WO2014036098A1

WO2014036098A1 - Intermittent dosing of liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2014036098A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/057015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven T. Jersey; Alexander KIRDIN; Georgy Martsinovskiy; Igoris MISUCENKO; Mikhail Verbitsky
Original assignee: Pepsico Inc
Current assignee: Pepsico Inc
Priority date: 2012-08-30
Filing date: 2013-08-28
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2015-02-28

Description

INTERMITTENT DOSING OF LIQUIDS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

|01 ) This appl ication claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 /695, 1 35, filed August 30, 201 2, entitled "Intermittent Dosing of Liquids," the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

FI ELD OF TH E INVENTION

|02 ] This disclosure relates generally to a method and beverage dispensing system for the dispensing of beverages, e.g., for cafeterias, restaurants (including fast food restaurants), theatres, convenience stores, gas stations, and other entertainment and/or food service venues.

BACKGROUND

[03 ] Various beverage dispensers, such as those at cafeterias, restaurants, theatres and other entertainment and/or food service venues, typically have either a "drop in" dispenser apparatus or a counter top type dispenser apparatus. In a drop in dispenser apparatus, the dispenser apparatus is self-contained and may be dropped into an aperture of a counter top. In a counter top type dispenser apparatus, the dispenser apparatus is placed on a counter top. In conventional beverage dispensers, a dispensing head is coupled to a particular drink syrup supply source via a single pipe dedicated to supply the particular drink syrup to that dispensing head, wherein the particular drink syrup supply source is typically located near the counter top, i.e., directly under the counter top, or directly over the counter top.

|04| A user will typically place a cup under the signage of the selected beverage and either press a button or press the cup against a dispensing lever to activate the dispenser so that the selected beverage is delivered from the dispensing head corresponding to the

- I - selected beverage and into the cup until pressure is withdrawn from the button or lever.

[05| Conventional beverage dispensers are typically limited to dispensing a limited number of drinks. For example, drinks typically available at a conventional beverage dispenser are a regular cola beverage, a diet cola beverage, perhaps one or several non-cola carbonated beverages, such as a lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage or some other fruit-flavored drink (e.g., orange flavored carbonated beverage, and/or root beer), and perhaps one more non-carbonated beverage(s), such as a tea and/or a lemonade.

[06| Conventional dispensers typically dose simultaneously components of a mixture or beverage, and the final product is obtained as a result of m ixing of two or more continuous flows of the product components. This conventional approach may work well when only low concentrated components are used. If, however, one or more of the components is highly concentrated, the flow rate of such highly concentrated component(s) required for continuous mixing becomes very small. In order to create and maintain such very small and stable flows, very precise and thus more expensive dosing and dispensing equipment is required. Less expensive but less precise equipment may be able to dose highly concentrated components with required level of accuracy, but the resulting flow rate of the created flow of such components may be unacceptably high and thus inappropriate for continuous mixing of flows.

|07) What is needed is a beverage dispensing system that does not have the limitations and disadvantages of conventional beverage dispensers and methods.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an intermittent dosing system. The intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and dispense at least one highly concentrated free-flowing micro component. In an aspect of the disclosure, the intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and intermittently dispense at least one h ighly concentrated free-flowing micro component.

In one aspect of the disclosure a system is provided, the system comprising a source of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period of time, a source of a highly concentrated micro component, and a micro dosing device. The micro dosing device is configured to receive the highly concentrated micro component from the source of the highly concentrated micro component and dose the h ighly concentrated micro component during a second period of time. The second period of time is less than the first period of time, and the second period of time overlaps with a portion of the first period of time. The system comprises a controller, the controller configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by the micro dosing device. The system comprises a dispenser, the dispenser configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro component dosed by the micro dosing device and the flow of the diluent.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments thereof which are to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 1 1 ] FIG. 1 is schematic view of an embodiment of a dispensing system according to various aspects of the disclosure.

| 12 | FIG. 2 i llustrates a time diagram of dispensing in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

[ 13] FIG. 3 illustrates a time diagram of dispensing in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

114) FIG. 4 illustrates a time diagram of dispensing in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

( 151 FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

| 16| FIG. 6 illustrates a dosing control unit in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. .

DETA I LED DESCRI PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

| 17| The embodiments discussed below may be used to form a wide variety of beverages, inc luding but not limited to cold and hot beverages, and including but not l imited to beverages known under any PepsiCo branded name, such as Pepsi-Cola®.

[ 18] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a transfer unit or dosing system and/or portions thereof that feed a dispenser with a free flowing product may be located remotely from a counter, such as in a back room, or at the counter, such as below or over the counter.

| 19| In one aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided, the method comprising providing a flow of the diluent during a first period of time and dosing a highly concentrated m icro component during a second period of time, the second period of time being less than the first period of time, the second period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time. The method may further comprise controlling the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component. The method may also comprise mixing in a dispenser of the highly concentrated micro component dosed and the flow of the diluent to form a mixture, and dispensing the mixture from the dispenser.

[20] In one aspect of the disclosure a system is provided, the system comprising a source of a di luent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period of time, and a plural ity of highly concentrated micro component sources, each of the plurality of highly concentrated micro component sources having a corresponding micro component. The system may comprise a plurality of micro dosing devices, each micro dosing device configured to receive a highly concentrated micro component from a corresponding source of highly concentrated micro component, each micro dosing device configured to provide dosing of the highly concentrated m icro component corresponding thereto during a second period of time. The second period of time may be less than the first period of time, the second period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time. The system may comprise a control ler, the controller configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by each micro dosing device. The system may comprise a dispenser, the dispenser configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the flow of the di luent.

|21 ] In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component having a ratio by weight of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a diluent of at least about 30: 1 . In an aspect, the ratio by weight of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a diluent of at least about 1 000: 1 . The apparatus may comprise a dosing device, the dosing device configured to intermittently dose a predetermined amount of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component at a predetermined flow rate. The apparatus may comprise a controller, the control ler configured to control the intermittent dosing by the dosing device.

[22] In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component for a food product. The apparatus may comprise a dosing device, the dosing device configured to intermittently dose a predetermined amount of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component at a predetermined flow rate. The apparatus may comprise a source of a free-flowing macro component for the food product. The apparatus may comprise a mixing device, the mixing device configured to receive the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component dosed by the dosing device and the free- flowing macro component from the source of the free-flowing macro component. The apparatus may comprise a controller, the controller configured to control the intermittent dosing by the dosing device so that the dosing device doses the highly concentrated free-flowing component to the mixing device for a period of time that is less than the period of time in which the free-flowing macro component is dispensed to the mixing device. [23 ] In an aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided. The method may comprise interm ittent dispensing of a predetermined amount of a highly concentrated free- flowing micro component for a food product, dispensing a predetermined amount of a free-flowing macro component for the food product, combining the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component and the free-flowing macro component, the intermittent dispensing of the free-flowing micro component being less than the period of time in which the free-flowing macro component is dispensed.

|24| In one aspect of the disc losure, there is provided an intermittent dosing system. The intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and dispense at least one highly concentrated free-flowing micro component. In an aspect of the disclosure, the intermittent dosing system is configured to dose and intermittently dispense at least one highly concentrated free-flowing micro component. By way of example, but not limitation, the interm ittent dosing system is configured to dose and intermittently dispense a highly concentrated free-flowing micro component wherein the ratio by weight of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a diluent (e.g., water) may be the following: high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) - at least 5 : 1 ; non- nutritive sweetener - at least about 30: 1 . e.g., between 25: 1 and 45 : 1 ; lemonade flavoring - at least 1 00: 1 ; non-cola carbonated soft drink - at least 1 50: 1 ; carbonated cola soft drink - at least 500: K For a relatively pure concentrate, the ratio by weight of a highly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a diluent (e.g., water) is at least 200: 1 .-

|25) In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component having a ratio by weight of the h ighly concentrated free-flowing micro component to a diluent of at least about 30: 1 . The apparatus may comprise a micro dosing device, the micro dosing device configured to intermittently dose a predetermined amount of the highly concentrated free-flowing m icro component at a predetermined flow rate. The apparatus may comprise a controller, the controller configured to control the intermittent dosing by the micro dosing device. [26] In an aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising a cartridge comprising a highly concentrated free flowing micro component for a food product. The apparatus may comprise a dosing device, the dosing device configured to intermittently dose a predetermined amount of the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component at a predetermined flow rate. The apparatus may comprise a source of a free-flowing macro component for the food product. The apparatus may comprise a m ixing device, the mixing device configured to receive the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component dosed by the micro dosing device and the free-flowing macro component from the source of the free-flowing macro component. The apparatus may comprise a controller, the controller configured to control the intermittent dosing by the micro dosing device so that the micro dosing device doses the highly concentrated free-flowing component to the mixing device for a period of time that is less than the period of time in which the free-flowing macro component is dispensed to the mixing device.

|27] In an aspect of the d isclosure, a method is provided. The method may comprise intermittent dispensing of a predetermined amount of a highly concentrated free- flowing m icro component for a food product, dispensing a predetermined amount of a free-flowing macro component for the food product, combining the highly concentrated free-flowing micro component and the free-flowing macro component, the intermittent dispensing of the free-flowing micro component being less than the period of time in which the free-flowing macro component is dispensed.

|28| FIG. 1 shows a system 1 200 comprising a dosing control unit 1203. Dosing control unit 1 203 may comprise a controller 1202. Controller 1 202 may be operatively connected to a dosing device 1 204. In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, controller 1 202 may be configured to control dosing by dosing device 1 204 so that the dosing is intermittent dosing of a highly concentrated micro component 1206. As shown in FIG. 1 , two-way communication may be provided between controller 1202 and dosing device 1 204 so that controller 1 202 can deliver instructions to dosing device 1 204, and dosing device 1204 can deliver to the controller 1202 information relating to the operation of dosing device 1204. Dosing device 1 204 may be a dosing, device configured to dose one or more liquid components of a plurality of sources. Each source may comprise a cartridge 1 201 . Each source may comprise a component of a free flowing product. The free flowing product may comprise a food product. The food product may comprise a beverage. Thus, each source of the plural ity of sources may comprise a highly concentrated micro component. Each highly concentrated micro component may comprise, for example, one or more of beverage ingredients.

[29] As shown in FIG 1 , control ler 1 202 may be configured to control operation of micro component pump 1208 and micro component valve 121 0 via two way communication between controller 1 202 and micro component pump 1 208 and micro component valve 1 21 0, respectively.

(30] Controller 1 202 may be configured to control intermittent dosing of one or more other micro components 1 21 6, in a similar manner as for micro component 1206, e.g., controlling via two way communication (not shown) between controller 1202 and a micro dosing device, a micro component pump, and/or a micro component valve corresponding to each m icro component 121 6.

[31 ] Controller 1 202 may be configured to control dosing of a sweetener 1 21 8, in a sim ilar manner as for micro component 1 206, e.g., control l ing via two way communication (not shown) between controller 1202 and a dosing device, a pump, and/or a component valve corresponding to the sweetener 1 21 8. In accordance with the present disclosure, dosing of the sweetener may be intermittent or not intermittent. In accordance with the present disclosure, a dosing device, a pump, and/or a component valve corresponding to the sweetener 1 2 1 8 may be a micro dosing device, a micro component pump, and/or a micro component valve corresponding to sweetener 1 21 8, respectively. [32] Controller 1 202 may be configured to control operation of water pump 121 2 and main d iluent valve 1 214 via two way communication between controller 1 202 and water pump 1 21 2 and main diluent valve 1 214, respectively.

|33| In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a highly concentrated liquid micro component 1 206 is intermittently dosed and dispensed, and the intermittent dose of micro component 1206 may be mixed with the flow of other components 121 6, and or mixed with a low concentrated and/or macro component(s). By using intermittent dosing and dispensing of the highly concentrated liquid m icro component 1 206, less precise and thus less expensive equipment is required than if the highly concentrated liquid micro component 1206 was continuously dosed and dispensed so as to mix with a continuous flow of low concentrated liquid macro component(s). For example, highly concentrated liquid micro component 1 206 may mix with a flow of low concentrated liquid macro components prior to or at dispensing nozzle 1220. In an aspect of the present disclosure, highly concentrated liquid micro component 1206 may mix with a flow of low concentrated liquid macro components in- cup 1222 placed underneath dispensing nozzle 1220. The mixing of highly concentrated liquid micro component 1 206 and other beverage components results in a finished beverage 1 224.

[34] FIG. 2 illustrates dispensing of a portion of beverage in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, a highly concentrated micro component(s) 1 308 is intermittently dispensed from time 1 3 10 to time 13 1 2, from time 1 3 1 4 to time 1 3 16, from time 1 3 1 8 to time 1320, from time 1 322 to time 1 324, from time 1 326 to time 1 328, and from time 1 330 to time 1 332. As shown in FIG. 2, a macro component 1304 is continuously dispensed from time 1 302 to time 1 306. As shown in FIG. 2, in an aspect of the disclosure, time 1 302 may be the same as time 1 3 10.

[35| The length and frequency of the intermittent dosing times of highly concentrated micro component 1 308 may be selected so that the total amount of micro component 1 308 will meet the desirable composition of the dispensed mixture, e.g., the dispensed mixture 1 220.

FIG. 3 i llustrates an optional approach, wherein dispensing of a highly concentrated micro component 1 400 is dispensed from time 14 1 0 to time 1412. FIG. 3 illustrates dispensing of a macro component 1404 from time 1402 to time 1 406. Macro component dispensing time 1402 to time 1406 may be longer than micro component dispensing time 1410 to time 1412. Time 1402 may be the same as time 141 0. The start of micro component dispensing time 1410 and the start of macro component dispensing time 1402 may begin when a customer or user activates dispensing, such as by e.g., activating an actuator, e.g., pressing a start button or otherwise activates the dispensing.

FIG. 4 i l lustrates dispensing of a highly concentrated m icro component 1400 is performed sequentially from time 1410 to time 141 2, from time 1414 to time 141 6, from time 141 8 to time 1420, from time 1422 to time 1424, from time 1426 to time 1428, and from time 1430 to time 1432.

As shown in FIG. 4, macro component 1 404 may be dispensed sequentially from time 1 402 to time 1444, from time 1446 to time 1448, from time 1450 to time 1452, from time 1454 to time 1 456, from time 1 458 to time 1460, and from time 1 462 to time 1 464.

As shown in FIG. 4, in an aspect of the disclosure, time 1402 may be the same as time 1 41 0, time 1446 may be the same as time 141 4, time 1450 may be the same as time 1 41 8, time 1 454 may be the same as time 1422, time 1458 may be the same as time 1 426, and time 1462 may be the same as time 1430.

As shown in FIG. 4, in an aspect of the disclosure, time 1444 is prior to time 1446 and time 1 14, time 1448 is prior to time 1450 and 141 8, time 1452 is prior to time 1454 and 1422, time 1 456 is prior to time 1458 and 1 426, and time 1 460 is prior to time 1 462 and time 1 30. As i llustrated in FIG. 4, macro component dispensing time 1 402 to time 1444 may be longer than micro component dispensing time 1 4 1 0 to time 141 2, macro component d ispensing time 1 446 to time 1448 may be longer than m icro component dispensing time 141 4 to time 141 6, macro component dispensing time 1450 to time 1452 may be longer than micro component dispensing time 1 41 8 to time 1420, macro component dispensing time 1454 to time 1456 may be longer than micro component dispensing time 1 422 to time 1424, macro component dispensing time 1458 to time 1460 may be longer than micro component dispensing time 1 426 to time 1428, and macro component dispensing time 1462 to time 1464 may be longer than micro component dispensing time 1430 to time 1 432.

As il lustrated in FIG. 4, macro component dispensing time 141 8 may be longer than corresponding micro component dispensing time 1 408.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, macro component dispensing time 1420 may be longer than corresponding micro component dispensing time 1410.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, macro component dispensing time 1 422 may be longer than corresponding micro component dispensing time 141 2.

As il lustrated in FIG. 4, macro component dispensing time 1 424 may be longer than corresponding micro component dispensing time 1414.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, macro component dispensing time 1426 may be longer than corresponding micro component dispensing time 141 6.

The start of micro component dispensing time 1 402 and the start of macro component dispensing time 1406 may begin when a customer or user presses a start button or otherwise activates the dispensing.

The start of micro component dispensing time 1 402 and the start of macro component dispensing time 1406 may begin when a customer or user presses a start button or otherwise activates the dispensing. The end of micro component dispensing time 141 6 may occur when a customer or user releases a start button or otherwise activates the end of dispensing of the micro component. As shown in FIG. 4, since macro component dispensing time 1 426 may be longer than micro component dispensing time 141 6, macro component dispensing time 1426 may not end at the same time as micro component dispensing time 141 6 ends.

|49] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 1 500 in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. In step 1 501 , a flow of a diluent is provided during a first period of time. In step 1 502, dosing of a highly concentrated micro component occurs during a second period of time. The second period of time may be less than the first period of time. The second period of time may overlap with a portion of the first period of time. In step 1 503, controlling the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component occurs. In step 1 504, mixing of the dosed highly concentrated micro component and the flow of the diluent to form a mixture occurs. In step 1 505, dispensing of the mixture from a dispenser occurs.

[50] FIG. 6 i l lustrates an example of a dosing control unit 1 203, as shown in FIG. 1 .

Dosing control unit 1 203 may comprise a controller 1 202 as shown in FIG. 1 . Control ler 1 202 may comprise a processor. Dosing control unit 1203 may further comprise at least one non-transitory memory 602, a display 604, and a communication interface 608. Controller 1202 may execute computer-executable instructions present in non-transitory memory 602 such that, for example, dosing control unit 1 203 may send and receive information via a network (not shown).

|51 ] Dosing control unit 1 203 may further include or be in communication with a system bus (not shown). A system bus may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The structure of system non-transitory memory is well known to those skilled in the art and may include a basic input/output system (BIOS) stored in a read only memory (ROM) and one or more program modules such as operating systems, application programs and program data stored in random access memory (RA M). Dosing control unit 1 203 may be configured to allow dosing control unit 1 203 to communicate other devices in system 1 200, for example, micro- component pump 1 208, m icro dosing device 1204, micro-component valve 1 21 0, water pump 1 21 2, and/or main diluent valve 1 214. Dosing control unit 1203 may also include a variety of interface units and drives (not shown) for reading and writing data.

Those of ski l l in the art wi ll recognize that, in accordance with the disclosure, any suitable network connections and other ways of establishing a communications link between dosing control unit 1 203 and other devices in system 1 200. The existence of any of various wel l-known protocols, such as TCP/IP, Frame Relay, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like, is presumed, and a central processor unit or computer may be operated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server. Furthermore, any of various conventional web browsers may be used to display and manipulate data on web pages.

Those of skil l in the art will recognize that, in accordance with the disclosure, dosing control unit 1 203 may include an associated computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling system 1200 and implement the exemplary embodiments that are disclosed herein.

Dosing control unit 1 203 may also include various input devices 61 0. Input devices 61 0 may include keyboards, track balls, readers, mice, joy sticks, buttons, and bill and coin val idators.

In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a system is provided comprising a source of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period of time. The system^" may comprise a source of a highly concentrated micro component. The system may comprise a micro dosing device, wherein the micro dosing device may be configured to receive the highly concentrated micro component from the source of the highly concentrated micro component and dose the highly concentrated micro component during a second period of time. The second period of time may be less than the first period of time, and the second period of time may overlap with a portion of the first period of time. The system may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by the m icro dosing device. The system may comprise a dispenser. The dispenser may be configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro component dosed by the micro dosing device and the flow of the diluent.

[56) In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the dispenser may comprise a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle may be configured to dispense a mixture of the highly concentrated micro component dosed by the micro dosing device and the flow of the di luent in the dispenser.

|57| In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may comprise a micro component pump. The micro component pump may be positioned upstream of the m icro dosing device. The micro component pump may be positioned downstream of the source of the highly concentrated micro component. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the m icro component pump.

[58] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may comprise a micro component valve. The micro component valve may be positioned downstream of the m icro dosing device and upstream of the dispenser. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the micro component valve. For example, the controller may be configured to control the operation of equipment so that the second period of time may begin at about the same time as the first period of time begins.

[59| In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may comprise the source of a highly concentrated micro component that has a ratio by weight of micro component to a diluent of at least 1 000: 1 . The diluent may comprise a macro component. The diluent may comprise water. [60] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may comprise a main diluent valve. The main diluent valve may be configured to provide the diluent from the source of diluent to the dispenser. The controller may be configured to control the operation of the main diluent valve.

|61 ] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may comprise a micro dosing device configured to receive the highly concentrated micro component from the source of the highly concentrated micro component, and may provide dosing of the highly concentrated micro component during a third period of time. The third period of time may be less than the first period of time. The third period of time may overlap with a portion of the first period of time. In an aspect, the third period of time does not overlap with the second period of time, and the second period of time and third period of time in combination are less than the first period of time. The second period of time and the third period of time may be of substantially equal duration. The second period of time may begin at about the same time that the first period of time begins. The third period of time may end before the first period of time ends.

[62] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may comprise an actuator. The actuator may be configured to be actuated by a user. In an aspect, when a user actuates the actuator, the micro dosing device doses the highly concentrated micro component for the second period of time.

(63) In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a method of dosing is provided. The method may comprise providing a flow of the diluent during a first period of time. The method may comprise dosing a highly concentrated micro component during a second period of time. The second period of time may be less than the first period of time. The second period of time may overlap with a portion of the first period of time. The method may comprise controlling the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component. The method may comprise mixing of the dosed highly concentrated micro component and the flow of the diluent to form a mixture. The method may comprise dispensing the mixture from the dispenser.

|64| In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the method may further comprise dosing of the highly concentrated micro component during a third period of time, the third period of time being less than the first period of time. The third period of time may overlap with a portion of the first period of time. The second period of time may end before the third period of time begins, and the second period of time and third period of time in combination may be less than the first period of time. The second period of time and the third period of time may be of substantially equal duration. The second period of time may begin at about the same time that the first period of time begins. The third period of time may end before the first period of time ends. The method may further comprise actuating an actuator, the actuator configured to be actuated by a user, wherein when a user actuates the actuator, the dosing begins of the highly concentrated micro component for the second period of time. In an aspect, when the user stops actuating the actuator, the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component ends.

[65| In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, the system may comprise a source of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period of time. The system may comprise a plurality of highly concentrated micro component sources, each of the plurality of highly concentrated micro component sources having a corresponding micro component. The system may comprise a plurality of micro dosing devices, each micro dosing device configured to receive a highly concentrated micro component from a corresponding source of highly concentrated micro component. Each micro dosing device may be configured to provide dosing of the highly concentrated micro component corresponding thereto. The system may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by each micro dosing device corresponding thereto such that at least one highly concentrated micro component is dosed during a second period of time, the second period of time being less than the first period of time, the second period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time. The system may comprise a dispenser. The dispenser may be configured to allow m ixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the flow of the di luent. The system may comprise a dispensing nozzle configured to dispense a m ixture of the highly concentrated micro components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the flow of the at least one diluent in the dispenser.

Those of skill in the art wil l recognize that in accordance with the disclosure any of the features and/or options in one embodiment or example can be combined with any of the features and/or options of another embodiment or example. .

The disclosure herein has been described and illustrated with reference to the embodiments of the figures, but it should be understood that the features of the disc losure are susceptible to modification, alteration, changes or substitution without departing significantly from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the dimensions, number, size and shape of the various components may be altered to fit specific applications. Accordingly, the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein are for illustrative purposes only and the disclosure is not limited except by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

We claim:

1 . A system comprising:

a source of a diluent configured to provide a flow of the diluent during a first period of time;

a source of a highly concentrated micro component;

a micro dosing device, the micro dosing device configured to receive the highly concentrated micro component from the source of the highly concentrated micro component, and dose the highly concentrated micro component during a second period of time, the second period of time being less than the first period of time, the second period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time;

a controller, the controller configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by the micro dosing device; and

a dispenser, the dispenser configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro component dosed by the micro dosing device and the flow of the diluent.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the dispenser comprises a dispensing nozzle configured to dispense a mixture of the highly concentrated m icro component dosed by the micro dosing device and the flow of the diluent in the dispenser.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a micro component pump positioned downstream of the source of the highly concentrated micro component and upstream of the micro dosing device.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the micro component pump.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a micro component valve positioned downstream of the micro dosing device and upstream of the dispenser.

6. Thcsystem of claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the micro component valve.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the second period of time begins at the same time as the first period of time begins.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the source of a highly concentrated micro component has a ratio by weight of micro component to the di luent of at least 1 000: 1 .

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the diluent comprises a macro component.

1 0. The system of claim 1 wherein the diluent comprises water.

1 1 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a main diluent value, the main diluent valve configured to provide the diluent from the source of diluent to the dispenser.

1 2. The system of c laim 1 1 wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the main diluent valve.

1 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the micro dosing device is further provide dosing of the highly concentrated micro component during a third period of time, the third period of time being less than the first period of time, the third period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time, and wherein the second period of time ends before the third period of time begins, and the second period of time and third period of time in combination are less than the first period of time.

1 4. The system of claim 1 3 wherein the second period of time and the third period of time are of substantially equal duration.

1 5. The system of claim 1 3 wherein the second period of time begins at about the same time as the first period of time begins.

1 6. The system of claim 1 3, wherein the third period of time ends before the first period of time ends.

1 7. The system of claim 1 further comprising an actuator, the actuator configured to be actuated by a user, wherein when a user actuates the actuator, the micro dosing device doses the highly concentrated micro component for the second period of time.

1 8. A method of dosing comprising:

providing a flow of the diluent during a first period of time;

dosing a highly concentrated micro component during a second period of time, the second period of time being less than the first period of time, the second period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time;

controlling the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component;

mixing of the dosed highly concentrated micro component and the flow of the diluent to form a mixture; and

dispensing the mixture from a dispenser.

19. The method of claim 1 8 further comprising dosing of the highly concentrated micro component during a third period of time, the third period of time being less than the first period of time, the third period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time, and wherein second period of time ends before the third period of time begins, and the second period of time and third period of time in combination are less than the first period of time.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the second period of time and the third period of time are of substantially equal duration.

21 . The method of claim 1 8 wherein the second period of time begins at about the same time that the first period of time begins.

22. The method of claim 1 8, wherein the third period of time ends before the first period of time ends.

23. The method of claim 1 8 further comprising actuating an actuator, the actuator configured to be actuated by a user, wherein when a user actuates the actuator, the dosing begins of the highly concentrated micro component for the second period of time.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein when the user stops actuating the actuator, the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component ends.

25. A system comprising:

a plurality of highly concentrated micro component sources, each of the plurality of highly concentrated micro component sources having a corresponding m icro component; a plurality of micro dosing devices, each micro dosing device configured to receive a highly concentrated m icro component from a corresponding source of highly concentrated micro component, each micro dosing device configured to provide dosing of the highly concentrated micro component corresponding thereto;

a controller, the controller configured to control the dosing of the highly concentrated micro component by each micro dosing device corresponding thereto such that at least one highly concentrated micro component is dosed during a second period of time, the second period of time being less than the first period of time, the second period of time overlapping with a portion of the first period of time; and

a dispenser, the dispenser configured to allow mixing in the dispenser of the highly concentrated micro components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the flow of the diluent.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising a dispensing nozzle configured to dispense a mixture of the h ighly concentrated micro components dosed by the micro dosing devices and the flow of the at least one diluent in the dispenser.