JP7011686B2 - Product dispensing system with PWM control solenoid pump - Google Patents

Description

Mutual afterglow of related applications This application is filed on October 28, 2011, "Product Dispensi".
US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 552,938 (Agent Reference No. I82), entitled "ng System", filed November 15, 2011, "Product Di."
US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 560,007 (Agent Reference No. J13), entitled "spensing System", filed April 20, 2012, "Produ".
US Provisional Patent Application No. 61,636, entitled "ct Dispensing System"
It claims the interests of Specification No. 298 (Agent Reference No. J39), the full text of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention generally relates to a processing system, more particularly to a processing system used to produce a product from multiple separate raw materials.

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

For example, creating different products may require the addition of new components such as new valves, lines, manifolds, software subroutines, and so on. Such significant modifications are required because the existing equipment / processes in the machining system are non-reconfigurable and their use is for a single and dedicated use, and therefore another to perform new tasks. This is because the components must be added.

According to one aspect of the invention, a system for monitoring the flow state of a fluid flowing from a product container through a solenoid pump is disclosed. The system includes at least one solenoid pump including a solenoid coil that produces one stroke of the solenoid pump when energized, and at least one product container connected to at least one solenoid pump, the at least one solenoid pump. At least one PWM controller configured to discharge fluid from at least one product container during each stroke and energize at least one solenoid pump, and the current flow through the solenoid coil is detected and the detected current flow. Control to control the flow rate of fluid through the solenoid pump by instructing the PWM controller with at least one current sensor to generate the output of, and to monitor the current through the solenoid pump by receiving the output from the current sensor. The control logic subsystem, including the logic subsystem, uses measurements of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the solenoid pump stroke 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 uses at least the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine that at least one product container is sold out. The control logic subsystem uses the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil,
Determine if the solenoid pump stroke is non-functional. The control logic subsystem uses the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the solenoid pump stroke is a sold-out stroke. When the control logic subsystem reaches the threshold number of consecutive sold-out strokes, it determines that at least one product container is sold out. The at least one product container further comprises an RFID tag, which stores a residual indicator value 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 sold-out strokes is determined and the residual value exceeds the threshold volume.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of monitoring the flow rate of fluid from a product container through a solenoid pump is disclosed. In this method, the solenoid coil of the solenoid pump is energized to generate one stroke of the solenoid pump, the step of discharging the fluid from the product container through the solenoid pump during each stroke, and the solenoid using a current sensor. The step of detecting the current flow through the solenoid pump and generating the output of the detected current flow, and the step of monitoring the current through the solenoid pump using the control logic subsystem, where the control logic subsystem is from the current sensor. It includes a step of receiving the detected current and a step of 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 uses at least the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine that at least one product container is sold out. The control logic subsystem uses the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil,
Determine if the solenoid pump stroke is non-functional. The control logic subsystem uses the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the solenoid pump stroke is a sold-out stroke. When the control logic subsystem reaches the threshold number of consecutive sold-out strokes, it determines that at least one product container is sold out. A step of measuring the amount of fluid remaining in a product container using an RFID tag that stores an RFID tag that represents the amount of fluid remaining in 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 is determined and the remaining amount display exceeds the threshold volume.

According to one aspect of the present 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 produces one stroke of the solenoid pump when energized, and at least one product container connected to at least one solenoid pump, the at least one solenoid pump. With at least one PWM controller configured to discharge fluid from at least one product container during each stroke and to energize at least one solenoid pump to control the voltage applied to at least one solenoid coil. , At least one current sensor that detects the current flow through the solenoid coil and generates the output of the detected current flow, and controls the flow rate of the fluid through the solenoid pump by instructing the PWM controller to output the output from the current sensor. The control logic subsystem includes a control logic subsystem for monitoring the current through the pump by receiving, and the control logic subsystem uses at least the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil, and at least one product container is sold out. Is determined to be.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features: That is, the control logic subsystem determines whether the stroke of at least one solenoid pump was a functional stroke based on the output of the current sensor. The control logic subsystem determines if the stroke of at least one solenoid pump was a sold-out stroke based on the output of the current sensor. When the control logic subsystem reaches the threshold number of consecutive sold-out strokes, it determines that at least one product container is sold out. The control logic subsystem determines if the stroke of at least one solenoid pump was a non-functional stroke based on the output of the current sensor. The at least one product container further comprises an RFID tag that stores a residual indicator value that represents the amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container. The control logic subsystem determines that the system is sold out when a certain number of consecutive sold-out strokes is determined and the remaining amount display 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 for at least one solenoid pump
At least one power supply connected to the controller via at least one current sensor.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cross-readin of the product dispensing system.
Methods for reducing g) are disclosed. This method involves multiple RFs in the product dispensing system.
Fits with a step to scan the ID tag assembly and a step to evaluate the RFID tag assembly to locate it in the product dispensing system if one or more RFID tag assemblies are read in multiple slots. It includes a step of comparing assemblement maps and a step of comparing received signal strength indications.

According to one aspect of the invention, in the first embodiment, the flow meter comprises a fluid chamber configured to receive the fluid. The diaphragm assembly is configured to displace each time the fluid in the fluid chamber displaces. The transducer assembly monitors the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and is configured to generate a signal, at least in part, based 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 contains a linear variable differential transformer that is coupled to the diaphragm assembly by a coupling assembly, the transducer assembly contains a needle / magnet cartridge assembly, the transducer assembly contains a magnetic coil assembly, and the transducer assembly The Hall Effect sensor assembly is included, the transducer assembly contains a piezoelectric buzzer element, the transducer assembly contains a piezoelectric sheet element, the transducer assembly contains an audio speaker assembly, the transducer assembly contains an accelerometer assembly, and the transducer assembly. Includes a microphone assembly and / or a transducer assembly contains an optical displacement assembly.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of determining that a product container is empty is disclosed. In this method, the pump assembly is energized, the micro raw material is discharged from the product container, the capacitive plate is displaced by the displacement distance, the capacitance of the capacitor is measured, and the displacement is displaced from the measured capacitance. It includes a step of calculating the distance and a step of 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. This method includes at least one step: energizing the pump assembly, displacementing the diaphragm assembly by the displacement distance by discharging micromaterials from the product container, and measuring the displacement distance using the transducer assembly. Includes a step of using a transducer assembly that generates a signal based on the amount of micromaterial ejected from the product container and a step of using that signal to determine if the product container is empty. ..

According to another aspect of the invention, brackets for product dispensing systems are disclosed. This bracket includes multiple tabs configured to align with at least one bar code reader on the 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 those skilled in the art when read with the accompanying 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.

It is a schematic diagram of one Embodiment of a processing system. It is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the control logic subsystem included in the machining system of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a mass raw material subsystem included in the processing system of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the micro raw material subsystem included in the processing system of FIG. It is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the capacitive flow rate sensor included in the processing system of FIG. 1 (in the non-discharged state). It is a schematic top view of the capacitive flow rate sensor of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of two capacitive plates included in the capacitive flow sensor of FIG. 5A. It is a time-dependent 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 rate sensor of FIG. 5A (in the discharge state). It is a schematic side view of the capacitive flow rate sensor of FIG. 5A (in an empty state). FIG. 5A is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the flow rate sensor of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5A is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the flow rate sensor of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a piping / control subsystem included in the machining system of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of one Embodiment of the gear type volume transfer type flow rate measuring apparatus. An embodiment of the flow control module of FIG. 3 is schematically shown. An embodiment of the flow control module of FIG. 3 is schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. Various alternative embodiments of the flow control module of FIG. 3 are schematically shown. A part of the variable line impedance is shown schematically. A part of the variable line impedance is shown schematically. One embodiment of variable line impedance is schematically shown. A gear of a gear type volume transfer type flow rate measuring device according to one embodiment is schematically shown. A gear of a gear type volume transfer type flow rate measuring device according to one embodiment is schematically shown. It is a schematic diagram of the user interface subsystem included in the machining system of FIG. It is a flowchart of the FSM process executed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the first state diagram. It is a schematic diagram of the second state diagram. It is a flowchart of the virtual machine process executed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. It is a flowchart of the virtual manifold process executed by the control logic subsystem of FIG. It is an isometric view of the RFID system included in the processing system of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the RFID system of FIG. 23. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an RFID antenna assembly included in the RFID system of FIG. FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the antenna loop assembly of the RFID antenna assembly of FIG. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a housing assembly for accommodating the machining system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an RFID access antenna assembly included in the processing system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an alternative RFID access antenna assembly included in the machining system of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the processing system of FIG. FIG. 30 is a schematic representation of the internal assembly of the machining system of FIG. FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the upper cabinet of the machining system of FIG. FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of a flow control subsystem of the machining system of FIG. It is the schematic of the flow rate control module of the flow rate control subsystem of FIG. 33. FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the upper cabinet of the machining system of FIG. It is the schematic of the power module of the processing system of FIG. 35. It is the schematic of the power module of the processing system of FIG. 35. The flow control module of the flow control subsystem of FIG. 35 is schematically shown. The flow control module of the flow control subsystem of FIG. 35 is schematically shown. The flow control module of the flow control subsystem of FIG. 35 is schematically shown. FIG. 30 is a schematic view of the lower cabinet of the processing system of FIG. It is the schematic of the micro raw material tower of the lower cabinet of FIG. 38. It is the schematic of the micro raw material tower of the lower cabinet of FIG. 38. It is the schematic of the 4-unit type product module of the micro raw material tower of FIG. 39. It is the schematic of the 4-unit type product module of the micro raw material tower of FIG. 39. It is a schematic diagram of one Embodiment of a micro raw material container. It is a schematic diagram of one Embodiment of a micro raw material container. It is a schematic diagram of one Embodiment of a micro raw material container. It is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a micro raw material container. An alternative embodiment of the lower cabinet of the machining system of FIG. 30 is schematically shown. An alternative embodiment of the lower cabinet of the machining system of FIG. 30 is schematically shown. One embodiment of the micro material shelves in the lower cabinets of FIGS. 45A and 45B is schematically shown. One embodiment of the micro material shelves in the lower cabinets of FIGS. 45A and 45B is schematically shown. One embodiment of the micro material shelves in the lower cabinets of FIGS. 45A and 45B is schematically shown. One embodiment of the micro material shelves in the lower cabinets of FIGS. 45A and 45B is schematically shown. FIG. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically shows a quadruple product module of a micro raw material shelf. FIG. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically shows a quadruple product module of a micro raw material shelf. FIG. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically shows a quadruple product module of a micro raw material shelf. FIG. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically shows a quadruple product module of a micro raw material shelf. FIG. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically shows a quadruple product module of a micro raw material shelf. FIG. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D schematically shows a quadruple product module of a micro raw material shelf. FIG. 47A, 47B, 47C, 47D, 47E, 47F schematically show the piping assembly of the quadruple product module. The mass micromaterial assembly of the lower cabinets of FIGS. 45A and 45B is schematically shown. The mass micromaterial assembly of the lower cabinets of FIGS. 45A and 45B is schematically shown. The mass micromaterial assembly of the lower cabinets of FIGS. 45A and 45B is schematically shown. The piping assembly of the mass micromaterial assembly of FIGS. 49A, 49B, 49C is shown schematically. An embodiment of a user interface screen within a user interface bracket is schematically shown. One embodiment of a screenless user interface bracket is schematically shown. It is a detailed side view of the bracket of FIG. 52. The membrane pump is shown schematically. The membrane pump is shown schematically. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the flow rate control module in a non-energized position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module in which the binary valve is in the open position. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the flow rate control module in the middle of the energization position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a flow control module in a fully energized position. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the flow rate control module which comprises the anemometer sensor. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the flow rate control module which comprises a paddle wheel sensor. It is a notch top view of one embodiment of a paddle wheel sensor. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the flow control module. It is one embodiment of the dithering plan formulation method. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a flow control module in a fully energized position showing a fluid flow path. It is a schematic diagram of an exemplary solenoid pump / measurement / control circuit. It is a schematic diagram of a PWM controller / current detection circuit. FIGS. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of time-dependent currents of solenoid pumps for various states of normal, empty, and closed according to one embodiment. FIGS. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of time-dependent currents of solenoid pumps for various states of normal, empty, and closed according to one embodiment. FIGS. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of time-dependent currents of solenoid pumps for various states of normal, empty, and closed according to one embodiment. FIGS. 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D are graphs of time-dependent currents of solenoid pumps for various states of normal, empty, and closed according to one embodiment. FIGS. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically show an alternative quadruple product module of the micro material shelves of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. FIGS. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically show an alternative quadruple product module of the micro material shelves of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. FIGS. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically show an alternative quadruple product module of the micro material shelves of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. FIGS. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically show an alternative quadruple product module of the micro material shelves of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. FIGS. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically show an alternative quadruple product module of the micro material shelves of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. FIGS. 69A, 69B, 69C, 69D, 69E, 69F schematically show an alternative quadruple product module of the micro material shelves of FIGS. 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D according to one embodiment. It is a figure of one Embodiment of the external communication module by one Embodiment. It is an exploded view of one Embodiment of the external communication module by one Embodiment. It is an isometric view of one embodiment of the external communication module mounting means of the upper door of the processing system by one embodiment. It is an isometric view of one embodiment of the external communication module mounting means of the upper door of the processing system by one embodiment. It is an isometric view of one embodiment of the external communication module mounting means of the upper door of the processing system by one embodiment. It is a figure of one Embodiment of the alignment bracket by one Embodiment. It is a flow chart of the crosstalk reduction method by one Embodiment. It is a graph of the pulse and the sold-out value of the product by one embodiment. It is a graph of a pulse and a sold-out value and a bals and an expected standard deviation by one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of leak detection for a flow control module according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of leak detection for a flow control module according to one embodiment. It is a graph of time and volume showing the leak integrator and the detected leak.

Similar reference symbols in different figures indicate similar elements.

This specification describes a product dispensing system. This system includes one or more modular components, which are also referred to as "subsystems". Although exemplary systems are described herein in various embodiments, the product dispensing system may include one or more of the subsystems described, and the product dispensing system is the described subsystem. Not limited to one or more of the systems. Therefore, in some embodiments, an additional subsystem may be used for the product dispensing system.

The following disclosures are various electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, software processes that allow various raw materials to be mixed and processed to produce a product.
That is, the interaction and collaboration of "subsystems") will be explained. Examples of such products include
Milk-based products (eg milk shakes, floats, malts, frappes), coffee-based products (eg coffee, cappuccino, espresso), soda-based products (eg floats, fruit juice soda splits), tea leaf-based products Products (eg ice tea, sweet tea, hot tea), water-based products (eg natural water, flavored natural water, vitamin-containing natural water, high-concentration electrolyte-containing beverages, high-concentration carbohydrate-containing beverages, etc.), solid-based Products (eg, trail mixes, granola-based products, mixed nuts, cereals, miscellaneous grain products), medical products (eg, insoluble drugs, injectable drugs, ingestible drugs, dialysate), alcohol-based Product (for example
Mixed drinks, wine spritza, soda-based alcoholic beverages, water-based alcoholic beverages, flavored "shot" beer), industrial products (eg solvents, paints, lubricants, dyes, etc.), health / beauty supplements (For example, shampoo, cosmetics, soap, hair conditioner, skin conditioner, topical ointment) may be included, but is not limited thereto.

The product may be produced using one or more "raw materials". The raw material may include 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. The product is fluid, solid,
It may be powder or gas.

The various raw materials may be referred to as "macro raw materials", "micro raw materials", or "mass micro raw materials". One or more of the raw materials used may be housed in a housing, i.e., a portion of the product dispenser. However, one or more of the raw materials may be stored or produced outside the machine. For example, in some embodiments, a large amount of (different amounts) of water or other ingredients may be stored outside the machine (eg, in some embodiments, high fructose corn syrup). It may be stored outside the machine), while other ingredients such as powdered ingredients, concentrated ingredients, syrups, pharmaceuticals and / or gas cylinders may be stored inside the machine itself.

Various combinations of the above electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, and software processes are described below. The combinations disclosed below, for example, which disclose the production of beverages and pharmaceuticals (eg, dialysate) using various subsystems, are not intended to be limited to this application, but rather are coordinated by the subsystems. Work to produce a product /
It is an exemplary embodiment of the method that can be dispensed. Specifically, 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 above products or any other product similar to them.

Referring to FIG. 1, an overview of the machining system 10 is shown, which is a plurality of subsystems, namely a storage subsystem 12, a control logic subsystem 14, a mass raw material subsystem 16, and a micro raw material subsystem 18. And the piping / control subsystem 20, the user interface subsystem 22, and the nozzle 24 are drawn to include. Each of the above subsystems 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 will be described in more detail below.

During use of the processing system 10, user 26 may use the user interface subsystem 22 to select a particular product 28 to be dispensed (into the container 30). User 26 should be included in such a product via the user interface subsystem 221
You may select one or more options. For example, options may include, but are not limited to, the addition of one or more ingredients. In one exemplary embodiment, this system is a system for pouring beverages. In this embodiment, the user has various flavorings to be added to the beverage (including, but not limited to, lemon flavoring, lime flavoring, chocolate flavoring, vanilla flavoring), 1 to the beverage. Addition of a seed or multiple dietary supplements (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 types of foods (eg
You can choose to add ice cream, yogurt).

When the user 26 makes an appropriate selection via the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 can send an appropriate data signal (via the data bus 32) to the control logic subsystem 14. The control logic subsystem 14 can process these signals and can read one or more recipes selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12 (via the data bus 34). The term "recipe" refers to the description for processing / producing the requested product. When the control logic subsystem 14 reads a recipe from the storage subsystem 12, it processes the recipe and sends an appropriate control signal (via the data bus 38), for example, the mass raw material subsystem 16.
And the Micro Ingredients Subsystem 18 (and, in some embodiments, a large amount of Micro Ingredients not shown, which may be included in the description of the Micro Ingredients for Processing. To note, in some embodiments,
An assembly may be used instead of the micro-material assembly. ), And the piping / control subsystem 20 can be supplied, resulting in the product 28 (, which is the container 30).
Is poured out).

Also with reference to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of the control logic subsystem 14 is shown. The control logic subsystem 14 is a microphone processor 100 (eg, California, Santa).
ARM® manufactured by Intel Corporation of Clara
A microphone processor), a non-volatile memory (eg, read-only memory 102), and a volatile memory (eg, random access memory 104), each of which may include one or more data / system buses. It may be interconnected via 106, 108. As described above, the user interface subsystem 22 may be connected to the control logic subsystem 14 via the data bus 32.

The control logic subsystem 14 also outputs, for example, an analog audio signal to the speaker 112.
May include an audio subsystem 110 to supply to the processing system 1.
It may be incorporated in 0. The audio subsystem 110 may be connected to the microphone processor 100 via the data / system bus 114.

The control logic subsystem 14 may run an operating system, for example, Microsoft Windows CE®, Redhat Linux.
(Registered Trademark), Palm OS (Registered Trademark) or Device Identification (ie, Custom)
Operating systems may be included, but are not limited to these.

The operating system instruction set and subroutines described above, which may be stored in storage subsystem 12, include one or more processors (eg, microphone processor 100) and one or more processors built into control logic subsystem 14. Memory configuration (eg, read-only memory 102 and / or random access memory 104
) May be executed.

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 (ie, CompactFlash®) card, an SD.
(Ie, Secure Digital) Cards, SmartMedia® Cards, M
Emory Stick and MultiMedia Cards may be included.

As described above, the storage subsystem 12 may be connected to the control logic subsystem 14 via the data bus 34. The control logic subsystem 14 may also include a storage controller 116 (indicated by a dashed line) for converting the signal supplied by the microphone processor 100 into a format that can be used by the storage system 12. Further, the storage controller 116 can convert the signal supplied by the storage subsystem 12 into a format that can be used by the microprocessor 100.

In some embodiments, Ethernet® connections are also included.

As mentioned above, the mass raw material subsystem (also referred to herein as “macro raw material”) 16 and the micro raw material subsystem 18 and / or the piping / control subsystem 20 are controlled via the data bus 38. It may be linked to. The control logic subsystem 14 uses the signal supplied by the microprocessor 100 as a mass source subsystem 1.
6. The micromaterial subsystem 18 and / or the piping / control subsystem 20 may include a bus interface 118 (indicated by a dashed line) for conversion to a usable format. Further, the bus interface 118 may convert the signals supplied by the mass raw material subsystem 16, the micro raw material subsystem 18 and / or the piping / control subsystem 20 into a format that can be used by the microprocessor 100.

As will be described in more detail later, the control logic subsystem 14 executes one or more control processes 120 (eg, finite state machine process (FSM process 122), virtual machine process 124, virtual manifold process 126, etc.). It may control the operation of the machining system 10. The instruction set and subroutine of the control process 120, which may be stored in the storage subsystem 12, includes one or more processors (eg, microprocessor 100) and one or more memories embedded in the control logic subsystem 14. It may be executed by the configuration (for example, read-only memory 102 and / or random access memory 104).

Also with reference to FIG. 3, schematic views of the mass raw material subsystem 16 and the piping / control subsystem 20 are shown. The mass raw material 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 carbonic acid supply unit 150, a water supply unit 152, and a high fructose corn syrup supply unit 154. In some embodiments, the bulk raw material is positioned in the vicinity of other subsystems. The example of the carbon dioxide supply unit 150 may include, but is not limited to, a tank of compressed carbon dioxide gas (not shown). In the example of the water supply unit 152, there is a water supply (not shown),
Distilled water supply, filtered water supply, reverse osmosis (RO) water supply or other desired water supply may be included, but is not limited thereto. Examples of high fructose corn syrup feeder 154 include one or more tanks of high fructose corn syrup (not shown) or one or more bag-in-box packages of high fructose corn syrup. It may be, but it is not limited to these.

The mass raw material subsystem 16 includes carbon dioxide gas (supplied by the carbon dioxide supply unit 150) and water (supplied by the carbon dioxide supply unit 150).
It may contain a carbonator 156 for producing carbonated water (supplied by the water supply unit 152). Carbonated water 158, water 160 and high fructose corn syrup 162 may be supplied to the cooling plate assembly 163 (eg, in embodiments where it may be desirable to cool the product. In some embodiments, the cooling plate assembly. May not be included or bypassed as part of the dispensing system). The cooling plate assembly 163 contains 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 it is shown that one cooling plate 163 cools carbonated water 158, water 160, and high fructose corn syrup 162, this is for illustration purposes only, and other configurations are possible. It is not intended to be limited. For example, a separate cooling plate 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, and cooled Takakato corn syrup 168 may be supplied to the piping / control subsystem 20. In yet another embodiment, the cooling plate may not be included. In some embodiments, only one hot plate may be included.

The piping is drawn to have the order shown in the figure, but in some embodiments this order is not used. For example, the flow control modules described herein may be configured in a different order: flow measuring device, binary valve, then variable line impedance.

For purposes of illustration, the system is described below with respect to using this system to inject soft drinks as a product, i.e. to the macro / mass raw materials described.
Includes high fructose corn syrup, carbonated water and water. However, in other embodiments of the pouring system, the macro raw material itself and the number of macro raw materials may be different.

For purposes of illustration, the piping / control subsystem 20 includes three flow control modules 170.
, 172, 174 are shown to include. Flow control modules 170, 172, 17
4 can generally control the amount and / or flow rate of a large amount of raw material. Flow control module 170
, 172, 174 are flow rate measuring devices (for example, flow rate measuring devices 176, 178, 18 respectively.
0) may be included, which measure the amount of (each) cooled carbonated water 164, cooled water 166, and cooled high fructose corn sip 168. Flow measuring device 176, 1
78, 180 can supply (respectively) feedback signals 182, 184, 186 to (respectively) feedback controller systems 188, 190, 192.

The feedback controller systems 188, 190, 192 (which will be described in more detail later) provide the flow rate feedback signals 182, 184, 186 with the desired flow rate (more on this later).
Each is set for chilled carbonated water 164, chilled water 166, and chilled high fructose corn syrup 168). Flow feedback signal 182,
Processing 184 and 186, (respectively) feedback controller system 188
, 190, 192 can generate (respectively) flow control signals 194, 196, 198, which can be supplied to (respectively) variable line impedances 200, 202, 204.
Examples of variable line impedances 200, 202, 204 are in US Pat. No. 5,755,68.
It is disclosed and claimed in the specification No. 3 (agent reference number B13) and US patent application publication No. 2007/00875049 (agent reference number E66). Variable line impedances 200, 202, 204 can adjust the flow rate of cooled carbonated water 164, cooled water 166, and cooled Taka Kato corn syrup 168 passing through (respectively) lines 218, 220, 222. Is supplied to the nozzle 24 and (subsequently) to the container 30. However, another embodiment of variable line impedance is described herein.

Lines 218, 220 and 222 are further (respectively) binary valves 212 and 214.
, 216 may be included, which prevent fluid from flowing to lines 218, 220, 222 when fluid flow is not desired / required (eg, during shipping, maintenance procedures, downtime).

In one embodiment, the binary valves 212, 214, 216 may include solenoid type 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 operated by any means. In addition, the binary valves 212, 214, 216 may be configured to prevent fluid from flowing to lines 218, 220, 222 whenever the machining system 10 is not pouring the product. Further, the function of the binary valves 212, 214, 216 is via the variable line impedances 200, 202, 204 and the variable line impedances 200, 202, 204.
May be achieved by completely closing and thus preventing fluid from flowing through lines 218, 220, 222.

As mentioned above, FIG. 3 only provides an exemplary diagram of the piping / control subsystem 20. Therefore, the method of 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 functionality of the feedback controller systems 182, 184, and 186 may be incorporated into the control logic subsystem 14. Further, with respect to the flow control modules 170, 172, and 174, the arrangement configuration of the components is shown only for illustration in FIG. Therefore, the sequence configuration of the figure merely serves as an exemplary embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the components may be arranged in different arrangements.

Also with reference to FIG. 4, a schematic top view of the micromaterial subsystem 18 and the piping / control subsystem 20 is shown. The micromaterial subsystem 18 may include a product module assembly 250, which may include one or more product containers 252, 254, 256,
They may be configured to engage releasably with 258, which may be configured to hold the micro-ingredients used in the production of product 28. Micro raw materials are substrates used in the production of products. Examples of such micromaterials / substrates include the first part of soft drink flavoring, the second part of soft drink flavoring,
It may contain, but is not limited to, coffee flavoring, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals, and may be fluid, powder, or solid. However, for illustration purposes, the following description relates to micro-materials for fluids. In some embodiments, the micro-ingredient is a powder or solid. If the micromaterial is a powder, the system may include an additional subsystem for weighing the powder and / or reducing the powder (but as described in the examples below, the micromaterial may include. If it is a powder, the powder may be reduced as part of the method of mixing the product, ie, a software manifold).

The product module assembly 250 comprises a plurality of product containers 252, 254, 256, 258.
Multiple slot assemblies 260, 262, 26 configured to engage with release from prison
4, 266 may be included. In this particular example, the product module assembly 25
0 is the 4 slot assembly (ie, slots 260, 262, 264, 266)
Is shown to include, and can therefore be referred to as a quadruple product module assembly. When positioning the product container 252, 254, 256, 258 in the product module assembly 250, slide the product container (eg, product container 254) into the slot assembly (eg, slot assembly 262) in the direction of arrow 268. May be good.
As shown in this application, a "quadruple product module" assembly is described in this exemplary embodiment, but in other embodiments, more products are housed in one module assembly. However, it may be less. The number of product containers may vary depending on the product dispensed by the dispensing system. Therefore, the number of products contained in any of the module assemblies may vary from application to application and are desired features of the system, such as, but not limited to, the efficiency, need, and of the system. / Or may be selected to satisfy the function.

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

The inlet port may be connected to each of the pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 and releaseably engage with the product opening contained within the product container. For example, the pump assembly 272 is shown to include an inlet port 278 configured to releaseably engage the container opening 280 contained within the product container 254. Inlet port 278 and /
Alternatively, the product opening 280 may include one or more sealing assemblies (not shown), such as one or more O-rings or lure fittings, to facilitate a leak-proof sealed state. Inlet ports connected to each pump assembly (eg, inlet port 27)
8) may be made of a rigid "pipe-like" material or may be made of a flexible "tube-like" material.

In the example of one or more pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276, a solenoid that delivers the 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. In one embodiment, such a pump is an Italian pump.
ULKA Constructioni Elettromecca in Pavia
niche S. p. A. It is available from. For example, each time the pump assembly (eg, pump assembly 274) is energized by the control logic subsystem 14 via the data bus 38, the pump assembly supplies approximately 30 μL of fluid micromaterial contained in the product container 256. May (however, the amount of flavoring supplied may vary based on calibration). Again, for illustration purposes only, the micro-ingredient is a fluid in this part of the description. The term "calibration-based" refers to, or other information and / or features about the volume that can be identified through calibration of the pump assembly and / or its individual pumps.

Other examples of pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 and various pumping techniques are described in US Pat. No. 4,808,161 (agent reference number A38), US Pat. No. 4,
, 820,482 (agent reference number A43), US Pat. No. 4,976,162 (agent reference number A52), US Pat. No. 5,088,515 (agent reference number). A49), U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,357 (agent reference number 147), the full text of all these patents is 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 US Pat. No. 5,421,823.
It may be any of the pump assemblies described in No. 158, and any of such pumping techniques may be used, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. do.

The references described above describe a non-limiting example of a pneumatically actuated membrane pump that can be used to discharge a fluid. Pneumatically actuated membrane pump assemblies can be advantageous for one or more reasons, ensuring and accurate fluids of various compositions in certain quantities, eg microliters, over multiple duty cycles. Can be delivered to and /
Alternatively, the pneumatically operated pump may, for example, use pneumatic power from a carbonic acid source, which may require less power, but is not limited to these. In addition to this, membrane pumps can eliminate the need for dynamic sealing where the surface will move with respect to the sealant. Vibration pumps such as ULKA products generally require the use of dynamic elastic seals, which can fail over time, for example after exposure to certain types of fluids and / or wear. be. 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 pump assembly 2900 shown in FIGS. 54-55 include a cavity, which may be referred to as a pump chamber in FIG. 54, 2942, and 2944 in FIG. 55, which may be referred to as a control fluid chamber. .. The cavity contains a diaphragm 2940, which separates the cavity into two chambers, a pump chamber 2942 and a volume chamber 2944.

Here, with reference to FIG. 54, a schematic of an exemplary membrane pump assembly 2900 is shown. In this embodiment, the membrane pump assembly 2900 comprises a membrane, ie diaphragm 2940, a pump chamber 2942, a control fluid chamber 2944 (best visible in FIG. 55), a 3-port switching valve 2910, and a check valve 2920. 2930 and. In some embodiments, the capacity of the pump chamber 2942 is from about 20 microliters to about 50.
It may be in the range of 0 microliters. In one exemplary embodiment, the pump chamber 29
The capacity of 42 may range from about 30 microliters to about 250 microliters. In another exemplary embodiment, the capacity of the pump chamber 2942 may range from about 40 microliters to about 100 microliters.

The switching valve 2910 switches the pump control channel 2958 to the switching valve fluid channel 295.
It may operate to communicate fluid with either 4 or the switching valve fluid channel 2956. In a non-limiting embodiment, the switching valve 2910 may be a solenoid valve that operates by electromagnetic force, and operates by receiving an electric signal input via the control line 2912. In other non-limiting embodiments, the switching valve 2910 may be a pneumatic or hydraulic membrane valve and operates upon receiving a pneumatic or hydraulic signal input. In yet another embodiment
The switching valve 2910 may be a piston that operates mechanically or electromechanically by fluid, pneumatics, in the cylinder. More generally, pump assembly 2900
All other types of valves can be envisioned for use, where the valve is the fluid channel 29 of the switching valve.
It is preferred that the fluid communication with the pump control channel 2958 can be switched between 54 and the fluid channel 2956 of the switching valve.

In some embodiments, the fluid channel 2954 of the switching valve communicates with a fluid positive pressure source (which may be pneumatic or hydraulic). The amount of fluid pressure required may depend on one or more factors, including the tensile strength and elasticity of the diaphragm 2940, the concentration and / or viscosity of the discharged fluid, and the dissolution in the fluid. Includes, but is not limited to, the solubility of the solid and / or the length and size of the fluid channels and ports within 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 from about 60 psi to about 100 p.
It may be in the range of si. In another exemplary embodiment, the fluid pressure source is from 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 drinks, and therefore carbonated water may be used as a raw material. In these embodiments, the gas pressure of CO2 used to produce the carbonated drink is often about 75 psi, and in some embodiments the same gas pressure source is adjusted to a lower pressure to inject the beverage. It may also be used to drive a membrane pump to discharge a small amount of fluid in the machine.

In response to the appropriate signal supplied via the control line 2912, the valve 2910 can allow the fluid channel 2954 of the switching valve to communicate with the pump control channel 2985. The positive fluid pressure is therefore transmitted to the diaphragm 2940, which is the pump chamber 2942.
The fluid in it can be pushed out of the pump outlet channel 2950. The check valve 2930 ensures that the discharged fluid is prevented from flowing out of the pump chamber 2942 through the inlet channel 2952.

The switching valve 2910 allows the pump control channel 2958 to communicate with the fluid channel 2965 of the switching valve via the control line 2912, whereby the diaphragm 2940 can reach the wall of the pump chamber 2942 (shown in FIG. 54). ). In certain embodiments, the fluid channel 2965 of the switching valve may communicate with the vacuum source, which, when communicated with the pump control channel 2598, can retract the diaphragm 2940, reducing the volume of the pump control chamber 2944. Therefore, the volume of the pump chamber 2942 is increased. Due to the involution of the diaphragm 2940, fluid is drawn into the pump chamber 2942 via the pump inlet channel 2952. The check valve 2920 prevents the discharged fluid from flowing back into the pump chamber 2942 through the outlet channel 2950.

In certain embodiments, the diaphragm 2940 may be constructed 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 spring. For example, the diaphragm 2940 may be at least partially constructed of a thin metal sheet or stamped.
Available metals may include, but are not limited to, high carbon spring steel, nickel silver, high nickel alloys, stainless steels, titanium alloys, beryllium copper, and others. In the pump assembly 2900, the convex surface of the diaphragm 2940 is the pump control chamber 294.
4 and / or may be configured to face the pump control channel 2958. 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 fluid channel 2965 of the switching valve may be in contact with the ambient (atmospheric) pressure, which causes the diaphragm 2940 to automatically retract to pump fluid into the pump chamber 2942 via the pump inlet channel 2952. Can be pulled in. In some embodiments, the recesses of the spring-like diaphragm define an amount equal to, or substantially equal to, the amount of fluid to be supplied at 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 costly to manufacture accurate dimensions within acceptable error. In this embodiment, the pump control chamber has a shape that accommodates the convex surface of the diaphragm at rest, and the shape of the opposite surface may be any shape, that is, it does not have to be related to performance.

In certain embodiments, the amount supplied by the membrane pump may be performed in an "open loop" fashion without a mechanism to detect and confirm that the expected amount of fluid has been supplied at each stroke of the pump. May be good. In another embodiment, the amount of fluid discharged through the pump chamber during one stroke of the membrane is the Fluid Management System.
It may be measured using em) (FMS) technology, which is US Pat. No. 4,808,16.
Specification No. 1 (agent reference number A38), specification No. 4,286,482 (agent reference number A43), specification No. 4,976,162 (agent reference number A52), No. 1 5,08
It is described in detail by the specification No. 8,515 (agent reference number A49) and the specification No. 5,350,357 (agent reference number 147), and the full text thereof is incorporated herein by reference. .. Briefly, the FMS measurement method is used to detect the amount of fluid supplied at each stroke of a membrane pump. A small constant reference air chamber is located outside the pump assembly, eg, inside a pneumatic manifold (not shown). The valve separates the reference chamber from the second pressure sensor. The single discharge rate of the pump can be calculated accurately 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 a certain amount of the reference chamber and the pressure change when the reference chamber is connected to the pump chamber. In some embodiments, the amount of fluid ejected through the pump chamber during one stroke of the membrane is acoustic volume Sen.
It may be measured using the sing (AVS) method. The acoustic volume measurement method is DEKA P.
U.S. Pat. No. 5, Transferred to roducts Limited Partnership
575,310 (agent reference number B28) and 5,755,683 (agent reference number B28)
Agent Reference No. B13) and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0228071 A1 (Agent Reference No. E70), 2007/0219496 A1, No. 2.
007/0219480 A1 specification, 2007/0219597 A1 specification, International Application No. 2009/088956 Pamphlet, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. This embodiment allows fluid volume detection in the nanoliter range and is therefore useful for very accurate and precise monitoring of discharge rates. Other alternative techniques for measuring fluid flow rates can also be used, for example, Doppler-based methods, Hall effect sensors in combination with vanes or flapper valves, strain beams (eg, with respect to flexible membranes above fluid chambers). (Detecting the deflection of this flexible membrane), the use of volumetric detection with a plate, or the temperature flight time method.

The product module assembly 250 may be configured to engage releaseably with the bracket assembly 282. The bracket assembly 282 may be part of (and rigidly anchored in) the machining system 10. Although referred to herein as a "bracket assembly," this assembly may be different in other embodiments. The bracket assembly helps 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 machining system 10 configured to engage releaseably with the product module 250. For example, the product module 250 may include an engaging device (eg, clip assembly, slot assembly, latch assembly, pin assembly) that releasably engages the complementary device incorporated in the bracket assembly 282. It is configured as follows.

The piping / 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 multiple inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292, which are pump openings incorporated in each of the pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276 (eg, pump openings). Units 294, 296, 298, 300) may be configured to be releaseably engaged. Bracket assembly 28 for product module 250
When positioned at 2, the product module 250 may be moved in the direction of arrow 302, therefore the inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292 are (respectively) pump openings 294, 2.
Can be released from 96, 298, and 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 leak-proof seal. .. The inlet ports included in the manifold assembly 284 (eg, inlet ports 286, 288, 290, 292) may be made of rigid "pipe-like" material or flexible "tube-like" material. Momo is good.

The manifold assembly 284 may be configured to engage the tube bundle 304, which may be piped (directly or indirectly) to the nozzle 24. As mentioned above, the mass feedstock subsystem 16 also has, in at least one embodiment, the cooled carbonated water 1.
64, a fluid in the form of cooled water 166 and / or cooled high fructose corn syrup 168 is fed (directly or indirectly) to the nozzle 24. Thus, the control logic subsystem 14 (in this particular example) has a specific amount of various high volume feedstocks, such as cooled carbonated water 164, cooled water 166, cooled high fructose corn syrup 168, and the like. Control logic subsystem 14 because the amount of various micro-sources (eg, first substrate (ie, flavoring, second substrate (ie, nutritional supplements and third substrate (ie, pharmaceutical)) can be adjusted. Can precisely control the composition of 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 assembly 270,
Each time one or more of 272, 274, and 276 are energized by the logical subsystem 14 (via the data bus 38), they supply a predetermined, always the same amount of fluid. Further, as described above, the control logic subsystem 14 may execute one or more control processes 120, which may control the operation of the machining system 10. An example of such a control process is the pump assembly 270 from the control logic subsystem 14 via the data bus 38.
A drive signal generation process (not shown) may be included to generate a drive signal that can be supplied to 272, 274, 276. One exemplary method for generating the drive signals described above is:
"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENER, filed September 6, 2007 and now US Pat. No. 7,905,373 (agent reference number F45).
US Patent Application No. 11 / 851,3 entitled "ATING A DRIVE SIGNAL"
It is disclosed in the specification No. 44, and the full text thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 4 shows one nozzle 24, but in various other embodiments, a plurality of nozzles 24 may be included. In some embodiments, the plurality of containers 30 may receive the product dispensed from the system, for example via a plurality of sets of tube bundles. Therefore, 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.

Capacitive flow sensors 306, 308, 310, 312 have pump assemblies 270, 27.
It may be used to detect the flow rate of the above-mentioned micro raw material passing through each of 2, 274 and 276.

Also with reference to FIGS. 5A (side view) and 5B (top view), an exemplary capacitive flow sensor 308
A detailed diagram of 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 within the machining system 10. Further, the capacitive flow sensor 308 may also be rigidly fixed to the structure in the machining system 10. However, the second capacitive plate 312 may be configured to be movable with respect 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 such that the second capacitive plate 312 can be displaced in the direction of arrow 316. The diaphragm assembly 314 may be composed of various materials that allow displacement to arrow 316. For example, the diaphragm assembly 314 may consist of stainless steel flakes coated with PET (ie, polyethylene terephthalate) to prevent corrosion of the stainless steel flakes. Alternatively, the diaphragm assembly 314 may be composed of titanium flakes. Furthermore, the diaphragm assembly 314 may be made 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, injection molded plastic or PET rolled sheet.

As mentioned above, each time the pump assembly (eg, pump assembly 272) is energized by the control logic subsystem 14 via the data bus 38, the pump assembly is
For example, a suitable micro-raw material fluid contained in the product container 254 may be supplied in a calibration-based amount, eg 30-33 μL. Therefore, the control logic subsystem 1
4 may control the flow rate of the micro raw material by controlling the speed at which the appropriate pump assembly is energized. An exemplary speed at which the pump assembly is energized is between 3 Hz (ie, 3 times per second) and 30 Hz (ie, 30 times per second).

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

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。 Also with reference to FIG. 5C, as is known in the art, the capacitance of the capacitor (C).
Is the following formula,

In the formula, "ε" is the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 31.
The permeability of the dielectric material placed between the two, where "A" is the area of the capacitive plate, "
"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 formula, when "d" becomes large, "C" corresponds to this.
(That is, the capacitance of the capacitor) becomes smaller.

Continuing with respect to the above example, also with reference to FIG. 5D, the value of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 is 5.00 pF when the pump assembly 272 is not energized. Suppose there is. Further, when the pump assembly 272 is energized at time T = 1, a suction force is generated in the cavity 316, which is the second capacitive plate 312 down, the first capacitive plate 310 and the second. It is assumed that it is sufficient to displace the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the capacitive plate 312 by a distance that can be reduced by 20%. Therefore, the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312
The new value of the capacitor formed by may be 4.00pF. An exemplary example of downward displacement of the second capacitive plate 312 during the pumping sequence described above is shown in FIG. 5E.

When a suitable micromaterial is sucked from the product container 254, the suction force in the cavity 318 is reduced and the second capacitive plate 312 is displaced upwards to its original position (shown in FIG. 5A). You may. As the second capacitive plate 312 is displaced upward, the distance between the second capacitive plate 312 and the first capacitive plate 310 may be reduced and may return to its original value. Therefore, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 may be 5.00 pF again. As the second capacitive plate 312 moves upwards 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 for a moment. , The second capacitive plate 312 is closer to the first capacitive plate than when it is in its original position (shown in FIG. 5A). Therefore, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 momentarily becomes larger than its initial value of 5.00 pF and can stabilize at 5.00 pF shortly thereafter.

The change in capacitance value (in this example) between 5.00pF and 4.00pF as described above while the pump assembly 272 repeats on and off cycles is, for example, until the product container 254 is empty. Can continue. For illustration purposes, it is assumed that the 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). Further, as the pump assembly 272 continues to cycle, the second capacitive plate 312 may continue to be sucked downward until the second capacitive plate 312 can no longer be displaced (shown in FIG. 5F). .. At this point, the capacitance value of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312 is minimal because the distance "d" is larger than that shown in FIGS. 5A and 5E. It can be minimized to a capacitance value of 320. Minimum capacitance value 3
The actual number of 20 may vary depending on the flexibility of the diaphragm assembly 314.

Therefore, by monitoring the value of the capacitance (absolute variation or intervertex variation) of the capacitor formed by the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312, for example, the proper operation of the pump assembly 272 is verified. can. For example, if the above-mentioned capacitance value fluctuates periodically between 5.00pF and 4.00pF, 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 above-mentioned capacitance values do not fluctuate (eg, remain at 5.00 pF), this is a failure of the pump assembly 272 (eg, a mechanical component in the pump assembly has failed and / or electrical. It can indicate that the component has failed) or that the nozzle 24 has become clogged.

Further, if the above-mentioned capacitance value drops to a point lower than 4.00 pF (such as to a minimum capacitance value of 320), this may indicate that the product container 254 is empty. Furthermore, if the intervertex variation is less than expected (eg, less than the above-mentioned variation of 1.00 pF), this may indicate that there is a leak between the product container 254 and the capacitive flow sensor 308.

Even if a signal is supplied to the capacitance measuring system 326 (via conductors 322 and 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 supplied to the control logic subsystem 14. Examples of capacitance measurement system 326 include Cypress Semi from California, San Jose.
CY8C21434-24LFXI PSOC provided by iconducor may be included, the design and operation of which is described in "CSD User Module" published by Cypress Semiconductor, which is incorporated herein by reference. Capacitance measurement circuit 326 may be configured to compensate for environmental factors (eg, changes in temperature, humidity, power supply voltage).

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

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

For example, with reference to FIG. 5G, for illustration purposes, it is assumed that the flow sensor 308 does not include the first capacitive plate 310 and the second capacitive plate 312. Alternatively, the flow sensor 308 may include a transducer assembly 328, which may be coupled (directly or indirectly) to the diaphragm assembly 314. When directly linked, the transducer assembly 328 may be attached / attached to the diaphragm assembly 314. Alternatively, when indirectly connected, the transducer assembly 328 may be
For example, the connecting assembly 330 may be connected to the diaphragm assembly 314.

As mentioned above, the diaphragm assembly 314 can be displaced when the fluid is displaced in the cavity 318. For example, the diaphragm assembly 314 may move in the direction of arrow 316. In addition to this / instead, the diaphragm assembly 314 may be distorted (eg, slightly concave / convex as shown by the dashed diaphragm assembly 332, 334). As is known in the art, (a) while the diaphragm assembly 314 remains essentially flat during displacement in the direction of arrow 316, or (b) remains stationary with respect to arrow 316. Whether to bend into a convex diaphragm assembly 332 / concave diaphragm assembly 334, or (c) show a combination of both displacement forms, is a plurality of elements (eg, various parts of the diaphragm assembly 314). Rigidity etc.). Therefore, the transducer assembly 328 (coupling assembly 330)
And / or in combination with the transducer measurement system 336), the amount of fluid displaced in the cavity 318 can be measured by monitoring the displacement of all or part of the diaphragm assembly 314.

The amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318 can be measured by using various types of transducer assemblies (discussed in more detail below).

For example, the transducer assembly 328 may include a linear variable actuation transformer (LVDT) and may be rigidly fixed to the structure within the machining system 10, which are coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314 via a coupling assembly 330. May be done. An exemplary and non-limiting example of such an LVDT is the SE 750 100 manufactured by Macro Sensors of New Jersey, Pennsauken. Flow sensor 308
Also may be rigidly fixed to the structure in the machining system 10. Therefore, if the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced (eg, along the arrow 316 or to bend in a convex / concave manner), the motion of the diaphragm assembly 314 can be monitored. Therefore, the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318 can also be monitored. Transducer assembly 3
The 28 (ie, which includes the LVDT) may generate a signal, which may be processed (eg, amplified / converted / filtered) by the transbusor measurement system 336. This processed signal is then fed to the control logic subsystem 14, cavity 318.
It may be used to check the amount of fluid passing through.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include a needle / magnetic cartridge assembly (eg, a gramophone needle / magnetic cartridge assembly) and may be rigidly secured to a structure within the machining system 10. An exemplary and non-limiting example of such a needle / magnetic cartridge assembly is the N16D manufactured by Toshiba Corporation of Japan. The transbusor assembly 328 may be coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314 via a coupling assembly 330 (eg, a rigid rod assembly). The needle of the transducer assembly 328 may be configured to contact the surface of the coupling assembly 330 (ie, the rigid rod assembly). Therefore, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the connecting assembly 330 (ie, 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, a combination of transducer assembly 328 (ie, needle / magnetic cartridge) and coupling assembly 330 (ie, 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 fed to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to ascertain the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include a magnetic coil assembly (eg, similar to a voice coil in a speaker assembly) and may be rigidly secured to the structure within the machining system 10. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such magnetic coil assemblies are API Delevan In, New York, East Aurora.
c. 5526-I manufactured by. The transducer assembly 328 may be coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314 via a coupling assembly 330, which may include a shaft magnet assembly. An exemplary and non-limiting example of such a shaft magnet assembly is
Pennsylvania, Jamison's K & J Magnetics, Inc. Is a D16 manufactured by. 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. Therefore, the diaphragm assembly 314 (as described above)
When displaced / flexed, the connecting assembly 330 (ie, the axis magnet assembly) is also (arrow 3).
Displace (in the direction of 16). As is known in the art, the motion of the axial magnet assembly within the magnetic coil assembly induces an electric current in the winding of the magnetic coil assembly. therefore,
A 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 / converted / filtered). , Then the control logic subsystem 14
May be used to determine the amount of fluid supplied to and through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include a Hall effect sensor assembly and may be rigidly secured to the structure within the machining system 10. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such Hall effect sensor assemblies are Massachusetts, W.
Orchestral's Allegro Microsystems Inc. Manufactured by A
It is B0iKUA-T. The transducer assembly 328 is a coupling assembly 330.
It may be connected to the diaphragm assembly 314 via a shaft magnet assembly, which may include a shaft magnet assembly. An exemplary, non-limiting example of such a shaft magnet assembly is Penns.
Ylvania, Jamison's K & J Magnetics, Inc. Manufactured by D
16. The axial magnet assembly included in the coupling assembly 330 may be configured to be located in the vicinity of the Hall effect sensor assembly of the transducer assembly 328. Thus, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the connecting assembly 330 (ie, the axial magnet assembly) is also displaced (in the direction of arrow 316). As is 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. Therefore, the Hall effect sensor assembly (not shown) and the coupling assembly 3 of the transducer assembly 328
A combination of 30 axial magnet assemblies (not shown) may generate a signal, which is processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) and then fed to the control logic subsystem 14 to fill the cavity 318. It may be used to determine the amount of fluid passing through.

As used herein, the piezoelectric substance refers to any substance exhibiting a piezoelectric effect. This material may include, but is not limited to, ceramics, films, metals and quartz.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include a piezoelectric buzzer element.
It may be directly connected to the diaphragm assembly 314. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the connecting assembly 330. An exemplary and non-limiting example of such a piezoelectric buzzer element is
AVX Corporat from South Carolina, Myrtle Beach
KBS-13DA-12A manufactured by ion. As is known in the art, the piezoelectric buzzer element may generate an electrical output signal, which varies depending on the amount of mechanical stress applied to the piezoelectric buzzer element. Therefore, the diaphragm assembly 314 (as described above)
When displaced / flexed, the piezoelectric buzzer element (included in the transducer assembly 328) can be subject to mechanical stress, and therefore a signal may be generated, which is processed (eg, amplified / amplified) by the transducer measurement system 336. It may be converted / filtered). This processed signal may then be fed to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to determine the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include a piezoelectric sheet element.
It may be directly connected to the diaphragm assembly 314. Therefore, it is not necessary to utilize the connecting assembly 330. An exemplary and non-limiting example of such a piezoelectric sheet element is
0-100 manufactured by MSI / Schaevitz of Hampton, Virginia
It is 2794-0. As is known in the art, the piezoelectric sheet element may generate an electrical output signal, which varies depending on the amount of mechanical stress applied to the piezoelectric sheet element. Therefore, if the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the piezoelectric sheet element (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be mechanically stressed and therefore a signal may be generated. This may be processed (eg, amplified / converted / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be fed to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to determine the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, the above-mentioned piezoelectric sheet element (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be located near the diaphragm assembly 314 and acoustically coupled to it. The piezoelectric sheet element (included in the transducer assembly 328) may or may not include a weighted assembly for improving the resonance capability of the piezoelectric sheet element. Therefore, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above),
Piezoelectric sheet elements (included in the transducer assembly 328) can be mechanically stressed (by acoustic coupling) and therefore a signal may be generated, which is processed (eg, amplified / converted) by the transducer measurement system 336. / Filtering)
May be done. This processed signal is then fed to the control logic subsystem 14.
It may be used to determine the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include an audio speaker assembly, in which case the cone of the audio speaker assembly may be directly connected to the diaphragm assembly 314. Therefore, it is not necessary to utilize the connecting assembly 330. An exemplary, non-limiting example of such an audio speaker assembly is Ohio.
AS01308MR-manufactured by Dayton's Projects Unified
It is 2X. As is known in the art, an audio speaker assembly may include a voice coil assembly and a permanent magnet assembly into which the voice coil assembly slides. The signal is typically applied to the voice coil assembly to move the speaker cone, but moving the speaker by hand induces a current in the voice coil assembly. Therefore, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the voice coil of the audio speaker assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) can be displaced with respect to the permanent magnet assembly described above, and thus the signal. May be generated, which is processed by the transducer measurement system 336 (
For example, it may be amplified / converted / filtered). This processed signal may then be fed to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to ascertain the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include an accelerometer assembly, which may be directly linked to the diaphragm assembly 314. Therefore, it is not necessary to utilize the connecting assembly 330. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such accelerometer assemblies are Massachusetts, Norwood's Analog Devices.
s, Inc. Is AD22286-R2 manufactured by. As is known in the art, accelerometer assemblies can generate electrical output signals that vary with the acceleration received by the accelerometer assembly. Therefore, if the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the accelerometer assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) may be subject to different levels of acceleration and therefore a signal may be generated. , This may be processed (eg, amplified / converted / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be fed to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to ascertain the amount of fluid passing through chamber 318.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include a microphone assembly, which may be located near the diaphragm assembly 314 and acoustically coupled to it. Therefore, it is not necessary to utilize the connecting assembly 330. Illinois, Itasca, exemplary and non-limiting examples of such microphone assemblies.
EA-21842 manufactured by Knowles Acoustics. Therefore, if the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the microphone assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) can be mechanically stressed (by acoustic coupling) and thus a signal is generated. It may be processed (eg, amplified / converted / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal is then fed to the control logic subsystem 14, the cavity 3
It may be used to confirm the amount of fluid passing through 18.

Alternatively, the transducer assembly 328 may include an optical displacement assembly configured to monitor the motion of the diaphragm assembly 314. Therefore, it is not necessary to utilize the connecting assembly 330. An exemplary, non-limiting example of such an optical displacement assembly is the Advanced Motion of New York, Pittsford.
Systems, Inc. Is a Z4W-V manufactured by. 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 within the optical displacement assembly). ) Detected by an optical sensor. Therefore, if the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the optical signal detected by the optical sensor (included in the transducer assembly 328) may change. Therefore, the signal may be generated by an optical displacement assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328), which may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be fed to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to ascertain the amount of fluid passing through the cavity 318.

The above example of the flow sensor 308 is for illustration purposes only, but other configurations are possible and are not considered to be within the scope of the present application and are not intended to be all.
For example, the transducer assembly 328 is shown to be located outside the diaphragm assembly 314, whereas the transducer assembly 328 is hollow 31.
It may be positioned in 8.

Some of the above examples of the flow sensor 308 have been described as being coupled to the diaphragm assembly 314, but this is for illustration purposes only and other configurations are possible and are within the scope of the present application. It is not intended to be a limitation of this application. For example, also with reference to FIG. 5H, the flow sensor 308 may include a piston assembly 338, which may be urged by a spring assembly 340. Piston assembly 3
38 may be located near the diaphragm assembly 314 and configured to urge it. Therefore, the piston assembly 338 can follow the motion of the diaphragm assembly 314. Therefore, the transducer assembly 328 may be coupled to the piston assembly 338 to achieve the above results.

Further, if the flow sensor 308 is configured to include a piston assembly 338 and a spring assembly 340, the transducer assembly 328 will be the spring assembly 34.
It may include an inductance monitoring assembly configured to monitor zero inductance. Therefore, it is not necessary to utilize the connecting assembly 330. Illustrative and non-limiting examples of such inductance monitoring assemblies are Washington, Auburn.
L / C manufactured by n Almost All Digital Electronics
Meter IIB. Therefore, when the diaphragm assembly 314 is displaced / flexed (as described above), the inductance of the spring assembly 340 detected by the above inductance monitoring assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328) is the resistance at which the spring assembly 340 flexes. May change due to changes in. Therefore, the signal may be generated by an inductance monitoring assembly (included in the transducer assembly 328), which may be processed (eg, amplified / transformed / filtered) by the transducer measurement system 336. This processed signal may then be fed to the control logic subsystem 14 and used to ascertain the amount of fluid passing through chamber 318.

Also with reference to FIG. 6A, a schematic diagram of the piping / control subsystem 20 is shown. The piping / control subsystem described below relates to a piping / control system used to control the amount of cooled carbonated water 164 added to product 28 via the flow control module 170.
This is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of the present application as other configurations are possible as well. For example, the piping / control subsystem described below is also added, for example, to product 28 (eg, flow control also via sur 172) with cooled water 166 and /.
Alternatively, it may also be used to control the amount of cooled high fructose corn syrup 168 (eg, via a flow control module 174).

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

The feedback controller system 188 may include a track 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 which. This will be described in detail below.

The trajectory shaping controller 350 may be configured to receive a control signal from the control logic subsystem 14 via the data bus 38. This control signal follows the trajectory for the method in which the piping / control subsystem 20 is expected to deliver the fluid for use in product 28 (in this case, cooled carbonated water 164 via the flow control module 170). It may be set. However, the trajectories provided by the control logic subsystem 14 may need to be adjusted, for example, before being processed by the flow controller 352. For example, control systems tend to be difficult to handle control curves (ie, including step changes) that consist of multiple line intervals. For example, the flow regulator 352 may be difficult to handle the control curve 370, which is three different linear sections, i.e. sections 372, 374,.
This is because it is composed of 376. Therefore, at the transition point (transition point 378, 380, etc.), specifically, the flow controller 352 (and the piping / control subsystem 20 as a whole) changes instantaneously from the first flow velocity to the second flow velocity. Will need to be done. Therefore, the trajectory shaping controller 350 may filter the control curve 30 to form a smooth control curve 382, because the instantaneous change from the first flow velocity to the second flow velocity is not required. Specifically, it can be more easily processed by the flow controller 352 (and the piping / control subsystem 20 as a whole).

In addition to this, the orbital shaping controller 350 may allow the nozzle 24 to be wetted before injection and rinsed after injection. In some embodiments and / or for some recipes, one or more ingredients were such that the ingredients (here referred to as "contaminated ingredients") were stored directly in the nozzle 24, i.e. Contact in the form can be problematic for the nozzle 24. In some embodiments, the nozzle 24 may be pre-injected wetted with a "pre-injection" material, such as water, whereby these "contaminated materials" are in direct contact with the nozzle 24. Is prevented. The nozzle 24 may then be subjected to post-cleaning raw material, such as post-injection rinsing with water.

Specifically, if the nozzle 24 is moistened before injection with, for example, 10 mL of water, and / or is rinsed after injection with, for example, 10 mL of water or "after-wash" material, the contaminated material. When the addition is stopped, the orbital shaping controller 350 supplies an additional amount of contaminated material during the injection process to offset the pre-cleaning material added during pre-injection wetting and / or post-injection rinsing. May be done. Specifically, when the product 28 is injected into the container 30, rinse water before injection or "before washing" may provide the product 28, which initially has an insufficient concentration of contaminating components. Then, the trajectory shaping controller 350
Contaminated ingredients may be added at higher flow rates than required, resulting in product 28 transitioning from "insufficient" to "appropriate" to "excessive" or higher than the level required by a particular recipe. Present in concentration. However, once the proper amount of contaminating material has been added, additional water or other suitable "cleaning material" may be added in the post-injection rinsing process, resulting in the contaminated material again. A raw material 28 having an "appropriate concentration" is obtained.

The flow controller 352 may be configured as a proportional integral (PI) loop controller. As mentioned above, the flow controller 352 may perform comparisons and processing, which is generally performed by the feedback controller system 188. For example, the flow controller 352 may be configured to receive a feedback signal 182 from the flow meter 176. The flow controller 352 sets the flow feedback signal 182 (set by the control logic subsystem 14 and adjusted by the trajectory shaping controller 350).
It may be compared with the desired flow rate. The flow rate controller 352 has a flow rate feedback signal 18
When processing 2, the flow rate control signal 194 may be generated, which may be supplied to the variable line impedance 200.

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

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

Again, assuming a flow rate of 40 mL / sec is desirable, for example when injecting the beverage product 28 into the container 30, the feedforward controller 354 may utilize the look-up table described above (using the feedforward line 384). A pulse signal that rotates 60.0 degrees may be sent to the stepping motor. Although stepping motors are used in this exemplary embodiment, any other type of motor may be used in various other embodiments, including servomotors. Not limited to this.

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

The saturation controller 358 disables the integral control of the feedback controller system 188 (which may be configured as a PI loop controller as described above) whenever the variable line impedance 200 is set to the maximum flow rate (by the stepper controller 360). It may be configured to do so, thus improving the stability of the system by reducing excess flow velocity and vibration of the system.

The stepper controller 360 may be configured to convert the signal supplied by the saturation controller 358 (on line 386) into a signal available with variable line impedance 200. The variable line impedance 200 may include a stepping motor for adjusting the size (and therefore the flow rate) of the opening of the variable line impedance 200. Therefore, the control signal 194 may be configured to control the stepping motor included in the variable line impedance.

Also referring to FIG. 6B, examples of the flow rate measuring devices 176, 178, 180 of the flow velocity control modules 170, 172, 174 include a paddle wheel flow measuring device, a turbine type measuring device, or a volume transfer type flow measuring device (for example,). Gear type volume transfer type flow measuring device 388)
May be included, but is not limited to these. Therefore, in various embodiments,
The flow rate measuring device may be any device capable of directly or indirectly measuring the flow rate. In this exemplary embodiment, a gear type volume transfer type flow rate measuring device 388 is used. In this embodiment, the flow measuring device 388 has a plurality of meshing gears (eg, gear 390).
, 392), which may include, for example, a gear type volume transfer type flow rate measuring device 38.
Every content passing through 8 always has one or more predetermined routes (eg, route 394).
396) may be followed, and as a result, for example, the gear 390 rotates counterclockwise and the gear 392 rotates clockwise. By monitoring the rotation of the gears 390, 392, a feedback signal (eg, feedback signal 182) may be generated and fed to a suitable flow controller (eg, flow controller 352).

Also referring to FIGS. 7-14, the flow control module (eg, flow control module 170).
) Various exemplary embodiments are shown. However, as mentioned above, the order of the various assemblies may differ in various embodiments, i.e., the assemblies may be arranged in any desired order. For example, in some embodiments, the assemblies are arranged in the following order: flow measuring device, binary valve, variable impedance, and in other embodiments, the assemblies are placed in the following order: flow measuring device.
It is arranged in the order of variable impedance and binary valve. In some embodiments
It may be desirable to reorder the assembly in order to retain 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 retain the pressure and fluid on the lip seal. This can be achieved by assembling in the following order: flow measuring device, variable impedance, binary valve. The binary valve downstream of the variable line impedance holds the pressure and liquid on the variable impedance so that the lip seal maintains the desired seal.

First, with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, one embodiment of the flow control module 170a is shown. In some embodiments, the flow control module 170a may generally include a flow meter 176a, a variable line impedance 200a, and a binary valve 212a, even if there is a generally linear fluid flow path therein. good. The flow meter 176a may include a fluid inlet 400 for receiving mass feedstock from the bulk feedstock subsystem 16. The fluid inlet 400 may allow a large amount of raw material to communicate with a gear-type volume transfer flow measuring device (eg, generally described above-mentioned gear-type volume transfer device 388), which is a plurality arranged in a housing 402. Includes meshing gears (eg, includes gear 390). The large amount of raw material can pass from the flow meter 176a to the binary valve 212a via the flow path 404.

The binary valve 212a is a banjo valve 40 operated by a solenoid 408.
6 may be included. The banjo valve 406 may be urged (eg by a spring not shown), thereby positioning the banjo valve 406 towards a closed position, so that the bulk feedstock flows through the flow control module 170a. Can't. The solenoid coil 408 is energized (eg, in response to a control signal from the control logic subsystem 14) and drives the plunger 410 linearly through the coupling means 412 to move the banjo valve 406 and valve. The sealed engagement with the seat 414 may be removed, and as a result, the banjo valve 212a may be opened to allow a large amount of raw material to flow to the variable line impedance 200a.

As described above, the variable line impedance 200a may adjust the flow rate of a large amount of raw material. The variable line impedance 200a may include a drive motor 416, which may include, but is not limited to, a stepping motor or a servomotor. The drive motor 416 may generally be coupled to a variable impedance valve 418. As described above, the variable impedance valve 418 may control the flow rate of a large amount of raw material exiting the fluid discharge port 422 from the binary valve 212a via, for example, the flow path 420. Examples of variable impedance valves 418 are disclosed and patented in US Pat. No. 5,755,683 (agent reference number B13) and US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/00875049 (agent reference number E66). Claimed and the full text of both of these is incorporated herein by reference. Although not shown, a gearing device may be connected between the drive motor 416 and the variable impedance valve 418.

Also with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of the flow control module (eg, flow control module 170b) is shown, which generally includes a flow meter 176b and a binary valve 2.
Includes 12b and variable line impedance 200b. Flow control module 170a
Similarly, the flow control module 170b may include a fluid inlet 400, which may allow a large amount of raw material to communicate with the flow meter 176b. The flow meter 176b is, for example, a housing member 40.
Meshing gears 390, 392 arranged in a cavity 424 which may be formed in 2.
May include. The meshing gears 390, 392 and the cavity 424 may define a flow path near the periphery of the cavity 424. The large amount of raw material may pass from the flow meter 176b to the binary valve 212b via the flow path 404. As shown, the fluid inlet 400 and the flow path 404 enter and exit the flow meter 176b (ie, enter and exit the tooth cavity 424) 90.
A degree flow path may be provided.

The binary valve 212b may include a banjo valve 406, which is urged to engage the valve seat 414 (eg, in response to the urging 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, resulting in movement of the banjo valve 406 to disengage it from the sealed engagement with the valve seat 414, resulting in a large amount of raw material having a variable line impedance of 200b. Can flow to. In other embodiments, the banjo valve 406 may be downstream of the variable line impedance 200b.

The variable line impedance 200b may generally include a first rigid member having a first surface (eg, shaft 428). The shaft 428 may define a first flow path portion having a first termination on the first surface. The first termination may include a groove (eg, groove 430) defined on the first surface (eg, shaft 428). The groove 430 may be tapered perpendicular to the tangent to 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 (ie, straight-ball holes, see FIG. 15C) rather than grooves 430. The second rigid member (eg, housing 432) may include a second surface (eg, inner hole 434). The second rigid member (eg, housing 432) may define a second flow path portion having a second termination on the second surface. The first and second rigid members can rotate about each other continuously from the fully open position to the closed position via the partially open position. For example, the shaft 428 may be rotatably driven with respect to the housing 432 by a drive motor 416, which may include, for example, a stepping motor or a servomotor. The first and second faces define a space between them. The hole (eg, opening 436) of the second rigid member (eg, housing 432) either has the first and second rigid members fully open with respect to each other or is in a partially open position. When in contact, fluid communication may be made between the first and second flow path portions. The fluid flowing between the first and second flow paths is a groove (ie, groove 430) and a hole (ie, opening 4).
It flows through 36). In some embodiments, at least one sealing member (
For example, a gasket, O-ring or other) (not shown) may be installed between the first and second surfaces, with the first and second rigid members sealed and the fluid from space. Prevents leakage, which also prevents fluid from leaking from the desired flow path. However, in the exemplary embodiment of the figure, this type of sealing means is not used. Rather, in an exemplary embodiment, a lip seal 429 or other sealing means is used to seal the space.

Various connecting devices may be included to fluidly connect the flow control modules 170, 172, 174 to the mass feedstock subsystem 16 and / or downstream components such as the nozzle 24. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 for the flow control module 170b, the locking plate 438 may be slidably installed with respect to the guide member 440. A fluid line (not shown) may be inserted into the fluid outlet 422 at least in part, and the locking plate 438 is slid linearly to lock the fluid line in engagement with the fluid outlet. May be good. Various gaskets, O-rings or the like may be used to connect the fluid line and the fluid outlet 422 in a liquidtight manner.

10 to 13 show various other embodiments of the flow control module (eg, flow control modules 170c, 170d, 170e, 170f, respectively). The flow rate control modules 170c, 170d, 170e, 170f are generally the above-mentioned flow rate control modules 1
It differs from 70a and 170b in the relative orientation of the fluid connector and the variable line impedance 200 and the binary valve 212. For example, the flow control modules 170d and 170f shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, respectively, may include a fluid connector 442 for fluid communication to / from the flow meters 176d and 176f. Similarly, the flow control module 170c may include a fluid connector 444 with a hook for fluid communication to / from the variable line impedance 200c. Arrangements of various additional / alternative fluid connectors are equally available. Similarly, different relative orientations of the solenoid 408 and different configurations of spring urgency of the banjo valve 406 may be used to suit different packaging configurations and design criteria.

Further, referring to FIGS. 14A to 14C, another embodiment of the flow rate control module is shown (that is, the flow rate control module 170 g). The flow control module 170 g generally has a flow meter 176 g, a variable line impedance 200 g, and a binary valve 212.
It may include g (eg, this may generally be the solenoid actuated banjo valve described above). Referring to FIG. 14C, 202 g of lip seal can be seen. Also, FIG. 14C shows one exemplary embodiment, in which the flow control module includes a cover that can protect various flow control module assemblies. Not all of the embodiments shown in the figure are depicted, but each of the embodiments of the flow control module may also include a cover.

It should be noted that the flow control module (eg, flow control module 170, 1).
72, 174) is a flow meter (eg, flow meter 1) from the mass raw material subsystem 16 where a large amount of raw material is used.
76, 178, 180), then the variable line impedance (eg, variable line impedances 200, 202, 204), and finally the binary valve (eg, binary valves 212, 214, 216). As explained, this should not be construed as limiting the application. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7-14C and described with respect to these, the flow control module is from the mass feedstock subsystem 16.
It passes through a flow meter (eg, flow meters 176, 178, 180), then through a binary valve (eg, binary valves 212, 214, 216) and finally through a variable line impedance (eg, variable line impedances 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 flowmeter, binary valve, variable line impedance.

Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, a portion of a variable line impedance (eg, variable line impedance 200) including a drive motor 416 (eg, which may be a stepper motor, a servomotor, or the like) is shown. There is. Drive motor 41
6 may be connected to a shaft 428 having a groove 430 therein. Here, FIG.
Referring to 5C, in some embodiments, the shaft 428 comprises a hole, FIG. 15C.
In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in, the hole is a ball-shaped hole. For example, FIG.
As described with respect to 9 and 9, the drive motor 416 may rotate the 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 (eg, perhaps at least partially located in an axial opening in the shaft 428. The magnet 446 may be generally two-pole magnetized. Often, the South Pole 450 and the North Pole 452 are provided. The rotational position of the shaft 428 is based on, for example, the magnetic flux applied to a magnetic flux detector with one or more magnets 446, such as the sensors 454 and 456 shown in FIG. The magnetic flux detector may include, but is not limited to, for example, a Hall effect sensor or the like. The magnetic flux detector supplies, for example, a position feedback signal to the control logic subsystem 14. You may.

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

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

Next, referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the gear (eg, gear 390) of the gear type volume transfer type capacity measuring device (for example, the gear type volume transfer type flow rate measuring device 388) is one or more connected to the gear (for example, the gear 390). (Eg magnets 458, 460) may be included. As mentioned above, the gear 390 (and the gear 392) can rotate as the fluid (eg, mass feedstock) flows through the gear volume transfer flow meter 388. The rotational speed of the gear 390 may be generally proportional to the flow velocity of the fluid passing through the gear type volume transfer type flow rate measuring device 388. The rotation (and / or rotational speed) of the gear 390 may be measured using a magnetic flux sensor (eg, a Hall effect sensor or the like), which is the rotational motion of the shaft magnets 458 and 460 connected to the gear 390. May be measured. For example, the flux sensor, which can be located on the printed circuit board 462, shown in FIG. 8, supplies 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 Leakage Detection In various embodiments, the flow control module may be in an operating state, but no fluid should flow, i.e., the flow control module is not operating by any pump command. In some embodiments, a system including 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 the flow control module leak detection, the leak detection is a post-injection gearmeter spin with the flow control module not operating by any pump command and the banjo valve or other valve controller 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.

Here, also referring to FIG. 76, in various embodiments, the leak detection method has three states.
That is, it includes the start of the leak test, the initialization of the leak test, and the execution of the leak test. At the start of the leak test,
Leakage detection is idle because one or more of the activation criteria have not yet been 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 generated when the flow rate control module shifts from the operating state to the idle state (that is, when the starting standard is satisfied) is controlled. In the leak test execution state, after the timing guard band elapses, the leak test method remains in this state until the flow control module is activated.

Here, also with reference to FIG. 77, at a high level, the FCM leak detection method receives and monitors the amount of fluid transmitted and measured by the gearmeter. An alarm is issued when the reported amount exceeds a predetermined preset threshold. To do this, "leakage integration circuit (l)
An "easy integrator)" algorithm is used, which, in some embodiments, includes the amount of fluid measured by the gearmeter and added to the interim cumulative value, i.e. the integral value, at each update, where the integral value sets the threshold. If it exceeds, it is determined that there is a leak. After that, the integrated value is decremented by a certain "attenuation amount" at each update. The interim cumulative total is not lower than zero.

In various embodiments, three coefficients may be used, which include a renewal period, a leak detection threshold, and an integrated attenuation factor. Different coefficients may be used in various other embodiments, or additional or less coefficients may be used.

In some embodiments, the renewal 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 when the integral value exceeds this value. The leak detection threshold may be set as the maximum flow velocity set in the flow control module calibration data as follows in some embodiments.
Leak_Dection_Threshold = (0.25 ^* FCM_Maxim)
um_Flow_Rate) ^* Update_Period

In some embodiments, the integrated attenuation factor is a value at which the integrated flow rate of the gearmeter is decremented with each update. This can be advantageous because the noise immunity of this method is improved, for example by attenuating the integral, and the algorithm is reset when the leak condition disappears. The integrated value attenuation factor is set as the maximum flow velocity 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 value exceeds the leak detection threshold and the alarm is "ready to operate". In various embodiments, the alarm is "ready to operate" whenever the algorithm is initialized and when the integral value is zero. In various embodiments, when an alarm is issued, the alarm is "unprepared". This preparation / depreparation process prevents the method and system from generating multiple alarms in a single leak event. The following is an example of a case where an alarm can be issued. These are given as explanations and examples only and are not intended to be exhaustive. In various embodiments, the method may be different.
An alarm / alarm may be issued under different conditions. In various embodiments, the alarm / alarm may be issued under the conditions added to the above.

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

As another example, the flow control module has intermittent leaks until the integral finally exceeds the threshold. Then, the integrated value oscillates before and after the threshold value. In this example, a single alarm may be issued when the integral value first exceeds the threshold. The unpreparation logic present in some embodiments may prevent the subsequent noisy alarm from sounding even if the integral value exceeds the threshold again.

As another example, the flow control module will always have a leak until the integrated value exceeds the threshold.
Then, the fluid control module stops the leakage. In this example, an alarm may be issued when the integral value first exceeds the threshold. When the flow control module stops leaking, the integral slowly decays back to zero. When the integral value decays and returns to zero, the alarm generation may be prepared to operate again, and as a result, the alarm may be issued again when the flow control module starts leaking again.

With reference also to FIG. 77, this graph represents data collected in an example of a leak detection method. In this example, leakage of high fructose corn syrup was simulated using a 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 the detection was declared
Closed the manual override. As shown in FIG. 77, it can be seen that the integral value increases until a leak is declared. At that point, the integral value cannot be increased any further. When the manual override is closed, it is found that the integrated value is attenuated to zero, at which point the leak condition is cleared and the alarm is ready to operate again.

Also with reference 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 (exemplary embodiments are described below with respect to FIGS. 51-53), which allows the user 26 to select various options for the beverage 28. For example, the user 26 may select the size of the beverage 28 (via the "drink size" column 502). Examples of selectable sizes are "12 ounces,""16ounces,""20ounces," and "24 ounces."
, "32 oz", "48 ounces" may be included, but not limited to these.

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

User 26 may also select one or more flavoring / products for inclusion in the beverage 28 (via the "additional" column 506). Examples of selectable additives may include "cherry flavor", "lemon flavor", "lime flavor", "chocolate flavor", "coffee flavor", "ice cream". Not limited.

In addition, the user 26 may select one or more dietary supplements for inclusion in the beverage 28 (via the "nutritional supplements" column 508). Examples of such dietary supplements may include "vitamin A,""vitaminB6,""vitaminB12,""vitaminC,""vitaminD," and "zinc." Not limited.

In some embodiments, another screen at a height lower 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, and select buttons. However, in other embodiments, other buttons may be included.

When the user 26 makes an appropriate selection, the user 26 may select the "execute!" Button 510, and the user interface subsystem 22 controls the appropriate data signal (via the data bus 32). It may be supplied to the system 14. Upon receiving this, the control logic subsystem 14 may read appropriate data from the storage subsystem 12 and send appropriate control signals to, for example, the mass raw material subsystem 16, the micro raw material subsystem 18, and the piping / control subsystem 20. May be supplied, which is processed (as described above) and beverage 2
8 are prepared. Alternatively, the user 26 may select the "Cancel" button 512, and the touch panel interface 500 may be reset to the default state (for example, no button is selected).

The user interface subsystem 22 may be configured to allow bidirectional communication with the user 26. For example, the user interface subsystem 22 is the information screen 5.
14 may be included, whereby the machining system 10 can provide information to the user 26. Examples of the types of information that may be provided to User 26 may include, but are not limited to, advertising, information / warnings regarding system anomalies, and information regarding the prices of various products.

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

Again, as mentioned above, during use of the processing system 10, user 26 may use the user interface subsystem 22 to select a particular beverage 28 to be dispensed (to the container 30). User 26 may use the user interface subsystem 22 to select one or more options to be included in such beverages. When the user 26 makes an appropriate selection using the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 controls the appropriate instruction indicating the user 26's selection and preference (with respect to the beverage 28). May be sent to.

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

Also referring to FIG. 18, upon receipt of the above instructions, the FSM process 122 (550),
The instructions may be processed (552) to determine if the product to be produced (eg, beverage 28) is a product of a plurality of ingredients.

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

If the product to be produced is not a product consisting of multiple ingredients (554), the FSM process 122 may specify a single recipe for producing the product (558). A single recipe may be selected from a plurality of recipes 36 stored in the storage subsystem 12. Therefore, if the received (550) and processed (552) instructions were instructions defining lemon-lime soda, then this is not a multi-ingredient product and therefore FSM.
Process 122 may identify the single recipe required to produce lemon-lime soda (558).

If the instructions relate to a product consisting of a plurality of ingredients (554), then a suitable recipe selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12 is identified (5).
56), the FSM process 122 analyzes 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 use at least some of the plurality of separate states to define at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) (562).

If the instructions are not for a product consisting of a plurality of ingredients (554), then where a suitable recipe selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12 has been identified (558), the FSM process 122 will submit the recipe. Analyzed into multiple separate states (564)
One or more state transitions may be defined. The FSM process 122 may then use at least some of the different states to define at least one finite state machine for the recipe (566).

As is known in the art, a finite state machine (FSM) is a behavioral model consisting of a finite number of states, transitions and / or behaviors between these states. For example, referring to FIG. 19, if we define a finite state machine for a physical doorway that can be fully opened or completely closed, the finite state machine has two states: the "open" state 570 and the "open" state.
It may include a "closed" state 572. In addition to this, two transitions may be defined, which allows transitions from one state to another. For example, transition state 574 "opens" the door (hence the transition from "closed" state 572 to "open" state 570), transition state 5
76 "closes" the door (hence the transition from the "open" state 570 to the "closed" state 572).

Also with reference to FIG. 20, a phase diagram 600 relating to the method by which coffee can be brewed is shown. The state diagram 600 shows five states, that is, an idle state 602, an extractable state 604, and a state diagram 600.
It is shown to include the extracting state 605, the heat insulating state 608, and the off state 610. In addition to this, five transition states are shown. For example, the transition state 612 (eg, a coffee filter is attached, coffee powder is added, and water is injected into the coffee machine) may transition from the idle state 602 to the extractable state 604. Transition state 614 (eg,
(Pressing the extraction button) may transition from the extraction possible state 604 to the extraction in progress state 606. The transition state 616 (for example, the end of water supply) may be changed from the extraction in progress state 606 to the heat retention state 608. The transition state 618 (eg, turning off the power button or exceeding the maximum "heat retention" time) may transition from the heat retention state 608 to the off state 610. The transition state 620 (for example, turning on the power) may transition from the off state 610 to the idle state 602.

Therefore, the FSM process 122 may generate one or more finite state machines corresponding to the recipe (or part thereof) used to generate the product. Once a suitable finite state machine has been generated, the control logic subsystem 14 will run this finite state machine, eg, the product requested by user 26 (eg, of multiple raw materials or of a single raw material). It may be generated.

Therefore, the machining system 10 (via the user interface subsystem 22)
Suppose user 26 receives an instruction to select the root beer float (550). The FSM process 122 may process this instruction (552) to determine if the root beer float is a product of multiple raw materials (554). Since the root beer float is a multi-ingredient product, the FSM process 122 identifies the recipes needed to generate the root beer float (ie, the root beer soda recipe and the vanilla ice cream recipe) (556) and the root beer soda recipe. And vanilla ice cream recipes may be analyzed into multiple separate states (560) to define one or more state transitions. The FSM process 122 may then utilize at least some of the plurality of separate states to define at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) (562). These finite state machines are then executed by the control logic subsystem 14 to generate a root beer float selected by user 26.

When executing the state machine corresponding to the recipe, the machining system 10 is the machining system 1.
One or more manifolds (not shown) contained in 0 may be utilized. As used herein, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to allow one or more processes to run. To facilitate the transfer of raw material to and from the manifold, the machining system 10 includes a plurality of valves (eg, controllable by the control logic subsystem 14) to facilitate the transfer of raw material between the manifolds. May be good. Examples of various manifolds may include mixed manifolds, blended manifolds, ground manifolds, heated manifolds, cooled manifolds, frozen manifolds, exudate manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, agitated manifolds, but these may be included. Not limited to.

For example, when making coffee, a crushed manifold may grind coffee beans. When the beans are ground, water may be supplied to the heated manifold, in which the water 160 is heated to a predetermined temperature (eg, 212 ° F). When the water is heated, boiling water (produced by the heated manifold) may be filtered through the coffee grounds (produced by the ground 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 produced coffee in other manifolds or in the nozzle 24. good.

Therefore, each part of the multi-part recipe may be performed in different manifolds included in the processing system 10. Therefore, each ingredient in a recipe consisting of a plurality of ingredients may be produced in different manifolds contained in the processing system 10. Continuing in the above example, the first raw material (ie, root beer soda) of a product consisting of a plurality of raw materials may be produced in a mixed manifold contained in the processing system 10. In addition, a second ingredient (ie, vanilla ice cream) for a product consisting of the plurality of ingredients may be produced in the frozen manifold contained in the processing system 10.

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

Again, as mentioned above, during use of the processing system 10, user 26 may use the user interface subsystem 22 to select a particular beverage 28 to be dispensed (to the container 30). User 26 may select one or more options to be included in such beverages via the user interface subsystem 22. When the user 26 makes an appropriate selection via the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 may send an appropriate instruction to the control logical subsystem 14.

When making a selection, the user 26 may select a multi-part recipe, which is essentially a composite of two separate and different recipes that produce a product consisting of a plurality of ingredients. For example, user 26 may choose root beer float, which is a multipartial recipe that is essentially a composite of two separate and different ingredients (ie, vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As another example, the user 26 may choose a drink that is a composite of cola and coffee. This cola / coffee complex is basically two separate and different ingredients (ie,
It is a combination of cola soda and coffee).

Also referring to FIG. 21, upon receiving the above instruction (650), the virtual machine process 124
Processes these instructions (652) to determine if the product to be produced (eg, beverage 28) is a product of multiple ingredients.

If the product to be produced is a multi-ingredient product (654), the virtual machine process 124 is the first recipe for producing the first raw material of the multi-ingredient product.
At least a second recipe for producing at least a second ingredient in a product consisting of the plurality of ingredients may be specified (656). The first and second recipes are Storage Subsystem 1
It may be selected from a plurality of recipes 36 held in 2.

If the product to be produced is not a product consisting of multiple ingredients (654), virtual machine step 124 may specify a single recipe for producing that product (658). A single recipe may be selected from a plurality of recipes 36 stored in the storage subsystem 12. Therefore, if the command received (650) was for lemon-lime soda, then the virtual machine step 124 would have the single recipe needed to produce lemon-lime soda, as this is not a multi-ingredient product. May be specified (658).

When a recipe is identified from a plurality of recipes 36 stored in the storage subsystem 12 (656, 658), the control logic subsystem 14 executes the recipe (660, 6).
62), an appropriate control signal (via the data bus 38), for example, a mass feed subsystem 1
6 The micro-source subsystem 18 and the piping / control subsystem 20 may be supplied, resulting in the beverage 28 being dispensed (which is dispensed into the container 30).

Therefore, it is assumed that the machining system 10 receives an instruction (via the user interface subsystem 22) to generate a root beer float. Virtual machine process 124
May process these instructions (652) to determine if the root beer float is a product of multiple raw materials (654). Since the root beer float is a product consisting of multiple ingredients, the virtual machine process 124 identifies the recipes required to generate the root beer float (ie, the root beer soda recipe and the vanilla ice cream recipe) (656).
, Both recipes may be run (660) to produce both root beer soda and vanilla ice cream (respectively). When these products are produced, the processing system 10 combines the individual products (ie, root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) into the user 2
The root beer float requested by 6 may be generated.

When executing the recipe, the machining system 10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included in the machining system 10. As used herein, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to allow one or more processes to run. In the manifold,
And to facilitate the transfer of raw material from there, the machining system 10 may include a plurality of valves (eg, controllable by the control logic subsystem 14) to facilitate the transfer of raw material between manifolds. .. Examples of various manifolds may include mixed manifolds, blended manifolds, ground manifolds, heated manifolds, cooled manifolds, frozen manifolds, exudate manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, agitated manifolds, but these may be included. Not limited to.

For example, when making coffee, coffee beans may be ground in a ground manifold. When the beans are ground, water may be supplied to the heated manifold, in which the water 160 is at a predetermined temperature (
For example, it is heated to 212 ° F). When the water is heated, boiling water (produced by the heated manifold) may be filtered through coffee powder (produced by the ground 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 other manifolds or in the nozzle 24.

Therefore, each part of the multi-part recipe may be performed in different manifolds contained in the processing system 10. Therefore, each ingredient in a recipe consisting of a plurality of ingredients may be produced in different manifolds contained in the processing system 10. Continuing with respect to the above example, the first part of the multipart recipe (ie, one or more processes utilized by the processing system 10 to make root beer soda) is performed in the mixed manifold contained in the processing system 10. May be done. In addition, 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 performed in a frozen manifold contained in the processing system 10.

As mentioned above, during the use of the processing system 10, the user 26 may use the user interface subsystem 22 to select a particular beverage 28 to be dispensed (to the container 30). User 26 may select one or more options for inclusion in such beverages via the user interface subsystem 22. When the user 26 makes an appropriate selection via the user interface subsystem 22, the user interface subsystem 22 sends the appropriate data signal (via the data bus 32) to the control logical subsystem 14.
May be sent to. The control logic subsystem 14 may process these data signals (via the data bus 34) and may include one or more recipes selected from the plurality of recipes 36 held in the storage subsystem 12. You may read it. When the control logic subsystem 14 reads the recipe from the storage subsystem 12, it processes this recipe and processes it.
Appropriate control signals may be supplied (via the data bus 38) to, for example, the mass feedstock subsystem 16, the micro feedstock subsystem 18, the piping / control subsystem 20, and as a result.
Beverage 28 is produced (which is poured into container 30).

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

Therefore, the machining system 10 (via the user interface subsystem 22)
Assuming that you receive an instruction to make a root beer float, where the recipe for the root beer float is determined to be a multi-part recipe, the processing system 10 simply gets an independent recipe for root beer soda and an independent recipe for vanilla ice cream. You may get the root beer soda and vanilla ice cream (respectively) by running both recipes. Once these products are produced, the processing system 10 may combine the individual products (ie, root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) to produce the root beer float requested by user 26.

When executing the recipe, the machining system 10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included in the machining system 10. As used herein, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to allow one or more processes to run. In the manifold,
And to facilitate the transfer of raw material from there, the machining system 10 may include a plurality of valves (eg, controllable by the control logic subsystem 14) to facilitate the transfer of raw material between manifolds. .. Examples of various manifolds may include mixed manifolds, blended manifolds, ground manifolds, heated manifolds, cooled manifolds, frozen manifolds, exudate manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, agitated manifolds, but these may be included. Not limited to.

For example, when making coffee, coffee beans may be ground in a ground manifold. When the beans are ground, water may be supplied to the heated manifold, in which the water 160 is at a predetermined temperature (
For example, it is heated to 212 ° F). When the water is heated, boiling water (produced by the heated manifold) may be filtered through coffee powder (produced by the ground 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 other manifolds or in the nozzle 24.

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

Also referring to FIG. 22, virtual manifold process 126 monitors, for example, one or more processes occurring in the first part of a multi-part recipe running in machining system 10 (680), one or more. You may get data about at least part of the process. For example, suppose the multipart recipe is about the preparation of root beer floats
This is basically a composite of two separate and different recipes (ie root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) (as mentioned above), which are selected from multiple recipes 36 stored in the storage subsystem 12. May be good. Therefore, the first part of the multi-part recipe may be thought of as one or more processes used by the processing system 10 to make root beer soda. Further, the second part of the multi-part recipe may be thought of as one or more processes used by the processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream.

Each part of these multipart recipes may be performed in different manifolds included in the processing system 10. For example, the first part of a multipart recipe (ie, one or more processes utilized by the machining system 10 to make root beer soda) may be performed in a mixed manifold contained in the machining system 10. .. Further, even if the second part of the multi-process recipe (ie, one or more processes utilized by the processing system 10 to make vanilla ice cream) is performed in the frozen manifold contained in the past system 10. good. As mentioned above, the machined stem 10 may include a plurality of manifolds, such as mixed manifolds, blended manifolds, ground manifolds, heated manifolds, cooled manifolds, frozen manifolds, exudate manifolds, nozzles, pressures. Manifolds, vacuum manifolds, agitated manifolds, etc. are peritoneal, but are not limited to these.

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

Examples of the types of data acquired may include raw material data and processing data,
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 multipart recipe. For example, if the first part of a multipart recipe concerns the production of root beer soda, the ingredient list may include 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.

The machining data may include, but is not limited to, a list of processes performed on the raw material. For example, a predetermined amount of carbonated water may be started to be introduced into a manifold in the processing system 10. While injecting carbonated water into the manifold, a predetermined amount of root beer flavoring, a predetermined amount of high fructose corn syrup, and a predetermined amount of non-carbonated water may also be introduced into the manifold.

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

When making the retrieved data available (684), the virtual manifold process 126 sends the retrieved data (or part thereof) to one or more processes performed in the second part of the multipart recipe. May be good (690). Continuing, in the above example of one or more processes that the processing system 10 utilizes for the second part of the multi-part recipe to make vanilla ice cream, the virtual manifold process 126 has acquired data (or part thereof). ) May be available in one or more processes used to make vanilla ice cream (684).

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

In addition to this, make the retrieved data available to subsequent processes (684).
) Allows you to perform procedures that would not be possible without the data being made available to subsequent processes. Continuing in the above example, it is empirically determined that consumers tend to dislike products containing more than 10.0 mL of vanilla flavoring per serving. In addition, 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is included in the root beer flavoring used to make root beer soda for root beer floats, which is another way to make vanilla ice cream used to make root beer floats. It is assumed that 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is utilized. Therefore, when these two products (root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) are combined, the final product will be flavored with 16.0 mL vanilla flavoring (which is
It exceeds the 10.0 mL non-exceedable rule set empirically).

Therefore, if the virtual manifold process 126 does not store root beer soda raw material data (682) and such stored data is not available (684),
The fact that the root beer soda contains 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring becomes unclear, resulting in the production of a final product containing 16.0 mL of vanilla flavoring. Therefore, this data, obtained and stored (682), shows the occurrence of unwanted effects (eg, unwanted flavor features, unwanted appearance features, unwanted scent features, unwanted texture features, nutritional supplements). Can be used to avoid (or reduce) (or reduce) the maximum proper dose of.

With 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 depends on the amount of carbonated water used to make root beer soda. Again, the virtual manifold process 126 does not store the root beer soda raw material data (682).
If such storage data is not available (684), the amount of carbonated water used to make root beer soda will be unknown and the amount of salt used to make ice cream will not be adjustable. There will be.

As mentioned above, the virtual manifold process 126 monitors, for example, one or more processes occurring in the first part of the multipart recipe running in the machining system 10 (680), one or more. You may get data about at least some of the processes. Monitored (680) One or more processes in one of a plurality of procedures performed in one manifold of machining system 10 but also in one manifold of machining system 10. It may represent one part.

For example, when making root beer soda, four inlets (for example, 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 with (because the entire root beer soda is supplied to one second manifold) may be used.

However, if the manifold has two outlets instead of one (one flow rate is four times the other), the virtual manifold process 126 will include that the process contains two separate and different parts, which are within the same manifold. You may think that it will be executed at the same time. For example, 80% of the total raw material may be mixed to produce 80% of the total amount of root beer soda.
On the other hand, the remaining 20% of the total raw material may be mixed at the same time (within the same manifold) to produce 20% of the root beer soda. Therefore, the virtual manifold process 12
6 may make the data obtained for the first part (ie, 80% part) available to downstream processes utilizing 80% of the root beer soda (684), the second part (ie, ie). The data obtained for the 20% portion) may be made available to downstream processes utilizing 20% of the root beer soda (684).

In addition to / instead, one part of a multi-part procedure performed within one manifold of machining system 10 is one that occurs within one manifold that performs multiple separate processes. It may indicate the process. For example, when making vanilla ice cream in a frozen manifold, individual ingredients may be introduced, mixed and cooled until frozen.
Therefore, the process of making vanilla ice cream may include a raw material introduction process, a raw material mixing process, and a raw material freezing process, each of which is a virtual manifold process 126.
May be individually monitored by (680).

As mentioned above, the product module assembly 250 (of the micromaterial subsystem 18 and the piping / control subsystem 20) is configured to release release from multiple product containers 252, 254, 256, 258. Slot assembly 260, 262, 264,
266 may be included. Unfortunately, the product container 2 is used during maintenance and inspection of the processing system 10.
When refilling 52, 254, 256, 258, the product container is replaced with the product module assembly 25.
It can be installed in the wrong slot assembly inside zeros. Due to such mistakes, one or more pump assemblies (eg, pump assembly 270, 2)
72, 274, 276) and / or one or more tube assemblies (eg, tube bundle 304) can be contaminated with one or more micromaterials. For example, root beer flavoring (ie, the micro-ingredient contained in the product container 256) has a very strong taste, so for example, if a particular pump assembly / tube assembly is used to distribute root beer flavoring, it will be used. It cannot be used to distribute weaker-tasting micro-ingredients (eg, lemon-lime flavoring, iced tea flavoring, lemonade flavoring).

In addition, as described above, the product module assembly 250 may be configured to releaseably engage the bracket assembly 282. Therefore, if the machining system 10 includes a plurality of product module assemblies and a plurality of bracket assemblies, it is possible that the product module assembly may be attached to the wrong bracket assembly during maintenance and inspection of the machining system 10. Unfortunately, such mistakes 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) can be contaminated with one or more micromaterials.

Therefore, the processing system 10 may include an RFID-based system to ensure proper positioning of the product container and product module within the processing system 10. Also with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24, the machining system 10 may include an RFID system 700, which is an RFI located in the product module assembly 250 of the machining system 10.
The D antenna assembly 702 may be included.

As mentioned above, the product module assembly 250 may be configured to releaseably engage with at least one product container (eg, product container 258). The RFID system 700 is an RFID located (eg, attached) in the product container 258.
It may include a tag assembly 704. Whenever the product module assembly 250 engages releaseably with a product container (eg, product container 258), the RFID tag assembly 7
04 may be located, for example, in the upper detection area 706 of the RFID antenna assembly 702. Therefore, 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, when it engages releaseably).

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

Therefore, RFID antenna assembly 702 and RFID tag assembly 704, 7
With the use of 08, the RFID system 700 is equipped with various product containers (eg, product container 2).
52, 254, 256, 258) can be determined if they are properly positioned within the product module assembly 250. Further, the RFID system 700 can also determine whether the product module assembly 250 is properly positioned in the machining system 10.

The RFID system 700 is shown to include one RFID antenna assembly and two RFID tag assemblies, but this is for illustration purposes only and other configurations are possible and are therefore limited to this application. Not intended. Specifically, a representative configuration of RFID system 700 may include one RFID antenna assembly located within each slot assembly of product module assembly 250. For example, the RFID system 700 is additionally located in the product module assembly 250.
FID antenna assemblies 712, 714, 716 may be included. Therefore, R
The FID antenna assembly 702 has a product container (of the product module assembly 250).
The RFID antenna assembly 712 may determine whether or not the product container has been inserted into the slot assembly 266, and the RFID antenna assembly 712 may determine whether or not the product container has been inserted into the slot assembly 264 of (product module assembly 250). The assembly 714 may determine if the product container has been inserted into the slot assembly 262 (of the product module assembly 250), and the RFID antenna assembly 716 has the 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, since the machining system 10 may include a plurality of product module assemblies, each of these product module assemblies may be one or more for determining which product container was inserted into a particular product module assembly. RFID antenna assembly may be included.

As mentioned above, the RFID in the lower detection area 710 of the RFID antenna assembly 702.
By monitoring the presence of the tag assembly, the RFID system 700 may be able to determine if the product module assembly 250 has been properly positioned within the machining system 10. Therefore, any of the RFID antenna assemblies 702, 712, 714, 716 can be used to read one or more RFID tag assemblies attached to the bracket assembly 282. For illustration purposes, the product module assembly 282 is shown to have only one RFID tag assembly 708. However,
This is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of the present application as other configurations are possible. For example, the bracket assembly 282 is a plurality of RFID tag assemblies, i.e. RFID tag assembly 718 (indicated by a dashed line) read by RFID antenna assembly 712, R read by RFID antenna assembly 714.
FID tag assembly 720 (shown by dashed line), RFID tag assembly 722 (shown by dashed line) read by RFID antenna assembly 716 may be included.

One or more RFID tag assemblies (eg RFID tag assembly 704)
, 708, 718, 720, 722) may be a passive RFID tag assembly (eg, an RFID tag assembly that does not require a power source). In addition to this, one or more 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 a FID tag assembly include product container quantity identifiers, product container manufacturing date identifiers, product container disposal deadline identifiers, product container raw material identifiers, product module identifiers, and bracket identifiers. It may be included, but is not limited to these.

With respect to the quantity identifier, in some embodiments, each of the amounts of raw material discharged from the container containing the RFID tag, the tag is written to include the latest amount and / or the discharged amount in the container. There is. When the container is later removed from the assembly and reattached to another assembly, the system reads the RFID tag to determine the capacity of the container and / or the amount discharged from the container. In addition to this, the date on which the discharge was made may also be written on the RFID tag.

Therefore, each of the bracket assemblies (eg, bracket assembly 282)
RFID tag assembly (eg RF
The ID tag assembly 708) may be attached, in which case the attached RFID tag assembly may define a bracket identifier (to uniquely identify the bracket assembly). Therefore, if the machining system 10 includes 10 bracket assemblies, then 10 RFID tag assemblies (ie, 1 for each bracket assembly).
10 unique bracket identifiers (ie, one for each bracket assembly) may be set.

Further, when a product container (eg, product container 252, 254, 256, 258) is manufactured and filled with micro raw material, the RFID tag assembly is fitted with a raw material identifier (to identify the micro raw material in the product container). ), Quantity identifier (to identify the amount of micro raw material in the product container), Manufacturing date identifier (to identify the manufacturing date of micro raw material), Disposal deadline identifier (to identify the date when the product container should be discarded / recycled) Because) may be included.

Therefore, when the product module assembly 250 is mounted in the machining system 10, the RFID antenna assemblies 702, 712, 714, 716 may be energized by the RFID subsystem 724. The RFID subsystem 724 is a data bus 72.
It may be connected to the control logic subsystem 14 via 6. When energized, the RFID antenna assemblies 702, 712, 714, 716 scan their 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. You may start.

As mentioned above, one or more RFID tag assemblies may be attached to the bracket assembly to which the product module assembly 250 engages releasably. Thus, when the product module assembly 250 is slid into the bracket assembly 282 (ie, when it engages releaseably), the RFID tag assembly 708, 718, 7
One or more of 20, 722 (respectively) RFID antenna assembly 702, 71
It may be positioned within the lower detection area of 2,714,716. For illustration purposes, it is assumed that the bracket assembly 282 contains only one RFID tag assembly, i.e., only the RFID tag assembly 708. In addition, for illustration purposes, product containers 252, 254,
It is assumed that 256 and 258 are mounted (respectively) in slot assemblies 260, 262, 264 and 266. Therefore, the RFID subsystem 714 is (RF).
The bracket assembly 282 should be detected (by detecting the ID tag assembly 708) and the RFID tag assembly attached to each product container (eg RF).
By detecting the ID tag assembly 704), the product container 252, 254, 256
258 should be detected.

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

For illustration purposes, the product container 258 was accidentally slot-assembled 264 during normal maintenance.
Suppose that the product container 256 is incorrectly positioned in the slot assembly 266. When the RFID subsystem 724 acquires the information contained within the RFID tag assembly (using the RFID antenna assembly), it uses the RFID antenna assembly 262 to detect the RFID tag assembly associated with the product container 258. Alternatively, the 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 previously stored product container 256, 258 (stored in the storage subsystem 12) of each of these product containers. It may be determined whether or not the position is incorrect.

Accordingly, the RFID subsystem 724 may display a warning message via, for example, the information screen 514 of the user interface subsystem 22 via the control logic subsystem 14, which is, for example, a product to a maintenance engineer. Explain that the container has not been properly reattached. Depending on the type of micro-ingredient in the product container, the maintenance engineer may, for example, be informed that he or she may choose to continue or should not continue. As mentioned earlier, certain micromaterials (eg, root beer flavoring) have a very strong taste, so once this is distributed through a particular pump assembly and / or tube assembly, that pump assembly / tube assembly is not. It cannot be used for any of the micro raw materials. In addition to this, as mentioned above, the various RFID tag assemblies attached to the product container may specify the micro-ingredients in the product container.

Therefore, if the pump assembly / tube assembly used for lemon-lime flavoring is now about to be used for root beer flavoring, the maintenance technician may be warned to confirm that it is okay. .. However, if the pump assembly / tube assembly used for root beer flavoring is now about to be used for lemon-lime flavoring, the maintenance engineer should not proceed with that task and the product container should be initially configured. A warning may be given explaining that the defective pump / tube assembly must be removed and replaced with a new pump / cheap assembly. Similar warnings may be provided if the RFID subsystem 724 detects that the bracket assembly has been moved within the machining system 10.

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

When the RFID subsystem 724 detects that the product container has reached a predetermined minimum quantity, it may display a warning message on the information screen 514 of the user interface subsystem 22 via the control logic subsystem 14. In addition to this, the RFID subsystem 724 has one or more product containers with an expiration date (RFID attached to the product container).
A warning may be provided (via the information screen 414 of the user interface subsystem 22) when (specified in the tag assembly) is reached or exceeded.

As mentioned above, the RFID system 700 has an RFID antenna assembly and a bracket assembly attached to the product module and an RFID tag assembly attached to the product container, but this is for illustration purposes only and may be a limitation of the present application. Not intended. Specifically, the RFID antenna assembly is any product container, bracket assembly,
Alternatively, it may be positioned as a product module. In addition, the RFID tag assembly may be located in 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.

Due to the proximity of the slot assemblies contained in the product module assembly 250 (eg, slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266), read the RFID antenna assembly 702, eg, the product container located within the adjacent slot assembly. It may be desirable to configure it so that it can be avoided. For example, in the RFID antenna assembly 702, the RFID antenna assembly 702 is RF.
Only the ID tag assemblies 704, 708 should be configured to be readable, and the RFID antenna assembly 712 is such that the RFID antenna assembly 712 is RF.
RFID tag assembly attached to ID tag assembly 718 and product container 256 (
(Not shown) should be configured so that only can be read, the RFID antenna assembly 714 is such that the RFID antenna assembly 714 is the RFID tag assembly 72.
Only 0 and the RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached to the product container 254 should be readable and the RFID antenna assembly 716 should be configured.
RFID antenna assembly 716 is the 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.

Reduction of RFID misreading 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 is performed within the machine. Map the location of various elements, for example the location of each product container. As described herein, accurate mapping is important for many reasons, including, but not limited to, recipe retention and product pouring and product quality maintenance. In some embodiments, various embodiments of the tag scanning method are used, for example, to reduce unintended readings by RFID antenna assemblies of product containers located within adjacent slot assemblies, such as: You may.

Here, also with reference to FIG. 73, all of the RFID tag assemblies are scanned and then the scanning data is evaluated to determine the location of each RFID tag assembly.
If the RFID tag assembly belongs 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, and RSSI value are used to determine the correct position of the RFID tag assembly.

With respect to in-slot time, in some embodiments, it is identified within each slot in which an RFID tag assembly was assigned to it prior to a scan in which the RFID tag assembly was attributed to multiple slots. It may be a count of the number of scan cycles. If the RFID tag assembly stays in the slot previously assigned before the scan (referred to as the "current slot") and the scan results in another slot and the current slot, then the current slot The time spent inside will be significantly longer than in another slot. In some embodiments, the system is then R
The FID tag assembly is assigned to the slot assigned to it in the most scans, which is the current slot in this example.

In some embodiments, the product container may be a "double width" product container, which in these embodiments requires two slots adjacent to each other in the same product module. Will be. In some embodiments, the product module is a quadruple product module and is therefore configured to receive four product containers, but for double-width product containers, the quadruple product module has two. It is configured to receive a double-width product container and / or two single-width product containers and one double-width product container. For double-width product containers, R attached to the double-width product container because they cannot span two product modules (ie, cannot cross the boundaries of the product modules).
If the RFID tag assembly is read in multiple slots and one of the slots is, for example, an odd number of slots (ie, slot 1 or 3 of the quadruple product module), the system will use this information to populate that slot. It may be excluded from the candidate positions of the RFID tag assembly. Therefore, in some embodiments, the system may use a fitment map to determine the actual / correct position of the double-width product container.

In some embodiments, the system 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 map schemes. Compares the values of the received signal strength indicator (RSSI). In some embodiments, a slot with a higher RSSI value will be assigned as the location of the RFID tag assembly.

If more than one RFID tag assembly belongs to one slot (referred to as "the slot") after scanning all RFID tag assemblies, the system will perform the following method to assign the correct RFID tag to that slot: Determine the assembly. In some embodiments, the in-slot time, fitment map, and RSSI value are used to determine the correct position 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 the RFID tag assembly has identified in the slot. If the RFID tag assembly is in the other slot (referred to as the "current slot") that was assigned prior to the scan and the scan indicates that it belongs to another slot, the slot. The time in the current slot will be significantly longer than in another slot, i.e. the slot. In some embodiments, the system then assigns its RFID tag assembly to the slot assigned to it in the most scans, which is the current slot in this example. However, if the RFID tag assembly has been in the slot for a longer predetermined period than any of the other candidate RFID tag assemblies for that slot, then the longest R in the slot.
A FID tag assembly will be assigned to that slot.

In some embodiments, the product container may be a "double width" product container, which in these embodiments requires two slots adjacent to each other in the same product module. Will be. In some embodiments, the product module is a quadruple product module and is therefore configured to receive four product containers, but for a double width product container, the quadruple product module is two. Two double-width product containers and / or 2
It is configured to receive one single-width product container and one double-width product container. For double-width product containers, one of the RFID tag assemblies read for that slot is double-width because they cannot span two product modules (ie, cannot cross the boundaries of the product modules). The system uses this information if it is attached to a product container and the slot is, for example, an odd number of slots (ie, slot 1 or 3 of a quadruple product module) or cannot accommodate a double-width product container. The product module / RFID tag assembly may be removed from the candidates for the slot. Therefore, in some embodiments, the system may use a fitment map to determine the actual / correct position of the double-width product container.

In some embodiments, multiple RFID tag assemblies have been read in the slot and not all of the second or more RFID tag assemblies have been eliminated using in-slot time and / or fitment map schemes. If so, the system compares the values 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.

Therefore, also with reference to FIG. 25, RFID antenna assemblies 702, 712, 71.
One or more of 4,716 may be configured as a loop antenna. The following description relates to RFID antenna assembly 702, but this is for illustration purposes only and is a limitation of the present application as the following description may apply equally to RFID antenna assemblies 712, 714, 716. Is not intended.

The RFID antenna assembly 702 is the first capacitor assembly 750 (eg 2).
.. A 90 pF capacitor) may be included, which may be coupled between ground 752 and port 754 to energize the RFID antenna assembly 702. A second capacitor assembly 756 (eg, a 2.55 pF capacitor) may be located between the port 754 and the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758. A resistor assembly 760 (eg, a 2.00 ohm resistor) may connect the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 to ground 752, while reducing the Q factor to increase bandwidth and increase operating width. Make it wider.

As is known in the art, the characteristics of the RFID antenna assembly 702 can be adjusted by changing the physical properties of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758. For example, if the diameter "d" of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is increased, the RFID antenna assembly 7
The far-field performance of 02 can be improved. In addition, the diameter "d" of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758
If the value is reduced, the far-field performance of the RFID antenna assembly 702 may be reduced.

Specifically, the far-field performance of the RFID antenna assembly 702 may differ depending on the energy emission capability of the RFID antenna assembly 702. As is known in the art, the energy release capacity of RFID antenna assembly 702 is (port 754).
It may depend on the circumference of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 708 with respect to the wavelength of the carrier signal 762 used to energize the RFID antenna assembly 702 via.

Also referring to FIG. 26, in a preferred embodiment, the carrier signal 762 has a wavelength of 12.
It may be a carrier signal of 915 MHz which is 89 inches. Regarding the design of the loop antenna, 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 is radially from the axis 812 of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758. On the outside (eg arrows 800, 802, 804, 8)
Energy (indicated by 06, 808, 810) may be released, resulting in strong far field performance. Conversely, the carrier signal 76 around the circumference of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758.
By keeping it below 25% of the wavelength of 2, the amount of energy emitted outward by the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is reduced and the far electric field performance is weakened. In addition, magnetic coupling can occur in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 (indicated by arrows 814, 816), resulting in strong near-field performance.

As mentioned above, due to the proximity of the slot assemblies (eg, slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266) contained in the product module assembly 250, R
It may be desirable to configure the FID antenna assembly 702 in such a way that it can avoid reading product containers located, for example, in adjacent slot assemblies. Therefore, the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is arranged so that the circumference of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is 25% or less of the wavelength of the carrier signal 762 (for example,).
By configuring (3.22 inches in the case of a carrier signal of 915 MHz), the far electric field performance can be lowered and the near electric field performance can be improved. Further, by positioning the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 so that the RFID tag assembly to be read is either above or below the RFID antenna assembly 702, the RFID tag assembly is electromagnetically 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).
When configured to be 1.29 inches for a 5 MHz carrier signal), the diameter of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 is 0.40 inches, resulting in a relatively high level of near-field performance and far-field performance. Is at a relatively low level.

Also with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, the machining system 10 may be incorporated into the housing assembly 850. Housing assembly 850 has one or more access doors / panels 852,85
4 may be included, which allows, for example, maintenance and inspection of the processing system 10 and the replacement of an empty product container (eg, product container 258). For various reasons (eg security, safety, etc.), it is desirable to fix the access doors / panels 852,854 so that only authorized personnel can access the inner components of the beverage dispenser 10. Maybe. Therefore, the aforementioned RFID subsystem (ie, RF)
The ID subsystem 700) is an access door / panel 852, 85 except when a suitable RFID tag assembly is located near the RFID access antenna assembly 900.
4 may be configured so as not to open. An example of such a suitable RFID tag assembly is an RFID tag assembly attached to a product container (eg, product container 258).
RFID tag assembly 704) attached to may be included.

The RFID access antenna assembly 900 may include an electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 consisting 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 the RFID access antenna assembly 900. A second matching component 910 (eg, a 16.56 nanohenri inductor) may be positioned between the port 908 and the multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902. The matching components 904, 910 set the impedance of the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 consisting of a plurality of segments to the desired impedance (for example, 50.00 ohms).
May be adjusted to. In general, matching components 904, 910 can improve the efficiency of RFID access antenna assembly 900.

The RFID access antenna assembly 900 may include a Q factor lowering factor 912 (eg, a 50 ohm resistor), which may be configured to make the RFID access antenna assembly 900 available over a wider frequency range. .. Thereby, R
The FID access antenna assembly 900 will also be available in all bands and can accommodate tolerances within the matching network. For example, the RFID access antenna assembly 900 has a band of interest of 50 MHz and a Q factor lowering element (also referred to herein as a "de-Qing element") 912 configured to make the antenna 100 MHz wide. If the center frequency of the RFID access antenna assembly 900 is R
It can travel only 25 MHz without affecting the performance of the FID access antenna assembly 900. The De-Qing element 912 may be located within the multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 or may be located elsewhere within the RFID access antenna assembly 900.

As described above, by utilizing a relatively small electromagnetic induction loop assembly (for example, the electromagnetic induction loop assembly 758 of FIGS. 25 and 26), the far electric field performance of the antenna assembly can be lowered and the near electric 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 (eg, generally proportional to the diameter of the loop). Therefore, in order to increase the detection range depth, a larger loop diameter may be used. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, the use of larger loop diameters can improve far-field performance.

Therefore, the electromagnetic induction assembly 902 consisting of a plurality of segments has a plurality of individual antenna segments (eg, antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920, 9).
22, 924, 926) and phase shift elements (eg, capacitor assemblies 928, 9)
30, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940) may be included. 1.0pF for examples of capacitor assemblies 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940
Capacitors or varicaps (eg voltage variable capacitors), eg 0.1-25
A 0 pF varicap may be included. The phase shift element described above may adaptively control the phase shift of the multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 to compensate for fluctuations in conditions, or modulate the characteristics of the multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902. It may be configured to provide various electromagnetic induction loop coupling functions and / or magnetic properties. An alternative example of the phase shift element above is a concatenated line (not shown).

As mentioned above, the length of the antenna segment is set to the RFID access antenna assembly 9
By keeping 00 at 25% or less of the wavelength of the carrier signal to be energized, the amount of energy emitted to the outside by the antenna segment is reduced, the far electric field performance is weakened, and the near electric field performance is enhanced. Therefore, the antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920, 9
Each of 22, 924, and 926 may be sized so that they do not exceed 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal that energizes the RFID access antenna assembly 900. In addition, capacitor assemblies 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938
By properly sizing each of the 940s, all phase shifts that occur when the carrier signal propagates around the multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 are all multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902. It can be offset by the various capacitor assemblies built into it. Therefore, for illustration purposes, 90 ° for each of the antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926.
Suppose that a phase shift occurs. Therefore, by utilizing properly sized capacitor assemblies 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940, the 90 ° phase shift that occurs in each segment can 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, then the desired phase is achieved by using a 1.2 pF capacitor assembly. Shift cancellation may be achieved and segment resonance may be adjusted.

The multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 is shown to consist of a plurality of linear antenna assemblies connected via a gasp joint, but this is for illustration purposes only and is a limitation of the present application. It is not intended to be. For example, a plurality of curved antenna segments may be utilized to form an electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 composed of a plurality of segments. In addition to this, the electromagnetic induction loop segment 902 consisting of multiple segments
May be configured in any loop type shape. For example, the multi-segment electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902 may be configured as an ellipse (shown in FIG. 28), a circle, a square, a rectangle or an octagon.

The system is described above as being used within a machining system, as this is just an example and other configurations are possible. It is not intended to be a limitation of this 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 system may be utilized for vitamins, pharmaceuticals, medical products, cleaning products, lubricants, paint / stain products, and other non-consumable liquids / semi-fluids / granular 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 it has been described above to be positioned above an RFID antenna assembly (eg, RFID antenna assembly 702) that is positioned above, this is for illustration purposes only and other configurations are possible and are therefore disclosed in this disclosure. It is not intended to be limited. For example, an RFID tag assembly (eg RFID tag assembly 704) attached to a product container (eg, product container 258) may be an RFID antenna assembly (eg, R).
It may be located below the FID Anna Assembly 702), which is an RFID tag attached to the bracket assembly 282 (eg, RFID Tag Assembly 708).
) May be positioned below.

As mentioned above, relatively short antenna segments (eg, 914, 916) that do not exceed 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal energizing the RFID antenna assembly 900.
, 918, 920, 922, 924, 926), the far electric field performance of the antenna assembly 900 can be lowered, and the near electric field performance can be improved.

Also referring to FIG. 29, if a higher level of far-field performance is desired for the RFID antenna assembly, the RFID antenna assembly 900a is a far-field antenna electrically coupled to a portion of an electromagnetic induction loop assembly 902a consisting of a plurality of segments. Assembly 94
It may be configured to include 2 (eg, a dipole antenna assembly). The far-field antenna assembly 942 includes a first antenna portion 944 (ie, forming the first portion of the dipole) and a second antenna portion 946 (ie, forming the second portion of the dipole). You may be. As mentioned above, the antenna segments 914, 916, 918, 920,
By keeping the lengths of 922, 924, and 926 below 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal, the far electric field performance of the antenna assembly 900a can be lowered and the near electric field performance can be improved. Therefore, 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.

Also with reference to FIG. 30, as described above (eg with respect to FIG. 27), the machining system 10
May be incorporated within the housing assembly 850. The housing assembly 850 may include one or more access doors / panels (eg, upper door 852 and lower door 854), which allows, for example, maintenance of the machining system 10 to be empty. The old product container (for example, product container 258) can be replaced. The touch panel interface 500 may be installed on the upper door 852, which facilitates access by the user. The upper door 852 also has access to the dispensing assembly 1000, which allows the beverage container (eg, container 30) to be injected with beverage, ice or the like (eg, via a nozzle 24 not shown). In addition to this, the lower door 854
May include RFID communication area 1002, eg, which may be associated with RFID access antenna assembly 900, thereby, for example, an access door /.
One or more of the panels 852, 854 can be opened. The communication area 1002 is drawn for illustration purposes only, as the RFID access antenna assembly 900 can be equally located in various other locations, including locations other than access doors / panels 852, 854. ..

Also with reference to FIGS. 51-53, exemplary embodiments of the user interface assembly 5100 are shown, which may be incorporated within the housing assembly 850 shown in FIG. The user interface assembly may include a touch panel interface 500. The user interface assembly 5100 is a touch panel 510.
2, the frame 5104, the edge 5106, the sealing material 5108, and the system controller case 5110 may be included. The edges 5106 may be spaced around the touch panel 5102 and also serve as a clear apparent boundary. Touch panel 5
Reference numeral 102 is a capacitive touch panel in this exemplary embodiment, but 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 edge 5106 due to the capacitive nature of the touch panel 5102.

The sealing material 5108 may protect the display shown as 5200 in FIG. 52 and may serve to prevent moisture and / or fine particles from reaching the Dispui 5200. In this exemplary embodiment, the sealant 5108 contacts the door of the housing assembly 852 to better maintain the sealed state. In this exemplary embodiment, the display 5200 is a liquid crystal display and is held in a frame by at least one set of spring fingers 5202 capable of engaging the display 5200 to hold the display 5200. In this exemplary embodiment, the display 5200 is a 15 "LCD display such as the model LQ150X1LGB1 from Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. However, in other embodiments, the display may be any other type of display. Good. The spring finger 5202 may additionally function as a spring, which can accommodate the tolerances of the user interface assembly 5100, and therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the touch screen 5102 floats relative to the display 5200. The touch panel 5102 can also be used for Sony's Sonytronics in the United Kingdom.
Although it is a projection capacitive touch panel such as the model ZYP15-10001D, in other embodiments, the touch panel may be another type of touch panel and / or another capacitive touch panel. In this exemplary embodiment, the sealant is a construction foam gasket, which is made from die-cut polyurethane foam in this exemplary embodiment, but in other embodiments made of silicone foam or other similar material. It may be made. In some embodiments, the sealant may be a dissimilar material integrally molded sealant or any other type of sealant.

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

Also with reference to FIG. 53, the 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 the connector cap 5116. May be covered with.

Also with reference to FIG. 31, according to certain exemplary embodiments, the machining system 10 may include an upper cabinet portion 1004a and a lower cabinet portion 1006a. However, other configurations can be used equally and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application. Further, FIG. 32
And 33, the upper cabinet portion 1004a (eg, which 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, the upper cabinet portion 1004a includes 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, not shown).
It may include a nozzle 24) (not shown) and piping and the like for connecting to a mass feedstock supply unit (eg, carbon dioxide supply unit 150, water supply unit 152, HFCS supply unit 154 (not shown)). In addition, the upper cabinet portion 1004a may include an ice hopper 1008 for storing ice and an ice ejection chute 1010 for ejecting ice from the ice hopper 1008 (eg, into a beverage container).

The carbonic acid supply unit 150 may be supplied by one or more carbonic acid cylinders, for example, it may be located at a distance and piped to the processing system 10. Similarly, the water supply unit 152 may be supplied as a water supply, for example, it may also be piped to the processing system 10. The high fructose corn syrup supply unit 154 may include, for example, one or more storage units (eg, in the form of a bag-in-box container containing 5 gallons), which may be stored in a remote location (eg, in a storage room, etc.). It may have been. The high fructose corn syrup supply unit 154 may be piped to the processing system 10. Piping for various bulk raw materials may be implemented with conventional hard or soft line piping configurations.

As described above, the carbonated water supply unit 158, the water supply unit 152, and the high fructose corn syrup supply unit 1
54 are located at remote locations and the machining system 10 (eg, flow control module 170).
, 172, 174). Referring to FIG. 34, the flow control module (eg, flow control module 172) may be connected to the mass feedstock supply (eg, water 152) via the vertical point connector 1012. For example, the water supply unit 152 may be connected to the piping connector 1012, which may be releasably connected to the flow control module 172, thereby completing the piping of the water supply unit 152 to the flow control module 170. 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 exemplary embodiment described above, 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 mass feedstock supply unit (eg, a carbon dioxide supply unit 150, not shown). It may include piping and the like for connecting to the water supply unit 152, the HFCS supply unit 154). In addition to this, the upper cabinet part 1004b
May include an ice hopper 1008 for storing ice and an ice ejection chute for ejecting ice from the ice hopper 1008 (eg, into a beverage container).

With reference to FIGS. 36A to 36b, the upper cabinet portion 1004b is the power supply module 10.
14 may be included. The power supply module 1014 may house, for example, a power supply, one or more distribution buses, a controller (eg, a 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 display means (generally indicator lamp 1016) and a power / data connector (eg, generally connector 1018).

Also with reference to FIGS. 37A, 37B, 37C, the flow control module 170 may be mechanically and fluidly coupled to the upper cabinet portion 1004b, generally via a connecting assembly 1020. The connection assembly 1020 may include a feed fluid passage, for example this may be a mass feedstock via inlet 1022 (eg, carbonated water 158, water 160, etc.).
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 exit passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020. Therefore, the flow control module 170 may receive a large amount of raw material via the connection assembly 1020. The connection assembly 1020 is further described.
It may include a valve (eg, ball valve 1028) that is movable between open and closed positions. When the ball valve 1028 is in the open position, the flow control module 170 may be fluid connected to the mass feedstock supply. Similarly, when the ball valve 1028 is in the closed position, the flow control module 170 may be fluidly separated from the mass feedstock supply.

The ball valve 1028 may be moved between the open and closed positions by rotatably activating the locking tab 1030. In addition to opening and closing the ball valve 1028, the locking tab 1030 may engage the flow control module 170, for example thereby holding the flow control module with respect to the connecting assembly 1020. For example, the shoulder 1032 may engage the tab 1034 of the flow control module 170. By engaging between the shoulder 1032 and the tab 1034, the inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170
May be held in the exit passage 1026 of the connecting assembly 1020. Connecting to the flow control module 170 by holding the inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170 in the outlet passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020 (eg, by maintaining sufficient engagement between the inlet 1024 and the outlet 1026). It can be easier to maintain the liquidtight connection between the assemblies 1020.

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

The connection assembly 1020 makes it easy to attach / detach the flow control module 170 to / from the machining system 10 (eg, to replace the damaged / failed flow control module 170). Locking tab 1030 according to the direction shown
May be rotated counterclockwise (eg, about a quarter turn in the embodiment shown). The exit connector 1038 may be disengaged from tab 1034 of the flow control module 170 by rotating the locking tab 130 counterclockwise. The outlet connector 1038 may be disconnected from the flow control module 170. Similarly, the inlet 102 of the flow control module 170
4 may be disconnected from the exit passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020. In addition to this, 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 mass feedstock. Therefore, when the locking tab 1030 rotates and the flow control module 170 disengages from the connection assembly 1020, the fluid connection with the mass feedstock is closed, which can reduce / prevent contamination of the processing system with the bulk feedstock, 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 the fluid engagement and cannot be removed until it has been rotated 90 degrees to a fully closed position).

In a manner related to this, the flow control module 170 may be coupled to the connection assembly 1020. For example, rotating the locking tab 1030 counterclockwise may allow the inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170 to be inserted into the exit passage 1026 of the connection assembly 1020. The outlet connector 1038 may engage the 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 the inlet 1024 of the flow control module 170.
May be kept in a liquid tightly connected state with the outlet passage 1026 of the connection assembly. Similarly,
The outlet connector 1038 may be held in a liquid-tight state with the outlet of the flow control module 170. Further, when the locking tab 1030 rotates clockwise, the ball valve 1028 may move to the open position, whereby the fluid control module 170 is fluid connected to the mass feedstock.

Further also referring to FIG. 38, the lower cabinet portion 1006a may include one or more functional members of the micro raw material subsystem 18 and houses one or more built-in consumable material supply units. May be good. For example, the lower cabinet portion 1006a is 1
One or more micro raw material towers (eg, micro raw material towers 1050, 1052)
1054) and non-nutritive sweeteners (eg, artificial sweeteners or composites of multiple artificial sweeteners)
The supply unit 1056 of the above may be included. As shown in the figure, Micro Raw Material Tower 1050, 10
52, 1054 may include one or more product module assemblies (eg, product module assembly 250), each of which may include one or more product containers (eg, product containers 252, 254 not shown). It may be configured to engage releaseably with 256, 258). For example, each of the micro raw material towers 1050 and 1052 may include three product module assemblies, the micro raw material tower 105.
4 may include 4 product module assemblies.

Also with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40, one or more of the micro raw material towers (eg, the micro raw material tower 1052) may be coupled to a stirring mechanism, which may be, for example, the micro raw material tower 1052, and / or a portion thereof. May be vibrated, slid linearly, or otherwise agitated. The stirring mechanism can help hold a mixture of separate raw materials stored in the micro raw material tower 1052. The stirring mechanism is, for example, the stirring motor 1
100 may be included, which may drive the stirring arm 1102 via the connecting portion 1104. The stirring arm 1102 may generally be driven by longitudinal vibrational motion and may be driven by one or more product module assemblies (eg, product module assemblies 250a, 250).
b, 250c, 250d) may be coupled, thereby imparting oscillating stirring motion to the product module assemblies 250a, 250b, 250c, 250d. A safe stop function may be associated with the lower door 854, for example this may be the lower cabinet door 11.
The stirring function may be disabled when the 54 is open.

As mentioned above, the RFID system 700 has the presence / absence and location (eg, for example) of various product containers.
Product module assembly and slot assembly), contents may be detected. Therefore, when the RFID system 700 is mounted in a micro-material tower (eg, micro-material tower 1052) in which a product container containing contents that require stirring is not connected to the stirring container (eg, RFID subsystem). Warnings may be issued (via 724 and / or control logic subsystem 14). In addition, the control logic subsystem 14 may prevent the use of unstirred product containers.

As mentioned above, the product module assembly (eg, product module assembly 25).
0) may be configured to have four slot assemblies and therefore
It can be referred to as a quadruple product module and / or a quadruple product module assembly. Further referring to FIG. 41, the product module assembly 250 may include a plurality of pump assemblies (eg, pump assemblies 270, 272, 274, 276). For example, one pump assembly (eg, pump assembly 270, 272,
274, 276) is the product module 250 (for example, in the case of a quadruple product module).
It may be associated with each of the four slot assemblies of. Pump assembly 27
0, 272, 274, 276 may eject the product from the product container (not shown) of the product module assembly 250 that is releaseably engaged with the corresponding slot assembly.

As shown in the figure, each product module assembly (eg, product module assembly 250a, 250b, 25) of the micro raw material tower (eg, micro raw material tower 1052).
0c, 250d) may be connected to the common wiring harness via, for example, the connector 1106. As described above, the micro raw material tower 1052 may be electrically connected to, for example, a control logic subsystem 14, a power source, or the like via one connection point.

Also with reference to FIG. 42, as described above, the product module 250 may include a plurality of slot assemblies (eg, slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266). Slot assemblies 260, 262, 264, 266 may be configured to releaseably engage a product container (eg, product container 256). Slot assembly 260,
262,264, 266 may include doors 1108, 1110 and 1112, respectively. As shown, two or more of the slot assemblies (eg, slot assemblies 260, 262) are releasably engaged into double-width product containers (eg, two slot assemblies). 2 containing a product container configured in (for example, a separate ingredient for a beverage recipe consisting of two ingredients) and / or a product for free delivery (for example, a separate ingredient for a beverage recipe consisting of two ingredients).
Two separate product containers may be configured to engage releaseably. Thus, slot assemblies 260,262 may include double-width doors (eg, doors 1108) that cover both slot assemblies 260,262.

Doors 1108, 1110 and 1112 can be releasedably engaged with hinge rails, whereby doors 1108, 1108 and 1112 can be swiveled to open and close. For example, door 110
8, 1110 and 1112 may include a snap fitting functional member, whereby the doors 1108, 1108 and 1112 can be snap-fitted and removed from the hinge rail. Therefore, doors 1108, 1110 and 1112 may be snap-fitted and removed from the hinge rails, thereby replacing broken doors or changing the door configuration (eg, double-width doors 2). It can be replaced with two single-width doors and vice versa).

Each door (eg, door 1110) has a tongue-shaped functional member (eg, tongue-shaped member 1114),
May include, which may engage with a functional member of the product container that cooperates with it (eg, notch 1116 of the product container 256). The tongue-shaped member 1114 (eg, notch 11)
Force can be transmitted to and out of the product container (via 16) and the product container 256 can be inserted into and removed from the slot assembly 264. For example, during insertion,
The product container 256 may be inserted into the slot assembly 264 at least halfway.
When the door 1110 is closed, the tongue-shaped member 1114 engages the notch 1116 and the force closing the door is transmitted to the product container 256, which causes the product container 256 to slot assembly 264.
It is firmly fixed to (for example, due to the action of the lever by the door 1110). Similarly,
The tongue-shaped member 1114 may be at least partially engaged with the notch 1116 (eg, at least a portion may be captured by the edge of the notch 1116), and a removing force is applied to the product container 256 (eg, as described above). Also due to the action of the lever supplied by the door 1110)
..

The product module 250 may include one or more indicator lamps, which may include, 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, the door 1112) may optionally include an optical conductor (eg, optical conductor 1118) connected to a light source (eg, light source 1120). The light conductor 1118 is, for example, a transparent or transparent material (eg, a transparent plastic such as acrylic, etc.).
It may include a piece of glass, etc.), 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, a red L).
ED and green LED) may be included. For double-width doors (eg, door 1108), only one light conductor corresponding to one of the slot assemblies and one light source associated with one light conductor may be utilized. The unused light source corresponding to the other slot assembly of the double-width door may be shielded by at least part of the door.

As described above, the light conductor 1118 and the light source 1120 may convey various information about slot assemblies, product containers, and the like. For example, the light source 1120 is green light (this is the door 11).
The front of the twelve may be transmitted via an optical conductor 1118) so that the operating state of the slot assembly 266 and the product container that is releasably engaged with the slot assembly 266 are not empty. May be indicated. Light source 1120 is red light (this is the light conductor 1118
(May be transmitted to the front of the door 1112 via) to supply the slot assembly 26.
6 may indicate that the product container engaged to release from prison is empty. Similarly, the light source 11
20 may supply a flashing red light, which may be transmitted to the front of the door 1112 via the optical conductor 1118, to indicate anomalies or failures associated with the slot assembly 266. Various additional / alternative information may be displayed using the light source 1120 and the optical conductor 1118. In addition, additional and associated lighting schemes may also be utilized (eg, flashing green light, orange light obtained from a light source that supplies both green and red light, and others).

Also with reference to FIGS. 43A, 43B, 43C, the 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 protrusion 1154, for example which may provide an edge 1156. By edge 1156 (eg while inserting and / or removing the product container into and / or removing the product container into the slot assembly 264) the product container 256.
Can be easier to handle.

The rear housing portion 1152 may include a fitting functional member 1158a, for example, which engages a product container (eg, product container 256) with a pump assembly (eg, pump assembly 272 of product module 250). May be fluid connected to. The fitting functional member 1158a may include a blind mate fluid connector, which, when the fitting functional member is pushed into a functional member (eg, stem) associated with the pump assembly 272, holds the product container 256. Pump assembly 2
It can be fluidly connected to 72. Various alternative fitting functional components (eg,
The fitting functional member 1158b) shown in FIG. 44 may be provided to fluidly connect the product container 256 and various pump assemblies.

The front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152 may contain separate plastic components, which may be connected to form the product container 256. For example, the front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152 may be connected by heat clamping molding, 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 within the front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152. For example, the product pouch 1160 may be filled with consumables (eg, beverage flavoring) and positioned within the front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152, which are then coupled together to form the product pouch 1160. To store. The product pouch 1160 may include, for example, a flexible bag that collapses when consumables are ejected from the product pouch 1160 (eg, by pump assembly 272).

The product pouch 1160 may include a fold-in 1162 so that, for example, the product pouch 1160 can occupy a relatively large portion of the interior space defined by the front housing portion 1150 and the rear housing portion 1152. By doing so, the capacity efficiency of the product container 256 can be improved. In addition to this, the fold-in 1162 is a consumable product pouch 1160.
The product pouch 1162 can be made more prone to crushing as it is ejected from. In addition, the fitting functional member 1158a may be physically connected to the product pouch 1160, for example by ultrasonic welding.

As described above, in addition to the micro raw material tower, the lower cabinet portion 1006a may include a mass micro raw material supply section 1056. For example, in some embodiments, the mass micro-ingredient may be a non-nutritive sweetener (eg, an artificial sweetener or a composite of a plurality of artificial sweeteners). Some embodiments may include the required micro-ingredients in larger quantities. In these embodiments, one or more mass micro raw material supply units may be included. In the embodiment of the figure, the supply unit 1056 may be a non-nutritive sweetener, which may include, for example, a bag-in-box container, for example, which is generally placed in a rigid box. It is known to include a flexible bag containing non-nutritive sweetener products, and a rigid box can protect the flexible bag from rupture, for example. Examples of non-nutritive sweeteners are used for illustration purposes only. However, in other embodiments, any micro raw material may be stored in the mass micro raw material supply section. In some alternative embodiments, other types of raw materials may be stored in a supply unit similar to the supply unit 1056 described herein. The term "mass micro-material" refers to micro-materials that are identified as frequently used micro-materials, such as those in which multiple micro-material pump assemblies are used, as they are frequently used with respect to the products to be dispensed.

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

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

With respect to the above embodiment, where one or more micro raw material supply units may subsequently be configured as one or more micro raw material shelves, as described above, the shelf 1200 is a plurality of product module assemblies (ie, products). Module assembly 250d, 250e,
250f) may be included. Each product module assembly (eg, product module assembly 250f) is released from one or more product containers (eg, product container 256) within each slot assembly (eg, slot assembly 260, 262, 264, 266). It may be configured to engage as possible.

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

Referring to FIG. 47E, a cross-sectional view of the pump module assembly 250d is shown. Assembly 250d includes a fluid inlet 1360, which is shown as a cross section of the fitment. The fitment fits into the female portion (shown as 1158a in FIG. 43B) of the product container (not shown, but shown as 256 in FIG. 43B in other drawings). Fluid from product container pump assembly 25 at fluid inlet 1360
Enter 0d. The fluid enters the capacitive flow sensor 1362, then passes through the pump 1364, back pressure regulator 1366, and flows to the fluid outlet 1368. As shown here
A fluid flow path through the pump module assembly 250d allows air to assemble 250d.
It flows through and is not trapped in the assembly. The fluid inlet 1360 is on a lower plane than the fluid outlet 1368. In addition to this, the fluid travels longitudinally towards the flow sensor and then again in a plane above the inlet 1360 as it travels through the pump. therefore,
This arrangement allows the fluid to flow continuously upwards and through the system without trapping air. Therefore, the design of the pump module assembly 250d is a self-absorbing, self-purge volume transfer fluid delivery system.

With reference to FIGS. 47E and 47F, the back pressure regulator 1366 may be any back pressure regulator, but an exemplary embodiment of the back pressure regulator 1366 for discharging a small amount is shown.
Back pressure regulator 1366 includes a diaphragm 1367 that includes a "volcano" functional member and a molded O-ring around the outer diameter. The O-ring creates a sealed condition. The piston is the diaphragm 13
Connected to 67. A spring around the piston urges the piston and diaphragm to the closed position. In this embodiment, the spring sits on the outer sleeve. When the fluid pressure matches or exceeds the cracking pressure of the piston / spring assembly, the fluid is back pressure regulator 136.
Pass 6 to fluid outlet 1368. In this exemplary embodiment, the cracking pressure is about 7-9 psi. The cracking pressure is adjusted to match the pump 1364. Therefore, in various embodiments, the pump may differ from those described above, and in some of these embodiments, other embodiments of the back pressure regulator may be used.

Further referring to FIG. 48, the outlet piping assembly 1300 may, for example, pipe the raw material from each product module assembly (eg, product module assembly 250d).
Pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270c for supply to control system 20
It may be configured to engage 270d in a releaseable manner. Outlet piping assembly 130
0 indicates, for example, the pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270c, respectively, to fluidly connect the pump assemblies 270a, 270b, 270c, 270d to the piping / control subsystem 20 via the fluid lines 1310, 1312, 1314, 1316. 270d
May include a plurality of tubing fittings configured to be fluid connected to (eg, fittings 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308).

The releaseable engagement between the outlet piping assembly 1300 and the product module assembly 250d may be performed, for example, via a cumming assembly that facilitates engagement and release of the outlet piping assembly 1300 and the product module assembly 250d. For example, the cumming assembly is a handle 131 rotatably coupled to the fitting support means 1320.
8 and the cam functional members 1322 and 1324 may be included. Cam functional member 1322, 1
The 324 may be engageable with a collaborative functional member (not shown) of the product module assembly 250d. Referring to FIG. 47C, when the handle 1318 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the outlet piping assembly 1300 is released from the product module assembly 250d, for example, the outlet piping assembly 1300 can be lifted from the module assembly 250d and removed from it. can.

In particular, with reference to FIGS. 47D and 47E, the product module assembly 250d may also be releasably engageable with the micro material rack 1200, for example thereby removing / mounting the product module assembly 250 from the microphone component shelf 1200. It will be easier. For example, as shown in the figure, the product module assembly 250d may include a release handle 1350, which may be swiveled to the product module assembly 250d, for example. The release handle 1350 may include, for example, locking ears 1352, 1354 (eg, most clearly depicted in FIGS. 47A and 47D). Lock selvage 1352, 1354 may engage the functional members of the micro material shelf 1200 that cooperate with it, for example thereby the product module assembly 250d is the micro material shelf 12.
It is held in an engaged state with 00. As shown in FIG. 47E, the release handle 1350 can be swiveled in the direction of the arrow to disengage the locking selvagements 1352, 1354 from the functional members of the micro-material shelf 1200 that cooperate with it. If you deviate from that,
The product module assembly 250d can be lifted from the micro material rack 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 indicating 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 the engaged or disengaged position. As at least one, the product module assembly 250d may be electrically and / or fluidly separated from the piping / 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, with reference to FIG. 47E again, the flow sensor 308 may be used (in this example) to detect the flow of the micromaterial through the pump assembly 272 (see FIGS. 5A-5H). As described above, the flow rate sensor 308 may be configured as a capacitive flow rate sensor (see FIGS. 5A-5F) and is shown in FIG. 47E as the flow rate sensor 1356. In addition to this, as described above, the flow rate sensor 308 may be configured as a pistonless flow rate sensor (see FIG. 5G) using a transducer and is shown as a flow rate sensor 1358 in FIG. 47E. Further, as described above, the flow sensor 308 may be configured as a piston-enhanced flow sensor (see FIG. 5H) using a transducer and is shown as flow sensor 1359 in FIG. 47E.

As mentioned 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, optical displacement assemblies may be included.

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

Also with reference to FIGS. 49A, 49B, 49C, an exemplary configuration of the non-nutritive sweetener supply section 1206. The non-nutritive sweetener supply unit 1206 may generally include a housing 1400 configured to receive the non-nutritive sweetener container 1402. The non-nutritive sweetening container 1402 may include, for example, a bag-in-box configuration (eg, a flexible bag containing the non-nutritive sweets is generally placed within a rigid protective enclosure). .. The supply unit 1206 is a joint 1
404s (eg, these may be associated with a swivel wall 1406) may be included, which may be fluid-coupled to a fitment associated with the non-nutritive sweetener container 1402. The configuration and properties of the fitting 1404 may vary depending on the fitting associated with the non-nutritive sweetener container 1402.

Also with reference to FIG. 49C, the supply unit 1206 may include one or more pump assemblies (eg, pump assemblies 270e, 270f, 270g, 270h).
The one or more pump assemblies 270e, 270f, 270g, 270g may be configured in the same manner as the product module assembly described above (eg, product module assembly 250). The fitting 1404 may be fluid connected to the fitting 1404 via a piping assembly 1408. Piping assembly 1408 may generally include inlet 1410, which may be configured to be fluid connected to fitting 1404. The manifold 1412 may distribute the non-nutritive sweetener received at the inlet 1410 to one or more distribution tubes (eg, distribution tubes 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420). The dispensing tubes 1414, 1416, 1418, 1420 have their respective pump assemblies 270e.
They may include connectors 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428 configured to be fluidly coupled to 270f, 270g, 270g, respectively.

Here, with reference to FIG. 50, the piping 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 contains air, the air sensor 1450 detects the air and, in some embodiments, a signal to stop the discharge from the mass micromaterial. May be sent. This feature is desirable in many pouring systems, especially in systems where the quality of the pouring product is compromised and / or dangerous if the amount of bulk micro raw material is incorrect. Therefore, the piping assembly 1408 including the air sensor ensures that air is not discharged, and is a functional member for safety, for example, in embodiments where medical products are discharged. In other products, this embodiment of the piping assembly 1408 is part of a functional member for quality assurance.

The various electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, and software processes have been described above as being used within a processing system for pouring beverages, but this is for illustration purposes only. However, it is not intended to be a limitation of the present application because other configurations are possible. For example, the processing system described above may be utilized for processing / dispensing other consumables (eg, ice cream and alcoholic beverages). In addition to this, the system described above may be used in fields other than the food industry. For example, the systems described above include vitamins, pharmaceuticals, medical products, cleaning products, lubricants, paint / dye products, and other non-consumable liquids /
It can also be used for semi-fluids / granular solids or any fluid.

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

In various embodiments, the product may be made according to a recipe programmed in the processor. As mentioned above, recipes can be updated, imported, or modified with permission. The recipe may be requested by the user or may be pre-programmed 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 in 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 is making the product. (Ie, a reduced powder or solid "batch" may be prepared at a particular point in preparation to weigh to make an additional product, or to pour a "batch" solution as a product. good). In various embodiments, the two or more substrates themselves may be mixed in one manifold and then weighed and fed to the other manifold and mixed with the other substrate.

Therefore, in various embodiments, upon request or before actual request, but at a desired time, the first manifold of solution is at least one with the first substrate according to the recipe.
It may be made by weighing two additional substances and supplying them to the manifold. In some embodiments, one of the substrates may be reduced, i.e. the substrate may be powder / solid and a particular amount thereof is added to the mixed manifold. The liquid substrate may also be added to the same mixed manifold and the powder substrate may be reduced in the liquid to the desired concentration. The contents in this manifold may then be supplied or dispensed to, for example, another manifold.

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

The dialysate may be used to draw waste molecules from the blood (eg, ions such as urea, creatinine, potassium, phosphates, etc.) and water into the dialysate through osmotic action, and the dialysate. The solution is well known to those skilled in the art.

For example, dialysate generally contains various ions such as potassium and calcium to the same extent as the natural concentration in healthy blood. In some cases, the dialysate may contain sodium bicarbonate, which is usually at slightly higher concentrations than those found in normal blood. In general, dialysate is water from a water source (eg, reverse osmosis, or "RO" water) from one or more sources, such as "acid" (which includes acetic acid, glucose, NaCl, CaCl, KCl).
, MgCl and the like may be included), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)
And / or prepared by mixing with sodium chloride (NaCl). Preparation of dialysate is well known to those of skill in the art, including the use of appropriate salt concentrations, osmolal concentrations, pH and the like. As will be described in detail later, the dialysate does not need to be prepared in real time on demand. For example, dialysate can be prepared at the same time as and prior to dialysis and stored in a dialysate storage container or otherwise.

In some embodiments, one or more substrates, such as bicarbonate, may be stored in powder form. For illustration and illustration purposes only, the powder substrate is "bicarbonate" in this example.
In other embodiments, in addition to or instead of bicarbonate, any substrate / raw material may be stored in the machine in powder form or other solid, with respect to substrate reduction. The process described in the specification may be used. Bicarbonate may be stored in a "disposable" container, which may be charged entirely into, for example, a manifold. In some embodiments, large amounts of bicarbonate may be stored in a container, from which a particular amount of bicarbonate may be weighed and fed to the manifold. In some embodiments, the entire amount of bicarbonate may be charged into the manifold, i.e., a large amount of dialysate may be mixed.

The solution in the first manifold may be mixed with one or more additional substrates / raw materials in the second manifold. In addition to this, in some embodiments, one or more sensors (eg, one or more conductive sensors) are tested for the mixed solution in the first manifold. It may be arranged so that it is confirmed that the concentration of the 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 solution. For example, additional bicarbonate or RO may be added to the manifold if sensor data indicates that the concentration of the bicarbonate solution is higher or lower than the desired concentration.

In some recipes in some embodiments, one or more ingredients may be reduced in the manifold and then mixed with the one or more ingredients in another manifold, these ingredients as well. It does not matter whether it is a reduced powder / solid or a liquid.

Therefore, the systems and methods described herein provide means for accurately producing or composing dialysate, or other solutions, including other solutions used in medical treatment, on demand. May be provided. In some embodiments, the system may be incorporated into a dialyzer, for example US Pat. No. 8, which was filed on February 27, 2008 and is now issued on August 21, 2012. , 246, 826 (agent reference number F6)
It is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/072,908 (5), the full text of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the system can be incorporated into any machine where it may be desirable to mix the products on demand.

Since water can occupy the largest amount of dialysate, it causes high cost, large space and long time to transport the bagged dialysate. Since the above-mentioned processing system 10 can prepare the dialysate in the dialyzer or in a stand-alone dispenser (for example, installed in the patient's home), a large amount of the dialysate in a bag is shipped and stored. You don't have to. Such a processing system 10 as described above may allow the user or provider to enter the desired formulation, which may be upon request using the systems and methods described herein. At the site (
For example, including, but not limited to, medical centers, pharmacies or patient homes)
The desired prescription drug can be made. Therefore, by the system and method described in the present specification, only the substrate / raw material needs to be shipped / delivered, so that the transportation cost can be reduced.

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

Referring collectively to FIGS. 56-59, exemplary embodiments of the flow control module 3000 of this embodiment include a fluid inlet 3001, a piston case 3012, and a first opening 300.
2, the piston 3004, the piston spring 3006, and the cylinder 3 around the piston.
005 and a second opening 3022 may be included. Piston spring 3006
Bounces the piston 3004 to the closed position, as shown in FIG. The flow control module 3000 also includes a solenoid 3008, which includes a solenoid case 3010 and an armature 3014. The downstream binary valve 3016 is actuated by the plunger 3018, which is urged to the open position by the 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 into the flow control module. You may. In an exemplary embodiment, the piston 3004 and 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 depending on the fluid. In this exemplary embodiment, the piston spring 3006 is made of stainless steel, but in various embodiments, the piston spring 3006 may be made of ceramic or other material. In this exemplary embodiment, the piston case 3012 is made of plastic. However, in other embodiments, the various parts 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, whereas in other embodiments the flow control module 3
000 does not have to include the binary valve. In such an embodiment, in this exemplary embodiment, the cylinder 3005 and the piston 3004, which are made of alumina ceramic as described above, may be match ground so as to be gap-fitted, and 2 The gaps between the two components may be very tight and manufactured to provide close clearance fits.

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. Solenoid 3008 includes a solenoid case 3010, which is made of 416 stainless steel in this exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the constant force solenoid 3008 includes spikes. In this embodiment, a force that changes substantially constant or only slightly with respect to position as the armature 3014 approaches the spike. 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, the armature 3014 and / or the solenoid case 3012 may be made of ferritic stainless steel or other magnetic stainless steel or other material with the desired magnetic properties. The armature 3014 is connected to the piston 3004. Therefore, the constant force solenoid 3008 is
A force is provided to linearly move the piston 3004 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, the solenoid 3008 operates the piston 3004, and the current applied to control the constant force solenoid 3008 is proportional to the force applied to the armature 3014.

The size of the first opening 3002 may be selected so 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, by obtaining the maximum pressure drop at a particular flow rate, the total amount of movement of the piston 3004 to maintain the desired flow rate is minimized.

The constant force solenoid 3008 and the piston spring 3006 generate a substantially constant force throughout the movement of the piston 3004. The piston spring 3006 acts on the piston 3004 in the same direction as the fluid flows. The pressure drop occurs when the fluid enters the first opening 3002. The constant force solenoid 3008 (also called "solenoid") is the armature 301.
By applying a force to 4, it opposes the pressure of the fluid.

Here, referring 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 in a non-energized state. The piston spring 3006 urges the piston 3004 to the closed position, ie (30 in FIGS. 58-59).
The second opening (shown as 22) is completely closed. This is advantageous for many reasons, including, but not limited to, fail-safe flow switches when power to the flow control module is cut off. Therefore, solenoid 3008
If no power is available to energize the piston 3004, the piston 3004 is in an "always closed" state.

Also with reference 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 opens the second opening 3022. Therefore, the current applied to the solenoid 3008 may be proportional to the force applied to the armature 3014, or the current applied to the solenoid 3008 may be changed to obtain a desired flow velocity. In an exemplary embodiment of this embodiment of the flow control module, the flow velocity corresponds to the current applied to the solenoid 3008, and when the current is applied, the force applied to the piston 3004 increases.

In order to maintain a constant force profile for solenoid 3008, it may be desirable to keep the distance traveled by the armature 3014 within approximately predetermined range. As mentioned above, solenoid 3
The spikes of 008 help maintain a substantially constant force during the movement of the armature 3014. This is desirable in some embodiments when the second opening 3022 is opened, and by maintaining a substantially constant force, the flow velocity is kept substantially constant.

When the force from the solenoid 3008 increases, in this exemplary embodiment, the force from the solenoid 3008 linearly moves the piston 3004 to the fluid inlet 3001 to cause a flow through the second opening 3022. This reduces the fluid pressure in the flow control module. Therefore, the first opening 3002 (connected to the piston 3004), along with the second opening 3022, acts as a flow meter and variable line impedance, and the pressure at the first opening 3002 (indicating the flow velocity). The reduction remains constant as the cross-sectional area of the second opening 3022 changes. The flow velocity, i.e. the pressure difference at the first opening 3002, is the piston 30.
The amount of movement of 04, that is, the variable line impedance of the flow path is determined.

Referring here to FIGS. 58-59, in this exemplary embodiment, the variable line impedance comprises at least one second opening 3022. In some embodiments, eg, embodiments shown in FIGS. 58-59, the second opening 3022 comprises a plurality of holes. Embodiments that include multiple holes allow them to maintain structural integrity, minimizing the amount of movement of the piston while allowing the overall size of the second opening to achieve the desired flow rate with maximum pressure reduction. May be desirable as it will be sufficient for.

Referring to FIGS. 56-59, in this exemplary embodiment, the piston 3004 includes at least one radial groove 3024 in order to equalize the pressure that can be introduced by the stairwell during operation. In this exemplary embodiment, the 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 both means of pressure equalization by stairwell and, therefore, centering of piston 3004 within cylinder 3005 that can reduce stairwell. 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, which may include 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 coating (DLC)
And titanium nitride may be included, but is not limited to these. The reduction in friction is advantageous for reducing the hysteresis of the system and therefore the flow control error in the system.

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

Here, with reference to FIG. 64, an example of a solenoid control method applicable to the variable line impedance device shown in FIGS. 56 to 63 is shown. This control method shows a dithering function that applies smaller amplitude dithering at low flow rates and applies larger amplitude dithering as the flow velocity increases. Dithering can be specified by either a step function that can increase dithering by a predetermined threshold or a ramp function that can exceed a predetermined threshold and remain constant. 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 look-up table may be used that specifies the optimal dithering features or other dithering schemes 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 constant force solenoids and springs and plungers. Therefore, the variable line impedance maintains a constant flow velocity as the pressure changes. For example, as the inlet pressure increases, the system includes a first opening 3002 of a certain size, so that the pressure drop at the first opening 3002 causes the piston 3004 to move towards the fluid outlet 3036. The opening degree of the second opening 3022 "turns down". This is achieved through the piston 3004 moving linearly towards the fluid outlet 3036.

Conversely, when the inlet pressure drops, the size of the first opening 3002 of the system is constant, so the drop in pressure at the first opening 3002 causes the piston 3004 to move to the second opening 3.
The opening degree of 022 is "turned up" and therefore the flow velocity is kept constant. This is achieved through the piston 3004 moving linearly towards the fluid inlet 3001.

This exemplary embodiment also includes a binary valve. Although shown in this exemplary embodiment, in some embodiments the binary valve may not be used, in which case the tolerance between the piston and the second opening, for example, is the piston. To the extent that it functions as a binary valve for the second opening. Referring here 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 operated by a plunger 3018. In this exemplary embodiment, diaphragm 3016
Is a heterogeneous integrally molded metal disc, but in other embodiments, diaphragm 3016.
May be made of any material suitable for the fluid flowing through the valve, which is metal,
It may contain, but is not limited to, elastomer and / or urethane or any kind of plastic or other material suitable for the desired function. It should be noted that the drawing shows the membrane seated in the open position, but in reality the membrane disengages from the seat. The plunger 3018 is operated directly by the piston 3004, and in its stationary position the plunger spring 3020 urges the plunger 3018 to the open position. When the piston 3004 returns to the closed position, the force generated by the piston spring 3006 increases, which causes the plunger spring 3020 to urge and actuate the plunger 3018 to the closed position of the binary valve. Therefore, in this exemplary embodiment, the solenoid is the piston 300.
Provides energy for both 4 and the plunger 3018, hence the second opening 3
It controls both the 022 and the flow of fluid through the binary valve.

Referring to FIGS. 56-59, the piston 30 relating to the increase in force from the solenoid 3008.
You can see the gradual movement of 04. Referring to FIG. 56, both the binary valve and the second opening (not shown) are closed. Referring to FIG. 57, a current is applied to the solenoid and the piston 3004 is slightly moving, while the binary valve is the plunger spring 3
It opens with the urge of 020. In FIG. 58, the solenoid 3008 is further energized, the piston 3004 is further moved towards the first opening 3002, and the second opening 3022.
Is slightly open. Here, referring to FIG. 59, the current from the solenoid 3008 increases to move the piston 3004 further towards the fluid inlet 3001 (or even deeper in the solenoid 3008 in this embodiment), the second. The opening 3022 is completely open.

The embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 56-59 may further include one or more sensors, which include the following, i.e., one or more of the piston position sensor and / or the flow rate sensor. It may be included, but is not limited to these. One or more sensors may be used to ensure that the fluid flows reliably when the solenoid 3008 is energized. For example, the piston position sensor may detect whether the piston is moving or not. The flow sensor may detect whether the piston is moving or not.

Here, referring to FIGS. 60 to 61, in various embodiments, the flow rate control module 30
00 may include one or more sensors. Referring to FIG. 60, the flow control module 3000 is shown to have an anemometer 3026. In one embodiment, one or more thermistors are placed near a thin wall in contact with the fluid flow path. The thermistor may dissipate a known amount of force, eg 1 watt, and therefore a predictable temperature rise is expected for either the rest fluid or the fluid 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, the anemometer can also be used to measure the temperature of a fluid, whether or not the sensor separately detects the presence of fluid flow.

Here, with reference to FIG. 61, the flow control module 3000 is shown to have a paddle wheel 3028. A partially notched view of the paddle wheel sensor 3030 is shown in FIG. The paddle wheel sensor 3030 includes a paddle wheel 3028 in the fluid flow path, an infrared (IR) emitter 3032, and an IR receiver 3034. The paddle wheel sensor 3030 is a weighing device and may be used for calculation and / or confirmation of flow velocity. The paddle wheel sensor 3030 may be used in some embodiments simply to detect whether or not a fluid is flowing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 62, when the IR diode 3032 emits light and the fluid flows, the paddle wheel 3028 rotates to block the beam from the IR diode 3032, which is detected by the IR receiver 3034. The flow velocity may be calculated using the breaking speed of the IR beam.

As shown in FIGS. 56-59, in some embodiments, the flow control module 3
A plurality of sensors may be used within 000. In these embodiments, both anemometer sensors 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 states of the flow control module 3000. For example, in some embodiments, but not limited to, a Hall effect sensor may be added to the magnetic circuit of the solenoid 3010.
The magnetic flux may be detected.

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

Here, with reference to FIG. 63, one embodiment of the flow control module 3000 is shown. This embodiment of the flow control module 3000 can be used in any of the various embodiments of the pouring system described herein. Further, a variable flow impedance mechanism may be used instead of the various variable flow impedance embodiments described above. Further, in various embodiments, the flow control module 3000 may be used for a downstream or upstream flow meter.

Referring to FIG. 65, a fluid flow path in one embodiment of the flow control module 3000 is shown. In this embodiment, the flow control module 3000 is the paddle wheel 302.
Includes both 8 sensors and anemometer 3026. However, as mentioned above, the sensors included in some embodiments of the 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 4, 276 may be a solenoid piston pump assembly, which is driven by electrical circuits and logic capable of monitoring the flow rate. An example of an embodiment with a solenoid pump 270 and a drive circuit is shown in FIG. 66, where the pump 270 is energized by passing an electric current through the coil 3214. The resulting magnetic flux may drive the solenoid slag or piston 3216 to the left or compress the telescopic spring 3210. The discharged fluid can flow through the piston 3216 and the check valve 3218 as the piston 3218 moves to the left. When the coil 3214 no longer applies sufficient magnetic flux to keep the spring compressed, the spring 3210 can return the piston 3216 to the right. When the piston 3216 returns to the right, the check valve 3218 closes and the fluid can be pushed out of the pump. In some embodiments, Pavia, Italy (Pavi)
a) ULKA Construction Electromechanics S.A.
p. Pumps available from A may be used.

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

Some embodiments include the case where the drive circuit is connected to a power source by a circuit capable of generating a variable current in the coil 3214 and measuring the current flow through the solenoid.
This circuit may measure other parameters to indirectly measure the amount of current, including the following: one or one of the duty cycles of the solenoid coil voltage and / or periodic current flow. A plurality may be included, but the present invention is not limited to these. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 66, a plurality of solenoid pumps may be connected to a power source via a PWM controller 3203 and a current sensor 3207. However, in some embodiments, one solenoid pump is the PWM controller 320.
3 may be connected to a power source via the current sensor 3207. PWM controller 3203
May operate at a higher frequency to control the applied voltage to the coil, superimposed on a lower frequency to control the cycle operation of the pump. In some embodiments, P
The WM controller 3203 may energize the pump at a frequency optimized for the pump operation, which is referred to herein as the "optimal pump frequency". The optimum pump frequency may be determined in some embodiments 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 higher or lower than 20 Hz. The PWM controller 3203 may control the voltage while the pump is energized 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 was filed on September 6, 2007 and is now issued on March 15, 2011, US Pat. No. 7,905,373. (Agent reference number F45), "SYSTEM
AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A DRIVE SIGNA
It is disclosed in US Patent Application No. 11 / 851,344, entitled "L", the full text of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the PWM controller 3203 may change the voltage while the pump is energized. In some embodiments, the 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 a 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, the voltage may be reduced to zero to minimize noise to the drive circuits of other pumps that share a common power source.

In some embodiments, the duty cycle may be fixed to supply a constant voltage, or in some embodiments, the duty cycle may be varied to provide a time variable voltage while the pump is energized. You may. In some embodiments, the PWM controller 3203 and the current sensor 3207 may be coupled to the control logic subsystem 14. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may control the flow rate of fluid through the pump by instructing the pump duty cycle. The control logic subsystem 14 may vary the voltage applied to the pump by varying the high frequency duty cycle. The control logic subsystem 14 may monitor and record the current through the pump. The control logic subsystem 14 may change the high frequency duty cycle of the PWM controller 3203 to control the current measured by the current sensor 3207. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the signal of the current sensor to identify anomalous flow conditions.

One embodiment of a PWM controller and a current sensor is schematically shown 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 the signal CURRENT1. The connectors J12 and J13 are electrical interfaces to the solenoid. F3 is a fuse for fracture failure isolation.
D10 is for buffering the energy stored in the solenoid inductance. The power supply supplies 28.5V DC power supply. 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-register element, which can increase the current flow after applying a voltage. The position of the piston 3216 with respect to the coil 3214 affects the inductance of the coil and therefore the waveform of the current rise.

"Functional pump stroke" is defined herein as a pump stroke that transfers, for a pump, an amount of fluid that is the majority of the rated discharge rate per stroke from the pump. Functional pump stroke may also be defined as not exceeding the design 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 stable state value. Line 3325 is a plot of the second derivative of the current passing through the solenoid. The timing and magnitude of the peak 3325 of the second derivative can indicate the timing and velocity of the piston. Current measurements can indicate a number of anomalies, including one of the following: air or vacuum conditions in the pump, line clogging or blockage, coil overheating, and / or abnormal coil current. Or more than one, but not limited to these.

In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 is empty of one or more micro raw material product containers, eg, product containers 254, 256, 258 shown in FIG. 4, or is unable to supply any more raw material. It 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 vary. The state in which the product containers 254, 256, 258 are emptied or the upstream line of the valve 270 is blocked is referred to herein as a "sold out state".

The micro raw material product container 254, 256, 258 may include 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 the "remaining amount display" and is in milliliters (mL). The remaining amount display is set to the full value when the product containers 254, 256, and 258 are full. At the time of use, the value of the remaining amount display may be updated periodically by the control logic subsystem 14.

In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may determine that there is a sold-out state (of the product container), in part, based on the output of the current sensor 3207. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 is a micro raw material product container 2.
It may be determined that the sold-out state exists in 54, 256, and 258, in part, based on the value of the remaining amount display of the container. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 includes, but is not limited to, a sold-out state, i.e., one or more of the output of the current sensor, the value of the remaining amount display and / or the injection state. It may be determined based on.
The output of the current sensor 3207 during each pump stroke may be processed by the 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, the control logic subsystem 14 determines that a sold-out state exists when a number / threshold of consecutive sold-out strokes occurs. The threshold number of continuous sold-out 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 has a residual quantity display that exceeds a threshold volume, eg 60 mL, and the pump has a threshold number of consecutive sold-out strokes, eg 60 consecutive sold-out strokes. Although the sold-out state may be declared when there is, these values are merely given as examples, and these values may be different in various other embodiments. The sensitivity of the sold-out algorithm is reduced in some embodiments because the remaining amount indicator indicates the substantial amount of fluid remaining in the container. If the remaining amount display falls below a threshold volume which may be, for example, 60 mL in some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 will determine.
A threshold number of consecutive sold-out strokes, eg, three consecutive sold-out strokes, or a stroke made towards the vessel 30 during the current injection, determining that the system has reached the threshold number of continuous sold-out strokes. For example, when the number of times reaches 12, the sold-out state may be declared. In some embodiments, the remaining amount display is a threshold volume, eg 6
If it is less than 0 mL and the strokes made during the current injection are, for example, less than 12, the control logic subsystem 14 may declare the sold-out state 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. The criteria for non-functional strokes are described below and include criteria for blockage strokes, temperature errors, and current errors.

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

In some embodiments, the sold-out stroke may be detected by a control logic subsystem 14 by an algorithm that measures the peak amplitude and timing 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 the time of 3365 is higher and faster than the peak 3325 of the waveform of normal pump operation 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 value, and SO is expressed by the following equation.

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 for 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 ms.

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 untreated AD measurements and the number of 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 is applied to the solenoid pump. The value of ft may be calibrated for each solenoid pump or may be set to 95. The SO threshold is 327680 in 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
In the equation, I _i-1 is the current calculated in the previous step, C _i is the current read from AD (in AD count), and 1 count is 1.22 mA. The first and second derivative values of the current with respect to time may be calculated as follows.

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

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

In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may determine, based on the signal from the current sensor 3207, that the line supplying fluid to the container 30 of FIG. 1 is clogged or blocked. Referring to FIG. 68C, an exemplary graph of the current 3370 and its second derivative 3380 with respect to the occlusion stroke is shown. The value of the second derivative 3382 in 5 ms, ie 50 time steps, may be significantly higher than the second derivative of the current in the functional pump stroke 3322 of FIG. 68A. Referring to FIG. 68D, an exemplary graph of the second derivative of the current with respect to the pump stroke 3320 and the occlusion stroke 3380 is shown. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may determine that a block state exists if the second derivative of the current is higher than the block threshold at a given time. The time and threshold specified may be determined empirically. The time and threshold specified 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 closed value OCC may be calculated by the following equation.

During the ceremony

Is the second derivative value 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 while the maximum current is flowing at the end of the piston stroke, 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 the power supply 3209
It may be calculated by multiplying the voltage of the above by the PWM duty cycle. The power supply voltage may be a hypothetical value or may be measured. The current may be measured by the 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 untreated AD measurements and the number of time steps as follows.

The occlusion threshold in this equation may be -2304. Alternatively, the occlusion threshold may be set to a value 2048 higher than the OCC value for the functional pump stroke. The OCC value of the normal pump stroke is determined during the manufacturing test and the value may be recorded for each pump. Therefore, the OCC value 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.

In the formula, 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 energized.

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 a known temperature coefficient of the material of the coil wire and resistance at a known temperature.

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

In the equation, 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 exceeds the maximum permissible value as described above. In some embodiments, the maximum permissible coil temperature may be 120 degrees Celsius. However, in various other embodiments, the maximum permissible coil temperature may be lower or higher than 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, the control logic subsystem 14 may control the current by adjusting a PWM command transmitted to the PWM controller 3203 based on the output of the current sensor 3207. In some embodiments, the PWM command value is from 200 to
Limited to 2000 (27.36 to 17.1 volts respectively). 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 value is larger than the range given herein as an example. Or less. The current may be controlled to the maximum value _IMax through the following equation.

In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 measures the measured maximum current I _Ma .
_x may be compared to the target current I _Target for each stroke. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 determines the absolute value of the current difference [(I _Max -I _Target).
Absolute value of _t )] may declare a current error when it exceeds a certain current error threshold. In some embodiments, the current error threshold may be 1.22A, but in various other embodiments, the maximum current error threshold may be lower or higher than 1.22A.

In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may determine that pump 270 is unable to deliver fluid. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the number of continuous block strokes based on the block thresholds described above. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the number of times a coil temperature error has occurred. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may monitor the number of occurrences of current errors. The logic subsystem 14 may determine that the pump 270 is unable to deliver the 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, i.e., blockage strokes, overheating and / or current errors. In some embodiments, the control logic subsystem 14 may declare that the pump is unable to deliver fluid, for example when three non-functional strokes occur in succession. The count of non-functional strokes may, in some embodiments, return to zero shortly after the occurrence of functional strokes. However, in various other embodiments, the number of non-functional strokes required to declare that the pump is unable to deliver fluid may be less than or greater than three.

Noise Detection In addition to the sold-out calculations and methods described above, in some embodiments, sold-out may also be determined by analyzing the standard deviation of the sold-out value to detect noise. This may be desirable for many reasons, including, but not limited to, the ability to detect sold-out conditions at an earlier stage. In this way, the sold-out state may be determined by measuring the variation of the current signal / sold-out value. In some embodiments, the sold-out state may be determined by detecting noise.

Referring to FIG. 74, this data shows a result representing a sold-out price. In this example,
This product did not turn out to be sold out until the end of the dataset. However, during this time and before the product was found to be sold out, the product was in a state of underdelivery with noise at the sold out price.

In some embodiments, the sold-out state determination method may include analyzing the sold-out value noise. In some embodiments, standard deviation may be used to detect noise. The standard deviation is shown as follows.

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

Here, with reference to FIG. 75, an estimate of the standard deviation is shown in comparison to the sold-out value. As shown, the above calculation measures the difference between normal pump operation and noise conditions. In various embodiments, predetermined, pre-programmed thresholds may be set to indicate a noise state. In various embodiments, the standard deviation / approximate standard deviation threshold is preset to 10 /
It may be pre-programmed. However, in other embodiments, the threshold may be greater than or less than 10.

In some embodiments, the standard deviation method for determining sold out may be preprogrammed to not operate when the remaining amount display exceeds a threshold amount, which threshold 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, the formula 15 shown below may be used, where x is the sold-out value as calculated above.

In some embodiments, the system has a predetermined sold-out price / for a pulse.
A product is determined to be sold out (and, in some embodiments, a system) when it is 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, the counter is advanced. In some embodiments, the product container is sold out when the counter reaches a predetermined / preset threshold.

In some embodiments, the remaining amount display method is used. In some embodiments, the RFID tag assembly indicates the volume of the product in the product container. In some embodiments, each time the product is ejected from the product container, the RFID tag assembly is updated with the updated volume by subtracting the ejected amount from the volume of the remaining amount indicator. In some embodiments, when the fuel indicator 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 above sold-out method does not determine that the product container is sold out. In some embodiments, the system may be sold out and / or desensitize the standard deviation equation when the fuel 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 plurality of pump assemblies of each. For example, FIG. 69
Also with reference to A, 69B, 69D, 69E, 69F, the product module assembly 2 of FIG.
The 50d, 250e, 250f are generally pump assemblies 4270a, 4270b, 42.
70d and 4270e may be included. Pump assembly 4270a, 4270b, 4
One of each of the 270c and 4270d is, for example, a slot assembly 260, 262 for discharging the raw material contained in the respective product container (for example, the product container 256).
It may be associated with one of 264 and 266. For example, pump assembly 42
Each of the 70a, 4270b, 4270c, 4270d may include a respective fluid connection stem (eg, fluid connection stems 1250, 1252, 1254, 1256), eg, these are collaborative fitments (eg, FIG. It may be fluid-coupled to a product container (eg, product container 256) via the fitting functional members 1158a, 1158b) shown in 43B and 44.

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

With reference to FIGS. 69E and 69F, the back pressure regulator 4366 may be any back pressure regulator, but an embodiment of the back pressure regulator 4366 for discharging a small amount is shown. The back pressure regulator 4366 includes a diaphragm 4637 containing a "volcano" functional member and a molded O-ring around the outer diameter. The O-ring creates a sealed condition. Piston 4365 is connected to diaphragm 4637. A spring 4366 around the piston 4365 urges the piston and diaphragm to the closed position. In this embodiment, the spring sits on the outer sleeve 4369. When the fluid pressure matches or exceeds the cracking pressure of the piston / spring assembly, the fluid passes through the back pressure regulator 4366 and towards the fluid outlet 4368. In some embodiments, the cracking pressure is about 7-9 psi. The cracking pressure may be adjusted for pump 4364. In some embodiments, the cracking pressure may be adjusted by repositioning the outer sleeve 4369. The outer sleeve 4369 may be screwed into the outer wall 4370. Outer sleeve 4329 on outer wall 4370
By rotating with respect to, the preload on the spring 4368 and thus the cracking pressure can change. Adjustable regulators can be manufactured at a lower cost than regulators with a precisely fixed back pressure. Adjustable regulators may then be adjusted and tuned for each pump during manufacturing and check testing. In various embodiments, the pump may differ from those described above, and in some of these embodiments, other embodiments of the back pressure regulator may be used.

The releaseable engagement between the outlet piping assembly 4300 and the product module assembly 250d may be performed, for example, via a cumming assembly that facilitates engagement and release of the outlet piping assembly 4300 and the product module assembly 250d. For example, the cumming assembly is a handle 431 rotatably coupled to a fitting support means 4320.
8 and cam functional members 4322 and 4324 may be included. Cam functional member 4322, 4
The 324 may be engageable with functional members associated with the product module assembly 250d (not shown). Referring to FIG. 69C, when the handle 4318 is rotated in the direction of the arrow, the outlet piping assembly 4300 is subjected to the product module assembly 25.
Deviating from 0d, for example, outlet piping assembly 4300 to product module assembly 250
It can be lifted from d and removed from it.

In particular, with reference to FIGS. 69D and 69E, the product module assembly 250d may also be releaseably engaged with the micro material shelf 1200, for example thereby removing / attaching the product module assembly 250d from the micro material shelf 1200. Will be easy. For example, as shown in the figure, the product module assembly 250d has a release handle 4
The 350 may be included, for example it may be swiveled to the product module assembly 250d. The release handle 4350 may be, for example, a locking selvage 4352, 435.
4 (eg, most clearly depicted in FIGS. 69A and 69D) may be included. The locking selvages 4352, 4354 may engage the functional members of the micro material shelf 1200 that cooperate with it, for example thereby holding the product module assembly 250d in engagement with the micro material shelf 1200. Ru. As shown in FIG. 69E, the release handle 4350 is swiveled up in the direction of the arrow to lock the ears 4352, 435.
4 may be removed from the functional member of the micro raw material shelf 1200 that cooperates with the micro raw material shelf 1200. When it comes off,
The product module assembly 250d can be lifted from the micro material rack 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
8 and / or an output indicating the locked position of the release handle 4350 may be supplied. For example, the output of one or more sensors may indicate whether the handle 4318 and / or the release handle 4350 is in the engaged or disengaged position. At least one product module assembly 250 based on the output of one or more sensors
d may be electrically and / or fluidly separated from the piping / 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. The constants used to interpret the current flow measurements may be calibrated for the individual pumps in the product module assembly 250d. These calibration constants may be determined during a check test that is part of the manufacturing process.
The calibration constants may be stored in an e-prom connected to the electronic board via a removal plug. With reference to FIGS. 69C, 69D, 69E, the e-prom may be attached to the plug 4380, which is connected to the pump electronic board 4386 after assembly. e-pro
The m-plug 4380 is connected to the USB mount 4387 on the electronic board 4386 and is securely and properly mechanically attached. The e-prom plug 4380 may seal the inside of the port 4382 of the electronic component case to prevent the liquid from touching the electronic component.
The e-prom4380 is a mount 43 on the case of the product module assembly 250d.
It may be attached to 84 via a lanyard. The e-prom plug 4380 can remain attached to the pump assembly 4390 when the electronic board 4386 is replaced. By using a separate e-prom, the advantage is that the electronic components can be separated from the plug 4380, which is compatible with a particular pump assembly 4390, and the electronic board, which can be used with any pump assembly. The electronic board 4386 and pump assembly 4390 may include functional members to facilitate rapid disassembly and reassembly, including electrical contact clips 4392, slots 4393, and threaded holding means 4394. Not limited to these.

In some embodiments, the machining system 10 may include an external communication module 4500, one embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 70A, which allows maintenance personnel and / or consumers, for example. Not limited to these, but:
One or more of D-tags and / or barcodes and / or other formats may be used to communicate with the machining system 10. 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 transmitting and receiving communication, which include the following: wireless antenna 4530, optical bar code reader 45.
10. Includes, but is not limited to, one or more of Bluetooth® antennas, cameras and / or other narrow-range communication hardware. The processing system 10 can utilize the information obtained by the external communication module 4500 to facilitate inspection, repair and maintenance by many actions, for example, which includes the following, that is, the lock of the maintenance inspection door. One or more of unlocking, informing maintenance personnel of errors, required maintenance work, failed equipment, required parts, and / or identifying containers that may need to be replaced. Included, but not limited to. The external communication module 4500 may provide the consumer / user with one or more options for operating the processing system 10, which includes the following: coupon redemption and / or individual services. Services include, but are not limited to, one or more of the provisions of: personalization of beverages and / or receipt of payments and / or tracking of use and / or awarding of awards. One or more of, but not limited to these. In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 may communicate with the control logic subsystem 14 and be powered via a wire connection at connector 4552. The external communication module 4500 may communicate with the control logic subsystem 14 via wireless communication.

In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 is a housing assembly 850.
It may be mounted near the front of the. In some embodiments, the external communication module 4500 may be mounted within the structure of the machining system 10 so that there are no obstacles when the bar code reader or other optical instrument looks out. In some embodiments, the RFID antenna may also be mounted within 1 inch from the front of the 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 optical code may be presented in a number of formats, which include: as printed matter and / or on electronic devices and / or on smartphones and / or on portable information terminals and /. Alternatively, the image on the screen of a computer or other device capable of displaying an optical code includes, but is not limited to, one or more of them.

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

One embodiment of the external communication module 4500 is shown in FIGS. 70A and 70B. In some embodiments, the module may be housed in case 4502. In some embodiments, the case 4502 may be plastic,
In various other embodiments, the case may be made of a different material. In some embodiments, the case 4502 may be open on one side to accommodate the RFID sensor near the outside of the housing assembly 850. In some embodiments, the case 4502 may include one or more, i.e., a plurality of flanges 4504. Flange 4504 may be used to secure the module to the structure of the machining system 10 or the skin of the housing assembly 850.

Many of the individual components of one embodiment are the external communication module 4 shown in FIG. 70B.
It can be seen in the exploded view of 500. In this embodiment, the RFID antenna assembly 4530 (FIG. 70) may include an antenna 4548, a resonator 4540, resonator spacers 4546, 4544, and an outlet junction 4552. The barcode reader / decoder 4510 may be held by the foam mount 4520. The foam mount 4520 may hold the barcode reader / decoder 4510 in the case 4502 while the external communication module 4500 is mounted in the processing system 10. The foam mount 4520 may be secured into the external communication module 4500 by a spacer 4522 that passes through the matching holes in the foam mount 4520. RFI
The D-antenna assembly 4530 and foam mount 4520 pass through the PCB of the RFID antenna assembly 4530 and are screwed into a boss molded into the case 4502 with 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 a mechanical fixator, which includes the following: screws and / or rivets and / or flanges 4504.
Includes, but is not limited to, snaps entering, or any other mechanical fixing means or the like. In some embodiments, the upper door 4600 may be part of the internal structure of the housing assembly 850. In some embodiments
The upper door outer plate 4610 may be attached to the upper door 4600.

In some embodiments, the alignment bracket 4630 is the outer panel 461 of the upper door.
It may be attached to 0. In some embodiments, the alignment bracket 463
0 may align the barcode reader / decoder 4510 with the window 4620 of the outer panel 4610 of the upper door, as shown in FIGS. 71B and 71C. In some embodiments, the alignment bracket is aligned with the window 4620, eg, to fit the adhesive and / or double-sided tape and / or the plastic outer panel inside the outer panel 4610 of the upper door, etc. It may be mounted by including, but not limited to, one or more of the non-mechanical mounting methods of. However, in some embodiments, mechanical fixing means may be used. In some embodiments, the alignment bracket may be attached to the outer skin 4610 of the upper door by mechanical fixing means, including one or more of screws and / or rivets and / or snaps. It may be, but 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 outer panel 4610 of the upper door to properly align the alignment bracket 4630 with the window 4620. It may be aligned using a sticker (not shown) or other display means that provides a supportive visual marker. In some embodiments, the visual landmarks are embossed and / or imprinted and / or glued, and / or colored and / of letters and / or symbols.
Alternatively, any other display means that may assist in proper alignment may be included, but is not limited to these.

In some embodiments, the alignment bracket 4630 may be aligned with the barcode reader / decoder 4510 separately from the alignment with the external communication module 4500. In some embodiments, the brackets of which one embodiment is detailed in FIG. 72 are two side tabs 4632, an upper tab 4636, and a lower tab 4.
The 634 and the bar code reader / decoder 4510 are constrained in two directions (X and Y) and aligned with the window 4620. However, in various other embodiments, the number and position of tabs may be different. The flexible foam mount 4520 redirects the barcode reader / decoder 4510 in two directions as the alignment bracket 4630 guides the barcode reader / decoder 4510 while the external communication module 4500 is inserted into the upper door 4600. It is linearly moved to X and Y) and helps to rotate around the Z axis. In some embodiments, the foam mount 4520 may constrain the barcode reader / decoder so that the external communication module 4500 can be attached to the upper door. In some embodiments, the foam mount 4520 may further constrain the code reader / decoder 4510 so that the leading corners of the barcode reader / decoder are in contact with the tapered portions of the tabs 4631, 4634, 4636. good. In some embodiments, the barcode reader / decoder 4510 is a PC with an alignment bracket 4630 and an RFID antenna.
By aligning the B4550, it may be constrained on the Z axis. In some embodiments, the upper door skin 4610 and PCB 4550 provide a limited amount of elastic compliance to provide a Z between the upper door skin 4610, the external communication module 4500, and the barcode reader / decoder 4510. It may be possible to cope with the cumulative tolerance of directions.

In some embodiments, the barcode reader / decoder 4510 may be held in the external communication module 4500 by a flexible bracket. Flexible bracket
The barcode reader / decoder 4510 may provide sufficient flexibility to allow the linear motion and rotation required for alignment with the alignment bracket. The flexible bracket may constrain the barcode reader / decoder to a limited extent 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 are in contact with the tapered portions of the tabs 4631, 4634, 4636 during the insertion process. ..

In some embodiments, tabs 4632, 463 of the alignment bracket 4630
4, 4636 may include an angled portion 4633, which guides the barcode reader / decoder 4510 to align with the window 46220. In some embodiments, each tab comprises a straight line portion near the bottom 4631, which is perpendicular to the bottom and constrains the movement of the barcode reader / decoder 4510 in the X and Y directions. In some embodiments, the distance between the straight portions of the opposing tabs may be slightly larger than the barcode reader / decoder, which can be advantageous for many reasons, which is aligned with ease of assembly. Includes, but is not limited to, the accuracy of. In some embodiments, the tab may have a larger or smaller taper so that it can be mounted within 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 (eg, milk shakes, floats, malts, frappes), coffee-based products (eg, coffee, cappuccino, espresso). , Soda-based products (eg floats, soda splits of fruit juices), tea leaf-based products (eg ice tea, sweet tea, hot tea), water-based products (eg natural water, flavored natural water, vitamins) Natural water containing, high-concentration electrolyte-containing beverages, high-concentration carbohydrate-containing beverages, etc.), solid-based products (eg, trail mix, granola-based products, mixed nuts, serial products, miscellaneous grain products), medical products (eg, non-concentrated products) Meltables, injectables, ingestibles, dialysate), alcohol-based products (eg mixed drinks, wine splits, soda-based alcoholic beverages, water-based alcoholic beverages), industrial products (eg, water-based alcoholic beverages) Solvents, paints, lubricants, dyes, etc.), health / beauty aids (eg, shampoos, cosmetics, soaps, hair conditioners, skin conditioners, topical ointments) may be included, but not limited to.

A number of examples have been described. However, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Therefore, other examples are included in the following claims.

Although the principles of the present invention have been described herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate this description only as an example and not limiting the scope of the invention. In addition to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described in the text herein, other embodiments are envisioned within the scope of the invention. Modifications and replacements by those skilled in the art are also considered to be included in the scope of the present invention.
The first aspect of the invention is a system for monitoring the flow state of a fluid flowing from a product container through a solenoid pump.
At least one solenoid pump, including a solenoid coil that, when energized, generates one stroke of the solenoid pump.
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.
With at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump,
With at least one current sensor that detects the current flow through the solenoid coil and produces the output of the detected current flow.
A control logic subsystem for controlling the flow rate of fluid passing through the solenoid pump by instructing the PWM controller and monitoring the current passing through the solenoid pump by receiving the output from the current sensor. A system comprising a control logic subsystem that uses measurements of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional.
A second aspect of the invention is the first aspect in which the control logic subsystem uses at least a measurement of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine that the at least one product container is sold out. It is a system of embodiments.
A third aspect of the invention is that the control logic subsystem uses measurements of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the stroke of the solenoid pump is non-functional. This is the system of the first aspect.
A fourth aspect of the invention is the control logic subsystem using the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine if the stroke of the solenoid pump is a sold-out stroke. It is a system of the third aspect.
A 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. be.
A sixth aspect of the invention further comprises an RFID tag in which the at least one product container stores a value indicating a residual amount indicating the amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container. System.
A seventh aspect of the invention is that at least one product container is sold out when the control logic subsystem determines a number of consecutive sold-out strokes and the remaining amount display exceeds a threshold volume. This is the system of 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.
A step of energizing the solenoid coil of the solenoid pump to generate one stroke of the solenoid pump, and
A step of discharging the fluid from the product container through the solenoid pump during each stroke,
A step of detecting the current flow through the solenoid using a current sensor and generating an output of the detected current flow.
A step of monitoring the current through the solenoid pump using a control logic subsystem, a step in which the control logic subsystem receives a sensed current flow from the current sensor, and a step.
A step of determining whether or not the stroke of the solenoid pump is functional, and
It is a method including.
A ninth aspect of the invention further comprises the step of determining that the at least one product container is sold out by the control logic subsystem using at least the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil. , Eighth aspect of the method.
A tenth aspect of the invention is a step in which the control logic subsystem uses the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is non-functional. 8th aspect of the method, further comprising.
An eleventh aspect of the invention is a step in which the control logic subsystem uses the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil to determine whether the stroke of the solenoid pump is a sold-out stroke. It is the method of the tenth aspect including further.
A twelfth aspect of the invention further comprises a 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. This is the method of the embodiment.
A thirteenth aspect of the invention uses an RFID tag that stores an RFID tag that represents the amount of fluid remaining in the at least one product container to indicate the amount of fluid remaining in the product container. A twelfth aspect of the method comprising further measuring steps.
In a fourteenth aspect of the invention, the control logic subsystem determines that the product container is in a sold-out state when a certain number of consecutive sold-out strokes is determined and the remaining amount display exceeds the threshold volume. It is the method of the thirteenth aspect which further comprises a step.
A fifteenth aspect of the invention is a system for determining that a product container is sold out.
At least one solenoid pump, including a solenoid coil that, when energized, generates one stroke of the pump.
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.
With the at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump and control the voltage applied to the at least one solenoid pump.
With at least one current sensor that detects the current flow through the solenoid coil and produces the output of the detected current flow.
A control logic subsystem for controlling the flow rate of fluid passing through the solenoid pump by instructing the PWM controller and monitoring the current passing through the pump by receiving the output from the current sensor. A system comprising a control logic subsystem that determines that the at least one product container is sold out using at least the measured value of the current flow through the solenoid coil.
A sixteenth aspect of the invention is the fifteenth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem determines whether or not 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.
A seventeenth aspect of the invention is the system of 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. Is.
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. be.
A nineteenth aspect of the invention is an eighteenth aspect, wherein the control logic subsystem determines whether the stroke of the at least one solenoid pump was a non-functional stroke based on the output of the current sensor. System.
A twentieth aspect of the invention further comprises an RFID tag in which the at least one product container stores a residual indicator value representing the 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 is determined and the remaining amount display 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 varying the high frequency duty cycle of the PWM controller.
A twenty-third aspect of the invention is to the at least one solenoid pump with the at least one.
Fifteenth aspect of the system, further comprising one PWM controller and at least one power source connected via the at least one current sensor.

Claims (3)

A system that monitors the flow state of the fluid flowing from the product container through the solenoid pump.
At least one solenoid pump, including a solenoid coil that, when energized, generates one stroke of the solenoid pump.
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.
With at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump,
With at least one current sensor that detects the current flow through the solenoid coil and produces the output of the detected current flow.
A control logic subsystem for monitoring the current passing through the solenoid coil by receiving the output from the current sensor, passing through the solenoid coil at a predetermined time after a voltage is applied to the solenoid pump. When the second- order differential value of the current becomes larger than the threshold value set for the solenoid pump, the control logic subsystem that determines that a closed state exists, and the control logic subsystem.
System including. A method of monitoring the flow rate of fluid from a product container through a solenoid pump.
A step of energizing the solenoid coil of the solenoid pump to generate one stroke of the solenoid pump, and
The step of discharging the fluid from the product container through the solenoid pump during each stroke,
A step of detecting the current flow through the solenoid coil using a current sensor and generating an output of the detected current flow.
Using the control logic subsystem, the step of receiving the detected current flow from the current sensor, and
When the second derivative value of the current passing through the solenoid coil at a predetermined time after the voltage is applied to the solenoid pump becomes larger than the threshold value set for the solenoid pump, the step of determining that a blocked state exists and the step of determining that a blocked state exists.
How to include. A system that determines that a product container is sold out.
At least one solenoid pump, including a solenoid coil that, when energized, generates one stroke of the solenoid pump.
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.
With the at least one PWM controller configured to energize the at least one solenoid pump and control the voltage applied to the at least one solenoid pump.
With at least one current sensor that detects the current flow through the solenoid coil and produces the output of the detected current flow.
A control logic subsystem for monitoring the current passing through the solenoid coil by receiving the output from the current sensor, the peak amplitude of the second derivative of the current passing through the solenoid coil and the solenoid pump. A system that includes a control logic subsystem that determines whether a sold-out stroke exists from the time from when a voltage is applied until the peak of the quadratic differential occurs.

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