Beverage dispensing system with remote micro-ingredient storage system

Abstract

The present application therefore provides a beverage dispensing system for combining micro-ingredients and diluents. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle and a remote micro-ingredient storage system positioned at a distance from the nozzle. The remote micro-ingredient storage system may include a stirring tank connected to the nozzle to stir the micro-ingredients therein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to beverage dispensing systems and, more particularly, to beverage dispensing systems having remote micro-ingredient storage systems that use agitation in a mixing tank to prevent separation of the micro-ingredients. Background of the Invention

[0003] The conventional mixed back beverage dispenser generally mixes syrup, concentrate, sweetener, additional flavor, other types of flavoring and the stream of other ingredients with water or other types of diluents.Preferentially, the beverage dispenser can provide as many different types and flavors of beverages as possible with the smallest possible footprint.The recent improvement in beverage dispensing technology focuses on the use of micro-ingredients.Through micro-ingredients, traditional beverage base can be separated into dilution or reconstruction ratio much higher components.Compared with the conventional beverage dispenser using a limited number of beverage syrups, the beverage dispenser using micro-ingredients can therefore provide more beverages for consumers to choose.

[0004] Depending on the expected location of the beverage dispenser and / or other considerations, some or all of the ingredients for the beverage dispenser may be stored at a distance from the beverage dispenser and / or the dispensing nozzle. For example, sweeteners may be stored in a conventional bag-in-box at a distance from the beverage dispenser. Sweetener streams and / or other types of fluids may pass through a cooler away from the beverage dispenser and / or the dispensing nozzle to keep the fluids cooled to a suitable temperature.

[0005] Similarly, for micro-ingredients, such ingredients can be stored in or near the beverage dispenser. However, in certain locations, it may be difficult to enter or at least inconvenient to enter the beverage dispenser in some cases and / or during certain times of the day. For example, at a busy drive-through window or a busy dining area, a restaurant operator may not want to prevent the beverage dispenser from dispensing to replace the micro-ingredients therein. However, storing the micro-ingredients in a remote location may cause product separation before the micro-ingredients arrive at the beverage dispenser. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present application and the resulting patent therefore provide a beverage dispensing system for combining micro-ingredients and diluents. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle and a remote micro-ingredient storage system positioned at a distance from the nozzle. The remote micro-ingredient storage system may include a stirring tank connected to the nozzle to stir the micro-ingredients therein.

[0008] The present application and the resulting patent may further provide a method for remotely dispensing a micro-ingredient to a nozzle. The method may include the steps of storing the micro-ingredient at a distance from the nozzle, operating a pump in a first direction to pump the micro-ingredient to a mixing tank, agitating the micro-ingredient in the mixing tank, and operating the pump in a second direction to pump the micro-ingredient to the nozzle.

[0009] The present application and the resulting patent further provide a beverage dispensing system for combining micro-ingredients and diluents. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle and a remote micro-ingredient storage system positioned at a distance from the nozzle. The remote micro-ingredient storage system may include a ventilated container that is connected to the nozzle to degas the micro-ingredients therein.

[0010] These and other features and improvements of the present application and the resultant patent will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a beverage dispensing system.

[0012] Figure 2 is as can be described here with Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a remote micro-ingredient storage system for use with a beverage dispensing system and similar systems.

[0013] Detailed Description

[0014] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, Figure 1 The example of beverage dispensing system 100 as can be described herein is shown.Beverage dispensing system 100 can be used to distribute many different types of beverages or other types of fluids.Specifically, beverage dispensing system 100 can be used together with diluent, large amount of ingredients, trace ingredients and other types of fluids.Diluent generally includes fresh water (still water or non-carbonated water), carbonated water and other fluids.Any type of fluid can be used herein.

[0015] In general, bulk ingredients can have a reconstitution ratio ranging from full strength (no dilution) to about six (6) to one (1) (but typically less than about ten (10) to one (1)). Bulk ingredients can include syrups, HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), concentrated extracts, fruit purees, and similar types of ingredients. Other ingredients can include dairy, soy, and rice concentrates. Similarly, bulk ingredient-based products can include other common ingredients such as sweeteners, flavorings, acids, and beverage syrups. Sugary beverage syrups, HFCS, or other bulk ingredient-based products can typically be stored in conventional bag-in-box containers away from beverage dispensers. When cooled, the viscosity of the bulk ingredient can range from about 1 centipoise to about 10,000 centipoise, and typically exceeds 100 centipoise. Other types of bulk ingredients, etc. can be used herein.

[0016] Micro-ingredients may have a reconstitution ratio in the range of about ten (10) to one (1) and higher. Specifically, many micro-ingredients may have a reconstitution ratio in the range of about 20:1 to 50:1, to 100:1, to 300:1 or higher. The viscosity of the micro-ingredients is typically in the range of about one (1) to about six (6) centipoise, but may vary from this range. Examples of micro-ingredients include natural or artificial flavors; flavor additives; natural or artificial colors; artificial sweeteners (high potency, non-nutritive or other); defoamers, non-nutritive ingredients, additives for controlling acidity (e.g., citric acid or potassium citrate); functional additives, such as vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, nutritional products; and over-the-counter (or other) drugs, such as turmeric, acetaminophen; and similar types of ingredients. Various types of alcohols may be used as bulk or micro-ingredients. The micro-ingredients may be in liquid, gaseous or powdered form (and / or combinations thereof, including soluble ingredients and ingredients suspended in various media including water, organic solvents and oils). Other types of micro-ingredients may be used herein.

[0017] Various fluids used herein can be mixed in or around the dispensing nozzle 110. The dispensing nozzle 110 can be a conventional multi-flavor nozzle, etc. The dispensing nozzle 110 can have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The dispensing nozzle 110 can be positioned in the dispensing tower 120. The dispensing tower 120 can have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The dispensing tower 120 can extend from a countertop, etc. and / or the dispensing tower 120 can be a freestanding structure. The dispensing tower 120 can have a plurality of dispensing nozzles 110 positioned thereon.

[0018] The micro-ingredients can be stored in a plurality of micro-ingredient containers 130 or other types of micro-ingredient sources. The micro-ingredient container 130 can have any suitable size, shape or configuration. Any number of micro-ingredient containers 130 can be used herein. The micro-ingredient container 130 can be communicated with the distribution nozzle 110 via a plurality of micro-ingredient pumps 140 positioned on a plurality of micro-ingredient conduits 145. The micro-ingredient pump 140 can be any type of conventional fluid moving device and can have any suitable volume or capacity. The micro-ingredient container 130 can be positioned in the distribution nozzle 110, adjacent to and / or away from the distribution nozzle positioning. For example, the micro-ingredient container 130 can be positioned below the table where the distribution tower 120 is placed. Some or all of the micro-ingredient containers 130 can be stirred.

[0019] Still water source 150 can be in communication with dispensing nozzle 110 via still water conduit 160. Other types of diluents may be used herein. Still water or other types of diluents may be pumped to dispensing nozzle 110 via still water pump 170. Still water pump 170 may be any type of conventional fluid moving device and may have any suitable volume or capacity. Alternatively, the pressure in a conventional municipal water source may be sufficient when no pump is used. Any number of still water sources 150 may be used herein.

[0020] The carbonated water source 180 can be in communication with the dispensing nozzle 110 via a carbonated water conduit 190. The carbonated water source 180 can be a conventional carbonator or the like. The carbonator can have any suitable size, shape or configuration. Carbonated water or other types of diluents can be pumped to the dispensing nozzle 110 via a carbonated water pump 200. The carbonated water pump 200 can be any type of conventional fluid moving device and can have any suitable volume or capacity. Any number of carbonated water sources 180 can be used herein. A carbonated water recirculation line can also be used herein.

[0021] One or more bulk ingredient sources 210 can be communicated with the dispensing nozzle 110 via one or more bulk ingredient conduits 220. Bulk ingredient sources 210 can include sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup, sugar solutions, etc. Bulk ingredient sources 210 can be conventional bag-in-box or other types of containers of any suitable size, shape or configuration. Any number of bulk ingredient sources 210 can be used herein. Bulk ingredients can flow to the dispensing nozzle 110 via bulk ingredient pumps 230. In this case, bulk ingredient pumps 230 can be controlled gear pumps, etc. Other types of pumps can be used herein.

[0022] Figure 2Another example of a beverage dispensing system 400 as described herein is shown. As mentioned above, in some cases, it may be advantageous to store micro-ingredients at a distance from the distribution tower 120. This distance may include a horizontal distance 260 and / or a vertical distance 270. The horizontal distance 260 may be about fifty feet (15.24 meters), seventy-five feet (22.86 meters), one hundred feet (30.48 meters) or more. The vertical distance 270 may be about five feet (1.52 meters), ten feet (3.048 meters) or more. The distance from the distribution tower 120 may vary.

[0023] In this example, the beverage dispensing system 400 may also include a remote micro-ingredient storage system 410 having any number of micro-ingredient containers 130 located at a horizontal distance 260 away from the dispensing tower 120. The micro-ingredient containers 130 may be connected to the dispensing nozzle 110 of the dispensing tower 120 via a length of flexible tubing 280 or other type of conduit made of food-grade thermoplastics or the like. A length of fixed tubing 280 may also be used. The length and diameter of the tubing 280 may vary.

[0024] Remote micro-dosing storage system 410 may include one or more micro-dosing pumps 290. Micro-dosing pump 290 may include conventional metered pumps, positive displacement pumps, metering pumps, syringe pumps, rotary pumps, peristaltic pumps, nutating pumps, gear pumps, and / or other types of fluid moving devices. Any type of pumping device that can accurately dispense micro-dosing may be used herein. Micro-dosing pump 290 may also include a variable speed motor to produce variable fluid flow. In this example, micro-dosing pump 290 may also be reversible, for driving micro-dosing flow in forward or reverse directions. Other components and other configurations may also be used herein.

[0025] The tube 280 can be attached to the micro-ingredient container 130 at its first end. The remote micro-ingredient storage system 410 can include a distribution three-way valve 420 positioned on the tube at the second end of the tube 280. The distribution three-way valve 420 can have a conventional design. The distribution three-way valve 420 can be operated by a distribution actuator 430 or by a passive device. The distribution actuator 430 can have a conventional design. The distribution three-way valve 420 can be connected to the distribution nozzle 110 via a nozzle connector 440 and connected to the agitation device 450 via an agitation connector 460. The micro-ingredient pump 290 can be positioned on the nozzle connector 440 or the agitation connector 460. Other components and other configurations can be used herein.

[0026] In this example, the stirring device 450 can be in the form of a stirring tank 470. The stirring tank 470 can be positioned in the distribution tower 120 or adjacent to the beverage. The stirring tank 470 can include a ventilation container 480 with a stirring device 490 therein. The ventilation container 480 can have any suitable size, shape or configuration. The size of the ventilation container 480 can be similar to that of the micro-ingredient container 130. The ventilation container 480 can have a vent 500 thereon to discharge any bubbles in the micro-ingredient flow in the tube 280. The stirring device 490 can be, for example, a magnetic stirrer 510. The magnetic stirrer 510 can include a propeller 520 positioned in the ventilation container 480 and a magnetic seat 530 positioned below the ventilation container 480. Actuating the magnetic seat 530 can cause the propeller 520 to rotate in the ventilation container 480 to stir the micro-ingredients therein. Other types of stirring devices 450 can be used herein. Other components and other configurations can be used herein.

[0027] Other types of grooves may also be used herein. For example, not all micro-ingredients need to be stirred. In view of these, in the absence of a magnetic stirrer 510 or other types of actuating devices and / or in the absence of actuating a magnetic stirrer 510, a ventilated container 480 may also be used herein to store micro-ingredients and to degas the micro-ingredients therein.

[0028] In use, when the nozzle connector 440 to the distribution nozzle 110 can be closed, the distribution three-way valve 420 can be led to the stirring connector 460 and the stirring tank 470 or other types of stirring devices 450 by the distribution actuator 430. Then, the micro-dosing pump 290 can fill the stirring tank 470 with micro-dosing when operating in the forward or first direction 540. Once the stirring tank 470 is filled, the stirring device 490 can be rotated to periodically or continuously stir the micro-dosing. The stirring device 490 can generate turbulence in the ventilation container 480 to promote good mixing, and therefore reduce or avoid product separation therein.

[0029] When dispensing a beverage, the dispensing actuator 430 can open the dispensing three-way valve 420 leading to the dispensing nozzle 110 and close the tube 280 leading to the micro-ingredient container 130. The micro-ingredient pump 290 can meter the correct volume of the micro-ingredient to the dispensing nozzle 110 when acting in the reverse or second direction 550. The dispensing actuator 430 can then open the dispensing three-way valve 420 leading to the micro-ingredient container 130 to replenish the micro-ingredient volume in the vent container 480. Other components and other configurations can be used herein.

[0030] It should be clear that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the present application and the resulting patent. Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing system for combining micro-ingredients and a diluent, the system comprising: nozzle; as well as a remote micro-ingredient storage system having a micro-ingredient container positioned a distance from the nozzle; Wherein, the remote micro-ingredient storage system comprises a stirring tank connected to the nozzle to stir the micro-ingredients therein; and Wherein, the remote micro-ingredient storage system comprises a three-way distribution valve connected with the nozzle, the stirring tank and the micro-ingredient container.

2. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The stirred tank includes a ventilation container.

3. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The stirred tank includes a magnetic stirrer.

4. The beverage dispensing system of claim 3, wherein: The magnetic stirrer comprises a propeller and a magnetic seat.

5. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The remote micro-ingredient storage system includes an actuator in communication with the three-way dispensing valve.

6. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The remote micro-ingredient storage system includes a nozzle connector connecting the three-way dispensing valve and the nozzle.

7. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The remote micro-ingredient storage system includes an agitation connector in communication with the three-way dispensing valve and the agitation tank.

8. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The remote micro-ingredient storage system includes a pump in communication with the nozzle, the mixing tank, and the micro-ingredient container.

9. The beverage dispensing system of claim 8, wherein: The pump pumps the micro-ingredient from the micro-ingredient container to the mixing tank when operated in a first direction.

10. The beverage dispensing system of claim 9, wherein: The pump pumps the micro-ingredient from the mixing tank to the nozzle when operated in a second direction.

11. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The distance includes a horizontal distance of more than 100 feet (30.48 meters).

12. The beverage dispensing system of claim 1, wherein: The distance includes a vertical distance of more than 10 feet (3.048 meters).

13. A method of remotely dispensing a micro-ingredient to a nozzle, the method comprising: storing the micro-ingredients at a distance from the nozzle; operating the pump in a first direction to pump the micro-ingredients to the mixing tank through the three-way dispensing valve; stirring the trace ingredients in the stirring tank; as well as The pump is operated in a second direction to pump the micro-ingredient from the mixing tank through the three-way dispensing valve to the nozzle.

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