (applied to all ingredient reservoirs in the cartridge); a temperature, such as a temperature in a cartridge (or in an internal chamber); the duration and/or extent to which the respective valves of the ingredient reservoirs of the selected ingredients are opened; the viscosity of the selected formulation; the size of the corresponding orifice through which the selected ingredient is dispensed; and other factors that affect the amount of the selected ingredients dispensed.

In some embodiments, the dissolution chamber is used to more fully combine a particular solvent and/or a particular ingredient, such as by using heat (with a heat exchanger) or agitation (e.g., a mechanical agitator).

In some embodiments, a solvent, such as water, flows through the carbonator on a fluid path to a collection point.

According to various embodiments, any particular stream of solvent, ingredients, and/or mixtures thereof is moved (e.g., propelled) by one or more of: pressure, such as air pressure; a pump; a microfluidic pump; gravity; and any other technique for a fluid dispensing system. Further, the particular flow of solvent is optionally and/or selectively controlled at one or more points by fluid control components such as valves (e.g., electromechanical valves such as solenoid or other actuator driven valves, one-way valves, two-way valves, check valves, ball valves, or butterfly valves) and other types of fluid control or fluid diversion mechanisms used in fluid distribution systems.

In a first example system, a plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in a pressurizable cartridge. To create a particular fluid mixture, the selected ingredients from the ingredient reservoir are dispensed into the mixing channel using pressure applied to the cartridge. Solvent from the solvent reservoir also flows through the mixing channel, creating an intermediate fluid mixture. The intermediate fluid mixture and one or more other solvents (optionally and/or selectively heated, cooled, and/or carbonated) are mixed in a mixing chamber and dispensed through a dispenser.

The second example system is similar to the first example system, but uses two cascaded mixing chambers, a first mixing chamber receiving the intermediate fluid mixture and some of the one or more solvents, and a second (final) mixing chamber receiving the output of the first mixing chamber and another of the one or more other solvents. This allows mixing of a specific solvent of the one or more other solvents only at the final collection point, for example to reduce pollution and/or minimize loss of carbonation.

In some embodiments, the ingredients in the ingredient store comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of: glycerol (glycerol), fructose, glucose, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, tripotassium phosphate, sucrose, potassium sulfate, succinic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, disodium hydrogen phosphate, propanol, starter distillate 9x, ethyl acetate, 2-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, 2-phenethyl alcohol, oxacyclopenten-2-one, ferric sulfate heptahydrate, caprylic acid, caproic acid, 3-methylbutyl acetate, capric acid, hex-1-ol, ethyl octanoate, furan-2-yl methanol, ethyl hexanoate, 2-methylpropanoic acid, furan-2-carbaldehyde, ethyl butyrate, 2, 6-dimethoxyphenol, ethyl decanoate, hexyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 3-methylsulfonylpropan-1-ol, ethyl propionate, butan-1-ol, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 5-methylfuran-2-carbaldehyde, isobutyl acetate, 5-pentoxacyclopenten-2-one, 2-methylpropan ethyl 2-oxopropionate, 5-methyl-4-oxoprop-2-one, and 2-methoxyphenol or a phenol-4-methoxyphenol.

It should be understood that any variations, embodiments, features, and options described in view of the systems disclosed herein are equally applicable to the methods disclosed herein, and vice versa. It will also be apparent that any one or more of the above variations, embodiments, features, and options may be combined.

Other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The embodiments and descriptions herein should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

All publications, including patent documents, scientific articles and databases, mentioned in this application are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication was individually incorporated by reference. If the definition set forth herein is contrary to or inconsistent with the definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications and other publications incorporated by reference, the definition set forth herein is superior to the definition set forth herein by reference.

Drawings

The application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of characterizing a dispensed beverage, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2A illustrates an example of a fluid mixture dispensing system according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2B illustrates an example of a fluid mixture dispensing system with a housing removed, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a fluid mixing system having a transparent housing with a water reservoir and an alcohol reservoir, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 4A illustrates an example of multiple cartridges of a fluid mixture dispensing system according to some embodiments.

Fig. 4B illustrates an example of a cartridge interior of a fluid mixture dispensing system according to some embodiments.

Fig. 5A illustrates an example of a simplified plurality of ingredient reservoirs of a fluid mixture dispensing system according to some embodiments.

Fig. 5B illustrates an example of a cross-section of a simplified plurality of ingredient reservoirs of the fluid mixture dispensing system of fig. 5A, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 5C illustrates an enlarged version of fig. 5B, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 5D illustrates an enlarged view of an ingredient reservoir in a mixing channel closed position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5E illustrates an enlarged view of an ingredient reservoir in a mixing channel open position according to some embodiments

Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a solenoid on the underside of a substrate that can control the dispensing of ingredients into a mixing channel of a fluid mixture dispensing system, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 7 illustrates a view of an example of a front view of a fluid mixing system with a transparent housing, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of a rear view of a fluid mixing system with a transparent enclosure, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 9 illustrates a computer according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example of how an ingredient cartridge, an ingredient reservoir, and an ingredient mixture may be defined according to some embodiments. In fig. 10, "TCS" is a temperature controlled memory capable of maintaining stored contents at a desired temperature using a heat exchanger. As shown in fig. 10, the metering control element includes at least one of a valve, an electric element, a pump, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, and a mechanical component (e.g., a three-way valve, a check valve, etc.).

FIG. 11 illustrates an example system flow diagram of a fluid mixing system, according to some embodiments. In fig. 11, "TCS" is a temperature controlled memory capable of maintaining stored contents at a desired temperature using a heat exchanger. As shown in fig. 11, the metering control element includes at least one of a valve, an electric element, a pump, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, and a mechanical component (e.g., a three-way valve, a check valve, etc.).

FIG. 12 illustrates another example system flow diagram of a fluid mixing system, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 13 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of a bottom portion of an ingredient cartridge according to some embodiments.

Fig. 14 illustrates an exemplary bottom view of a film-removed ingredient cartridge according to some embodiments.

Fig. 15 illustrates an exemplary cut-away perspective view of a portion of an ingredient cartridge according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of characterizing preparation and dispensing of a fluid mixture, according to some embodiments.

In the drawings, like reference numerals correspond to like components unless otherwise indicated.

Detailed Description

The following provides a detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention and figures showing selected details of the invention. The invention is described in connection with the embodiments. The embodiments in this disclosure are to be understood as examples, and the invention is obviously not limited to any or all of the embodiments in this disclosure, and the invention encompasses numerous combinations, alternatives, modifications and equivalents. To avoid monotonous recitation, various word labels (such as: first, last, some, various, further, given, other, specific, selected, some, specific, and salient) may be applied to different sets of embodiments; as used in this disclosure, such labeling is obviously not meant to convey quality or any form of preference or prejudice, but merely to facilitate distinguishing between individual groups. The order of some of the operations of the disclosed methods may be altered within the scope of the invention. Wherever multiple embodiments are used to describe variations in a process, system, and/or program instruction features, other embodiments are contemplated that perform static and/or dynamic selection of one of a plurality of modes of operation corresponding to one or more of the multiple embodiments, respectively, according to predetermined or dynamically determined criteria. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. In various embodiments, different values may be used. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may be practiced according to the claims rather than according to some or all of the details. For the sake of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

Fluid mixture dispensing systems and methods are described herein. The fluid mixtures described herein may be prepared from a combination of liquids, solids, and gases. According to some embodiments, the fluid mixture dispensing system comprises a combination of one or more of at least some of the following: a solvent reservoir (e.g., a water reservoir and/or an alcohol reservoir); a dissolution chamber; a plurality of ingredient reservoirs; a mixing channel; a mixing chamber; a dispenser (e.g., a nozzle); a heat exchanger; and a controller. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to receive a request for the fluid mixture, and in response to receiving the request for the fluid mixture, the controller is configured to: (1) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir and/or a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir) and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture; (2) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one solvent (e.g., water from a water reservoir and/or alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) from at least one solvent reservoir to a first mixing chamber; (3) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., a predetermined amount of water from a water reservoir and/or a predetermined amount of alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to at least one dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture; (4) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to a second mixing chamber; and (5) flowing the contents of the first mixing chamber (if it is not the same as the final mixing chamber), the contents of the second mixing chamber (if it is not the same as the final mixing chamber), and the intermediate fluid mixture (if any) to the final mixing chamber. The system is capable of dispensing a fluid mixture (e.g., from a final mixing chamber) via a dispenser. Thus, the system is capable of producing a plurality of different fluid mixtures based on corresponding requests for the fluid mixtures. Upon receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system is configured to automatically create and dispense the fluid mixture by flowing a desired amount of solvent (e.g., water and/or alcohol) and/or ingredients from their respective reservoirs to a final mixing chamber, and then dispensing the fluid mixture via a dispenser. In some embodiments, the system has only a single mixing chamber, which may be referred to as the "final" mixing chamber. In various embodiments having multiple mixing chambers, there is typically a final (final) mixing chamber before the dispenser in the sequence of fluid flows. In other embodiments, the dispenser is used as the final mixing chamber.

The fluid mixture dispensing system described herein is capable of dispensing all kinds of fluid mixtures. For example, fluid mixtures include, but are not limited to, beverages (e.g., wine, soda, tea, etc.), cosmetics (e.g., perfumes, cosmetics, etc.), cleaning products (e.g., shampoos, conditioners, soaps, etc.), inks, oils, and various other fluid mixtures.

In some embodiments, the system includes a controller. The term "controller" encompasses one or more controllers (e.g., one or more processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded control processors, and/or CPUs). In particular embodiments of the present invention, the controller may be a control system for the entire device even though the individual control elements are programmed individually and are not part of a common control hierarchy. In various embodiments, the controller is any device or system that includes one or more computer processors configured to receive a user request, process each of the received requests, and generate and transmit one or more output signals according to the results of the request processing. In some embodiments, the controller is provided in whole or in part as all or part of a desktop computing device, laptop computer, tablet computer, mobile electronic device, special-purpose processing device, computing module, processor, server, cloud computing system, distributed computing system, or the like. In some embodiments, the controller is provided in-situ (e.g., in or attached to the fluid mixture dispensing system) relative to the rest of the fluid mixture dispensing system, while in other embodiments, the controller is provided remotely (e.g., externally and not attached to the fluid mixture dispensing system, such as at a remote server location). Fig. 9 illustrates an example of a controller that can be used with and/or in the fluid mixture dispensing systems disclosed herein. As previously mentioned, any system optionally includes more than one controller. For example, in some embodiments, a first controller is programmed to operate a user interface and communicate with other controllers in the system, and a second controller is programmed to operate a fluid control system (e.g., pump, valve, and/or corresponding sensor).

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to receive user requests, process the user requests, and prepare the respective fluid mixtures for dispensing. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to dispense a fluid mixture (e.g., a beverage) according to the techniques described herein (such as with reference to fig. 1).

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to send one or more instructions and/or control signals to various other components of the fluid mixture dispensing system to cause the system to dispense the fluid mixture. In some embodiments, the instructions and/or control signals are sent by the controller in response to a received request for the fluid mixture and in accordance with a recipe for the requested fluid mixture. The systems referred to herein receive requests, perform actions (such as flowing solvent), etc., including at least a portion of components of the systems (such as controllers, valves, and/or pumps) controlling, being programmed to control, monitor, perform, or otherwise enable receiving requests, performing actions, etc. In a first example, a system control/monitor (or configured to control/monitor) operation refers to a system controller control/monitor (or configured to control/monitor) operation. In a second example, the system flowing solvent refers to the system's pump and/or valve (as controlled by the controller) flowing solvent.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart representative of an exemplary method 100 for dispensing a fluid mixture (e.g., beverage) in accordance with various embodiments. In some embodiments, any one or more variations of method 100 (and/or method 1600 as shown in fig. 16) are optionally and/or selectively combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the systems, methods, devices, components, and/or techniques described elsewhere herein.

Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of fluid mixture dispensing systems 1 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the fluid mixture dispensing system can be used for beverage dispensing and/or for a variety of other types of fluid mixture dispensing. According to various embodiments, the fluid mixture dispensing system can be a workstation or consumer electronics device, or a larger device installed in a restaurant or other commercial enterprise.

In some embodiments, the fluid mixture dispensing system 1 includes a housing 2. In further embodiments, the housing is a protective outer housing that houses various internal components of the system. According to various embodiments, the internal components include one or more of at least some of the following: a solvent reservoir (e.g., a water reservoir and/or an alcohol reservoir); a ingredient reservoir; a mixing channel; a mixing chamber; a heat exchanger (e.g., heater/cooler); a dissolution chamber; and various fluid movement mechanisms (e.g., valves, actuators, pumps, etc.). The fluid mixture dispensing system 1 optionally includes a user interface 3, such as a display, keyboard, touch pad, and/or touch screen.

At block 102 of fig. 1, in some embodiments, a system (e.g., a controller of the system) receives a request for a fluid mixture (e.g., a beverage). In some embodiments, the request for the fluid mixture is received via a user interface. In some embodiments, the user interface includes a graphical user interface such as a touch screen. In some embodiments, the user interface is configured to display the request and/or any modifications made to the request (e.g., by a user via the user interface). For example, if the user requests soda, the user interface optionally and/or selectively displays options to modify the soda, such as the amount of sugar to be added, carbonation level, total volume, and/or temperature, and the like. In some embodiments, the desired fluid mixture is prepared from a predetermined fluid mixture selected from a library of predetermined fluid mixtures. In various embodiments, a library of predefined fluid mixtures (e.g., names of the predefined fluid mixtures and/or formulas of the predefined fluid mixtures) can be displayed on a user interface for selection by a user. In some embodiments, the library of predefined fluid mixtures is stored remotely from the fluid mixture distribution system and later sent or uploaded to the fluid mixture distribution system. In various embodiments, a library of predetermined fluid mixtures is sent to the controller and stored in a memory of the controller. In some embodiments, the requested fluid mixture includes a modification of the ingredients of the selected predetermined fluid mixture. In various embodiments, the user uses the user interface to make ingredient modifications.

In some embodiments, the user's selection of the predetermined fluid mixture and any subsequent modification are made on a computer (e.g., smart phone, tablet computer, etc.) that is different from the controller of the fluid mixture dispensing system, which is capable of sending the request to the fluid mixture dispensing system, such as over a network.

In some embodiments, the library of predetermined fluid mixtures is a library comprising a series of ingredients (e.g., compounds such as ingredients and/or solvents) and a corresponding list of amounts of each ingredient of each predetermined fluid mixture in the library. For each predetermined fluid mixture, the ingredients and the corresponding quantity list for each ingredient may be obtained from a previous chemical analysis of the predetermined fluid mixture. For example, a chardonnay white wine having a particular identifiable flavor or type may be defined by a list of ingredients of a certain amount of chemical ingredients (such as acids, sugar solutions, etc.), which are mixed into a larger mixture of water and alcohol to form the chardonnay white wine. The number of unique combinations of ingredients may be infinite. Thus, any particular fluid mixture (e.g., wine, soda, perfume, etc.) is combined by a defined list of ingredients and corresponding amounts of each ingredient (such as by chemical analysis of the desired fluid mixture). In some embodiments, the systems disclosed herein digitally accept predetermined fluid mixture information (i.e., a recipe for each predetermined fluid mixture) and then translate that information into a control process (e.g., control of mechanical/electromechanical valves and/or pumps) that dispenses a list of ingredients in the corresponding amounts to form the requested fluid mixture. In various embodiments, the recipe for the predetermined fluid mixture includes additional control information, such as the sequence of operations required to prepare the predetermined fluid mixture, a description of one or more fluid paths to be used, temperature requirements, and/or control of other portions of the fluid dispensing system.

At block 104 of fig. 1, in some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system is optionally and/or selectively configured to control one or more of: (1) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., a predetermined amount of water from a water reservoir and/or a predetermined amount of alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from a plurality of ingredient reservoirs to at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture; (2) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one solvent (e.g., water from a water reservoir and/or alcohol from an alcohol mixture) from the at least one solvent reservoir to a mixing chamber; (3) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir (e.g., a predetermined amount of water from a water reservoir and/or a predetermined amount of alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) and a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to at least one dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture; (4) Flowing a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to the mixing chamber; and (5) flowing the intermediate fluid mixture (if any) into the mixing chamber. Examples of fluid paths used in block 104 are shown in fig. 11 and 12.

Fig. 11 and 12 illustrate exemplary system flowcharts of fluid mixture dispensing systems according to various embodiments. In fig. 11 and 12, each heat exchanger is optionally included in a given system. When included, each of the heat exchangers can be selectively adjustable in temperature up or down (e.g., temperature of a substance flowing through and/or adhering to the heat exchanger). In various embodiments, the set of metering control elements in fig. 11 and 12 includes at least one of a valve, an electrically-powered element (e.g., solenoid), a pump, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, a mechanical component (e.g., a three-way, check valve, etc.), and/or any other control, diversion, or sensor component for use in a fluid distribution system.

In some embodiments, the system includes at least one solvent reservoir containing at least one solvent. In some embodiments, the at least one solvent comprises water, alcohol, ethyl lactate, and/or propylene glycol. The at least one solvent reservoir supplies the at least one solvent to the fluid mixture to be dispensed. For example, solvent reservoir 8a (e.g., containing water) and solvent reservoir 8b (e.g., containing alcohol) are shown in fig. 8, and fig. 11 and 12 show water reservoir 10. In some embodiments, the system includes multiple solvent reservoirs (e.g., one or more water reservoirs, one or more alcohol reservoirs, one or more propylene glycol reservoirs, one or more ethyl lactate reservoirs, and/or combinations of the foregoing, as well as other variations and/or types of solvent reservoirs). In various embodiments, any of the at least one solvent in the at least one solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively diluted. For example, the alcohol reservoir contains 95% alcohol instead of 100% alcohol. In some embodiments, the water reservoir or inlet port optionally includes or is fluidly connected to a water filter that is capable of removing impurities from the water prior to flowing the water to other portions of the system (e.g., to the mixing chamber).

In some embodiments, at least one solvent reservoir supplies a solvent (e.g., any one or more of the at least one solvent) to the fluid mixture to be dispensed. For example, the water reservoir can supply water to the fluid mixture to be dispensed. In some embodiments, the solvent reservoir includes a solvent container contained within the fluid mixture dispensing system to supply one or more solvents to the system. The one or more solvents can be used to dissolve or carry the various ingredients to form the desired fluid mixture. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to at least one mixing channel (e.g., via a system controller that controls a pump and/or valve) to form an intermediate fluid mixture.

In some embodiments, the water reservoir comprises a water container contained within the fluid mixture dispensing system. In other embodiments, the water reservoir is a standard water outlet, such as a faucet or a water pipe, that is connected to the water inlet of the fluid mixture dispensing system to supply water to the system. In some embodiments and/or use scenarios, water is optionally and/or selectively used as a solvent to dissolve various ingredients to form a desired fluid mixture. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir to the at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture. Such an example is shown in fig. 11 and 12, wherein, in some embodiments and/or usage scenarios, a predetermined amount of water flows to the mixing channel 11. A predetermined amount of water is optionally and/or selectively mixed with alcohol from an alcohol reservoir (e.g., in the alcohol cartridge 13) and/or ingredients from a plurality of ingredient reservoirs in the mixing channel 11 to form an intermediate fluid mixture before flowing to the final mixing chamber 7.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir to the mixing chamber in response to receiving a request for the fluid mixture. Such an example is shown in fig. 11 and 12, wherein in some embodiments a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir 10 can flow to the final mixing chamber 7. Thus, the final mixing chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the water reservoir.

In some embodiments, the system includes at least one dissolution chamber (e.g., dissolution chamber 12 as shown in fig. 11) for dissolving a particular solid and/or gaseous ingredient prior to mixing in the mixing chamber (such as with other ingredients and/or solvents). In these embodiments, the controller is configured to selectively and/or selectively dispense (according to a recipe) a predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient into the dissolution chamber to dissolve before the predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient enters the mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to the dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture. In various embodiments, at least one solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the dissolution chamber, and the dissolution chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to the gas dissolution chamber to dissolve the gas ingredients, and optionally and/or selectively flows an intermediate fluid mixture of dissolved gases to the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to the solids dissolution chamber to dissolve the solid ingredients, and optionally and/or selectively flows an intermediate fluid mixture of dissolved solids to the mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir to the dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture. In various embodiments, the water reservoir is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the dissolution chamber, and the dissolution chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the mixing chamber. Fig. 11 shows the dissolution chamber 12, and fig. 12 shows the solid dissolution chamber 12a and the gas dissolution chamber 12b. In various embodiments, the gas comprises nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir to the gas dissolution chamber to dissolve the gas ingredients, and optionally and/or selectively flows an intermediate fluid mixture of dissolved gas to the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir to the solids dissolution chamber to dissolve the solid ingredients, and optionally and/or selectively flows an intermediate fluid mixture of dissolved solids to the mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of at least one solvent depends on the desired fluid mixture. In other words, the predetermined amount(s) of solvent(s) that generally flow to the final mixing chamber, whether directly or in one or more intermediate fluid mixtures, corresponds to the amount(s) of solvent(s) required to dispense the desired fluid mixture (e.g., a fluid mixture selected from a library of predetermined fluid mixtures). In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of at least one solvent flows from the solvent reservoir through the entire system via at least one pump.

In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of water depends on the desired fluid mixture. In other words, the predetermined amount of water flowing generally to the final mixing chamber corresponds to the desired amount of water in the desired fluid mixture (e.g., a fluid mixture selected from a library of predetermined fluid mixtures), whether flowing directly or in one or more intermediate fluid mixtures. For example, if Chardonnay white wine is selected and the predetermined recipe for Chardonnay requires a total of 50mL of water from the water reservoir, the system flows 50mL of water to the final mixing chamber for incorporation into Chardonnay. In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of water flows from the water reservoir through the entire system via at least one pump.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitor the amount of at least one solvent in at least one solvent reservoir. For example, in some embodiments, this is accomplished by various sensors and/or by tracking the amount of at least one solvent that has been dispensed. The system optionally and/or selectively informs a user (e.g., via a user interface) that the solvent reservoir should be refilled or replaced when the amount of solvent in the solvent reservoir is below a specified threshold. In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitor the amount of water in the water reservoir.

In some embodiments, the system includes one or more other solvent reservoirs, such as a second solvent reservoir 8b (as shown in fig. 8), or an alcohol reservoir such as in an alcohol cartridge 13 (as shown in fig. 11 and 12), in addition to one or more water reservoirs (such as water reservoir 10 shown in fig. 11 and 12). In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of alcohol reservoirs. Any one or more alcohol reservoirs can supply alcohol to the fluid mixture to be dispensed. As described above, the solvent in the solvent reservoir includes one or more of an alcohol (e.g., ethanol), water, ethyl lactate, propylene glycol, and/or various other alcohols and/or other solvents, as well as various combinations thereof. In various embodiments, as shown in fig. 10, the alcohol in the alcohol reservoir is an alcohol mixture. In some embodiments, the alcohol mixture includes an alcohol and water. For example, FIG. 10 shows that the alcohol solvent may be an alcohol mixture of 10-100% alcohol by volume with 0-90% water by volume.

In some embodiments, the alcohol reservoir comprises an alcohol container contained within the fluid mixture dispensing system. In addition to providing alcohol to the fluid mixture, in various embodiments, the alcohol is optionally and/or selectively used to dissolve various other ingredients to form an intermediate fluid mixture that is part of the desired fluid mixture.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir to at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture. An example of this is shown in fig. 11 and 12, where in some embodiments a predetermined amount of alcohol is optionally and/or selectively flowed to the mixing channel 11. A predetermined amount of alcohol is optionally and/or selectively mixed with water from the water reservoir and/or ingredients from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs in at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture prior to flowing to the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the water and alcohol are mixed prior to entering the at least one mixing channel.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir to the mixing chamber. Such an example is shown in fig. 11 and 12, wherein in some embodiments a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir (in the alcohol cartridge 13) optionally and/or selectively flows to the final mixing chamber 7. Thus, the final mixing chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the alcohol reservoir.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir to the dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture. In various embodiments, the alcohol reservoir is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the dissolution chamber, and the dissolution chamber is optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the mixing chamber. Fig. 11 shows the dissolution chamber 12, and fig. 12 shows the solid dissolution chamber 12a and the gas dissolution chamber 12b. The solids dissolution chamber is configured to dissolve at least one solid ingredient (e.g., sugar) from the at least one ingredient reservoir in a solvent (e.g., alcohol and/or water). The gas dissolution chamber is configured to dissolve at least one gas ingredient from the at least one ingredient reservoir in a solvent (e.g., alcohol and/or water). In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir to the gas dissolution chamber to dissolve the gas ingredients, and optionally and/or selectively flows an intermediate fluid mixture of dissolved gas to the mixing chamber. In some embodiments, the system optionally and/or selectively flows a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir to the solids dissolution chamber to dissolve the solid ingredients, and optionally and/or selectively flows an intermediate fluid mixture of dissolved solids to the mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of alcohol depends on the desired fluid mixture. In other words, the predetermined amount of alcohol that generally flows to the final mixing chamber, whether directly to or in one or more intermediate fluid mixtures, corresponds to the desired amount of alcohol in the desired fluid mixture (e.g., a fluid mixture selected from a library of predetermined fluid mixtures). For example, if Chardonnay white wine is selected and the predetermined recipe for Chardonnay has 14% alcohol by volume, the system flows a predetermined amount of ethanol into the final mixing chamber for mixing so that Chardonnay has 14% alcohol by volume of the final dispensed fluid mixture (based on the volume of the other solvents and/or ingredients). In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of alcohol flows from the alcohol reservoir through the entire system via at least one pump. In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitor the amount of alcohol in the alcohol reservoir.

In some embodiments, the system includes an ingredient reservoir 6 (e.g., as shown in fig. 2B, 3, 4B, 7, and 8). The ingredient reservoir includes an "ingredient," also referred to herein as a "ingredient mixture," to emphasize that the ingredient optionally contains one or more ingredients. As shown in fig. 10, in some embodiments, the ingredient mixture includes at least one primary/functional ingredient. The primary/functional ingredient is at least one of a solid, a liquid or a gas. One example of a primary/functional ingredient is a compound. The use of the word "primary" does not require that the primary/functional ingredient be the ingredient of the ingredient mixture that is present in the greatest amount or concentration as compared to the other ingredients of the ingredient mixture. For example, some primary/functional ingredients, such as capsaicin, may be diluted with several times their volume of solvent (such as water) to form an ingredient mixture. In some embodiments, the primary/functional ingredients include: glycerol, fructose, glucose, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, tripotassium phosphate, sucrose, potassium sulfate, succinic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, tricalcium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide, 3-methylbutan-1-ol, disodium hydrogen phosphate, propanol, starter distillate 9x, ethyl acetate, 2-methylbutan-1-ol, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, 2-phenethyl alcohol, oxacyclopenten-2-one, ferric sulfate heptahydrate, octanoic acid, hexanoic acid, 3-methylbutylacetate, decanoic acid, hex-1-ol, ethyl octanoate, furan-2-ylmethanol, ethyl hexanoate, 2-methylpropanoic acid, furan-2-carbaldehyde, ethyl butyrate, 2, 6-dimethoxyphenol, ethyl decanoate, hexyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 3-methylsulfanyl-propan-1-ol, ethyl propionate, butan-1-ol, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 5-methylfuran-2-carbaldehyde, isobutyl acetate, 5-pentoxapentan-2-one, 2-methylpropan ethyl 5-butyl-4-methyl-oxapentan-2-one, 2-methoxy-phenol, and 4-methoxy phenol. In various embodiments, the primary/functional ingredients include one or more other ingredients, compounds, or chemicals for producing beverages, perfumes, detergents, cleaners, or other fluid mixtures.

In some embodiments, the ingredient mixture includes one or more compounds at the respective concentrations. In some embodiments, the ingredient mixture includes at least one solvent. In various embodiments, the at least one solvent is any solvent or combination of solvents disclosed herein. For example, the ingredient mixture in the ingredient reservoir is a mixture of citric acid (main/functional ingredient) and water at a specific concentration. Another exemplary ingredient mixture is a mixture of potassium sulfate (primary/functional ingredient), water, and ethanol. As described herein, one or more batch mixtures are optionally and/or selectively dispensed into a fluid stream (single solvent, or a mixture of one or more solvents, e.g., water and/or ethanol) and combined together to form an intermediate fluid mixture.

In some embodiments, the ingredient mixture includes at least one of a solvent (e.g., water and/or alcohol) and an additive ingredient. In various embodiments, the additive formulation is at least one of a surfactant, a preservative, and/or an emulsifier/stabilizer. Examples of the surfactant include anionic surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium lauryl ether sulfate, etc.) and nonionic surfactants (e.g., cocamide monoethanolamine and/or cocamide diethanolamine, etc.). Examples of preservatives include sodium benzoate and/or citric acid and the like. Examples of emulsifiers/stabilizers include gellan gum and/or guar gum, and the like.

In some embodiments, ingredients are stored in a respective one of a plurality of ingredient reservoirs, such as ingredient reservoir 6 shown in fig. 2B, 3, 4B, 7, and 8. According to various embodiments, each of the ingredient reservoirs is of one or more types, such as: an air bag (for example, reference numeral 6B shown in fig. 5A); a syringe (e.g., reference numeral 6A shown in fig. 5A); a gravity dispensing chamber; a particle dispenser; a pierceable volume; and any other container for solids (including crystals, powders or other forms of solids), liquids or gases. In some embodiments, all ingredient reservoirs are of the same type. In other embodiments, the ingredient reservoirs are of more than two types. In further embodiments, the ingredient cartridge contains more than two types of ingredient reservoirs. In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of ingredient reservoirs. In other embodiments, the system includes only a single ingredient reservoir. According to various embodiments, the ingredient reservoir has one or more dimensions, such as (measured for liquid volume) one ounce, two ounces, four ounces, eight ounces, 16 ounces, 32 ounces, or any other dimension. In some embodiments, all of the ingredient reservoirs in the ingredient cartridge are the same size; in other embodiments, the ingredient cartridge contains ingredient reservoirs of more than two sizes, such as small (e.g., one or two ounces), medium (e.g., four or eight ounces) and large (e.g., 16 or 32 ounces) sizes. For example, the size of the particular ingredient reservoir may be selected based on the anticipated requirements of the ingredients in the particular ingredient reservoir. In various embodiments, more than two ingredient reservoirs in the same ingredient cartridge contain the same ingredient.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from a plurality of ingredient reservoirs to at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture. Such an example is shown in fig. 11, wherein, in some embodiments, a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient selectively flows from one or more ingredient reservoirs 6 to mixing channel 11. The predetermined amount of at least one ingredient is mixed with at least one solvent (e.g. water from a water reservoir and/or alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) in a mixing channel 11 before flowing to the final mixing chamber 7. The at least one solvent is capable of dissolving the at least one ingredient and/or transporting the at least one ingredient to a final mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to the mixing chamber. Such an example is shown in fig. 11, wherein in some embodiments a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from one or more ingredient reservoirs 6 selectively flows to a final mixing chamber 7. As shown, at least one ingredient reservoir is fluidly connected to a mixing chamber (such as a final mixing chamber). The at least one ingredient reservoir configured to flow ingredients directly to the mixing chamber is optionally and/or selectively not one of the ingredient reservoirs fluidly connected to a mixing channel, such as the mixing channel 11 as shown in fig. 11 and 12.

In some embodiments, in response to receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system flows a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from at least one ingredient reservoir to the dissolution chamber to form an intermediate fluid mixture. In a further embodiment, at least one ingredient reservoir is fluidly connected to the dissolution chamber and the dissolution chamber is fluidly connected to the mixing chamber. Fig. 11 shows the dissolution chamber 12, and fig. 12 shows the solid dissolution chamber 12a and the gas dissolution chamber 12b. The solid dissolution chamber is configured to dissolve at least one solid ingredient (e.g., solid citric acid) from the at least one ingredient reservoir in a solvent (e.g., alcohol and/or water). The gas dissolution chamber is configured to dispense at least one gas ingredient (e.g., CO ₂ ) Dissolved in a solvent (e.g., water). In some embodiments, isThe at least one ingredient reservoir configured to flow ingredients to the dissolution chamber is optionally and/or selectively not one of the ingredient reservoirs fluidly connected to a mixing channel, such as the mixing channel 11 as shown in fig. 11 and 12. After at least one ingredient is dissolved in the solvent in the dissolution chamber, the dissolved intermediate fluid mixture flows to a mixing chamber (such as the final mixing chamber 7 shown in fig. 11 and 12).

In some embodiments, the predetermined amount(s) of the ingredient(s) is dependent on the desired fluid mixture. In other words, the predetermined amount(s) of the ingredient(s) that generally flow to the final mixing chamber, whether directly or in one or more intermediate mixtures, corresponds to the desired amount(s) of the ingredient(s) in the desired fluid mixture (e.g., a fluid mixture selected from a library of predetermined fluid mixtures).

In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitor the amount of ingredients in the ingredient reservoir. For example, in some embodiments, this is accomplished by various sensors and/or by tracking the amount of ingredient that has been dispensed. The system optionally and/or selectively informs a user (e.g., via a user interface) that the ingredient reservoir needs to be refilled or replaced when the amount of ingredient in the ingredient reservoir is below a specified threshold. In some embodiments, this includes replacing a cartridge storing an ingredient reservoir, as explained in more detail below.

In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of the ingredient from the ingredient reservoir is configured to be dispensed into the mixing channel, the mixing chamber, and/or the dissolution chamber via at least one pump (such as a microfluidic pump). In some embodiments, each ingredient reservoir is fluidly connected to a respective microfluidic pump for dispensing the ingredients in the ingredient reservoir to the mixing channel, mixing chamber, and/or dissolution chamber. In some embodiments, a plurality of ingredient reservoirs are fluidly connected to a single microfluidic pump for dispensing ingredients from the ingredient reservoirs.

In some embodiments, at least one ingredient reservoir is enclosed in an ingredient cartridge, such as the ingredient cartridge 5 shown in fig. 7 and 8, or the ingredient cartridge 16 shown in fig. 10, 11 and 12. In some embodiments, the system includes at least one ingredient cartridge. In further embodiments, the system comprises two or more ingredient cartridges, and each of the two or more ingredient cartridges is of any of the following types: a solid batching box; a liquid ingredient box; a gas batching box; or a multi-ingredient cartridge. For example, fig. 12 shows at least one of 0 to N solid ingredient cartridges, 0 to N gas ingredient cartridges, 0 to N multi-ingredient cartridges, and 0 to N liquid ingredient cartridges. In some embodiments, the ingredient cartridge includes a plurality of ingredient reservoirs. In further embodiments, an ingredient cartridge (such as a multi-ingredient cartridge) comprises two or more of the following: an ingredient reservoir for the solid ingredient; an ingredient reservoir for liquid ingredients; a dosing reservoir for a gaseous dosing.

In some embodiments, the at least one ingredient cartridge is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of the at least one ingredient from the at least one ingredient reservoir to the mixing channel, mixing chamber, and/or dissolution chamber. In some embodiments, at least one ingredient cartridge is removably attached to the fluid mixture dispensing system such that the at least one ingredient cartridge is refillable, replaceable, maintainable and/or recyclable. In some embodiments, the fluid mixture dispensing system is capable of operating in the event that an ingredient cartridge is missing (e.g., not installed), the ingredient cartridge is partially empty (e.g., only some of the ingredient reservoirs are empty), and/or the ingredient cartridge is (completely) empty.

In some embodiments, a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient in at least one ingredient reservoir is dispensed into the mixing channel, mixing chamber, and/or dissolution chamber via at least one valve. In some embodiments, each ingredient reservoir has a respective valve and a respective actuator (e.g., an electromechanical valve, such as a solenoid valve, having a valve portion and an actuator portion). In some embodiments, each respective valve is configured to cause and/or control the flow of a respective ingredient from the ingredient reservoir to the mixing channel, mixing chamber, and/or dissolution chamber via a respective orifice of the ingredient reservoir. For example, the respective valves provide respective seals on respective apertures of the ingredient reservoir when closed and enable respective ingredients to flow from the ingredient reservoir when open. In various embodiments, the respective valve includes a membrane (such as membrane 30 shown in fig. 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E) that forms a respective seal when pressed against the respective orifice and is capable of dispensing the respective ingredient when not pressed against the respective orifice.

In some embodiments, at least one ingredient cartridge is pressurizable and/or includes a respective pressurizing chamber (e.g., a respective interior chamber) inside the at least one ingredient cartridge. The pressurized chamber referred to herein refers to the pressurized chamber of the ingredient cartridge, whether in certain embodiments it is the ingredient cartridge itself or in other embodiments it is an internal chamber of the ingredient cartridge. The pressurized chamber houses a plurality of ingredient reservoirs such that pressure (e.g., gas pressure in the pressurized chamber) is applied to the ingredient reservoirs. For example, fig. 12 shows an air node of a pneumatic system ("air pressure generation and storage") that supplies pressurized air to various types of cartridges. In some embodiments, the system is configured to monitor (such as with a pressure sensor) and/or control the pressure in the pressurized chamber. In various embodiments, the pressurized chambers are pressurized such that when a respective valve of one of the ingredient reservoirs is opened, the ingredient stored in that ingredient reservoir flows out of the ingredient reservoir (at least partially in response to pressure) toward the mixing channel, mixing chamber, and/or dissolution chamber. In a further embodiment, the pressurized chamber is raised above a specified minimum pressure before any of the respective valves of the ingredient reservoir are opened.

In some embodiments, the pressurized chamber includes a gas inlet for pressurizing the pressurized chamber, such as an open port (e.g., with an external valve that is not part of the pressurized chamber and/or the cassette) or a one-way valve. In further embodiments, the pressurized chamber includes a gas outlet valve to relieve pressure and/or better regulate pressure in the pressurized chamber. In various embodiments, the pressurized chamber is airtight such that any leakage of gas from the pressurized chamber (such as via a respective valve of the ingredient reservoir, via the gas inlet and/or via the gas outlet valve) is one or more of: is insignificant for the duration of dispensing one or more ingredients; compensation is performed by a feedback system that monitors the pressure in the pressurized chamber and maintains the pressure within a tolerance (e.g., plus or minus one, several, or five percent) of the desired pressure; and/or be considered in determining the amount of one or more ingredients being dispensed (e.g., by continuously measuring the pressure and/or by knowing the leak rate, the effect of pressure changes due to leaks on the dispensing rate may be calculated).

According to various embodiments, one of the holding fluids (e.g., holding liquids) in the ingredient reservoir is one or more of the following: "bag in box" design; a "top opening" design; and any other designs that enable the respective fluid to be dispensed from the fluid-containing ingredient reservoir via the respective valve in response to the gas pressure in the (ingredient cartridge) pressurized chamber containing the fluid-containing ingredient reservoir. In some embodiments, each of the ingredient reservoirs is individually replaceable. In other embodiments, the ingredient reservoir is part of and/or fixedly attached to the ingredient cartridge and is not separately field replaceable. In various embodiments, the "top-opening" design, wherein the open top is part of the ingredient cartridge, is more retrofittable/reusable and/or recyclable than the "bag-in-box" design.

In some embodiments, the "bag-in-box" design of the ingredient reservoir comprises a rigid (or semi-rigid) structure that is open (e.g., open at or near the upper end) and thus exposed to the gas pressure in the pressurized chamber. The structure holds a sealed bag containing the respective fluid and has an opening at one end such that the respective fluid contained in the bag can be dispensed through an orifice (of the sealed bag and/or structure) via the respective valve. In various embodiments, the structure of one of the ingredient reservoirs is at least partially shared with another of the ingredient reservoirs.

In some embodiments, the "top-opening" design of the ingredient reservoir comprises a rigid (or semi-rigid) structure that is open at an upper end, directly contains the respective fluid, and has an orifice opposite the upper end to dispense the respective fluid contained in the structure via the respective valve. In a further embodiment of the "top opening" design, the structure consists of and/or is lined with a chemical resistant compound. In various embodiments, the structure of one of the ingredient reservoirs is at least partially shared with another of the ingredient reservoirs. In contrast to the "bag-in-box" design, in some embodiments of the "open-top" design, the respective fluids in the individual fluid-containing ingredient reservoirs are held via a gas-permeable membrane covering and/or attached to the upper end of the structure of the plurality of fluid-containing ingredient reservoirs (e.g., a single gas-permeable membrane for all of the fluid-containing ingredient reservoirs in the ingredient box). The gas permeable membrane enables the gas pressure in the pressurized chamber to dispense a respective fluid in the fluid-containing ingredient reservoir via a respective orifice (selectively controllable via a respective valve) and enables the gas to displace the volume of fluid dispensed from the fluid-containing ingredient reservoir. However, the gas permeable membrane is impermeable to the respective fluid of the fluid-containing ingredient reservoir and prevents the respective fluid from leaking out of the open top of the rigid (or semi-rigid) structure of the fluid-containing ingredient reservoir. In various embodiments, the ingredient cartridge is initially filled with an inert gas, such as argon, to prevent any oxidation of the fluid in the fluid-containing ingredient reservoir. In further embodiments, the inert gas is at atmospheric pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure at some nominal height, such as at 500 feet or 1000 feet). In other embodiments, the inert gas has a negative pressure (e.g., less than atmospheric pressure at some nominal height, such as 2500 feet or 5000 feet) to help ensure that the gas pressure in the ingredient cartridge does not cause any ingredient reservoirs containing fluid to be dispensed during transportation or handling.

In some embodiments, the mixing channel, mixing chamber and/or dissolution chamber are fluidly connected to the valve output of the ingredient reservoir such that opening one of the respective valves causes the respective ingredient to flow to the mixing channel, mixing chamber and/or dissolution chamber. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to control the dispensing of a predetermined amount of flow of the respective ingredient from a particular one of the ingredient reservoirs by opening the respective valve of the particular ingredient reservoir for a period of time based on one or more of a pressure in the pressurized chamber, a physical flow characteristic (e.g., viscosity, which may be temperature dependent) of the respective ingredient in the particular ingredient reservoir, a diameter of an opening of the respective valve of the particular ingredient reservoir, and/or a size of the respective orifice of the particular ingredient reservoir. In various embodiments, the system is calibrated to dispense/flow a predetermined amount of the respective ingredients to the mixing channel, the mixing chamber and/or the dissolution chamber based on the pressure in the pressurized chamber, the physical flow characteristics of the respective ingredients, the diameter of the opening of the respective valve and/or the diameter of the respective orifice. In some embodiments, the duration of opening the valve is correspondingly proportional to the amount/concentration of at least one ingredient in the list of ingredients of the requested fluid mixture (e.g., as obtained from chemical analysis of the ingredients required to produce the requested fluid mixture).

In some embodiments, the respective ingredients stored in the ingredient reservoirs are delivered to the respective valves of the ingredient reservoirs via the respective apertures. In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoirs (via respective valves) can be open to a mixing channel (such as mixing channel 11 shown in fig. 11 and 12). In some embodiments, multiple ingredient reservoirs are fluidly connected to a single mixing channel. In various embodiments, one mixing channel is fluidly connected to one or more other mixing channels. In some embodiments, the first mixing channel is fluidly connected to the first plurality of ingredient reservoirs and the second mixing channel is fluidly connected to the second plurality of ingredient reservoirs. For example, a first mixing channel is fluidly connected to 5 to 20 ingredient reservoirs and a second mixing channel is fluidly connected to 5 to 20 identical or different ingredient reservoirs. In various embodiments, at least one solvent (e.g., water and/or ethanol) flows through the mixing channel and mixes with any ingredients dispensed into the mixing channel. In some embodiments, at least one solvent is dispensed into the mixing channel in order to remove any remaining ingredients (e.g., to purge or flush the mixing channel). In various embodiments, at least one solvent is dispensed into the mixing channel to "wet" the mixing channel (e.g., to make subsequently dispensed ingredients more likely to flow through the mixing channel) before any ingredients are dispensed into the mixing channel.

In some embodiments, one or more mixing channels are formed in the bottom of a plate (such as plate 40 shown in fig. 3, 4A, and 4B). For example, the one or more mixing channels are formed by welding and/or brazing structures to the surface of the plate, by etching and/or engraving the one or more mixing channels into the surface of the plate, and/or by other techniques that create the one or more mixing channels in or on the surface of the plate. All of the one or more mixing channels are optionally and/or selectively fluidly connected to the one or more solvent reservoirs and the mixing chamber. For example, in some embodiments, the solvent enters the at least one mixing channel, and the at least one ingredient from the at least one ingredient reservoir flows into the at least one mixing channel to form an intermediate fluid mixture with the solvent, which then flows to the mixing chamber.

In some embodiments, the respective valves of the ingredient reservoirs are capable of opening (e.g., unsealing) the respective apertures of the ingredient reservoirs (e.g., apertures 15 as shown in fig. 5C, 5D, and 5E) such that the ingredient reservoirs are capable of dispensing at least some of their contents into a mixing channel (such as mixing channel 11 as shown in fig. 5C, 5D, and 5E). In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoir is connected to the membrane valve via a flat plate orifice that dispenses output from the ingredient reservoir. For example, the dispensing end of the ingredient reservoir is a flat plate with a corresponding orifice in the middle (or near) of the plate. When a membrane (e.g., membrane 30 shown in fig. 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E) is forced (e.g., pressed) against a respective orifice, no ingredient can flow out of the ingredient reservoir (i.e., pressing the membrane against the respective orifice to close the respective valve). In various embodiments, a compliant material such as a rubber pad (e.g., a fluoroelastomer pad), such as compliant material 60 shown in fig. 5D and 5E, is pushed (e.g., pressed) up against the membrane by the action of an actuator, such as actuator 20 shown in fig. 5D and 5E, such that the membrane closes (e.g., seals) valve face 15a (i.e., seals the respective orifice by closing the respective valve). In a further embodiment, the compliant material is a material having a low setting capability such that it provides a consistent and uniform seal over time. In some embodiments, the purpose of the compliant material is to allow misalignment of the actuator and still provide a good seal for the valve seat/orifice. In other words, the compliant material is such that it is able to close the respective orifice when it is pushed (e.g., pressed) up against the membrane and valve. In various embodiments, the area of the actuator (and/or compliant material at the actuator head) is much larger than the area of the respective aperture, allowing the actuator to still achieve sealing of the respective aperture without centering on the respective aperture. However, even when the ingredient reservoirs are in the closed position (i.e., the respective apertures are sealed against the respective apertures by the actuator), any fluid/solvent (such as water and/or alcohol) and any ingredient dispensed from other ingredient reservoirs can flow through the mixing channel and around the closed ingredient reservoirs. For example, in various embodiments, the actuator and membrane do not obstruct the entire width of the mixing channel when sealing the respective apertures. However, when no force pushes (e.g., presses) the membrane against the respective orifice (e.g., as shown in fig. 5E), the respective ingredients can flow through the respective orifice to the mixing channel. In various embodiments, the width of the actuator (in a direction relative to the width of the mixing channel) is half the width of the mixing channel (e.g., the width of the actuator is 4mm and the width of the mixing channel is 8 mm).

In some embodiments, a single membrane (e.g., a diaphragm) forms respective seals for respective valves of a plurality of ingredient reservoirs. For example, as shown in fig. 5B and 5C, the membrane 30 forms a respective seal for each of the respective valves of the three ingredient reservoirs. As also shown in fig. 5D and 5E, the membrane 30 is positioned between the plate 40 and the substrate 25, and the mixing channel 11 is positioned between the plate 40 and the membrane 30 such that the surface of the mixing channel formed by the membrane 30 is opposite to the surface of the mixing channel on the plate 40. In some embodiments, the mixing channel 11 is configured on a surface of the plate 40, such as by etching into the plate 40. According to various embodiments, the film comprises one or more of the following: silicone, polyurethane, thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), and/or any chemical resistant thermo-elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In various embodiments, the thickness of the film is 0.1 to 0.2mm, or 0.05 to 0.35mm, depending at least in part on the composition of the film. In some embodiments, the ingredient cartridge includes a plate, such as the ingredient cartridge 5 and plate 40 shown in fig. 2B and 3. In a further embodiment, the respective apertures of the ingredient reservoirs are located on a side opposite to the side of the plate on which the ingredient reservoirs are mounted such that the respective ingredients from the ingredient reservoirs flow through holes in the plate. In further embodiments, the holes in the plate comprise respective apertures of the ingredient reservoirs (e.g. the ingredient reservoirs are mounted so as to dispense respective ingredients through the holes in the plate), while in other embodiments the respective apertures belong to the ingredient reservoirs themselves and the ingredient reservoirs extend at least partially into the holes in the plate, possibly protruding slightly (within the compliance of the membrane) from the holes in the plate. In some embodiments, the film is not attached to the ingredient cartridge or a portion of the ingredient cartridge and is placed between the plate and the base plate to form a respective seal. In other embodiments, the ingredient cartridge comprises a plate and a membrane. For example, the film is attached to the cassette by an adhesive (such as a pressure sensitive adhesive). In various embodiments, the surface of the plate opposite the ingredient reservoir has one or more mixing channels, such as one or more mixing channels etched into the surface of the plate. In further embodiments, one or more mixing channels provide a fluid path from an inlet of the ingredient cartridge to an outlet of the ingredient cartridge, wherein each of at least some of the mixing channels comprises a hole or aperture to allow some of the ingredient reservoirs of the ingredient cartridge to be dispensed into the mixing channel. According to various embodiments: the ingredient cartridge having a valve on the inlet enabling controlled flow of solvent into the one or more mixing channels; and/or the ingredient cartridge has a valve on the outlet enabling control of the solvent flow out of the mixing channel or channels.

In some embodiments, as described above, at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir is sent to the mixing channel such that any ingredients dispensed from the ingredient reservoir into the mixing channel are mixed with the at least one solvent to form an intermediate fluid mixture.

In various embodiments, the diameter of the respective orifice of a particular one of the ingredient reservoirs is in the range of about 0.01 to 5mm or about 0.05 to 1mm, depending on the physical flow characteristics (e.g., viscosity) of the respective ingredient stored in the particular ingredient reservoir. The diameter of the respective orifice is determined at least in part by the physical flow characteristics of the given ingredient and the flow rate through the respective orifice at the pressure of the pressurized chamber. In some embodiments, the valve and ingredient reservoir assembly is connected to an actuator (e.g., solenoid) such as actuator 20 shown in fig. 5D and 5E, which is connected to a substrate such as substrate 25 shown in fig. 4A, 4B, 5C, and 5D. Each actuator has a respective plunger preloaded against a respective one of the respective valves by a respective spring or other force. In some embodiments, the respective plungers are preloaded against the respective valves with a force of about at least or equal to about 1N by the respective springs. In some embodiments with a solenoid actuator, the respective plunger is biased away from the solenoid coil by the respective spring such that the respective plunger pushes (e.g., presses) the respective valve (e.g., against the membrane) with a controlled preload force such that in a default state of the particular solenoid, when the particular solenoid is not activated, the respective valve is sealed. In various embodiments, the substrate 25 includes more than two layers, such as one layer for connection of the actuator and a second layer for the liquid interface.

In some embodiments, the pressure of the pressurized chambers is regulated by the controller and the respective orifices have diameters and thicknesses of known tolerances to ensure that the flow rates of the respective ingredients are predictable and with a determined accuracy. In the case of a predictable flow rate (of determined accuracy), the valve open duration may be used to control the amount (e.g., volume) of the ingredient dispensed. In some embodiments, calibration is used to ensure that open loop dispensing control (e.g., based on pressurization chamber pressure, valve opening time, etc., and no feedback of actual dispensed amount) yields the desired dispensed amount. Alternatively, in various embodiments, the system has closed loop volume/volume metering control (e.g., measured pressure change in the pressurized chamber over time, flow rate over time, and/or measured volume or weight for verifying and/or controlling the amount dispensed). In other embodiments, the open loop dispensing control system is configured to monitor the correctness of the open loop dispensing control system using feedback (e.g., measured flow rate).

In some embodiments, the precise dispensing of the predetermined amount of at least one ingredient from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs utilizes real-time software control of the one or more actuators and the one or more pressure pumps based on input from one or more sensors located throughout the system. In various embodiments, a controller (e.g., one or more embedded control processors) is configured to: converting the recipe information (e.g., predetermined beverage ingredients and amounts) into scheduled and/or ordered dispensing control actions (e.g., control of valves and/or pumps); monitoring what the contents of a given ingredient, water and/or alcohol reservoir are (e.g., identifying the type of reservoir and/or its contents using an RFID tag and/or bar code on each reservoir); monitoring the remaining ingredients, water and/or alcohol levels; and receives user input.

In some embodiments, the controller manages the individual actuators and is configured to perform precise actuator timing to control flow time and, thus, dispense a desired amount (e.g., volume) of ingredients. In some embodiments and/or usage scenarios, a typical formulation for a predetermined fluid mixture includes one to 300 different ingredients, each of which can be in liquid, solid, or gaseous form. In some embodiments, the list of ingredients for a particular predetermined fluid mixture includes dispensing parameters such as the location of an ingredient reservoir containing the particular ingredient in the list of ingredients and the desired amount (e.g., volume) of the particular ingredient dispensed. The system is configured to control and measure pressure, orifice flow rate, and/or ingredient physical flow characteristics in the pressurized chamber, and is configured to make appropriate calculations to determine the valve timing needed to achieve a desired dispensing amount of a particular ingredient. In various embodiments, the system is configured to calculate the most efficient order of mixing solvents and/or ingredients in order to minimize mixing time.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to manage the individual actuators and adjust actuator timing to control flow time (e.g., how long the valve is open), and thus dispense a desired amount of the respective ingredient from the ingredient reservoir. In some embodiments, actuator health is monitored by the controller. For example, the temperature of the actuator motor windings can be inferred from the measurement of the actuator current. By monitoring the actuator current, the controller is able to detect valves that are not operating within defined performance limits. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to read a voltage drop across a 0.1 ohm shunt resistor in series with the solenoid coil of the actuator. A normally operating solenoid has a well-characterized, repeatable waveform, characterized by the inductive response of the solenoid coil. Measuring the actuator current provides a solenoid response waveform that is sampled by the a/D converter. The slope of the solenoid response waveform is monitored and indicates valve performance. In some embodiments, the cold baseline actuator current is measured at system start-up. In various embodiments, actuator health monitoring allows the system to recover from sticking valves in a non-stick cycle.

In some embodiments, the controller generates a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal that drives the low side MOSFET transistor to activate the actuator. In various embodiments, PWM control allows the controller to drive the actuator solenoid coil to accelerate first, then reduce the duty cycle to a lower value to hold the solenoid in the open position, thereby saving power and reducing heat. In some embodiments, the power supply for the actuators is tightly regulated so that each actuator draws a reliable and repeatable current (if healthy). For example, some prescriptions require only a few solenoids to actuate, while other prescriptions require more than 50. The difference in power draw between these two examples is large enough that the power supply system design is important. In some embodiments, separate solenoid PWM control and direct solenoid current measurement (with minimal delay) can ensure that actuator timing is controlled within very small tolerances, such as within 1 millisecond. In some embodiments, such as in some embodiments having PWM control of a particular actuator, the controller is programmed to maintain the plunger of the particular actuator in an intermediate position (e.g., halfway open) between the sealed position and the fully open position. In the neutral position, the flow rate through the valve operated by a particular actuator may be controlled to be less than the flow rate in the fully open position of the valve. In various embodiments, using an intermediate position between the sealing position and the fully open position enables finer control of the amount of ingredient to be dispensed, and/or provides a method of controlling the amount of ingredient to be dispensed in addition to (or different from) the valve opening duration.

In some embodiments, the system is configured to regulate a dispensing pressure (e.g., the pressure of the gas in the pressurized chamber) that expels the respective ingredient from the ingredient reservoir when the respective valve is opened. For example, depending on the desired fluid mixture, it may be necessary to open several or more valves, and when the fluid is expelled, the opening of the valves changes the total volume in the ingredient reservoir. In some embodiments, the system includes a pressure sensor, a pressure regulator, an accumulator, and/or a pressure pump controlled/monitored by the controller to regulate the pressure in the pressurized chamber. In further embodiments, the controller is programmed to run a closed loop real-time pressure monitoring routine to regulate the pressure in the pressurized chamber and/or to determine the amount of the respective ingredient being expelled from the ingredient reservoir based on a change in the monitored pressure in the pressurized chamber. In some embodiments, a high sensitivity pressure sensor is employed to monitor (with minimal delay) the pressure within the pressurized chamber, thereby enabling the firmware to compensate for pressure changes during dispensing.

As described above, in some embodiments, the respective ingredients in the ingredient store include solid (e.g., powdered) ingredients, including solid ingredient mixtures (i.e., mixtures of multiple solid ingredients such as glucose and sucrose powders). In various embodiments, the ingredient reservoir containing the solid ingredients is a gravity dispensing chamber. In some embodiments, a precise amount of solid (e.g., powdered) ingredients is mechanically moved to the outlet orifice by a separate actuator and from there to the dissolution chamber. According to various embodiments, a single actuator (e.g., a solenoid or voice coil) is used to dispense the contents of a plurality of solid ingredient reservoirs, and/or a corresponding actuator is used to dispense the contents of each solid ingredient reservoir.

In some embodiments, when the ingredient reservoir comprises a syringe, the plunger of the syringe is exposed to a controlled pressure in the pressurized chamber that provides an adjusting force that pushes the plunger. In further embodiments, even if the plunger is removed, the ingredients in the syringe still receive force to expel the ingredients (e.g., into the mixing channel or mixing chamber) when the corresponding valves for those ingredient reservoirs are opened. In some embodiments, inert gas (e.g., argon) is used to protect the ingredients from oxidation/degradation. In other embodiments, the controller is configured to displace at least one plunger of the syringe (such as with a linear motor) to cause a predetermined amount of the ingredients in the syringe to flow to the mixing chamber. Such a system causes a predetermined amount of the ingredients in the syringe to flow to the mixing chamber (and thus to be dispensed in volume) via the injection distance of the plunger. This is a forward placement method, not a time/pressure orifice method. In some embodiments of the time/pressure orifice method, the controller is configured to interpret readings from the pressure sensors and calculate a dispense volume from each individual ingredient reservoir. A combination of these methods may be used together to create a more accurate control of the dispense volume. For example, in further embodiments, the ingredient reservoirs with syringes are controlled using a forward placement method and the other ingredient reservoirs are controlled using a time/pressure orifice method.

In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoir is loaded into or attached to the pressurized chamber at a controlled pressure to provide the expelling force. In other embodiments, the pressurized chamber has a negative pressure when assembled and prior to first use to help ensure that the ingredient reservoir does not leak.

In some embodiments, as described above, chemical analysis of the fluid mixture provides a detailed list of ingredients that make up the fluid mixture. In various embodiments, the system comprises at least about 5, at least about 10, at least about 20, at least about 30, at least about 40, or at least about 50 ingredient reservoirs. In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises at least about 5, at least about 10, at least about 20, at least about 30, at least about 40, or at least about 50 ingredient reservoirs. In various embodiments, the system comprises at most about 500, at most about 250, at most about 150, at most about 100, at most about 75, at most about 50, at most about 40, at most about 30, at mostUp to about 25, up to about 20, up to about 15, or up to about 10 ingredient reservoirs. In some embodiments, the cartridge comprises at most about 500, at most about 250, at most about 150, at most about 100, at most about 75, at most about 50, at most about 40, at most about 30, at most about 25, at most about 20, at most about 15, or at most about 10 ingredient reservoirs. In various embodiments, any of the ingredients is a liquid, a solid, a gas, and/or combinations thereof. For example, the ingredients include an amount of acid in liquid form, an amount of sugar in powder/granular form, and/or an amount of compressed nitrogen or CO in gaseous form ₂ 。

In some embodiments, because the one or more ingredients required to produce a particular fluid mixture are used in small amounts (e.g., less than 0.1mL, less than 0.01mL, less than 0.001mL, or as little as 50 uL), a high level of repeatability and accuracy is required when dispensing the ingredients to form the particular fluid mixture in combination with one or more solvents. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of at least one ingredient required to form a particular fluid mixture is at most 3L, at most 2L, at most 1L, at most 500mL, at most 250mL, at most 100mL, at most 50mL, at most 25mL, at most 10mL, at most 5mL, at most 1mL, at most 0.5mL, at most 0.1mL, at most 0.01mL, at most 0.001mL, or at most 50uL. Thus, in further embodiments, the respective valves of the ingredient reservoirs support a wide range of precision over a dispensing amount, varying by up to a hundred times, a thousand times or more.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the system includes at least one heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is able to selectively regulate the temperature of the fluid in the chamber, flow lines (e.g., pipes or tubes), mixing channels, etc., either upward (i.e., acting as a heater) or downward (i.e., acting as a cooler). For example, a certain beverage should be served at a specific temperature, or a user may select a desired temperature of the beverage to be dispensed to them. In various embodiments, a predetermined amount of one or more solvents (e.g., a predetermined amount of water from a water reservoir and/or a predetermined amount of alcohol from an alcohol reservoir) is cooled and/or heated by a heat exchanger before flowing to the mixing channel, mixing chamber, and/or dissolution chamber. In some embodiments, the temperature to which the one or more solvents are cooled and/or heated is in accordance with a fluid mixture request received by the system (e.g., a user selects a beverage of 10 ℃, etc.).

In some embodiments, the system comprises: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the solvent flowing from the solvent reservoir to the at least one heat exchanger; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a second solvent flowing from a second solvent reservoir to the at least one heat exchanger; and a third temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the solvent mixture (first solvent and second solvent combination) flowing from the at least one heat exchanger to the mixing channel, the mixing chamber, and/or the dissolution chamber. For example, in various embodiments, a system includes: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of water flowing from the water reservoir to the at least one heat exchanger; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the alcohol flowing from the alcohol reservoir to the at least one heat exchanger; and a third temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the water/alcohol mixture flowing from the at least one heat exchanger to the mixing channel. In some embodiments, the system adjusts the temperature of at least one heat exchanger based on the temperature sensor measurements such that the intermediate fluid mixture sent to the final mixing chamber meets the required temperature requirements.

In some embodiments, the system includes multiple heat exchangers, such as those shown in fig. 11 and 12, located at various points throughout the system. In some embodiments, the predetermined amount of solvent from the solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively cooled and/or heated by the first heat exchanger before flowing to the mixing channel, and the predetermined amount of second solvent from the second solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively cooled and/or heated by the second heat exchanger before flowing to the mixing channel. For example, a predetermined amount of water from the water reservoir is cooled/heated by the first heat exchanger before flowing to the mixing channel, and a predetermined amount of alcohol from the alcohol reservoir is cooled/heated by the second heat exchanger before flowing to the mixing channel.

In some embodiments, the system includes a heat exchanger such that any fluid mixture formed in a mixing chamber (such as a final mixing chamber) is optionally and/or selectively cooled and/or heated by the heat exchanger. This helps ensure that the dispensed fluid mixture meets the temperature requirements received in the fluid mixture request. In some embodiments, the mixing channel includes (or is attached to) a heat exchanger to heat the intermediate fluid mixture formed in the mixing channel. In some embodiments, the dissolution chamber includes (or is attached to) a heat exchanger to assist in dissolving the ingredients in the one or more solvents. In some embodiments, the one or more ingredient reservoirs and/or ingredient cartridges include (or are attached to) a heat exchanger to control the temperature of the one or more ingredient reservoirs and/or ingredient cartridges.

In some embodiments, the system includes at least one heat exchanger such that a predetermined amount of at least one solvent from the at least one solvent reservoir is optionally and/or selectively cooled and/or heated by the at least one heat exchanger prior to flowing to the dissolution chamber to aid in dissolution of the predetermined amount of at least one ingredient. In some embodiments, the dissolution chamber itself is optionally and/or selectively heated and/or cooled by a heat exchanger to assist in dissolving a predetermined amount of at least one ingredient.

In some embodiments, the system includes a dispenser (e.g., a nozzle) fluidly connected to the final mixing chamber. At block 106 of fig. 1, in some embodiments, the system is configured to dispense the fluid mixture (e.g., beverage) via the dispenser after the fluid mixture is formed in the final mixing chamber. In some embodiments, a dispenser is used to make a solid (e.g., an extruded fluid mixture) and add control to make a 3D structure, such as by 3D printing. In some embodiments, the final beverage has a volume of at most 3L, at most 2L, at most 1L, at most 750mL, at most 500mL, at most 250mL, at most 200mL, at most 150mL, at most 100mL, at most 50mL, at most 25mL, at most 10mL, at most 5mL, or at most 1 mL.

In some embodiments, the system includes a fluid mixture holder sensor, and the controller is programmed to dispense the fluid mixture only when the fluid mixture holder sensor detects a fluid mixture holder. Fig. 2A, 2B, 11 and 12 show a fluid mixture holder 4 (e.g., a container of the dispensed mixture, such as a wine glass, cup, glass, etc.). In some embodiments, the system includes a drip tray sensor, and the controller is programmed to determine whether a drip tray is present and/or an amount of fluid in the drip tray. In some embodiments, the system includes a dispense sensor, and the dispense sensor is configured to determine whether a dispense profile of the fluid mixture dispense is satisfactory.

In some embodiments, the systems disclosed herein distribute air at various points throughout the system, such as at the air nodes shown in fig. 12. For example, in some embodiments, air is used to maintain pressure in the pressurized chamber. In various embodiments, air is used as a purge for the flow lines, mixing chambers, dissolution chambers, and/or mixing channels, such that there is no solvent or solvent mixture remaining before starting the next fluid mixture. In some embodiments, air is used to aid in dispensing solvent and/or ingredients from the ingredient reservoir. In various embodiments, air is used to control a pneumatic valve to control flow or to assist in ejecting the cartridge.

Although the method in fig. 1 (or fig. 16) is directed to only a single fluid mixture (e.g., beverage), in some embodiments, the system is capable of receiving a request for a second fluid mixture, and in response to receiving the request for the second fluid mixture, repeating and/or modifying the operation of fig. 1 (or the operation of fig. 16) to dispense the second fluid mixture. The second fluid mixture may be the same as or different from the first fluid mixture. For example, the predetermined amount of the at least one solvent and/or the at least one ingredient of the second fluid mixture is different compared to the first fluid mixture. Thus, the predetermined amount of one or more solvents and one or more ingredients from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs of the second fluid mixture may all be different compared to the first fluid mixture. Further, the second fluid mixture may use one or more solvents and/or one or more ingredients that were not used in the first fluid mixture, and/or the second fluid mixture may not use one or more solvents and/or one or more ingredients that were already used in the first fluid mixture.

In some embodiments, the systems disclosed herein are capable of performing many different combinations of fluid mixtures based on respective requests. Upon receiving a request for a fluid mixture, the system automatically generates and dispenses the requested fluid mixture by flowing the appropriate amount of one or more solvents and/or one or more ingredients from their respective reservoirs to the final mixing chamber, and then dispensing via a dispenser.

Fig. 9 illustrates a computer according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, computer 1200 is a component of a system for dispensing a fluid mixture, such as a controller (which may include multiple sub-controllers). In various embodiments, the system for dispensing a fluid mixture includes more than one computer 1200 as described above. In some embodiments, computer 1200 is configured to perform all or part of a method for dispensing a fluid mixture, such as method 100 described above with respect to fig. 1, method 1600 described below with respect to fig. 16, or any other method disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, computer 1200 is a host computer connected to a network. According to various embodiments, computer 1200 is a client computer or server. As shown in fig. 9, computer 1200 is any suitable type of processor-based (e.g., microprocessor-based) device, such as a personal computer, workstation, server, or handheld computing device (such as a telephone or tablet). In some embodiments, the computer includes, for example, one or more of a processor 1210, an input device 1220, an output device 1230, a memory 1240, and a communication device 1260.

In some embodiments, the input device 1220 is any suitable device that provides input, such as a touch screen or touchpad, keyboard, mouse, or voice recognition device. Other possible input devices include accelerometers or microphones for monitoring system health. In some embodiments, output device 1230 is any suitable device that provides output, such as a touch screen, monitor, printer, disk drive, or speaker.

In some embodiments, memory 1240 is any suitable device that provides storage, such as an electronic, magnetic, or optical storage, including RAM, cache, hard disk drive, CD-ROM drive, tape drive, or removable storage disk. In some embodiments, communication device 1260 comprises any suitable device capable of sending and receiving signals over a network, such as a network interface chip or card. In various embodiments, the components of the computer are connected in any suitable manner, such as via a physical bus or wirelessly. In some embodiments, memory 1240 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more programs that, when executed by one or more processors, such as processor 1210, cause the one or more processors to perform all or part of the methods described herein, such as method 100 described above with respect to fig. 1, method 1600 described below with respect to fig. 16, and any other methods described herein.

In some embodiments, software 1250, which is optionally and/or selectively stored in memory 1240 and executed by processor 1210, includes, for example, programs (e.g., as implemented in the systems, computers, servers, and/or devices described above) that implement the functionality of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, software 1250 is implemented and/or executed on a combination, such as an application server and a database server.

In some embodiments, software 1250 can be stored and/or transmitted within any computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (e.g., processor 1210 as described above), and that can fetch and execute the instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium may be any medium, such as memory 1240, that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

In some embodiments, software 1250 can be propagated within any transmission medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as described above), and can fetch and execute instructions associated with the software from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the context of this disclosure, a transmission medium may be any medium that can communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Transmission media can include, but are not limited to, electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or infrared wired or wireless propagation media.

In some embodiments, computer 1200 is connected to a network, which may be any suitable type of interconnected communication system. The network may implement any suitable communication protocol and may be protected by any suitable security protocol. In some embodiments, the network includes any suitably arranged network link that enables transmission and reception of network signals, such as a wireless network connection, a T1 or T3 line, a cable network, a DSL, or a telephone line.

In some embodiments, computer 1200 is capable of implementing any operating system suitable for operating on a network. In some embodiments, software 1250 is written in any suitable programming language, such as C, C ++, java, or Python. In various embodiments, for example, application software embodying the functionality of the present disclosure is deployed in different configurations, such as in a client/server arrangement, or through a web browser as a web-based application or web service.

Fig. 13, 14 and 15 show different example views of an ingredient cartridge, and fig. 16 shows a flow chart representing an example method for use in a system comprising an ingredient cartridge. Fig. 13 shows an exemplary exploded view 1300 of the bottom portion of the ingredient cartridge. In fig. 13, 1301 shows a membrane sheet (such as membrane 30 shown in fig. 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E), 1302 shows an adhesive layer, 1303 shows a plate (such as plate 40 shown in fig. 3, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E) that provides a rigid structure to the bottom of the ingredient cartridge. In some embodiments, the plate comprises one or more of aluminum and/or plastic. The bottom surface of the plate (the surface remote from the interior of the ingredient cartridge) has one or more channels (e.g., recesses) for fluid flow formed therein (such as by engraving or etching into the plate to create recesses) or formed thereon (such as by bonding, brazing or welding on a 3D structure to create recesses), such as the mixing channel 11 shown in fig. 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 11 and 12. (one or more channels are further shown in FIG. 14). The adhesive layer is an adhesive or tape (such as a pressure sensitive adhesive), and in some embodiments is in the form of a template corresponding to one or more channels, such that the adhesive layer is capable of adhering the membrane to the walls of the one or more channels, thereby opening the one or more channels for fluid flow. According to various embodiments, the membrane comprises one or more of the following: silicone, polyurethane, thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), and/or any chemical resistant thermo-elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In various embodiments, the thickness of the diaphragm is between 0.1 and 0.2mm, or between 0.05 and 0.35mm, depending at least in part on the composition of the diaphragm.

Not shown in fig. 13 is a substrate (such as substrate 25 shown in fig. 4A, 4B, 5C, 5D, and 5E) upon which the film (and, therefore, at least a portion of the ingredient cartridge) rests in some embodiments. In a further embodiment, the substrate prevents the membrane from contacting other parts of the system. In various embodiments, the height of the walls of the one or more channels (i.e., the depth of the recess) is such that a desired fluid flow rate through the one or more channels is achieved, and/or such that the one or more channels remain open even when no fluid is flowing. In some embodiments, one or more channels are typically filled with a fluid (e.g., a dispensed fluid) or with a gas (e.g., a gas for purging the fluid path), thereby enabling the channels to remain open.

Fig. 14 shows an exemplary bottom view 1400 of the ingredient cartridge with the film removed to show one or more channels (e.g., 1303 in fig. 13) of the plate. In fig. 14, 1400 represents a top view of the plate, 1401 represents one or more channels (e.g., two channels, shown as vertical in fig. 14, and seven channels, shown as horizontal, "forked" toward the right to form 14 channels), 1402 shows one of a plurality of "holes" for the respective apertures of the ingredient reservoirs in the ingredient cartridge. 1403 shows a fluid outlet, 1404 shows a gas inlet, 1405 shows a fluid inlet, and 1406 shows a connection point that enables fluid to enter one or more channels from the fluid inlet. The structure inside the ingredient cartridge fluidly connects the fluid inlet to the connection point and thus to the one or more channels and the fluid outlet. That is, a fluid (e.g., solvent) is forced (e.g., pumped) through the fluid inlet, then through the connection point, to enter the one or more channels, and to flow through the one or more channels to the fluid outlet. In some embodiments, the fluid inlet valve and/or the fluid flow sensor are disposed at or near the fluid inlet. In further embodiments, the fluid inlet valve and/or fluid flow sensor is internal to the ingredient cartridge (e.g., as part of a structure that fluidly connects the fluid inlet to the connection point), while in other embodiments, the fluid inlet valve and/or fluid flow sensor is external to (and not part of) the ingredient cartridge. The gas inlet provides a flow of pressurized gas to pressurize the pressurized chamber of the ingredient cartridge. In some embodiments, a gas inlet valve and/or a gas pressure sensor is provided at or near the gas inlet. In further embodiments, the gas inlet valve and/or gas pressure sensor is internal to the ingredient cartridge, while in other embodiments, the gas inlet valve and/or gas pressure sensor is external to (and not part of) the ingredient cartridge. In some embodiments, the fluid outlet valve and/or the fluid flow sensor are disposed at or near the fluid outlet. In further embodiments, the fluid outlet valve and/or the fluid flow sensor are internal to the ingredient cartridge, while in other embodiments, the fluid outlet valve and/or the fluid flow sensor are external to (and not part of) the ingredient cartridge.

The holes in the plate show the location of the ingredient reservoirs on the other side of the plate, as the holes are where the corresponding apertures of the ingredient reservoirs pass through the plate. As shown in fig. 14, 1402 represents one of the holes with the corresponding orifice of the ingredient reservoir in the center. In some embodiments, such as where the ingredient reservoir is fixedly attached to the plate, the holes are respective apertures. As shown, the walls of the holes through the plate are sloped to improve dispensing of the ingredients (as shown by the two circles around the respective apertures in 1402). The hole also includes a flat plate surrounding the corresponding aperture (as shown by the inner circle surrounding the corresponding aperture in 1402). In various embodiments, the dimensions of the respective apertures are substantially smaller than the dimensions of the respective plates. For example, the respective orifice width is 0.3mm or less and the respective flat plate width is 2.7mm. In further embodiments, the size of the respective plate is determined by the size of the hole in the plate, while the size of the respective orifice varies with the type of the respective ingredient in the ingredient reservoir.

In various embodiments, the size of the respective orifice varies with the type of the respective ingredient in the ingredient reservoir, and may vary from 0.1mm (or smaller for some types of ingredients) to 1mm (or up to 5mm for some types of ingredients). In some embodiments, the ingredient reservoir leakage is inhibited because the size of the respective orifice is small compared to the viscosity of the respective ingredient in the ingredient reservoir. For example, pressure on the ingredient reservoir is required (e.g., by pressurizing the pressurizing chamber) to enable dispensing of the corresponding ingredient.

As shown in fig. 14 (and fig. 3), the arrangement of holes is a two-dimensional structure. This arrangement corresponds to where the ingredient reservoirs may be placed (or formed) in the interior of the ingredient cartridge (e.g., within the pressurized chamber), typically one for each hole. The particular arrangement shown in fig. 14 allows for at least one row of large ingredient reservoirs (e.g., left side of fig. 14), a plurality of rows of medium ingredient reservoirs (e.g., toward the middle of fig. 14), and a plurality of rows of small ingredient reservoirs (e.g., right side of fig. 14). Many such arrangements are possible, depending on the number and size of ingredient reservoirs required, but a given ingredient cartridge having one or more channels formed in the floor has a fixed arrangement of holes (and one or more channels). In particular embodiments of the invention, the actuator forcing the membrane against the aperture may be larger than the plate to alleviate alignment requirements for the aperture of the cassette and the equipment on which the cassette is placed, while ensuring that the membrane is forced against the entire plate. For example, if the plate is 2.7mm or less, the head of the actuator may be 4mm or wider.

Although fig. 14 shows that several of the one or more channels all appear to have similar widths, according to various embodiments, the one or more channels are one or more of the following: all widths are the same; different widths based on factors such as orientation, type of desired ingredients, and/or desired flow rate; varying the width according to the distance from the fluid inlet and/or the fluid outlet; wider before bifurcation (e.g., "Y"), thinner on the bifurcation branches; is sufficiently wide near the hole that fluid flow through the channel is not impeded by the respective actuator even if the respective actuator for one of the respective apertures is closed; having different widths at and/or near the hole; and any other combination of widths. In a first example, the vertical channels (as shown in fig. 14) in the one or more channels (supporting fluid flow more directly from the fluid inlet and more directly to the fluid outlet) are wider than the horizontal channels in the one or more channels. In a second example, the vertical channels in the one or more channels (as shown in fig. 14) are wider closer to the fluid inlet and fluid outlet and taper further from the fluid inlet and fluid outlet. In a third example, certain ones of the horizontal channels (as shown in fig. 14) of the one or more channels are wider than others of the horizontal channels to support higher fluid flow rates (e.g., more solvent from the fluid inlet) and are therefore more suitable for higher viscosity ingredients. In a fourth example, a width of one of the one or more channels having one or more holes is at least twice a width of a corresponding actuator. That is, if the width of each respective actuator (e.g., the width of the pad at the head of the respective actuator) is about 4mm wide, one channel with one or more holes is about 8mm wide.

Fig. 15 shows an exemplary cut-away perspective view 1500 of a portion of an ingredient cartridge with some of the ingredient reservoir removed. The view in fig. 15 shows the opposite (i.e., top) side of the plate shown in fig. 14. In fig. 15, 1501 refers to the location of one or more channels (e.g., 1401 as shown in fig. 14) to better illustrate the location of the holes, 1502 illustrates one of the plurality of holes for the respective apertures of the ingredient reservoir (e.g., from a view of the opposite side of the plate of 1402 as shown in fig. 14), 1503 illustrates a cutaway view of the ingredient reservoir of the cartridge, 1504 illustrates a gas inlet (e.g., 1401 as shown in fig. 14), 1505 illustrates a fluid inlet (e.g., 1405 as shown in fig. 14), and 1506 illustrates a connection point that enables fluid to enter the one or more channels (e.g., 1406 as shown in fig. 14) from the fluid inlet 1505. The entire path fluidly connecting the fluid inlet to the connection point is not shown in fig. 15. Although 1501 illustrates the location of one or more channels, since one or more channels are on opposite sides of the plate (shown in fig. 14), one or more channels may not be visible in the view shown in fig. 15 (e.g., in embodiments where the plate is formed of transparent or translucent plastic, one or more channels may be visible in the view shown in fig. 15, but in other embodiments where the plate is formed of metal such as aluminum or opaque plastic, this would not be the case).

FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart representative of an exemplary method 1600 of preparing and dispensing a fluid mixture. The method 1600 begins with a request to dispense a selected fluid mixture (e.g., beverage) (start 1610). The controller of the system determines a series of operations (e.g., control of pumps, valves, etc.) of the system to prepare and dispense the fluid mixture according to the prescription of the selected fluid mixture. The operation in fig. 16 shows an example of an operational sequence for preparing and dispensing a fluid mixture. The order of the operations shown in fig. 16 is merely an example, and other sequences of operations (e.g., changing the order of the operations shown and/or adding other operations or removing one or more of the operations shown) may be optionally and/or selectively used in various embodiments and/or usage scenarios. Furthermore, the size and/or orientation of the boxes in fig. 16 should not be considered important.

Cartridge action 1620 in fig. 16 indicates a subset of operations associated with an ingredient cartridge. In operation 1622, a first amount of fluid (e.g., solvent from the solvent reservoir, and/or a mixture of two or more solvents from two or more solvent reservoirs) flows (e.g., is pumped) from the fluid inlet through one or more channels of the ingredient cartridge so as to "pre-wet" the one or more channels such that the respective ingredients dispensed from the ingredient reservoir are not dispensed into the "dry" channels. In some embodiments and/or use scenarios, the fluid outlet is open (e.g., without a valve, or with a valve open), and at least some of the first amount of fluid is held in the one or more channels due to an effective back pressure from air in the fluid path supplied by the fluid outlet into the one or more channels. In operation 1624, one or more of the respective ingredients from the ingredient reservoir are dispensed into the one or more channels (mixed with any remaining amount of the first amount of fluid), and possibly flow to the fluid outlet at least partially as part of the intermediate fluid mixture. In operation 1626, a second amount of fluid (e.g., solvent) flows from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet through the one or more channels of the ingredient cartridge. In operation 1628, a second amount of fluid is mixed with the dispensed ingredients and flows through the fluid outlet as a (more) intermediate fluid mixture. The intermediate fluid mixture flows to the mixing chamber (see operation 1640). In various embodiments, the volume of fluid and/or the force of fluid flow (e.g., pumped) overcomes any back pressure at the fluid outlet. In some embodiments, not shown in fig. 16, as part of and/or after operation 1628, air is forced through the fluid inlet to flush any remaining amounts of fluid and/or dispensed ingredients to the fluid outlet. In some embodiments, the flow of the first amount of fluid ends before the dispensing of the ingredients begins in operation 1624 in operation 1622, and the flow of the second amount of fluid begins after the dispensing of the ingredients ends in operation 1624 in operation 1626. In other embodiments, the flow of the first amount of fluid in operation 1622 and/or the flow of the second amount of fluid in operation 1626 overlaps with the dispensing of the ingredients in operation 1624. In further embodiments, the flow of the first amount of fluid in operation 1622 and the flow of the second amount of fluid in operation 1626 are one continuous fluid flow, and the dispensing of the ingredients occurs during one continuous flow in operation 1624.

In some embodiments, the mixing chamber in operation 1640 is a final mixing chamber, and in other embodiments, the mixing chamber is before the final mixing chamber. In operation 1630, one or more other fluids (e.g., respective solvents from one or more solvent reservoirs) are dispensed directly to the mixing chamber. According to various embodiments, operation 1630 occurs one or more of: prior to box action 1620; during at least some of the box actions 1620; after the box action 1620; and any combination of the foregoing (e.g., one or more other fluids are dispensed in a manner other than a continuous flow). In operation 1640, the intermediate fluid mixture and one or more other fluids are mixed in the mixing chamber and then either flow to the final mixing chamber if present (operation 1680) or directly to the dispenser (operation 1690).

In operation 1670, if there is a separate final mixing chamber (separate from the mixing chamber in operation 1640), at least one other fluid (e.g., corresponding solvent from one or more solvent reservoirs) is dispensed directly to the final mixing chamber, where it is mixed with the fluid flow from the previous mixing chamber (operation 1640) in operation 1680.

In operation 1690, the resulting fluid mixture is dispensed, such as by a dispenser (e.g., a nozzle) (from operation 1640 if there is no final mixing chamber; or from operation 1680 if there is a final mixing chamber).

A collection of specific embodiments, including at least some explicitly enumerated as "EE" (example embodiment, example embodiments), provides additional description of various embodiment types in accordance with the concepts described in the present disclosure; these examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive or limiting; and the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments but encompasses numerous possible modifications and variants within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.

EE 1) a dispensing cartridge comprising: a plate; a plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing a respective ingredient, having a respective aperture, and being sealed by a respective seal, wherein each of the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense the respective ingredient through the plate via the respective aperture when the respective seal is unsealed; a membrane adjacent the plate and configured to form the respective seal when pressed against the respective aperture; and wherein each of the respective seals is selectively unsealed by not pressing the membrane against the respective aperture.

EE 2) the ingredient cartridge according to EE1, wherein said plate comprises one or more channels on the side of said plate adjacent to said membrane; wherein the membrane provides a surface of the one or more channels opposite a surface of the one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane; and wherein, according to the prescription, a respective ingredient from a selected one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs can be dispensed into the one or more channels.

EE 3) the ingredient cartridge according to EE2, wherein said one or more channels are etched into said plate.

EE 4) the ingredient cartridge according to EE2, wherein a substrate external to the ingredient cartridge is configured to press the membrane towards the plate such that the membrane provides a surface of the one or more channels.

EE 5) the ingredient cartridge according to EE2, wherein said respective apertures are formed in said plate.

EE 6) the ingredient cartridge of EE5, wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are fixedly attached to the plate on a side of the plate opposite to a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane.

EE 7) the ingredient cartridge of EE2, wherein each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs comprises a respective plate at one end, and the respective orifice is in the respective plate.

EE 8) the ingredient cartridge of EE7, wherein the respective flat plate of each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is below a surface of the plate of the ingredient cartridge opposite a side of the plate adjacent the film.

EE 9) the ingredient cartridge of EE2, wherein said one or more channels are a plurality of channels; and wherein respective ingredients from two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to be dispensed into a particular one of the plurality of channels via the respective apertures.

EE 10) according to EE9, wherein the respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are selectively controllable via respective plungers external to the ingredient cartridge, each of the respective plungers being configured to: (a) By default, pressing the respective portion of the membrane against the respective aperture to form a respective seal, and (b) when actuated, retracting the respective plunger such that the respective portion of the membrane is not pressed against the respective aperture, thereby unsealing the respective aperture to enable dispensing of the respective ingredient.

EE 11) the ingredient cartridge of EE10, wherein the width of a particular channel is such that the respective ingredient dispensed from one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs can flow around the respective plunger of an unassigned one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs.

EE 12) the ingredient cartridge of EE10, further comprising a pressurizable chamber; wherein one wall of the pressurizable chamber comprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE 13) the ingredient cartridge according to EE2, further comprising an inlet and an outlet; and wherein the solvent stream from the inlet to the outlet is mixed with a corresponding formulation dispensed from a selected formulation reservoir.

EE 14) the ingredient cartridge of EE13, further comprising structure to direct solvent flow from the inlet into the one or more channels and to direct solvent flow from the one or more channels to the outlet.

EE 15) the ingredient cartridge of EE14, wherein said structure comprises said one or more channels.

EE 16) the ingredient cartridge according to EE15, wherein a substrate external to the ingredient cartridge is configured to press the membrane towards the plate such that the membrane provides a surface of the one or more channels.

EE 17) the ingredient cartridge of EE15, wherein at least some of the structures are attached to the plate.

EE 18) the ingredient cartridge of EE15, wherein at least some of the structures are part of the plate.

EE 19) the ingredient cartridge according to EE13, wherein the solvent flow from the inlet to the outlet comprises an initial flow of the solvent from the inlet to the outlet for wetting the one or more channels, a pause in the solvent flow upon dispensing the respective ingredient from the selected ingredient reservoir, and a final flow of the solvent from the inlet to the outlet for flushing the one or more channels.

EE 20) the ingredient cartridge of EE1, wherein respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are selectively controllable via respective plungers external to the ingredient cartridge, each of the respective plungers being configured to (a) press a respective portion of the film against a respective orifice by default to form a respective seal, and (b) when actuated, retract the respective plunger so that the respective portion of the film is not pressed against the respective orifice, unsealing the respective orifice to enable dispensing of the respective ingredient.

EE 21) the ingredient cartridge according to EE20, wherein the respective electromechanical valve comprises a respective plunger.

EE 22) the ingredient cartridge of EE21, wherein each of the respective electromechanical valves comprises a respective solenoid.

EE 23) the ingredient cartridge according to EE22, wherein each of said respective electromechanical valves is an electrically operated valve.

EE 24) according to EE20, wherein each of said respective electromechanical valves is able to move the respective plunger from a sealing position, in which the respective orifice remains sealed, to a fully open position, in which the respective orifice is unsealed as much as possible by the respective plunger.

EE 25) the ingredient cartridge of EE24, wherein each of said respective electromechanical valves is capable of holding a respective plunger in at least one intermediate position between a sealed position and a fully open position; and wherein, when dispensing, the flow rate of the respective ingredient in the intermediate position is less than the flow rate of the respective ingredient in the fully open position.

EE 26) the ingredient cartridge of EE20, wherein the maximum cross-section of the respective plunger is at least twice as large as the maximum cross-section of the respective orifice, such that the alignment constraint of the ingredient cartridge with the respective plunger is alleviated.

EE 27) the ingredient cartridge of EE26, wherein the maximum cross-section of the respective plunger is at least four times greater than the maximum cross-section of the respective orifice.

EE 28) the ingredient cartridge according to EE1, wherein said respective apertures are arranged in a two-dimensional structure.

EE 29) the ingredient cartridge according to EE28, wherein said two-dimensional structure is a rectangular grid.

EE 30) the ingredient cartridge according to EE1, further comprising an airtight pressurized chamber with a gas inlet; wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurized chamber.

EE 31) the ingredient cartridge of EE30, wherein the membrane is configured to prevent leakage of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs via the respective apertures prior to installation of the ingredient cartridge in a dispensing system.

EE 32) the ingredient cartridge of EE31, wherein the negative pressure in the pressurized chamber holds the film against the respective orifice prior to installation of the ingredient cartridge in the dispensing system.

EE 33) according to EE30, wherein said pressurizing chamber is configured to be pressurized via said gas inlet such that pressure is applied to said plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 34) the ingredient cartridge of EE33, wherein the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is the pressure of the gas in the pressurized chamber.

EE 35) the ingredient cartridge of EE33, wherein the respective orifice of a particular one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is sized compared to the viscosity of the respective ingredient in the particular ingredient reservoir such that the respective ingredient cannot leak from the particular ingredient reservoir via the respective orifice unless the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is above atmospheric pressure.

EE 36) the ingredient cartridge of EE33, wherein, when installed in a dispensing system, the respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs remain sealed until the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is greater than a threshold.

EE 37) according to EE33, wherein the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is controlled by one or more of the amount of pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs and the duration of time that the respective orifice of the particular ingredient reservoir is unsealed.

EE 38) the ingredient cartridge according to EE37, wherein the controller external to said ingredient cartridge is programmed to dispense the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular ingredient reservoir by controlling the duration of time that the respective orifice of said particular ingredient reservoir is unsealed.

EE 39) the ingredient cartridge according to EE38, wherein the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir is dependent on one or more of the viscosity of the respective ingredient and the size of the respective orifice of the particular ingredient reservoir.

EE 40) according to EE38, wherein said controller is further programmed to dispense the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir by controlling the extent to which the respective orifice of the particular ingredient reservoir is unsealed.

EE 41) according to EE38, wherein said controller is further programmed to dispense the amount of the corresponding ingredient dispensed from said particular ingredient reservoir by controlling the amount of pressure applied to said plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 42) a dispensing cartridge according to EE37, wherein a pressure sensor measures the amount of pressure applied to the plurality of dispensing containers; and wherein the controller external to the ingredient cartridge is configured to dispense an amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir in accordance with a change in the measured pressure when the respective orifice of the particular ingredient reservoir is unsealed.

EE 43) the ingredient cartridge according to EE42, wherein said pressure sensor is external to said ingredient cartridge.

EE 44) an ingredient cartridge according to any one of EE39 to EE43, wherein said controller is further programmed to dispense a wide range of respective ingredient amounts dispensed from a particular ingredient reservoir.

EE 45) the ingredient cartridge according to EE44, wherein said broad range is at least one hundred times.

EE 46) the ingredient cartridge according to EE44, wherein said wide range is at least one thousand times.

EE 47) the ingredient cartridge according to EE1, further comprising an inlet and an outlet; and wherein the solvent flow from the inlet to the outlet is mixed with a respective ingredient dispensed from an ingredient reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 48) the ingredient cartridge of EE47, wherein the flow of solvent from inlet to outlet comprises an initial flow of solvent from inlet to outlet, a pause in solvent flow when dispensing the respective ingredient from the dispensing ingredient reservoirs of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, and a final flow of solvent.

EE 49) the ingredient cartridge of EE48, wherein the solvent flow begins to pause before the respective ingredient is dispensed from the dispensing ingredient reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs and ends after the respective ingredient is dispensed from the dispensing ingredient reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 50) the ingredient cartridge according to EE48, wherein the suspension of the solvent flow is not as long as the duration of dispensing the respective contents from the dispensing ingredient reservoirs in the plurality of ingredient containers.

EE 51) the ingredient cartridge of EE1, wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are located above the respective apertures such that the respective ingredients from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs can be at least partially dispensed by gravity.

EE 52) the ingredient cartridge according to EE1, wherein said film is attached to at least a portion of said plate.

EE 53) the ingredient cartridge of EE52, wherein the film is attached to at least a portion of the plate by an adhesive.

EE 54) the ingredient cartridge of EE52, wherein the plate comprises a recess on the side of the plate adjacent to the membrane, the recess forming one or more channels; wherein, according to a recipe, a respective ingredient from a selected ingredient reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is dispensable into the one or more channels; and wherein the non-recessed portion of the plate comprises the at least a portion of the plate.

EE 101) a fluid mixture dispensing system comprising: (1) a cartridge comprising: (a) A plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing respective ingredients, having respective apertures, and being sealed by respective seals; (b) an inlet; and (c) an outlet; (2) A membrane adjacent to the plate of the cartridge and configured to form the respective seal when pressed against the respective aperture; and (3) a plurality of electromechanical valves, each of the plurality of electromechanical valves corresponding to one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs and configured to (a) in a default state, press against the membrane to cause the membrane to form a respective seal of a respective ingredient reservoir, and (b) in an activated state, retract from the membrane to dispense the respective ingredient via the respective orifice; and wherein at least one channel formed between the membrane and the plate of the cartridge allows (a) solvent flowing from the inlet to mix with a corresponding ingredient dispensed from an ingredient reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs to form an intermediate fluid mixture, and (b) the intermediate fluid mixture to flow to the outlet.

EE 102) the fluid mixture distribution system according to EE101, wherein said cartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber, one wall of which comprises said plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE 103) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein the membrane comprises a silicone sheet disposed over respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 104) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein the membrane comprises a thermoelastic or thermoplastic elastomeric sheet disposed over respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 105) the fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE101, wherein the cartridge further comprises the membrane.

EE 106) the fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE105, wherein the membrane is attached to the plate of the cartridge.

EE 107) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE106, wherein the membrane is attached to the plate of the cartridge by an adhesive.

EE 108) a fluid mixture distribution system according to EE101, wherein each of said plurality of electromechanical valves comprises a respective solenoid.

EE 109) the fluid mixture distribution system according to EE101, wherein each of the plurality of electromechanical valves comprises a respective spring and a respective plunger; and wherein in a default state, the respective spring is configured to press the respective plunger against the membrane to cause the membrane to form a respective seal of the respective ingredient reservoir.

EE 110) the fluid mixture distribution system of EE109, wherein each of the plurality of electromechanical valves further comprises a respective coil; and wherein in the activated state, the respective coil is configured to retract the respective plunger from the membrane to dispense the respective ingredient via the respective orifice.

EE 111) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE110, wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber, one wall of which comprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE 112) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein the solvent flowing from the inlet comprises an initial flow of the solvent from the inlet to wet the at least one channel, a suspension of the flow of the solvent from the inlet while dispensing the respective ingredients dispensed from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, and a final flow of the solvent from the inlet to the outlet to flush the at least one channel to the outlet.

EE 113) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE112, wherein the solvent flow begins to pause before the respective ingredients are dispensed from the dispensing reservoirs of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs and ends after the respective ingredients are dispensed from the dispensing reservoirs of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 114) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE112, wherein the suspension of the flow of solvent is not as long as the duration of dispensing the respective ingredient from a dispensing reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 115) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE101, wherein said cartridge further comprises said plate; and wherein respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are located in the plate.

EE 116) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE115, wherein the cartridge further comprises the membrane; and wherein the membrane is attached to the plate.

EE 117) the fluid mixture distribution system according to EE101, wherein the inlet comprises a valve configured to enable or disable the flow of the solvent.

EE 118) a fluid mixture distribution system according to EE101, wherein said outlet comprises a valve configured to enable or disable flow of said intermediate fluid mixture.

EE 119) a fluid mixture distribution system according to EE101, wherein said at least one channel is a plurality of channels; and wherein respective ingredients from two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to be dispensed into a particular one of the plurality of channels via respective apertures.

EE 120) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE119, wherein the respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are arranged in a two-dimensional structure.

EE 121) a fluid mixture distribution system according to EE120, wherein said two-dimensional structure is a rectangular grid.

EE 122) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE120, wherein the two-dimensional structure comprises one or more rows of corresponding apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; wherein a particular row of apertures of the one or more rows of respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs comprises at least three of the respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and wherein an ingredient reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs having the at least three of the respective apertures is configured to be dispensed into the particular channel.

EE 123) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE119, wherein the width of the particular channel is wider than the corresponding seals of non-dispensing ones of two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 124) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE119, wherein the width of the particular channel is such that the solvent flowing from the inlet flows around a respective seal of a non-dispensing one of two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 125) the fluid mixture dispensing system of any one of EE123 or EE124, wherein the percentage of the width of the particular channel that is not blocked by a respective seal of the non-dispensed one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs is at least 25%.

EE 126) the fluid mixture dispensing system of any one of EE123 or EE124, wherein the percentage of the width of the particular channel that is not blocked by a respective seal of the non-dispensed one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs is at least 50%.

EE 127) the fluid mixture dispensing system of either EE125 or EE126, wherein respective seals of non-dispensing ones of two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are centered within a particular channel within five percent of an edge of the width of the particular channel.

EE 128) the fluid mixture distribution system of EE119, wherein said cartridge further comprises structure that directs the solvent flowing from said inlet into said plurality of channels and directs the flow from said plurality of channels to said outlet.

EE 129) the fluid mixture distribution system according to EE128, wherein the flow from the plurality of channels to the outlet comprises the intermediate fluid mixture.

EE 130) a fluid mixture distribution system according to EE128, wherein at least a portion of the structure is on the side of the plate of the cartridge facing the membrane.

EE 131) a fluid mixture distribution system according to EE130, wherein at least a portion of the structure comprises one or more walls; and wherein the plurality of channels are formed by recesses between the one or more walls.

EE 132) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE128, wherein the panels of the cartridge comprise at least a portion of the structure.

EE 133) the fluid mixture distribution system according to EE128, wherein at least a portion of the structure is attached to a plate of the cartridge.

EE 134) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE128, further comprising a base plate; and wherein the substrate is configured to press the film against at least a portion of the structure.

EE 135) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE134, wherein the plurality of electromechanical valves are attached to the base plate.

EE 136) the fluid mixture distribution system of EE101, further comprising a mixing chamber configured to receive the intermediate fluid mixture.

EE 137) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE136, further comprising one or more solvent reservoirs configured to selectively dispense respective solvents into the mixing chamber.

EE 138) the fluid mixture distribution system according to EE137, wherein said mixing chamber is a first mixing chamber; and further comprising a second mixing chamber configured to receive the flow from the first mixing chamber and additional solvent.

EE 139) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE138, wherein the additional solvent comprises a sweetener.

EE 140) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE138, wherein the additional solvent comprises carbonated water.

EE 141) the fluid mixture distribution system of EE136, further comprising a distributor configured to receive flow from the mixing chamber.

EE 142) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, further comprising a controller programmed to control actuation of a selected one of the plurality of electromechanical valves to dispense a respective ingredient of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs according to a recipe.

EE 143) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE142, wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber having a gas inlet; wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises a plate of the cassette; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurized chamber.

EE 144) the fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE143, wherein the pressurized chamber is airtight.

EE 145) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE143, wherein the membrane is configured to prevent leakage of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs via the respective apertures prior to installation of the cartridge in the fluid mixture dispensing system.

EE 146) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE145, wherein the negative pressure in the pressurized chamber holds the membrane against the respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs prior to installation of the cartridge in the fluid mixture dispensing system.

EE 147) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE143, wherein the pressurized chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet such that pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 148) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE147, wherein the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is the pressure of the gas in the pressurized chamber.

EE 149) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE147, wherein, when installed in the fluid mixture dispensing system, the respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to remain sealed until the pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is greater than a threshold value.

EE 150) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE147, wherein the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is controlled by one or more of: (a) An amount of pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (b) the duration that a particular ingredient reservoir is capable of being dispensed.

EE 151) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE150, wherein the controller is further programmed to dispense the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir by controlling the duration that the particular ingredient reservoir is capable of being dispensed.

EE 152) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE151, wherein the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir is dependent on one or more of the viscosity of the respective ingredient of the particular ingredient reservoir and the size of the respective orifice of the particular ingredient reservoir.

EE 153) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE151, wherein the controller is further programmed to dispense the amount of the corresponding ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir by controlling the flow rate at which the particular ingredient reservoir is capable of dispensing.

EE 154) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE153, wherein the controller is further programmed to control the flow rate at which a particular ingredient reservoir can be dispensed by controlling the extent to which its corresponding seal is unsealed.

EE 155) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE151, wherein the controller is further programmed to dispense the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir by controlling the amount of pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 156) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE150, further comprising a pressure monitor configured to monitor an amount of pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and wherein the controller is further programmed to dispense an amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir in accordance with a change in pressure monitored during dispensing of the respective ingredient of the particular ingredient reservoir.

EE 157) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to any one of EE150 to EE156, wherein the controller is programmed to dispense a wide range of amounts of the respective ingredients dispensed from a particular ingredient reservoir.

EE 158) a fluid mixture distribution system according to EE157, wherein said broad range is at least one hundred times.

EE 159) the fluid mixture distribution system according to EE157, wherein the broad range is at least one thousand times.

EE 160) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, wherein each of the plurality of electromechanical valves comprises a respective plunger configured to press against the membrane in a default state to cause the membrane to form a respective seal of a respective ingredient reservoir and to retract from the membrane in an activated state to dispense a respective ingredient via a respective orifice.

EE 161) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE160, wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber, one wall of which comprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurizable chamber.

EE 162) in accordance with the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE160, wherein each of the plurality of electromechanical valves is configured to move a respective plunger from a sealing position in a default state, in which the respective orifice of the respective ingredient reservoir is held sealed by the respective seal of the respective ingredient reservoir, to a fully open position in an actuated state, in which the respective orifice of the respective ingredient reservoir is unsealed as much as possible by the respective plunger.

EE 163) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE162, wherein each of the plurality of electromechanical valves is further configured to maintain a respective plunger in at least one intermediate position between the sealed position and the fully open position; and wherein the flow rate of the respective ingredient reservoir is smaller in the intermediate position than in the fully open position.

EE 164) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE163, further comprising a controller programmed to set the intermediate position of each of the plurality of electromechanical valves between the sealed position and the fully open position to control the flow rate of the respective ingredient reservoir to be less than the flow rate of the respective ingredient reservoir in the fully open position.

EE 165) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE101, further comprising one or more solvent reservoirs configured to dispense respective solvents to flow to the inlet.

EE 166) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE165, wherein each of the one or more solvent reservoirs comprises a respective electromechanical valve controlling the dispensing of a respective solvent.

EE 167) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE166, further comprising one or more pumps configured to move respective solvents dispensed from a dispense solvent reservoir of the one or more solvent reservoirs.

EE 168) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE166, further comprising a controller programmed to control actuation of selected ones of the respective electromechanical valves of the one or more solvent reservoirs according to a recipe to dispense respective solvents of the selected ones of the one or more solvent reservoirs.

EE 169) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE168, wherein at least one of the one or more solvent reservoirs is configured to be selectively controllable by the controller to dispense a respective solvent to the inlet, to a mixing chamber, or to both the inlet and the mixing chamber.

EE 170) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE165, wherein the one or more solvent reservoirs are at least two solvent reservoirs; and wherein a mixture of respective solvents of two of the at least two solvent reservoirs is configured to flow to the inlet.

EE 201) a fluid mixture dispensing system comprising: (1) a cartridge comprising: (a) At least one ingredient reservoir containing a respective ingredient, having a respective aperture, and being sealed by a respective seal; (b) an inlet; and (c) an outlet; (2) A membrane attached to the raised surface of the plate of the cartridge and configured to form a respective seal when pressed against a respective aperture of each of the at least one ingredient reservoirs; and (3) at least one electromechanical valve, each of the at least one electromechanical valve corresponding to one of the at least one ingredient reservoirs and configured to cause the membrane to form the respective seal of the respective ingredient reservoir; and wherein at least one channel formed between the membrane and the plate of the cartridge allows (a) solvent flowing from the inlet to mix with a corresponding ingredient from a dispense-ingredient reservoir in the at least one ingredient reservoir to form an intermediate fluid mixture, and (b) the intermediate fluid mixture to flow to the outlet.

EE 202) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, wherein said cartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber, one wall of said pressurizable chamber comprising said plate; and wherein the at least one ingredient reservoir is housed in the pressurizable chamber.

EE 203) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, wherein the cartridge further comprises the membrane.

EE 204) the fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE203, wherein the membrane is attached to the plate of the cartridge.

EE 205) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, further comprising a controller programmed to control actuation of selected ones of said at least one electromechanical valve to dispense respective ones of said at least one ingredient reservoirs in accordance with a recipe.

EE 206) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE205, wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber having a gas inlet; wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises a plate of the cassette; and wherein the at least one ingredient reservoir is housed in the pressurized chamber.

EE 207) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE206, wherein the pressurized chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet such that pressure is applied to the at least one ingredient reservoir.

EE 208) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE207, wherein the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of said at least one ingredient reservoir is controlled by one or more of: (i) An amount of pressure applied to the at least one ingredient reservoir; and (ii) the duration that a particular ingredient reservoir is capable of being dispensed.

EE 209) a fluid mixture dispensing system according to EE208, wherein the controller is further programmed to dispense the amount of the corresponding ingredient dispensed from the particular ingredient reservoir by controlling the duration that the particular ingredient reservoir is capable of being dispensed.

EE 210) according to EE201, wherein each of said at least one electromechanical valve comprises a respective plunger, said plungers being configured in a default state to press against said membrane to cause said membrane to form a respective seal of said respective ingredient reservoir, and in an activated state to retract from said membrane to enable said respective ingredient reservoir to dispense said respective ingredient via said respective orifice.

EE 211) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE201, further comprising one or more solvent reservoirs configured to dispense respective solvents to flow to said inlet.

EE 212) the fluid mixture dispensing system of EE211, wherein the one or more solvent reservoirs are at least two solvent reservoirs; and wherein a mixture of respective solvents of two of the at least two solvent reservoirs is configured to flow to the inlet.

EE 301) a method for use in a fluid mixture dispensing system having a cartridge comprising (a) a plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing respective ingredients, having respective apertures, and being sealed by respective seals, (b) an inlet, and (c) an outlet, the method comprising: holding closed one or more non-dispensing electromechanical valves of a plurality of electromechanical valves, each of the plurality of electromechanical valves corresponding to one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the non-dispensing electromechanical valves seals a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; selectively opening one or more dispensing electromechanical valves of the plurality of electromechanical valves, wherein each of the dispensing electromechanical valves unseals a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; dispensing at least some of the respective ingredients from each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, the respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs being unsealed; mixing the solvent from the inlet with the dispensed respective ingredients in at least one channel formed between the membrane and the plate of the cartridge to form an intermediate fluid mixture; flowing the intermediate fluid mixture to the outlet; and wherein the membrane is configured to form a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs when pressed against a respective orifice of the respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by a respective plunger of each of the plurality of electromechanical valves.

EE 302) the method of EE301, wherein maintaining closed is a default state for each of the non-dispensing electromechanical valves of the plurality of electromechanical valves.

EE 303) the method of EE302, wherein each of the electromechanical valves comprises a respective solenoid.

EE 304) the method of EE301, further comprising pressing the membrane against a respective orifice of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by a respective plunger of each of the plurality of electromechanical valves other than the dispensing electromechanical valve.

The method of EE305 further comprising forming a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by pressing a respective plunger of each non-dispensing electromechanical valve of the plurality of electromechanical valves against a respective orifice of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 306) the method of EE301, wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber with a gas inlet; wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises a plate of the cassette; wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurized chamber; and further comprising pressurizing the pressurization chamber via the gas inlet prior to selective opening such that pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

EE 307) the selective opening is controlled by a controller according to the recipe of the beverage according to the method of EE 306.

EE 308) the method of EE307, further comprising controlling, by the controller, an amount of a respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs unsealed by one or more of: (i) An amount of pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (ii) selectively opening the duration of a particular ingredient reservoir.

EE 309) the method of EE301, wherein said mixing comprises: flowing a first portion of solvent from the inlet to wet the at least one channel prior to dispensing; suspending the flow of the first portion of solvent from the inlet; and after the pause, flowing a second portion of the solvent from the inlet; and wherein at least a portion of the allocation is during the pause.

EE 310) the method of EE309, further comprising flowing the intermediate fluid mixture from the outlet to a mixing chamber.

EE 311) the process according to EE310, wherein the solvent from the inlet is a first solvent from at least one solvent reservoir; and further comprising flowing a second solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to the mixing chamber to mix with the intermediate fluid mixture.

EE 312) the method of EE311, further comprising dispensing the contents of the mixing chamber through a dispenser.

EE 313) the process of EE311, further comprising mixing two or more solvents from at least one solvent reservoir to form a solvent from an inlet,

EE 314) the method of EE311, further comprising pumping at least one solvent from at least one solvent reservoir to provide a first portion of solvent and a second portion of solvent.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical and scientific words or terms used herein are intended to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed subject matter pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is commonly understood in the art.

Reference herein to "about" a value or parameter includes (and describes) a variation that involves the value or parameter itself. For example, a description referring to "about X" includes a description of "X". In addition, reference to the phrase "less than," "greater than," "up to," "at least," "less than or equal to," "greater than or equal to," or other similar phrases followed by a string of values or parameters means that the phrase is applied to each value or parameter in the string of values or parameters.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or units, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, units, and/or groups thereof.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure include process steps, method operations, and instructions described herein in algorithmic form. It should be noted that the process steps, method operations, and instructions of the present disclosure may be implemented in software, firmware, or hardware, and when implemented in software, may be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by a variety of operating systems. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying," "generating," or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. The apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, USB flash drives, external hard drives, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random Access Memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus. Furthermore, the computing systems referred to in the specification may comprise a single processor, which may be an architecture employing a multi-processor design, such as for performing different functions or for increased computing power. Suitable processors include Central Processing Units (CPUs), graphics Processors (GPUs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and ASICs.

The methods, apparatus, and systems described herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method operations. The structure for a variety of these systems can be seen from the above description. In addition, the present disclosure is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein.

Several numerical ranges are disclosed in the text and drawings. The disclosed numerical ranges support essentially any range or value within the disclosed numerical ranges (including endpoints, even though precise range limitations are not stated verbatim in the specification) as the disclosure may be practiced throughout the disclosed numerical ranges.

The above description is intended to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Claims (60)

1. A ingredient cartridge comprising:

a plate;

a plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing a respective ingredient, having a respective orifice, and being sealed by a respective seal, wherein each of the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense the respective ingredient through the plate via the respective orifice when the respective seal is unsealed;

A membrane adjacent the plate and configured to form the respective seal when pressed against the respective aperture; and

wherein each of the respective seals is selectively unsealed by not pressing the membrane against the respective aperture.

2. The ingredient box according to claim 1,

wherein the plate comprises one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane;

wherein the membrane provides a surface of the one or more channels opposite a surface of the one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane; and

wherein, according to a recipe, a respective ingredient from a selected one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs can be dispensed into the one or more channels.

3. The ingredient box according to claim 2,

wherein the one or more channels are etched into the plate.

4. The ingredient box according to claim 2,

wherein the respective apertures are formed in the plate.

5. The ingredient box according to claim 4,

wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are fixedly attached to the plate on a side of the plate opposite a side of the plate adjacent the membrane.

6. The ingredient box according to claim 2,

wherein each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs comprises a respective plate at one end, and the respective orifice is in the respective plate.

7. The ingredient box according to claim 2,

wherein the one or more channels are a plurality of channels; and

wherein respective ingredients from two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to be dispensed into a particular one of the plurality of channels via the respective apertures.

8. The ingredient box according to claim 7,

wherein respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are selectively controllable via respective plungers external to the ingredient cartridge, each of the respective plungers configured to:

(a) By default, pressing the respective portion of the membrane against the respective aperture to form a respective seal, an

(b) When activated, the respective plunger is retracted such that the respective portion of the membrane is not pressed against the respective aperture, unsealing the respective aperture to enable dispensing of the respective ingredient.

9. The ingredient box according to claim 8,

wherein the width of the particular channel is such that a respective ingredient dispensed from one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs is capable of flowing around a respective plunger of an undispensed one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs.

10. The ingredient box according to claim 8,

further comprising a pressurizable chamber; wherein one wall of the pressurizable chamber comprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurizable chamber.

11. The ingredient box according to claim 2,

also includes an inlet and an outlet; and

wherein the solvent flow from the inlet to the outlet is mixed with the corresponding ingredients dispensed from the selected ingredient reservoir.

12. The ingredient box according to claim 1,

further comprising a gas-tight pressurized chamber having a gas inlet;

wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises the plate; and

wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurized chamber.

13. The ingredient box according to claim 12,

wherein the pressurizing chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet such that pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

14. The ingredient box according to claim 13,

wherein a respective orifice of a particular one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is sized in comparison to a viscosity of a respective ingredient in the particular ingredient reservoir such that the respective ingredient cannot leak from the particular ingredient reservoir via the respective orifice unless a pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is above atmospheric pressure.

15. A ingredient cartridge comprising:

a plate;

at least one ingredient reservoir containing a respective ingredient, having a respective orifice, and being sealed by a respective seal, wherein each of the at least one ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense the respective ingredient through the plate via the respective orifice when the respective seal is unsealed;

a membrane attached to the raised surface of the plate and configured to form the respective seal when pressed against the respective aperture of each of the at least one ingredient reservoirs; and

wherein the respective seal of each of the at least one ingredient reservoirs is selectively openable by not pressing the membrane against the respective aperture.

16. The ingredient box according to claim 15,

wherein the plate comprises one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane;

wherein the membrane provides a surface of the one or more channels opposite a surface of the one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane; and

wherein, depending on the prescription, a respective ingredient of at least one selected one of the at least one ingredient store is dispensable into the one or more channels.

17. The ingredient box according to claim 16,

wherein the one or more channels are etched into the plate.

18. The ingredient box according to claim 16,

wherein a respective orifice of the at least one ingredient reservoir is formed in the plate.

19. The ingredient cartridge of claim 18,

wherein each of the at least one ingredient reservoirs is fixedly attached to the plate on a side of the plate opposite a side of the plate adjacent the membrane.

20. The ingredient box according to claim 15,

also includes an inlet and an outlet; and

wherein the solvent flow from the inlet to the outlet is mixed with a corresponding ingredient dispensed from at least one selected ingredient reservoir.

21. The ingredient box according to claim 15,

further comprising a gas-tight pressurized chamber having a gas inlet;

wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises the plate; and

wherein the at least one ingredient reservoir is contained in the pressurized chamber.

22. The ingredient cartridge of claim 21,

wherein the pressurizing chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet such that pressure is applied to the at least one ingredient reservoir.

23. The ingredient cartridge of claim 22,

wherein a respective orifice of a particular one of the at least one ingredient reservoirs is sized in comparison to a viscosity of a respective ingredient in the particular ingredient reservoir such that the respective ingredient cannot leak from the particular ingredient reservoir via the respective orifice unless a pressure applied to the at least one ingredient reservoir is above atmospheric pressure.

24. The ingredient box according to claim 15,

wherein the film is attached to at least a portion of the plate by an adhesive.

25. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising a removable ingredient cartridge, the ingredient cartridge comprising:

a plate;

a plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing a respective ingredient, having a respective orifice, and being sealed by a respective seal, wherein each of the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense the respective ingredient through the plate via the respective orifice when the respective seal is unsealed;

a membrane adjacent the plate and configured to form the respective seal when pressed against the respective aperture; and

wherein each of the respective seals is selectively unsealed by not pressing the membrane against the respective aperture.

26. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 25,

wherein the plate comprises one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent to the membrane;

wherein the membrane provides a surface of the one or more channels opposite a surface of the one or more channels on a side of the plate adjacent the membrane; and

wherein, according to a recipe, a respective ingredient from a selected one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs can be dispensed into the one or more channels.

27. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 26,

wherein the one or more channels are a plurality of channels; and

wherein two or more respective ingredients from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to be dispensed into a particular one of the plurality of channels via the respective apertures.

28. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 27,

wherein respective seals of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are selectively controllable via respective plungers external to the ingredient cartridge, each of the respective plungers configured to:

(a) By default, pressing the respective portion of the membrane against the respective aperture to form a respective seal, an

(b) When activated, the respective plunger is retracted such that the respective portion of the membrane is not pressed against the respective aperture, unsealing the respective aperture to enable dispensing of the respective ingredient.

29. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 28,

wherein the width of a particular channel is such that the respective ingredient dispensed from one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs is capable of flowing around a respective plunger of an undispensed one of the two or more ingredient reservoirs.

30. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 28,

further comprising a pressurizable chamber; wherein one wall of the pressurizable chamber comprises the plate; and wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurizable chamber.

31. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:

(1) A cartridge, comprising: (a) A plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing respective ingredients, having respective apertures, and being sealed by respective seals; (b) an inlet; and (c) an outlet;

(2) A membrane adjacent to the plate of the cartridge and configured to form the respective seal when pressed against the respective aperture; and

(3) A plurality of electromechanical valves, each of the plurality of electromechanical valves corresponding to one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs and configured to (a) in a default state, press against the membrane to cause the membrane to form a respective seal of a respective ingredient reservoir, and (b) in an activated state, retract from the membrane to dispense the respective ingredient via the respective orifice; and

wherein at least one channel formed between the membrane and the plate of the cartridge allows (a) solvent from the inlet to mix with a corresponding ingredient from an ingredient reservoir of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs being dispensed to form an intermediate fluid mixture, and (b) the intermediate fluid mixture to flow to the outlet.

32. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 31,

wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber, one wall of the pressurizable chamber comprising the plate; and

wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurizable chamber.

33. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 31,

wherein each of the plurality of electromechanical valves includes a respective spring and a respective plunger; and

Wherein, in a default state, the respective spring is configured to press the respective plunger against the membrane to cause the membrane to form a respective seal of the respective ingredient reservoir.

34. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 33,

wherein each of the plurality of electromechanical valves further comprises a respective coil; and

wherein, in the activated state, the respective coil is configured to retract the respective plunger from the membrane to enable the respective ingredient reservoir to dispense the respective ingredient via the respective orifice.

35. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 31,

wherein the cassette further comprises the plate; and

wherein respective apertures of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are located in the plate.

36. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 35,

wherein the cartridge further comprises the membrane; and

wherein the membrane is attached to the plate.

37. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 31,

wherein the at least one channel is a plurality of channels; and

wherein two or more respective ingredients from the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are configured to be dispensed into a particular one of the plurality of channels via the respective apertures.

38. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 37,

wherein the width of a particular channel is wider than the corresponding seal of a non-dispensing one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

39. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 37,

wherein the width of a particular channel is such that the solvent flowing in from the inlet flows around a respective seal of a non-dispensing one of the more than two of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

40. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 39,

wherein the percentage of the width of a particular channel that is not blocked by a corresponding seal of a non-dispensing one of the two or more of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is at least 25%.

41. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 31,

the system further includes a controller configured to control actuation of a selected one of the plurality of electromechanical valves to dispense a respective ingredient of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs according to a recipe.

42. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 41,

Wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber having a gas inlet;

wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises a plate of the cassette; and

wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurized chamber.

43. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 42,

wherein the pressurizing chamber is configured to be pressurized via the gas inlet such that pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

44. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 43,

wherein the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is controlled by one or more of: (a) An amount of pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (b) the duration that a particular ingredient reservoir is capable of being dispensed.

45. A fluid mixture dispensing system comprising:

(1) A cartridge, comprising: (a) At least one ingredient reservoir containing a respective ingredient, having a respective orifice, and being sealed by a respective seal; (b) an inlet; and (c) an outlet;

(2) A membrane attached to the raised surface of the plate of the cartridge and configured to form a respective seal when pressed against a respective aperture of each of the at least one ingredient reservoirs; and

(3) At least one electromechanical valve, each of the at least one electromechanical valve corresponding to one of the at least one ingredient reservoirs and configured to cause the membrane to form a respective seal of a respective ingredient reservoir; and

wherein at least one channel formed between the membrane and the plate of the cartridge allows (a) solvent from the inlet to mix with a corresponding ingredient from an ingredient reservoir being dispensed in the at least one ingredient reservoir to form an intermediate fluid mixture, and (b) the intermediate fluid mixture to flow to the outlet.

46. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 45,

wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurizable chamber, one wall of the pressurizable chamber comprising the plate; and

wherein the at least one ingredient reservoir is contained in the pressurizable chamber.

47. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 45,

wherein the cartridge further comprises the membrane.

48. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 47,

wherein the membrane is attached to a plate of the cassette.

49. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 45,

Further comprising a controller programmed to control actuation of selected ones of the at least one electromechanical valve to dispense respective ingredients of respective ones of the at least one ingredient reservoirs in accordance with a recipe.

50. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 49,

wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber having a gas inlet;

wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises a plate of the cassette; and

wherein the at least one ingredient reservoir is contained in the pressurized chamber.

51. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 50,

wherein the amount of the respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the at least one ingredient reservoirs is controlled by one or more of: (i) An amount of pressure applied to the at least one ingredient reservoir; and (ii) the duration that a particular ingredient reservoir is capable of being dispensed.

52. The fluid mixture dispensing system of claim 45,

wherein each of the at least one electromechanical valves comprises a respective plunger that is configured to press against the membrane in a default state to cause the membrane to form a respective seal of the respective ingredient reservoir and to retract from the membrane in an activated state to enable the respective ingredient reservoir to dispense the respective ingredient via the respective orifice.

53. A method for use in a fluid mixture dispensing system having a cartridge comprising (a) a plurality of ingredient reservoirs containing respective ingredients, having respective apertures and being sealed by respective seals, (b) an inlet, and (c) an outlet, the method comprising:

holding closed one or more non-dispensing electromechanical valves of a plurality of electromechanical valves, each of the plurality of electromechanical valves corresponding to one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the non-dispensing electromechanical valves seals a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs;

selectively opening one or more dispensing electromechanical valves of the plurality of electromechanical valves, wherein each of the dispensing electromechanical valves unseals a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs;

dispensing at least some of the respective ingredients from each of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs where the respective seal is unsealed;

mixing the solvent from the inlet with the dispensed respective ingredients in at least one channel formed between the membrane and the plate of the cartridge to form an intermediate fluid mixture;

flowing the intermediate fluid mixture to the outlet; and

Wherein the membrane is configured to form a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs when pressed against a respective orifice of the respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by a respective plunger of each of the plurality of electromechanical valves.

54. The method according to claim 53,

wherein maintaining closed is a default state for each of the non-dispensing electromechanical valves of the plurality of electromechanical valves.

55. A method according to claim 54,

wherein each of the electromechanical valves includes a respective solenoid.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

pressing the membrane against a respective orifice of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs by a respective plunger of each of the plurality of electromechanical valves other than the dispensing electromechanical valve; and

a respective seal of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs is formed by pressing a respective plunger of each non-dispensing electromechanical valve of the plurality of electromechanical valves against a respective orifice of a respective one of the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

57. The method according to claim 53,

wherein the cartridge further comprises a pressurized chamber having a gas inlet;

Wherein one wall of the pressurized chamber comprises a plate of the cassette;

wherein the plurality of ingredient reservoirs are contained in the pressurized chamber; and

further comprising pressurizing the pressurization chamber via the gas inlet prior to selective opening such that pressure is applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

controlling, by a controller, the selective opening according to the recipe of the beverage; and

controlling, by the controller, an amount of a respective ingredient dispensed from a particular one of the respective seals unsealed by one or more of: (i) An amount of pressure applied to the plurality of ingredient reservoirs; and (ii) selectively opening the duration of a particular ingredient reservoir.

59. The method according to claim 53,

wherein the mixing comprises:

flowing a first portion of solvent from the inlet to wet the at least one channel prior to dispensing;

suspending flow of a first portion of the solvent from the inlet; and

after the pause, flowing a second portion of the solvent from the inlet; and

Wherein at least a portion of the allocation is during the pause.

60. The method according to claim 59,

wherein the solvent from the inlet is a first solvent from at least one solvent reservoir; and

further comprises:

flowing the intermediate fluid mixture from the outlet to a mixing chamber; and

flowing a second solvent from the at least one solvent reservoir to the mixing chamber to mix with the intermediate fluid mixture.