An integrated method and system for dispensing beverage ingredients

Abstract

An integrated beverage blending system comprising an ice portion control module, an ingredient module; an ice dispensing conduit in communication with the ice portion control module, and an ingredient dispensing valve removably connected to the ice dispensing conduit and in communication with the ingredient module. Ice is dispensed into a beverage container via the ice dispensing conduit and the ingredient is dispensed into the beverage container via the ingredient dispensing valve.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention generally relates to an integrated method and system for dispensing and blending / mixing beverage flavors / ingredients to produce beverages such as smoothies. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for storing and dispensing ingredients / ingredients. The present invention also relates to a system and method for in place cleaning of ingredient / ingredient dispensing systems. Background technique [0002] Manufacturing a drink or beverage such as a smoothie from start to finish involves multiple steps, all of which can potentially cause problems. A "blended blend" of juice and any additional fruit or ingredients can also be added by the operator after the ice is added to the blending jug used to mix the drink. Choose your cup size and pour your drink out. This last step presents the potential for the greatest waste. Excess drinks stay in the blending jug as employees have to manually mix the ingredie...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Depending on the location of the dispensing system within or relative to the beverage machine, the dispensing system can be very difficult and inconvenient to clean, which significantly increases the time and labor required for maintenance

Also, ingredient contamination is a serious threat if customers have food allergies

[0004] Each step in this smoothie-making process takes time, usually four to five minutes, which could be better spent serving customers or taking more food and drink orders, which directly affects the bottom line

[0005] Despite the growing popularity of premium beverages such as smoothies, most quick service restaurants (QSRs) are unable to offer these options to customers due to time constraints in the fast food industry

Those QSR owners who do choose to offer smoothies face a number of challenges: primarily how to keep selling the same specialty beverages within existing labor and equipment constraints

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