US20110073212A1 - Method and system for measuring ingredients in a container of a beverage dispenser - Google Patents
Method and system for measuring ingredients in a container of a beverage dispenser Download PDFInfo
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- US20110073212A1 US20110073212A1 US12/894,650 US89465010A US2011073212A1 US 20110073212 A1 US20110073212 A1 US 20110073212A1 US 89465010 A US89465010 A US 89465010A US 2011073212 A1 US2011073212 A1 US 2011073212A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ingredient
- weight
- container
- dispensed
- recipe
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0041—Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01G19/22—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for apportioning materials by weighing prior to mixing them
- G01G19/24—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for apportioning materials by weighing prior to mixing them using a single weighing apparatus
- G01G19/30—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for apportioning materials by weighing prior to mixing them using a single weighing apparatus having electrical weight-sensitive devices
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to mixing beverages. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for dispensing a predetermined amount of ingredients for a beverage into a container and rinsing the container.
- a beverage or drink for example, a smoothie drink
- An employee must manually add an estimated amount to a blender pot or container. After the ice is manually added, the juice and any additional fruit or flavor “flavor ingredient” is added by the operator as well. Since the amount of ice and/or flavor ingredient is not measured, but rather “guesstimated” by each employee, the amount of ice and/or flavor ingredient is not precise and, therefore, makes it difficult to create the same beverage time after time.
- a device for measuring an ingredient in a container of a beverage dispenser includes a scale having a base with the container supported on the base.
- the ingredient has a recipe weight equal to a weight of a total amount of the ingredient that will be dispensed into the container and an in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left the dispenser but is not yet supported within the container so that it is detected by the scale.
- a dispenser controller subtracts the in-flight weight parameter from the recipe weight to calculate a target weight of ingredient within the beverage container, thereby controlling the activation or deactivation of the ingredient dispenser(s).
- a system for measuring an amount of an ingredient in a container of a beverage dispenser comprising: a weighing device comprising a base portion and weight measuring assembly, wherein the container is disposed on the base portion; an ingredient dispenser that dispenses the ingredient into the container in an amount equal to a predetermined recipe weight; and a dispenser controller which monitors an actual weight of the ingredient actually disposed within the container as detected by the weighing device, and determines if the actual weight meets or exceeds a predetermined target weight, so as to activate or deactivate the ingredient dispenser.
- the target weight is determined by subtracting an in-flight weight of the ingredient from a recipe weight.
- the recipe weight is equal to a total amount of the ingredient that is to be dispensed into the container per the selected recipe.
- the in-flight weight is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left the ingredient dispenser but has not yet been received by the container and is not measured by the weighing device as part of the target weight.
- the weighing device is a scale.
- the base portion is connected to the weight measuring assembly, wherein the weight measuring assembly comprises a cantilever beam having a first end connected to the base portion and a second end, opposite the first end, connected to a strain gauge that measures a deflection of the cantilever beam to calculate the actual weight of the ingredient disposed within the container.
- the weight measuring assembly comprises a cantilever beam having a first end connected to the base portion and a second end, opposite the first end, connected to a strain gauge that measures a deflection of the cantilever beam to calculate the actual weight of the ingredient disposed within the container.
- the container comprises a bottom portion, a top portion and a wall disposed between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the top portion is open for receiving the ingredient.
- the system further comprising a mixer that extends through an aperture in the bottom portion of the container. The mixer extends through an aperture in the base portion of the weighing device.
- the dispenser controller prohibits the mixer from mixing during activation of the ingredient dispenser.
- a method comprising: providing a recipe weight equal to a weight of a total amount of an ingredient that will be dispensed into a container and an in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left an ingredient dispensing assembly but is not yet supported within the container so that it is detected by a scale; and calculating a target weight that is equal to a difference of the recipe weight and the in-flight weight.
- the method further comprising providing the scale having a base with the container supported on the base and the ingredient dispensing assembly that dispenses the ingredient into the container.
- the method further comprising selecting a recipe for a beverage that includes the ingredient.
- the method further comprising detecting a detected weight of the container that is empty by the scale.
- the method further comprising detecting whether the detected weight is within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit.
- the method further comprising recording the detected weight in a memory.
- the method further comprising activating the ingredient dispensing assembly dispensing the ingredient into the container, and detecting a dispensed weight of the container and the ingredient while the ingredient is being dispensed into the container.
- the method further comprising determining if the dispensed weight minus the detected weight is greater than the target weight.
- the method further comprising deactivating the ingredient dispensing assembly to stop the dispense of the ingredient into the container if the dispensed weight minus the detected weight is greater than the target weight.
- the method further comprising determining whether the recipe includes another ingredient to be dispensed into the container.
- the method further comprising detecting a new value of a weight of the container with the ingredient therein after waiting a predetermined in-flight time delay after deactivating the ingredient dispensing assembly to stop the dispense of the ingredient into the container.
- the dispensed weight is optionally a plurality of dispensed weights taken over a predetermined period of time that are averaged to calculate an average sample weight.
- a method for preparing a beverage comprising: selecting a beverage recipe having at least one ingredient; determining if a container for dispensing ingredient according to the recipe is empty; if container is empty, then determining a target weight of the ingredient to be dispensed into the container according to the recipe as the difference between a recipe weight and in-flight weight of the ingredient; energizing a pump or valve to dispense the ingredient into the container; monitoring the target weight as the ingredient is dispensed into the container; and de-energizing the pump or valve when the target weight of the ingredient is reached or exceeded.
- the method further comprising energizing the pump or valve to dispense a second ingredient into the container; monitoring the target weight for the second ingredient being dispensed into the container; and de-energizing the pump or valve when the target weight of the ingredient is reached or exceeded.
- FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial top front perspective view of a blending area and a rinse area of the beverage mixing system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is side cross-sectional view of the rinse area of the beverage mixing system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial top front perspective view of the rinse area of the beverage mixing system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial top front perspective view of an area of the container having a magnet and an area of the rinse area having the switch;
- FIGS. 6-7B are front side perspective views of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure.
- FIG. 7C is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure.
- FIG. 7D is a rear side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure.
- FIG. 7E is a front plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 8A and 8B are a logic and flow diagram of a controller of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 9 is a logic and flow diagram of a rinse controller of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a controller of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure.
- FIG. 11 is an example of a wiring schematic that may be included in system 100 that may implement process 800 and/or process 900 .
- System 100 mixes ingredients that may be stored thereon into a beverage.
- a beverage for example, is a smoothie that may include a flavor ingredient, for example, fruit or flavored syrup, and ice mixed together.
- Housing 102 may have a depth D, for example of about 33 inches, a height H 1 , for example, of about 72 inches, a width W 1 , for example, of about 26 inches, and a counter height H 2 , for example, of about 33 inches.
- Housing 102 may have one or more shelves 110 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- Shelves 110 include ingredients that are mixed to form the beverage.
- Shelves 110 include a shelf 112 that includes a shape having depressions sized to hold bananas 113 .
- Shelves 110 include a shelf 114 that is partitioned to hold bottles of syrup or flavoring 116 that can be mixed with other ingredients, for example, ice or fruit, to form the beverage.
- Shelves 110 include a shelf 118 that stores banana peels that are discarded after bananas 113 are peeled and used for mixing a beverage.
- Housing 102 may also include storage for cups 130 and/or lids that connect to cover an opening in cups 130 .
- Cups 130 may be in a stacked configuration and removably inserted into cup dispenser 132 .
- Cup dispenser 132 has one or more apertures 134 sized larger or equal to a largest dimension of cups 130 , so that cups 130 are supported within apertures 134 via friction fit.
- Cup dispenser 132 may be spring loaded to urge cups 130 out of apertures 134 when one or more cups 134 are removed or on an incline so that cups are urged to apertures 134 by gravity.
- the lids may be stored in lid dispensers 136 that have an opening 138 to access the lids.
- the lids may be stacked and stored on an incline so that when one or more lids are removed the lids within lid dispensers 136 move toward opening 138 .
- System 100 has a user interface that may be a touch screen 200 connected to housing 102 .
- Touch screen 200 allows a user to input, and/or the touch screen 200 may display, settings for temperature, time, and other parameters of system 100 .
- System 100 has an ice storage container 105 that maintains a predetermined temperature to store ice within housing 102 .
- Ice storage container 105 may include an insulated volume, such as a “cooler”, or temperature controlled volume cooled by a cooling device, for example, a vapor compression cycle, for receiving and holding ice that may be selectively removed to mix a beverage.
- Ice storage container 105 is connected to a base 400 that has an ice dispensing assembly that dispenses ice through an ice aperture from ice storage container 105 , for example, to a blending container 150 .
- Ice within ice storage container 105 may contact a shaving wheel of the ice dispensing assembly, so that the ice is shaved into shaved particles, and the shaved particles are dispensed through the ice aperture in base 400 to the blending container 150 .
- System 100 has a refrigerated storage container 120 that maintains a predetermined temperature that is desirable for storing ingredients of the beverage that is mixed, for example, whip cream and/or fruit within housing 102 .
- Refrigerated storage container 120 has an access door 122 that may be selectively opened and closed to retrieve the contents within refrigerated storage container 120 .
- Access door 122 may provide access to ingredients only within the vicinity of the access door 122 , and additional access may be provided to refrigerated storage container 120 , for example, an entire front wall 124 may be selectively opened and closed to retrieve the contents within refrigerated storage container 120 .
- Refrigerated storage container 120 includes a refrigeration cycle, such as, for example, a vapor compression cycle that includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator.
- a refrigeration cycle such as, for example, a vapor compression cycle that includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator.
- One or more of the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator may be integral with an ingredient dispensing assembly or remote from the rest of the ingredient dispensing assembly.
- compressors may create undesirable noise and may be remotely located from the rest of the assembly.
- the ingredient dispensing assembly has one or more holders that may each hold a container, such as, for example, a bag, that contains a flavor ingredient for the beverage.
- Refrigerated storage container 120 cools the one or more holders that may each hold the container.
- the flavor ingredient may be a flavored liquid or mix.
- the flavor ingredient is cooled while stored in refrigerated storage container 120 .
- Each of the holders may have a connection aperture connected to a conduit of the ingredient dispensing assembly that passes from refrigerated storage container 120 to base 400 .
- the conduit may connect to a pump of the ingredient dispensing assembly that selectively moves a portion of the ingredient from the container in the holders through the connection aperture, to the conduit, to a nozzle in base 400 to dispense the ingredient, for example, to blending container 150 .
- the pump may be an air powered pump that may include a diaphragm.
- One or more holders may be a plurality of holders with an ingredient dispense tube for each ingredient in each of holders.
- the ingredient dispensing assembly and/or ice dispensing assembly may be controlled by a controller.
- the controller may be connected to housing 102 or remote from system 100 , for example, a remote computer.
- Blending container 150 is supported and held in position on a scale 600 when the flavor ingredient and/or ice is dispensed into blending container 150 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- scale 600 has a base plate 610 and pad that each are affixed on a first end of a cantilever beam that provides the only support for plate 610 , the pad, and blending container 150 against the force of gravity.
- the cantilever beam is connected on a second end, opposite the first end, to a strain gauge that measures a deflection of the cantilever beam. Based on the known mechanical properties of the cantilever beam, a weight of blending container 150 is calculated and reported to the controller used to operate the ingredient dispensing assembly and/or ice dispensing assembly.
- the controller controls a process 800 to control an amount of ice and/or flavor ingredient dispensed into blending container 150 .
- a user enters a drink preparation function in step 802 .
- a user selects a recipe that is stored in a memory, for example, the user selects a recipe via user interface 200 , for a desired beverage.
- An output of scale 600 of a detected weight is read in step 804 . It is determined whether the detected weight in step 804 is within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit in step 806 .
- step 804 If the detected weight in step 804 is not within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit in step 806 , it is determined if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed in step 808 . If a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, a container fault condition is output in step 810 , for example, a container fault condition outputs a signal displayed to the user on user interface 200 . If a predetermined amount of time has not elapsed, steps 804 and 806 are repeated. If the detected weight in step 804 is within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit in step 806 , an empty container weight reading from scale 600 is recorded in a memory in step 812 .
- a recipe weight of an ingredient is equal to a weight of a total amount of the ingredient, flavor ingredient or ice, is actually dispensed into the container and detected by the scale, and an in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left the dispenser, the flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser, but is not yet disposed within the container for detection by the scale.
- the recipe weight and in-flight weight are each stored in the memory.
- a target weight that is equal to the in-flight weight subtracted from the recipe weight is calculated and stored in the memory in step 814 .
- the controller sends an output signal to a solenoid or other valve to dispense selected ingredient(s), such that the ingredient(s) is dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blending container 150 in step 816 .
- a weight detected by scale 600 is read in step 818 .
- the weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 818 minus the empty container weight determined in step 806 is compared in step 820 to the target weight determined in step 814 . If weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 818 minus the empty container weight determined in step 806 is less than the target weight determined in step 814 , steps 818 and 820 are repeated.
- controller sends an output signal to a solenoid or other valve to stop dispensing the ingredient, such that the ingredient(s) is no longer dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blending container 150 in step 822 and process 800 may end.
- the sample weight detected in step 818 taken by scale 600 may be a plurality of weights that are taken over a predetermined period of time that are averaged to calculate an average sample weight. The average sample weight may then be compared to the target weight. This moving average of the sample readings is used to filter noise introduced by harmonic vibration modes of the scale beam and base plate, and a time delay effect of the moving average filter is also compensated by the in-flight parameter value.
- a time delay, or scale de-bounce time parameter, equal to an in-flight time parameter that corresponds to the in-flight weight may be elapsed, in step 824 , before a new value of a weight of blending container 150 with the first ingredient dispensed therein is recorded into the memory for use in dispensing another ingredient in step 826 .
- a change in reaction force on blending container 150 resulting from the stop of flow of the first ingredient will introduce a vibration in the cantilever beam due to an excitation of a spring-mass system that includes blending container 150 , the ingredient, base plate 610 and pad, and cantilever beam.
- the in-flight time parameter may allow this oscillation to decay sufficiently to obtain a stable and accurate reading for the new value of blending container weight in step 826 .
- the recipe weight may be between about 6.0 ounces to about 24 ounces with an in-flight weight parameter from about 0.5 ounces to about 4.0 ounces, and with the in-flight time parameter of about 0.2 seconds to 2 seconds.
- a second recipe weight of a second ingredient is equal to a weight of a total amount of the second ingredient, flavor ingredient or ice, that will be dispensed into the container and a second in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the second ingredient that has left the dispenser, the flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser, but is not yet supported within container 150 to be detected by scale 600 .
- the second recipe weight and the second in-flight weight are each stored in the memory.
- a second target weight that is equal to the second in-flight weight subtracted from the second recipe weight is calculated and stored in the memory in step 828 .
- the controller sends an output signal to dispense the second ingredient(s), such that the second ingredient(s) is dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blending container 150 in step 830 .
- a weight detected by scale 600 is read in step 832 .
- the weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 832 minus the empty container weight determined in step 826 is compared in step 834 to the second target weight determined in step 828 . If weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 832 minus the empty container weight determined in step 826 is less than the second target weight determined in step 828 , steps 832 and 834 are repeated.
- step 832 If weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 832 minus the empty container weight determined in step 826 is equal to or greater than the second target weight determined in step 828 , then the controller sends an output signal to stop the dispensing of the second ingredient, such that the second ingredient is no longer dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blending container 150 in step 836 and process 800 may end.
- a time delay, or scale de-bounce time parameter, equal to a second in-flight time parameter that corresponds to the second in-flight weight may be elapsed, in step 838 . If it is determined in step 840 that there is an additional ingredient, or third ingredient, to be dispensed, steps 824 - 840 are repeated. If it is determined in step 840 that there is not an additional ingredient to be dispensed and ice is to be dispensed, an ice target scale reading for ice as a difference between an ice recipe weight and an ice in-flight parameter value is determined in step 842 .
- the controller sends an output signal to dispense ice, such that ice is dispensed from ice dispenser into blending container 150 in step 844 .
- a weight detected by scale 600 is read in step 848 .
- the weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 848 minus the empty container weight that may be read after step 840 is compared in step 848 to the ice target weight determined in step 842 . If weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 846 minus the empty container weight is less than the ice target weight determined in step 842 , steps 846 and 848 are repeated.
- step 846 If weight detected by scale 600 that is read in step 846 minus the empty container weight is equal to or greater than the ice target weight determined in step 842 , then the controller sends an output signal to stop the ice dispensing, such that the ice is no longer dispensed from the ice dispenser into blending container 150 in after step 848 and process 800 may end or a blending cycle may begin in step 852 .
- a first reading from the scale at a first point in time does not represent an actual weight that would end up in the container if a flow of the ingredient were stopped at the first point in time due to effects of one or both of 1) a quantity of ingredient that has left the dispense nozzle, such as base 400 , and has not reached blending container, such as blending container 150 , so that the blending container supports the ingredient and is detected by the scale, and 2) a reaction force created from a momentum change of the ingredient flow as it strikes the blending container.
- Process 800 described herein anticipates the combined impact of a quantity of the ingredient that is airborne and a force-induced scale error to determine a more accurate scale reading to stop the ingredient from being dispensed and obtaining a desired quantity of the ingredient.
- the in-flight weights may be determined or adjusted by comparing an actual weight to the recipe weight.
- the actual weight equals a difference between a weight following dispensing the ingredient into blending container 150 and a weight of blending container 150 without the ingredient therein that is stored in the memory.
- the in-flight weight may be determined or adjusted by subtracting the recipe weight from the actual weight.
- system 100 has a mixer 190 .
- Mixer 190 may extend through an aperture in base plate 610 and container 150 when container 150 is in position on scale 600 .
- Mixer 190 may be a spindle that rotates to mix flavor ingredients and ice within container 150 .
- Mixer 190 may be controlled by a controller, for example, that rotates the spindle of mixer 190 a predetermined amount of time during the blending cycle. It may be undesirable to activate mixer 190 during process 800 due to forces mixer 190 may have on scale 600 . The controller may prohibit the mixing cycle during process 800 .
- system 100 has a rinse area 140 .
- Rinse area 140 has a surface 141 connected to a water source by a conduit 142 .
- Conduit 142 is connected to a nozzle 144 that sprays water and/or other cleaning liquid.
- Surface 141 has one or more drain apertures 146 that drain liquid from surface 141 .
- Surface 141 may be connected to counter 210 .
- Counter 210 provides a support portion, for example, for operators to dispense a beverage into one of cups 130 supported thereon.
- counter may have one or more storage trays 215 .
- Storage trays 215 may be in thermal communication with refrigerated storage container 120 so that storage trays 215 are cooled.
- Storage trays 215 may be within a cover 220 that can cover storage trays 215 in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 7A , and provide access to storage trays 215 in an open position, as shown in FIG. 7B .
- Surface 141 has one or more protrusions 148 .
- Surface 141 has a switch 160 within one of protrusions 148 .
- Switch 160 activates a rinse cycle.
- protrusions 148 are positioned so that container 150 fits within protrusions 148 at one or more predetermined orientations.
- Container 150 has a sidewall 152 that surrounds a base wall 153 that encloses an inner volume 154 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- Container 150 has at least a first magnet 159 connected thereto. Magnet 159 is connected to container 150 by being molded thereto. Magnet 159 may be connected to container 150 , for example, by adhesive or any other connection.
- Container 150 may have a handle 156 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , connected to sidewall 152 .
- container 150 fits within protrusions 148 in a first position so that handle 156 fits within a first depression 149 a in one of protrusions 148 and sidewall 152 and base 153 are inverted to cover nozzle 144 .
- a second depression 149 b may be in one of protrusions 148 so that handle fits within second depression 149 b to position container 150 in a second position, and sidewall 152 and base 153 are inverted to cover nozzle 144 .
- magnet 159 is close enough to switch 160 , so that magnet 159 may activate switch 160 .
- container 150 may have a second magnet attached thereto so that the second magnet is close enough to switch 160 , so that the second magnet may activate switch 160 .
- a second switch may be positioned within one of protrusions 148 so that magnet 159 is close enough to the second switch, so that magnet 159 may activate the second switch. The first position and second position reduce operator confusion and allows for both left and right hand location of container 150 .
- Switch 160 may have a bias device, for example, a spring, that biases switch 160 to a deactivated position when the magnet is moved away from switch 160 .
- Magnet 159 activates or opens switch 160 , as shown in FIG. 3 , when blending container 150 is in the first position, and thereby activates the rinse cycle that is controlled by a rinse controller.
- water and/or other cleaning liquid is sprayed through nozzle 144 .
- a pressure of the water and/or other cleaning liquid is great enough to spray water and/or other cleaning liquid to at least a height H 3 of base 153 , as shown in FIG. 3 , in the first position or second position of container 150 .
- switch 160 is deactivated or closed, thus stopping the rinse cycle.
- a process 900 for the rinse cycle may be controlled by a rinse process 900 , as shown in FIG. 9 .
- Switch 160 provides reed sensor input in step 902 . Whether the reed sensor input indicates that the reed sensor contact is open, for example, if magnet 159 is within a predetermined proximity of switch 160 and wherein switch 160 is activated for greater than a predetermined time, such as about 1 second, is determined in step 904 . If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is open or activated for less than or equal to the predetermined time in step 904 , a predetermined time is waited to elapse, for example about 0.1 second, in step 906 , and steps 902 and 904 are repeated.
- step 904 If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is open or activated for greater than the predetermined time in step 904 , whether the reed sensor receives an input indicating that the reed sensor contact in switch 160 is closed or deactivated which is determined in step 908 . If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact of switch 160 is not closed in step 908 , a predetermined time is waited to elapse, for example, about 0.1 second, in step 910 , and step 908 is repeated.
- step 912 If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact of switch 160 is closed in step 908 , whether the reed sensor has been close for a greater time than a predetermined time, for example, about 1 second is determined in step 912 . If the reed sensor has been close for less than or equal to the predetermined time in step 912 , steps 910 and 908 are repeated. If the reed sensor has been close for greater than the predetermined time in step 912 , a rinse cycle is commenced, for example, by opening a rinse solenoid valve in step 914 . Switch 160 provides reed sensor input in step 916 .
- Whether reed sensor input detected in step 916 indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed is determined in step 918 . If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed in step 918 , whether the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed greater than a rinse parameter value, for example a predetermined amount of time solenoid valve is open, is determined in step 920 . If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed less than or equal to the rinse parameter value in step 920 , steps 916 - 920 are repeated. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed greater than the rinse parameter value in step 920 , the rinse cycle is ended, for example, rinse solenoid is closed, and steps 902 - 922 are repeated.
- a rinse parameter value for example a predetermined amount of time solenoid valve is open
- System 100 may include a safety measure that requires magnet 159 and switch 160 to break contact prior to another rinse cycle commencing. This safety measure assures that the maximum of one rinse cycle will occur should switch 160 malfunction. For example, if the portion attracted to magnet 159 remains in the same position even when magnet 159 is removed, the safety measure will minimize the amount of water, sprayed from nozzle 144 in the absence of blending container 150 , that can contact users and the surrounding environment.
- one of protrusions 148 has an infrared projector and one of protrusions 148 has receiver that is activated by blending container 150 that has reflectors for returning a signal from the infrared projector to the infrared receiver to activate the rinse cycle.
- Another alternative includes a weigh beam scale connected to surface 141 that activates the rinse cycle when blending container 150 is placed on surface 141 .
- a further alternative includes an infrared beam located above rinse area 140 that activates the rinse cycle if the beam is broken by blending container 150 .
- housing 102 may have a container support 170 that removably connects to base 153 of blending container 150 .
- Blending container 150 connects to container support 170 by base 150 so that inner volume 154 opens towards rinse area 140 .
- blending container 150 may be removably connected to container support 170 so that a portion of excess liquid that falls off of blending container 150 can drain through drain aperture 146 .
- a container support 170 A may be a shelf support 172 that has one or more apertures 174 .
- blending container 150 may be placed on container support 170 A so that a portion of excess liquid that falls off of blending container 150 can drain through shelf support 172 that has one or more apertures 174 .
- computer 1022 includes a processor 1034 , a communications unit 1036 , a memory 1038 and a bus 1040 .
- Bus 1040 interconnects processor 1034 , communications unit 1036 and memory 1038 .
- Memory 1038 includes an operating system 1042 and a program 1044 .
- Operating system 1042 controls processor 1034 to execute program 1044 to operate system 100 for processes 800 and/or 900 .
- a memory media 1046 e.g., a disk
- Communications unit 1036 includes the capability to communicate via network 1030 .
- Program 1044 when run, permits a user to operate system 100 to dispense ice and/or flavor ingredient and/or activate the rinse cycle.
- FIG. 11 an example of a wiring schematic that may be included in system 100 that may implement process 800 and/or process 900 .
- Devices may utilize mechanical linkages that contacts blending container 150 as it is placed in the rinse area to activate the rinse cycle.
- Mechanical linkages undesirably increase cost due to an amount of components included therein, can wear and tear pivot/hinge points of the mechanical linkages, lose parts during cleaning cycles, add a cleaning process for the linkage, and can cause occasional wet operators when they accidentally contact the linkage without a container located above the rinse nozzle. Further, mechanical linkages can protrude above a resting surface to contact the container for activation; the linkage accidentally can become activated by an object laying on the linkage and activating the rinse nozzle causing the surrounding area and possibly the operator to become wet.
- the magnet 159 and reed switch 160 eliminate any need for a mechanical linkage and associated problems therewith.
- Rinse area 140 contacts blending container 150 when it is in the first position or second position during the rinse cycle so that an area that may manage waste is touching a container which will be used to serve food after the rinse cycle. Since blending container 150 will service food after the rinse cycle, rinse area 140 may meet predetermined standards, such as, for example, National Sanitation Foundation fabrication criteria. Some requirements for the criteria may include surfaces are 100 grit or smoother, surfaces meet at an angle less than 135 degrees require an 1 ⁇ 8 th inch radius or otherwise the surface must be removed for cleaning and replaced without the use of tools, which is undesirable because cleaning cycle parts can be lost or installed incorrectly causing store operational issue and loss of revenue.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/247,429, filed Sep. 30, 2009. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/247,429, filed Sep. 30, 2009 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- 1. Field
- The present disclosure relates generally to mixing beverages. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for dispensing a predetermined amount of ingredients for a beverage into a container and rinsing the container.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Multiple steps are involved in creating a beverage or drink, for example, a smoothie drink, from beginning to end, and potential issues can occur at all stages. An employee must manually add an estimated amount to a blender pot or container. After the ice is manually added, the juice and any additional fruit or flavor “flavor ingredient” is added by the operator as well. Since the amount of ice and/or flavor ingredient is not measured, but rather “guesstimated” by each employee, the amount of ice and/or flavor ingredient is not precise and, therefore, makes it difficult to create the same beverage time after time.
- Once the order is complete and the customer has his or her drink, there is one last step to finalize the process—the method of manually cleaning the container after each use to prevent the transfer of flavors and germs. Often, to save time, the blender containers are rinsed in a sink, which can compromise sanitation. While this might seem insignificant, flavor contamination can be a serious threat if customers have food allergies. Another drawback to the washing process is that it involves a substantial amount of time and labor on the part of the operator.
- Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure, there is a need for a system that increases accuracy of measuring one or more ingredients of a beverage to be mixed in a container. It has been further determined by the present disclosure, there is an additional need for an assembly for mixing a beverage that rinses and/or sanitizes the container.
- A device for measuring an ingredient in a container of a beverage dispenser includes a scale having a base with the container supported on the base. The ingredient has a recipe weight equal to a weight of a total amount of the ingredient that will be dispensed into the container and an in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left the dispenser but is not yet supported within the container so that it is detected by the scale. A dispenser controller subtracts the in-flight weight parameter from the recipe weight to calculate a target weight of ingredient within the beverage container, thereby controlling the activation or deactivation of the ingredient dispenser(s).
- A system for measuring an amount of an ingredient in a container of a beverage dispenser comprising: a weighing device comprising a base portion and weight measuring assembly, wherein the container is disposed on the base portion; an ingredient dispenser that dispenses the ingredient into the container in an amount equal to a predetermined recipe weight; and a dispenser controller which monitors an actual weight of the ingredient actually disposed within the container as detected by the weighing device, and determines if the actual weight meets or exceeds a predetermined target weight, so as to activate or deactivate the ingredient dispenser.
- The target weight is determined by subtracting an in-flight weight of the ingredient from a recipe weight. The recipe weight is equal to a total amount of the ingredient that is to be dispensed into the container per the selected recipe. The in-flight weight is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left the ingredient dispenser but has not yet been received by the container and is not measured by the weighing device as part of the target weight. The weighing device is a scale.
- The base portion is connected to the weight measuring assembly, wherein the weight measuring assembly comprises a cantilever beam having a first end connected to the base portion and a second end, opposite the first end, connected to a strain gauge that measures a deflection of the cantilever beam to calculate the actual weight of the ingredient disposed within the container.
- The container comprises a bottom portion, a top portion and a wall disposed between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the top portion is open for receiving the ingredient. The system further comprising a mixer that extends through an aperture in the bottom portion of the container. The mixer extends through an aperture in the base portion of the weighing device.
- The dispenser controller prohibits the mixer from mixing during activation of the ingredient dispenser.
- A method comprising: providing a recipe weight equal to a weight of a total amount of an ingredient that will be dispensed into a container and an in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left an ingredient dispensing assembly but is not yet supported within the container so that it is detected by a scale; and calculating a target weight that is equal to a difference of the recipe weight and the in-flight weight.
- The method further comprising providing the scale having a base with the container supported on the base and the ingredient dispensing assembly that dispenses the ingredient into the container.
- The method further comprising selecting a recipe for a beverage that includes the ingredient.
- The method further comprising detecting a detected weight of the container that is empty by the scale.
- The method further comprising detecting whether the detected weight is within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit.
- The method further comprising recording the detected weight in a memory.
- The method further comprising activating the ingredient dispensing assembly dispensing the ingredient into the container, and detecting a dispensed weight of the container and the ingredient while the ingredient is being dispensed into the container.
- The method further comprising determining if the dispensed weight minus the detected weight is greater than the target weight.
- The method further comprising deactivating the ingredient dispensing assembly to stop the dispense of the ingredient into the container if the dispensed weight minus the detected weight is greater than the target weight.
- The method further comprising determining whether the recipe includes another ingredient to be dispensed into the container.
- The method further comprising detecting a new value of a weight of the container with the ingredient therein after waiting a predetermined in-flight time delay after deactivating the ingredient dispensing assembly to stop the dispense of the ingredient into the container.
- The dispensed weight is optionally a plurality of dispensed weights taken over a predetermined period of time that are averaged to calculate an average sample weight.
- A method for preparing a beverage comprising: selecting a beverage recipe having at least one ingredient; determining if a container for dispensing ingredient according to the recipe is empty; if container is empty, then determining a target weight of the ingredient to be dispensed into the container according to the recipe as the difference between a recipe weight and in-flight weight of the ingredient; energizing a pump or valve to dispense the ingredient into the container; monitoring the target weight as the ingredient is dispensed into the container; and de-energizing the pump or valve when the target weight of the ingredient is reached or exceeded.
- The method further comprising energizing the pump or valve to dispense a second ingredient into the container; monitoring the target weight for the second ingredient being dispensed into the container; and de-energizing the pump or valve when the target weight of the ingredient is reached or exceeded.
- The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial top front perspective view of a blending area and a rinse area of the beverage mixing system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is side cross-sectional view of the rinse area of the beverage mixing system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial top front perspective view of the rinse area of the beverage mixing system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial top front perspective view of an area of the container having a magnet and an area of the rinse area having the switch; -
FIGS. 6-7B are front side perspective views of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure; -
FIG. 7C is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure; -
FIG. 7D is a rear side perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure; -
FIG. 7E is a front plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure; -
FIGS. 8A and 8B are a logic and flow diagram of a controller of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 9 is a logic and flow diagram of a rinse controller of the present disclosure; -
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a controller of the beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure; and -
FIG. 11 is an example of a wiring schematic that may be included insystem 100 that may implement process 800 and/orprocess 900. - Referring to the drawings and in particular to
FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a beverage mixing system according to the present disclosure is generally referred to byreference numeral 100.System 100 mixes ingredients that may be stored thereon into a beverage. One such beverage, for example, is a smoothie that may include a flavor ingredient, for example, fruit or flavored syrup, and ice mixed together. -
System 100 has ahousing 102. As shown inFIGS. 7C-7D ,housing 102 may have a depth D, for example of about 33 inches, a height H1, for example, of about 72 inches, a width W1, for example, of about 26 inches, and a counter height H2, for example, of about 33 inches.Housing 102 may have one ormore shelves 110, as shown inFIG. 1 .Shelves 110 include ingredients that are mixed to form the beverage.Shelves 110 include ashelf 112 that includes a shape having depressions sized to holdbananas 113.Shelves 110 include ashelf 114 that is partitioned to hold bottles of syrup orflavoring 116 that can be mixed with other ingredients, for example, ice or fruit, to form the beverage.Shelves 110 include ashelf 118 that stores banana peels that are discarded afterbananas 113 are peeled and used for mixing a beverage. -
Housing 102 may also include storage forcups 130 and/or lids that connect to cover an opening incups 130.Cups 130 may be in a stacked configuration and removably inserted intocup dispenser 132.Cup dispenser 132 has one ormore apertures 134 sized larger or equal to a largest dimension ofcups 130, so thatcups 130 are supported withinapertures 134 via friction fit.Cup dispenser 132 may be spring loaded to urgecups 130 out ofapertures 134 when one ormore cups 134 are removed or on an incline so that cups are urged toapertures 134 by gravity. The lids may be stored inlid dispensers 136 that have anopening 138 to access the lids. The lids may be stacked and stored on an incline so that when one or more lids are removed the lids withinlid dispensers 136 move towardopening 138. -
System 100 has a user interface that may be atouch screen 200 connected tohousing 102.Touch screen 200 allows a user to input, and/or thetouch screen 200 may display, settings for temperature, time, and other parameters ofsystem 100. -
System 100 has anice storage container 105 that maintains a predetermined temperature to store ice withinhousing 102.Ice storage container 105 may include an insulated volume, such as a “cooler”, or temperature controlled volume cooled by a cooling device, for example, a vapor compression cycle, for receiving and holding ice that may be selectively removed to mix a beverage.Ice storage container 105 is connected to a base 400 that has an ice dispensing assembly that dispenses ice through an ice aperture fromice storage container 105, for example, to a blendingcontainer 150. Ice withinice storage container 105 may contact a shaving wheel of the ice dispensing assembly, so that the ice is shaved into shaved particles, and the shaved particles are dispensed through the ice aperture inbase 400 to the blendingcontainer 150. -
System 100 has a refrigeratedstorage container 120 that maintains a predetermined temperature that is desirable for storing ingredients of the beverage that is mixed, for example, whip cream and/or fruit withinhousing 102.Refrigerated storage container 120 has anaccess door 122 that may be selectively opened and closed to retrieve the contents withinrefrigerated storage container 120.Access door 122 may provide access to ingredients only within the vicinity of theaccess door 122, and additional access may be provided torefrigerated storage container 120, for example, an entirefront wall 124 may be selectively opened and closed to retrieve the contents withinrefrigerated storage container 120. -
Refrigerated storage container 120 includes a refrigeration cycle, such as, for example, a vapor compression cycle that includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. One or more of the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator may be integral with an ingredient dispensing assembly or remote from the rest of the ingredient dispensing assembly. For example, compressors may create undesirable noise and may be remotely located from the rest of the assembly. - The ingredient dispensing assembly has one or more holders that may each hold a container, such as, for example, a bag, that contains a flavor ingredient for the beverage.
Refrigerated storage container 120 cools the one or more holders that may each hold the container. The flavor ingredient may be a flavored liquid or mix. The flavor ingredient is cooled while stored inrefrigerated storage container 120. Each of the holders may have a connection aperture connected to a conduit of the ingredient dispensing assembly that passes fromrefrigerated storage container 120 tobase 400. The conduit may connect to a pump of the ingredient dispensing assembly that selectively moves a portion of the ingredient from the container in the holders through the connection aperture, to the conduit, to a nozzle inbase 400 to dispense the ingredient, for example, to blendingcontainer 150. The pump may be an air powered pump that may include a diaphragm. One or more holders may be a plurality of holders with an ingredient dispense tube for each ingredient in each of holders. - The ingredient dispensing assembly and/or ice dispensing assembly may be controlled by a controller. The controller may be connected to
housing 102 or remote fromsystem 100, for example, a remote computer. - Blending
container 150 is supported and held in position on ascale 600 when the flavor ingredient and/or ice is dispensed into blendingcontainer 150, as shown inFIG. 6 . As shown inFIG. 1 ,scale 600 has abase plate 610 and pad that each are affixed on a first end of a cantilever beam that provides the only support forplate 610, the pad, and blendingcontainer 150 against the force of gravity. The cantilever beam is connected on a second end, opposite the first end, to a strain gauge that measures a deflection of the cantilever beam. Based on the known mechanical properties of the cantilever beam, a weight of blendingcontainer 150 is calculated and reported to the controller used to operate the ingredient dispensing assembly and/or ice dispensing assembly. - As shown in
FIGS. 8A and 8B , the controller controls a process 800 to control an amount of ice and/or flavor ingredient dispensed into blendingcontainer 150. A user enters a drink preparation function instep 802. For example, a user selects a recipe that is stored in a memory, for example, the user selects a recipe viauser interface 200, for a desired beverage. An output ofscale 600 of a detected weight is read instep 804. It is determined whether the detected weight instep 804 is within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit instep 806. If the detected weight instep 804 is not within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit instep 806, it is determined if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed instep 808. If a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, a container fault condition is output instep 810, for example, a container fault condition outputs a signal displayed to the user onuser interface 200. If a predetermined amount of time has not elapsed, steps 804 and 806 are repeated. If the detected weight instep 804 is within a predetermined weight of an empty container limit instep 806, an empty container weight reading fromscale 600 is recorded in a memory instep 812. A recipe weight of an ingredient is equal to a weight of a total amount of the ingredient, flavor ingredient or ice, is actually dispensed into the container and detected by the scale, and an in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the ingredient that has left the dispenser, the flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser, but is not yet disposed within the container for detection by the scale. The recipe weight and in-flight weight are each stored in the memory. A target weight that is equal to the in-flight weight subtracted from the recipe weight is calculated and stored in the memory instep 814. During operation, the controller sends an output signal to a solenoid or other valve to dispense selected ingredient(s), such that the ingredient(s) is dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blendingcontainer 150 instep 816. While the ingredient is dispensed into blendingcontainer 150, a weight detected byscale 600 is read instep 818. The weight detected byscale 600 that is read instep 818 minus the empty container weight determined instep 806 is compared instep 820 to the target weight determined instep 814. If weight detected byscale 600 that is read instep 818 minus the empty container weight determined instep 806 is less than the target weight determined instep 814,steps scale 600 that is read instep 818 minus the empty container weight determined instep 806 is equal to or greater than the target weight determined instep 814, then controller sends an output signal to a solenoid or other valve to stop dispensing the ingredient, such that the ingredient(s) is no longer dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blendingcontainer 150 instep 822 and process 800 may end. - The sample weight detected in
step 818 taken byscale 600 may be a plurality of weights that are taken over a predetermined period of time that are averaged to calculate an average sample weight. The average sample weight may then be compared to the target weight. This moving average of the sample readings is used to filter noise introduced by harmonic vibration modes of the scale beam and base plate, and a time delay effect of the moving average filter is also compensated by the in-flight parameter value. - Once the ingredient is no longer dispensed because the target weight was reached, another ingredient may be dispensed according to steps 824-852 of process 800. A time delay, or scale de-bounce time parameter, equal to an in-flight time parameter that corresponds to the in-flight weight may be elapsed, in
step 824, before a new value of a weight of blendingcontainer 150 with the first ingredient dispensed therein is recorded into the memory for use in dispensing another ingredient instep 826. A change in reaction force on blendingcontainer 150 resulting from the stop of flow of the first ingredient will introduce a vibration in the cantilever beam due to an excitation of a spring-mass system that includes blendingcontainer 150, the ingredient,base plate 610 and pad, and cantilever beam. The in-flight time parameter may allow this oscillation to decay sufficiently to obtain a stable and accurate reading for the new value of blending container weight instep 826. For example, the recipe weight may be between about 6.0 ounces to about 24 ounces with an in-flight weight parameter from about 0.5 ounces to about 4.0 ounces, and with the in-flight time parameter of about 0.2 seconds to 2 seconds. - A second recipe weight of a second ingredient is equal to a weight of a total amount of the second ingredient, flavor ingredient or ice, that will be dispensed into the container and a second in-flight weight that is equal to a weight of the second ingredient that has left the dispenser, the flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser, but is not yet supported within
container 150 to be detected byscale 600. The second recipe weight and the second in-flight weight are each stored in the memory. A second target weight that is equal to the second in-flight weight subtracted from the second recipe weight is calculated and stored in the memory instep 828. Thereafter, the controller sends an output signal to dispense the second ingredient(s), such that the second ingredient(s) is dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blendingcontainer 150 instep 830. While the ingredient is dispensed into blendingcontainer 150, a weight detected byscale 600 is read instep 832. The weight detected byscale 600 that is read instep 832 minus the empty container weight determined instep 826 is compared instep 834 to the second target weight determined instep 828. If weight detected byscale 600 that is read instep 832 minus the empty container weight determined instep 826 is less than the second target weight determined instep 828,steps scale 600 that is read instep 832 minus the empty container weight determined instep 826 is equal to or greater than the second target weight determined instep 828, then the controller sends an output signal to stop the dispensing of the second ingredient, such that the second ingredient is no longer dispensed from either flavor ingredient dispenser or ice dispenser into blendingcontainer 150 instep 836 and process 800 may end. - A time delay, or scale de-bounce time parameter, equal to a second in-flight time parameter that corresponds to the second in-flight weight may be elapsed, in
step 838. If it is determined instep 840 that there is an additional ingredient, or third ingredient, to be dispensed, steps 824-840 are repeated. If it is determined instep 840 that there is not an additional ingredient to be dispensed and ice is to be dispensed, an ice target scale reading for ice as a difference between an ice recipe weight and an ice in-flight parameter value is determined instep 842. Thereafter, the controller sends an output signal to dispense ice, such that ice is dispensed from ice dispenser into blendingcontainer 150 instep 844. While ice is dispensed into blendingcontainer 150, a weight detected byscale 600 is read instep 848. The weight detected byscale 600 that is read instep 848 minus the empty container weight that may be read afterstep 840 is compared instep 848 to the ice target weight determined instep 842. If weight detected byscale 600 that is read instep 846 minus the empty container weight is less than the ice target weight determined instep 842,steps scale 600 that is read instep 846 minus the empty container weight is equal to or greater than the ice target weight determined instep 842, then the controller sends an output signal to stop the ice dispensing, such that the ice is no longer dispensed from the ice dispenser into blendingcontainer 150 in afterstep 848 and process 800 may end or a blending cycle may begin instep 852. - When adding flavoring ingredients and shaved ice to a blending container, such as, blending
container 150, placed on a scale, such asscale 600, a first reading from the scale at a first point in time does not represent an actual weight that would end up in the container if a flow of the ingredient were stopped at the first point in time due to effects of one or both of 1) a quantity of ingredient that has left the dispense nozzle, such asbase 400, and has not reached blending container, such as blendingcontainer 150, so that the blending container supports the ingredient and is detected by the scale, and 2) a reaction force created from a momentum change of the ingredient flow as it strikes the blending container. Process 800 described herein anticipates the combined impact of a quantity of the ingredient that is airborne and a force-induced scale error to determine a more accurate scale reading to stop the ingredient from being dispensed and obtaining a desired quantity of the ingredient. - The in-flight weights may be determined or adjusted by comparing an actual weight to the recipe weight. The actual weight equals a difference between a weight following dispensing the ingredient into blending
container 150 and a weight of blendingcontainer 150 without the ingredient therein that is stored in the memory. The in-flight weight may be determined or adjusted by subtracting the recipe weight from the actual weight. - Referring to
FIG. 1 ,system 100 has amixer 190.Mixer 190 may extend through an aperture inbase plate 610 andcontainer 150 whencontainer 150 is in position onscale 600.Mixer 190 may be a spindle that rotates to mix flavor ingredients and ice withincontainer 150.Mixer 190 may be controlled by a controller, for example, that rotates the spindle of mixer 190 a predetermined amount of time during the blending cycle. It may be undesirable to activatemixer 190 during process 800 due toforces mixer 190 may have onscale 600. The controller may prohibit the mixing cycle during process 800. - Now referring to
FIGS. 1-5 ,system 100 has a rinsearea 140. Rinsearea 140 has asurface 141 connected to a water source by aconduit 142.Conduit 142 is connected to anozzle 144 that sprays water and/or other cleaning liquid.Surface 141 has one ormore drain apertures 146 that drain liquid fromsurface 141.Surface 141 may be connected to counter 210.Counter 210 provides a support portion, for example, for operators to dispense a beverage into one ofcups 130 supported thereon. Referring toFIGS. 7A and 7B , counter may have one ormore storage trays 215.Storage trays 215 may be in thermal communication withrefrigerated storage container 120 so thatstorage trays 215 are cooled.Storage trays 215 may be within acover 220 that can coverstorage trays 215 in a closed position, as shown inFIG. 7A , and provide access tostorage trays 215 in an open position, as shown inFIG. 7B . -
Surface 141 has one ormore protrusions 148.Surface 141 has aswitch 160 within one ofprotrusions 148.Switch 160 activates a rinse cycle. As shown inFIGS. 2-4 ,protrusions 148 are positioned so thatcontainer 150 fits withinprotrusions 148 at one or more predetermined orientations. -
Container 150 has asidewall 152 that surrounds abase wall 153 that encloses aninner volume 154, as shown inFIG. 3 .Container 150 has at least afirst magnet 159 connected thereto.Magnet 159 is connected tocontainer 150 by being molded thereto.Magnet 159 may be connected tocontainer 150, for example, by adhesive or any other connection.Container 150 may have ahandle 156, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 , connected tosidewall 152. - As shown in
FIG. 2 ,container 150 fits withinprotrusions 148 in a first position so thathandle 156 fits within afirst depression 149 a in one ofprotrusions 148 andsidewall 152 andbase 153 are inverted to covernozzle 144. Asecond depression 149 b may be in one ofprotrusions 148 so that handle fits withinsecond depression 149 b to positioncontainer 150 in a second position, andsidewall 152 andbase 153 are inverted to covernozzle 144. When container is in the first position,magnet 159 is close enough to switch 160, so thatmagnet 159 may activateswitch 160. In the second position,container 150 may have a second magnet attached thereto so that the second magnet is close enough to switch 160, so that the second magnet may activateswitch 160. Alternatively, a second switch may be positioned within one ofprotrusions 148 so thatmagnet 159 is close enough to the second switch, so thatmagnet 159 may activate the second switch. The first position and second position reduce operator confusion and allows for both left and right hand location ofcontainer 150. -
Switch 160 may have a bias device, for example, a spring, that biases switch 160 to a deactivated position when the magnet is moved away fromswitch 160.Magnet 159 activates or opensswitch 160, as shown inFIG. 3 , when blendingcontainer 150 is in the first position, and thereby activates the rinse cycle that is controlled by a rinse controller. During the rinse cycle, water and/or other cleaning liquid is sprayed throughnozzle 144. A pressure of the water and/or other cleaning liquid is great enough to spray water and/or other cleaning liquid to at least a height H3 ofbase 153, as shown inFIG. 3 , in the first position or second position ofcontainer 150. Whenmagnet 159 is moved away fromswitch 160, ascontainer 150 is removed fromsurface 141,switch 160 is deactivated or closed, thus stopping the rinse cycle. - A
process 900 for the rinse cycle may be controlled by a rinseprocess 900, as shown inFIG. 9 .Switch 160 provides reed sensor input instep 902. Whether the reed sensor input indicates that the reed sensor contact is open, for example, ifmagnet 159 is within a predetermined proximity ofswitch 160 and whereinswitch 160 is activated for greater than a predetermined time, such as about 1 second, is determined instep 904. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is open or activated for less than or equal to the predetermined time instep 904, a predetermined time is waited to elapse, for example about 0.1 second, instep 906, and steps 902 and 904 are repeated. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is open or activated for greater than the predetermined time instep 904, whether the reed sensor receives an input indicating that the reed sensor contact inswitch 160 is closed or deactivated which is determined instep 908. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact ofswitch 160 is not closed instep 908, a predetermined time is waited to elapse, for example, about 0.1 second, instep 910, and step 908 is repeated. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact ofswitch 160 is closed instep 908, whether the reed sensor has been close for a greater time than a predetermined time, for example, about 1 second is determined instep 912. If the reed sensor has been close for less than or equal to the predetermined time instep 912,steps step 912, a rinse cycle is commenced, for example, by opening a rinse solenoid valve instep 914.Switch 160 provides reed sensor input instep 916. Whether reed sensor input detected instep 916 indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed is determined instep 918. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed instep 918, whether the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed greater than a rinse parameter value, for example a predetermined amount of time solenoid valve is open, is determined instep 920. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed less than or equal to the rinse parameter value instep 920, steps 916-920 are repeated. If the reed sensor input indicates that that the reed sensor contact is closed greater than the rinse parameter value instep 920, the rinse cycle is ended, for example, rinse solenoid is closed, and steps 902-922 are repeated. -
System 100 may include a safety measure that requiresmagnet 159 and switch 160 to break contact prior to another rinse cycle commencing. This safety measure assures that the maximum of one rinse cycle will occur should switch 160 malfunction. For example, if the portion attracted tomagnet 159 remains in the same position even whenmagnet 159 is removed, the safety measure will minimize the amount of water, sprayed fromnozzle 144 in the absence of blendingcontainer 150, that can contact users and the surrounding environment. - Alternatively, one of
protrusions 148 has an infrared projector and one ofprotrusions 148 has receiver that is activated by blendingcontainer 150 that has reflectors for returning a signal from the infrared projector to the infrared receiver to activate the rinse cycle. Another alternative includes a weigh beam scale connected to surface 141 that activates the rinse cycle when blendingcontainer 150 is placed onsurface 141. A further alternative includes an infrared beam located above rinsearea 140 that activates the rinse cycle if the beam is broken by blendingcontainer 150. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 , 6 and 7,housing 102 may have acontainer support 170 that removably connects to base 153 of blendingcontainer 150. Blendingcontainer 150 connects tocontainer support 170 bybase 150 so thatinner volume 154 opens towards rinsearea 140. After the rinse cycle, blendingcontainer 150 may be removably connected tocontainer support 170 so that a portion of excess liquid that falls off of blendingcontainer 150 can drain throughdrain aperture 146. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 7A , a container support 170A may be ashelf support 172 that has one ormore apertures 174. After the rinse cycle, blendingcontainer 150 may be placed on container support 170A so that a portion of excess liquid that falls off of blendingcontainer 150 can drain throughshelf support 172 that has one ormore apertures 174. - Referring to
FIG. 10 ,computer 1022 includes aprocessor 1034, acommunications unit 1036, amemory 1038 and abus 1040.Bus 1040 interconnectsprocessor 1034,communications unit 1036 andmemory 1038.Memory 1038 includes anoperating system 1042 and aprogram 1044.Operating system 1042 controlsprocessor 1034 to executeprogram 1044 to operatesystem 100 for processes 800 and/or 900. A memory media 1046 (e.g., a disk) contains a copy ofoperating system 1042,program 1044 or other software, which can be loaded intomemory 1038.Communications unit 1036 includes the capability to communicate vianetwork 1030.Program 1044, when run, permits a user to operatesystem 100 to dispense ice and/or flavor ingredient and/or activate the rinse cycle. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , an example of a wiring schematic that may be included insystem 100 that may implement process 800 and/orprocess 900. - Devices may utilize mechanical linkages that
contacts blending container 150 as it is placed in the rinse area to activate the rinse cycle. Mechanical linkages undesirably increase cost due to an amount of components included therein, can wear and tear pivot/hinge points of the mechanical linkages, lose parts during cleaning cycles, add a cleaning process for the linkage, and can cause occasional wet operators when they accidentally contact the linkage without a container located above the rinse nozzle. Further, mechanical linkages can protrude above a resting surface to contact the container for activation; the linkage accidentally can become activated by an object laying on the linkage and activating the rinse nozzle causing the surrounding area and possibly the operator to become wet. Themagnet 159 andreed switch 160 eliminate any need for a mechanical linkage and associated problems therewith. - Rinse
area 140contacts blending container 150 when it is in the first position or second position during the rinse cycle so that an area that may manage waste is touching a container which will be used to serve food after the rinse cycle. Since blendingcontainer 150 will service food after the rinse cycle, rinsearea 140 may meet predetermined standards, such as, for example, National Sanitation Foundation fabrication criteria. Some requirements for the criteria may include surfaces are 100 grit or smoother, surfaces meet at an angle less than 135 degrees require an ⅛th inch radius or otherwise the surface must be removed for cleaning and replaced without the use of tools, which is undesirable because cleaning cycle parts can be lost or installed incorrectly causing store operational issue and loss of revenue. - It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
- While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (24)
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US12/894,650 US20110073212A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-09-30 | Method and system for measuring ingredients in a container of a beverage dispenser |
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US12/894,586 Abandoned US20110079249A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-09-30 | Beverage dispenser |
US12/894,650 Abandoned US20110073212A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-09-30 | Method and system for measuring ingredients in a container of a beverage dispenser |
Family Applications Before (1)
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US12/894,586 Abandoned US20110079249A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-09-30 | Beverage dispenser |
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US (2) | US20110079249A1 (en) |
CA (2) | CA2716067A1 (en) |
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20110189357A1 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2011-08-04 | Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
WO2013130511A1 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2013-09-06 | The Coca-Cola Company | Automated beverage dispensing system with ice and beverage dispensing |
US8684047B2 (en) | 2011-02-10 | 2014-04-01 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Self-cleaning drain for food preparation apparatus |
US8746506B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2014-06-10 | Pepsico, Inc. | Multi-tower modular dispensing system |
US20140212566A1 (en) * | 2013-01-30 | 2014-07-31 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc. | Frozen drink dispenser and method of dispensing frozen drinks |
WO2014161034A1 (en) * | 2013-04-02 | 2014-10-09 | Aldenal Pty Ltd | A jug washing machine |
US8954347B1 (en) * | 2009-10-31 | 2015-02-10 | Ip Maxx Llc | System for monitoring inventory and dispensing activity of a plurality of diverse beverages |
US8985396B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2015-03-24 | Pepsico. Inc. | Modular dispensing system |
WO2015066559A3 (en) * | 2013-10-31 | 2015-09-03 | Ryan Grepper | Cooler having integrated blender and accessories |
US20150325075A1 (en) * | 2011-11-28 | 2015-11-12 | iPourIt, Inc. | Beverage Dispensing and Tracking System |
US20170203987A1 (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2017-07-20 | Emerson Electric Co. | Methods and apparatuses for monitoring, diagnostics, and reporting for food waste disposal, storage, and treatment system |
CN110974037A (en) * | 2019-12-26 | 2020-04-10 | 珠海优特智厨科技有限公司 | Seasoning throwing detection method and device, storage medium and computer equipment |
DE102020003548A1 (en) | 2020-03-06 | 2021-09-09 | Günther Gruber | Doser for syrup as addition to water and method for dosing syrup to water |
CN114098437A (en) * | 2021-10-27 | 2022-03-01 | 苏州提点信息科技有限公司 | Discharge control method based on feedback |
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WO2014036098A1 (en) * | 2012-08-30 | 2014-03-06 | Pepsico, Inc. | Intermittent dosing of liquids |
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US8954347B1 (en) * | 2009-10-31 | 2015-02-10 | Ip Maxx Llc | System for monitoring inventory and dispensing activity of a plurality of diverse beverages |
WO2011094727A1 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2011-08-04 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
US20110186172A1 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2011-08-04 | Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
US20110189358A1 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2011-08-04 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
US8616249B2 (en) | 2010-02-01 | 2013-12-31 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
US8616250B2 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2013-12-31 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
US8616248B2 (en) | 2010-02-01 | 2013-12-31 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
US20110189357A1 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2011-08-04 | Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Blender with feature for dispensing product by weight |
US9433315B2 (en) | 2011-02-10 | 2016-09-06 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Self-cleaning drain for food preparation apparatus |
US8684047B2 (en) | 2011-02-10 | 2014-04-01 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc. | Self-cleaning drain for food preparation apparatus |
US8985396B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2015-03-24 | Pepsico. Inc. | Modular dispensing system |
US10227226B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2019-03-12 | Pepsico, Inc. | Multi-tower modular dispensing system |
US10131529B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2018-11-20 | Pepsico, Inc. | Modular dispensing system |
US9764935B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2017-09-19 | Pepsico, Inc. | Multi-tower modular dispensing system |
US8746506B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2014-06-10 | Pepsico, Inc. | Multi-tower modular dispensing system |
US9193575B2 (en) | 2011-05-26 | 2015-11-24 | Pepsico, Inc. | Multi-tower modular dispensing system |
US20150325075A1 (en) * | 2011-11-28 | 2015-11-12 | iPourIt, Inc. | Beverage Dispensing and Tracking System |
US9679329B2 (en) * | 2011-11-28 | 2017-06-13 | iPourIt, Inc. | Beverage dispensing and tracking system |
US20160083123A1 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2016-03-24 | The Coca-Cola Company | Automated beverage dispensing system with ice and beverage dispensing |
AU2013205574B2 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2014-12-11 | The Coca-Cola Company | Automated beverage dispensing system with ice and beverage dispensing |
US9227830B2 (en) | 2012-02-27 | 2016-01-05 | The Coca-Cola Company | Automated beverage dispensing system with ice and beverage dispensing |
US9994340B2 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2018-06-12 | The Coca-Cola Company | Automated beverage dispensing system with ice and beverage dispensing |
WO2013130511A1 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2013-09-06 | The Coca-Cola Company | Automated beverage dispensing system with ice and beverage dispensing |
US20140212566A1 (en) * | 2013-01-30 | 2014-07-31 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc. | Frozen drink dispenser and method of dispensing frozen drinks |
WO2014120738A2 (en) * | 2013-01-30 | 2014-08-07 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc. | Frozen drink dispenser and method of dispensing frozen drinks |
WO2014120738A3 (en) * | 2013-01-30 | 2014-10-16 | Island Oasis Frozen Cocktail Co., Inc. | Frozen drink dispenser and method of dispensing |
WO2014161034A1 (en) * | 2013-04-02 | 2014-10-09 | Aldenal Pty Ltd | A jug washing machine |
WO2015066559A3 (en) * | 2013-10-31 | 2015-09-03 | Ryan Grepper | Cooler having integrated blender and accessories |
US20170203987A1 (en) * | 2014-06-27 | 2017-07-20 | Emerson Electric Co. | Methods and apparatuses for monitoring, diagnostics, and reporting for food waste disposal, storage, and treatment system |
US10399088B2 (en) | 2014-06-27 | 2019-09-03 | Emerson Electric Co. | Food waste storage and treatment system |
CN110974037A (en) * | 2019-12-26 | 2020-04-10 | 珠海优特智厨科技有限公司 | Seasoning throwing detection method and device, storage medium and computer equipment |
DE102020003548A1 (en) | 2020-03-06 | 2021-09-09 | Günther Gruber | Doser for syrup as addition to water and method for dosing syrup to water |
EP4108394A4 (en) * | 2021-05-06 | 2024-03-27 | Vision Semicon Co Ltd | Material extraction device and method |
CN114098437A (en) * | 2021-10-27 | 2022-03-01 | 苏州提点信息科技有限公司 | Discharge control method based on feedback |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2716028A1 (en) | 2011-03-30 |
CA2716067A1 (en) | 2011-03-30 |
US20110079249A1 (en) | 2011-04-07 |
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