WO2009149492A1

WO2009149492A1 - Beverage dispensing system

Info

Publication number: WO2009149492A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000719
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lance Trigwell Gardiner
Original assignee: Qv Pumping Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-10
Filing date: 2009-06-10
Publication date: 2009-12-17
Also published as: WO2009149492A8

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system (10) which is capable of delivering measured doses of fluid whilst monitoring characteristics of the fluid. The beverage dispensing system (10), comprises a site controller (36), fount controllers (75), bulk fluid controllers (16, 61, 71), electronic drives (32) and dosing pumps (28). The site controller (36) is in communication with all of the other controllers (12, 60, 70 and 75), for the purpose of monitoring and logging all system actions. The fount controller (75) controls the delivery of fluids as well as the fluid delivery founts (26). The founts (26) consist of a media presentation system (48) and operator display (50) as well as the means for fluid delivery. The electronic drive (32) is capable of monitoring and compensating for fluid conditions in the delivery by dosing pumps of flow meters (28).

Description

"BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM"

The present invention relates to a system for dispensing fluids, and in a particular to a beverage dispensing system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Known beverage dispensing system in the hospitality industry utilise delivery systems which are large and simplistic. They lack features which allow for precise and maintained calibration and compensation for variables such as fluid temperature and viscosity, and they provide very basic operator controls.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the disadvantages of previously known beverage dispensing systems.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage dispensing system comprising means for dispensing measured doses of fluids whilst monitoring characteristics of the fluids.

Preferably, the system of the present invention further comprises multiple means to control the dispensing of fluids. More preferably, the system of the present invention comprises means to provide information to customers and operators relating to dispensing operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic diagram of a beverage dispensing system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing, there is shown a beverage dispensing system 10 comprising a bulk supply 14 of alcoholic spirits. The bulk supply 14 contains large volume canisters of individual spirits. The bulk supply 14 is in fluid communication with a plurality of smaller intermediate reservoirs 22 for individual spirits. The spirits are transferred from the bulk supply 14 to the reservoirs 22 by pressure pumps 16 by means of a plurality of lines 18.

From the intermediate reservoirs 22 measured amounts of spirits are arranged to be fed along a plurality of lines 24 to one or more founts 26.

In a preferred embodiment, each intermediate reservoir 22 has an associated dosing pump 28 arranged to deliver measured doses of spirits to a fount 26 via a plurality of lines 24.

The dosing pumps 28 are preferably quadrant vane pumps but alternatively could be any positive displacement or roto-dynamic pumps. Alternatively, the dosing pumps may be replaced by fluid metering devices 28 such as turbines, pelton wheels, gears or any other type of fluid flow sensor, in combination with one or more pressure sensors and/or one or more control valves.

The dosing pumps or fluid metering devices 28 are arranged to be controlled by one or more electronic drives 32 by means of an electrical connection 34. The or each electronic drive 32 may be an individual device mounted onto or as part of each dosing pump or metering device 28, or maybe be combined into a single unit capable of driving multiple dosing pumps or metering devices 28.

The accompanying drawing shows the arrangement of the system where the or each electronic drive 32 comprises metering, calibration and compensation functionality to ensure that the measured doses are maintained within a required specification for each item such as temperature, viscosity, pressure and flow.

Each fount 26 comprises a fount controller 75 which controls functions of various parts of the founts 26 including a media display 48 and an operator display 50 mounted on the fount 26 and an identification reader 78.

The electronic drive 32 is in communication with the fount controller 75 through the electrical connection 34. The fount controller 75 sends the calibrated drive signal through the electrical connection 77 to the motor or multiple motors, driving a pump or multiple pumps. The pump(s) and motor(s) are collectively referred to as the dosing pumps 28.

The system further comprises a site controller 36. The site controller 36 is arranged to collect data relating to operation of each fount controller 75 and the associated devices thereof including the media display 48. The site controller 36 communicates with each fount controller 75 by means of connections 34 and exchanges information with them regarding the dispensing of fluids, the display of information to customers, the activities of operators and the functioning of the electronic drive or drives 32.

The site controller 36 has a connector to the electronic drive 32 and to a bulk supply controller 12 to monitor the operation thereof and the status of the spirits including the level of spirits in the bulk supply 14.

The fount controllers 75 control operation of the electronic drive or drives 32 and are connected to the electronic drives by means of connections 77.

Each fount controller 75 includes a function module and a connection point which enables it to communicate with a Point of Sale (POS) through a connection 44. By this means the fount controller 75 can pass to the POS system details of each dispensation of a dose of spirits, providing detailed information on a transaction by transaction basis, or in batch mode. Further, the fount controller 75 sends the same information to the site controller 36 by means of the connection 34, which in turn also is able to communicate with the POS system, and pass through to it the same details of each dispensing of spirits, by each fount 26 on a transaction by transaction basis or in a batch mode. Each fount 26 is a structure which contains fluid delivery lines 24 culminating in outlet nozzles 46 for dispensing fluid. Further, each fount 26 may contain additional sets of outlet nozzles for the dispensing of alternative fluids for individual dispensing or mixing purposes.

Each fount 26 preferably also comprises an operator display 50 in the form of a graphical user interface consisting of a graphical liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor incorporating a touch screen.

Alternatively, the operator display 50 may be in the form of a text or graphical LCD and a keypad or set of discreet buttons and indictors.

The user interface provides a means for an operator to interact with the system to select, for example, which product or products the system will dispense, to perform management related operations, and to view information as to the status and operation of the fount 26 and the system 10 as a whole.

Further, each fount 26 may contain an integrated media presentation system 48 situated on the fount 26 such that customers can see the integrated media display 48 and be presented with information that relates to the fluid dispensed by the fount 26, as well as other text and graphical information as may be presented on an ad-hoc, programmed or event triggered basis. Still further, the integrated media display 48 may incorporate a touch screen device so that customers may also be able to interact with the system under certain circumstances.

Yet still further, the integrated media display 48 may incorporate other customer interface devices such as identification systems, currency transfer systems, or barring devices such as breath alcohol content analysers.

Further, the beverage dispensing system 10 may include a post-mix product management unit 70 which controls the mixing and delivery of post-mix syrups, carbonated and non carbonated water supplied from containers 71 along a plurality of lines 73 to the delivery nozzles 46 of the founts 26. The site controller 36 collects post-mix dispensing data collected through the post-mix management unit 70. Alternatively, the post-mix product may be dispensed by hand held nozzles or dedicated founts.

Further, the beverage dispensing system may include a beer management unit 60 comprising beer monitors 61, through which beer is supplied from casks 62 along a plurality of lines 64 to the delivery nozzles 46 of founts 26. The unit 60 is connected to the site controller 36 by a connection 34. The site controller 36 collects beer dispensing data recorded through the beer management unit 60. Alternatively, the beer may be dispensed by hand held nozzles or dedicated founts.

Preferably, the site controller 36 is equipped with interface connectors 52 and 54 for communication with service interfaces or remote connections respectively. In use, the barman enters the selected beverages on the operator display 50. The operator display 50 transfers the order to the fount controller 75, the fount controller 75 then transfers the sale request to the Point of Sale (POS) communication module (not shown) through connection 44.

The fount controller 75 communicates via the electrical connection 77 with the electronic control 32. The Electronic control 32 calibrates for the specific conditions of the fluid used. The Electronic control 32 then drives the dosing pumps or flow metering devices 28.

Whilst in operation the electronic drive 32 continue calibrating and compensating to . ensure that the measured doses are maintained within the required specification for each fluid. This calibration and compensation data is then transferred to the fount controller 75 through the connection 77.

Whilst the customer is waiting for the beverage dispensing system 10 the integrated media presentation system 48 may be used to display advertisements or any other information deemed appropriate by the proprietor. At the completion of vending, the integrated media presentation system 48 may be used to display the cost of the drink that had just been purchased.

Upon completion of vending the fount controller 75 transfers information relating to the dispensing of the drink to the site controller 36 via the connection 34. The site controller 36 through the connection 34 communicates with the bulk supply controller 12, the post-mix product management unit 70 and the beer management unit 60 monitoring the levels of fluids inside the system.

Additionally the fount 26 may be equipped with an identification reader 78. The fount controller 75 will secure the operator display 50 until the identification reader 78 is able to identify an authorised user of the system. The identification system may take a number of forms including but not limited to;

Personal identification number (PIN).

Barcode Reader. Radio Identification tags (RFID)

Fingerprint reader.

Whilst secured the integrated media display system 48 would operate as normal but no operator display 50 based commands would be accepted. Upon the operator successfully identifying themselves to the system normal operability would be restored.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system characterized by means for dispensing measured doses of fluids whilst monitoring characteristics of the fluids.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a bulk supply of alcoholic spirits.

3. A system according to claim 2, characterized in that the bulk supply is in fluid communication with a plurality of intermediate reservoirs for individual spirits

4. A system according to claim 3, characterized in that means is provided for dispensing measured amounts of spirits from the intermediate reservoirs to one or more founts.

5. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that each intermediate reservoir has an associated dosing pump for delivery of measured does of spirits to the or each fount. 6. A system according to claim 5, characterized in that the dosing pumps are quadrant vane pumps. 7. A system according to any one of the claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the means for dispensing measured doses of spirits are controlled by electronic drive means. 8. A system according to claim 7, characterized in that the electronic drive means is arranged to monitor characteristics of the dispensed spirits. 9. A system according to claim 8 , characterized in that the electronic drive means is arranged to monitor one or more of temperature, viscosity, pressure and flow of the dispensed spirits.

10. A system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the or each fount comprises fount controller means arranged to control function of the founts" and the electronic drive means.

11. A system according to claim 10, characterized in that the functions of the or each fount controller means comprises one or more of media display, operation display and identification means.

12. A system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by comprising a site controller arranged to collect data relating to operation of each fount controller means and to exchange information with the fount controller means. 13. A- system according to claim 12, characterized in that the site controller exchanges information with the fount controller means comprising one or more of dispensing of fluids, display of information to customers, activities of operators and functions of the electronic drive means.

14. A system according to claim 12, characterized in that the site controller has a connection to a bulk supply controller to monitor operation thereof.

15. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the fount controller means is arranged to be connected to a point of sale and is arranged to pass information to the point of sale when a dose of spirits is dispensed.

16. A system according to claim 15, characterized in that the fount controller means sends information sent to the point of sale also to the site controller, the site controller also being arranged to communicate with the point of sale.

17. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is provided a post-mix management unit for mixing or delivery of mixed beverages.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising a beer management unit.