Solid-liquid separator

Abstract

The apparatus for preparing a foam may include a container having an open end and a closed end. The container may define an interior configured to contain the foam therein. The container may include a spout extending from the container. The spout may be configured to dispense the foam. The spout may include a plurality of slots disposed through a surface of the spout.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 813,881, filed July 20, 2022, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 268,037, filed February 15, 2022, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Any applications to which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in a PCT request filed with this application are incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dispensing a foam or blended medium, such as for dispensing a foam from a container or pitcher, and for separating solids and liquids while dispensing the foam. [Background technology]

[0003] Certain beverages are prepared with air-expanded, foamed or blended media, which can be made with dairy or non-dairy products. Certain beverages are prepared with cold foam, which requires frequent dispensing. In some instances, the foam can be made with milk or other liquids. The foam or blended media can be used to finish or top the beverage. The addition of the foam or blended media can provide flavor, texture, or visual interest that enhances the beverage. The foam or blended media can be customized by adding flavors and powders to change color, taste, or texture. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the typical process of foaming or blending / carbonating dairy or non-dairy products can be time consuming and complicated. A typical process may include mixing a liquid dairy or non-dairy base with sweeteners, flavors, syrups, or powders. A typical process may also include blending or carbonating in a device such as a blender or by hand. There may be a variety of foams and blended media that require different amounts or speeds of blending. Blending or carbonating may leave behind a variety of unblended liquid bases, resulting in a mixture of blended and unblended liquids. Pouring the foam or blended media may result in unblended liquid being poured into the beverage, which may be undesirable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0006] In certain embodiments, an apparatus for preparing a foam may include a container having an open end and a closed end defining an interior configured to contain a foam therein, and a spout extending from the container configured to dispense the foam, The spout may include a plurality of slots disposed through a surface of the spout.

[0007] The device for preparing a foam may further include one or more of the following features: The device may further include a blending mechanism. The blending mechanism may include one or more blades. The blending mechanism may include a whisk. The spout may open and close an opening through a sidewall of the container. The spout may include a flat top surface, and the plurality of slots may be disposed through the flat top surface of the spout. The spout may include sidewalls, and each of the sidewalls extends above the flat top surface. The spout may include a cylindrical tube. The plurality of slots may be disposed through a bottom surface of the cylindrical tube. The spout may extend near a closed end of the container. The device may further include a catch basin disposed below the plurality of slots. The spout may include a protrusion on a lip of an open end of the container. The protrusion may include a top surface and a bottom surface, and the plurality of slots may be disposed through a top surface of the protrusion. The spout may further include a return channel in fluid communication with a bottom surface of the protrusion and an interior of the container. The projection may extend to a distal end of the spout.

[0008] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include an apparatus for preparing a foam including a container having an open end and a closed end, the container defining an interior configured to contain a foam therein, and a spout extending from the open end of the container, the spout including one or more side channels.

[0009] The apparatus for preparing a foam may further include one or more of the following features: The spout may include a protrusion extending from a lip of the open end of the container. The protrusion may extend to a point at the distal end of the spout. The spout may further include one or more side channels and a return channel in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The one or more side channels may include two side channels disposed on opposing sides of a bottom surface of the spout, the spout further comprising a convex portion disposed between the two side channels.

[0010] Various embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments in any way. Various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments that are part of this disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a solid-liquid separator system. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a solid-liquid separator system. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the spout of the solid-liquid separator system of FIG. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a solid-liquid separator system. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a close-up and bottom view of the solid-liquid separator system of FIG. 2A. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a solid-liquid separator system. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is an expanded view of another embodiment of the solid-liquid separator system of FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the spout of the solid-liquid separator system of FIG. 3B. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3C is another cross-sectional view of the spout of the solid-liquid separator of FIG. 3B. [Figure 3E] FIG. 1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an expanded side view of a solid-liquid separator system. [Figure 3F] FIG. 1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an expanded side view of a solid-liquid separator system. [Figure 3G] FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional view of the spout of the solid-liquid separator system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Various brewing systems and methods are described below to illustrate various examples that may achieve one or more desired improvements. These examples are merely illustrative and are in no way intended to limit the general disclosure presented and the various aspects and features of the present disclosure. The general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those discussed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments shown, but should instead be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed or suggested herein. For example, many of the embodiments are described in the context of preparing foam from a liquid base at or below room temperature. However, certain features and aspects of the present disclosure may also be useful for generating foam from a liquid base at or above room temperature.

[0013] Many of the embodiments described herein involve frothing a liquid, such as milk or a non-dairy liquid. For example, in some embodiments, the liquid to be frothed may be referred to herein as a "liquid base" or may be a dairy or non-dairy liquid, such as milk, cream, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, other alternative milks, other plant-based liquids, coffee, tea, or hemp extract. In some examples, the liquid base may be a pre-made mixture or a product of fresh ingredients. The liquid base may be modified using food grade modifiers, including but not limited to gums, emulsifiers, and thickeners. The composition of the liquid base may be fine-tuned with the modifiers to provide the desired texture and taste of the foam. The foam may also include syrups, powders, sweeteners, flavors, or other inclusions.

[0014] For example, many of the embodiments are described in the context of generating and dispensing a foam from a container at or below room temperature, which may be considered a cold foam, however, certain features and aspects of the present disclosure may also be useful for generating and dispensing a foam from a liquid base at or above room temperature.

[0015] To generate an edible cold foam that is safe for human consumption, the foam should be generated under sanitary conditions and should be maintained at a safe temperature to prevent the growth of pathogens and to prevent spoilage. As used herein, the term "cold foam" is broadly applied to refer to a foam prepared with a base or liquid base that does not exceed 100°F. For example, in certain configurations described herein, the liquid base may be maintained between 0°F and 100°F. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the liquid base may be maintained between 30°F and 50°F, in certain embodiments between 30°F and 40°F, and in certain embodiments between 60°F and 70°F. In certain embodiments, the generated cold foam may have a temperature not exceeding 45°F. Certain aspects of the embodiments disclosed below are particularly advantageous for dispensing "cold foam" and are often described in the context of dispensing cold foam. However, it should be understood that certain aspects and features of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to embodiments dispensing cold foam, and may also be useful for generating hot or warm foam, such as, but not limited to, cold foam blended with warm or hot foam.

[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a solid-liquid separator system or apparatus 10. The system 10 can include a vessel or pitcher 12 having a first end or portion 16 and a second end or portion 18. The first end or portion 16 can be at the top of the apparatus and can be open. The second end or portion 18 can be at the bottom of the apparatus and can be closed. The system 10 can also include a blending mechanism 24, such as one or more blades or whisks, that can be actuated (e.g., rotated) to blend or carbonate ingredients (such as a liquid base) in the vessel 12. The blending mechanism 24 can be located near the closed bottom portion 18 of the vessel 12. The system 10 can also include a handle 14 that a user can grasp to operate the system 10. The handle 14 can extend near the open top portion 16 of the vessel 12.

[0017] The system 10 may further include a spout or channel 20. The spout 20 may extend from a bottom portion of the container or pitcher 12. One end of the spout 20 may extend through a sidewall of the container or pitcher 12. The channel 20 may be in fluid communication with the interior of the container or pitcher 12. The spout 20 may pour the contents of the container 12. FIG. 1A shows a spout or channel 20 without a sidewall. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the spout 20 may include sidewalls 28 extending on either side of the spout 20 to maintain the contents within the spout 20. The spout 20 may include a top surface 27 and an opposing bottom surface 29. The top surface 27 may be flat or concave to retain the contents of the container 12 on the top surface 27 of the spout 20. The spout 20 may have a rectangular cross-section taken transverse to the length of the tube 20, such as that shown in FIG. 1A. In other examples, the spout 20 can have a rounded or cylindrical outer surface. In other embodiments, the spout 20 can have a cross section of other shapes, such as circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, or square. The top surface 27 can include a plurality of openings or slots 22. The plurality of openings or slots 22 can be inclined or oblique to the longitudinal axis of the spout 20. In other examples, the plurality of openings or slots 22 can be substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout 20. In some examples, the plurality of openings or slots 22 can extend along a portion of the top surface 27. In certain embodiments, the slots can have a width of 0.5 mm to 4 mm and / or in certain embodiments, a depth of 0.5 mm to 4 mm. In other examples, the plurality of openings or slots 22 can extend along the entire length of the top surface 27. The spout 20 can have a flat top surface 27 and a flat bottom surface 29. The spout 20 may further include two sides or sidewalls extending between a flat top surface 27 and a flat bottom surface 29. A plurality of openings or slots 22 may be disposed through the top surface 27 of the spout 20.1B and 1C, the spout 20 can include a sidewall or side 28 that extends above a top surface 27 of the spout 20. This can advantageously retain contents flowing along the top surface 27 of the spout 20 and prevent the contents from spilling over the sides of the spout 20.

[0018] In some configurations, the system 10 can include an opening or window 26 that extends through a wall or side of the container 12. The system 10 can optionally further include a gate or rotating mechanism 25 that can close or seal the opening 26. This can prevent the contents of the container 12 from leaking through the opening 26, thus retaining the contents within the container 12 as needed, such as when ingredients are being added to the container 12 or when ingredients are being blended. The gate or rotating mechanism 25 can open the opening 26 to dispense the contents of the container 12 from the opening 26 through the spout 20. For example, the gate or rotating mechanism 25 can lower and raise the spout 20. The spout 20 can act as a door to open and close the opening 26. In the closed position, the top surface 27 and / or bottom surface 29 can act as a sidewall of the container 12 to seal the opening 26 of the container 12. In the open position, the spout 20 can extend and protrude from the side of the container 12. In certain embodiments, the spout can form an angle between 30 degrees and 85 degrees with the side of the container. In some examples, the spout 20 can be disposed substantially transversely from the sidewall of the container 12. In other examples, the spout 20 can be disposed at an obtuse angle inclined from the sidewall of the container 12. In this manner, the spout 20 can extend near the closed end 18 of the container 12. The spout 20 can be disposed such that the opening 26 is open and allows contents from the interior of the container 12 to flow from the interior of the container 12 to the top surface 27 of the spout 20. The spout 20, including a sidewall 28 extending above the top surface 27 of the spout, can also open and close the opening 26 of the container 12. The sidewall 28 can be disposed within the interior of the container 12 when the spout 20 is in a closed position.

[0019] The pitcher 12 can receive one or more ingredients, such as a liquid base and a syrup. The blending mechanism 24 can be actuated, such as by rotating the blending mechanism 24, to blend the ingredients placed in the container 12. In some examples, the blending mechanism 24 can be actuated by a motor 23. Actuation of the blending mechanism 24 disposed in one or more ingredients can blend the ingredients and expand the ingredients with air to create a foam or mixed medium. After blending, the contents of the container 12 can include a mixture of the blended liquid base (foam or mixed medium) and the unblended liquid base. The contents of the container 12 can further include modifiers, such as syrup, powders, sweeteners, flavors, or other inclusions, which can be mixed into the blended or unblended liquid base. When the opening 26 is open, the contents within the container 12 can flow from the interior of the container 12 through the opening 26 and be dispensed through the spout 20 along the top surface 27 of the spout. The flow from the interior of the container 12, through the opening, out the first end of the spout 20, and out the second end of the spout 20 along the top surface of the spout 27 can be considered a flow path or a distribution path. The flow through the distribution path can distribute the contents of the container 12 into the beverage. As the contents flow through the spout 20, the unblended liquid base, which is heavier and denser, moves by gravity toward the bottom of the flowing contents and toward the top surface 27 of the spout 20. When near the top surface 27 of the spout 20, the unblended liquid base can pass through or drain through the slot 22 and thus not exit the distribution path to reach the beverage. The unblended liquid base can exit the distribution path along the top surface 27 of the spout 20 and then flow between the top surface 27 and the bottom surface 29 of the spout 20. The lighter, less dense blended foam or mixed medium can continue to flow through a dispensing path from the interior of the container 12, along the length of the top surface 27 of the spout 20, out the end of the spout 20, e.g., into the beverage.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1C, the spout 20 has an opening defined between the top surface 27 and the bottom surface 29 to allow for the drainage of the unblended liquid base. In some examples, the bottom surface 29 can be disposed at least below the slot 22 in the top surface 27. In this manner, contents from the interior of the container, including foam, can travel along a path 31 along the top surface 27 and between the two side walls 28, and the unblended liquid can be separated from the contents by gravity and enter a second path 33 between the top surface 27 and the bottom surface 29 through the slot 22. The bottom surface 29 can act as a catch basin or drain that can be disposed below the slot 22 in the spout 20. The catch basin or drain can capture any of the contents that pass through the slot 22 in the spout 20, such as the unblended liquid base.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the system 10 can include a spout 30 in the form of a cylindrical tube. The spout 30 can extend from the bottom portion 18 of the container or pitcher 12. One end of the spout 30 can extend through a sidewall of the container or pitcher 12. The spout 30 can function similarly to the spout 20 to separate and dispense an unblended liquid base from a blended foam or mixed medium. The spout 30 can be in fluid communication with the interior of the container or pitcher 12. The spout 30 can pour the contents of the container 12. As shown in FIG. 2B, the spout 30 can include a plurality of openings or slots 32. In some examples, the plurality of openings or slots 32 can extend along a portion of the spout 30. In certain embodiments, the slots can have a width of 0.5 mm to 4 mm and / or in certain embodiments, a depth of 0.5 mm to 4 mm. In other examples, the plurality of openings or slots 32 can extend along the entire length of the spout 30. The spout 30 can have a circular or oval cross section taken transverse to the length of the tube 30. The spout 30 can have a rounded or cylindrical exterior. In other embodiments, the spout 30 can have a cross section of other shapes, such as oval, elliptical, triangular, square, or rectangular. As shown in FIG. 2B, the plurality of openings or slots 32 can be disposed in a bottom portion or surface of the tube 30. The plurality of openings or slots 32 can be inclined or oblique to the longitudinal axis of the spout 30. In other examples, the plurality of openings or slots 32 can be substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout 30. In some examples, the plurality of openings or slots 32 can extend along a portion of the bottom surface of the spout 30. In other examples, the plurality of openings or slots 32 can extend along the entire length of the bottom surface of the spout 30. The spout 30 can include a cover or valve 36, if desired, which prevents the contents of the container 12 from flowing through the spout 30 until dispensing. When dispensing is desired, the cover can be removed or the valve can be opened.In some examples, the cover or valve can be located at various locations along the length of the spout 30, such as on a first end of the spout 30 as shown in FIG. 2A, on a second end of the spout 30, or between the first and second ends of the spout 30.

[0022] In some examples, the system 10 can further include a catch basin or drain that can be positioned below the slots 22, 32 of the spouts 20, 30. The catch basin or drain can capture any contents that pass through the slots 22, 32 of the spouts 20, 30, such as unblended liquid base. In some examples, the catch basin or drain can be integral with the spout 20, such as the bottom surface 29 described above in Figures 1B-1C. In other examples, the catch basin or drain 34 can be a separate component that is external to the spout 30, such as that shown in Figure 2A.

[0023] FIG. 3A illustrates another embodiment of a solid-liquid separator system or apparatus 50. Similar to the system 10 described above, the system 50 can include a vessel or pitcher 12 having a first end or portion 16 and a second end or portion 18. The first end or portion 16 can be at the top of the apparatus and can be open. The second end or portion 18 can be at the bottom of the apparatus and can be closed. The system 50 can also include a blending mechanism 24, such as a blade or whisk, that can be actuated (e.g., rotated) to blend or carbonate the ingredients (such as a liquid base) in the vessel 12. The blending mechanism 24 can be located near the closed portion 18 of the vessel 12. The system 50 can also include a base 48 extending from the bottom portion 18 of the vessel 12. The base 48 can be configured to engage a motor that can actuate the blending mechanism 24. The base 48 can also lock the vessel 12 to another component, such as a blending motor base.

[0024] The system 50 may further include a spout 40. The spout 40 may extend from the top open end 16 of the container 12. The spout 40 may include an extension or protrusion of the lip of the open end 16 of the container 12. The extension or protrusion may extend to a point at the end or distal end 46 where the contents of the container 12 pour or direct from the spout 40. The spout 40 may include an upper surface 47. The upper surface 47 may include a plurality of openings or slots 42. The spout 40 may also include a bottom surface 49 disposed below the upper surface 47. The spout 40 may define a cavity 45 between the upper surface 47 and the bottom surface 49. The spout 40 may include sides extending between the upper surface 47 and the bottom surface 49. FIG. 3A shows a spout 40 without sidewalls. As shown in Figure 3B, the spout 40 may also include sidewalls 48 on opposing sides of the spout 40 that extend above a top surface 47 of the spout 40. The sidewalls 48 may extend on both sides of the spout 40 to maintain contents on the top surface 47 of the spout 40. As shown in Figure 3C, the top surface 47 may be concave. Similarly, the bottom surface 49 may be concave and may be disposed below the top surface 47.

[0025] The spout 40 may function similarly to the spouts 20, 30 described herein to separate and drain unblended liquid base from the blended foam or mixed medium as the contents of the container 12 are dispensed. In the system 50, once the ingredients (such as liquid base and modifiers) are blended, the contents of the container 12 may be dispensed by tilting or rotating the container 12 to pour out the contents of the interior 12. When the container 12 is tilted, the contents of the container 12 may be poured out of the open top portion 16 to flow toward and out of the spout 40. The spout 40 may define a flow path along the top surface 47 of the spout 40 from one end of the spout 40 connected to the open end 16 of the container 12 to an opposing end of the spout 40, which may be the distal end 46 of the spout 40. The spout 40 may be in fluid communication with the interior of the container 12. The spout 40 may pour out the contents of the container 12. When the container 12 is tilted, the contents within the interior of the container 12 can flow out of the system, such as into the beverage, along the flow path of the spout 40. As the mixture of blended foam and unblended liquid base flows through the flow path of the top surface 47 of the spout 40, the unblended liquid base, which is heavier and more dense than the blended foam, moves toward the top surface 47 of the spout 40 by gravity. The unblended liquid base can then pass through or exit the slots 42 disposed through the top surface 47, and thus does not exit the flow path to reach the beverage. The lighter and less dense blended foam or mixed medium can flow through the flow path from the interior of the container 12, along the flow path of the top surface 47 of the spout 40, out the end 46 of the spout 40, for example, into the beverage. The unblended liquid base can then exit the flow path through the slots 42 of the top surface 47 and into the cavity 45 between the top surface 47 and the bottom surface 49.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B and 3D, the spout 40 may further include a plurality of slots 42, a cavity 45 disposed between a top surface 47 and a bottom surface 49, and a channel 44, which may be a return channel in fluid communication with or extending between the interior of the container 12. The unblended liquid base may pass through or through the plurality of slots 42 and drain into the cavity 45. The unblended liquid base may travel through the cavity 45 defined between the top surface 47 and the bottom surface 49 of the spout. The container 12 may then be placed upright such that it is no longer tilted, and the unblended liquid base from the cavity 45 above the bottom surface 49 of the spout 40 may flow into the channel 44 and return to the interior of the container 12. This advantageously allows the unblended liquid base to be captured and collected, as well as reused to prepare additional foam or mixed media as it is returned to the interior of the container 12.

[0027] FIG. 3E illustrates one embodiment of a solid-liquid separator system or apparatus 60. The system 60 can include a container or pitcher 12 and a spout 70. The spout 70 can include an extension or protrusion of the lip of the open end 16 of the container 12. The extension or protrusion of the spout 70 can extend to an end 76 to aid in pouring or directing the contents of the container 12 out of the spout 70. The end 76 can be at a terminal or distal point of the spout 70. As shown in FIG. 3F, the spout 70 can include sidewalls 88 extending on either side of the spout 70 to maintain the contents within the spout 70.

[0028] The spout 70 may include one or more side channels 72 to allow drainage. In some examples, the one or more side channels 72 may include a channel disposed on each of two sides of the spout 70. In some examples, the one or more side channels 72 may be disposed on at least two opposing sides on the bottom surface of the spout 70, such as those shown in Figures 3E-3G. In some examples, the spout 70 may further include a convex region 78 disposed between the two side channels 72 of the spout 70. The convex region 78 may extend above the top surface of the spout 70. In this manner, the foam may travel along the convex region or portion 78 between the two side channels 72 and / or between the two side walls 88, while the liquid base may flow out of the convex region 78 and into the one or more side channels 72. As shown in the example of FIG. 3E, the foam can travel along the convex region 78 while the liquid base can flow out of the convex region 78 and into one or more side channels 72. The one or more side channels 72 can be disposed on opposing sides of the convex region 78. As shown in the example of FIGS. 3F-3G, the foam can travel along the convex region 78 while the liquid base can flow through the side channels 72 disposed between the convex region 78 and each of the side walls 88. In some examples, the one or more side channels 72 can have a cross-sectional diameter or width of at least 5 mm, and in some embodiments, at least 3 mm.

[0029] The spout 70 can function similarly to the spouts 20, 30, 40 of the other embodiments described herein to separate and dispense the unblended liquid base from the blended foam or mixed medium as the contents of the container 12 are dispensed through the spout 70. In the system 60, once the ingredients (such as the liquid base and modifiers) are blended, the contents of the container 12 can be dispensed by tilting or rotating the container 12. When the container 12 is tilted, the contents of the container 12 can be poured towards and flow out of the spout 70. The spout 70 can define a flow path or distribution path from one end of the spout 70 connected to the open end of the container 12 to an opposing end of the spout 70, which can be the distal end 76 of the spout 70. The spout 70 can be in fluid communication with the interior of the container 12. The spout 70 can pour the contents of the container 12. When the container 12 is tilted, contents within the interior of the container 12 may flow toward the flow path of the spout 70 and out of the system 60, such as into the beverage. As the mixture of blended foam and unblended liquid base flows through the flow path of the spout 70, the unblended liquid base, being heavier and denser than the blended foam, moves toward the bottom of the spout 70 due to gravity. As previously described, the blended foam may move along a flow path along the convex region 78 from one end of the spout 70 to the distal end 76 of the spout 70. The unblended liquid base may separate from the blended foam such that the unblended liquid base may flow out the side of the convex region 78 and into a side channel 72 on the opposing side of the convex region 78. The unblended liquid base may then move through one or more side channels 72 such that it does not exit the flow path and reach the beverage. The lighter, less dense blended foam or mixed medium can flow from the interior of the container 12, along the flow path of the spout 70 over the convex region 78, through the end 76 of the spout 70, and through the flow path, e.g., into the beverage.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3E and 3F, the spout 70 can further include one or more side channels 72 and a return channel 74 in fluid communication with or extending between the interior of the container 12. The unblended liquid base can pass through or be discharged through the one or more side channels 72. The container 12 can then be placed upright such that the container 12 is no longer tilted, and the unblended liquid base can then flow from the side channels 72 into the return channel 74 and back into the interior of the container 12. This advantageously allows the unblended liquid base to be separated, captured and collected, as well as reused to prepare additional foams or mixed media.

[0031] Specific Terminology As used herein, the term "beverage" has its ordinary and customary meaning and includes, among other things, any edible liquid or substantially liquid substance or flowable product (e.g., juice, coffee drink, tea, milk, beer, wine, cocktails, liqueurs, spirits, cider, soft drinks, flavored waters, energy drinks, soups, broths, combinations thereof, etc.).

[0032] Conditional language such as "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless otherwise specified or understood otherwise within the context in which it is used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments do not. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that the features, elements, and / or steps are somehow required in one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether those features, elements, and / or steps are included in or should be performed in any particular embodiment, with or without user input or prompting.

[0033] Conjunction language such as the phrase "at least one of X, Y, and Z" is understood in the context in which it is generally used to convey that an item, term, etc. can be either X, Y, or Z, unless otherwise noted. Thus, such conjunctive language is generally not intended to imply that a particular embodiment requires the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0034] Unless otherwise noted, articles such as "a" or "an" should generally be construed to include one or more of the listed items. Thus, a phrase such as "a device configured to" is intended to include one or more of the enumerated devices. Such one or more enumerated devices may also be collectively configured to perform the stated enumeration. For example, "a processor configured to perform enumerations A, B, and C" may include a first processor configured to perform enumeration A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to perform enumerations B and C.

[0035] Terms such as "comprising," "including," "having," and the like are synonymous and are used in an inclusive, open-ended manner and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, etc. Similarly, terms such as "some," "particular," and the like are synonymous and are used in an open-ended manner. Additionally, the term "or" is used in an inclusive (rather than exclusive) sense, whereby, for example, when used to connect a list of elements, the term "or" refers to one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

[0036] The terms "approximately", "about" and "substantially" as used herein refer to an amount close to the recited amount that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, in some embodiments, as the context may dictate, the terms "approximately", "about" and "substantially" may refer to an amount that is within 10% or less of the recited amount. A number preceded by a term such as "about" or "approximately" is inclusive of the recited number and should be interpreted precisely based on the context (e.g., as much as reasonably possible under the circumstances). For example, "about 1 gram" includes "1 gram". In embodiments described in this application, a term such as "about" or "approximately" in the specification or claims preceding a value or range may be omitted, whereby the application specifically includes embodiments of such values ​​and ranges in which the term "about" or "approximately" is omitted from the recited value or range, whereby they may also be claimed without the term "about" or "approximately" preceding the disclosed range. As used herein, the term "generally" refers to a value, amount, or characteristic that primarily includes or tends toward a particular value, amount, or characteristic. As an example, in certain embodiments, as the context may dictate, the term "generally parallel" can refer to deviations of 20 degrees or less from exactly parallel and / or the term "generally perpendicular" can refer to deviations of 20 degrees or less from exactly perpendicular.

[0037] Overall, the claim language should be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims, and is not intended to be limited to the non-exclusive embodiments and examples illustrated and described in this disclosure or discussed during prosecution of this application.

[0038] The following exemplary embodiments identify some possible permutations of feature combinations disclosed herein, although other permutations of feature combinations are possible.

[0039] overview Although certain aspects, advantages, and features are described herein, it is not necessary for a particular embodiment to include or achieve any or all of those aspects, advantages, and features. For example, some embodiments may not achieve the advantages described herein, but may instead achieve other advantages. Any structure, feature, or step in any embodiment may be used in place of or in addition to any structure, feature, or step in any other embodiment, or may be omitted. The present disclosure contemplates all combinations of features from the various disclosed embodiments. No feature, structure, or step is required or essential. Additionally, while the present disclosure describes specific embodiments and examples of beverage systems and methods, many aspects of the systems and methods described above may be combined and / or modified in different ways to form yet other embodiments or acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0040] Also, although there may be some embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure not explicitly recited above or elsewhere herein, the present disclosure contemplates and includes all embodiments within the scope of what is shown and described herein. Further, the present disclosure contemplates and includes embodiments that include any combination of any structure, material, step, or other feature disclosed anywhere herein with any other structure, material, step, or other feature disclosed anywhere herein.

[0041] Moreover, certain features described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, although features may be described above as acting in a particular combination, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be deleted from the combination, and the combination can be claimed as a subcombination or a variation of the subcombination.

[0042] For the purpose of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages and novel features are described herein.Not all such advantages can be achieved according to any particular embodiment.Thus, for example, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure can be embodied or implemented to achieve one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein, without necessarily achieving other advantages as taught or suggested herein.

[0043] Some embodiments are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. While the figures are drawn to scale, such scale should not be construed as limiting. Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarily bear precise relationship to the actual dimensions and layout of the devices depicted. Components may be added, removed, and / or rearranged. Furthermore, any particular features, aspects, methods, attributes, properties, qualities, attributes, elements, etc. disclosed herein in connection with various embodiments may be used in all other embodiments described herein. Additionally, any method described herein may be implemented using any device suitable for performing the recited steps.

[0044] Furthermore, although components and operations may be shown in the drawings or described herein in a particular arrangement or order, such components and operations need not be arranged and performed in the particular arrangement and order shown, or in sequential order, to achieve desirable results, nor need to include all components and operations. Other components and operations not shown or described can be incorporated into the embodiments and examples. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the described operations. Furthermore, operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Also, it should be understood that the separation of various system components in the above implementations should not be understood to require such separation in all implementations, and that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged in multiple products.

[0045] In summary, various exemplary embodiments and examples of beverage dispensing systems and methods have been disclosed. Although the systems and methods have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments and examples, the disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and / or other uses of the embodiments, as well as certain modifications and equivalents thereof. The disclosure expressly contemplates that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another. Thus, the scope of the disclosure should not be limited by the specific disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the appended claims and their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for preparing a foam, the apparatus comprising: a container having an open end and a closed end, the container defining an interior configured to contain the foam therein; a spout extending from the container, the spout configured to dispense the foam; Equipped with the spout comprising a plurality of slots disposed through a surface of the spout; Device.

2. The apparatus further comprises a blending mechanism.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The blending mechanism comprises one or more blades.

3. The apparatus of claim 2.

4. The blending mechanism comprises a whisk.

3. The apparatus of claim 2.

5. The spout opens and closes an opening through a side wall of the container.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the spout has a flat upper surface, and the plurality of slots are disposed through the flat upper surface of the spout; 6. The apparatus of claim 5.

7. the spout includes side walls, each of the side walls extending above the planar upper surface; 7. The apparatus of claim 6.

8. The spout comprises a cylindrical tube. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the plurality of slots are disposed through a bottom surface of the cylindrical tube; 9. The apparatus of claim 8.

10. The spout extends near the closed end of the container. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the apparatus further comprises a catch basin disposed below the plurality of slots; 11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The spout comprises a lip projection at the open end of the container. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the protrusion has a top surface and a bottom surface, the plurality of slots being disposed through the top surface of the protrusion; 13. The apparatus of claim 12.

14. the spout further comprising a return channel in fluid communication with the bottom surface of the projection and the interior of the container.

14. The apparatus of claim 13.

15. The protrusion extends to a distal end of the spout.

13. The apparatus of claim 12.

16. 1. An apparatus for preparing a foam, the apparatus comprising: a container having an open end and a closed end, the container defining an interior configured to contain the foam therein; a spout extending from the open end of the container; Equipped with The spout comprises one or more side channels. Device.

17. the spout includes a projection extending from a lip of the open end of the container; 17. The apparatus of claim 16.

18. the protrusion extends to a point at the distal end of the spout; 20. The apparatus of claim 17.

19. the spout further comprises a return channel in fluid communication with the one or more side channels and the interior of the container.

19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

20. the one or more side channels comprise two side channels disposed on opposite sides of a bottom surface of the spout, the spout further comprising a convex portion disposed between the two side channels.

20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19.

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