WO2017105552A1

WO2017105552A1 - Beer dispenser with ultrasonic foaming mechanism for bulk-storage container

Info

Publication number: WO2017105552A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/044306
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Arlen MCDONALD; Petracca PHILIP
Original assignee: Fizzics Group Llc
Priority date: 2015-12-14
Filing date: 2016-07-27
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

The embodiment relates to the dispensing of beer from a fluid reservoir, providing a portion of the beer as foam atop it. A fluid control mechanism provides increased atmospheric pressure to dispense the beer from the reservoir. A temperature-control means is in fluid communication with the beer. An oscillator, coupled with a voltage controller is associated with the fluid control mechanism and in fluid communication with the beer. Control of the voltage to the oscillator and control of the fluid control mechanism supports a method for dispensing the beer according to a recipe for beverage temperature, proportion of liquid beverage to foam and density of the foam. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium designed to recognize the properties of beer in a beer-container and to provide an associated recipe for dispensing the beer.

Description

BEER DISPENSER WITH ULTRASONIC FOAMING MECHANISM FOR BULK-

STORAGE CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to beverage dispensing and, more particularly, to the dispensing of beer from a keg into a glass, providing a specific beverage temperature and a portion of the beverage as foam atop the dispensed beverage, with the foam having a specific density according to the foam-bubble size.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Although any beer may produce a foam layer on top of its poured contents, the foam layer on a poured serving of beer is of particular interest to many consumers. The foam layer, sometimes referred to as a head, atop a container of beer is produced by bubbles of gas, commonly carbon dioxide, that rise to the surface. The compounds that produce the head comprise proteins, yeast and starches in the form of grain residue in the beer. The interaction between the carbon dioxide and the proteins and starches in the liquid determine the physical properties of the foam. Carbon dioxide may be produced during fermentation or, if the beer is pasteurized, it may be carbonated by injecting pressurized gas after pasteurization. Of particular interest to consumers is the density and longevity of the head. As with many reactions, agitation can increase the rate of reaction. Although it is common to produce a head on top of a glass of beer, similarly, foam may also be produced from non-alcoholic malt beverages.

[0003] It is commonly considered that a greater-than-desired volume of foam on a serving of beer detracts from the mass of the drink, while some foam is considered essential to the beverage. The foam gives off an aroma of the beer and enhances the experience of drinking it. The production of foam reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the remainder of the beer.

[0004] Various types of beer are optimally served at specific ranges of temperature. Lighter- colored beers, such as pilsners, lagers and wheat beer, are usually served chilled, at temperatures between 35-41° Fahrenheit (F) or 5° Celsius (C). Ambers and dark lagers are most often served chilled, at temperatures of 46° F or 8° C. Higher- alcohol beers, such as English ales, double EPAs and bocks, are usually served at "cellar" temperature; 53° F or 12° C.

[0005] Thermoelectric cooling uses the "Peltier Effect" to create a heat flux between the junction of two different types of materials. A Peltier cooler, heater, or thermoelectric heat pump is a solid-state active heat pump which transfers heat from one side of the device to the other, with consumption of electrical energy, depending on the direction of the current. Such an instrument is also called a Peltier device, Peltier heat pump, solid state refrigerator, or thermoelectric cooler. Thermoelectric coolers can be used for either heating or cooling, although in practice the main application is cooling. The device can also be used as a temperature controller that either heats or cool

[0006] While many methods exist for providing a head on beer dispensed from casks or pressurized bulk containers, methods and devices are still sought to produce specifically controlled temperature and density of the head from beer decanted from casks or pressurized bulk containers. The desire remains for a means and apparatus that produces a fine, dense head on a dispensed beer from bulk containers.

SUMMARY

[0007] In accordance with embodiments in this and the referenced disclosure, an apparatus that generally pours a specified portion of a beverage, such as beer, as liquid and a specified portion as foam. Apparatus for serving beer from a cask, a keg or other bulk container is commonly referred to as a beer-tap. A beer-tap comprises a conduit that originates at a pressurized cask, keg or other bulk container and extends to a handle operated valve proximal to a spout that is in turn proximal to a vessel into which the beer is served. An oscillating means adjacent to the conduit sends measured ultrasonic vibrations through a measure of the liquid as it travels through the conduit, agitating the liquid so that a measure of foam is produced along with the liquid, resulting in, for example, a serving of beer with a specified amount of "head," or foam, on top. Iterations include: a dispenser with a touch-screen for choosing a beverage size, as well as a liquid-to-foam ratio; a dispenser with a touch screen and a smartphone application (e.g. an "app") which communicates with the dispenser, and from which the beverage size and liquid- to-foam ratio may be controlled, and a dispenser with a temperature-control apparatus.

[0008] One skilled in the art will understand that a variety of liquids may be dispensed in a foamed state, and that while it may be desirable to dispense a portion of the liquid in a non- foamed state and a portion of the liquid in a foamed state, in other applications it may be desirable to dispense the entirety of the contents in a foamed state or the entirety of the contents in a non-foamed state.

[0009] One embodiment comprises a beer-tap in combination with an oscillator that is coupled with a voltage regulator and associated with the fluid. The oscillator sends oscillating waves through the associated fluid, causing the beer to foam. The voltage regulator provides varying voltage to the oscillator. It has been determined that varying voltage between 110V and 130V to an oscillator having a frequency between 35Hz and 45Hz will generate relatively dense foam-bubble sizes. Applying voltage between 70Hz and 90Hz to an oscillator having a frequency between 35Hz and 45Hz will generate relatively less dense foam-bubble sizes. A user-input device allows alteration of the voltage. Varying the voltage produces foam of a density according to the bubble size created by the oscillations through the beer. Oscillations may originate outside a conduit and be sent through the conduit containing an amount of beer or may originate within a conduit and be sent through the beer in the conduit. One skilled in the art will understand that the oscillations may also be applied directly to a volume of beer that has been dispensed from the aforementioned conduit.

[0010] In another embodiment a temperature-control apparatus is provided. The temperature-control apparatus includes a thermoelectric heat pump having a relatively warmer side and a relatively cooler side. A thermoelectric heat pump is also referred to as a thermoelectric plate. A thermoelectric plate, coupled with a bi-directional valve that is in-line with the conduit of a beer-tap, is used to control the temperature of the dispensed beer. A temperature sensing means is used to determine the temperature of the beer to be dispensed and matches the temperature with the desired temperature for dispensing. The temperature is adjusted by sending the beer through either the cold side or the warm side of the thermoelectric plate. A bidirectional valve diverts the flow to either the relatively warmer side or the relatively cooler side according to recommended temperature for serving the specific beer. One skilled in the art will understand that a third possibility also exists in which the beer to be dispensed is of the appropriate temperature and bypasses the thermoelectric plate and is then dispensed.

[0011] In another embodiment the dispensing apparatus is controlled by a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium that communicates with a touch screen that is proximal to the beer-tap, or the touch screen may be a smartphone application or computer application that controls, through a graphical user interface, the choice of beverage size, size of head, and density of head. One skilled in the art will understand that the aforementioned application is commonly referred to as an app and is used in conjunction with a graphical user interface In one embodiment the app' s graphical interface shows an image of a poured beverage on a touch screen. Beverage size is chosen by tapping a choice of size on the screen. Head is chosen by sliding a finger over the image of the beverage to graphically alter the portion of head. Memory options allow each selection to be stored for later recall. Among the app' s options is a choice of the size and type of beverage displayed on the screen, the poured size, the head-to-liquid ratio, and the head density

[0012] Another iteration of the above described embodiment comprises a beer-tap in combination with a non-transitory storage medium that is controlled by multiple remote devices; each device having a graphical user interface. In one embodiment the remote device is a non- transitory machine-readable storage medium supporting an app and having a graphical interface that communicates with the dispensing apparatus that is further controlled by a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. The app's graphical interface shows an image of a poured beverage on a touch screen. Beverage size is chosen by tapping a choice of size on the screen. Head is chosen by sliding a finger over the image of the beverage to graphically alter the portion of head. Memory options allow each selection to be stored for later recall. Among the app's options is a choice of the size and type of beverage displayed on the screen, the poured size, temperature, head-to-liquid ratio, and head density. The chosen beverage options are communicated to the controller at the beer-tap along with the location of the remote device and the name of the user. One skilled in the art will understand that the aforementioned remote device may also be a smartphone and may also include the location of the smartphone, the name of the user and payment method.

[0013] Additional features may include information recorded in the non -transitory storage medium listing the properties of a particular beer product associated with a recipe that includes proper temperature, ratio of non-foamed beer to foamed beer to be served, and the like. The associated recipe may be coupled with machine-readable instructions that provide control functions and timing of the components of the embodiment to control the temperature of the beer to be dispensed and to dispense the beer; and further to control the voltage provided to an oscillator for the purpose of controlling the volume and density of foam to be dispensed atop the dispensed beer. One skilled in the art understands that the methods and apparatus for controlling the volume of beer dispensed may also be employed to measure the total amount of beer dispensed from one bulk storage container and, therefore, may also be used to calculate the likely volume remaining in the bulk storage container.

[0014] One skilled in the art will recognize that various combinations of features of any of the aforementioned embodiments may be configured. Other objects and features will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosed beer dispenser and associated methods, reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, not to scale, of an example embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective, section view, not to scale, of an example embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a diagram in which an embodiment of the present invention is implemented through a graphical user interface. [0019] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the graphical user interface on an example embodiment depicting an example location for the screen on which the graphical user interface is displayed.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a detail view of the graphical user interface on an example embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a detail view of the graphical user interface on an example embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment and of a graphical user interface of a smartphone app that is used for remote control of the embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment and of a graphical user interface of a smartphone app that is used for capturing an image on a beer bottle label for the purpose of deriving information from that image.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a plan view depicting the graphical user interface of a smartphone app that controls an iteration of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As discussed in greater detail below, a method, system and apparatus for controlling foam production and temperature of beer during dispensing is described. In general, a beer-tap is provided, having a conduit that extends from the bulk storage container at the proximal end to the handle operated valve at the distal end. The conduit is coupled with an oscillation means, the oscillation means is further coupled with a voltage regulator. Also coupled with the conduit is a thermoelectric plate for controlling the temperature of the beer in the conduit. The proportion of liquid beer to foamed beer is controlled by a flow control means. The flow control means measures the amount of liquid beer to be dispensed and the amount of foam to be dispensed. The oscillator produces a sonic wave through the conduit and hence through the beer being dispensed. In combination with the oscillator, the voltage regulator produces a foam density according to a voltage-regulator setting that corresponds to bubble size.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 an example embodiment is illustrated in a perspective view in FIG. 1 and a perspective, section view in FIG. 2. A method, system and apparatus 100 for controlling temperature and foam production of beer during dispensing is illustrated. The example embodiment is intended as an integral design to be engaged with a tap 101. The tap 101 comprises a valve that allows carbonated liquid to flow from a pressurized bulk storage container, such as a cask or keg 176, along a conduit 118 to the spout 119. The embodiment includes a housing 105 that contains a power supply 121 that supplies power to an oscillator 122. Devices, including at least one oscillator, cooling unit, heating unit, and sensor, perform functions of the present embodiment that are controlled by non-transitory, machine-readable storage media with user interface 150 that stores machine-readable instructions that enable said devices to perform associated functions. The oscillator produces an oscillatory wave through the conduit 118 and hence through the carbonated liquid, causing it to foam. The oscillatory wave agitates the liquid, increasing the reaction between the carbon dioxide and the proteins and starches in the liquid, producing foam 132 that floats atop the dispensed liquid 128 in the glass 126.

[0027] A voltage regulator 123 is coupled with an oscillator 122 that is in fluid communication with the beer being dispensed. In one embodiment the oscillator 122 is proximal to the conduit 118. One skilled in the art will understand that the oscillator may contact the beer at any point along the system path, from the conduit entrance at the bulk storage container 176, or inside the fluid reservoir, or along the conduit 118, or proximal to the exit port 1 19.

[0028] Varying the voltage that is supplied to an oscillator will produce variable-sized bubbles in beer foam. Higher voltage will produce smaller bubbles and denser foam. One skilled in the art will understand that produced foam 132 may be dispensed from a conduit 118 at the bottom of the receiving vessel 126 wherein it will float to the top of the dispensed beverage 128, and that by holding the vessel lower, a user may vary the produced foam.

[0029] A temperature-control means 139 is associated with the conduit 118 and has a warm side 135 and a cool side 134. In one embodiment, the temperature-control means 139 is a thermoelectric plate and is situated between the bulk storage container 176 and the distal end of the conduit 119. The beer in the conduit may be cooled or warmed by directing the beer to either side of the thermoelectric plate by a bi-directional valve 136 that directs the fluid in the conduit to either the cool side 134 or the warm side 135. One skilled in the art will understand that the temperature-control means may be associated anywhere along the conduit 118. One skilled in the art will further understand that the extent of heating or cooling may be controlled by the amount of voltage applied to the thermoelectric temperature controller, also referred to as a thermoelectric plate.

[0030] A user of the above-described method, system and apparatus may control the voltage and thus the oscillation and may also control the temperature of the fluid transferred such that the temperature of the beverage and the density of the foam produced in the beverage is controlled.

[0031] As discussed in greater detail below, we describe a method, system and apparatus to dispense beer in liquid and foamed state. In general, beer under pressure at the proximal end of a conduit will flow through a conduit when a valve at the distal end of the conduit is open and will flow out of the distal end into a receiving vessel. A machine-readable storage medium provides machine-readable instructions to a control circuit that may be employed to engage a voltage regulator that is coupled with an oscillator that is coupled with a liquid filled conduit for dispensing said liquid. This produces a controlled sonic wave through the conduit and, hence, through the liquid being dispensed. The frequency of liquid being dispensed produces foam of a density that is proportional to the voltage supplied to the oscillator by the voltage regulator. The dispensed foam floats to the top of the dispensed beer.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, a non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium is designed to recognize the properties of beer in a labeled 283 bulk storage container. The app reads information about the type of beer and processes the information to follow a recipe for dispensing that specific beer at the proper temperature, as well as its proportion to foam and density of foam One skilled in the art will understand that information from a beer-product label 283 may alternatively be provided by a user, who enters the name of the beer product 285. A database of beer-product names 281 is matched with the beer-product label input and is stored in the memory of a portable electronic device 287. The portable device memory 287 has machine-readable instructions 289 stored therein. Machine-readable instructions enable a portable electronic device to perform functions 291.

[0033] Functions 291 include matching characteristics of the beer product 293 with information in the beer-product database 281 in the portable electronic-device memory 287 and then detecting the properties of the beer product 295 and subsequently matching the properties of the beer product with a recipe 299 that is also stored in the beer-product database 281 in the portable electronic-device memory 287. The recipe is a set of machine-readable instructions for controlling the ultra-sonic beer dispenser to dispense appropriate proportions of beer to foam, as well as density and temperature of foam and of beer.

[0034] Example embodiments include systems and apparatuses for following the aforementioned machine-readable instructions. These systems and apparatuses are illustrated in FIG. 3 through FIG. 10.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, specific methods and applications for the control means are depicted. The apparatus 100 includes a touch-screen 150. The touch-screen 150 includes icons that act as buttons that indicate choices corresponding to the volume of the beverage to be dispensed and provide a means for choosing the ratio of dispensed liquid to dispensed foam. In the embodiment depicted, for example, an icon 156 relates to a 12-oz. beverage; another icon 158 relates to a 16-oz. beverage; another icon 160 relates to a 23-oz. beverage; another icon 162 relates to a 32-oz. beverage; and finally another icon 126 relates to a 32-oz. beverage. One skilled in the art can understand that a wider or narrower range of beverage volumes may be depicted and metric measurements may be used as well.

[0036] In this example the icon 158 for a 16-oz. beverage has been chosen. This is depicted in an enlarged icon 152. This icon shows an area depicting the liquid to be dispensed 155 as well as an area depicting the foamed liquid 153 to be dispensed, and a movable line 154. The movable line 154 (otherwise referred to as a volume slider bar) can be actively moved up or down to vary the ratio of liquid to foam. In this illustration, a 16-oz. beverage has been chosen from the array of icons and the slider bar has been set to dispense 14 oz. of the beverage as liquid and 2 oz. of the beverage as foam. An icon 190 depicts the temperature of the beer to be dispensed. The movable line 192 (also referred to as a temperature slider bar) can be actively moved up or down to vary the voltage supplied to the cooling means to vary the temperature of the dispensed beer. The results are displayed on the results display 164. Control -button icons 166 control movement through various optional screens in a digital touch-screen control 150. [0037] Referring to FIG. 5, another example of control -screen choices is depicted. The touch screen 150 includes icons that act as buttons that indicate choices corresponding to the volume of the beverage to be dispensed, as well as the ratio of dispensed liquid to dispensed foam. In the example depicted, an icon 156, which corresponds to a 12-oz. beverage, has been chosen. The larger icon 152 displays a commonly used 12-oz. glass, and the slider bar 154 has been moved to choose 11 oz. of the volume 155 to be dispensed as liquid and 1 oz. of the liquid to be dispensed as foam 153. An icon 190 depicts the temperature of the beer to be dispensed. The movable line 1 2 (also referred to as a temperature slider bar) can be actively moved up or down to vary the voltage supplied to the cooling means to vary the temperature of the dispensed beer. The results are displayed on the results display 164. Control-button icons 166 control movement through various optional screens in the digital touch-screen control.

[0038] Another iteration of the embodiment is depicted in FIG 6 through FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 6, the touch screen 150 has been manipulated by the control -button icons 166 to display a series of preset choices, referred to as Presets. The presets are depicted in an array of icons 170 that offer various choices. In one embodiment the array of icons 170 represents various volumes from 8-oz. to 32-oz. beverages. The user may set the desired liquid-to-foam ratio for each of the volume sizes.

[0039] Another feature of the smartphone application is depicted in FIG. 7. A transceiver in the aforementioned controller of the apparatus 100 receives and sends signals to and from a smartphone or similar device 180 (hereafter "smartphone"). The smartphone 180 provides an application that communicates with the transceiver in the apparatus 100 to control the various functions previously described as performed by the touch screen 150. In one example the beverage size to be dispensed is chosen from the array of size icons 174. In this example a 16- oz. beverage has been chosen and the slider bar 154 has been set to dispense 13 oz. of the beverage as liquid 155 and 3 oz. of the beverage as foam 153 Control icons 166 allow navigation through the features of the smartphone application and send the signal to the apparatus 100 to dispense the beverage. One skilled in the art understands that numerous smartphones may be used to communicate with the transceiver in the aforementioned controller of the apparatus 100. [0040] Another feature of the smartphone application is depicted in FIG. 8. It is common for smartphone technology to employ an internal camera 181 to capture an image of a target code 179. One skilled in the art will understand that a QR code or a bar-code may be used to provide product information. Such encoded information typically would include the volume of liquid in the container, the product name, and additional information. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the smartphone 180 captures the image of a target code 179 through the internal camera 181 and conveys the information to the application. The target code 179 gives information relating to the volume of the liquid in the beer container 176 and other information that may be associated with the beer, as indicated on the beer container's label 177. The smartphone application confirms the information by displaying an icon 178 on the screen. The volume of liquid is automatically chosen and displayed in the larger icon 157 and the user may move the slider bar 154 to the desired ration of liquid 155 to foam 153 to be dispensed.

[0041] By varying the voltage to the oscillator 122 (FIG. 2), the density of the foam may be controlled. Relatively higher voltage and frequency produces smaller bubbles in the foam, and relatively lower voltage and frequency produces larger bubbles in the foam. The smartphone application provides a means to choose the density of the foam to be dispensed. The density of the foam is depicted in the array FIG. 9, 182. A slider pointer 186 is vertically movable along the array 182 that depicts bubble size and density 184. The resultant foam density is displayed in the display screen 188.

[0042] The embodiments described herein are intended for the purpose of enabling disclosure and not in a limiting sense. Other features and functions that may be inherently implied by the combination of features and functions described herein are intended to be within the scope of the invention described. One skilled in the art will understand that features described in the context of a smartphone application may be enabled on a touch screen incorporated into the apparatus and a feature described in the context of a touch screen may be enabled in a smartphone application.

Claims

BEER DISPENSER WITH ULTRASONIC FOAMING MECHANISM FOR BULK- STORAGE CONTAINER CLAIMS :

1. A method, system and apparatus for controlling foam production from a beer during dispensing of said beer, comprising: a bulk-storage fluid reservoir for storing an amount of beer,

at least one valve; and

said bulk-storage fluid reservoir having at least one conduit, said conduit having a proximal end engaged with said bulk-storage fluid reservoir and a distal end engaged with at the least one valve; and

an oscillation means associated with the conduit, proximal to the at least one valve, and in communication with said beer,

wherein a user of the method, system and apparatus may control said oscillation means such that the foam produced from the dispensed beer is controlled.

2. The method, system and apparatus of claim one further comprising a flow meter coupled with said valve, providing a known amount of volume of fluid dispensed through said valve.

3. The method, system and apparatus of claim one further comprising a temperature control unit proximal to said conduit, situated between the bulk-storage fluid reservoir and the distal end of the conduit, comprising; a thermoelectric plate having a cool side and a warm side; and

said thermoelectric plate providing a cooling means and a warming means; and said cooling means is the cool side of a thermoelectric plate; and

said warming means is the warm side of said thermoelectric plate; wherein a bi-directional valve directs the flow of beer to either the cool side of the thermoelectric plate or the warm side of the thermoelectric plate.

4. The method, system and apparatus of claim one wherein the oscillation means is coupled with a voltage-control means such that an increase in voltage to the oscillation means provides foam produced in the beer, having a density increase proportionate with increase in voltage of the voltage-control means.

5. The method, system and apparatus of claim four wherein the voltage-control means is electrically coupled with a digital user input means for adjusting the voltage-control means according to the density of foam desired.

6. The method, system and apparatus of claim four wherein the voltage regulator: providing between 110 and 130 volts to the oscillator, producing oscillations with frequency of 40 Hz to create dense foam from the beer; and providing between 70 and 90 volts to the oscillator, producing oscillations with frequency of 40 Hz to create a less dense foam from the beer than that produced with between 110 and 130 volts.

7. A apparatus for controlling foam production from a beer during dispensing of said beer, comprising:

a bulk-storage fluid reservoir for storing an amount of beer; and

at least one temperature measurement means coupled with said bulk-storage fluid reservoir; and

at least one valve; and

an oscillation means associated with the conduit, proximal to the at least one valve, and in communication with said beer; and

a temperature control means engaged with said conduit comprising:

a thermoelectric plate having a cool side and a warm side; and said thermoelectric plate providing a cooling means and a warming means; and

a bi-directional valve for controlling flow through the thermoelectric plate; and

said cooling means is the cool side of a thermoelectric plate; and said warming means is the warm side of said thermoelectric plate; wherein said bi-directional valve directs the flow of beer to either the cool side of the thermoelectric plate or the warm side of the thermoelectric plate; wherein the conduit being engaged with said temperature control means, a bidirectional valve, and an oscillator, each situated between the bulk-storage fluid reservoir and the distal end of the conduit, the temperature of the beer and the amount of foam and the density of foam is controlled.

8. A method for controlling temperature of and producing foam from beer while dispensing said beer, comprising: providing the apparatus of claim seven; and

determining the temperature of the beer; and

matching the temperature of the beer with the desired temperature of the beer; and determining if the beer is to be cooled or warmed to reach the desired temperature; and

actuating a bi-directional valve to direct the beer to the cool or warm portion of the temperature controller; and

engaging the temperature control means, affecting the conduit and beer being transferred therein; and

providing a drinking glass; and

filling at least a portion of the drinking glass with the transferred beer; and the oscillator being engaged with an adjustable voltage regulator; and adjusting the voltage regulator, providing adjusted voltage to the oscillator; and engaging the oscillator, the oscillator foaming the beer; and dispensing beer foam atop the beer in the drinking glass.

9. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium designed to recognize the properties of beer in a bulk-storage fluid container by user input of the name on the bulk-storage container and further designed to match the beer in the bulk-storage container with a recipe for dispensing the beer, comprising: beer-product names coupled with beer-product information in a beer-product database; and machine-readable instructions, stored on a portable electronic- device memory, that enable the portable electronic device to perform functions comprising:

matching characteristics of the beer-product name with beer-product information in a beer-product database stored on the portable electronic device memory; and detecting the properties of the beer product; and

coupling the properties of the beer product with a recipe; and

the recipe coupled with machine-readable instructions comprising: the proportion of beer to be dispensed without foam to that which is to be dispensed with foam; and

the density of the foam to be dispensed; and

the temperature of the beer to be dispensed; and

the temperature of the foam to be dispensed; and

engaging the temperature-adjustment apparatus to alter the temperature of the beer to the temperature according to the recipe; and

dispensing the beer in the proportion of beer without foam, according to the recipe; and

dispensing the foam in the proportion of beer dispensed with foam according to the recipe; and

dispensing the foam at the density according to the recipe.

10. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium designed to recognize the properties of beer in a bulk-storage container by image recognition of the name on the beer container and further designed to match the beer in the beer container with a reci e for dispensing the beer, comprising: beer-product names associated with an image of the name of the beer on the beer container, coupled with beer-product information in a beer-product database, and machine-readable instructions, stored on a portable electronic-device memory, that enable the portable electronic device to perform functions comprising: matching characteristics of the image on the beer-product container with beer- product information in the stored product database; and

detecting the properties of the beer product; and

matching the properties of the beer product with a recipe; and

the recipe coupled with machine-readable instructions comprising:

the proportion of beer to be dispensed without foam to that which is to be dispensed with foam; and

the density of the foam to be dispensed; and

the temperature of the beer to be dispensed; and

the temperature of the foam to be dispensed; and

dispensing the beer in the proportion of beer without foam, according to the recipe, and

dispensing the foam at the density according to the recipe.

11. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium designed to perform device-control functions according to user input regarding dispensing of a volume liquid at a proportion of liquid to foam at a specific density of foam, comprising: icons on a user-input device corresponding to machine-readable instructions, stored in a device' s memory, that enable the apparatus to perform functions comprising: matching input from a volume-measurement ico with a volume of beer to be dispensed; and

matching input from a movable icon to a ratio of liquid to be dispensed to a ratio of foam to be dispensed; and

matching input from a movable icon to a temperature; and

matching input from a movable icon to a density of foam;

wherein matched input from the volume-measurement icon provides a signal for moving a measured volume of fluid by engaging a counting means for counting an amount of pulse-width modulations from a motor on a motor-driven pump for rotating said pump a number of rotations corresponding to moving said a measured volume of fluid according to the input from the movable icon; and wherein matched input from the movable icon to the density of foam provides a signal for engaging a voltage regulator, coupled with an oscillator for producing oscillations through the beer for dispensing the foam at the density according to the user input; and engaging the motor on the motor-driven pump, dispensing the foam in the proportion of beer dispensed with foam according to the user input.

12. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium designed to receive user input for dispensing beer from a beer dispenser, comprising:

User input from a portable electronic device associated with machine-readable instructions, stored on the portable electronic-device memory, that enable the portable electronic-device to perform functions comprising:

Sending the machine-readable instructions to a receiver in the beer-dispensing apparatus; and

the machine-readable instructions comprising:

the density of the foam to be dispensed; and

dispensing the beer in the proportion of beer without foam, according to the machine-readable instructions; and dispensing the foam in the proportion of beer dispensed with foam according to the machine-readable instructions; and

dispensing the foam at the density according to the machine-readable instaictions.