JP2019074090A - Product dispensing system with pwm controlled solenoid pump - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a system for monitoring flow conditions of fluid flowing from a product container through a solenoid pump.SOLUTION: The system includes: at least one product container connected to at least one solenoid pump, the at least one solenoid pump pumping fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke; at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump; at least one current sensor for sensing the current flow through a solenoid coil and producing an output of the sensed current flow; and a control logic subsystem for controlling the flow of fluids through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller and for monitoring the current through the solenoid pump by receiving the output from the current sensor. The control logic subsystem uses the measured current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 66

Description

This application claims the benefit of "Product Dispensi," filed October 28, 2011.
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 552,938, entitled "ng System" (Attorney Docket No. I 82), filed November 15, 2011, "Product Di.
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 560,007, entitled "Sensing System" (Attorney Docket No. J13), filed April 20, 2012, "Produ
US Provisional Patent Application No. 61,636, entitled "ct Dispensing System".
No. 298 (Attorney Docket No. J39), which claims the benefit of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to processing systems, and more particularly, to processing systems used to produce products from multiple separate sources.

A processing system can combine one or more ingredients to form a product. Unfortunately, such systems are often of fixed configuration and can only produce a relatively limited number of types of products. Such systems may be able to be reconfigured to produce other products, but such reconfiguration may require significant changes in mechanical / electrical / software systems.

For example, new components, such as new valves, lines, manifolds, software subroutines, etc., may need to be added to create different products. It is the non-reconfigurable existing equipment / process in the processing system that requires such a major modification, and its application is a single dedicated application, hence another to perform the new task. This is because components have to be added.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system is disclosed for monitoring fluid flow conditions from a product container through a solenoid pump. The system includes at least one solenoid pump including a solenoid coil that generates one stroke of the solenoid pump when energized, and at least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump, the at least one solenoid pump Ejecting fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke, and detecting at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump, and detecting current flow through the solenoid coil to detect current flow Control the flow rate of fluid through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller with at least one current sensor generating an output of the sensor, and monitoring the current through the solenoid pump by receiving the output from the current sensor Anda control logic subsystem, the control logic subsystem, using measurements of current flow through the solenoid coil, it is determined whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. That is, the control logic subsystem determines that at least one product container is sold out using at least a measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil. The control logic subsystem uses measurements of current flow through the solenoid coil
It is determined whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is nonfunctional. The control logic subsystem uses the measurement of current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the stroke of the solenoid pump is a sell-out stroke. The control logic subsystem determines that at least one product container is sold out when the threshold number of consecutive sold out strokes is reached. The at least one product container further comprises an RFID tag, which stores a value of the remaining charge indicator representing the amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container. The control logic subsystem determines that at least one product container is sold out when a certain number of consecutive sellout strokes are determined and the remaining value value exceeds the threshold volume.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of monitoring the flow of fluid from a product container through a solenoid pump is disclosed. The method comprises energizing the solenoid coil of the solenoid pump to generate one stroke of the solenoid pump, discharging the fluid from the product container through the solenoid pump during each stroke, and using the current sensor to solenoid Detecting the current flow through the sensor and generating an output of the detected current flow, and monitoring the current through the solenoid pump using the control logic subsystem, the control logic subsystem from the current sensor Receiving the detected current and determining whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. That is, the control logic subsystem determines that at least one product container is sold out using at least a measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil. The control logic subsystem uses measurements of current flow through the solenoid coil
It is determined whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is nonfunctional. The control logic subsystem uses the measurement of current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the stroke of the solenoid pump is a sell-out stroke. The control logic subsystem determines that at least one product container is sold out when the threshold number of consecutive sold out strokes is reached. Measuring an amount of fluid remaining in the product container using an RFID tag that stores a value of the remaining amount indicator representing the amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container. The control logic subsystem determines that the product container is sold out when a certain number of consecutive sold-out strokes are determined and the remaining volume indication exceeds the threshold volume.

According to one aspect of the invention, a system for determining that a product container is sold out is disclosed. The system includes at least one solenoid pump including a solenoid coil that generates one stroke of the solenoid pump when energized, and at least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump, the at least one solenoid pump At least one PWM controller configured to discharge fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke and to energize the at least one solenoid pump to control the voltage applied to the at least one solenoid coil , At least one current sensor detecting current flow through the solenoid coil and generating an output of the detected current flow, and controlling the flow rate of fluid through the solenoid pump by instructing the PWM controller to output the output from the current sensor And a control logic subsystem for monitoring the current through the pump by scraping, the control logic subsystem using at least a measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil, the at least one product container being sold out It determines that it is a state.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. That is, the control logic subsystem determines, based on the output of the current sensor, whether the stroke of the at least one solenoid pump has been a functional stroke. The control logic subsystem determines, based on the output of the current sensor, whether the stroke of the at least one solenoid pump was a sell-out stroke. The control logic subsystem determines that at least one product container is sold out when the threshold number of consecutive sold out strokes is reached. The control logic subsystem determines, based on the output of the current sensor, whether the stroke of the at least one solenoid pump is a non-functional stroke. The at least one product container further comprises an RFID tag storing a value of the remaining charge indicator representing the amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container. The control logic subsystem determines that the system is sold-out when the number of consecutive sold-out strokes is determined and the remaining volume indication exceeds the threshold volume. A control logic subsystem controls the current measured by the current sensor by varying the high frequency duty cycle of the PWM controller. At least one PWM to at least one solenoid pump
At least one power supply connected via a controller and at least one current sensor.

According to one aspect of the invention, the product dispensing system is misread (cross-readin)
A method for reducing g) is disclosed. This method allows multiple RFs in the product delivery system
Scanning the ID tag assembly, evaluating the RFID tag assembly to locate the location in the product dispensing system when one or more RFID tag assemblies are read in the plurality of slots, and fitting And comparing the received signal strength indication values.

According to one aspect of the invention, in a first embodiment, the flow meter includes a fluid chamber configured to receive fluid. The diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced each time the fluid in the fluid chamber is displaced. The transducer assembly is configured to monitor displacement of the diaphragm assembly and to generate a signal based at least in part on the amount of fluid displaced in the fluid chamber.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. That is, the transducer assembly includes a linear variable differential transformer coupled to the diaphragm assembly by a coupling assembly, the transducer assembly includes a needle / magnet cartridge assembly, the transducer assembly includes a magnetic coil assembly, the transducer assembly includes Including a Hall effect sensor assembly, the transducer assembly including a piezoelectric buzzer element, the transducer assembly including a piezoelectric sheet element, the transducer assembly including an audio speaker assembly, the transducer assembly including an accelerometer assembly, a transducer assembly Comprises a microphone assembly and / or the transducer assembly is optical To include a place assembly.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of determining that a product container is empty is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of energizing the pump assembly, discharging the microfeed from the product container, displacing the capacitive plate by a displacement distance, measuring the capacitance of the capacitor, and displacing the measured capacitance value. Calculating the distance; and determining whether the product container is empty.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of determining that a product container is empty is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of energizing the pump assembly, displacing the diaphragm assembly by a displacement distance by discharging the micromaterial from the product container, measuring the displacement distance using the transducer assembly, and Includes the steps of using a transducer assembly that generates a signal based on the amount of microstock dispensed from the product container, and using the signal to determine whether the product container is empty or not .

According to another aspect of the invention, a bracket for a product dispensing system is disclosed. The bracket includes a plurality of tabs configured to be aligned with at least one bar code reader on a door of the product dispensing system.

The above aspects of the invention are not exclusive and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention are:
It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a processing system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a control logic subsystem included in the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a mass feedstock subsystem included in the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a micro-raw material subsystem included in the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a capacitive flow sensor included in the processing system of FIG. 1 (during non-discharge); FIG. 5B is a schematic top view of the capacitive flow sensor of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B is a schematic view of two capacitive plates included in the capacitive flow sensor of FIG. 5A. It is a time dependence graph of the capacitance value of the capacitive flow sensor of FIG. 5A (non-discharge state, discharge state, empty state). It is a schematic side view of the capacitive flow sensor of FIG. 5A (at the time of discharge state). It is a schematic side view of the capacitive flow sensor of FIG. 5A (when empty). FIG. 5B is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the flow sensor of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the flow sensor of FIG. 5A. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a piping / control subsystem included in the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a geared positive displacement flow measuring device. 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 5 schematically illustrates various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3; 1 schematically shows part of a variable line impedance. 1 schematically shows part of a variable line impedance. 3 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a variable line impedance. 1 schematically shows the gears of a positive displacement positive displacement flow measuring device according to one embodiment; 1 schematically shows the gears of a positive displacement positive displacement flow measuring device according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a user interface subsystem included in the processing system of FIG. 1; 5 is a flow chart of an FSM process performed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. It is the schematic of a 1st state figure. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a second state diagram. 5 is a flow chart of a virtual machine process performed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a virtual manifold process performed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the RFID system included in the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 24 is a schematic view of the RFID system of FIG. 23; FIG. 24 is a schematic view of an RFID antenna assembly included in the RFID system of FIG. 23; FIG. 26 is an isometric view of the antenna loop assembly of the RFID antenna assembly of FIG. 25. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a housing assembly for storing the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an RFID access antenna assembly included in the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an alternative RFID access antenna assembly included in the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. 31 is a schematic view of an internal assembly of the processing system of FIG. 30. FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the upper cabinet of the processing system of FIG. 30. FIG. 31 is a schematic view of a flow control subsystem of the processing system of FIG. 30. FIG. 34 is a schematic view of a flow control module of the flow control subsystem of FIG. FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the upper cabinet of the processing system of FIG. 30. It is the schematic of the power module of the processing system of FIG. It is the schematic of the power module of the processing system of FIG. Fig. 36 schematically illustrates the flow control module of the flow control subsystem of Fig. 35; Fig. 36 schematically illustrates the flow control module of the flow control subsystem of Fig. 35; Fig. 36 schematically illustrates the flow control module of the flow control subsystem of Fig. 35; FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the lower cabinet of the processing system of FIG. 30. FIG. 39 is a schematic view of the microstock tower of the lower cabinet of FIG. 38. FIG. 39 is a schematic view of the microstock tower of the lower cabinet of FIG. 38. FIG. 40 is a schematic view of the quadruple product module of the microstock tower of FIG. 39. FIG. 40 is a schematic view of the quadruple product module of the microstock tower of FIG. 39. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a micro-raw material container. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a micro-raw material container. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a micro-raw material container. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a micro-raw material container. FIG. 31 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the lower cabinet of the processing system of FIG. FIG. 31 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the lower cabinet of the processing system of FIG. FIG. 45 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the lower cabinet micro-feed shelf of FIGS. 45A and 45B. FIG. FIG. 45 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the lower cabinet micro-feed shelf of FIGS. 45A and 45B. FIG. FIG. 45 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the lower cabinet micro-feed shelf of FIGS. 45A and 45B. FIG. FIG. 45 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the lower cabinet micro-feed shelf of FIGS. 45A and 45B. FIG. Figures 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically illustrate the quadruple product module of the micro stock shelf. Figures 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically illustrate the quadruple product module of the micro stock shelf. Figures 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically illustrate the quadruple product module of the micro stock shelf. Figures 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically illustrate the quadruple product module of the micro stock shelf. Figures 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically illustrate the quadruple product module of the micro stock shelf. Figures 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically illustrate the quadruple product module of the micro stock shelf. Figures 47A, 47B, 47C, 47D, 47E, 47F schematically illustrate the piping assembly of the quadruple product module. Figures 45A and 45B schematically illustrate a mass microfeed assembly of the lower cabinet. Figures 45A and 45B schematically illustrate a mass microfeed assembly of the lower cabinet. Figures 45A and 45B schematically illustrate a mass microfeed assembly of the lower cabinet. FIG. 49A schematically illustrates a piping assembly of the high volume micro stock assembly of FIGS. 49A, 49B, 49C. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a user interface screen in a user interface bracket. 1 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a screenless user interface bracket. FIG. 53 is a detailed side view of the bracket of FIG. 52. 1 schematically shows a membrane pump. 1 schematically shows a membrane pump. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module in a de-energized position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module with the binary valve in an open position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module halfway through the energized position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module in a fully energized position. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module comprising an anemometer sensor. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module with a paddle wheel sensor. FIG. 5 is a cutaway top view of one embodiment of a paddle wheel sensor. FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a flow control module. 1 is an embodiment of a dithering planning scheme. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module in a fully energized position with the fluid flow paths shown. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary solenoid pump and measurement and control circuit. It is the schematic of a PWM controller and an electric current detection circuit. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of solenoid pump time dependent current for various conditions of normal, empty, and closed, according to one embodiment. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of solenoid pump time dependent current for various conditions of normal, empty, and closed, according to one embodiment. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of solenoid pump time dependent current for various conditions of normal, empty, and closed, according to one embodiment. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of solenoid pump time dependent current for various conditions of normal, empty, and closed, according to one embodiment. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically illustrate alternative quadruple product modules of the microstock shelf of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically illustrate alternative quadruple product modules of the microstock shelf of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically illustrate alternative quadruple product modules of the microstock shelf of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically illustrate alternative quadruple product modules of the microstock shelf of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically illustrate alternative quadruple product modules of the microstock shelf of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically illustrate alternative quadruple product modules of the microstock shelf of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram of one embodiment of an external communication module according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an external communication module according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one embodiment of external communication module attachment means of the upper door of the processing system according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one embodiment of external communication module attachment means of the upper door of the processing system according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is an isometric view of one embodiment of external communication module attachment means of the upper door of the processing system according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view of an embodiment of an alignment bracket according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a crosstalk reduction method according to one embodiment. 5 is a graph of product pulse and sold out values according to one embodiment. 5 is a graph of pulse and sold out values and balus and expected standard deviation according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic of leak detection for a flow control module according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic of leak detection for a flow control module according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a graph of leak integrator with time and volume showing leak detected.

  Like reference symbols in the different figures indicate like elements.

A product dispensing system is described herein. The system includes one or more modular components, also referred to as "subsystems". Although an exemplary system is described herein in various embodiments, the product dispensing system may include one or more of the subsystems described and the product dispensing system may It is not limited to only one or more of the systems. Thus, in some embodiments, additional subsystems may be used for the product dispensing system.

The following disclosures refer to various electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, software processes (a) that allow various raw materials to be mixed and processed to produce a product.
That is, the “subsystem”) interaction and cooperation will be described. Examples of such products are:
Milk-based products (for example, milk shake, float, malt, frappe), coffee-based products (for example, coffee, cappuccino, espresso), soda-based products (for example, float, soda in fruit juice), tea leaf-based Products (eg ice tea, sweet tea, hot tea), water based products (eg natural water, flavored natural water, vitamind natural water, high concentration electrolyte containing beverages, high concentration carbohydrate containing beverages etc.), solid based Products (eg, Trailmix, granola-based products, mixed nuts, cereal products, cereal products), medical products (eg, non-melting drugs, injectable drugs, ingestible drugs, ingestible drugs, dialysate), alcohol-based Product (for example,
Mixed drinks, wine spritzer, soda-based alcoholic beverages, water-based alcoholic beverages, flavored “shot” beer, industrial products (eg solvents, paints, lubricants, stains etc.) health / beauty aid products (For example, shampoos, cosmetics, soaps, hair conditioners, skin conditioners, topical ointments) may be included, but are not limited thereto.

The product may be produced using one or more "raw materials". The feedstock may comprise one or more fluids, powders, solids or gases. Fluids, powders, solids and / or gases may be reduced or diluted in the context of processing and pouring. Products are fluid, solid,
It may be powder or gas.

The various sources may be referred to as "macro sources", "micro sources", or "massive micro sources". One or more of the raw materials used may be contained in a housing, ie part of the product dispenser. However, one or more of the ingredients may be stored or produced external to the machine. For example, in some embodiments, water or other ingredients used in large amounts (different amounts) may be stored outside the machine (eg, in some embodiments, high fructose corn syrup is It may be stored outside the machine), while other raw materials, such as powdered raw materials, concentrated raw materials, nutraceuticals, medicines and / or gas cylinders may be stored in the machine itself.

Various combinations of the above electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, software processes are described below. The following describes, for example, a combination disclosing the production of various sub-systems of beverages and pharmaceuticals (for example, dialysate), but this is not intended to be a limitation of the present application, but rather, the sub-systems Work to produce a product /
It is an exemplary embodiment of the method that can be dispensed. In particular, electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, software processes (each of which will be described in more detail below)
May be used to produce any of the products described above or any other products similar thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, an overview of processing system 10 is shown, which includes a plurality of subsystems: storage subsystem 12, control logic subsystem 14, bulk feedstock subsystem 16, and microstock subsystem 18. And piping / control subsystem 20, user interface subsystem 22, and nozzle 24 are depicted. Each of the above subsystems 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 will be described in more detail below.

During use of processing system 10, user 26 may use user interface subsystem 22 to select the particular product 28 to be dispensed (into container 30). The user 26 should be included in such a product via the user interface subsystem 22
One or more options may be selected. For example, the option may include, but is not limited to, the addition of one or more ingredients. In one exemplary embodiment, the system is a system for dispensing a beverage. In this embodiment, the user is required to add various flavorings (such as, but not limited to, lemon flavoring, lime flavoring, chocolate flavoring, vanilla flavoring) to be added to the beverage. Addition of one or more nutraceutical ingredients (eg, including, but not limited to, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B ₆ , vitamin B ₁₂ and zinc), one or more to the beverage Multiple foods (for example,
You can choose to add ice cream, yogurt).

Once the user 26 makes an appropriate selection via the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 can send appropriate data signals (via the data bus 32) to the control logic subsystem 14. The control logic subsystem 14 can process these signals and can read out (via the data bus 34) one or more recipes selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12. The term "recipe" refers to a description for processing / producing the required product. When the control logic subsystem 14 reads the recipe from the storage subsystem 12, it processes the recipe and appropriate control signals (via the data bus 38), for example, the mass material subsystem 16.
And the micro-feed subsystem 18 (and, in some embodiments, a description of the micro-feeds for processing, not shown). In some embodiments, the dispensing is
Alternative assemblies of micro-raw material assemblies may be used. And the piping / control subsystem 20 so that a product 28 is produced (which can be
Be poured out).

Referring also to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of control logic subsystem 14 is shown. Control logic subsystem 14 may be implemented with microprocessor 100 (e.g., California, Sant).
ARM (registered trademark) manufactured by Intel Corporation of a Clara
A microprocessor), non-volatile memory (eg, read only memory 102), and volatile memory (eg, random access memory 104), each of which includes one or more data / system busses They may be interconnected via 106, 108. As mentioned above, user interface subsystem 22 may be coupled to control logic subsystem 14 via data bus 32.

Control logic subsystem 14 also may, for example,
May include an audio subsystem 110 that provides the processing system 1
It may be incorporated into 0. Audio subsystem 110 may be coupled to microphone processor 100 via data / system bus 114.

The control logic subsystem 14 may run an operating system, examples of which include Microsoft Windows CE®, Redhat Linux
(Registered trademark), Palm OS (registered trademark) or device identification (ie, custom)
An operating system may be included, but is not limited to these.

The above-described operating system instruction sets and subroutines, which may be stored in storage subsystem 12, are one or more processors (eg, microprocessor 100) and one or more Memory configuration (eg, read only memory 102 and / or random access memory 104
May be performed by

The storage subsystem 12 includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, an optical drive, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a CF (i.e., Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, an SD
(Ie secure digital) card, SmartMedia® card, M
emory Stick and MultiMedia cards may be included.

As mentioned above, storage subsystem 12 may be coupled to control logic subsystem 14 via data bus 34. The control logic subsystem 14 may also include a storage controller 116 (shown in dashed lines) for converting the signals provided by the microprocessor 100 into a format usable by the storage system 12. Further, storage controller 116 can convert the signals provided by storage subsystem 12 into a format usable by microprocessor 100.

  In some embodiments, Ethernet connection is also included.

As mentioned above, the mass feedstock subsystem (also referred to herein as "macrostock") 16 and the microstock subsystem 18 and / or the tubing / control subsystem 20 control logic subsystem 14 via data bus It may be linked to The control logic subsystem 14 controls the signals supplied by the microprocessor 100 to the mass material subsystem 1.
6. A bus interface 118 (shown in dashed lines) may be included to convert the microfeed subsystem 18 and / or the tubing / control subsystem 20 into a usable format. Further, bus interface 118 may convert the signals provided by mass feedstock subsystem 16, microstock subsystem 18 and / or plumbing / control subsystem 20 into a format usable by microprocessor 100.

The control logic subsystem 14 executes one or more control processes 120 (eg, finite state machine processes (FSM processes 122), virtual machine processes 124, virtual manifold processes 126, etc.) as described in more detail below. This may control the operation of the processing system 10. The instruction set and subroutines of control process 120, which may be stored in storage subsystem 12, include one or more processors (eg, microprocessor 100) and one or more memories incorporated in control logic subsystem 14. It may be implemented by configuration (eg, read only memory 102 and / or random access memory 104).

Referring also to FIG. 3, a schematic view of the bulk feedstock subsystem 16 and the piping / control subsystem 20 is shown. The mass feedstock subsystem 16 may include a container for storing consumables used at a rapid rate in producing the beverage 28. For example, the mass feedstock subsystem 16 may include a carbonation supply 150, a water supply 152, and a high fructose corn syrup supply 154. In some embodiments, bulk feedstocks are located in proximity to other subsystems. The carbon dioxide supply unit 150 may include, but is not limited to, a compressed carbon dioxide gas tank (not shown). An example of the water supply unit 152 is a water supply (not shown),
A distilled water feed, a filtered water feed, a reverse osmosis (RO) water feed, or any other desired water feed may be included, but is not limited thereto. Examples of high fructose corn syrup supply 154 include one or more tanks of high concentration high fructose corn syrup (not shown) or one or more bag in box packages of high fructose corn syrup Although it is good, it is not limited to these.

The bulk feedstock subsystem 16 consists of carbon dioxide (supplied by
It may include a carbonator 156 for producing carbonated water from the water supply 152). Carbonated water 158, water 160 and high fructose corn syrup 162 may be supplied to the cold plate assembly 163 (eg, in embodiments where it may be desirable to cool the product. In some embodiments, the cold plate assembly May not be included or diverted as part of the dispensing system). Cooling plate assembly 163 is carbonated water 15
8, water 160, high fructose corn syrup 162 may be designed to cool to the desired serving temperature (eg, 40 ° F.).

Although a single cold plate 163 is shown to cool the carbonated water 158, water 160, and high fructose corn syrup 162, this is for illustration only and other configurations are possible, so It is not intended to be limiting. For example, separate cooling plates may be used to cool each of the carbonated water 158, water 160, and high fructose corn syrup 162. After cooling, cooled carbonated water 164, cooled water 166, cooled high Kato corn syrup 168 may be supplied to the piping / control subsystem 20. In another embodiment, the cooling plate may not be included. In some embodiments, only at least one heating plate may be included.

Although the piping is depicted as having the order of the figures, in some embodiments this order is not used. For example, the flow control modules described herein may be configured in another order, that is, the flow measurement device, the binary valve, and then the variable line impedance.

For the purpose of illustration, the system is described below with respect to pouring soft drinks as a product using this system, ie, macro material / mass material to be described,
Contains high fructose corn syrup, carbonated water, water. However, in other embodiments of the dispensing system, the macrostocks themselves and the number of macrostocks may be different.

For purposes of illustration, the plumbing / control subsystem 20 includes three flow control modules 170.
, 172, 174 are shown to be included. Flow control module 170, 172, 17
4 can generally control the amount and / or flow rate of the bulk feedstock. Flow control module 170
172, 174 are flow rate measuring devices (eg, flow rate measuring devices 176, 178, 18 respectively).
0), which measure the amount of (respectively) cooled carbonated water 164, cooled water 166, cooled high fructose corn ship 168. Flow rate measuring device 176, 1
78, 180 can provide (respectively) feedback signals 182, 184, 186 (respectively) to feedback controller systems 188, 190, 192.

The feedback controller system 188, 190, 192 (which will be described in more detail later), may control the flow feedback signals 182, 184, 186 to the desired flow
Each can be compared with each of the cooled carbonated water 164, the cooled water 166 and the cooled high fructose corn syrup 168). Flow feedback signal 182,
Processing 184, 186 (each) feedback controller system 188
, 190, 192 can generate flow control signals 194, 196, 198 (respectively), which can be provided to (respectively) variable line impedances 200, 202, 204.
Examples of variable line impedances 200, 202, 204 may be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,755,68.
No. 3 (Attorney Docket No. B13) and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0085049 (Attorney Docket No. E66) are disclosed and claimed. Variable line impedances 200, 202, 204 can adjust the flow rate of cooled carbonated water 164, cooled water 166, cooled high Kato corn syrup 168 (respectively) passing through lines 218, 220, 222, respectively. Are supplied to the nozzle 24 and (following) the container 30. However, yet another embodiment of a variable line impedance is described herein.

The lines 218, 220, 222 also further (respectively) the binary valves 212, 214.
, 216, which prevent fluid flow in lines 218, 220, 222 when fluid flow is not desired / not required (eg, during shipping, maintenance procedures, downtime).

In one embodiment, the binary valves 212, 214, 216 may include solenoidal binary valves. However, in other embodiments, the binary valve may be any binary valve known in the art, including, but not limited to, a binary valve actuated by any means. Additionally, the binary valves 212, 214, 216 may be configured to prevent fluid flow in the lines 218, 220, 222 whenever the processing system 10 is not dispensing product. In addition, the functions of the binary valves 212, 214, 216 are controlled via the variable line impedances 200, 202, 204 to make
By closing the lines 218, 220, 222 completely.

As mentioned above, FIG. 3 only provides an exemplary illustration of the piping / control subsystem 20. Thus, the manner in which the piping / control subsystem 20 is shown is not intended to be a limitation of the present application as other configurations are possible. For example, some or all of the functions of feedback controller systems 182, 184, 186 may be incorporated into control logic subsystem 14. Also, with regard to the flow control modules 170, 172, 174, the arrangement of components is only shown for illustration in FIG. Thus, the arrangement of figures in the figures merely serves as an exemplary embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the components may be arranged in different arrangements.

Referring also to FIG. 4, a schematic top view of the microfeed subsystem 18 and the tubing / control subsystem 20 is shown. The micro-raw material subsystem 18 may include a product module assembly 250, which includes one or more product containers 252, 254, 256,
It may be configured to releasably engage with 258, which may be configured to retain the micro-raw materials used in the production of product. Micro-feedstocks are substrates used in the production of products. Examples of such micro ingredients / substrates are the first part of soft drink flavoring, the second part of soft drink flavoring,
Coffee flavoring, nutraceutical ingredients, pharmaceuticals may be included, but is not limited to, may be fluid, powder or solid. However, for the purpose of illustration, the following description relates to a micro-feed of fluid. In some embodiments, the microfeed is powder or solid. If the micro-feed is a powder, the system may include additional subsystems for weighing the powder and / or reducing the powder (but as described in the examples below, the micro-feed is If it is a powder, the powder may be reduced as part of the method of mixing the product, ie software manifold).

Product module assembly 250 includes a plurality of product containers 252, 254, 256, 258.
And a plurality of slot assemblies 260, 262, 26 configured to releasably engage with each other.
4, 266 may be included. In this particular example, product module assembly 25
0 is the four slot assembly (ie, slots 260, 262, 264, 266)
Can be referred to as a quadruple product module assembly. When positioning product containers 252, 254, 256, 258 into product module assembly 250, slide product containers (eg, product containers 254) into slot assemblies (eg, slot assemblies 262) in the direction of arrow 268 It is also good.
As described herein, although a "quadruple product module" assembly is described in this exemplary embodiment, in other embodiments, more products are contained within one modular assembly. Or less. Depending on the product dispensed by the dispensing system, the number of product containers may vary. Thus, the number of products contained within any modular assembly may vary from application to application and is a desired feature of the system, such as, but not limited to, system efficiency, needs, and It may be selected to satisfy the function.

For purposes of illustration, each slot assembly of product module assembly 250 is shown to include a pump assembly. For example, slot assembly 252 is shown to include pump assembly 270, and slot assembly 262 is pump assembly 27.
The slot assembly 264 is shown to include the pump assembly 274 and the slot assembly 266 is shown to include the pump assembly 276.

An inlet port may be coupled to each of the pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 and releasably engage the product opening contained within the product container. For example, pump assembly 272 is shown to include an inlet port 278 configured to releasably engage a container opening 280 contained within product container 254. Inlet port 278 and / or
Alternatively, product opening 280 may include one or more sealing assemblies (not shown), such as one or more o-rings or luer joints, to facilitate a leakproof seal. An inlet port (eg, inlet port 27) coupled to each pump assembly
8) may be composed of a rigid "pipe-like" material or it may be composed of a flexible "tube-like" material.

An example of one or more pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 includes solenoids that provide an expected amount of fluid based on calibration each time one or more of the pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 are energized. A piston pump assembly may be included, but is not limited to this. In one embodiment, such a pump is
ULKA Costruzioni Elettromecca of Pavia (Pavia)
niche S. p. A. Available from For example, each time a pump assembly (eg, pump assembly 274) is energized by control logic subsystem 14 via data bus 38, the pump assembly delivers about 30 μL of fluid microstock contained in product container 256 (Although the amount of flavoring supplied may be different based on the calibration). Again, for the purpose of illustration only, the micro-feed is fluid in this part of the description. The term "based on calibration" refers to volumes or other information and / or features that are ascertainable through calibration of the pump assembly and / or its respective pump.

Other examples of pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 and various pumping techniques are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,161 (Attorney Docket No. A38), U.S. Pat.
No. 4, 826, 482 (Agent Attorney Docket No. A43), U.S. Pat. No. 4,976, 162 (Agent Attorney Docket No. A52), U.S. Pat. No. 5,088, 515 (Attorney Docket No.) A49), U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,357 (Attorney Docket No. 147), the entire text of all these patents being incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the pump assembly may be a membrane pump as shown in FIGS. 54-55. In some embodiments, the pump assembly is described in US Patent No. 5,421,823
No. 15 (Attorney Docket No. 158) may be any of the pump assemblies, and any such pump technology may be used, the entire text of which is incorporated herein by reference. Do.

The above-mentioned references describe non-limiting examples of pneumatically actuated membrane pumps that can be used to dispense fluid. Pneumatically-actuated membrane pump assemblies may be advantageous for one or more reasons, such as ensuring and accurate fluid of varying amounts in varying amounts, eg, in the microliter range, over multiple duty cycles. Can be delivered to
Alternatively, pneumatically operated pumps include, but are not limited to, the need for less power to be used, for example, because air power from a carbon source can be used. In addition to this, the membrane pump can eliminate the need for a dynamic seal such that the surface will move with respect to the seal material. Vibratory pumps, such as ULKA products, generally require the use of a dynamic resilient seal, which can fail over time, for example after exposure to certain types of fluid and / or wear has occurred is there. In some embodiments, pneumatically actuated membrane pumps may be more reliable, more cost effective, and easier to calibrate than other pumps. They may also generate less noise, generate less heat, and consume less power than other pumps. A non-limiting example of a membrane pump is shown in FIG.

Various embodiments of the membrane-type pump assembly 2900 shown in FIGS. 54-55 include a cavity, which in FIG. 54 may be referred to as a pump chamber at 2942 and as in FIG. . The cavity includes a diaphragm 2940 which separates the cavity into two chambers, a pump chamber 2942 and a volume chamber 2944.

Referring now to FIG. 54, a schematic diagram of an exemplary membrane pump assembly 2900 is shown. In this embodiment, the membrane pump assembly 2900 includes a membrane or diaphragm 2940, a pump chamber 2942, a control fluid chamber 2944 (best seen in FIG. 55), a three port switching valve 2910 and a check valve 2920. And 2930. In some embodiments, the volume of pump chamber 2942 is about 20 microliters to about 50
It may be in the range of 0 microliters. In one exemplary embodiment, the pump chamber 29
The volume of 42 may range from about 30 microliters to about 250 microliters. In another exemplary embodiment, the volume of pump chamber 2942 may range from about 40 microliters to about 100 microliters.

Switch valve 2910 switches pump control channel 2958 valve fluid channel 295
It may be operated in fluid communication with either four or the switch valve fluid channel 2956. In a non-limiting embodiment, the switching valve 2910 may be a solenoid operated solenoid valve and operates upon receiving an electrical signal input via the control line 2912. In another non-limiting embodiment, the switching valve 2910 may be a pneumatic or hydraulic membrane type valve and operates in response to pneumatic or hydraulic signal input. In another embodiment,
The switching valve 2910 may be a piston that operates fluidically, pneumatically, mechanically or electromechanically in a cylinder. More generally, pump assembly 2900
All other types of valves can be envisioned for use with the fluid channel 29 of the switching valve.
Preferably, fluid communication with the pump control channel 2958 is switched between 54 and the fluid channel 2956 of the switching valve.

In some embodiments, the switching valve fluid channel 2954 communicates with a positive fluid pressure source (which may be pneumatic or hydraulic). The amount of fluid pressure required may depend on one or more factors, such as the tensile strength and elasticity of the diaphragm 2940, the concentration and / or viscosity of the fluid to be discharged, which dissolves in the fluid It includes, but is not limited to, the solubility of solids, and / or the length and size of the fluid channels and ports in the pump assembly 2900. In various embodiments, the fluid pressure source may range from about 15 psi to about 250 psi. In one exemplary embodiment, the fluid pressure source is about 60 psi to about 100 p
It may be in the range of si. In another exemplary embodiment, the fluid pressure source is about 70 psi
It may be in the range of about 80 psi. As mentioned above, some embodiments of the pouring system can produce carbonated beverages, and therefore may use carbonated water as a source. In these embodiments, the gas pressure of the CO2 used to produce the carbonated beverage is often about 75 psi, and in some embodiments, the same gas pressure source is adjusted to a lower pressure to It may also be used to drive a membrane pump to dispense a small amount of fluid in the dispenser.

In response to an appropriate signal supplied via control line 2912, valve 2910 can place fluid channel 2954 of the switching valve in fluid communication with pump control channel 2958. A positive fluid pressure is therefore transmitted to the diaphragm 2940, which is in the pump chamber 2942.
Internal fluid can be pushed out of the pump outlet channel 2950. The check valve 2930 ensures that the discharged fluid does not flow out of the pump chamber 2942 through the inlet channel 2952.

The switch valve 2910 can place the pump control channel 2958 in fluid communication with the switch valve fluid channel 2956 via the control line 2912 so that the diaphragm 2940 can reach the wall of the pump chamber 2942 (shown in FIG. 54). ). In one embodiment, the switching valve fluid channel 2956 may be in communication with a vacuum source, which when in communication with the pump control channel 2958 can retract the diaphragm 2940, reducing the volume of the pump control chamber 2944. Thus, the volume of the pump chamber 2942 is increased. Retraction of the diaphragm 2940 causes fluid to be drawn into the pump chamber 2942 via the pump inlet channel 2952. The non-return valve 2920 prevents backflow of the discharged fluid back into the pump chamber 2942 via the outlet channel 2950.

In one embodiment, the diaphragm 2940 may be comprised of a semi-rigid, spring-like material, whereby the diaphragm tends to retain a curved or spheroidal shape and functions as a cup-shaped diaphragm-type spring. For example, the diaphragm 2940 may be at least partially comprised of a thin metal sheet or stamped,
Metals that may be used may include, but are not limited to, high carbon spring steel, nickel silver, high nickel alloys, stainless steel, titanium alloys, beryllium copper, and others. In the pump assembly 2900, the convex surface of the diaphragm 2940 is a pump control chamber 294.
4 and / or pump control channel 2958 may be configured to face. Therefore, the diaphragm 2940 may have an inherent tendency to retract after being pressed against the surface of the pump chamber 2942. In this situation, the switching valve fluid channel 2956 may be in communication with ambient (atmospheric) pressure so that the diaphragm 2940 automatically retracts to pump fluid into the pump chamber 2942 via the pump inlet channel 2952. It can pull in. In some embodiments, the recess of the spring-like diaphragm defines an amount equal to or substantially / approximately equal to the amount of fluid to be supplied on each stroke of the pump. This has the advantage that it is not necessary to configure the pump chamber with a given volume, which can be difficult and / or expensive to manufacture with accurate dimensions within acceptable tolerances. In this embodiment, the pump control chamber is shaped to accommodate the convex surface of the diaphragm at rest, and the shape of the opposite surface may be of any shape, ie not related to performance.

In one embodiment, the amount delivered by the membrane pump may be implemented in an "open loop" manner, without providing a mechanism to detect and confirm that the expected amount of fluid has been delivered on each stroke of the pump. It is also good. In another embodiment, the amount of fluid discharged through the pump chamber during one stroke of the membrane is controlled by a fluid management system (Fluid Management System).
em) (FMS) technology may be used, which is described in US Pat. No. 4,808,16
Specification 1 (Agent Accession No. A38), specification 4,826,482 (Application No. A43), specification 4,976,162 (Agent Accession No. A52), ID No. 5,08
No. 8,515 (Attorney Docket No. A49), and the same no. 5,350,357 (Docket No. 147), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. . Briefly, FMS measurements are used to detect the amount of fluid delivered on each stroke of a membrane pump. A small constant reference air chamber is located outside the pump assembly, for example in a pneumatic manifold (not shown). The valve separates the reference chamber and the second pressure sensor. The pump displacement can be accurately calculated by filling the reference chamber with air, measuring the pressure and then opening the valve towards the pump chamber.
The amount of air on the reference chamber side can be calculated based on the fixed amount of reference chamber and the pressure change when the reference chamber is connected to the pump chamber. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid discharged through the pump chamber during one stroke of the membrane is acoustic volume sensing (Acoustic Volume Sen
It may be measured using the sing) (AVS) method. Sound volume measurement is DEKA P
US Patent No. 5, assigned to roducts Limited Partnership,
No. 575,310 (Agent Accession No. B28) and No. 5,755,683 (
Attorney Docket No. B13) and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0228071 A1 (Attorney Docket No. E70), 2007/0219496 A1, No. 2
No. 007/0219480 A1, 2007/0219597 A1, International Application No. 2009/088956, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In this embodiment, it is possible to detect fluid volumes in the nanoliter range, thus helping for a very accurate and precise monitoring of the discharge volume. Other alternative techniques for measuring fluid flow can also be used, eg Doppler based methods, combined use of Hall effect sensors and vanes or flapper, strain beams (eg for flexible membranes above fluid chambers, etc.) This flexible membrane deflection is detected, the use of plate-based capacitive detection, or temperature time-of-flight methods.

Product module assembly 250 may be configured to releasably engage with bracket assembly 282. The bracket assembly 282 may be part of (and rigidly fixed to) the processing system 10. Although referred to herein as a "bracket assembly", this assembly may be different in other embodiments. The bracket assembly helps to secure the product module assembly 282 in the desired location.
An example of the bracket assembly 282 may include, but is not limited to, a shelf in the processing system 10 configured to releasably engage the product module 250. For example, product module 250 may include an engagement device (eg, a clip assembly, a slot assembly, a latch assembly, a pin assembly) that releasably engages a complementary device incorporated into bracket assembly 282 Configured as.

The tubing / control subsystem 20 may include a manifold assembly 284, which may be rigidly secured to the bracket assembly 282. Manifold assembly 28
4 may be configured to include a plurality of inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292, which may be pump openings (eg, pump openings) incorporated into each of the pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276. The portion 294, 296, 298, 300) may be configured to releasably engage. Product module 250 bracket assembly 28
When positioned, the product module 250 may be moved in the direction of the arrow 302, so the inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292 (respectively) pump openings 294, 2
Releasably engageable with 96, 298, 300. Inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 2
92 and / or pump openings 294, 296, 298, 300 may include one or more o-rings or other sealing assemblies (not shown) as described above to facilitate a leakproof seal. . The inlet ports (eg, inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292) included in the manifold assembly 284 may be comprised of a rigid "pipe-like" material, or comprised of a flexible "tube-like" material It is also good.

Manifold assembly 284 may be configured to engage tube bundle 304, which may be piped (directly or indirectly) to nozzle 24. As mentioned above, the bulk feedstock subsystem 16 may also, in at least one embodiment, be cooled carbonated water 1
64, fluid in the form of chilled water 166 and / or chilled high fructose corn syrup 168 is supplied (directly or indirectly) to the nozzle 24. Thus, the control logic subsystem 14 (in this particular example) includes specific amounts of various bulk ingredients such as cooled carbonated water 164, cooled water 166, cooled high fructose corn syrup 168, The control logic subsystem 14 is capable of adjusting the amount of various micro raw materials (eg, first substrate (ie, flavoring, second substrate (ie, nutraceuticals and third substrate (ie, pharmaceutical)) Can accurately control the composition of the product 28.

As mentioned above, one or more of the pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 may be solenoid piston pump assemblies, which may be pump assemblies 270,
Each time one or more of 272, 274, 276 are energized by logic subsystem 14 (via data bus 38), a predetermined, always equal, amount of fluid is provided. Further, as mentioned above, control logic subsystem 14 may perform one or more control processes 120, which may control the operation of processing system 10. One example of such a control process is the pump assembly 270 from the control logic subsystem 14 via the data bus 38.
, 272, 274, 276 may include a drive signal generation process (not shown) that generates drive signals. One exemplary method for the generation of the drive signal described above is
"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATOR, filed on Sept. 6, 2007, and now designated US Patent 7,905,373 (Attorney Docket No. F45).
US Patent Application No. 11 / 851,3 entitled "ATING A DRIVE SIGNAL"
No. 44, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although FIG. 4 shows one nozzle 24, in various other embodiments, multiple nozzles 24 may be included. In some embodiments, multiple containers 30 may receive product dispensed from the system, for example, through multiple sets of tube bundles. Thus, in some embodiments, the dispensing system may be configured to require one or more users to dispense one or more products at the same time.

The capacitive flow sensors 306, 308, 310, 312 may be associated with the pump assembly 270, 27.
2, 274, 276 may be used to detect the flow rate of the above-described micro-feed through each.

Referring also to FIG. 5A (side view) and FIG. 5B (top view), an exemplary capacitive flow sensor 308
A detailed view of the is shown. The capacitive flow sensor 308 may include a first capacitive plate 310 and a second capacitive plate 312. The second capacitive plate 312 may be configured to be movable with respect to the first capacitive plate 310. For example, the first capacitive plate 310 may be rigidly fixed to the structure in the processing system 10. Additionally, the capacitive flow sensor 308 may also be rigidly fixed to the structure in the processing system 10. However, the second capacitive plate 312 may be configured to be movable relative to the first capacitive plate 310 (and the capacitive flow sensor 308) by using the diaphragm assembly 314. The diaphragm assembly 314 may be configured to allow the second capacitive plate 312 to be displaced in the direction of arrow 316. The diaphragm assembly 314 may be composed of various materials that allow for displacement to the arrow 316. For example, the diaphragm assembly 314 may be comprised of a stainless steel foil with a PET (ie, polyethylene terephthalate) coating to prevent corrosion of the stainless steel foil. Alternatively, diaphragm assembly 314 may be comprised of titanium foil. Still further, the diaphragm assembly 314 may be constructed of plastic, in which case one side of the plastic diaphragm assembly is plated to form a second capacitive plate 312. In some embodiments, the plastic may be, but is not limited to, an injection molded plastic or a PET rolled sheet.

As mentioned above, each time the pump assembly (e.g., pump assembly 272) is energized by control logic subsystem 14 via data bus 38, the pump assembly
For example, the appropriate microfeed fluid contained in the product container 254 may be supplied in an amount based on calibration, for example, 30 to 33 μL. Therefore, control logic subsystem 1
4 may control the flow rate of the microfeed by controlling the rate at which the appropriate pump assembly is energized. An exemplary rate of energizing the pump assembly is between 3 Hz (i.e., 3 times per second) to 30 Hz (i.e., 30 times per second).

Thus, when the pump assembly 272 is energized, a suction force is generated (in the cavity 318 of the capacitive flow sensor 308) which, for example, sucks a suitable micro-feed (eg, substrate) from the product container 254. Thus, when the pump assembly 272 is energized and suction is generated in the cavity 318, the second capacitive plate 312 may be displaced downward (see FIG.
5A), and hence the distance “d” (ie, the distance between the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312) is increased.

により決まり、式中、「ε」は第一の容量性プレート３１０と第二の容量性プレート３１
２の間に配置された誘電材料の透過性であり、「Ａ」は容量性プレートの面積であり、「
ｄ」は第一の容量性プレート３１０と第二の容量性プレート３１２との間の距離である。
「ｄ」は上式の分母に置かれているため、「ｄ」が大きくなると、これに対応して「Ｃ」
（すなわち、コンデンサのキャパシタンス）が小さくなる。 Referring also to FIG. 5C, as is known in the art, the capacitance (C) of the capacitor
Is the following formula,

Where ε is the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 31
Permeability of the dielectric material placed between the two, "A" is the area of the capacitive plate, "A
d ′ ′ is the distance between the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312.
Since "d" is placed in the denominator of the above equation, when "d" becomes larger, "C" corresponding to this
(Ie, the capacitance of the capacitor) is reduced.

Continuing with the above example, referring also to FIG. 5D, when the pump assembly 272 is not energized, the value of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 is 5.00 pF Suppose there is. In addition, when the pump assembly 272 is energized for a time T = 1, suction is generated in the cavity 316, which causes the second capacitive plate 312 to move downward, the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 310. It is assumed that the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the capacitive plate 312 is sufficient to be displaced by a distance which can be reduced by 20%. Thus, the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312
The new value of the capacitor formed by may be 4.00 pF. An exemplary example of downward displacement of the second capacitive plate 312 during the above-described pumping sequence is shown in FIG. 5E.

As the appropriate microfeed is aspirated from the product container 254, the suction in the cavity 318 is reduced and the second capacitive plate 312 is displaced upward to its original position (shown in FIG. 5A). May be As the second capacitive plate 312 is displaced upward, the distance between the second capacitive plate 312 and the first capacitive plate 310 may decrease and return to its original value. Thus, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 may again be 5.00 pF. As the second capacitive plate 312 moves upward and is returning to its original position, the momentum of the second capacitive plate 312 causes the second capacitive plate 312 to pass its original position, momentarily The second capacitive plate 312 is closer to the first capacitive plate than when it is in the initial position (shown in FIG. 5A). Thus, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 may momentarily be greater than its initial value of 5.00 pf and stabilize at 5.00 pf shortly thereafter.

The change between the values of 5.00 pF and 4.00 pF (in this example) of the capacitance as described above while the pump assembly 272 repeats cycles of on and off, for example until the product container 254 is empty It can continue. To illustrate, assume that product container 254 is empty at time T = 5. At this point, the second capacitive plate 312 may not return to its original position (shown in FIG. 5A). Furthermore, as the pump assembly 272 continues to cycle, the second capacitive plate 312 can continue to be drawn down until finally the second capacitive plate 312 can not be displaced further (as shown in FIG. 5F) . At this point, the value of the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 is minimal as the distance “d” is greater than that shown in FIGS. 5A and 5E. The capacitance value 320 can be minimized. Minimum capacitance value 3
The actual values of twenty may vary depending on the flexibility of the diaphragm assembly 314.

Thus, by monitoring the value (absolute or peak-to-peak variation) of the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312, for example, to verify proper operation of the pump assembly 272 it can. For example, if the above-mentioned capacitance value fluctuates periodically between 5.00 pF and 4.00 pF, this capacitance fluctuation means that the pump assembly 272 is operating properly and the product container 254 is not empty. Can be shown. However, if the value of the capacitance described above does not fluctuate (eg, remain at 5.00 pF), this may indicate that the pump assembly 272 has failed (eg, mechanical components in the pump assembly have failed, and / or electrical Component failure) or may indicate that the nozzle 24 has become clogged.

Furthermore, if the value of the above mentioned capacitance drops to a point below 4.00 pF (eg to a minimum capacitance value 320), this may indicate that the product container 254 is empty. Still further, if the peak-to-peak variation is less than expected (e.g., less than the 1.00 pF variation described above), this may indicate that there is a leak between the product container 254 and the capacitive flow sensor 308.

A signal may also be supplied to the capacitance measurement system 326 (via the conductors 322, 324) to measure the value of the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312. Good. Capacitance measurement system 32
The output of 6 may be provided to the control logic subsystem 14. An example of a capacitance measurement system 326 is the Cypress Sem of San Jose, California.
The CY8C 21434-24 LFXI PSOC supplied by I.C. can be included, the design and operation of which is described in "CSD User Module" published by Cypress Semicoductor, which is incorporated herein by reference. Capacitance measurement circuit 326 may be configured to compensate for environmental factors (eg, temperature, humidity, changes in power supply voltage).

The capacitance measurement system 326 performs capacitance measurement (with respect to the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312) for a predetermined time to see if the above mentioned variation of capacitance occurs It may be configured to determine the For example, the capacitance measurement system 326 may be configured to monitor changes in the aforementioned capacitance value that occur in a 0.50 second time frame. Thus, in this particular example, as long as the pump assembly 272 is energized at a minimum rate of 2.00 Hz (i.e., at least once every 0.50 seconds), the capacitance measurement system 326 during each 0.50 second measurement cycle. Should detect at least one of the above mentioned capacitance variations.

Although the flow sensor 308 is described above as capacitive, it is not intended to be a limitation of the present application as this is for illustration only and other configurations are possible and considered to be within the scope of the present application. .

For example, referring also to FIG. 5G, for purposes of illustration, assume that flow sensor 308 does not include first capacitive plate 310 and second capacitive plate 312. Instead, the flow sensor 308 may include a transducer assembly 328, which may be (directly or indirectly) coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314. If directly coupled, transducer assembly 328 may be attached / attached to diaphragm assembly 314. Alternatively, when indirectly coupled, the transducer assembly 328 can
For example, coupling assembly 330 may be coupled to diaphragm assembly 314.

As mentioned above, as fluid is displaced in the cavity 318, the diaphragm assembly 314 may be displaced. For example, diaphragm assembly 314 may move in the direction of arrow 316. Additionally / alternatively, the diaphragm assembly 314 may be distorted (e.g., slightly concave / convex as shown by the dashed diaphragm assemblies 332, 334). As known in the art, while (a) the diaphragm assembly 314 remains essentially flat during displacement in the direction of the arrow 316 or (b) remains stationary with respect to the arrow 316 Either deflecting into a convex diaphragm assembly 332 / concave diaphragm assembly 334 or (c) showing a combination of both displacement forms, a plurality of elements (eg, different parts of the diaphragm assembly 314 Depending on the rigidity etc.). Thus, the transducer assembly 328 (coupling assembly 330
And / or in combination with the transducer measurement system 336 can be used to measure the amount of fluid displaced in the cavity 318 by monitoring the displacement of all or part of the diaphragm assembly 314.

The use of various types of transducer assemblies (described in more detail below) allows the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318 to be measured.

For example, the transducer assembly 328 may include a linear variable actuation transformer (LVDT) and may be rigidly fixed to the structures in the processing system 10, which are coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314 via the coupling assembly 330. It may be done. An exemplary non-limiting example of such an LVDT is SE 750 100 manufactured by Macro Sensors of Pennsauken, New Jersey. Flow sensor 308
It may also be rigidly fixed to the structure in the processing system 10. Thus, movement of the diaphragm assembly 314 may be monitored as the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced (e.g., to sag along arrows 316 or convex / concave). Thus, the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318 can also be monitored. Transducer assembly 3
28 (ie, it includes an LVDT) may generate a signal, which may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal is then provided to the control logic subsystem 14 to
May be used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include a needle / magnetic cartridge assembly (e.g., a phonograph needle / magnetic cartridge assembly) and may be rigidly fixed to a structure in processing system 10. An exemplary non-limiting example of such a needle / magnetic cartridge assembly is N 16 D manufactured by Toshiba Corporation of Japan. Transducer assembly 328 may be coupled to diaphragm assembly 314 via coupling assembly 330 (e.g., a rigid rod assembly). The needle of transducer assembly 328 may be configured to contact the surface of coupling assembly 330 (ie, the rigid rod assembly). Thus, as the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), the coupling assembly 330 (i.e., the rigid rod assembly) may also be displaced (in the direction of arrow 316) and rub against the needle of the transducer assembly 328 . Thus, the combination of the transducer assembly 328 (ie, the needle / magnetic cartridge) and the coupling assembly 330 (ie, the rigid rod assembly) may generate a signal, which is processed by the transducer measurement system 336 (eg, amplification / conversion / It may be filtered). This processed signal may then be provided to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include a magnetic coil assembly (e.g., similar to the voice coil of the speaker assembly) and may be rigidly fixed to a structure in processing system 10. An illustrative non-limiting example of such a magnetic coil assembly is the API Delevan In of East Aurora, New York.
c. Is the 5526-I manufactured. Transducer assembly 328 may be coupled to diaphragm assembly 314 via coupling assembly 330, which may include an axial magnet assembly. An exemplary non-limiting example of such an axial magnet assembly is
Pennsylvania, Jamison, K & J Magnetics, Inc. Is the D16 manufactured. The axial magnet assembly included in the coupling assembly 330 may be configured to slide coaxially within the magnetic coil assembly of the transducer assembly 328. Thus, the diaphragm assembly 314 (as described above)
When displaced / flexed, the coupling assembly 330 (i.e. the axial magnet assembly) is also (arrow 3
Displace in the direction of 16). As known in the art, movement of the axial magnet assembly within the magnetic coil assembly induces an electrical current in the windings of the magnetic coil assembly. Therefore,
The combination of the magnetic coil assembly (not shown) of the transducer assembly 328 and the axial magnet assembly (not shown) of the coupling assembly 330 may generate a signal, which is processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) , Then control logic subsystem 14
And may be used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include a Hall effect sensor assembly, which may be rigidly fixed to a structure in processing system 10. An exemplary non-limiting example of such a Hall effect sensor assembly may be found in Massachus, W
Allegro Microsystems Inc. of orcester A manufactured by
It is B0iKUA-T. Transducer assembly 328 is coupled assembly 330
May be coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314, which may include an axial magnet assembly. An exemplary non-limiting example of such an axial magnet assembly is Penns
ylvania, Jamison's K & J Magnetics, Inc. D manufactured by
It is 16. The axial magnet assembly included in the coupling assembly 330 may be configured to be positioned near the Hall effect sensor assembly of the transducer assembly 328. Thus, as diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), coupling assembly 330 (i.e., the axial magnet assembly) is also displaced (in the direction of arrow 316). As known in the art, a Hall effect sensor assembly is an assembly that produces an output voltage signal that changes in response to changes in the magnetic field. Thus, the Hall effect sensor assembly (not shown) of the transducer assembly 328 and the coupling assembly 3
A combination of thirty axial magnet assemblies (not shown) may generate a signal that is processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) and then provided to control logic subsystem 14 to It may be used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through.

As used herein, piezoelectric material refers to any material that exhibits a piezoelectric effect. The material may include, but is not limited to, ceramics, films, metals, quartz.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include a piezoelectric buzzer element,
This may be directly coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314. Thus, the coupling assembly 330 may not be used. An illustrative non-limiting example of such a piezoelectric buzzer element is
AVX Corporat, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
ion is manufactured by KBS-13DA-12A. As known in the art, a piezoelectric buzzer element may generate an electrical output signal, which varies depending on the amount of mechanical stress that the piezoelectric buzzer element is subjected to. Thus, the diaphragm assembly 314 (as described above)
Upon displacement / flexing, the piezoelectric buzzer element (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be subject to mechanical stress and thus a signal may be generated which is processed (eg, amplified // by the transducer measurement system 336). Conversion / filtering). This processed signal may then be provided to control logic subsystem 14 and used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through cavity 318.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include a piezoelectric sheet element,
This may be directly coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314. Thus, the coupling assembly 330 may not be utilized. An illustrative non-limiting example of such a piezoelectric sheet device is
0-100 manufactured by MSI / Schaevitz, Hampton, Virginia
2794-0. As known in the art, a piezoelectric sheet device may generate an electrical output signal, which varies depending on the amount of mechanical stress to which the piezoelectric sheet device is subjected. Thus, as the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), the piezoelectric sheet element (which is included in the transducer assembly 328) may be subjected to mechanical stress, and thus a signal may be generated. This may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be provided to control logic subsystem 14 and used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through cavity 318.

Alternatively, the above-described piezoelectric sheet element (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be located near the diaphragm assembly 314 and acoustically coupled thereto. The piezoelectric sheet element (included in the transducer assembly 328) may or may not include a weighting assembly to improve the resonance ability of the piezoelectric sheet element. Thus, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above),
The piezoelectric sheet elements (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be subject to mechanical stress (by acoustic coupling), and thus a signal may be generated which is processed (eg, amplified / transformed by the transducer measurement system 336) / Filtering)
It may be done. This processed signal is then fed to the control logic subsystem 14
It may be used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include an audio speaker assembly, in which case the cone of the audio speaker assembly may be directly coupled to diaphragm assembly 314. Thus, the coupling assembly 330 may not be utilized. An illustrative non-limiting example of such an audio speaker assembly is Ohio,
AS01308MR-manufactured by Dayton's Projects Unlimited
It is 2X. As known in the art, an audio speaker assembly may include a voice coil assembly and a permanent magnet assembly in which the voice coil assembly slides. A signal is generally applied to the voice coil assembly to move the speaker cone, but when the speaker is moved by hand, current is induced in the voice coil assembly. Thus, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), the voice coil of the audio speaker assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be displaced with respect to the permanent magnet assembly described above, thus the signal May be generated and processed by the transducer measurement
For example, amplification / conversion / filtering may be performed. This processed signal may then be provided to control logic subsystem 14 and used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through cavity 318.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include an accelerometer assembly, which may be directly coupled to diaphragm assembly 314. Thus, the coupling assembly 330 may not be utilized. An exemplary non-limiting example of such an accelerometer assembly is the Analog Device in Massor, Norwood
s, Inc. Is the AD 22286-R2 manufactured by As known in the art, the accelerometer assembly can generate an electrical output signal, which varies in response to the acceleration that the accelerometer assembly is subjected to. Thus, as the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), the accelerometer assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be subjected to different levels of acceleration, and thus a signal may be generated. , Which may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be provided to control logic subsystem 14 and used to verify the amount of fluid passing through chamber 318.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include a microphone assembly, which may be located near diaphragm assembly 314 and acoustically coupled thereto. Thus, the coupling assembly 330 may not be utilized. Exemplary non-limiting examples of such microphone assemblies are Illinois, Itasca
Manufactured by Knowles Acoustics. Thus, as the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), the microphone assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be subject to mechanical stress (by acoustic coupling), thus generating a signal , Which may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal is then provided to the control logic subsystem 14 to
It may be used to confirm the amount of fluid passing 18.

Alternatively, transducer assembly 328 may include an optical displacement assembly configured to monitor movement of diaphragm assembly 314. Thus, the coupling assembly 330 may not be utilized. An illustrative non-limiting example of such an optical displacement assembly is the Advanced Motion of Pittsford, New York
Systems, Inc. Is Z4W-V manufactured. For illustration purposes, the optical displacement assembly described above includes an optical signal generator, which directs the optical signal to the diaphragm assembly 314, which is reflected by the diaphragm assembly 314 (also included in the optical displacement assembly ) Is detected by a light sensor. Thus, as the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), the light signal detected by the above-described light sensor (included in the transducer assembly 328) may change. Thus, a signal may be generated by an optical displacement assembly (included in transducer assembly 328), which may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be provided to control logic subsystem 14 and used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through cavity 318.

Although the above examples of flow sensor 308 are for illustration, other configurations are possible and are not intended to be all as they are considered to be included within the scope of the present application.
For example, while transducer assembly 328 is shown positioned outside diaphragm assembly 314, transducer assembly 328 may be hollow 31.
It may be located in eight.

Although some of the above examples of flow sensor 308 are described as being coupled to diaphragm assembly 314, this is for illustration only and other configurations are possible and included within the scope of the present application. And is not intended to be a limitation of the present application. For example, referring also to FIG. 5H, the flow sensor 308 may include a piston assembly 338, which may be biased by a spring assembly 340. Piston assembly 3
38 may be positioned near the diaphragm assembly 314 and configured to bias it. Thus, piston assembly 338 can follow the movement of diaphragm assembly 314. Thus, the transducer assembly 328 may be coupled to the piston assembly 338 to achieve the results described above.

Further, if the flow sensor 308 is configured to include the piston assembly 338 and the spring assembly 340, the transducer assembly 328 may include the spring assembly 34.
An inductance monitoring assembly configured to monitor an inductance of zero may be included. Thus, the coupling assembly 330 may not be utilized. An illustrative non-limiting example of such an inductance monitoring assembly is Washington, Aubur
L / C manufactured by Almost All Digital Electronics
It is a Meter IIB. Thus, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / deflected (as described above), the inductance of the spring assembly 340 detected by the above-mentioned inductance monitoring assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) is the resistance when the spring assembly 340 is flexed. May change due to changes in Thus, a signal may be generated by an inductance monitoring assembly (included in transducer assembly 328), which may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be provided to control logic subsystem 14 and used to verify the amount of fluid passing through chamber 318.

Referring also to FIG. 6A, a schematic diagram of the tubing / control subsystem 20 is shown. The plumbing / control subsystem described below relates to the plumbing / control system used to control the amount of cooled carbonated water 164 added to the product 28 through the flow control module 170,
It is not intended to be a limitation of the present application as this is for illustration only and other configurations are also possible. For example, the plumbing / control subsystem described below may also, for example, be cooled water 166 and / or (eg, flow control also via Schule 172) added to product 28.
Alternatively, it may be used to control the amount of chilled high fructose corn syrup 168 (eg, via flow control module 174).

As mentioned above, the piping / control subsystem 20 is a feedback controller system 1
88 may be included, which may include the flow feedback signal 18 from the flow measurement device 176.
Receive 2 Feedback controller system 188 may compare flow feedback signal 182 to the desired flow (set by control logic subsystem 14 via data bus 38). Upon processing the flow feedback signal 182, the feedback control system 188 may generate a flow control signal 194, which may be provided to the variable line impedance 200.

The feedback controller system 188 may include a trajectory shaping controller 350, a flow regulator 352, a feedforward controller 354, a unit delay 356, a saturation controller 358 and a stepper controller 360, for each of Details will be described below.

Trajectory shaping controller 350 may be configured to receive control signals from control logic subsystem 14 via data bus 38. This control signal provides a trajectory for the method by which the piping / control subsystem 20 is supposed to deliver fluid (in this case, cooled carbonated water 164 via the flow control module 170) for use in the product 28. It may be set. However, the trajectories provided by control logic subsystem 14 may need to be adjusted, for example, before being processed by flow controller 352. For example, control systems tend to be difficult to process control curves (i.e., including step changes) that consist of multiple line segments. For example, flow regulator 352 may have difficulty processing control curve 370, which may be divided into three different straight sections, namely sections 372, 374,
It is because it comprises 376. Thus, at the transition points (transition points 378, 380, etc.), specifically, the flow controller 352 (and the piping / control subsystem 20 as a whole) changes instantaneously from the first flow rate to the second flow rate You will need to Thus, trajectory shaping controller 350 may filter control curve 30 to form a smooth control curve 382, as this eliminates the need for instantaneous changes from the first flow rate to the second flow rate. And, in particular, may be more easily processed by flow controller 352 (and, generally, piping / control subsystem 20).

Additionally, trajectory shaping controller 350 may allow wetting prior to injection of nozzle 24 and rinsing after injection. In some embodiments, and / or for some recipes, one or more ingredients, the ingredient (herein referred to as "contaminated ingredient") was stored directly at the nozzle 24, ie, it was stored Contact in form can be a problem for the nozzle 24. In some embodiments, the nozzles 24 may be wetted with "raw" ingredients, such as water, prior to pouring so that these "contaminated stocks" are in direct contact with the nozzles 24. Is prevented. The nozzle 24 may then be rinsed with a "post-wash ingredient", such as water, after pouring.

Specifically, if the nozzle 24 is wetted prior to injection with, for example, 10 mL of water and / or if 10 mL of water or “post-wash” feedstock is used to rinse after injection, the contaminated feedstock may be When addition is stopped, the trajectory shaping controller 350 provides additional amounts of contaminated material during the injection process to offset the pre-infusion wet and / or pre-cleansed material added during post injection rinse It may be done. Specifically, when product 28 is being injected into container 30, the rinse water prior to injection or "before washing" may result in product 28 initially having a low concentration of contaminating components. Then, the trajectory shaping controller 350
Contaminated material may be added at a higher flow rate than required, so that product 28 transitions from "insufficient" to "appropriate" to "excess" or higher than the level required by the particular recipe Present in concentration. However, once the proper amount of contaminating material has been added, additional water or other suitable "cleansed material" may be added in the post-infusion rinse process, so that again the contaminated material The raw material 28 whose "appropriate concentration" is obtained is obtained.

Flow controller 352 may be configured as a proportional integral (PI) loop controller. Flow controller 352 may perform comparisons and processing, which was generally described above as being performed by feedback controller system 188. For example, flow controller 352 may be configured to receive feedback signal 182 from flow meter 176. Flow controller 352 flows flow feedback signal 182 (set by control logic subsystem 14 and adjusted by trajectory shaping controller 350)
It may be compared to the desired flow rate. Flow controller 352 controls flow feedback signal 18.
Processing 2 may generate a flow control signal 194, which may be provided to the variable line impedance 200.

Feed forward controller 354 may provide an "best guess" estimate of where the initial position of variable line impedance 200 should be. Specifically, at a predetermined constant pressure, the flow rate of the variable line impedance (of cooled carbonated water 164) is
It is assumed to be between 0.00 mL / sec and 120.00 mL / sec. Further, it is assumed that when injecting the beverage product 28 into the container 30, a flow rate of 40 mL / sec is desired. Therefore,
Feedforward controller 354 may provide a feedforward signal (at feedforward line 384), which initially opens variable line impedance 200 to 33.33% of its maximum aperture (variable line impedance 200 is linear Assume it works).

In determining the value of the feedforward signal, feedforward controller 354 may utilize a look-up table (not shown), which may be empirically generated and the signals provided for various initial flow rates. You may define An example of such a lookup table may include, but is not limited to, the following table.

Again, assuming that a flow rate of 40 mL / sec is desirable, for example, when injecting beverage product 28 into container 30, feed forward controller 354 may utilize the look-up table described above (using feed forward line 384 ) A stepping signal may be sent to the stepping motor to rotate 60.0 degrees. While a stepper motor is used in this exemplary embodiment, any other type of motor may be used in various other embodiments, including a servomotor, It is not limited to this.

The unit delay 356 may form a feedback path through which the previous version of the control signal (supplied to the variable line impedance 200) is provided to the flow controller 352.

Saturation controller 358 disables integral control of feedback controller system 188 (which may be configured as a PI loop controller as described above) whenever variable line impedance 200 is set to maximum flow rate (by stepper controller 360) The system stability is improved by reducing the flow rate overrun and the system vibration.

Stepper controller 360 may be configured to convert the signal provided by saturation controller 358 (on line 386) into a signal available to variable line impedance 200. Variable line impedance 200 may include a stepping motor to adjust the size (and hence flow rate) of the opening of variable line impedance 200. Thus, control signal 194 may be configured to control a stepping motor included in the variable line impedance.

Referring also to FIG. 6B, examples of flow measurement devices 176, 178, 180 of flow control modules 170, 172, 174 include paddle wheel flow measurement devices, turbine-type measurement devices, or positive displacement flow measurement devices (eg, Gear type positive displacement flow meter 388)
May be included, but is not limited thereto. Thus, in various embodiments:
The flow measurement device may be any device that can measure flow directly or indirectly. In this exemplary embodiment, a geared positive displacement flow measuring device 388 is used. In this embodiment, flow measurement device 388 includes a plurality of meshing gears (eg, gear 390).
, 392), which may be, for example, a geared positive displacement flow measuring device 38
Any content passing through 8 must have one or more predetermined paths (eg, path 394).
, 396), so that, for example, gear 390 rotates counterclockwise and gear 392 rotates clockwise. By monitoring the rotation of gears 390, 392, a feedback signal (eg, feedback signal 182) may be generated and provided to a suitable flow controller (eg, flow controller 352).

Referring also to FIGS. 7-14, a flow control module (eg, flow control module 170).
Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, as mentioned above, the order of the various assemblies may be different in different embodiments, ie, the assemblies may be arranged in any order desired. For example, in some embodiments, the assemblies are arranged in the following order: flow meter, binary valve, variable impedance, and in other embodiments, the assembly is in the following order: flow meter,
It is arranged in the order of variable impedance and binary valve. In some embodiments,
It may be desirable to change the order of the assembly in order to hold the pressure and fluid on the variable impedance or to change the pressure on the variable impedance. In some embodiments, the variable impedance valve may include a lip seal. In these embodiments, it may be desirable to maintain the pressure and fluid on the lip seal. This can be achieved by the following order: flow rate measuring device, variable impedance, binary valve. The binary valve downstream of the variable line impedance holds the pressure and liquid on the variable impedance such that the lip seal maintains the desired seal.

Referring first to FIGS. 7A and 7B, one embodiment of a flow control module 170a is shown. In some embodiments, flow control module 170a may generally include flow meter 176a, variable line impedance 200a, and binary valve 212a, even though there may be generally straight fluid flow paths therein. Good. The flow meter 176 a may include a fluid inlet 400 for receiving the bulk feed from the bulk feed subsystem 16. The fluid inlet 400 may communicate the bulk feedstock to a geared positive displacement flow measuring device (eg, geared positive displacement device 388 generally described above), which may be located in the housing 402. Meshing gears (e.g., including gear 390). Bulk material can pass from the flow meter 176 a through the flow path 404 to the binary valve 212 a.

The binary valve 212 a is a banjo valve 40 operated by a solenoid 408.
6 may be included. Banjo valve 406 may be biased (e.g. by a spring not shown) whereby banjo valve 406 is positioned towards the closed position so that bulk material flows through flow control module 170a I can not do it. The solenoid coil 408 energizes (eg, in response to control signals from the control logic subsystem 14) to linearly drive the plunger 410 through the coupling means 412 to move the banjo valve 406 to It may be removed from sealing engagement with the seat 414 so that the banjo valve 212a may be opened to allow a large amount of material to flow to the variable line impedance 200a.

As mentioned above, variable line impedance 200a may adjust the flow rate of the bulk material. Variable line impedance 200a may include drive motor 416, which may include, but is not limited to, a stepping motor or a servomotor. Drive motor 416 may generally be coupled to variable impedance valve 418. As mentioned above, the variable impedance valve 418 may control the flow rate of the bulk material exiting the fluid outlet 422 from the binary valve 212 a via, for example, the flow path 420. Examples of variable impedance valves 418 are disclosed and patented in U.S. Patent No. 5,755,683 (Attorney Docket No. B13) and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0085049 (Docket Attribution No. E66) Both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Although not shown, a gearing may be coupled between the drive motor 416 and the variable impedance valve 418.

Referring also to FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of a flow control module (e.g., flow control module 170b) is shown, which generally includes a flow meter 176b and a binary valve 2.
12b and a variable line impedance 200b. Flow control module 170a
Similarly, the flow control module 170b may include a fluid inlet 400, which may communicate bulk material with the flow meter 176b. Flow meter 176 b is, for example, housing member 40.
Meshing gears 390, 392 disposed in the cavity 424 which may be formed in two
May be included. The meshing gears 390, 392 and the cavity 424 may define a flow path near the periphery of the cavity 424. The bulk feed may pass from flow meter 176 b to binary valve 212 b via flow path 404. As shown, fluid inlet 400 and channel 404 enter and exit flow meter 176 b (ie, enter cavity 424 and exit therefrom) 90.
A flow path may be provided.

The binary valve 212b may include a banjo valve 406, which is biased into engagement with the valve seat 414 (eg, in response to the biasing force applied by the spring 426 via the coupling means 412). . When the solenoid coil 408 is energized, the plunger 410 retracts towards the solenoid coil 408, thereby moving the banjo valve 406 out of sealing engagement with the valve seat 414, so that a large amount of raw material is variable line impedance 200b It can flow to In other embodiments, the banjo valve 406 may be downstream of the variable line impedance 200b.

Variable line impedance 200b may generally include a first rigid member (eg, shaft 428) having a first surface. The shaft 428 may define a first flow passage portion having a first end on a first surface. The first end may include a groove (eg, groove 430) defined in the first surface (eg, of shaft 428). The groove 430 may taper vertically to the tangent of the curve of the first surface from a large cross-sectional area to a small cross-sectional area. However, in other embodiments, the shaft 428 may include holes instead of the grooves 430 (ie, straight ball holes, see FIG. 15C). The second rigid member (e.g., housing 432) may include a second surface (e.g., inner bore 434). The second rigid member (e.g., housing 432) may define a second flow passage portion having a second end on a second surface. The first and second rigid members can rotate relative to one another continuously from a fully open position, through a partially open position to a closed position. For example, the shaft 428 may be rotatably driven relative to the housing 432 by a drive motor 416 (eg, which may include a stepping motor or a servomotor). The first and second faces define a space between them. The hole (e.g., the opening 436) of the second rigid member (e.g., the housing 432) may either be in a fully open or partially open position with respect to one another. Fluid communication between the first and second flow path portions. Fluid flowing between the first and second flow path portions is a groove (i.e., groove 430) and a hole (i.e., opening 4).
It flows in 36). In some embodiments, at least one sealing member (
For example, a gasket, an O-ring or the like (not shown) may be installed between the first and second surfaces, sealing the first and second rigid members between the fluid from the space. It prevents leakage, which also prevents the leakage of fluid from the desired flow path. However, in the illustrated embodiment of the figure, this type of sealing means is not used. Rather, in the exemplary embodiment, a lip seal 429 or other sealing means is used to seal the space.

Various connection devices may be included to fluidly connect the flow control modules 170, 172, 174 to the bulk feedstock subsystem 16 and / or downstream components, such as the nozzles 24. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with respect to the flow control module 170 b, a locking plate 438 may be slidably mounted with respect to the guide member 440. A fluid line (not shown) may be at least partially inserted into the fluid outlet 422, and the locking plate 438 is linearly displaced by the slide to lock the fluid line in engagement with the fluid outlet. It is also good. Various gaskets, o-rings, or the like may be used to provide a fluid tight connection between the fluid line and the fluid outlet 422.

10-13 illustrate various other embodiments of flow control modules (e.g., flow control modules 170c, 170d, 170e, 170f, respectively). The flow control modules 170c, 170d, 170e, 170f generally correspond to the flow control module 1 described above.
70a and 170b differ in the relative orientation of the fluid connector and the variable line impedance 200 and the binary valve 212. For example, flow control modules 170d and 170f shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, respectively, may include barbed fluid connectors 442 for fluid communication to / from flow meters 176d and 176f. Similarly, flow control module 170c may include barbed fluid connector 444 for fluid communication to / from variable line impedance 200c. Additional / alternative various fluid connector arrangements are equally available. Similarly, various relative orientations of the solenoid 408 and various configurations of the spring bias of the banjo valve 406 may be used to be suitable for different packaging configurations and design criteria.

Referring also to FIGS. 14A-14C, yet another embodiment of a flow control module is shown (i.e., flow control module 170g). Flow control module 170g generally includes a flow meter 176g, a variable line impedance 200g, and a binary valve 212.
g (e.g., this may be the solenoid operated banjo valve generally described above). Referring to FIG. 14C, lip seal 202g is visible. FIG. 14C also shows one exemplary embodiment, in which the flow control module includes a cover that can protect various flow control module assemblies. Although not necessarily depicted in all of the illustrated embodiments, each of the flow control module embodiments may also include a cover.

It should be noted that the flow control module (eg, flow control module 170, 1
72, 174) a large volume of raw material from the large volume raw material
76, 178, 180) and then to the variable line impedance (eg, variable line impedance 200, 202, 204) and finally to the binary valve (eg, binary valve 212, 214, 216) Although described, this should not be construed as limiting the present application. For example, as shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 7-14C, the flow control module may be configured to
Flow meter (eg, flow meter 176, 178, 180), then binary valve (eg, binary valve 212, 214, 216) and finally through variable line impedance (eg, variable line impedance 200, 202, 204) It may be configured to have a flow path. Various additional / alternative configurations are equally available. In addition to this, 1
One or more additional components may be interconnected between one or more of the flow meter, binary valve, variable line impedance.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, portions of variable line impedance (eg, variable line impedance 200) including drive motor 416 (eg, which may be a stepper motor, servomotor, or otherwise) are shown There is. Drive motor 41
6 may be coupled to a shaft 428 having a groove 430 therein. Here, FIG.
5C, in some embodiments, the shaft 428 includes a hole, as shown in FIG.
In this exemplary embodiment as shown in, the holes are ball shaped holes. For example, FIG.
And 9, drive motor 416 may rotate shaft 428 with respect to the housing (eg, housing 432) to adjust the flow rate through the variable line impedance. The magnet 446 may be coupled to the shaft 428 (e.g., at least partially disposed in an axial opening in the shaft 428, perhaps. The magnet 446 is generally bipolar polarized as well. Well, provide the south pole 450 and the north pole 452. The rotational position of the shaft 428 is based, for example, on the magnetic flux applied by the magnet 446 on one or more flux detection devices, such as the sensors 454, 456 shown in FIG. The magnetic flux sensing device may include, but is not limited to, for example, a Hall effect sensor or the like, For example, the magnetic flux sensing device may provide a position feedback signal to the control logic subsystem 14, for example. You may

Referring again to FIG. 15C, in some embodiments, the magnet 446 is disposed opposite the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and described in this regard. In addition to this, the magnet 446 is held by the magnet holder 480 in this embodiment.

In addition to / in place of using a magnetic position sensor (for example to determine the rotational position of the shaft), the variable line impedance, at least one, the motor position,
Alternatively, it may be determined based on an optical sensor that detects the shaft position.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a gear (eg, gear 390) of a gear positive displacement volumetric measurement device (eg, gear positive displacement flow measurement device 388) has one or more coupled thereto. (E.g., magnets 458, 460). As described above, as fluid (e.g., bulk material) flows through gear positive displacement flow meter 388, gear 390 (and gear 392) can rotate. The rotational speed of gear 390 may be generally proportional to the flow rate of fluid passing through gear positive displacement flow measuring device 388. The rotation (and / or rotational speed) of gear 390 may be measured using a flux sensor (e.g., a Hall effect sensor or the like), which is the rotational movement of axial magnet 458, 460 coupled to gear 390 May be measured. For example, a magnetic flux sensor, which may be disposed on printed circuit board 462 shown in FIG. 8, provides a flow feedback signal (eg, flow feedback signal 182) to a flow feedback controller system (eg, feedback controller system 188) You may

Flow Control Module Leak Detection In various embodiments, the flow control module may be active, but fluid should not flow, ie, the flow control module is not operating with any pump command. In some embodiments, a system that includes a leak detection method may be used to detect fluid flow from the flow control module when fluid should not flow.

In various embodiments of flow control module leak detection, leak detection is performed by the gear meter spin after injection with the flow control module not operating with any pump command and the banjo valve or other valve controller is idle. It may be activated when the gear meter monitor is idle after all downtime has elapsed. When these conditions are met, leak detection is triggered. In some embodiments, a predetermined elapsed time is provided before the flow control module activates leak detection.

Referring also now to FIG. 76, in various embodiments, the leak detection method has three states,
That is, including leak test initiation, leak test initialization, and leak test execution. At the start of the leak test,
Leak detection is idle because one or more of the activation criteria are not yet met. In various embodiments, the activation criteria may include one or more of the above criteria. In the leak test initialization state, the timing guard band that occurs when the flow control module transitions from the operating state to the idle state (that is, when the activation criterion is satisfied) is controlled. In the leak test execution state, when the timing guard band has passed, the leak test method remains in this state until the flow control module is activated.

Now also referring to FIG. 77, at a high level, the FCM leak detection method receives and monitors the amount of fluid conveyed by the gear meter and measured. An alert is issued if the reported amount exceeds a predetermined preset threshold. In order to do this "leakage integrator (l
The “eaky integrator)” algorithm is used, which in some embodiments includes the amount of fluid measured by the gear meter at each update and added to the interim total, ie, the integral value, and the integral value is a threshold value. If exceeded, it is determined that there is a leak. Then, at each update, the integral value is reduced by a fixed "damping amount". The interim total will not be lower than zero.

In various embodiments, three coefficients may be used, including update period, leak detection threshold, and integral decay rate. Various other embodiments may use different coefficients, or additional or fewer coefficients.

In some embodiments, the update period defines how often leak detection is performed. In some embodiments, leak detection may be performed periodically, for example, once every two seconds (0.5 Hz). In some embodiments, a leak detection threshold is set, and a leak is declared if the integral value exceeds this number. The leak detection threshold may, in some embodiments, be set as the maximum flow rate set in the flow control module calibration data as follows.
Leak_Detection_Threshold = (0.25 ^* FCM_Maxim
um_Flow_Rate) ^* Update_Period

In some embodiments, the integral attenuation factor is a value at which the integrated flow rate of the gear meter is reduced at each update. This may be advantageous as, for example, the noise immunity of the method is improved, for example by attenuating the integral, and the algorithm is reset when the leak condition disappears. The integral attenuation factor is set as the maximum flow rate defined in the calibration data of the flow control module as follows.
Integrator_Drain_Rate = (0.001 ^* FCM_Maximum
_Flow_Rate) ^* Update_Period

In various embodiments, an alarm or alarm is generated when the following conditions are met: the integral exceeds the leak detection threshold and the alarm generation is "ready". In various embodiments, alarm generation is "ready" when the algorithm is initialized and whenever the integral value is zero. In various embodiments, when an alarm is issued, the alarm generation is "de-alarmed". This ready / unready process prevents the method and system from generating multiple alarms in a single leak event. The following is an example of when an alarm can be issued. These are only given as an illustration and example, and are not intended to be exhaustive. In various embodiments, the method may be different,
Alarms / alarms may be issued under different conditions. In various embodiments, alarms / alarms may be triggered at the conditions added above.

As an example, the flow control module always leaks until the integral value exceeds a threshold. The flow control module continues to leak. In this example, one alarm may be issued when the integral value first exceeds the threshold.

As another example, the flow control module intermittently leaks until the integral value finally exceeds the threshold. Then, the integral value oscillates around the threshold. In this example, one alarm may be issued when the integral value first exceeds the threshold. The de-provisioning logic that is present in some embodiments may prevent subsequent nuisance alerts if the integrated value again exceeds the threshold.

As another example, the flow control module always leaks until the integral value exceeds the threshold.
The fluid control module then stops the leak. In this example, an alarm may be issued when the integral value first exceeds the threshold. When the flow control module stops the leak, the integral slowly decays back to zero. When the integral value decays back to zero, the alarm generation is re-armed so that when the flow control module starts to leak again, an alarm may be issued.

Referring also now to FIG. 77, this graph represents data collected with an example leak detection method. In this example, the high fructose corn syrup leak was simulated using the manual override of the flow control module. The manual override was toggled open and closed for a period of time and then held in the fully open position. Where detection is declared,
I closed the manual override. As shown in FIG. 77, it can be seen that the integral increases until a leak is declared. At that point, the integral can not be increased further. When the manual override is closed, the integral value is found to decay to zero, at which point the leak condition is cleared and the alarm is again ready to be activated.

Referring also to FIG. 17, a schematic diagram of the user interface subsystem 22 is shown. The user interface subsystem 22 may include a touch panel interface 500 (example embodiments described below with respect to FIGS. 51-53) that allow the user 26 to select various options for the beverage 28. For example, user 26 may select the size of beverage 28 (via "drink size" column 502). Examples of selectable sizes are "12 oz", "16 oz", "20 oz", "24 oz"
, "32 ounces", "48 ounces" may be included, but is not limited thereto.

The user 26 may select the type of beverage 28 (via the "type of drink" column 504). Examples of selectable types may include, but are not limited to, "cola", "lemon lime", "root beer", "ice tea", "lemonade", "fruit punch".

The user 26 may also select one or more flavorings / products to include in the beverage 28 (via the "Add" column 506). Examples of selectable additives may include "Cherry taste", "Lemon taste", "Lime taste", "Chocolate taste", "Coffee taste", and "Ice cream". It is not limited.

In addition, the user 26 may select one or more nutraceutical ingredients for inclusion in the beverage 28 (via the "nutritional supplement" column 508). Examples of such nutraceutical ingredients may include "Vitamin A", "Vitamin B6", "Vitamin B12", "Vitamin C", "Vitamin D", "Zinc", but It is not limited.

In some embodiments, another screen that is at a lower height than the touch panel may include a "remote control" (not shown) for the panel. The remote control may include, for example, up, down, right, left, buttons indicating selection. However, in other embodiments, other buttons may be included.

Once the user 26 makes the appropriate selection, the user 26 may select the "Go!" Button 510 and the user interface subsystem 22 controls the appropriate data signals (via the data bus 32) control logic sub It may be supplied to the system 14. When the control logic subsystem 14 receives it, it may read the appropriate data from the storage subsystem 12, and appropriate control signals to, for example, the mass feedstock subsystem 16, the micromaterial subsystem 18, the piping / control subsystem 20 May be supplied and processed (as described above) to
8 are prepared. Alternatively, the user 26 may select the "cancel" button 512, and the touch panel interface 500 may be reset to a default state (e.g., no button is selected).

The user interface subsystem 22 may be configured to allow bi-directional communication with the user 26. For example, the user interface subsystem 22 may
14 may be included so that the processing system 10 can provide information to the user 26. Examples of types of information that may be provided to the user 26 may include, but are not limited to, advertisements, information / alarms regarding system anomalies, and information regarding prices of various products.

As mentioned above, control logic subsystem 14 may execute one or more control processes 120, which may control the operation of processing system 10. Thus, control logic subsystem 14 may execute a finite state machine process (e.g., FSM process 122).

Also as described above, during use of processing system 10, user 26 may use user interface subsystem 22 to select a particular beverage 28 to be dispensed (into container 30). The user 26 may use the user interface subsystem 22 to select one or more options to be included in such a beverage. Once the user 26 makes an appropriate selection using the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 controls the control logic subsystem 14 with appropriate instructions indicating the user 26 's preferences and preferences (for the beverage 28) It may be sent to

In making the selection, the user 26 may select a multi-part recipe that is essentially a composite of two separate and distinct recipes that produce a product of multiple ingredients. For example, user 2
6 may select a root beer float, which is basically a multi-part recipe that is a composite of two separate different ingredients (ie, vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As another example, user 26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. The cola / coffee composite is basically a composite of two separate and distinct ingredients (ie, cola soda and coffee).

Referring also to FIG. 18, when the FSM process 122 receives the above mentioned instructions (550),
The instructions may be processed 552 to determine whether the product to be produced (e.g., beverage 28) is a product of multiple ingredients.

If the product to be produced is a product consisting of a plurality of raw materials (554), FSM process 1
22 may identify a recipe necessary to produce each of the components of the product of the plurality of ingredients (556). The identified recipe may be selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12 shown in FIG.

If the product to be produced is not a product of multiple ingredients (554), FSM process 122 may specify a single recipe for producing the product (558). A single recipe may be selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12. Thus, if the instruction received (550) and processed (552) was an instruction defining lemon-lime soda, this is not a product consisting of multiple ingredients, so FSM
Process 122 may identify a single recipe needed to produce lemon-lime soda (558).

If the instruction relates to a product consisting of a plurality of raw materials (554), an appropriate recipe selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12 is identified (5
56), FSM process 122 parses each of the recipes into a plurality of individual states (560);
One or more state transitions may be determined. The FSM process 122 may then define at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) using at least a portion of the plurality of separate states (562).

If the instructions do not relate to a multi-component product (554), the FSM process 122 will select the recipe once the appropriate recipe selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12 has been identified (558) Analyze into multiple separate states (564)
, One or more state transitions may be defined. The FSM process 122 may then use at least a portion of the plurality of different states to define at least one finite state machine for the recipe (566).

As known in the art, finite state machines (FSMs) are behavioral models that consist of a finite number of states, transitions between these states, and / or actions. For example, referring also to FIG. 19, defining a finite state machine for a physical doorway that can either be fully open or completely closed, the finite state machine has two states: an "open" state
A closed state 572 may be included. In addition to this, two transitions may be defined, which allows a transition from one state to another. For example, transition state 574 "opens" the door (and hence transitions from "closed" state 572 to "open" state 570), transition state 5
76 "closes" the door (and therefore transitions from the "open" state 570 to the "closed" state 572).

Referring also to FIG. 20, a state diagram 600 is shown regarding how coffee may be extracted. State diagram 600 has five states: idle state 602, extractable state 604,
An extraction in progress state 605, an incubation state 608, and an off state 610 are shown to be included. In addition to this, five transition states are shown. For example, transition state 612 (eg, attach a coffee filter, put in coffee powder, inject water into a coffee machine), may transition from idle state 602 to extractable state 604. Transition state 614 (eg,
The extraction button may be transitioned from the extractable state 604 to the extracting state 606). The transition state 616 (eg, water supply end) may transition from the extraction state 606 to the heat retention state 608. Transition state 618 (e.g., turning off the power button or exceeding the maximum "warm" time) may transition from warm state 608 to off state 610. Transition state 620 (e.g., power on) may transition from off state 610 to idle state 602.

Thus, the FSM process 122 may generate one or more finite state machines that correspond to the recipe (or a portion thereof) utilized to generate the product. Once a suitable finite state machine is created, control logic subsystem 14 executes the finite state machine, for example, to produce a product (e.g., of multiple ingredients or of a single ingredient) requested by user 26 It may be generated.

Thus, processing system 10 (via user interface subsystem 22)
Assume that an instruction is received 550 that the user 26 has selected a root beer float. The FSM process 122 may process this indication (552) to determine if the root beer float is a product of multiple ingredients (554). Since the root beer float is a product consisting of multiple ingredients, the FSM process 122 identifies the necessary recipes for root beer float generation (ie, the root beer soda recipe and the vanilla ice cream recipe) (556), and the root beer soda recipe And the vanilla ice cream recipe may be analyzed 560 into multiple separate states, and one or more state transitions may be defined. The FSM process 122 may then define 562 at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) utilizing at least a portion of the plurality of separate states. These finite state machines are then executed by the control logic subsystem 14 to generate root via floats selected by the user 26.

When executing the state machine corresponding to the recipe, the processing system 10 includes the processing system 1
One or more manifolds (not shown) included in 0 may be utilized. As used herein, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to perform one or more processes. Processing system 10 includes a plurality of valves (eg, controllable by control logic subsystem 14) to facilitate transfer of material between manifolds to facilitate transfer of material to and from the manifold. It is also good. Examples of various manifolds may include mixing manifolds, blending manifolds, grinding manifolds, heating manifolds, cooling manifolds, refrigeration manifolds, exuding manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, stirring manifolds, etc. It is not limited to.

For example, when making coffee, a grinding manifold may grind the coffee beans. Once the beans have been ground, water may be supplied to the heating manifold in which water 160 is heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 212 [deg.] F). When the water is heated, the hot water (generated by the heating manifold) may be filtered through the coffee grounds (generated by the grinding manifold). In addition to this, depending on how the processing system 10 is configured, the processing system 10 may add cream and / or sugar to the coffee produced, in another manifold or at the nozzle 24. Good.

Thus, each portion of the multi-portion recipe may be performed on different manifolds included in processing system 10. Thus, each ingredient of the plurality of ingredient recipes may be produced in different manifolds included in processing system 10. Continuing with the above example, the first feedstock of the multi-component product (ie, root beer soda) may be produced within the mixing manifold included in processing system 10. Additionally, the second ingredient of the multi- ingredient product (ie, vanilla ice cream) may be produced in the refrigeration manifold included in processing system 10.

As mentioned above, control logic subsystem 14 may execute one or more control processes 120 that may control the operation of processing system 10. Thus, control logic subsystem 14 may execute virtual machine process 124.

As also described above, during use of processing system 10, user 26 may use user interface subsystem 22 to select a particular beverage 28 to be dispensed (into container 30). The user 26 may select one or more options to be included in such a beverage via the user interface subsystem 22. Once the user 26 makes the appropriate selections via the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 may send appropriate instructions to the control logic subsystem 14.

In making the selection, the user 26 may select a multi-part recipe, which is basically a composite of two separate and different recipes that produce a product of multiple ingredients. For example, user 26 may select a root beer float, which is a multi-part recipe that is basically a composite of two separate and distinct ingredients (ie, vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As another example, user 26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. This cola / coffee composite basically consists of two separate and distinct ingredients (ie
A combination of cola soda and coffee).

Referring also to FIG. 21, when the above described instruction is received (650), virtual machine process 124 is executed.
Processes these instructions (652) to determine if the product to be produced (e.g., beverage 28) is a multi-component product.

If the product to be produced is a product consisting of a plurality of raw materials (654), the virtual machine process 124 generates a first recipe for generating a first raw material of the product consisting of the plurality of raw materials,
At least a second recipe may be identified for producing at least a second ingredient of the plurality of ingredient products (656). The first and second recipes are the storage subsystem 1
It may be selected from a plurality of recipes 36 held in two.

If the product to be produced is not a product of multiple ingredients (654), the virtual machine process 124 may identify a single recipe for producing the product (658). A single recipe may be selected from a plurality of recipes 36 stored in storage subsystem 12. Thus, if the instruction received (650) is an instruction for lemon-lime soda, the virtual machine process 124 will only need the single recipe needed to produce lemon-lime soda, as this is not a multi-raw product It may be specified (658).

When a recipe is identified from the plurality of recipes 36 stored in the storage subsystem 12 (656, 658), the control logic subsystem 14 executes the recipe (660, 6)
62), suitable control signals (via data bus 38)
6 Micro-feed subsystem 18 and plumbing / control subsystem 20 may be fed so that a beverage 28 is produced (which is poured into container 30).

Thus, assume that processing system 10 receives instructions (via user interface subsystem 22) to generate a root via float. Virtual machine process 124
May process these instructions (652) to determine if the root beer float is a product of multiple ingredients (654). Since the root beer float is a product consisting of a plurality of raw materials, the virtual machine process 124 identifies the recipes (ie, the root beer soda recipe and the vanilla ice cream recipe) necessary for generating the root beer float (656)
Run both recipes, 660, to produce both root beer soda and vanilla ice cream (each). Once these products are produced, processing system 10 combines the individual products (i.e., root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) into user 2
6 may generate the requested root beer float.

In executing the recipe, processing system 10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included in processing system 10. As used herein, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to perform one or more processes. In the manifold,
The processing system 10 may include a plurality of valves (eg, controllable by the control logic subsystem 14) to facilitate transfer of the feedstock between the manifolds to facilitate transport of the feedstock therefrom. . Examples of various manifolds may include mixing manifolds, blending manifolds, grinding manifolds, heating manifolds, cooling manifolds, refrigeration manifolds, exuding manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, stirring manifolds, etc. It is not limited to.

For example, when making coffee, the grinding manifold may grind the coffee beans. Once the beans have been ground, water may be supplied to the heating manifold, in which the water 160 is at a predetermined temperature (
For example, heat to 212 ° F.). When the water is heated, hot water (generated by the heating manifold) may be filtered through the coffee grounds (generated by the grinding manifold). In addition to this, depending on how the processing system 10 is configured, the processing system 10 may add cream and / or sugar in the other manifold or at the nozzle 24 to the coffee produced.

Thus, each portion of the multi-portion recipe may be implemented in different manifolds included in processing system 10. Thus, each ingredient of the plurality of ingredient recipes may be produced in different manifolds included in processing system 10. Continuing with the example above, the first part of the multi-part recipe (ie, one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make root beer soda) is performed within the mixing manifold included in processing system 10 It may be done. Additionally, the second part of the multi-part recipe (ie, one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream)
May be implemented in the freezing manifold included in processing system 10.

As mentioned above, during use of processing system 10, user 26 may use user interface subsystem 22 to select a particular beverage 28 to be dispensed (to container 30). The user 26 may select one or more options for inclusion in such a beverage via the user interface subsystem 22. Once the user 26 makes the appropriate selection through the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 controls the appropriate data signals (via the data bus 32) to the control logic subsystem 14
It may be sent to The control logic subsystem 14 may process these data signals and (via the data bus 34) select one or more recipes selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12 It may be read out. When the control logic subsystem 14 reads the recipe from the storage subsystem 12, it processes this recipe,
Suitable control signals may be provided (for example via data bus 38) to the mass feed subsystem 16, the micro feed subsystem 18, the piping / control subsystem 20, and so on
A beverage 28 is produced (which is poured into the container 30).

When the user 26 makes a selection, the user 26 may select a multi-part recipe, which is basically a composite of two separate and different recipes. For example, user 26 may select a root beer float, which is a multi-part recipe that is basically a composite of two separate and different recipes (ie, vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). Another example is
The user 26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. The cola / coffee composite is basically a composite of two separate and different recipes (ie, cola soda and coffee).

Thus, processing system 10 (via user interface subsystem 22)
Assuming that the root beer float recipe is received, it is determined that the root beer float recipe is a multi-part recipe, the processing system 10 simply obtains the root beer soda's independent recipe, and the vanilla ice cream independent recipe Get both recipes and run (each) to produce root beer soda and vanilla ice cream. Once these products are produced, processing system 10 may combine the individual products (i.e., root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) to produce root beer floats requested by user 26.

In executing the recipe, processing system 10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included in processing system 10. As used herein, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to perform one or more processes. In the manifold,
The processing system 10 may include a plurality of valves (eg, controllable by the control logic subsystem 14) to facilitate transfer of the feedstock between the manifolds to facilitate transport of the feedstock therefrom. . Examples of various manifolds may include mixing manifolds, blending manifolds, grinding manifolds, heating manifolds, cooling manifolds, refrigeration manifolds, exuding manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, stirring manifolds, etc. It is not limited to.

For example, when making coffee, the grinding manifold may grind the coffee beans. Once the beans have been ground, water may be supplied to the heating manifold, in which the water 160 is at a predetermined temperature (
For example, heat to 212 ° F.). When the water is heated, hot water (generated by the heating manifold) may be filtered through the coffee grounds (generated by the grinding manifold). In addition to this, depending on how the processing system 10 is configured, the processing system 10 may add cream and / or sugar in the other manifold or at the nozzle 24 to the coffee produced.

As mentioned above, control logic subsystem 14 may execute one or more control processes 120, which may control the operation of processing system 10. Thus, control logic subsystem 14 may perform virtual manifold process 126.

Referring also to FIG. 22, virtual manifold process 126 monitors (680) one or more processes occurring, for example, in a first portion of a multi-part recipe being executed on processing system 10, one or more Data regarding at least part of the process of For example, assume that a multi-part recipe relates to the preparation of root beer floats,
This is basically a composite of two separate different recipes (ie, root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) (as described above), which are selected from the plurality of recipes 36 stored in the storage subsystem 12 It is also good. Thus, the first part of the multi-part recipe may be considered as one or more processes that the processing system 10 uses to make root beer soda. Further, the second part of the multi-part recipe may be considered as one or more processes that the processing system 10 uses to make vanilla ice cream.

Each portion of these multi-portion recipes may be performed on different manifolds included in processing system 10. For example, the first part of the multi-part recipe (ie, one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make root beer soda) may be performed within the mixing manifold included in processing system 10 . Furthermore, the second part of the multi-process recipe (ie, one or more processes utilized by processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream) may also be performed within the freezing manifold included in past system 10 Good. As mentioned above, the processing stem 10 may include a plurality of manifolds, such as mixing manifolds, blending manifolds, grinding manifolds, heating manifolds, cooling manifolds, refrigeration manifolds, exuding manifolds, nozzles, pressure Manifolds, vacuum manifolds, agitation manifolds, etc. may be perfused, but not limited thereto.

Thus, virtual manifold process 126 may monitor the process utilized to make processing system 10 root beer soda (or 680) (or even monitor the process utilized by processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream) Well), thereby obtaining data about these processes.

Examples of types of data acquired may include raw material data and processing data, but
It is not limited to these.

The ingredient data may include, but is not limited to, a list of ingredients used in the first part of the multi-part recipe. For example, if the first part of the multi-part recipe relates to the formation of root beer soda, the raw material list will contain a predetermined amount of root beer flavoring, a predetermined amount of carbonated water, a predetermined amount of non-carbonated water, a predetermined amount High fructose corn syrup may be included.

Processing data may include, but is not limited to, a series list of processes to be performed on the feedstock. For example, a predetermined amount of carbonated water may begin to be introduced into a manifold in processing system 10. While the carbonated water is being injected into the manifold, a predetermined amount of root beer flavoring, a predetermined amount of high fructose corn syrup, a predetermined amount of non-carbonated water may also be introduced into the manifold.

At least part of the acquired data may be stored (temporarily or permanently) (68
2). Further, virtual manifold process 126 may then make this stored data available (684), for example, by one or more processes performed in the second portion of the multi-part recipe. When storing the acquired data (682), the virtual manifold process 126 may store the acquired data for later diagnostic purposes.
For example, it may be saved as an archive in the storage subsystem 12) (686)
. An example of such a diagnostic purpose may include allowing a maintenance engineer to consider raw material consumption characteristics and formulate a purchase plan for consumables purchase for processing system 10. Alternatively or additionally, in storing the acquired data (682), virtual manifold process 126 may write the acquired data to a volatile note system (eg, random access memory 104) (688).

In making the acquired data available (684), the virtual manifold process 126 sends the acquired data (or a portion thereof) to one or more processes performed in the second portion of the multi-part recipe. (690). Subsequently, in the above example of one or more processes that the processing system 10 utilizes to make the second part of the multi-part recipe to make the vanilla ice cream, the virtual manifold process 126 acquires the acquired data (or a portion thereof May be made available to one or more processes utilized to make vanilla ice cream (684).

The root beer flavoring utilized to make the root beer float described above is assumed to be flavored with a significant amount of vanilla flavoring. In addition, it is assumed that a significant amount of vanilla flavoring is also used in making vanilla ice cream. The virtual manifold process 126 is through a control logic subsystem (ie, a subsystem that integrates one or more processes used to make vanilla ice cream) with acquired data (eg, raw materials and / or process data) As may be available, control logic sub-stem 14 may review this data to change the ingredients utilized to make vanilla ice cream. Specifically, control logic subsystem 14 may reduce the amount of vanilla flavoring utilized to make vanilla ice cream to avoid excessive vanilla flavoring in the root beer float.

In addition to this, the acquired data is made available to the subsequently executed process (684
By doing so, a procedure may be performed that would not be possible if the data were not made available to the subsequent process. Continuing with the example above, it is assumed that the consumer has empirically determined that one-piece products tend not to prefer vanilla flavorings greater than 10.0 mL. In addition, 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is included in the root beer flavoring utilized to make root beer soda for root beer float, and another to make vanilla ice cream utilized to make root beer float Assume that 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is utilized. Thus, when these two products (root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) are combined, the final product will be flavored with 16.0 mL of vanilla flavoring (this is
Exceeding the 10.0 mL overruled rule set empirically).

Thus, the virtual manifold process 126 does not store the root beer soda raw material data (682), and if such stored data is not made available (684),
The fact that the root beer soda contains 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is unclear and a final product containing 16.0 mL of vanilla flavoring will be produced. Therefore, this data obtained and stored (682) is the occurrence of undesirable effects (eg, undesirable flavor characteristics, undesirable appearance characteristics, undesirable odor characteristics, undesirable texture characteristics, nutraceutical ingredients To avoid (or reduce) excess of the maximum appropriate dose of

Due to the availability of this acquired data, subsequent processes may also be adjustable. For example, assume that the amount of salt used to make vanilla ice cream varies depending on the amount of carbonated water utilized to make root beer soda. Again, the virtual manifold process 126 does not save the root beer soda feedstock data (682),
If such stored data is not available (684), the amount of carbonated water used to make the root beer soda will not be known and the amount of salt used to make ice cream can not be adjusted. I will.

As mentioned above, the virtual manifold process 126 monitors (680) one or more processes occurring, for example, in the first part of the multi-part recipe being executed on the processing system Data regarding at least a portion of the plurality of processes may be obtained. Although one or more processes being monitored (680) are performed in one manifold of the processing system 10, one of the multiple procedures performed in one manifold of the processing system 10 It may represent one part.

For example, when making root beer soda, four inlets (eg, one for root beer flavoring, one for carbonated water, one for non-carbonated water, one for high fructose corn syrup) and one outlet One manifold may be used (as the entire root beer soda is supplied to one second manifold).

However, if the manifold has two outlets (one flow rate is four times the other) instead of one outlet, virtual manifold process 126 includes two separate and distinct parts of the process, which are in the same manifold It may be considered to be executed at the same time. For example, 80% of the total ingredients may be mixed to produce 80% of the total root beer soda,
On the other hand, the remaining 20% of the total ingredients may be mixed simultaneously (within the same manifold) to produce 20% of root beer soda. Thus, virtual manifold process 12
6, the data obtained for the first part (ie 80% of the part) may be made available to downstream processes utilizing 80% of root beer soda (684), the second part (ie The data obtained for the 20% part) may be made available to downstream processes utilizing 20% of root beer soda (684).

Additionally / alternatively, one part of the multi-part procedure performed in one manifold of the processing system 10 is generated in one manifold that performs several separate processes. It may indicate the process. For example, when making vanilla ice cream in a frozen manifold, the individual ingredients may be introduced, mixed and chilled until frozen.
Thus, the process of making vanilla ice cream may include a feed introduction process, a feed mixing process, a feed freezing process, each of which is a virtual manifold process 126.
May be monitored individually (680).

As described above, product module assembly 250 (of micro-raw material subsystem 18 and tubing / control subsystem 20) is configured to releasably engage with multiple product containers 252, 254, 256, 258. Slot assemblies 260, 262, 264,
266 may be included. Unfortunately, during maintenance inspection of processing system 10 product container 2
Product container assembly 25 when refilling 52, 254, 256, 258
It is possible to attach to the wrong slot assembly in 0. Such a mistake may cause one or more pump assemblies (eg, pump assembly 270, 2) to
72, 274, 276) and / or one or more tube assemblies (eg, tube bundle 304) may be contaminated with one or more micro-feeds. For example, root beer flavoring (i.e., micro raw material contained within product container 256) has a very strong taste, for example when using a specific pump assembly / tube assembly to dispense root beer flavor It can not be used for the distribution of weaker taste micro ingredients (eg lemon lime flavoring, ice tea flavoring, lemonade flavoring).

Additionally, as described above, product module assembly 250 may be configured to releasably engage bracket assembly 282. Thus, if the processing system 10 includes multiple product module assemblies and multiple bracket assemblies, there may be the possibility of attaching the product module assembly to the wrong bracket assembly when servicing the processing system 10. Unfortunately, such mistakes may also result in one or more pump assemblies (eg, pump assemblies 270, 272, 2).
74, 276) and / or one or more tube assemblies (eg, tube bundle 304) may be contaminated with one or more micro-feeds.

Thus, processing system 10 may include an RFID based system to ensure proper positioning of product containers and product modules within processing system 10. Referring also to FIGS. 23 and 24, processing system 10 may include RFID system 700, which is an RFI located in product module assembly 250 of processing system 10.
A D antenna assembly 702 may be included.

As mentioned above, product module assembly 250 may be configured to releasably engage with at least one product container (eg, product container 258). RFID system 700 is an RFID (eg, attached) positioned in product container 258
A tag assembly 704 may be included. RFID tag assembly 7 whenever product module assembly 250 releasably engages with a product container (eg, product container 258).
04 may be located, for example, in the upper detection area 706 of the RFID antenna assembly 702. Thus, in this example, the RFID tag assembly 704 should be detected by the RFID antenna assembly 702 whenever the product container 258 is positioned within the product module assembly 250 (ie, releasably engaged).

As mentioned above, product module assembly 250 may be configured to releasably engage bracket assembly 282. RFID system 700 may further include an RFID tag assembly 708 positioned (eg, attached) to bracket assembly 282. Whenever the bracket assembly 282 releasably engages with the product module assembly 250, the RFID tag assembly 708 may, for example,
It may be located in the lower detection area 710 of the FID antenna assembly 702.

Thus, the RFID antenna assembly 702 and the RFID tag assembly 704,7
With the use of 08, the RFID system 700 can be used to
It can be determined if 52, 254, 256, 258) were properly positioned in the product module assembly 250. Additionally, RFID system 700 may also determine whether product module assembly 250 is properly positioned within processing system 10.

Although RFID system 700 is shown to include one RFID antenna assembly and two RFID tag assemblies, this is for illustration only, and other configurations are possible, so this is not a limitation of the present application. Not intended. Specifically, a representative configuration of RFID system 700 may include one RFID antenna assembly positioned within each slot assembly of product module assembly 250. For example, RFID system 700 may additionally include an R located in product module assembly 250.
FID antenna assemblies 712, 714, 716 may be included. Therefore, R
FID antenna assembly 702, the product container (product module assembly 250)
It may be determined whether it has been inserted into the slot assembly 266, the RFID antenna assembly 712 may be determined whether or not the product container has been inserted into the slot assembly 264 of (product module assembly 250), the RFID antenna The assembly 714 may determine whether the product container has been inserted into the slot assembly 262 (of the product module assembly 250), and the RFID antenna assembly 716 has a product container into the slot assembly 260 (of the product module assembly 250). It may be determined whether or not it has been inserted. Further, because processing system 10 may include multiple product module assemblies, each of these product module assemblies may be used to determine which product container has been inserted into a particular product module assembly. May include an RFID antenna assembly.

As described above, the RFID in lower detection area 710 of RFID antenna assembly 702
By monitoring the presence of the tag assembly, the RFID system 700 can determine whether the product module assembly 250 has been properly positioned in the processing system 10. Thus, any of the RFID antenna assemblies 702, 712, 714, 716 can be utilized to read one or more RFID tag assemblies attached to the bracket assembly 282. For purposes of illustration, product module assembly 282 is shown as having only one RFID tag assembly 708. However,
It is not intended to be a limitation of the present application as this is for illustrative purposes only and other configurations are possible. For example, the bracket assembly 282 may include a plurality of RFID tag assemblies, ie, an RFID tag assembly 718 (shown in dashed lines) read by the RFID antenna assembly 712, an R read by the RFID antenna assembly 714.
FID tag assembly 720 (shown in dashed lines), RFID tag assembly 722 (shown in dashed lines) read by RFID antenna assembly 716 may be included.

One or more of the RFID tag assemblies (eg, RFID tag assembly 704
, 708, 718, 720, 722) may be passive RFID tag assemblies (eg, RFID tag assemblies that do not require a power supply). In addition to this, one or more of the RFID tag assemblies (eg, RFID tag assemblies 704, 708, 71
8, 720, 722) may be a writable RFID tag assembly, in which case the RFID system 700 may write data to the RFID tag assembly. R
Examples of types of data that can be stored in the FID tag assembly include a product container quantity identifier, a product container manufacturing date identifier, a product container disposal deadline identifier, a product container raw identifier, a product module identifier, and a bracket identifier. Although it may be contained, it is not limited to these.

With regard to the quantity identifier, in some embodiments, each of the quantities of material dispensed from the container containing the RFID tag, the tag being written to include the latest quantity and / or the quantity dispensed in the container There is. Later, when the container is removed from the assembly and reattached to another assembly, the system reads the RFID tag and knows the volume of the container and / or the amount dispensed from the container. In addition to this, the date when the discharge was performed may also be written to the RFID tag.

Thus, each of the bracket assemblies (e.g., bracket assembly 282)
RFID tag assembly (eg, RF) when installing
ID tag assembly 708) may be attached, in which case the attached RFID tag assembly may define a bracket identifier (for uniquely identifying the bracket assembly). Thus, if processing system 10 includes ten bracket assemblies, then ten RFID tag assemblies (ie, one for each bracket assembly).
Ten unique bracket identifiers (ie, one for each bracket assembly) may be set, attached one by one.

In addition, when product containers (eg, product containers 252, 254, 256, 258) are manufactured and filled with micro-feeds, the RFID tag assembly will identify the feed identifier (to identify micro-feeds within the product receptacles) ), Quantity identifier (to identify the amount of micro material in the product container), manufacturing date identifier (to identify the manufacturing date of the micro material), disposal deadline identifier (to identify the date when the product container should be discarded / recycled) May be included.

Thus, when the product module assembly 250 is mounted in the processing system 10, the RFID antenna assemblies 702, 712, 714, 716 may be energized by the RFID subsystem 724. The RFID subsystem 724 has a data bus 72
6 may be coupled to the control logic subsystem 14. The RFID antenna assemblies 702, 712, 714, 716, when energized, scan the respective upper and lower detection areas (eg, upper detection area 706 and lower detection area 710) to confirm the presence of the RFID tag assembly. May start.

As mentioned above, one or more RFID tag assemblies may be attached to a bracket assembly that the product module assembly 250 releasably engages. Thus, when the product module assembly 250 is slid into the bracket assembly 282 (ie, releasably engaged), the RFID tag assemblies 708, 718, 7
20, 722 (respectively) are RFID antenna assemblies 702, 71 (respectively)
It may be located in the lower detection area of 2, 714, 716. For purposes of illustration, assume that the bracket assembly 282 includes only one RFID tag assembly, ie, only the RFID tag assembly 708. Further, for purposes of illustration, product containers 252, 254,
Assume that 256, 258 (respectively) are installed in slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266. Thus, the RFID subsystem 714
An RFID tag assembly (eg, RF) attached to each product container should detect the bracket assembly 282 by detecting the ID tag assembly 708).
Product container 252, 254, 256 by detecting the ID tag assembly 704)
, 258 should be detected.

Location information regarding the various product modules, bracket assemblies, product containers may be stored, for example, in storage subsystem 12 coupled to control logic subsystem 14. Specifically, if nothing changes, the RFID subsystem 724 will
The antenna assembly 702 is an RFID tag assembly 704 (ie, a product container 258).
Should be expected to be detected, and RFID antenna assembly 702 should be expected to detect RFID tag assembly 708 (ie, attached to bracket assembly 282). Besides this, if nothing changes
RFID antenna assembly 712 should detect an RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached to product container 256, and RFID antenna assembly 714 will detect an RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached to product container 254 It should be
RFID antenna assembly 716 should detect an RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached to product container 252.

The product container 258 is accidentally slotted 264 during normal maintenance for illustrative purposes.
It is assumed that the product container 256 has been incorrectly positioned in the slot assembly 266. When RFID subsystem 724 obtains the information contained in the RFID tag assembly (using the RFID antenna assembly), it uses RFID antenna assembly 262 to detect the RFID tag assembly associated with product container 258 An RFID antenna assembly 702 may be used to detect the RFID tag assembly associated with the product container 256. The RFID subassembly 724 compares the new position of the product container 256, 258 with the position of the product container 256, 258 stored in the past (stored in the storage subsystem 12). It may be determined whether or not the position is incorrect.

Thus, the RFID subsystem 724 may display a warning message, for example on the information screen 514 of the user interface subsystem 22, via the control logic subsystem 14, which may for example be a product for maintenance personnel. Explain that the container has not been properly reinstalled. Depending on the type of microstock in the product container, the service technician may, for example, be advised to choose to continue or not. As mentioned above, certain micro ingredients (e.g. root beer flavoring) have a very strong taste, so once they are dispensed through a particular pump assembly and / or tube assembly, that pump assembly / tube assembly It can not be used for any of the micro raw materials. In addition to this, as described above, various RFID tag assemblies attached to a product container may reveal micro-feeds in the product container.

Thus, if the pump assembly / tube assembly used for lemon lime flavoring is now being used for root beer flavoring, the service technician may be warned to confirm that it is OK . However, if the pump assembly / tube assembly used for root beer flavoring is now going to be used for lemon lime flavoring, the service technician should not proceed with its work and the product container is initially configured. A warning may be provided explaining that the pump assembly / tube assembly must be removed or replaced and replaced with a new pump assembly / chip assembly. A similar alert may also be provided if the RFID subsystem 724 detects that the bracket assembly has been moved within the processing system 10.

RFID subsystem 724 may be configured to monitor the consumption of various micro ingredients. For example, as mentioned above, the RFID tag assembly may be initially encoded to specify the amount of micro-feed in a particular product container. Because the control logic subsystem 14 knows the amount of micro-material dispensed from each of the various product containers at predetermined intervals (eg, every hour), the various RFID tag assemblies included in the various product containers are: R
The FID subsystem 724 (via the RFID antenna assembly) may be rewritten to indicate the latest amount of microstock contained in the product container.

The RFID subsystem 724 may display a warning message on the information screen 514 of the user interface subsystem 22 via the control logic subsystem 14 when it detects that the product container has reached a predetermined minimum amount. In addition to this, the RFID subsystem 724 has one or more product containers whose expiration date (RFID attached to the product container
An alert may be provided (via the information screen 414 of the user interface subsystem 22) if the tag assembly is explicitly reached or exceeded.

Although RFID system 700 has been described above as having an RFID antenna assembly attached to a product module, a bracket assembly, and an RFID tag assembly attached to a product container, this is for illustration only and is not a limitation of the present application. Not intended. Specifically, the RFID antenna assembly can be any product container, bracket assembly,
It may also be located in a product module. Additionally, the RFID tag assembly may be positioned on any product container, bracket assembly, or product module. Thus, if the RFID tag assembly is not attached to the product module assembly, the RFID tag assembly may specify, for example, a project module identifier that defines the serial number of the product module.

The proximity of the slot assemblies (eg, slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266) included in product module assembly 250 allows RFID antenna assembly 702 to be read, for example, a product container positioned in an adjacent slot assembly. It may be desirable to configure it so that it can be avoided. For example, the RFID antenna assembly 702 can be an RFID antenna assembly 702
The RFID antenna assembly 712 should be configured to be able to read only the ID tag assembly 704, 708, the RFID antenna assembly 712 is RF
RFID tag assembly attached to ID tag assembly 718 and product container 256 (
The RFID antenna assembly 714 should be configured to be able to read only (not shown), and the RFID antenna assembly
0 and should be configured to be able to read only the RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached to the product container 254, the RFID antenna assembly 716
RFID antenna assembly 716 with RFID tag assembly 722 and product container 252
It should be configured to be able to read only the RFID tongue assembly (not shown) attached to.

Reducing RFID False Readings In some embodiments, for example, during machine startup, and in some embodiments, when the machine door is open, a scan of the RFID tag assembly may be performed to Map the position of various elements, for example, the position of each product container. As described herein, accurate mapping is important for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, recipe retention and product dispensing and product quality maintenance. In some embodiments, various embodiments of tag scanning methods such as the following are used to reduce unintended readings by, for example, RFID antenna assemblies of product containers positioned within adjacent slot assemblies. May be

Now also referring to FIG. 73, all of the RFID tag assemblies are scanned and then the scanning data is evaluated to determine the position of each RFID tag assembly.
If the RFID tag assembly is deemed to belong to multiple slots after scanning, the scanning data is further evaluated to determine the correct slot to which the RFID tag assembly has been assigned. In some embodiments, the in-slot time, fitment map, RSSI values are used to determine the correct location of the RFID tag assembly.

With respect to in-slot time, in some embodiments, this identifies an RFID tag assembly within each slot to which it was assigned prior to the scan that the RFID tag assembly was deemed to belong to multiple slots. It may be a count of the number of scan cycles. If the RFID tag assembly has been in the slot assigned prior to the scan (referred to as the "current slot") and the scan results in another slot and the current slot, the current slot's The time spent in will be significantly longer than the other slots. In some embodiments, the system
Assign the FID tag assembly to the slot assigned to it with the most number of scans, which is the current slot in this example.

In some embodiments, the product container may be a "double-wide" product container, and in these embodiments the product container needs two slots adjacent to one another and in the same product module It will be. In some embodiments, the product module is a quadruple product module and thus is configured to receive four product containers, but for a double-wide product container, the quadruple product modules are two A double width product container and / or two single width product containers and one double width product container are configured to be received. For double-wide product containers, since they can not span two product modules (ie they can not cross product module boundaries), R attached to a double-wide product container
If the FID tag assembly is read in multiple slots and one of the slots is for example an odd slot (ie slot 1 or 3 of a quadruple product module), the system uses this information to It may be excluded from the candidate of the position of the RFID tag assembly. Thus, in some embodiments, the system may use a fitment map to determine the actual / correct position of the double-wide product container.

In some embodiments, if the RFID tag assembly is read in multiple slots and not all of the second or more slots are eliminated using in-slot time and / or fitment mapping methods Compare the value of the received signal strength indicator (RSSI). In some embodiments, slots with higher RSSI values will be assigned as the location of the RFID tag assembly.

If multiple RFID tag assemblies are considered to belong to one slot (referred to as "the slot") after scanning all RFID tag assemblies, the system executes the following method to correctly assign the RFID tags to the slot Determine the assembly. In some embodiments, the in-slot time, fitment map, RSSI values are used to determine the correct location of the RFID tag assembly.

With respect to in-slot time, in some embodiments, this may be a count of the number of scan cycles that the RFID tag assembly has been identified in that slot. If the RFID tag assembly is in the other slot it was assigned before the scan (referred to as the "current slot") and the scan says it belongs to another slot, ie the slot The time in the current slot will be significantly longer than another slot, ie the slot in question. In some embodiments, the system then assigns the RFID tag assembly to the slot assigned to it with the most number of scans, which in this example is the current slot. However, if the RFID tag assembly is in the slot for a predetermined period longer than any of the other candidate RFID tag assemblies for that slot, then the R that was the longest in the slot.
A FID tag assembly will be assigned to that slot.

In some embodiments, the product container may be a "double-wide" product container, and in these embodiments the product container needs two slots adjacent to one another and in the same product module It will be. In some embodiments, the product module is a quadruple product module and thus is configured to receive four product containers, but for a double-wide product container, the quadruple product module is two Double width product container and / or 2
It is configured to receive two single-width product containers and one double-width product container. For double-wide product containers, because they can not span two product modules (ie, they can not cross product module boundaries), one of the RFID tag assemblies read for that slot is double wide. The system uses this information if it is attached to a product container and its slot is for example an odd number of slots (ie slot 1 or 3 of a quadruple product module) or can not accommodate a double-wide product container. The product module / RFID tag assembly may then be excluded from being a candidate for the slot. Thus, in some embodiments, the system may use a fitment map to determine the actual / correct position of the double-wide product container.

In some embodiments, multiple RFID tag assemblies are read within the slot, and not all of the second or more RFID tag assemblies are eliminated using in-slot time and / or fitment mapping schemes If so, the system compares the value of the received signal strength indicator (RSSI). In some embodiments, the RFID tag assembly with the higher RSSI value of the antenna associated with the slot will be assigned as the location of the slot.

Thus, referring also to FIG. 25, the RFID antenna assembly 702, 712, 71
One or more of 4, 716 may be configured as a loop antenna. Although the following description relates to the RFID antenna assembly 702, this is by way of example only, and the following description is equally applicable to the RFID antenna assemblies 712, 714, 716, thus being a limitation of the present application. Is not intended.

RFID antenna assembly 702 is a first capacitor assembly 750 (e.g.
. A 90 pF capacitor) may be included, which may be coupled between ground 752 and port 754 to energize RFID antenna assembly 702. A second capacitor assembly 756 (eg, a 2.55 pF capacitor) may be positioned between port 754 and inductive loop assembly 758. A resistor assembly 760 (eg, a 2.00 ohm resistor) may couple the inductive loop assembly 758 and ground 752, while reducing the Q factor to increase bandwidth and operating width. Make it wider.

As known in the art, the features of the RFID antenna assembly 702 can be adjusted by changing the physical properties of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758. For example, increasing the diameter "d" of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758
The far electric field performance of 02 can be improved. In addition, the diameter "d" of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758
Can reduce the far field performance of the RFID antenna assembly 702.

In particular, the far field performance of the RFID antenna assembly 702 may differ depending on the energy emitting capabilities of the RFID antenna assembly 702. As known in the art, the energy emitting capability of the RFID antenna assembly 702 can be (port 754
The circumference of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 708 may be dependent on the wavelength of the carrier signal 762 used to energize the RFID antenna assembly 702 via

Referring also to FIG. 26, in the preferred embodiment, the carrier signal 762 has a wavelength of 12.2.
It may be a carrier signal of 915 MHz which is 89 inches. With respect to the loop antenna design, when the circumference of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 approaches or exceeds 50% of the wavelength of the carrier signal 762, the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 extends radially from the axis 812 of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 Outward (eg, arrows 800, 802, 804, 8
Energy may be emitted (indicated by 06, 808, 810), resulting in strong far field performance. Conversely, the carrier signal 76 around the circumference of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758
By keeping 25% or less of the two wavelengths, the amount of energy emitted outward by the inductive loop assembly 758 is reduced and the far field performance is weakened. In addition, magnetic coupling can occur in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the inductive loop assembly 758 (indicated by arrows 814, 816), resulting in near-field performance enhancement.

As discussed above, the proximity of the slot assemblies (eg, slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266) included in product module assembly 250 is R.
It may be desirable to configure the FID antenna assembly 702 in such a way that it can, for example, avoid reading product containers positioned in the adjacent slot assembly. Thus, electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is configured such that the circumference of electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is less than or equal to 25% of the wavelength of carrier signal 762 (eg,
By configuring for a 915 MHz carrier signal, the far-field performance can be reduced and the near-field performance can be improved by configuring it for 3.22 inches. Further, by positioning the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 such that the RFID tag assembly to be read is either above or below the RFID antenna assembly 702, the RFID tag assembly is inductively coupled to the RFID antenna assembly 702 sell. For example, the circumference of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is 10% of the wavelength of the carrier signal 762 (91
If configured to be 1.29 inches for a 5 MHz carrier signal, the diameter of the inductive loop assembly 758 would be 0.40 inches, resulting in relatively high levels of near-field performance and far-field performance Is a relatively low level.

Referring also to FIGS. 27 and 28, processing system 10 may be incorporated into housing assembly 850. Housing assembly 850 includes one or more access doors / panels 852, 85
4 may allow, for example, maintenance inspection of processing system 10 and replace empty product containers (e.g., product containers 258). For various reasons (e.g., security, safety, etc.), it is desirable to secure the access door / panels 852, 854 so that only authorized personnel can access the inner components of the beverage dispenser 10. It may be. Thus, the aforementioned RFID subsystem (ie, RF
The ID subsystem 700 can be used to access door / panels 852, 85 except when the appropriate RFID tag assembly is positioned near the RFID access antenna assembly 900.
4 may be configured not to open. An example of such a suitable RFID tag assembly is an RFID tag assembly attached to a product container (e.g., product container 258).
May include an RFID tag assembly 704) attached to the

RFID access antenna assembly 900 may include an electromagnetic induction looper assembly 902 comprised of a plurality of segments. A first matching component 904 (eg, a 5.00 pF capacitor) may be coupled between ground 906 and port 908, which may energize RFID access antenna assembly 900. A second matching component 910 (eg, a 16.56 nanohenry inductor) may be positioned between the port 908 and the plurality of segments of the inductive loop assembly 902. Matching components 904, 910 may be configured to provide a desired impedance (eg, 50.00 ohms) to the impedance of electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 comprising a plurality of segments.
It may be adjusted to In general, matching components 904, 910 may improve the efficiency of RFID access antenna assembly 900.

RFID access antenna assembly 900 may include a Q factor reduction element 912 (eg, a 50 ohm resistor), which may be configured to allow RFID access antenna assembly 900 to be used over a wider frequency range . Thereby, R
The FID access antenna assembly 900 can also be used in full band and can also accommodate tolerances in the matching network. For example, the band of interest of RFID access antenna assembly 900 is 50 MHz, and a Q factor reducing element (also referred to herein as a "de-Qing element") 912 is configured to make the antenna 100 MHz wide. If the RFID access antenna assembly 900 center frequency is R
It can travel 25 MHz without affecting the performance of the FID access antenna assembly 900. De-Qing element 912 may be positioned in a plurality of segments of electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 or may be positioned elsewhere in RFID access antenna assembly 900.

As mentioned above, by utilizing a relatively small electromagnetic induction loop assembly (eg, the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 of FIGS. 25 and 26), the far field performance of the antenna assembly can be reduced and near field performance can be improved. Unfortunately, with such a small electromagnetic induction loop assembly, the depth of the detection range of the RFID antenna assembly is also relatively small (e.g., generally proportional to the diameter of the loop). Thus, larger loop diameters may be used to increase the detection range depth. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, using a larger loop diameter may improve far field performance.

Thus, electromagnetic induction assembly 902, which is comprised of multiple segments, may include multiple individual antenna segments (eg, antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920, 9).
22, 924, 926) and phase shifting elements (eg, capacitor assemblies 928, 9)
30, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940). An example capacitor assembly 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940 is 1.0 pF
Capacitors or varactors (eg, voltage variable capacitors), eg, 0.1 to 25
A 0 pF varactor may be included. The phase shifting element described above allows adaptive control of the phase shift of the plurality of segments of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 to compensate for variations in conditions, or modulates features of the plurality of segments of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 It may be configured to provide various inductive loop coupling features and / or magnetic properties. An alternative example of the above phase shift element is a connected line (not shown).

As described above, the length of the antenna segment is set to the RFID access antenna assembly 9
By keeping the 00 at 25% or less of the wavelength of the carrier signal to be energized, the amount of energy emitted outward by the antenna segment is reduced, the far-field performance is weakened, and the near-field performance is enhanced. Thus, antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920, 9
Each of 22, 924, 926 may be sized such that they are no longer than 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal that energizes the RFID access antenna assembly 900. Further, capacitor assemblies 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938
, 940, all phase shifts that occur as the carrier signal propagates around the multi-segment inductive loop assembly 902 are multi-segment inductive loop assembly 902. Can be offset by various capacitor assemblies incorporated into the Thus, for illustrative purposes, 90 ° for each of the antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926.
It is assumed that a phase shift of Thus, by utilizing properly sized capacitor assemblies 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940, the 90 ° phase shift that occurs in each segment may be reduced / eliminated. For example, if the frequency of the carrier signal is 915 MHz and the length of the antenna segment is less than 25% (and generally 10%) of the wavelength of the carrier signal, the desired phase can be achieved by using a 1.2 pF capacitor assembly Shift cancellation may be realized and the resonances of the segments may be adjusted.

Although the multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 is illustrated as being comprised of a plurality of linear antenna assemblies coupled via an armouring joint, this is for illustration only and not as a limitation of the present application. It is not intended to be. For example, multiple curved antenna segments may be utilized to form an electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 comprised of multiple segments. In addition to this, an electromagnetic induction loop segment 902 consisting of multiple segments
May be configured in any loop type shape. For example, an electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 consisting of multiple segments may be configured as oval (as shown in FIG. 28), circular, square, rectangular or octagonal.

The system is described above as being utilized within the processing system, but this is for illustration only and other configurations are possible. It is not intended to be a limitation of the present application. For example, the system described above may be utilized to process / dispense other consumables (eg, ice cream and alcoholic beverages). In addition to this, the above system can be used in fields other than the food industry. For example, the above system may be utilized for vitamins, pharmaceuticals, medical products, cleaning products, lubricants, paint / stain products, other non-consumable liquids / semifluids / particulate solids and / or fluids.

The system has an RFID tag assembly (eg, RFID tag assembly 704) attached to a product container (eg, product container 258), which is an RFID tag attached to a bracket assembly 282 (eg, RFID tag assembly 708).
Although the above is described as being positioned above the RFID antenna assembly (eg, RFID antenna assembly 702) positioned above, the above is for illustrative purposes only and that other configurations are possible. It is not intended to be limiting. For example, an RFID tag assembly (eg, RFID tag assembly 704) attached to a product container (eg, product container 258) may have an RFID antenna assembly (eg, R
The RFID tag (eg, RFID tag assembly 708) may be positioned below the FID antenna assembly 702) and attached to the bracket assembly 282 (eg, RFID tag assembly 708).
) May be positioned below.

As noted above, relatively short antenna segments (eg, 914, 916) that do not exceed 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal that energizes the RFID antenna assembly 900.
, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926) can reduce the far-field performance of the antenna assembly 900 and improve the near-field performance.

Referring also to FIG. 29, if a high level of far-field performance is desired for the RFID antenna assembly, the RFID antenna assembly 900a may be a far-field antenna electrically coupled to a portion of the multiple inductive inductive loop assembly 902a. Assembly 94
It may be configured to include two (e.g., a dipole antenna assembly). Far-field antenna assembly 942 includes a first antenna portion 944 (ie, forming a first portion of the dipole) and a second antenna portion 946 (ie, forming a second portion of the dipole) It may be. As mentioned above, the antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920,
By keeping the length of 922, 924, 926 at less than 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal, the far field performance of the antenna assembly 900a can be degraded and near field performance can be improved. Thus, the sum of the lengths of the first antenna portion 944 and the second antenna portion 946 may be greater than 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal, which may result in higher levels of far field performance.

Referring also to FIG. 30, as described above (eg, with respect to FIG. 27), processing system 10
May be incorporated into the housing assembly 850. Housing assembly 850 may include one or more access doors / panels (e.g., upper door 852 and lower door 854), which allow, for example, maintenance of processing system 10 to be empty. It becomes possible to replace the obsolete product container (e.g., product container 258). A touch panel interface 500 may be installed on the upper door 852 to facilitate user access. The upper door 852 also provides access to the dispensing assembly 1000, which allows the beverage container (e.g., container 30) to be infused (e.g., via a nozzle 24 not shown) with beverage, ice or the like. In addition to this, the lower door 854
May include an RFID communication area 1002, for example, which may be associated with the RFID access antenna assembly 900, whereby, for example, the access door /
One or more of the panels 852, 854 can be opened. Communication area 1002 is drawn for illustration only, as RFID access antenna assembly 900 can equally be located at various other locations including locations other than access doors / panels 852, 854. .

Referring also to FIGS. 51-53, an exemplary embodiment of a user interface assembly 5100 is shown, which may be incorporated into the housing assembly 850 shown in FIG. The user interface assembly may include touch panel interface 500. User interface assembly 5100 includes touch panel 510.
2, a frame 5104, an edge 5106, a seal member 5108, and a system controller case 5110. The edge 5106 may be spaced around the touch panel 5102 and also serves as a clear apparent border. Touch panel 5
Although 102 is a capacitive touch panel in this exemplary embodiment, other types of touch panels may be used in other embodiments. However, in this exemplary embodiment, it may be desirable to maintain a predetermined distance between the touch panel 5102 and the door 852 via the rim 5106 due to the capacitive nature of the touch panel 5102.

Sealant 5108 may protect the display shown as 5200 in FIG. 52 and may serve to prevent moisture and / or particulates from reaching display 5200. In this exemplary embodiment, the seal 5108 contacts the door of the housing assembly 852 to better maintain the seal. In this exemplary embodiment, display 5200 is an LCD display and is held in the frame by at least one set of spring fingers 5202 that can engage display 5200 to hold display 5200. In this exemplary embodiment, the display 5200 is a 15 "LCD display, such as a model LQ150X1 LGB1 of Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan However, in other embodiments the display may be any other type of display The spring finger 5202 may additionally function as a spring, which can accommodate the tolerances of the user interface assembly 5100, and thus float the touch screen 5102 relative to the display 5200 in this exemplary embodiment. The touch panel 5102 is a Blaydon on Tyne Zytronics
In the other embodiment, the touch panel may be another type of touch panel and / or another type of capacitive touch panel. In this exemplary embodiment, the seal material is a workable foam gasket, which in this exemplary embodiment is made of polyurethane foam die-cut, but in other embodiments it is a silicon foam or other similar material. It may be produced. In some embodiments, the seal may be a dissimilar material integral seal or any other type of sealing body.

In this exemplary embodiment, user interface assembly 5100 includes four sets of spring fingers 5202. However, more or less spring fingers 5202 may be included in other embodiments. In this exemplary embodiment, spring fingers 5202 and frame 5104 are made of ABS, but in other embodiments, they may be made of any other material.

Referring also to FIG. 53, user interface assembly 5100 may also include at least one PCB and at least one connector 5114 in this exemplary embodiment, which in some embodiments, connector cap 5116. It may be covered by

Referring also to FIG. 31, according to an exemplary embodiment, processing system 10 may include an upper cabinet portion 1004a and a lower cabinet portion 1006a. However, other configurations are equally available and should not be construed as limitations of the present application. Furthermore, FIG.
And 33, the upper cabinet portion 1004a (eg, may be at least partially covered by the upper door 852) may include one or more functional members of the piping subsystem 20 described above . For example, upper cabinet portion 1004a may include one or more flow control modules (eg, flow control module 170), a fluid cooling system (eg, cooling plate 163 not shown), and a discharge nozzle (eg,
It may include piping and the like for connecting the nozzle 24 not shown, and a large amount of raw material supply unit (for example, the carbonic acid supply unit 150, water supply unit 152, HFCS supply unit 154 not shown). Additionally, the upper cabinet portion 1004a may include an ice hopper 1008 for storing ice, and an ice discharge chute 1010 for discharging ice from the ice hopper 1008 (eg, into a beverage container).

The carbonation supply 150 may be supplied by one or more carbonation cylinders, for example it may be remotely located and piped to the processing system 10. Similarly, the water supply 152 may be supplied as a water supply, for example, it may also be plumbed to the processing system 10. The high fructose corn syrup supply 154 may include, for example, one or more reservoirs (e.g., in the form of a 5 gallon bag-in-box container), which are stored remotely (e.g., in a storehouse, etc.) It may be done. The high fructose corn syrup supply 154 may be plumbed to the processing system 10. Piping for various bulk feedstocks may be realized with conventional hard or soft line piping configurations.

As described above, the carbonated water supply unit 158, the water supply unit 152, the high fructose corn syrup supply unit 1
54 are located at remote locations, and processing system 10 (eg, flow control module 170
, 172, 174). Referring to FIG. 34, the flow control module (e.g., flow control module 172) may be coupled to the bulk feedstock supply (e.g., water 152) via the vertical point connector 1012. As shown in FIG. For example, the water supply 152 may be coupled to the tubing connector 1012, which may be releasably connected to the flow control module 172, thereby completing piping to the flow control module 170 of the water supply 152. Do.

Referring to FIGS. 35, 36A, 36B, 37A, 37B, 37, another embodiment of the upper cabinet portion (eg, upper cabinet portion 1004b) is shown. Similar to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the upper cabinet portion 1004b may include one or more functional members of the piping subsystem 20 described above. For example, the upper cabinet portion 1004b may include one or more flow control modules (eg, flow control module 1).
70), a fluid cooling system (eg, a cooling plate 163 not shown), a discharge nozzle (eg, a nozzle 24 not shown), and a large amount of raw material supply unit (eg Piping for connecting to the water supply unit 152, the HFCS supply unit 154), and the like may be included. In addition to this, the upper cabinet part 1004b
May include an ice hopper 1008 for storing ice, and an ice discharge chute for discharging ice from the ice hopper 1008 (eg, into a beverage container).

Referring also to FIGS. 36A-36b, the upper cabinet portion 1004 b is a power supply module 10.
14 may be included. The power supply module 1014 may store, for example, a power supply, one or more distribution buses, a controller (e.g., control logic subsystem 14), a user interface controller, a storage device 12, and the like. Power supply module 1
014 may include one or more status indicators (generally indicator lamp 1016) and a power / data connector (eg generally connector 1018).

Referring also to FIGS. 37A, 37B, 37C, the flow control module 170 may be mechanically and fluidly coupled to the upper cabinet portion 1004b generally through the connection assembly 1020. The connection assembly 1020 may include a feed fluid passage, for example, which may be connected to the bulk feed (eg, carbonated water 158, water 160, etc.) via the inlet 1022.
It may be linked to high fructose corn syrup 162 etc.). The inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170 may be configured to be at least partially received in the outlet passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020. Thus, the flow control module 170 may receive bulk material via the connection assembly 1020. The connection assembly 1020 additionally
A valve (e.g., ball valve 1028) movable between open and closed positions may be included. When the ball valve 1028 is in the open position, the flow control module 170 may be fluidly connected to the bulk feed. Similarly, when the ball valve 1028 is in the closed position, the flow control module 170 may be fluidly isolated from the bulk feedstock supply.

The ball valve 1028 may be moved between the open and closed positions by rotatably actuating the locking tab 1030. In addition to opening and closing the ball valve 1028, a locking tab 1030 may engage the flow control module 170, eg, thereby retaining the flow control module with respect to the connection assembly 1020. For example, shoulder 1032 may engage with tab 1034 of flow control module 170. The engagement between the shoulder 1032 and the tab 1034 causes the inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170 to
May be held in the outlet passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020. Connection with the flow control module 170 (eg, by maintaining sufficient engagement between the inlet 1024 and the outlet 1026) by holding the inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170 in the outlet passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020 The fluid tight connection between the assemblies 1020 can be more easily maintained.

The locking tab surface 1036 of the locking tab 1030 may engage an outlet connector 1038 (eg, which may be fluidly connected to the outlet of the flow control module 170). For example, as shown, locking tab surface 1036 is a surface 10 of outlet connector 1038.
40 may engage the outlet connector 1038 with the fluid control module 170.
And held in fluid tight engagement.

The connection assembly 1020 may facilitate the flow control module 170 to be attached / removed to the processing system 10 (eg, to replace a damaged / failed flow control module 170). Locking tab 1030 according to the direction of the figure.
May be rotated counterclockwise (e.g., about a quarter turn in the illustrated embodiment). The outlet connector 1038 may be disengaged from the tab 1034 of the flow control module 170 by rotating the locking tab 130 counterclockwise. The outlet connector 1038 may disconnect from the flow control module 170. Similarly, the inlet 102 of the flow control module 170
4 may be disengaged from the outlet passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020. Additionally, when the locking tab 1030 rotates counterclockwise, the ball valve 1028 may rotate to the closed position, thereby closing the fluid supply passage connected to the bulk material. As such, when the locking tab 1030 rotates and the flow control module 170 disengages from the connection assembly 1020, the fluid connection with the bulk material may close, thereby reducing / preventing contamination of the processing system by the bulk material, for example. The tab extension 1042 of the locking tab 1030 can prevent the flow control module 170 from being removed from the connection assembly 1020 until the ball valve 1028 is in a fully closed position (for example, the ball valve 1028 The flow control module 170 is disengaged from fluid engagement and can not be removed until it is rotated 90 degrees to a fully closed position).

In a related manner, flow control module 170 may be coupled to connection assembly 1020. For example, rotating locking tab 1030 in a counterclockwise direction may cause inlet 1024 of flow control module 170 to be inserted into outlet passage 1026 of connection assembly 1020. An outlet connector 1038 may engage an outlet (not shown) of the flow control module 170. The locking tab 1030 may be rotated clockwise, whereby the flow control module 170 and the outlet connector 1038 engage. In the clockwise rotated position, the connection assembly 1020 is at the inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170.
May be held in fluid tight connection with the outlet passage 1026 of the connection assembly. Similarly,
An outlet connector 1038 may be held fluid tight with the outlet of the flow control module 170. In addition, as the locking tab 1030 rotates clockwise, the ball valve 1028 may move to the open position, thereby fluidly coupling the fluid control module 170 to the bulk material.

Still referring also to FIG. 38, lower cabinet portion 1006a may include one or more functional components of micro-material subsystem 18 and may contain one or more self-contained consumable material supplies. It is also good. For example, lower cabinet portion 1006 a may
One or more micro raw material towers (eg, micro raw material towers 1050, 1052
, 1054) and non-nutritive sweeteners (eg, artificial sweetener or a combination of artificial sweeteners)
The supply unit 1056 may be included. As shown, micro raw material tower 1050, 10
52, 1054 may include one or more product module assemblies (eg, product module assemblies 250), each of which may include one or more product containers (eg, product containers 252, 254 not shown). 256, 258) and may be configured to releasably engage. For example, each of the microstock towers 1050 and 1052 may include three product module assemblies;
4 may include four product module assemblies.

Referring also to FIGS. 39 and 40, one or more of the microfeed towers (eg, microfeed tower 1052) may be coupled to a stirring mechanism, such as, for example, the microfeed tower 1052, and / or portions thereof May be vibrated, linearly slid, or otherwise agitated. The agitation mechanism can help maintain the mixture of the separate ingredients stored in the micro-stock tower 1052. The stirring mechanism is, for example, a stirring motor 1
100 may be included, which may drive agitation arm 1102 via connection 1104. Stirring arms 1102 may be generally driven in longitudinal vibrational motion, and one or more product module assemblies (eg, product module assemblies 250a, 250).
b, 250c, 250d), thereby providing a vibrating agitation motion to the product module assembly 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d. A safety stop feature may be associated with the lower door 854, for example, this may be the lower cabinet door 11
The agitation feature may be disabled when 54 is open.

As described above, the RFID system 700 can detect the presence or absence of various product containers (eg,
Product module assembly and slot assembly), contents may be detected. Thus, the RFID system 700 (e.g., the RFID subsystem) is mounted in a microstock tower (e.g., microstock tower 1052) in which the product container containing the contents requiring agitation is not connected to the agitating vessel. A warning may be issued via 724 and / or control logic subsystem 14). Additionally, control logic subsystem 14 may prevent the use of unstirred product containers.

As described above, product module assembly (eg, product module assembly 25)
0) may be configured to have four slot assemblies, so
It can be called quadruple product module and / or quadruple product module assembly. Still referring also to FIG. 41, product module assembly 250 may include a plurality of pump assemblies (eg, pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276). For example, one pump assembly (e.g., pump assembly 270, 272,
274, 276) (eg, for a quadruple product module) product module 250
May be associated with each of the four slot assemblies. Pump assembly 27
0, 272, 274, 276 may eject product from a product container (not shown) releasably engaged with a corresponding slot assembly of product module assembly 250.

As shown, each product module assembly (e.g., product module assembly 250a, 250b, 25) of the microfeed tower (e.g., microfeed tower 1052)
0c, 250d) may be connected to the common wiring harness, for example via connector 1106. Thus, the micro-raw material tower 1052 may be electrically coupled to, for example, the control logic subsystem 14, a power supply, etc., through one connection point.

Referring also to FIG. 42, as discussed above, product module 250 may include a plurality of slot assemblies (eg, slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266). The slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266 may be configured to releasably engage the product container (eg, product container 256). Slot assembly 260,
262, 264, 266 may include respective doors 1108, 1110, 1112. As shown, two or more of the slot assemblies (e.g., slot assemblies 260, 262) are releasably engaged in a double width product container (e.g., two slot assemblies). 2) containing the product container configured in (1) and / or the product for free provision (eg, separate ingredients for a beverage recipe consisting of two ingredients)
Two separate product containers may be configured to releasably engage. Thus, slot assemblies 260, 262 may include double-wide doors (eg, door 1108) that cover both slot assemblies 260, 262.

The doors 1108, 1110, 1112 can be releasably engaged with the hinge rails, thereby pivoting the doors 1108, 1108, 1112 open and close. For example, door 110
8, 1110, 1112 may include snap-fit features so that the door 1108, 1108, 1112 can be snapped into and out of the hinge rails. Thus, the doors 1108, 1110, 1112 may be snapped into and out of the hinge rails, thereby replacing broken doors or changing the configuration of the doors (e.g. Can be replaced by one single wide door or vice versa).

Each door (eg, door 1110) has a tongue-like functional member (eg, tongue-like member 1114),
May be engaged with a functional member of the product container that cooperates with it (for example, the notch 1116 of the product container 256). The tongue 1114 (for example the notch 11
Forces can be transmitted to the product container 16) and can help insert the product container 256 into and out of the slot assembly 264. For example, while inserting
The product container 256 may be inserted at least partially into the slot assembly 264.
When the door 1110 is closed, the tongue 1114 engages with the notch 1116 and the force to close the door is transferred to the product container 256, thereby the product container 256 into the slot assembly 264.
(E.g., by the action of the door 1110). Similarly,
The tongue 1114 may at least partially engage the notch 1116 (e.g., at least a portion may be captured by the edge of the notch 1116) and exerts a removal force on the product container 256 (e.g. Likewise supplied by the door 1110)
.

Product module 250 may include one or more indicator lights, which may be, for example, one or more slot assemblies (eg, slot assembly 260,
Information regarding the state of 262, 264, 266) may be conveyed. For example, each of the doors (
For example, door 1112) may include a light guide (eg, light guide 1118) coupled to a light source (eg, light source 1120), as desired. The light guide 1118 is, for example, a clear or transparent material (eg, clear plastic such as acrylic, etc.)
And the like), which can transmit light from the light source 1120 to the front of the door 1112. The light source 1120 may be, for example, one or more LEDs (eg, red L
(ED and green LED) may be included. In the case of a double wide door (e.g., door 1108), only one light guide corresponding to one of the slot assemblies and one light source associated with one light guide may be utilized. An unused light source corresponding to the other slot assembly of the double wide door may be shielded by at least a portion of the door.

As mentioned above, the light guide 1118 and the light source 1120 may convey various information regarding the slot assembly, product container, etc. For example, light source 1120 is a green light (this is a door 11
The front of the twelve may be conveyed through the light guide 1118) and the operating condition of the slot assembly 266 and the empty condition of the product container releasably engaged with the slot assembly May be indicated. The light source 1120 is a red light (this is a light guide 1118
May be delivered to the front of the door 1112) and the slot assembly 26
It may indicate that the product container releasably engaged with 6 is empty. Similarly, light source 11
20 may provide a flashing red light (which may be transmitted to the front of the door 1112 via the light guide 1118) to indicate an anomaly or failure associated with the slot assembly 266. Various additional / alternative information may be displayed using light source 1120 and light guide 1118. Additionally, additional, associated lighting schemes may also be utilized (eg, flashing green light, orange light from light sources providing both green and red light, and others).

Referring also to FIGS. 43A, 43B, 43C, product container 256 may include, for example, a two-part housing (eg, front housing portion 1150 and rear housing portion 1152). The front housing portion 1150 may include a projection 1154, which may, for example, provide an edge 1156. Product container 256 (eg, while the product container is being inserted into and / or removed from slot assembly 264) by rim 1156.
Can be easier to handle.

The rear housing portion 1152 may include a fitment feature 1158a, for example, an engagement fitment of a product container (eg, product container 256) and a pump assembly (eg, pump assembly 272 of product module 250) It may be fluidly connected to The fitment feature 1158a may include a blind mate fluid connector, which when the fitment feature is pushed into the co-operating feature (eg, stem) of the pump assembly 272, the product container 256 Pump assembly 2
72 can be fluidly connected. Various alternative fitment features (eg,
A fitment feature 1158 b), shown in FIG. 44, may be provided to fluidly connect the product container 256 with the various pump assemblies.

The front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152 may include separate plastic components, which may be connected to form a product container 256. For example, the front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152 may be joined by heat crimping, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable method. The product container 256 may further include a product pouch 1160, which may be at least partially disposed in the front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152. For example, product pouch 1160 may be filled with consumables (eg, beverage flavoring) and positioned within front housing portion 1150 and rear housing portion 1152, which are then coupled together to form product pouch 1160 Store Product pouch 1160 may include, for example, a flexible bag that collapses as the consumable is discharged from product pouch 1160 (eg, by pump assembly 272).

The product pouch 1160 may include a fold 1162 such that, for example, the product pouch 1160 may occupy a relatively large portion of the interior space defined by the front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152 By doing this, the volumetric efficiency of the product container 256 can be improved. In addition to this, the fold 1162 is a consumable product pouch 1160
The product pouch 1162 can be easily crushed as it is discharged from the Additionally, fitment feature 1158a may be physically coupled to product pouch 1160 by, for example, ultrasonic welding.

As mentioned above, in addition to the microstock tower, the lower cabinet portion 1006a may include a supply 1056 of bulk microstock. For example, in some embodiments, the bulk micro-feed may be a non-nutritive sweetener (eg, an artificial sweetener or a combination of artificial sweeteners). Some embodiments may include micro-feeds needed in higher amounts. In these embodiments, one or more mass micro-feeds may be included. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply 1056 may be a non-nutritive sweetener, which may include, for example, a bag-in-box container, for example, which is disposed in a generally rigid box It is known to include a flexible bag containing a non-nutritive sweetener product, and a rigid box can, for example, protect the flexible bag from bursting and the like. The example non-nutritive sweetener is used for illustration only. However, in other embodiments, any microfeed may be stored in the bulk microfeed. In some alternative embodiments, other types of feedstock may be stored in a supply similar to the supply 1056 described herein. The term "mass micro-feed" refers to a micro-feed identified as a frequently used micro-feed, as used frequently with respect to the product to be dispensed, so that multiple micro-feed pump assemblies are used.

The non-nutritive sweetener supply 1056 may be coupled to a product module assembly, which may include one or more pump assemblies (eg, as described above). For example, the non-nutritive sweetener supply 1056 may be coupled to a product module that includes four pump assemblies as described above. Each of the four pump assemblies includes a tube or line leading to a nozzle 24 for dispensing non-nutritive sweetener (eg, in combination with one or more additional ingredients) from the respective pump assembly It may be

Referring to FIGS. 45A and 45B, lower cabinet portion 1006b may include one or more functional members of micro-feed subsystem 18. For example, lower cabinet portion 106b may be populated with one or more micro-feeds. 1
The one or more micro raw material supply units may be configured as one or more micro raw material shelves (e.g., micro raw material shelves 1200, 1202, 1204) and a non-nutritive sweetener supply unit 1206. As shown, each micro material rack (for example, micro material rack 1200)
May include one or more product module assemblies (e.g., product module assemblies 250d, 250e, 250f) configured in a generally horizontal arrangement. One or more of the microstock shelves may be configured to stir (eg, in a manner generally similar to the microstock tower 1052 described above).

Subsequently, with respect to the above embodiment where one or more micro-feeds may be configured as one or more micro-feed shelves, as described above, the ledge 1200 is a plurality of product module assemblies (ie, products) Module assembly 250d, 250e,
250 f) may be included. Each product module assembly (e.g., product module assembly 250f) is released with one or more product containers (e.g., product container 256) in the respective slot assembly (e.g., slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266). It may be configured to engage as possible.

Additionally, each of the product module assemblies 250d, 250e, 250f may include a respective plurality of pump assemblies. For example, FIGS. 47A, 47B, 47
Referring to D, 47E, 47F, product module assembly 250d may generally include pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270d, 270e. Each one of the pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d is, for example, of the slot assembly 260, 262, 264, 266 to discharge the material contained in the respective product container (eg, product container 256). It may be associated with one. For example, each of pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d may each include a fluid connection stem (e.g., fluid connection stems 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256), e.g. 43B and 44 may be fluidly coupled to a product container (eg, product container 256) via fitment features 1158a, 1158b).

Referring to FIG. 47E, a cross-sectional view of pump module assembly 250d is shown. The assembly 250d includes a fluid inlet 1360, which is shown as a cross-sectional view of the fitment. The fitment mates with the female portion (shown as 1158a in FIG. 43B) of the product container (not shown but shown in other drawings as 256 in FIG. 43B). Fluid from the product container is pumped at the fluid inlet 1360
Enter 0d. Fluid enters capacitive flow sensor 1362 and then passes through pump 1364, through back pressure regulator 1366, and to fluid outlet 1368. As shown here,
The fluid flow path through the pump module assembly 250d causes the air to
Flow through and are not captured in the assembly. Fluid inlet 1360 is on a lower plane than fluid outlet 1368. In addition to this, the fluid travels longitudinally towards the flow sensor and is then again in a plane higher than the inlet 1360 when traveling in the pump. therefore,
This arrangement causes the fluid to flow continuously upwards and in the system without air being trapped. Thus, the design of pump module assembly 250d is a self-priming, self-purge, volumetric transfer, fluid delivery system.

Referring to FIGS. 47E and 47F, although the back pressure regulator 1366 can be any back pressure regulator, an exemplary embodiment of the back pressure regulator 1366 for delivering a small amount is shown.
The back pressure regulator 1366 includes a diaphragm 1367 that includes a "volcano" functional member and a molded o-ring around the outer diameter. O-ring makes a seal. Piston is the diaphragm 13
Connected to 67 A spring around the piston biases the piston and diaphragm to a closed position. In this embodiment, the spring is seated on the outer sleeve. When the fluid pressure matches or exceeds the cracking pressure of the piston / spring assembly, the fluid is a back pressure regulator 136
Pass 6 to the fluid outlet 1368. In this exemplary embodiment, the cracking pressure is about 7-9 psi. The cracking pressure is adjusted to the pump 1364. Thus, in various embodiments, the pump may be different from those described above, and in some of these embodiments, other embodiments of the back pressure regulator may be used.

Still referring to FIG. 48, the outlet piping assembly 1300 may, for example, pipe the feedstock from the respective product module assembly (eg, product module assembly 250d).
Pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270c, for supplying control system 20;
It may be configured to releasably engage with 270d. Outlet piping assembly 130
0, for example, fluidly connect the pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d to the piping / control subsystem 20 via fluid lines 1310, 1312, 1314, 1316, respectively. 270 d
(E.g., fitments 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308) configured to be fluidly coupled to the.

The releasable engagement between outlet tubing assembly 1300 and product module assembly 250d may be performed, for example, via a camming assembly that facilitates engagement and release of outlet tubing assembly 1300 and product module assembly 250d. For example, the camming assembly may have a handle 131 rotatably coupled to the fitment support means 1320
8 and cam functional members 1322 and 1324 may be included. Cam function member 1322, 1
324 may be engageable with a cooperating feature (not shown) of product module assembly 250d. Referring to FIG. 47C, rotational movement of the handle 1318 in the direction of the arrow releases the outlet tubing assembly 1300 from the product module assembly 250d, for example, lifting the outlet tubing assembly 1300 from the module assembly 250d and removing it therefrom. it can.

With particular reference to FIGS. 47D and 47E, product module assembly 250d may also be releasably engageable with micro stock shelf 1200, eg, thereby removing / attaching product module assembly 250 from microphone component shelf 1200. It will be easier. For example, as shown, product module assembly 250d may include release handle 1350, for example, which may be pivotally connected to product module assembly 250d. Release handle 1350 may include, for example, locking ears 1352, 1354 (eg, most clearly depicted in FIGS. 47A and 47D). The locking ears 1352, 1354 may engage functional members of the micro stock shelf 1200 that co-operate with it, for example, whereby the product module assembly 250d is a micro stock shelf 12
It is held in engagement with 00. As shown in FIG. 47E, the release handle 1350 can be removed from the cooperating feature of the microstock shelf 1200 by pivoting up the release handle 1350 in the direction of the arrow. When you get out of there,
Product module assembly 250 d may be lifted from micro stock shelf 1200.

One or more sensors may be associated with the handle 1318 and / or the release handle 1350. One or more sensors may provide an output indicative of the locked position of the handle 1318 and / or the release hand 1350. For example, one or more sensors may indicate whether the handle 1318 and / or the release handle 1350 is in an engaged or disengaged position. As at least one, product module assembly 250d may be electrically and / or fluidically separated from tubing / control subsystem 20 based on the output of one or more sensors. Exemplary sensors may include, for example, cooperating RFID tags and readers, contact switches, magnetic position sensors, or the like.

As mentioned above, referring again to FIG. 47E, the flow sensor 308 may be used to detect the flow of the above-described micro-feed through the pump assembly 272 (see FIGS. 5A-5H in this example). As mentioned above, the flow sensor 308 may be configured as a capacitive flow sensor (see FIGS. 5A-5F) and is shown as a flow sensor 1356 in FIG. 47E. Additionally, as noted above, the flow sensor 308 may be configured as a transducer-less, piston-free flow sensor (see FIG. 5G) and is shown as the flow sensor 1358 in FIG. 47E. Furthermore, as noted above, the flow sensor 308 may be configured as a piston-enhanced flow sensor (see FIG. 5H) using a transducer, shown as flow sensor 1359 in FIG. 47E.

As noted above, the transducer assembly 328 (see FIGS. 5G-5H) includes a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), a needle / magnetic cartridge assembly, a magnetic coil assembly,
Hall effect sensor assemblies, piezoelectric buzzer elements, piezoelectric sheet elements, audio speaker assemblies, accelerometer assemblies, microphone assemblies, light displacement assemblies may be included.

Furthermore, although the above example of flow sensor 308 is for illustration, other configurations are possible,
These are not intended to be all as they are considered to be within the scope of the present application. For example, transducer assembly 328 is shown positioned outside of diaphragm assembly 314 (see FIGS. 5G-5H) may be positioned in cavity 318 (see FIGS. 5G-5H).

Referring also to Figures 49A, 49B, 49C, an exemplary configuration of the non-nutritive sweetener supply 1206. The non-nutritive sweetener supply 1206 may generally include a housing 1400 configured to receive the non-nutritive sweetener container 1402. Non-nutritive sweetener container 1402 may include, for example, a bag-in-box configuration (eg, a flexible bag containing a non-nutritive sweetener is generally disposed within a rigid protective enclosure) . The supply unit 1206 is a joint 1
404 (eg, they may be associated with the pivoting wall 1406), which may be fluidly connected to a fitment associated with the non-nutritive sweetener container 1402. The configuration and nature of the fitting 1404 may differ depending on the fitment associated therewith that is associated with the non-nutritive sweetener container 1402.

Referring also to FIG. 49C, the supply 1206 may include one or more pump assemblies (eg, pump assemblies 270e, 270f, 270g, 270h).
One or more pump assemblies 270e, 270f, 270g, 270g may be configured similar to the product module assembly described above (eg, product module assembly 250). The fitting 1404 may be fluidly coupled to the fitting 1404 via a tubing assembly 1408. Piping assembly 1408 may generally include an inlet 1410, which may be configured to be fluidly coupled to fitting 1404. The manifold 1412 may dispense the non-nutritive sweetener received at the inlet 1410 into one or more dispensing tubes (eg, dispensing tubes 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420). The dispensing tubes 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420 are each associated with a pump assembly 270e.
, 270f, 270g, 270g may include respective connectors 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428 configured to be fluidly coupled thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 50, tubing assembly 1408 may include an air sensor 1450 in this exemplary embodiment. Piping assembly 1408 may therefore include a mechanism for detecting the presence or absence of air. In some embodiments, if the fluid entering from the fluid inlet 1410 includes air, the air sensor 1450 detects the air and, in some embodiments, a signal to stop the discharge from the bulk micro-feed. May be sent. This feature is desirable in many dispensing systems, particularly those where the quantity of the micro-feed is incorrect and the quality of the product being dispensed is compromised and / or dangerous. Therefore, the piping assembly 1408 including the air sensor ensures that the air is not discharged, and in the embodiment where the medical product is discharged, for example, it is a functional member for safety. In other products, this embodiment of tubing assembly 1408 is part of a functional component for quality assurance.

Various electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, software processes have been described above as being utilized in a processing system for pouring out a beverage, but this is for illustration only. In addition, since other configurations are possible, it is not intended to be a limitation of the present application. For example, the processing system described above may be used to process / dispense other consumable products (eg, ice cream and alcoholic beverages). In addition to this, the system described above may be used in areas other than the food industry. For example, the systems described above may be used in vitamins, pharmaceuticals, medical products, cleaning products, lubricants, paint / dye products, and other non-consumable liquids /
It can be used for semi-liquid / particulate solid or any fluid.

As mentioned above, in general, the various electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, software processes (and in particular FSM processes 122) of the processing system 10,
The virtual machine process 124, virtual manifold process 126) may be used on any machine where it is desired to make products on demand from one or more substrates (also called "raw materials").

In various embodiments, the product may be made according to a recipe programmed into the processor. As mentioned above, the recipe can be updated, imported or modified with permission. The recipe may be requested by the user or may be preprogrammed to be prepared according to a schedule. The recipe may contain any number of substrates, i.e. ingredients, and the product produced may contain any number of substrates or ingredients at any desired concentration.

The substrate used may be any fluid of any concentration or any powder or solid that can be reduced either while the machine is making the product or before the machine makes the product (Ie, a "batch" of reduced powder or solid may be prepared at certain points in preparation to meter in to make additional product, or to dispense the "batch" solution as a product. Good). In various embodiments, two or more substrates themselves may be mixed in one manifold and then metered into another manifold and mixed with other substrates.

Thus, in various embodiments, on demand, or before actually required, but at a desired time, the first manifold of solutions is at least one with the first substrate according to the recipe.
It may be made by metering one additional substance into the manifold. In some embodiments, one of the substrates may be reduced, ie, the substrate may be a powder / solid, a specific amount of which is added to the mixing manifold. Liquid substrates may also be added to the same mixing manifold, and powder substrates may be reduced in liquid to the desired concentration. The contents in this manifold may then, for example, be supplied or dispensed to other manifolds.

In some embodiments, the methods described herein may be used in connection with mixing on demand a dialysate for use in peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis according to a recipe / formulation . As is known in the art, the composition of the dialysate may include: bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, glucose, lactate, acetate, acetate,
One or more of magnesium, glucose, hydrochloric acid may be included, but is not limited thereto.

The dialysate may be used to draw waste molecules from the blood (e.g. urea, ions such as creatinine, potassium, phosphate etc) and water into the dialysate through osmotic action, the dialysate Solutions are well known to those skilled in the art.

For example, dialysate generally contains various ions such as potassium and calcium to the same level as natural concentrations in healthy blood. In some cases, the dialysate may contain sodium bicarbonate, which is usually at a slightly higher concentration than found in normal blood. In general, the dialysate comprises water from a water supply (eg reverse osmosis or "RO" water) and one or more of the raw materials, eg
, Various types such as MgCl may be included), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3)
And / or prepared by mixing with sodium chloride (NaCl). Preparation of the dialysate is well known to those skilled in the art, including using appropriate salinity, osmolarity, pH, and the like. As discussed in more detail below, the dialysate need not be prepared on demand in real time. For example, the dialysate can be made at the same time as, or prior to, dialysis and stored in a dialysate reservoir or otherwise.

In some embodiments, one or more substrates, such as bicarbonate, may be stored in powder form. For purposes of illustration and illustration only, the powdered substrate is "bicarbonate" in this example.
In other embodiments, any substrate / raw material may be stored in the machine as a powder or other solid in addition to or alternatively to the bicarbonate salt, and the present invention is directed to the reduction of the substrate. The processes described in the specification may be used. The bicarbonate may be stored in a "disposable" container, which may, for example, be fully loaded into the manifold. In some embodiments, a large amount of bicarbonate may be stored in a container, from which a specific amount of bicarbonate may be metered and supplied to the manifold. In some embodiments, the entire amount of bicarbonate may be dumped into the manifold, ie, a large amount of dialysate may be mixed.

The solution in the first manifold may be mixed with one or more additional substrates / feeds in the second manifold. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more sensors (eg, one or more conductivity sensors) are tested for mixed solutions in a first manifold, It may be arranged to confirm that the concentration of period has been reached. In some embodiments, data from one or more sensors may be used in a feedback control loop to correct errors in the solution. For example, additional bicarbonate or RO may be added to the manifold if the sensor data indicates that the concentration of bicarbonate solution is higher or lower than the desired concentration.

In some recipes in some embodiments, one or more ingredients may be reduced in a manifold and then mixed with one or more ingredients in another manifold, these ingredients also It may be either reduced powder / solid or liquid.

Thus, the systems and methods described herein provide a means for precisely producing or composing on demand a dialysate or other solution including other solutions used in medical treatment. May be provided. In some embodiments, this system may be incorporated into a dialysis machine, such as US Pat. No. 8, filed on Feb. 27, 2008 and now issued on Aug. 21, 2012. , 246, 826 specification (agent accession number F6
No. 5) has been described in US patent application Ser. No. 12 / 072,908, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments, the system can be incorporated into any machine where it may be desirable to mix products on demand.

Water can account for the largest volume of dialysate, which results in high cost, large space, and long time to transport bagged dialysate. The processing system 10 described above can be prepared and shipped with a large amount of packaged dialysate, since the dialysate can be prepared in the dialysis machine or in a stand-alone dispenser (for example, installed in a patient's home) There is no need to Such an above-described processing system 10 may allow the user or provider to enter the desired prescription, and the above-described system uses the systems and methods described herein to meet the requirements. In the field (
For example, including, but not limited to, medical centers, pharmacies or patient homes)
The desired prescription can be made. Thus, the systems and methods described herein can reduce shipping costs as only substrates / raw materials need to be shipped / delivered.

Referring to FIGS. 56-64, in addition to the various embodiments of flow control described and described above, variable line impedance for a flow control module, a flow measurement device (also sometimes referred to as a "flow meter"), binary Various other embodiments of the valve are shown.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 56-59, an exemplary embodiment of the flow control module 3000 of this embodiment includes a fluid inlet 3001, a piston case 3012 and a first opening 300.
2, a piston 3004, a piston spring 3006, and a cylinder 3 around the piston
005 and a second opening 3022 may be included. Piston spring 3006
, Biases the piston 3004 to the closed position, as shown in FIG. Flow control module 3000 also includes solenoid 3008, which includes a solenoid case 3010 and an armature 3014. The downstream binary valve 3016 is actuated by a plunger 3018 which is biased into an open position by a plunger spring 3020.

The piston 3004, cylinder 3005, piston spring 3006, piston case 3012 may be made of any material, which in some embodiments is selected based on the fluid intended to flow to the flow control module May be In the exemplary embodiment, the piston 3004 and the cylinder 3005 are made of alumina ceramic, but in other embodiments, these components may be made of other ceramic or stainless steel. In various embodiments, these components may be made of any desired material and may be selected according to the fluid. In this exemplary embodiment, piston spring 3006 is made of stainless steel, but in various embodiments, piston spring 3006 may be made of ceramic or other material. In this exemplary embodiment, piston case 3012 is made of plastic. However, in other embodiments, the various components may be made of stainless steel or other dimensionally stable corrosion resistant material. As shown in FIGS. 56-59, this exemplary embodiment includes a binary valve, but in other embodiments, the flow control module 3
000 may not include a binary valve. In such an embodiment, cylinder 3005 and piston 3004, which in this exemplary embodiment are made of alumina ceramic as described above, may be match ground to provide a clearance fit, and 2 The gap between the two components may be made very tight and be manufactured to be a close fit.

The solenoid 3008 in this embodiment is a constant force solenoid 3008. In this exemplary embodiment, the constant force solenoid 3008 shown in FIGS. 56-59 may be used. The solenoid 3008 includes a solenoid case 3010, which in this exemplary embodiment is made of 416 stainless steel. In this exemplary embodiment, constant force solenoid 3008 includes a spike. In this embodiment, as the armature 3014 approaches the spike, a force that is substantially constant or only slightly changes with respect to position. Constant force solenoid 3008
Apply a magnetic force to the armature 3014, which in this exemplary embodiment is made of 416 stainless steel. In some embodiments, armature 3014 and / or solenoid case 3012 may be made of ferritic stainless steel or other magnetic stainless steel or other material having the desired magnetic properties. The armature 3014 is connected to the piston 3004. Therefore, constant force solenoid 3008
The force is provided to move the piston 3004 linearly from the closed position (shown in FIGS. 56 and 57) to the open position (shown in FIGS. 58 and 59) with respect to the second opening 3022. Therefore, solenoid 3008 actuates piston 3004 and the current applied to control constant force solenoid 3008 is proportional to the force applied to armature 3014.

The size of the first opening 3002 may be selected such that the maximum pressure drop of the system is not exceeded and the pressure of the first opening 3002 is sufficient to move the piston 3004. In this exemplary embodiment, the first opening 3002 is about 0.180 inches. However, in various embodiments, the diameter may be larger or smaller depending on the desired flow rate and pressure drop. In addition to this, obtaining a maximum pressure drop at a particular flow rate minimizes the overall amount that the piston 3004 moves to maintain the desired flow rate.

The constant force solenoid 3008 and the piston spring 3006 generate substantially constant force while the piston 3004 moves. The piston spring 3006 acts on the piston 3004 in the same direction as the fluid flows. A pressure drop occurs when fluid enters the first opening 3002. Constant force solenoid 3008 (also referred to as “solenoid”) is an armature 301
Counter the pressure of the fluid by applying a force to 4.

Referring now to FIG. 56, the flow control module 3000 is shown in the closed position and no fluid is flowing. In the closed position, the solenoid 3008 is de-energized. The piston spring 3006 biases the piston 3004 to the closed position, ie, as shown in FIG.
The second opening (shown as 22) is completely closed. This is advantageous for many reasons, including, but not limited to, for example, a failsafe flow switch when power to the flow control module is shut off. Therefore, the solenoid 3008
If no power is available to energize the piston 3004, the piston 3004 is in a "always closed" state.

Referring also to FIGS. 57-59, the energy or current applied to the solenoid 3008 controls the movement of the armature 3014 and the piston 3004. Further movement of the piston 3004 towards the fluid inlet 3001 causes the second opening 3022 to open. Thus, the current applied to the solenoid 3008 may be proportional to the force applied to the armature 3014, and the current applied to the solenoid 3008 may be varied to obtain the desired flow rate. In the exemplary embodiment of this embodiment of the flow control module, the flow rate corresponds to the current applied to the solenoid 3008, such that when a current is applied, the force on the piston 3004 is increased.

In order to maintain a constant force profile of the solenoid 3008, it may be desirable to maintain the travel of the armature 3014 within a substantially predetermined range. As mentioned above, solenoid 3
The 008 spikes help maintain a substantially constant force while the armature 3014 is moving. This is desirable in some embodiments when the second opening 3022 is open, and by maintaining a substantially constant force, the flow rate is kept substantially constant.

As the force from the solenoid 3008 increases, in this exemplary embodiment, the force from the solenoid 3008 causes the piston 3004 to move linearly to the fluid inlet 3001 causing flow through the second opening 3022. This reduces the fluid pressure in the flow control module. Thus, the first opening 3002 (connected to the piston 3004), together with the second opening 3022, acts as a flow meter and variable line impedance, and the pressure at the first opening 3002 (showing the flow rate) The drop remains constant as the cross-sectional area of the second opening 3022 changes. The flow velocity, ie the pressure difference at the first opening 3002
The amount of movement of 04, that is, the variable line impedance of the flow path is determined.

Referring now to FIGS. 58-59, in this exemplary embodiment, the variable line impedance includes at least one second opening 3022. FIG. In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 58-59, the second opening 3022 includes a plurality of holes. Embodiments that include multiple holes allow them to maintain structural integrity and achieve the desired flow rate with maximum pressure drop across the second opening while minimizing piston travel. It may be desirable for it to be sufficient.

56-59, in this exemplary embodiment, the piston 3004 includes at least one radial groove 3024 to equalize the pressure that may be introduced by the blow through in operation. In this exemplary embodiment, piston 3004 includes two radial grooves 3024. In other embodiments, the piston 3004 may include three or more radial grooves. The at least one radial groove 3024 provides a means of both equalizing the pressure through the blow through and thus centering the cylinder 3005 of the piston 3004 which can reduce the blow through. The centering of the piston 3004 also provides a fluid bearing effect between the cylinder 3005 and the piston 3004, thus reducing friction. In some embodiments, other means for reducing friction may be used, such as coating the piston 3004 to reduce friction and / or incorporating the use of ball bearings Included but not limited to. Available coatings include diamond like coatings (DLC)
And titanium nitride may be included, but is not limited thereto. The reduction of friction is advantageous for reducing the hysteresis of the system and hence the flow control error in the system.

In this exemplary embodiment, for a variable line impedance device, the current and method of applying the current may be determined to obtain a flow rate. Various current application modes include, but are not limited to, current dithering, sinusoidal dithering, current dithering schemes or the use of various pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques. Using current control
Various flow rates and various flow types may be generated, such as triangular or pulsed flow rates or smooth flow rates. For example, sinusoidal dithering may be used to reduce hysteresis and friction between cylinder 3005 and piston 3004. Therefore, a predetermined plan may be developed and used for certain desired flow rates.

Referring now to FIG. 64, an example of a solenoid control method that can be applied to the variable line impedance device shown in FIGS. 56-63 is shown. In this control method, a dithering function is shown that applies smaller amplitude dithering at low flow rates, and applies larger amplitude dithering as the flow rate increases. Dithering can be identified as either a step function that can increase dithering by a predetermined threshold or a ramp function that can remain constant above a predetermined threshold. FIG. 64 shows an example of the dithering ramp function.
Both the dithering frequency and the dithering amplitude can change with the current command. In these embodiments, instead of the dithering function, a lookup table may be used that specifies the optimal dithering feature or other dithering scheme for any desired flow rate.

The upstream fluid pressure may rise or fall. However, the variable line impedance compensates for pressure changes and maintains a constant desired flow rate by using a constant force solenoid and a spring and plunger. Therefore, the variable line impedance maintains a constant flow rate as the pressure changes. For example, as the inlet pressure increases, the pressure drop at the first opening 3002 causes the piston 3004 to move toward the fluid outlet 3036 as the system includes the first opening 3002 of a certain size. The degree of opening of the second opening 3022 “turns down”. This is achieved through linear movement of the piston 3004 towards the fluid outlet 3036.

Conversely, as the inlet pressure decreases, the size of the first opening 3002 of the system is constant, so the pressure drop at the first opening 3002 causes the piston 3004 to move to the second opening 3.
"Turn up" the degree of opening of 022 and thus keep the flow rate constant. This is achieved through linear movement of the piston 3004 towards the fluid inlet 3001.

This exemplary embodiment also includes a binary valve. Although shown in this exemplary embodiment, in some embodiments a binary valve may not be used, in which case, for example, the tolerance between the piston and the second opening, the piston It is such as to function as a binary valve for the second opening. Referring now to FIGS. 56-59, the binary valve in this exemplary embodiment is downstream of the second opening 3022. In this exemplary embodiment, the binary valve is a pilot diaphragm 3016 actuated by a plunger 3018. In this exemplary embodiment, diaphragm 3016
Is a dissimilar integrally molded metal disc, but in other embodiments the diaphragm 3016
May be made of any material suitable for the fluid flowing through the valve, such as metal,
Elastomers and / or urethanes or any type of plastic or other material suitable for the desired function may be included, but is not limited to these. It should be noted that although the drawing shows the membrane seated in the open position, in practice the membrane is unseated. The plunger 3018 is actuated directly by the piston 3004 and in its rest position the plunger spring 3020 biases the plunger 3018 into the open position. As the piston 3004 returns to the closed position, the force generated by the piston spring 3006 increases, causing the plunger spring 3020 to urge and operate the plunger 3018 into the binary valve closed position. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the solenoid is a piston 300
Supply energy for both the plunger 4 and the plunger 3018, hence the second opening 3
Control both 022 and fluid flow through the binary valve.

56-59, the piston 30 for increasing the force from the solenoid 3008
The incremental movement of 04 is known. Referring to FIG. 56, both the binary valve and the second opening (not shown) are closed. Referring to FIG. 57, current is applied to the solenoid and the piston 3004 is slightly moved, while the binary valve is plunger spring 3.
Open by the bias of 020. In FIG. 58, the solenoid 3008 is further energized, and the piston 3004 is further moved toward the first opening 3002, and the second opening 3022 is moved.
Is slightly open. Referring now to FIG. 59, the current from the solenoid 3008 is increased to further move the piston 3004 toward the fluid inlet 3001 (or further back to the solenoid 3008 in this embodiment), and the second The opening 3022 is completely open.

The embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 56-59 may additionally include one or more sensors, such as one or more of: a piston position sensor and / or a flow sensor Although it may contain, it is not limited to these. One or more sensors may be used to ensure that fluid flows reliably when the solenoid 3008 is energized. For example, the piston position sensor may detect whether the piston is moving. The flow sensor may detect whether the piston is moving or not moving.

60-61, in various embodiments, the flow control module 30.
00 may include one or more sensors. Referring to FIG. 60, flow control module 3000 is shown having anemometer 3026. In one embodiment, one or more thermistors are disposed near the thin wall in contact with the fluid flow path. The thermistor may dissipate a known amount of power, for example 1 watt, so a predictable temperature rise is expected for either the stationary or flowing fluid. An anemometer may be used as a fluid flow sensor because the temperature rise is small when the fluid is flowing. In some embodiments, anemometers can also be used to measure the temperature of the fluid, regardless of whether the sensor separately detects the presence of fluid flow.

Referring now to FIG. 61, the flow control module 3000 is shown having a paddle wheel 3028. A partial cutaway view of the paddle wheel sensor 3030 is shown in FIG. Paddle wheel sensor 3030 includes a paddle wheel 3028 in the fluid flow path, an infrared (IR) emitter 3032, and an IR receiver 3034. Paddle wheel sensor 3030 is a metering device and may be used for flow rate calculation and / or verification. Paddle wheel sensor 3030 may be used, in some embodiments, simply to detect if fluid is flowing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 62, when IR diode 3032 emits light and fluid flows, paddle wheel 3028 rotates and blocks the beam from IR diode 3032, which is detected by IR receiver 3034. The blocking rate of the IR beam may be used to calculate the flow rate.

As shown in FIGS. 56-59, in some embodiments, the flow control module 3
Multiple sensors within 000 may be used. In these embodiments, both anemometer and paddle wheel sensors are shown. In other embodiments, either a paddle wheel (FIG. 61) or an anemometer (FIG. 60) sensor is used. However, in various other embodiments, one or more sensors may be used to detect, calculate, or detect various conditions of the flow control module 3000. For example, but not limited to, in some embodiments, a Hall effect sensor may be added to the magnetic circuit of solenoid 3010,
A magnetic flux may be detected.

In some embodiments, the inductance of the solenoid 3008 coil may be calculated to determine the position of the piston 3004. Solenoid 300 of this exemplary embodiment
At 8, the reluctance changes as the armature 3014 moves. The inductance may be measured or calculated from the reluctance, and hence the position of the piston 3004 may be calculated based on the calculated value of the inductance. In some embodiments, an inductance may be used to control the movement of the piston 3004 through the armature 3014.

Referring now to FIG. 63, one embodiment of a flow control module 3000 is shown. This embodiment of the flow control module 3000 may be used in any of the various embodiments of the dispensing system described herein. Additionally, variable flow impedance arrangements may be used instead of the various variable flow impedance embodiments described above. Additionally, in various embodiments, flow control module 3000 may be used with downstream or upstream flow meters.

Referring to FIG. 65, fluid flow paths in one embodiment of flow control module 3000 are shown. In this embodiment, the flow control module 3000 includes a paddle wheel 302.
It includes both eight sensors and an anemometer 3026. However, as mentioned above, the sensors included in some embodiments of flow control module 3000 may be more or less than those shown in FIG.

In some embodiments, the pump assemblies 270, 272, 27 shown in FIG.
One or more of the four, 276 may be a solenoid piston pump assembly, which is driven by electrical circuitry and logic capable of flow monitoring. An example of one embodiment of a solenoid pump 270 and drive circuit is shown in FIG. 66, where the pump 270 is energized by energizing the coil 3214. The resulting magnetic flux may drive the solenoid slug or piston 3216 to the left and may compress the expansion spring 3210. The discharged fluid can flow through the piston 3216 and the check valve 3218 as the piston 3218 moves to the left. The spring 3210 can return the piston 3216 to the right when the coil 3214 does not apply sufficient flux to keep the spring compressed. When the piston 3216 returns to the right, the check valve 3218 closes and fluid can be pushed out of the pump. In some embodiments, Italian Pavia (Pavi
a) ULKA Costruzioni Elettromeccaniche S.
p. A pump available from A may be used.

The solenoid piston pump may move an amount of fluid from left to right each time the piston compresses the spring to the left in FIG. 66 and returns to the initial position on the right. The solenoid piston pump can be energized by a number of drive circuits known in the art. Various current application modes include, but are not limited to, current dithering, sinusoidal dithering, current dithering schemes, and / or the use of various pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques.

Some embodiments include where the drive circuit is connected to the power supply by a circuit that can generate a variable current in coil 3214 and measure the current flow through the solenoid.
The circuit may measure other parameters to measure the amount of current indirectly, such as one of the following: voltage of the solenoid coil and / or duty cycle of the periodic current flow Although multiple may be included, it is not limited to these. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 66, a plurality of solenoid pumps may be connected to the power supply via the PWM controller 3203 and the current sensor 3207. However, in some embodiments, one solenoid pump may
3 and a current sensor 3207 may be connected to the power supply. PWM controller 3203
May operate at higher frequencies for controlling the applied voltage to the coil, superimposed on lower frequencies, to control the cycling of the pump. In some embodiments, P
The WM controller 3203 may energize the pump at a frequency optimized for pump operation, referred to herein as the “optimum pump frequency”. The optimal pump frequency may, in some embodiments, be determined by one or more variable values including, but not limited to, the hardness of the spring 3210, the mass of the piston 3216 and / or the viscosity of the fluid. In some embodiments, the pump frequency may be about 20 Hz.
However, in other embodiments, the pump frequency may be above or below 20 Hz. The PWM controller 3203 may control the voltage while energizing the pump by cycling at a high frequency within a certain duty cycle range. In some embodiments, the PWM controller 3203 may cycle at 10 kHz while the pump coil is energized. In some embodiments, the method of generating the drive signal described above is US Pat. No. 7,905,373, filed Sep. 6, 2007 and now issued Mar. 15, 2011. (The agent number F45), "SYSTEM
AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A DRIVE SIGNA
No. 11 / 851,344, entitled "L", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, PWM controller 3203 may change the voltage while the pump is energized. In some embodiments, PWM controller 320
3 may keep the voltage constant while the pump is energized. In some embodiments, PW
The M-controller 3203 may initially raise the voltage to the desired level, keep the voltage constant while the pump is energized, and then reduce the voltage to zero at the desired rate. In some embodiments, lowering the voltage to zero may minimize noise to the drive circuits of other pumps sharing a common power supply.

In some embodiments, the duty cycle may be fixed to supply a constant voltage, or in some embodiments, the duty cycle may be varied during pump energization to supply a time-variable voltage. You may In some embodiments, PWM controller 3203 and current sensor 3207 may be coupled to control logic subsystem 14. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may control the flow of fluid through the pump by commanding the pump duty cycle. The control logic subsystem 14 may change the voltage applied to the pump by changing the high frequency duty cycle. Control logic subsystem 14 may monitor and record the current through the pump. Control logic subsystem 14 may vary the high frequency duty cycle of PWM controller 3203 to control the current measured by current sensor 3207. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the current sensor signals to identify abnormal flow conditions.

One embodiment of a PWM controller and current sensor is schematically illustrated in FIG.
This embodiment is one embodiment, and in various other embodiments, the arrangement of the PWM controller and the current sensor may be different. Q5 is a transistor for performing PWM on the current to the solenoid. R54 is a high side current detection resistor used by the U11 current detection / differential amplifier, and outputs a signal CURRENT1. Connectors J12 and J13 are electrical interfaces with the solenoids. F3 is a fuse for destructive failure isolation.
D10 is for buffering energy stored in the solenoid inductance. The power supply supplies 28.5 V DC power. However, in some embodiments, the figures may be different.

In some embodiments, the flow rate through the solenoid pump 270 may be monitored by measuring the current flow through the solenoid coil 3214. The coil is an inductor-resistor element that allows the current flow to rise after voltage application. The position of the piston 3216 with respect to the coil 3214 affects the inductance of the coil and hence the waveform of the current rise.

A "functional pump stroke" is defined herein as a pump stroke that moves, from a pump, an amount of fluid corresponding to the majority of the rated discharge rate per stroke for a pump. The functional pump stroke may also be defined not to exceed the designed temperature or current limit for coil 3214. An example of a functional pump stroke is shown in FIG. 68A. The current through the solenoid coil is plotted as line 3310, which starts at zero and rises to a steady state value. Line 3325 is a plot of the second derivative of the current through the solenoid. The timing and magnitude of the peak 3325 of the second derivative can indicate the timing and velocity of the piston. The current measurement may indicate a number of anomalies, such as one of the following: air or vacuum conditions in the pump, line clogging or occlusion, coil overheating, and / or abnormal coil current Or plural but not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may empty one or more micro-raw product containers, such as the product containers 254, 256, 258 shown in FIG. This may be determined by monitoring the signal from the current sensor 3207. Product containers 254, 256, 258 are used herein as an example of one embodiment, but in various other embodiments, the number of product containers may be different. The condition where the product container 254, 256, 258 is empty or the line upstream of the valve 270 is blocked is referred to herein as a "sold out condition".

The micro-raw product container 254, 256, 258 may contain an RFID tag, in which a value representing the amount of liquid remaining in the product container 254, 256, 258 is stored.
This value is referred to herein as "remaining amount indication", and the unit is milliliter (mL). The remaining amount indication is set to the full value when the product container 254, 256, 258 is full. When in use, the value of the remaining charge indicator may be updated periodically by the control logic subsystem 14.

In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may determine that a sold out condition (of a product container) exists, based in part on the output of the current sensor 3207. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 includes micro-raw product container 2
The existence of sold-out state at 54, 256, 258 may be determined based in part on the value of the remaining amount display of the container. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may include one or more of the following: sold out, ie, current sensor output, remaining charge value and / or injection state, but not limited to It may be determined based on
The output of current sensor 3207 during each pump stroke may be processed by control logic subsystem 14 to determine whether the stroke was a functional stroke, a sold-out stroke or a non-functional stroke. Functional strokes are defined above, and sold-out strokes and non-functional strokes are described in more detail below.

In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 determines that a sold out condition exists when a certain number / threshold consecutive sold out strokes occur. The threshold number of consecutive sellout strokes differs depending on the value of the remaining amount display and the injection state. For example, in some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may have a threshold volume, such as 60 mL, and the pump may continuously threshold the number of sold-out strokes, such as 60 consecutive sold-out strokes Although there may be a condition of being sold out, these values are merely exemplary and in various other embodiments, these values may be different. The sensitivity of the sell-out algorithm is reduced because, in some embodiments, the residual indicator indicates a substantial amount of fluid left in the container. If the remaining charge indication falls below a threshold volume, which in some embodiments may be 60 mL, for example, the control logic subsystem 14 may
The strokes made towards the container 30 during the current injection have been determined that there has been a threshold number of consecutive sellout strokes, for example three consecutive sellout strokes, or the system has reached the threshold number of consecutive sellout strokes For example, when it reaches 12 times, you may declare the sold out state. In some embodiments, the remaining charge indication is a threshold volume, eg 6
If less than 0 mL and the number of strokes performed during the current infusion is less than, for example, 12 times, the control logic subsystem 14 may declare a sold out condition after, for example, 20 consecutive sold out strokes. In some embodiments, the number of sold-out strokes may be stored for each injection. The sold out stroke counter may be reset to zero whenever the functional stroke is restored. Non-functional stroke criteria are described below and include criteria for occlusion stroke, temperature error, current error.

In various embodiments, multiple pumps may dispense fluid from a common source to achieve a desired flow rate. Common sources may include any fluid, including but not limited to non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS). The control logic subsystem 14 may, for example, declare a sold out condition when any one pump has a certain number of consecutive sold out strokes. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 declares a sold out condition when any one of the pumps has 20 consecutive sold out strokes. However, in various other embodiments, the number of consecutive sold out strokes indicating sold out conditions may be different.

In some embodiments, the sold-out stroke may be detected by the control logic subsystem 14 by an algorithm that measures the timing of peak amplitude and peak amplitude of the second derivative of the current. Referring to FIG. 68B, the current 3 for a sold-out stroke
An exemplary graph of 350 and its second derivative 3360 is shown. The peak of the second derivative 3360 of the current with respect to time 3365 is higher and earlier than the peak 3325 of the normal pump operation waveform shown in FIG. 68A.

と定義され、ｄ^２Ｉ／ｄｔ^２ _ｍａｘは電流の二次微分値の最大値であり、ｔ_ｍａｘは電流
フローの開始からｄ^２Ｉ／ｄｔ^２ _ｍａｘまでの時間であり、ｆｔは定数である。売切れス
トロークのＳＯ閾値は経験的に決定されてもよい。定数ｆｔは、各ソレノイドポンプにつ
いて校正されてもよい。定数ｆｔは９．５ミリ秒と等しくてもよい。 The sold-out stroke may be defined as the value of SO higher than the threshold, where SO is

D ² I / dt ² _max is the maximum value of the second derivative of the current, t _max is the time from the start of the current flow to d ² I / dt ² _max , and ft is a constant . The SO threshold of the sold-out stroke may be determined empirically. The constant ft may be calibrated for each solenoid pump. The constant ft may be equal to 9.5 milliseconds.

式中、

は電流の二次微分値のピーク値であり、ｔ_ｍａｘは電圧がソレノイドポンプに印加された
後の時間ステップの数である。ｆｔの数値は、各ソレノイドポンプについて校正されても
、または９５に設定されてもよい。ＳＯ閾値はこの計算では３２７６８０である。 In some embodiments, the SO value may be calculated from the number of raw AD measurements and time steps.

During the ceremony

Is the peak value of the second derivative of the current, and t _max is the number of time steps after the voltage has been applied to the solenoid pump. The value of ft may be calibrated for each solenoid pump or set to 95. The SO threshold is 327,680 for this calculation.

二次微分値は、アルファベータフィルタでフィルタ処理されてもよく、α＝０．８５、β
＝０．１５である。

電流の二次微分値の決定は一例として説明されており、当業界で知られている多数の代替
的な方法で計算されてもよい。 In some embodiments, the second derivative of the current may be calculated by first filtering the current signal with an alpha beta filter.
I _i = αI _i-1 + βC _i
α = 0.9 [equation 3]
β = 0.1
Where I _{i -1} is the current calculated in the previous step, C _i is the current read from A-D (in A-D counts), and one count is 1.22 mA. The first and second derivatives of the current with respect to time may be calculated as follows.

The second derivative may be filtered with an alpha beta filter, α = 0.85, β
= 0.15.

The determination of the second derivative of the current is described as an example and may be calculated in a number of alternative ways known in the art.

In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may determine based on the signal from current sensor 3207 that the line supplying fluid to container 30 of FIG. 1 is clogged or clogged. Referring to FIG. 68C, an exemplary graph of current 3370 and its second derivative 3380 for the occlusion stroke is shown. The value of the second derivative 3382 at 5 ms or 50 time steps may be significantly higher than the second derivative of the current of functional pump stroke 3322 in FIG. 68A. Referring to FIG. 68D, an exemplary graph of the second derivative of the current for pump stroke 3320 and occlusion stroke 3380 is shown. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may determine that an occlusion condition exists if, at a certain time, the second derivative of the current is higher than the occlusion threshold. The specified times and thresholds may be determined empirically. The specified times and thresholds may be determined for each pump.

式中、

は電圧がソレノイドポンプに印加されてから５ｍｓ後の電流の二次微分値であり、Ｒはコ
イルの抵抗であり、ＡとＢは実験定数である。いくつかの実施形態において、抵抗Ｒは、
ピストンのストロークの終了ときに最大電流が流れている間に測定されてもよく、これは
電圧がポンプに最初に印加されてから、たとえば１４．０ｍｓ後に発生する。抵抗は、印
加された電圧と測定された電流から計算されてもよい。印加された電圧は、電源３２０９
の電圧にＰＷＭデューティサイクルを乗じることによって計算されてもよい。電源電圧は
、仮定の値であってもよく、または測定されてもよい。電流は、電流センサ３２０７によ
って測定されてもよい。 In some embodiments, the occlusion value OCC may be calculated by:

During the ceremony

Is the second derivative of the current 5 ms after the voltage is applied to the solenoid pump, R is the resistance of the coil, and A and B are experimental constants. In some embodiments, the resistance R is
It may be measured during the maximum current flow at the end of the stroke of the piston, which occurs for example 14.0 ms after the voltage is first applied to the pump. The resistance may be calculated from the applied voltage and the measured current. The applied voltage is a power supply 3209
May be calculated by multiplying the voltage of V by the PWM duty cycle. The supply voltage may be a hypothetical value or may be measured. The current may be measured by current sensor 3207.

この式の閉塞閾値は−２３０４であってもよい。あるいは、閉塞閾値は機能的ポンプスト
ロークに関するＯＣＣ値より２０４８高い数値に設定されてもよい。正常時のポンプスト
ロークのＯＣＣ値は、製造試験ときに決定され、その数値は各ポンプについて記録されて
もよい。したがって、ＯＣＣ値は各種の実施形態において異なっていてもよい。 In some embodiments, the OCC value may be calculated from the number of raw AD measurements and time steps as follows:

The occlusion threshold in this equation may be -2304. Alternatively, the occlusion threshold may be set to 2048 higher than the OCC value for functional pump stroke. The OCC value of the normal pump stroke is determined at the time of production testing and that value may be recorded for each pump. Thus, the OCC values may be different in various embodiments.

式中、ＰＷＭ＿Ｖａｌｕｅは２００〜２０００（２７．３６ボルト〜１７．１ボルト）の
間で変化してもよい。Ｉ_ｍａｘはバルブが通電中である時の最高電流である。 The resistance is calculated as follows.

Where PWM_Value may vary between 200 and 2000 (27.36 volts to 17.1 volts). I _max is the maximum current when the valve is on.

いくつかの実施形態において、温度係数０．４％／℃のコイルには銅線が使用されてもよ
く、コイルの抵抗は２０℃で７オームである。

式中、温度はコイルの温度であり、単位は度Ｃであり、抵抗は上述のように計算され、単
位はオームである。制御論理サブシステム１４は、上述のようにコイルの抵抗から計算さ
れる温度測定値が最大許容値を超えたときに、温度エラーを宣言してもよい。いくつかの
実施形態において、コイル温度の最大許容温度は１２０度Ｃであってもよい。しかしなが
ら、他の各種の実施形態において、コイル温度の最大許容温度は１２０度Ｃより低くても
、または高くてもよい。 The coil temperature may be measured from the output of the current sensor. The coil temperature may be calculated from the known temperature coefficient of the material of the coil wire and the resistance at the known temperature.

In some embodiments, copper wire may be used for coils with a temperature coefficient of 0.4% / ° C, and the resistance of the coil is 7 ohms at 20 ° C.

Where the temperature is the temperature of the coil, the unit is degrees C, the resistance is calculated as described above, and the unit is ohms. The control logic subsystem 14 may declare a temperature error when the temperature measurement calculated from the resistance of the coil as described above exceeds the maximum allowable value. In some embodiments, the maximum allowable coil temperature may be 120 degrees Celsius. However, in various other embodiments, the maximum allowable coil temperature may be below or above 120 degrees Celsius.

いくつかの実施形態において、制御論理サブシステム１４は、測定された最大電流Ｉ_Ｍａ
ｘを各ストロークに関する標的電流Ｉ_{Ｔａｒｇｅｔ}と比較してもよい。いくつかの実施形
態において、制御論理サブシステム１４は、電流差の絶対値［（Ｉ_Ｍａｘ−Ｉ_{Ｔａｒｇｅ
ｔ}）の絶対値］がある電流エラー閾値を超えたときに、電流エラーを宣言してもよい。い
くつかの実施形態において、電流エラー閾値は１．２２Ａであってもよいが、他の各種の
実施形態において、最大電流エラー閾値は１．２２Ａより低くても、または高くてもよい
。 In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may control the current by adjusting the PWM command sent to PWM controller 3203, based on the output of current sensor 3207. In some embodiments, the numeric value of the PWM command is 200
Limited to between 2000 (27.36 and 17.1 volts each). However, in various other embodiments, the value of the PWM command may not be limited, and in some embodiments where the value of the PWM command is limited, the values may be greater than the ranges recited herein by way of example. Or less. The current may be controlled to the maximum value I _Max through the following equation:

In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 measures the maximum current I _Ma
x may be compared to the target current I _Target for each stroke. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 determines the absolute value of the current difference [(I _Max −I _Targe
A current error may be declared when the absolute value of _t ) exceeds a certain current error threshold. In some embodiments, the current error threshold may be 1.22 A, while in various other embodiments the maximum current error threshold may be lower or higher than 1.22 A.

In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may determine that pump 270 can not deliver fluid. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the number of consecutive occlusion strokes based on the occlusion threshold described above. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the number of times a coil temperature error has occurred. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the number of occurrences of current errors. The logic subsystem 14 may determine that the pump 270 can not deliver fluid when a sufficient number of consecutive non-functional strokes have occurred. Non-functional strokes may include but are not limited to one or more of the following: occlusion stroke, overheating and / or current errors. In some embodiments, control logic subsystem 14 may declare that the pump can not deliver fluid, for example, when three non-functional strokes occur in succession. The non-functional stroke count may, in some embodiments, return to zero immediately after the functional stroke has occurred. However, in various other embodiments, the number of non-functional strokes required to declare the pump unable to deliver fluid may be less or more than three.

Noise Detection In addition to the sold out calculation and method described above, in some embodiments, sold out may also be determined by analyzing the standard deviation of sold out values to detect noise. This may be desirable for a number of reasons, including but not limited to being able to detect a sold out condition earlier. In this way, the sold out condition may be determined by measuring the variation of the current signal / sold value. In some embodiments, the sold out condition may be determined by detecting noise.

Referring to FIG. 74, this data shows the result representing the sold-out value. In this example
This product did not prove to be sold out until the end of the data set. However, during this time and before the product was found to be sold out, the product was in an under-delivery condition where the sold-out value was noisy.

In some embodiments, the method of determining a sold out condition may include analyzing the noise of the sold out value. In some embodiments, standard deviation may be used to detect noise. The standard deviation is given as:

The standard deviation equation may be simplified by removing the constant and eliminating the square root and multiplication to further improve the efficiency of use. In some embodiments, a reduction formula may be used. The resulting equation is an approximation of the standard deviation, at least in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio of the sold data, and depends only on the addition, division, and shift operations.

Referring now to FIG. 75, an estimate of the standard deviation is shown relative to the sold-out value. As shown, the above calculation measures the difference between normal pump operation and noise conditions. In various embodiments, predetermined, preprogrammed thresholds may be set to indicate noise conditions. In various embodiments, the standard deviation / estimated standard deviation threshold is preset to 10 /
It may be preprogrammed. However, in other embodiments, the threshold may be greater or less than ten.

In some embodiments, the standard deviation method for determining sold-out may be pre-programmed to not operate when the remaining charge indication exceeds a threshold amount, which is in some embodiments. May be 60 mL, but in other embodiments this threshold is 60
It may be more or less than mL.

In some embodiments, Equation 15 shown below may be used, where x is the sold-out value as calculated above.

In some embodiments, the system may, for a certain pulse, have a sold-out value of
Determine that a product is sold out (and, in some embodiments, the system) when greater than a preset threshold or when the standard deviation or approximate standard deviation is greater than a predetermined / preset threshold When it is determined that the product is sold out for a certain pulse,
The system can advance the counter as described above). For each of these states,
In some embodiments, a counter is advanced. In some embodiments, the product container is sold out when the counter reaches a predetermined / preset threshold.

In some embodiments, a fuel level indication scheme is used. In some embodiments, the RFID tag assembly indicates the volume of product within the product container. In some embodiments, each time a product is dispensed from the product container, the RFID tag assembly is updated with the updated volume by subtracting the dispensed amount from the volume of the remaining charge indicator. In some embodiments, when the remaining indication reaches a preset / predetermined threshold (eg, in some embodiments, this preset / predetermined threshold may be −15 ml) The system may determine that the product container is sold out, even if the product container is not determined to be sold out in the sold out method. In some embodiments, the system may reduce the sold-out and / or standard deviation formula sensitivity when the remaining charge indicator reaches a preset / predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, this threshold may be 60.

In some embodiments, product module assemblies 250d, 250e, 250
Each of f may include a respective plurality of pump assemblies. For example, Figure 69
Referring also to FIGS. A, 69B, 69D, 69E, 69F, the product module assembly 2 of FIG.
50d, 250e, 250f generally refer to the pump assembly 4270a, 4270b, 42
70d and 4270e may be included. Pump assembly 4270a, 4270b, 4
Each one of 270c, 4270d may, for example, be a slot assembly 260, 262 for discharging the material contained in the respective product container (eg, product container 256).
, 264, 266 may be associated. For example, pump assembly 42
Each of 70a, 4270b, 4270c, 4270d may include a respective fluid connection stem (e.g., fluid connection stem 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256), e.g. It may be fluidly coupled to a product container (eg, product container 256) via fitment features 1158a, 1158b) shown at 43B and 44.

Referring to FIG. 69E, a cross-sectional view of pump module assembly 250d is shown. Assembly 250d includes fluid inlet 4360, which is shown in cross-section view of the fitment. The fitment engages with the female component (shown as 1158a in FIG. 43B) of the product container (not shown, and indicated as 256 in FIG. 43B among other figures). Fluid from the product container is pumped at the fluid inlet 4360
Enter 50d. Fluid flows through pump 4364 through back pressure regulator 4366 to fluid outlet 4368. Pump module assembly 2 as shown herein
The fluid flow path in 50d can flow through assembly 250d without air being trapped in the assembly. Fluid inlet 4360 is on a lower plane than fluid outlet 4368. In addition, fluid travels longitudinally from the plane of the inlet and pump 4368 through the back pressure regulator 4366 to the plane of the outlet 4368. Therefore, this configuration allows the fluid to flow continuously upward, thereby allowing air to flow through the system without being trapped. Thus, the design of pump module assembly 250d is a self-priming, self-purge, positive-displacement positive displacement fluid delivery system.

Referring to FIGS. 69E and 69F, although the back pressure regulator 4366 can be any back pressure regulator, an embodiment of the back pressure regulator 4366 for delivering a small amount is shown. The back pressure regulator 4366 includes a diaphragm 4367 that includes a "volcano" functional member and a molded o-ring around the outer diameter. O-ring makes a seal. A piston 4365 is connected to the diaphragm 4367. A spring 4366 around the piston 4365 biases the piston and diaphragm to a closed position. In this embodiment, the spring is seated on the outer sleeve 4369. When the fluid pressure matches or exceeds the cracking pressure of the piston / spring assembly, fluid passes through the back pressure regulator 4366 toward the fluid outlet 4368. In some embodiments, the cracking pressure is about 7-9 psi. The cracking pressure may be adjusted to the pump 4364. In some embodiments, the cracking pressure may be adjusted by changing the position of the outer sleeve 4369. Outer sleeve 4369 may be screwed into outer wall 4370. Outer sleeve 4329 to outer wall 4370
By rotating about, the preload on spring 4368 and thus the cracking pressure may change. Adjustable regulators can be manufactured cheaper than regulators with precisely fixed back pressure. The adjustable regulator may then be adjusted and adjusted to each pump during manufacturing and check testing. In various embodiments, the pump may be different from that described above, and in some of these embodiments, other embodiments of the back pressure regulator may be used.

The releasable engagement between the outlet tubing assembly 4300 and the product module assembly 250d may be performed, for example, via a camming assembly that facilitates engagement and release of the outlet tubing assembly 4300 and the product module assembly 250d. For example, the camming assembly has a handle 431 rotatably coupled to the fitment support means 4320
8 and cam function members 4322 and 4324 may be included. Cam function members 4322 and 4
324 may be engageable with a functional member (not shown) of product module assembly 250d that cooperates therewith. Referring to FIG. 69C, when the handle 4318 is rotationally moved in the direction of the arrow, the outlet piping assembly 4300 moves to the product module assembly 25.
For example, the outlet piping assembly 4300 may be a product module assembly 250.
It can be lifted from d and removed from it.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 69D and 69E, product module assembly 250d may also be releasably engaged with microstock shelf 1200, eg, thereby removing / attaching product module assembly 250d from microstock shelf 1200. Becomes easy. For example, as shown, the product module assembly 250d has a release handle 4
350 may be included, for example it may be pivotally connected to product module assembly 250d. The release handle 4350 is, for example, a locking ear 4352, 435
4 (eg, drawn most clearly in FIGS. 69A and 69D). The locking ears 4352, 4354 may engage with the functional members of the micro stock shelf 1200 that co-operate with it, for example thereby holding the product module assembly 250d in engagement with the micro stock shelf 1200 Ru. As shown in FIG. 69E, the release handle 4350 is pivoted up in the direction of the arrow to lock the locking ears 4352, 435.
4 may be removed from the functional members of the micro material rack 1200 associated therewith. When it comes off,
Product module assembly 250 d may be lifted from micro stock shelf 1200.

One or more sensors may be associated with one or more handles 4318 and / or release handles 4350. One or more sensors handle 431
An output may be provided indicating the locked position of the eight and / or release handle 4350. For example, the output of one or more sensors may indicate whether the handle 4318 and / or the release handle 4350 are in an engaged or disengaged position. Product module assembly 250 based at least in part on the output of one or more sensors.
d may be separated electrically and / or fluidically from the plumbing / control subsystem 20. Exemplary sensors may include, for example, cooperating RFID tags and readers, contact switches, magnetic position sensors, or the like.

The flow rate may be monitored by measuring the current flow through the solenoid piston pump 4364 as described above. One or more constants used to interpret current flow measurements may be calibrated for individual pumps in product module assembly 250d. These calibration constants may be determined during a check test that is part of the manufacturing process.
The calibration constant may be stored on the e-prom connected to the electronic substrate via the removal plug. 69C, 69D, 69E, the e-prom may be attached to the plug 4380, which after assembly is connected to the pump electronics substrate 4386. e-pro
The m plug 4380 is connected to the USB mount 4387 on the electronics board 4386 and securely attached properly. The e-prom plug 4380 may seal the interior of the port 4282 of the electronic component case so that the liquid does not touch the electronic component.
The e-prom 4380 mounts on the case of the product module assembly 250d
84 may be attached via a lanyard. The e-prom plug 4380 can remain attached to the pump assembly 4390 when the electronic substrate 4386 is replaced. The use of a separate e-prom advantageously allows the electronic components to be separated from the plug 4380 compatible with the particular pump assembly 4390 and the electronic substrate that can be used for any pump assembly. Electronic substrate 4386 and pump assembly 4390 may include functional members to facilitate quick disassembly and reassembly, including electrical contact clips 4392, slots 4393, and threaded retention means 4394. It is not limited to these.

In some embodiments, processing system 10 may include an external communication module 4500, one embodiment of which is illustrated in FIG. 70A, whereby maintenance personnel and / or consumers may, for example, Although not limited to these,
One may communicate with processing system 10 using one or more of D-tags and / or barcodes and / or other formats. In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 may incorporate the RFID access antenna assembly 900 described above. The external communication module 4500 may include a number of devices capable of sending and receiving communications, including the following: wireless antenna 4530, optical barcode reader 45
10, including, but not limited to, one or more of a Bluetooth® antenna, a camera and / or other short range communication hardware. The processing system 10 can make use of the information obtained by the external communication module 4500, for example, to facilitate maintenance and repair by a number of actions, including the following: lock on the maintenance door One or more of clearing, notifying maintenance personnel of an error, required maintenance work, failing equipment, notifying required parts, and / or identifying containers that may need replacement. Included but not limited to. The external communication module 4500 may provide the consumer / user with one or more options for operation of the processing system 10, such as: coupon redemption and / or individual services Including but not limited to the following: services such as personalization of beverages and / or tracking of receipt and / or use of payments and / or awarding of awards Including but not limited to one or more of In some embodiments, external communication module 4500 may communicate with control logic subsystem 14 and receive power via a wire connection at connector 4552. External communication module 4500 may communicate with control logic subsystem 14 via wireless communication.

In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 includes a housing assembly 850
It may be attached near the front of the. In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 may be mounted within the structure of the processing system 10 such that the bar code reader or other optical device is unobstructed when looking outside. In some embodiments, the RFID antenna may also be mounted within 1 inch of the front of processing system 10.

In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 may include a barcode reader / decoder 4510. The barcode reader / decoder 4510 may read any optical code presented in its line of sight. In some embodiments, the light code may be presented in a number of formats, such as the following: as a print, and / or on an electronic device and / or on a smartphone and / or on a portable information terminal and / or Or as an image on the screen of a computer or other device capable of displaying light codes, including but not limited to one or more of:

In some embodiments, the RFID antenna reader may receive signals from various devices presented to the processing system 10 by, for example, maintenance personnel and / or users / consumers. Examples of available RFID devices include but are not limited to one or more of the following: key fob and / or plastic card and / or paper card.

One embodiment of the external communication module 4500 is shown in FIGS. 70A and 70B. In some embodiments, this module may be stored in case 4502. In some embodiments, case 4502 may be plastic, but
In various other embodiments, the case may be made of different materials. In some embodiments, the case 4502 may open on one side to receive the RFID sensor near the outside of the housing assembly 850. In some embodiments, the case 4502 may include one or more, ie, multiple, flanges 4504. Flange 4504 may be used to secure the module to the structure of processing system 10 or to the skin of housing assembly 850.

Many of the individual components of one embodiment are shown in FIG.
It can be seen in the 500 exploded views. In this embodiment, the RFID antenna assembly 4530 (FIG. 70) may include an antenna 4548, a resonator 4540, spacers 4546 and 4544 of the resonator, and an exit junction 4552. Bar code reader / decoder 4510 may be held by foam mount 4520. Foam mount 4520 may hold bar code reader / decoder 4510 in case 4502 while external communication module 4500 is mounted in processing system 10. Foam mount 4520 may be secured within external communication module 4500 by a spacer 4522 that passes through a matching hole in foam mount 4520. RFI
The D antenna assembly 4530 and the foam mount 4520 pass through the PCB of the RFID antenna assembly 4530 and are screwed into the bosses formed on the case 4502 and / or one or more screws (and / or bolts and / or other attachments) Case 4) by mechanism
It may be fixed to 502.

In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 may be mounted within the structure of the upper door 4600 as shown in FIG. 71A. In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 may be secured to the upper door 4600 with mechanical fasteners, such as: screws and / or rivets and / or flanges 4504
Including, but not limited to, one or more of snaps or other mechanical securing means or other such In some embodiments, the upper door 4600 may be part of the internal structure of the housing assembly 850. In some embodiments,
Upper door skin 4610 may be attached to upper door 4600.

In some embodiments, the alignment bracket 4630 is the upper door skin 461
It may be attached to 0. In some embodiments, alignment bracket 463
0 may align the barcode reader / decoder 4510 with the window 4620 of the upper door skin 4610 as shown in FIGS. 71B and 71C. In some embodiments, the alignment bracket is aligned with the window 4620, such as the following, ie, an adhesive and / or double-sided tape and / or other that conforms to the inner plastic skin of the upper door skin 4610 May be attached including, but not limited to, one or more of the non-mechanical attachment methods of However, mechanical fixing means may be used in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the alignment bracket may be attached to the upper door skin 4610 by mechanical fixing means, including one or more of screws and / or rivets and / or snaps. Although it may be, it is not limited to these. In some embodiments, the alignment bracket 4630 may be attached to or displayed on the window 4620 and the skin 4610 of the upper door, allowing proper alignment of the alignment bracket 4630 and the window 4620. It may be aligned using a visual mark sticker (not shown) or other display means to assist. In some embodiments, the visual markings may be embossed and / or imprinted with letters and / or symbols and / or glued, and / or colored and / or colored.
Or, any other display means that can support proper alignment may be included, but is not limited to these.

In some embodiments, alignment bracket 4630 may be aligned with bar code reader / decoder 4510 separately from alignment with external communication module 4500. In some embodiments, the bracket, one embodiment of which is shown in detail in FIG. 72, includes two side tabs 4632, an upper tab 4636, and a lower tab 4
634, and constrains the barcode reader / decoder 4510 in two directions (X and Y) and aligns it with the window 4620. However, in various other embodiments, the number and location of the tabs may be different. The flexible foam mount 4520 allows the bar code reader / decoder 4510 to move in two directions when the alignment bracket 4630 guides the bar code reader / decoder 4510 while inserting the external communication module 4500 into the upper door 4600. Translate linearly to X and Y) and help rotate around the Z axis. In some embodiments, the foam mount 4520 may constrain the bar code reader / decoder so that the external communication module 4500 can be attached to the upper door. In some embodiments, the foam mount 4520 further constrains the code reader / decoder 4510 so that the leading corners of the bar code reader / decoder contact the tapered portions of the tabs 4631, 4634, 4636. Good. In some embodiments, the barcode reader / decoder 4510 includes an alignment bracket 4630 and a PC for an RFID antenna.
It may be constrained in the Z-axis by aligning B4550. In some embodiments, the upper door skin 4610 and the PCB 4550 provide a limited amount of elastic compliance such that the upper door skin 4610, the external communication module 4500, the Z between the bar code reader / decoder 4510 It may be possible to cope with the cumulative tolerance of the direction.

In some embodiments, the barcode reader / decoder 4510 may be held in the external communication module 4500 by a flexible bracket. Flexible bracket
It may provide sufficient flexibility to allow the bar code reader / decoder 4510 to perform the linear motion and rotation necessary for alignment with the alignment bracket. The flexible bracket may constrain the barcode reader / decoder within a limited range so that the module can be inserted into the upper door 4600. The flexible bracket 4520 may further constrain the barcode reader / decoder 4510 so that the leading corners of the barcode reader / decoder contact the tapered portions of the tabs 4631, 4634, 4636 during the insertion process .

In some embodiments, tabs 4632, 463 of alignment bracket 4630
4, 4636 may include an angled portion 4633, which guides the barcode reader / decoder 4510 to be aligned with the window 46220. In some embodiments, each tab includes a straight portion near bottom 4631 which is perpendicular to the bottom and constrains the motion of bar code reader / decoder 4510 in the X and Y directions. In some embodiments, the distance between the straight portions of opposing tabs may be slightly larger than the bar code reader / decoder, which may be advantageous for many reasons, which is easy to assemble and align Including, but not limited to, the accuracy of In some embodiments, the tab may have a larger or smaller taper so that it can be mounted in the opening of the upper door 4600.

As mentioned above, other examples of products that can be produced by the processing system 10 include milk-based products (e.g. milk shake, float, malt, frappe), coffee-based products (e.g. coffee, cappuccino, espresso) , Soda based products (eg float, soda split of fruit juice), tea leaf based products (eg ice tea, sweet tea, hot tea), water based products (eg natural water, natural water with flavor, vitamin Containing natural water, high concentration electrolyte containing beverages, high concentration carbohydrate containing beverages etc., solid based products (eg trail mix, granola based products, mixed nuts, cereal products, cereal products), medical products (eg Meltable drug, injectable drug, ingestible drug, Solutions), alcohol-based products (eg, mixed drinks, wine spritza, soda-based alcoholic beverages, water-based alcoholic beverages), industrial products (eg, solvents, paints, lubricants, stains, etc.), health And may include, but are not limited to, cosmetic aid products (eg, shampoos, cosmetics, soaps, hair conditioners, skin conditioners, topical ointments).

A number of implementations have been described. However, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the description is illustrative only and is not limiting as to the scope of the invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described in the text herein, other embodiments are also envisaged within the scope of the present invention. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
A first aspect of the invention is a system for monitoring the flow state of fluid flowing from a product container through a solenoid pump,
At least one solenoid pump, the solenoid pump including a solenoid coil generating one stroke of the solenoid pump when energized;
At least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump, wherein the at least one solenoid pump discharges fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke;
At least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump;
At least one current sensor detecting current flow through the solenoid coil and generating an output of the detected current flow;
A control logic subsystem for controlling the flow of fluid through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller and monitoring the current through the solenoid pump by receiving the output from the current sensor, A control logic subsystem that uses the measurements of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional.
A second aspect of the invention is directed to the first aspect wherein the control logic subsystem determines that the at least one product container is sold out using at least a measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil. It is a system of an aspect.
A third aspect of the invention is that the control logic subsystem uses measurements of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is non-functional. It is a system of a 1st aspect.
A fourth aspect of the invention is that the control logic subsystem determines whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is a sold out stroke using measurements of the current flow through the solenoid coil. 3 is a system of the aspect of 3. FIG.
The fifth aspect of the invention is the system of the fourth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem determines that the at least one product container is sold out when the threshold number of consecutive sold out strokes is reached. is there.
A sixth aspect of the invention is the fifth aspect, wherein the at least one product container further comprises an RFID tag storing a value of a residual amount indicator representing an amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container. System.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the control logic subsystem determines that the at least one product container is sold out when a certain number of consecutive sold-out strokes are determined and the remaining amount indication exceeds a threshold volume. And the system according to the sixth aspect.
An eighth aspect of the invention is a method of monitoring the flow rate of fluid from a product container through a solenoid pump,
Energizing a solenoid coil of the solenoid pump to generate one stroke of the solenoid pump;
Discharging fluid from the product container through the solenoid pump during each stroke;
Detecting current flow through the solenoid using a current sensor and generating an output of the detected current flow;
Monitoring the current through the solenoid pump using a control logic subsystem, the control logic subsystem receiving a sensed current flow from the current sensor;
Determining whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional;
Method.
A ninth aspect of the invention further includes the step of the control logic subsystem determining that the at least one product container is sold out using at least a measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil. , The method of the 8th aspect.
A tenth aspect of the invention is directed to the step wherein the control logic subsystem determines whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is non-functional using measurements of the current flow through the solenoid coil. The method of the eighth aspect further comprising
An eleventh aspect of the invention provides that the control logic subsystem uses the measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is a sold out stroke. The method of the tenth aspect further comprising.
A twelfth aspect of the invention further includes the step of determining that the at least one product container is sold out when the control logic subsystem reaches a threshold number of consecutive sold out strokes. It is a method of an aspect.
A thirteenth aspect of the invention uses an RFID tag that stores a value of a residual amount indicator representing the amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container to measure the amount of fluid remaining in the product container. A method of the twelfth aspect further comprising the step of measuring.
In a fourteenth aspect of the invention, the control logic subsystem determines that the product container is sold out when a certain number of consecutive sold-out strokes are determined and the remaining amount indication exceeds a threshold volume. A method of the thirteenth aspect, further comprising the step of:
A fifteenth aspect of the invention is a system for determining that a product container is sold out, comprising:
At least one solenoid pump, the solenoid pump including a solenoid coil that generates one stroke of the pump when energized;
At least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump, wherein the at least one solenoid pump discharges fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke;
At least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump and control a voltage applied to the at least one solenoid pump;
At least one current sensor detecting current flow through the solenoid coil and generating an output of the detected current flow;
A control logic subsystem for controlling the flow of fluid through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller and monitoring the current through the pump by receiving the output from the current sensor, the control logic subsystem A control logic subsystem that determines that the at least one product container is out of stock using at least a measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil.
The sixteenth aspect of the invention is the fifteenth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem determines whether the stroke of the at least one solenoid pump is a functional stroke based on the output of the current sensor. It is a system.
The seventeenth aspect of the invention is the system according to the sixteenth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem determines whether or not the stroke of the at least one solenoid pump is a sold out stroke based on the output of the current sensor. It is.
An eighteenth aspect of the invention is the system of the seventeenth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem determines that the at least one product container is sold out when the threshold number of consecutive sold out strokes is reached. is there.
A nineteenth aspect of the invention is the eighteenth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem determines whether the stroke of the at least one solenoid pump is a non-functional stroke based on the output of the current sensor. System.
In a twentieth aspect of the invention, the at least one product container further comprises an RFID tag storing a value of a residual amount indicator representing an amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container.
It is a system of the nineteenth aspect.
In a twenty-first aspect of the invention, the control logic subsystem determines that the system is sold out when a certain number of consecutive sold out strokes are determined and the remaining amount indication exceeds a threshold volume. It is a system of the twentieth aspect.
A twenty-second aspect of the invention is the system of the fifteenth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem controls the current measured by the current sensor by changing a high frequency duty cycle of the PWM controller.
In a twenty-third aspect of the invention, the at least one solenoid pump includes the at least one solenoid pump.
The system of the fifteenth aspect, further comprising: two PWM controllers and at least one power supply connected via the at least one current sensor.

Claims (3)

A system for monitoring fluid flow from a product container through a solenoid pump, the system comprising:
At least one solenoid pump, the solenoid pump including a solenoid coil generating one stroke of the solenoid pump when energized;
At least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump, wherein the at least one solenoid pump discharges fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke;
At least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump;
At least one current sensor detecting current flow through the solenoid coil and generating an output of the detected current flow;
A control logic subsystem for controlling the flow of fluid through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller and monitoring the current through the solenoid coil by receiving the output from the current sensor, A control logic subsystem that determines whether an occlusion condition exists based on a second derivative value at a predetermined time of the current through the solenoid coil;
System including: A method of monitoring the flow rate of fluid from a product container through a solenoid pump, the method comprising:
Energizing a solenoid coil of the solenoid pump to generate one stroke of the solenoid pump;
Discharging fluid from the product container through the solenoid pump during each stroke;
Detecting current flow through the solenoid coil using a current sensor, and generating an output of the detected current flow;
Monitoring a current through the solenoid coil using a control logic subsystem, the control logic subsystem receiving a sensed current flow from the current sensor;
Determining whether an occlusion condition exists based on a second derivative value of the current through the solenoid coil at a predetermined time;
Method including. A system for determining that a product container is sold out, and
At least one solenoid pump, the solenoid pump including a solenoid coil generating one stroke of the solenoid pump when energized;
At least one product container connected to the at least one solenoid pump, wherein the at least one solenoid pump discharges fluid from the at least one product container during each stroke;
At least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump and control a voltage applied to the at least one solenoid pump;
At least one current sensor detecting current flow through the solenoid coil and generating an output of the detected current flow;
A control logic subsystem for controlling the flow of fluid through the solenoid pump by commanding the PWM controller and monitoring the current through the solenoid coil by receiving the output from the current sensor, A control logic subsystem that determines whether a sellout stroke exists based on a second derivative of the current through the solenoid coil.

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