WO2022266157A1 - Contactless beverage dispensing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A contactless beverage dispensing device (10) and method. With the device and method, a user can activate a dispensing system, select a temperature of beverage to be dispensed by positioning an object proximate to a first sensor, and deactivate the dispensing system after dispensing by having an object sensed by a second sensor, all without having to touch the dispenser. The dispensing system also incorporates features that prevent inadvertent dispensing and, particularly, accidental or easy dispensing of hot beverage by a child.

Description

Cross-Reference to Related Applications [001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/210,885, filed June 15, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully recited herein. Technical Field [002] A beverage dispenser is provided with a contactless dispensing system and method so that a user can activate the dispensing system, select a temperature of beverage to be dispensed and deactivate the dispensing system after dispensing, all without having to touch the dispenser. The dispensing system also incorporates features that prevent inadvertent dispensing and, particularly, accidental or easy dispensing of hot beverage by a child. Background [003] Water dispensers have traditionally utilized manual push-button faucets or electronic touch dispense methods for dispensing hot, room temperature and cold water. The cold and room temperature dispensers operate in a simple manner: push the button and the water flows. Even in the traditional dispense methods, dispensing hot water requires a distinctive separate step to prevent a child from accidentally or easily dispensing the water. This mechanism is generally called the “child safety” feature. [004] The COVID-19 experience has influenced product design, especially providing methods to avoid unnecessary touching of surfaces with the hands. Many water coolers with electric dispense valves, were fitted with infra-red (“IR”) sensors to detect the presence of a hand over the dispense button (no contact) or a container under the water outlet to initiate dispensing. This seemed to be a good solution for avoiding unnecessary touching of surfaces, but the method was not sufficiently effective to prevent an unwanted dispense, and unwanted dispenses may be particularly problematic with respect to hot water. Causes for unwanted dispenses include reflective clothing worn by people in the vicinity of the sensor. Thus, activation by IR detection alone had drawbacks even for cold and room temp water dispense. [005] When the desire for touchless dispense was combined with the requirement for child safety, the known dispensing methodologies were found to be wanting. [006] It is, therefore, an unmet need of the known prior art to provide a methodology for providing effective touchless dispensing of beverage, including hot water, from a device that also incorporates child safety features. Summary [007] This and other unmet needs of the prior art are achieved by a device for contactless dispensing of a beverage and a contactless beverage dispensing method incorporated into such a beverage dispenser. [008] In one embodiment, a device for contactless dispensing of a beverage comprises a control panel having a first sensor zone, a second sensor zone, and an indicator zone, each of the sensor zones having at least one sensor positioned therein and configured to detect an object proximate thereto. The device also comprises a nozzle, in fluid communication with at least one supply of beverage to be dispensed. The device further comprises a processor, in communication with the sensors in the sensor zones and with visual indica in the indicator zone. The processor is programmed with instructions to initiate a process for selecting a temperature of the beverage to be dispensed when an object is sensed by at least one sensor in the first sensor zone. The processor is also programmed with instructions to finalize the temperature selection process when the at least one sensor no longer senses the object. The processor is further programmed with instructions to dispense the beverage through the nozzle when an object is sensed by at least one sensor in the second sensor zone. [009] In many of the embodiments, the indicator zone is positioned between the first sensor zone and the second sensor zone, separating the respective sensor zones. [010] In many of the embodiments, the processor is further programmed with instructions to advance the temperature selection process specifically for hot water when the at least one sensor in the first sensor zone no longer senses the object for a first time, and finalize the temperature selection process specifically for hot water when the at least one sensor no longer senses the object for a second time. [011] In many of the embodiments, the processor is further programmed with instructions to stop the dispense of the beverage through the nozzle when the object is no longer sensed by the at least one sensor in the second sensor zone. [012] In many of the embodiments, each of the first sensor zone, the indicator zone, and the second sensor zone are positioned in a horizontal arrangement with respect to one another. [013] In many of the embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises an infrared sensor. [014] In many of the embodiments, the infrared sensor is positioned behind an infrared transparent window of the control panel. [015] In many of the embodiments, the indicator zone comprises a plurality of indicators adapted to illuminate. [016] In some of the embodiments, the device for contactless dispensing of a beverage further comprises at least one LED configured to cause at least one indicator to illuminate. [017] In many of the embodiments, the control panel is positioned above the nozzle. [018] In many of the embodiments, the device for contactless dispensing of a beverage further comprises a receptacle, positioned within a housing for the device substantially below the nozzle, wherein the receptacle is configured to maintain a container for receiving beverage therein. [019] In many of the embodiments, the device for contactless dispensing of a beverage further comprises a valve, positioned between a beverage reservoir and the nozzle, wherein the valve is adapted to control flow of beverage from the beverage reservoir to the nozzle. [020] In one embodiment of a contactless beverage dispensing method, a beverage dispenser comprising a control panel having a plurality of indicators, a first sensor zone, and a second sensor zone is configured to dispense fluid. The method comprises initiating temperature selection by placing an object in close proximity to the first sensor zone. The method also comprises finalizing temperature selection by removing the object from close proximity to the first sensor zone to correspond to a desired temperature demonstrated by an indicator. The method further comprises causing fluid to be dispensed by sensor verification, wherein sensor verification comprises placing an object in close proximity to the second sensor zone. [021] In many of the embodiments, the contactless beverage dispensing method further comprises causing the fluid to stop being dispensed by removing the object from close proximity to the second sensor zone. [022] In many of the embodiments, temperature selection further comprises advancing temperature selection specifically for hot water by removing the object from close proximity to the first sensor zone to correspond to a desired hot water temperature demonstrated by an indicator for a first time, and finalizing temperature selection by removing the object from close proximity to the first sensor zone to correspond to the desired hot water temperature demonstrated by the indicator for a second time. [023] Brief Description of the Drawings [024] The claimed invention will be better understood when reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein identical parts are identified by identical reference numbers and wherein: [025] FIG.1 is a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispenser; and [026] FIG.2 is a schematic depiction of a contactless dispensing method involving a control panel of a beverage dispenser incorporating the contactless dispensing method. Detailed Description of the Drawings [027] FIG.1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a control panel 12 of a beverage dispensing device (“beverage dispenser”) 10, where the control panel 12 allows implementation of a contactless beverage dispensing method. The control panel 12 may have a first sensor zone 18 positioned at a first side of the control panel, a second sensor zone 22 positioned at a second side of the control panel 12, and an intermediate zone 20, preferably for a display involving temperature selection display, said display preferably positioned between the first 18 and second 22 sensor zones. Preferably, the control panel 12 is an integral portion of the beverage dispensing device 10, and, even more preferably for child safety, the control panel 12 is positioned above a dispensing zone 11, where a beverage 40 is dispensed from a nozzle 42 into a receptacle 14 of device housing 16. A fluid container 38 may be positioned within the receptacle 14 below the dispensing zone 11, where the fluid container 38 may capture dispensed beverage 40. It may be preferable to arrange the sensor zones 18, 22 and the intermediate zone 20 horizontally instead of vertically. [028] In the depicted embodiment, the sensor zones 18, 22 are similarly configured, preferably without using words, to inform a user how to operate the beverage dispenser 10. Centrally positioned in each of the sensor zones 18, 22 is an infra-red (IR) sensor element which is mounted inside the beverage dispenser 10, facing outwardly through an IR-transparent window of the control panel 12. Preferably, the window is delineated by a first visual indicium, such as a circular line 19, 21 which surrounds the window. Also positioned in each sensor zone 18, 22 is an indicator 26, 33 that is illuminated, and preferably blinks, when the associated sensor is active. [029] In the depicted embodiment, the respective indicators 26, 33 are positioned directly above the first visual indicia 19, 21. Each IR sensor element may be configured to measure the strength of reflected light and compare the measured strength of reflected light to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the respective sensor zone is being engaged by a user. For example, by way of illustration and not limitation, a user may engage a sensor zone by placing a hand in close proximity to and in front of the sensor zone to cause light emitted by the respective IR sensor element to be reflected back to the IR sensor element. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of different sensing elements may be used to permit a user to engage a sensor zone without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will further be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variations in the locations of certain control panel features may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [030] A second visual indicium is also preferably associated with each sensor zone 18, 22. This second indicium should be a symbol, especially one that will be readily recognized, that indicates an “on” or “off” status of the beverage dispenser 10. In the depicted embodiment, an “on” symbol 25 is the second indicium in the first sensor zone 18 and an “off” symbol 27 is the second indicium in the second sensor zone 22. When the control panel 12 is arranged horizontally, each of the sensor zones 18, 22 should have a horizontal extent that is at least about the width of an adult human hand, which would be in the range of about 3 to 4 inches. [031] In the embodiment shown, the intermediate zone 20 lies between the first 18 and second 22 sensor zones and preferably has a width at least as large as either of the sensor zones 18, 22. The intermediate zone 20 may function primarily as a status indication for a user to select the temperature of the beverage to be dispensed. There are three types of indicators located in the depicted embodiment. Of these, the first type of indicator is a plurality of lights 23, preferably LEDs, that are arranged horizontally. As an example, five lights are arranged and programmed electronically to illuminate sequentially from left to right in a looping manner. The second type of indicator is a series of backlit indicia 28, 30, 32 that are preferably above the plurality of lights 23. The indicators of the second type are preferably a cold beverage indicator 28, a room temperature beverage indicator 30 and a hot beverage indicator 32. While not required, it would be preferred to illumine the cold beverage indicator 28 with a blue LED, the room temperature indicator 30 with a white LED and the hot beverage indicator 32 with a red LED. [032] In the embodiment shown, of the three indicator lights 28, 30, 32, only one would be illumined at any one time, in synchronization with the looping pattern of the first plurality of lights 23. The third type of indicator is one or more readiness indicator lights 35, preferably positioned above the hot beverage indicator 32. The one or more readiness indicator lights 35, also preferably LEDs, would preferably be able to be illuminated in green or red. As beverage set to cold or room temperature may generally be ready for dispensing at any time, the readiness indicator lights 35 are preferably used only in association with beverage set to hot temperature. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of different types of lights may be used for indicator lights without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will further be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the location of indicator lights within the control panel 12 may be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. [033] In the embodiment shown, a processor 29 is in communication with various sensors and indica of the control panel 12. The processor 29 may be programmed with instructions to initiate a process for selecting a temperature of the beverage to be dispensed when an object such as a hand is sensed by at least one sensor of the first sensor zone 18. The processor 29 may further be programmed with instructions to finalize the temperature selection process when the at least one sensor of the first sensor zone 18 no longer senses the object. The processor 29 may also be in communication with a valve 31, and the valve 31 may be in communication with at least one beverage reservoir 37. The processor 29 may direct the valve 31 to cause beverage 40 to flow from the at least one beverage reservoir 37 out through the nozzle 42 when an object is sensed by at least one sensor in the second sensor zone 22. The valve 31 may close to restrict to discharge of beverage out through the nozzle 42 when the processor has not given instructions for beverage 40 to be discharged. [034] FIG.2 schematically depicts a contactless dispensing method involving a control panel 12 of a beverage dispenser 10 incorporating the contactless dispensing method. Specifically, a user may cause beverage to be dispensed from the beverage dispenser 10 by executing steps of an exemplary process 44. The process 44 of FIG.2 is designed to be complex enough that a young child would not be able to engage the control panel 12 to cause fluid to be dispensed, but not too complex that others would not be able to readily learn and execute its steps in a short amount of time. Furthermore, the process 44 does not require the user to touch or otherwise make physical contact with the beverage dispenser 10. [035] In the embodiment shown, the user may begin the process 44 by initiating temperature selection 45. To initiate temperature selection 45, the user may stand in proximity to the control panel 12 of the device 10, and place a hand or related object in close proximity to and in front of a first sensor zone 18. In preferred embodiments, each IR sensor element has a maximum sensing range. Thus, the user is required to place the hand or related object within a minimum distance from the IR sensor element in order to cause a return signal to be registered by the IR sensor element, which is necessary to initiate temperature selection 45. The aforementioned configuration prevents unintentional dispensing. [036] FIG.2 further illustrates that the user may then proceed to finalize temperature selection 46. In preferred embodiments, the user must leave the hand or related object over the first sensor 18 until a temperature selection 46 is made in order to advance the process 44. As indicators 28, 30, 32 corresponding to certain beverage temperatures sequentially illume, the user may make a temperature selection 46 by removing the hand or related object from being in close proximity to and in front of the first sensor 18 as soon as the specific indicator (e.g., one of 28, 30 or 32) corresponding to the specific desired temperature illumes. Referring to FIGS.1 and 2, an indicator 26 of the first sensor zone 18 may blink to signal to the user that a temperature selection has been made 46. [037] The user may thereafter verify the sensor 48 to continue the process 44. In preferred embodiments, where a lower beverage temperature has been selected (e.g., demonstrated by indicators 28, 30), the user must proceed after temperature selection 46 to move the hand or related object to being in close proximity to and in front of a second sensor zone 22. By placing the hand or related object in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22, the user causes a volume of fluid to be dispensed 50. The user may remove the hand or related object from being in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22 to stop the dispense 50. Additionally, there may be a time limit where after a certain amount of time, the dispense 50 stops automatically. In certain embodiments, there is a 10 second dispense time limit. In other embodiments, there is a 20 second dispense time limit. In yet other embodiments, there is a 30 second dispense time limit. [038] In preferred embodiments, where a higher beverage temperature has been selected (e.g., demonstrated by indicator 32), the user must proceed after temperature selection 46 to wait a certain amount of time after removing the hand or related object from being in close proximity to and in front of the first sensor zone 18. After the certain amount of time has passed, which, as an example not by way of limitation, may be indicated by a light or blinking light (not shown), the user may place the hand or related object back in close proximity to and in front of the first sensor zone 18 until, for example not by way of limitation, indicator 33 illumes. In certain embodiments, an active readiness indicator 35 changes from red to green illumination to indicate that hot water is ready to be dispensed. Thereafter, the user must proceed to move the hand or related object to being in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22. By placing the hand or related object in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22, the user causes a volume of fluid to be dispensed 50. The user may remove the hand or related object from being in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22 to stop the dispense 50. Additionally, there may be a time limit where after a certain amount of time, the dispense 50 stops automatically. In certain embodiments, there is a 10 second dispense time limit. In other embodiments, there is a 20 second dispense time limit. In yet other embodiments, there is a 30 second dispense time limit. Particularly, when hot water is being dispensed, the preference is to limit the dispense time to a shorter dispense time, especially for child safety. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a container sensor (not shown) may only permit beverage to be dispensed when the container sensor has determined that a container is in position to receive dispensed beverage. Features including, by way of example and not limitation, shorter dispense times and container sensors are preferable for protecting children from inadvertent and/or extended dispensing of hot water. [039] After a volume of fluid has been dispensed 50, the user may desire additional volumes to be dispensed into one or more containers. In the embodiment shown, subsequent iterations of the process 44 may be completed by again initiating temperature selection at the first sensor 45 and thereafter completing the subsequent steps 46, 48, 50 illustrated in FIG.2. In other preferred embodiments, following fluid dispensing 50 of lower temperature fluid, the user may thereafter dispense additional volumes of lower temperature fluid by waiting a certain amount of time after removing the hand or related object from being in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22, and after the certain amount of time has passed, placing the hand or related object back in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22. Additionally, following fluid dispensing 50 of higher temperature fluid, the user may dispense additional volumes of higher temperature fluid by placing the hand or related object back in close proximity to and in front of the first sensor zone 18 until indicator 33 illumes, and thereafter placing the hand or related object in close proximity to and in front of the second sensor zone 22. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that there may be any number of ways to cause subsequent dispensing when more fluid is desired following initial fluid dispensing 50, including but not limited to performing full or abbreviated versions of the process 44 of FIG.2, without departing from the scope of the invention. [040] In preferred embodiments, the volume of fluid dispensed after a single iteration of the exemplary process is a fixed volume. In other embodiments, one or more device sensing elements may cause the volume of fluid dispensed after a single iteration of the exemplary process to be adjusted based on parameters of the container, and/or contents therein. In yet other embodiments, a user may be able to adjust the volume of fluid to be dispensed for initial execution and/or subsequent iterations of the process. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that there may be any number of ways to control the volume of fluid dispensed from the device 10 without departing from the scope of the invention. [041] The user may complete any number of iterations of the exemplary process 44 until a desired fluid level within a container is reached. The user may then remove the container 52 to complete the exemplary process 44. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that variations may be made in the required number, duration and/or order of sensing steps necessary to cause fluid to be dispensed (e.g., 50) without departing from the scope of the present invention. [042] While a contactless beverage dispensing device and method has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that a contacless beverage dispensing device and method not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. All citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is: Claim 1. A device for contactless dispensing of a beverage, comprising: a control panel (12) having a first sensor zone (18), a second sensor zone (22), and an indicator zone, each of the sensor zones (18), (22) having at least one sensor positioned therein and configured to detect an object proximate thereto; a nozzle (42), in fluid communication with at least one supply of beverage to be dispensed; a processor (29), in communication with the sensors in the sensor zones (18), (22) and with visual indica in the indicator zone, the processor (29) programmed with instructions to: initiate a process for selecting a temperature of the beverage to be dispensed when an object is sensed by at least one sensor in the first sensor zone (18); finalize the temperature selection process when the at least one sensor no longer senses the object; and dispense the beverage through the nozzle (42) when an object is sensed by at least one sensor in the second sensor zone (22). Claim 2. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of claim 1, wherein: the indicator zone is positioned between (20) the first sensor zone (18) and the second sensor zone (22), separating the respective sensor zones (18), (22). Claim 3. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the processor is further programmed with instructions to: advance the temperature selection process specifically for hot water when the at least one sensor in the first sensor zone (18) no longer senses the object for a first time; and finalize the temperature selection process specifically for hot water when the at least one sensor no longer senses the object for a second time. Claim 4. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the processor is further programmed with instructions to: stop the dispense of the beverage through the nozzle (42) when the object is no longer sensed by the at least one sensor in the second sensor zone (22). Claim 5. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: each of the first sensor zone (18), the indicator zone, and the second sensor zone (22) are positioned in a horizontal arrangement with respect to one another. Claim 6. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: at least one sensor comprises an infrared sensor. Claim 7. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the infrared sensor is positioned behind an infrared transparent window of the control panel (12). Claim 8. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the indicator zone comprises a plurality of indicators adapted to illuminate. Claim 9. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: at least one LED configured to cause at least one indicator to illuminate. Claim 10. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the control panel (12) is positioned above the nozzle (42). Claim 11. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a receptacle (14), positioned within a housing (16) for the device substantially below the nozzle (42), wherein the receptacle (14) is configured to maintain a container (38) for receiving beverage therein. Claim 12. The device for contactless dispensing of a beverage of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a valve (31), positioned between a beverage reservoir (37) and the nozzle (42), wherein the valve (31) is adapted to control flow of beverage from the beverage reservoir (37) to the nozzle (42). Claim 13. A contactless beverage dispensing method, wherein a beverage dispenser (10) comprising a control panel (12) having a plurality of indicators, a first sensor zone (18), and a second sensor zone (22) is configured to dispense fluid, the method comprising: initiating temperature selection by placing an object in close proximity to the first sensor zone (18); finalizing temperature selection by removing the object from close proximity to the first sensor zone (18) to correspond to a desired temperature demonstrated by an indicator; and causing fluid to be dispensed by sensor verification (48), wherein sensor verification (48) comprises placing an object in close proximity to the second sensor zone (22). Claim 14. The contactless beverage dispensing method of claim 13, further comprising: causing the fluid to stop being dispensed by removing the object from close proximity to the second sensor zone (22). Claim 15. The contactless beverage dispensing method of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein temperature selection further comprises: advancing temperature selection specifically for hot water by removing the object from close proximity to the first sensor zone (18) to correspond to a desired hot water temperature demonstrated by an indicator for a first time; and finalizing temperature selection by removing the object from close proximity to the first sensor zone (18) to correspond to the desired hot water temperature demonstrated by the indicator for a second time.