2412results about "Apparatus for dispensing fluids/granular materials" patented technology

A method and apparatus for monitoring and maintenance of unattended robot liquid storage and dispensing sites, including a site controller and site monitor. The site monitor continuously appends text strings received from the site controller to HTML text log files and HTLM text report files and simultaneously compares the stored text strings representing site events to be monitored with evaluation messages. Each evaluation message is linked to an alert code, which in response to an evaluation message text string match initiates a particular set of responses, including sending notice of site failures and other remote site information to a home office via fax, pager and/or email. The site monitor also collects the information gathered from the site controller, the tank monitor, alarm system and any other site devices and stores the information in a one or more HTML text files, which information then takes the form of a web page with hypertext links to images related to the stored information.

A system and method for effecting payment transactions comprising a card reader configured to encrypt a first portion of payment card data received by the card reader from a payment card according to a first encryption scheme associated with the financial institution responsible for an account associated with the payment card and to encrypt a second portion of the payment card data according to a second encryption scheme, where the first portion is sufficient to identify the payment card or account number and to effect a payment transaction involving the payment card or account and where the second portion is sufficient to identify the financial institution but insufficient to identify the payment card or account number.

An apparatus that generates brewed beverages by performing one or more chemical and/or mechanical processes may receive requests to produce specified brewed beverages. The apparatus may include a master controller that initiates and controls performance of the chemical and/or mechanical processes to produce the specified beverages. The master controller may adaptively apply one or more process accelerators during the performance of one of the chemical or mechanical processes to accelerate the process or to achieve a desired qualitative or quantitative characteristic for a beverage or a component thereof. The adaptive application of one or more process accelerators may be dependent on a multiple-variable process profile developed for the process and/or a specified beverage. For example, the pressure in a steam wand and/or the depth of the wand may be varied during a process to froth milk in order to produce frothed milk having a desired temperature.

A drinkware is provided to provide information to a receiver. The drinkware is a RF device coupled to a handheld drinking container. The RF device can receive and send RF signals and communicate with a sensory device. A transmitter can send a signal to the communication device, which then activates sensory device. The RF device can communicate with the transmitter to control a fountain machine.

A method, system and computer readable medium for presenting information for use within a gas station, including sensing at the gas station at least an identification code on one or more identification-carrying devices; receiving at least the identification code and information presentation system identification information at an information server; determining one or more portions and type of information to be presented on an information presentation system at the gas station based on the identification code and the information presentation system identification information; receiving and printing at the gas station the one or more portions of information presented at the information presentation system; and storing on a template storage device one or more templates that are combinable with the one or more portions of information.

A method of and system for providing machine-readable tags, preferably programmable RFID tags are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a receptacle having at least one wall member that defines an enclosure and a tag associated with the receptacle, which includes machine-readable information regarding a product occupying the enclosure is provided. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the tag includes identification information in electronic form for the product.

A potable liquid dispensing system includes a data reader that permits unattended beverage tastings, as well as simplified wine dispensing at restaurants and the like. A wine marketing system, including tastings facilitated by the dispensing system, permits a potential buyer of wine to sample small portions of the wine without the assistance or supervision of an employee.

The present invention 10 discloses a device for making, bagging, and delivering a sealed bag of ice 12 to a consumer 22. The user 22 merely deposits a specified amount of money into the coin operated 18 vending machine and the user thereafter receives the completely sealed bag of ice 12. The present invention 10 has refrigeration means 30 which supplies ice 34 into a hopper area 32 having outfeed means 36 for dispensing ice into a bagging means 39. The ice bagging means 39 has a replaceable roll 48 of plastic material which is conveyed through the machine having a cutting and heat sealing means 41 and 43 which cuts out a bag and produces sealed ends on the bag of ice. Thereafter the sealed bag of ice 50 is delivered to the customer access area 20 where the customer 22 can pick up and access the frozen bag of ice.

The present invention provides a fuel dispensing system for setting transaction parameters in association with a remote communications unit. This system will include wireless or radio communications electronics adapted to receive signals from remote communications units, a transaction interface for carrying out transactions, and a control system and associated memory operating in conjunction with the communications electronics and a transaction interface. The control system is adapted to receive indicia from a remote communications unit and control the transaction at the transaction interface involving the remote communications unit according to predefined parameters associated with the remote communications unit. Any identification indicia and predefined parameters may be stored in the memory in association with the remote communications unit and the control system may be adapted to access these predefined parameters in the memory upon receipt of the identification indicia and control the transaction accordingly. Alternatively, the predefined parameters may be transmitted directly from the remote communications unit to the communications electronics and control system. The predefined parameters may limit a transaction to a select type or grade of fuel, a select type or amount of a product or service, as well as limiting or preventing the purchase of certain products or services. Notably, the control system may include a dispenser control system, a central site control system, a control system associated with a remote network, or a combination thereof.

An apparatus for preparing and vending beverages based on selections input by consumers is provided, including one or more sources of roasted coffee beans; one or more sources of teas; one or more sources of cocoa; at least one grinder for preparing ground coffee from said roasted coffee beans; one or more sources of flavoring ingredients; a source of water; one or more sources of fresh dairy products; and a mechanism for preparing the beverage. Also provided is a method for preparing a beverage according to selections entered by a consumer, including receiving beverage selections entered by a consumer; collecting payment for the beverage based on the beverage selections entered; retrieving preset standards for proper preparation of the beverage based on the beverage selections; displaying the beverage preparation process and the freshness of ingredients used to prepare the beverage; preparing the beverage in accordance with the preset standards; monitoring the preparation of the beverage for compliance with the preset standards; and providing the beverage to the consumer.

A system and method for providing a fuel dispenser with radio frequency customer identification capabilities. The system and method determines whether a transponder containing customer identification data is within range of a dispenser, the dispenser requiring activation by the customer to initiate a transaction and including a reader associated therewith for emitting radio frequency signals within the dispenser range, and for receiving customer identification data from the transponder responsive to the emitted radio frequency signals received by the transponder. When the transponder is within range of the dispenser, an in-range indication is provided to the customer. A determination is made whether the dispenser has been activated by the customer following a determination that the transponder is within the dispenser range. Upon activation of the dispenser following the determination that the transponder is within the dispenser range, the customer identification data received by the reader is associated with a transaction at the activated dispenser, whereupon the transaction at the activated dispenser is permitted and charged to the customer according to the customer identification data. The system easily retrofits onto an existing, conventional fuel dispenser.

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to interact with a consumer and receive at least one input from the consumer. The product dispenser can also include a controller comprising a set of instructions operable to receive a request from a consumer to dispense a custom product. In addition, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to present via the user interface a at least one of a list of selectable product ingredients or adjustable product formulation parameters. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to dispense a product based at least in part on one or more of the selectable ingredients or selected formulation parameters.

Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information. In addition, the product dispenser can include a reader configured to obtain identification information associated with a consumer. The product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader and user interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive from the reader identification information associated with a consumer. The controller can also be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to retrieve consumer information based at least in part on the identification information, and provide product selection information at the user interface based at least in part on the consumer information.

Some embodiments provide a system for beverage dispensing and sales tracking. The system includes a data manager, a data store, and one or more sales nodes. In some embodiments, the data manager includes a point-of-sale server function. In some embodiments, the data manager obtains information from the sales nodes related to pouring of beverages, such as liquor. This information may include (1) who poured the drink, (2) where it was poured, (3) when it was poured, and (4) how much was poured. The data manager uses this information to maintain an accurate inventory of beverages and for billing beverage customers. The data manager stores and manipulates this information in the data store.

A remote data acquisition and transmission system and method are disclosed. A plurality of application controllers are interfaced with remote beverage dispensing equipment from which operation data is acquired by the application controllers. The application controllers communicate with an application host via a local area network, and the application host can communicate with a network operations center using a wide area network interface.

A dispensing unit for dispensing hot, dairy-based beverages has a self-contained refrigerated unit located above a venturi-type emulsification foaming head. The dispensing unit has particular applicability to the dispensation of foamy, hot milk for use in beverages such as cappuccino and nonfoamy, hot milk for use in beverages such as coffee latte, hot chocolate, and other hot dairy-based beverages. The refrigeration unit accommodates a "bag in box" cold milk storage container of the type widely used in food service establishments. The dispensing unit employs a pinch valve that avoids direct contact between the milk and the valve components. The refrigerated milk is stored above the level of the foamer head so that the flow of milk results partially from gravitational force on the milk, and is not totally dependent upon venturi suction created in the foamer head. Also, selective actuation of beverage choice switches generates commands to produce different beverages at different temperatures. This is achieved by raising or lowering the steam temperature from a standby temperature as an immediate response to depression of a selection button. Air utilized in creating a foamy hot milk mixture may be supplied at a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure, rather than merely through venturi suction from the ambient atmosphere. In addition, following the dispensation of each portion of a beverage, the system automatically discharges a quantity of purging water to clean out the air line and air nozzle, so as to avoid contamination of those components by contact with milk flowing through the foamer head.

A liquid heating module for use in a hot beverage machine, a beverage forming system that includes the module, and a process for heating liquid for forming beverages. The liquid heating module includes a hollow metal tube, a cylindrical insert which is disposed inside the hollow tube along its entire length and substantially along its axis of symmetry, at least one electrical resistor on a first outer part of the tube for preheating liquid flowing through the tube, and at least one additional electrical resistor on a second outer part of the tube for temperature adjustment of the liquid flowing through the tube.

A method and apparatus for defining the processing of an ingredient of a manufactured product, particularly one that is manufactured “one-the-spot” to a consumer's specification, such as ice cream, among other products. A tag encoded on a container for the product carries indicia that, directly or indirectly, define one or more formulations for the product. Apparatus into which the ingredient is loaded sets the processing of ingredients in accordance with the formulations so specified. By connecting the apparatus which is to process the ingredients to a control station, the formulations may be changed at will.

A wireless data exchange system is disclosed. The system includes an electronically operated appliance including a transmitter, a receiver, and a control module configured to communicate with the transmitter and receiver. The control module provides a primary mode of operation and a secondary mode of operation and includes control logic configured to selectively change the mode of operation of the electronically operated appliance. A communication device adapted to be held in the hand of a user is configured to cooperate with the transmitter and the receiver to impart instructions wirelessly to the control logic in order to change the mode of operation of the electronically operated appliance upon receipt of a command from a user. A method of exchanging data wirelessly between an apparatus and a communication device is also disclosed.