Automated beverage dispenser system and method

Abstract

A beverage production system is provided that includes a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups and a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage. The beverage production system further includes a turntable assembly having a central axis, an inner turntable including a row of cup receptacles, and an outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable. The inner turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the row of cup receptacles with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station. The turntable assembly is configured to align openings in the turntable assembly with the cup receptacles in the row, the openings being adjacent to the outer turntable. The beverage production system further includes an actuator configured to move cups positioned in the cup receptacles in the row onto the outer turntable.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Restaurants and other dining establishments may distribute a large number of beverages to patrons during business hours. As a result, dining establishments may have beverage dispensers or other similar systems that can be used by patrons and / or employees to efficiently produce beverages. Summary of the Invention

[0002]

[0002] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of various exemplary embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0003] [Figure 1]

[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a beverage production system according to some embodiments. [Figure 2]

[0004] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a beverage handling assembly of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 3]

[0005] 2 is an exploded view illustrating a turntable assembly of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 4]

[0006] 2 is an exploded view illustrating a cup dispensing station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 5]

[0007] FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating a dispenser of the cup dispensing station of FIG. 4, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6]

[0008] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing the ring gear and wedge assembly of the dispenser of FIG. 5 in a first position, according to some embodiments. [Figure 7]

[0009] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view showing the ring gear and wedge assembly of FIG. 6 in a second position according to some embodiments. [Figure 8]

[0010] 2 is a top view illustrating a wedge assembly that may be used within the cup dispensing station of the beverage production and dispensing system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 9]

[0011] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cup dispensing station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cup dispensing station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 11] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a cup dispensing station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 12]

[0012] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ice dispensing station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 13]

[0013] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a beverage dispensing station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 14]

[0014] 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a lid application station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a lid application station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 16]

[0015] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a lid application station of the beverage production and dispensing system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 17]

[0016] 2 is a top view illustrating a pair of merging rails of the lid application station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 18]

[0017] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a lid press of the lid application station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 19]

[0018] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a compression belt for securing a lid to a cup in a lid application station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 20]

[0019] 2 is a perspective view illustrating a roller assembly for securing a lid to a cup in a lid application station of the beverage production and dispensing system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 21]

[0020] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a heat seal lid application assembly of the lid application station of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 22]

[0021] 2 is a side view illustrating a beverage identification assembly of the beverage production system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments. [Figure 23]

[0022] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for producing a beverage, according to some embodiments. [Figure 24]

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a computer system suitable for implementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 25]

[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a beverage production system according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 26]

[0025] FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a modified turntable assembly of the beverage production system of FIG. 25, according to one embodiment. [Figure 27]

[0026] FIG. 27 is a partial cutaway view of the modified turntable assembly of FIG. 26 shown with a slide assembly, according to one embodiment. [Figure 28]

[0027] FIG. 28 is an enlarged perspective view of the slide assembly shown in FIG. 27, according to one embodiment. [Figure 29]

[0028] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a modified turntable assembly and slide assembly. [Figure 30A]

[0029] FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating the upper and lower magnetic assemblies of the slide assembly shown in FIG. 29 according to another embodiment. [Figure 30B]

[0030] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating upper and lower magnetic assemblies and an inner turntable according to another embodiment. [Figure 30C]

[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the underside of a slide assembly and modified turntable according to another embodiment. [Figure 31]

[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a modified turntable assembly positioned within a sink according to another embodiment. [Figure 32]

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sink and drain according to one embodiment. [Figure 33]

[0034] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified turntable assembly placed in a sink with the cup holders removed, according to another embodiment. [Figure 34]

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the sink with the modified turntable assembly removed. [Figure 35]

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sink and drain according to one embodiment. [Figure 36A]

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a modified turntable assembly drive system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 36B] FIG. 1 illustrates a modified turntable assembly drive system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 36C] FIG. 1 illustrates a modified turntable assembly drive system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 36D] FIG. 1 illustrates a modified turntable assembly drive system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 36E] FIG. 1 illustrates a modified turntable assembly drive system, according to one embodiment. [Figure 37]

[0038] 26 is another perspective view of the beverage production system of FIG. 25 showing a lid and print assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 38]

[0039] 1 illustrates a lid application and printing assembly and a lift assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 39A]

[0040] FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of a modified turntable assembly and lift assembly according to one embodiment. [Figure 39B]

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cup receptacle according to one embodiment. [Figure 40A]

[0042] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a portion of the beverage production system of FIG. 25, according to one embodiment. [Figure 40B]

[0043] 26 is a perspective view showing another portion of the beverage production system of FIG. 25 according to a further embodiment. [Figure 40C] 26 is a perspective view showing another portion of the beverage production system of FIG. 25 according to a further embodiment. [Figure 41]

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a beverage production system. [Figure 42]

[0045] FIG. 42 is a perspective view illustrating a conveyor assembly of the beverage production system of FIG. 41 according to some embodiments. [Figure 43]

[0046] FIG. 43 is a top view of the conveyor assembly of FIG. 42 according to some embodiments. [Figure 44]

[0047] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the cup receiving portion of the conveyor assembly of FIG. 42 according to some embodiments. [Figure 45] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the cup receiving portion of the conveyor assembly of FIG. 42 according to some embodiments. [Figure 46] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the cup receiving portion of the conveyor assembly of FIG. 42 according to some embodiments. [Figure 47] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the cup receiving portion of the conveyor assembly of FIG. 42 according to some embodiments. [Figure 48]

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a beverage production system. [Figure 49]

[0049] FIG. 49 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a cup dispensing station of the beverage production system of FIG. 48 according to some embodiments. [Figure 50]

[0050] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of a beverage production system. [Figure 51]

[0051] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of a beverage production system. [Figure 52]

[0052] FIG. 52 is another perspective view of the beverage production system shown in FIG. 51. [Figure 53]

[0053] FIG. 53 is a perspective view showing a turntable of the beverage production system shown in FIGS. 51 and 52. [Figure 54]

[0054] 1A-1C illustrate embodiments of a cup holder and transition assembly of a beverage production system. [Figure 55]

[0055] FIG. 10 is another view of the beverage production system and transition assembly. [Figure 56]

[0056] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a cup holder according to one embodiment. [Figure 57]

[0057] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a cup holder according to one embodiment. [Figure 58]

[0058] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lift mechanism according to one embodiment. [Figure 59]

[0059] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a positioning plate according to one embodiment. [Figure 60]

[0060] 1 is a perspective view showing a lid application and printing system according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 61]

[0061] FIG. 1 is another perspective view showing a lid application and printing system according to one embodiment. [Figure 62]

[0062] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a beverage production system. [Figure 63]

[0063] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wiper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004]

[0064] The following discussion is directed to various embodiments, however, those skilled in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have a wide range of applications and that the discussion of any embodiment is intended merely to be illustrative of that embodiment and is not intended to suggest that the scope of the present disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

[0005]

[0065] The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale: certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of conventional elements may not be shown for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

[0006]

[0066] In the following discussion and claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used open-endedly and should therefore be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” Additionally, the terms “couple” or “couples” are intended to mean either an indirect connection or a direct connection. Thus, when a first device couples to a second device, this connection may be through a direct connection between the two devices or through an indirect connection established through other devices, components, nodes, and connections. Additionally, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a given axis (e.g., the central axis of a body or port), whereas the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to a given axis. For example, an axial distance means a distance measured along or parallel to an axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to an axis.

[0007]

[0067] As previously described, beverages may be produced in restaurants or dining establishments using beverage dispensers or other similar systems. However, many such devices require physical human interaction for many (or even all) of the steps in the beverage production process. For example, producing a beverage in a beverage dispenser may still require a server, customer, or the like to retrieve a cup, align and hold the cup under the nozzle of the selected beverage type, and engage or otherwise interact with the device to dispense the desired beverage. Each of these additional manual interactions can increase the time and complexity of the beverage production process, thus reducing the overall efficiency of food service.

[0008]

[0068] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein include beverage production systems and related methods that can further improve the efficiency of the beverage production and distribution process by automating many, most, or substantially all of the steps for producing a beverage. Thus, by using the embodiments disclosed herein, the number of manual steps that may be required to fulfill a beverage order may be reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of the beverage production process and improving food service overall.

[0009]

[0069] 1 , a beverage production system 100 is shown according to some embodiments. As will be described in more detail below, beverage production system 100 may be used to automatically prepare and dispense finished or substantially finished beverages on-the-fly, thereby reducing the number of manual actions performed by servers, customers, etc. Generally, beverage production system 100 includes a freezer compartment 112, a cabinet 114, and a beverage handling assembly 120 disposed between freezer compartment 112 and cabinet 114.

[0010]

[0070] 1 and 2, beverage handling assembly 120 includes multiple stations for performing various stages or steps of the beverage production process. Specifically, beverage handling assembly 120 includes cup dispensing station 130, ice dispensing station 180, beverage dispensing station 190, and lid application station 200. A beverage may be produced by advancing through stations 130, 180, 190, 200 using turntable assembly 122.

[0011]

[0071] 2 and 3, turntable assembly 122 includes a central axis 155 and a pair of concentric turntables 124, 126. Specifically, turntable assembly 122 includes an inner turntable 124 and an outer turntable 126 disposed circumferentially around inner turntable 124. Inner turntable 124 includes and defines a first or inner row 154 of cup receptacles 125, and outer turntable 126 includes and defines a second or outer row 156 of cup receptacles 125. Inner row 154 and outer row 156 extend annularly about central axis 155, with inner row 154 disposed radially inward of outer row 156. Specifically, in some embodiments, the first row 154 and the second row 156 extend circumferentially around the central axis 155, such that the cup receptacles 125 of the rows 154, 156 are concentrically arranged around the axis 155.

[0012]

[0072] 3 , the inner turntable 126 and the outer turntable 124 are supported by a base plate 149. More specifically, the base plate 149 includes a pair of circumferential rails 148, 147 that support the turntables 124, 126, respectively, via a pair of bearings 144, 146, respectively. The bearings 144, 146 may facilitate rotation of the turntables 124, 126, respectively, about a central axis 155 relative to the base plate 149 during operation. In some embodiments, the bearings 144, 146 may include wheels, sliding surfaces, and / or other suitable components or features to facilitate movement (e.g., rotation) of the turntables 124, 126 relative to the base plate 149. In other embodiments, the inner turntable 126 may be supported by a shaft (not shown), and the outer turntable 124 is supported along an outer diameter of the outer turntable 124 by a support structure (not shown) of the beverage production system 100.

[0013]

[0073] The inner turntable 124 and the outer turntable 126 are received within an outer housing 140, which is mounted on a base plate 149 such that the outer housing 140 further conceals the rails 147, 148 and bearings 144, 146. A gearbox 142 is mounted to the outer housing 140 and includes one or more gears (not shown) that mesh with gear teeth or other suitable structure formed on the outer turntable 126. In other embodiments, either or both of the outer turntable 126 and the inner turntable 124 may be driven by rubber wheels (not shown) that are frictionally engaged to the outside or to other portions of the turntables 124 and / or 126.

[0014]

[0074] A first driver 141 and a second driver 143 are supported in a housing 145 coupled to a base plate 149 on an opposite side of the turntables 124, 126 and the outer housing 140. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the second driver 143 may be located on the same side as the turntables 124, 126. In this embodiment, the output shaft of the first driver 141 extends through a first aperture 150 in the base plate 149 to couple with the inner turntable 124, and the output shaft of the second driver 143 extends through a second aperture 152 in the base plate 149 to engage a gear in the gearbox 142. In some embodiments, the drivers 141, 143 can comprise electric motors, while in other embodiments, the drivers 141, 143 can comprise pneumatic motors, hydraulic motors, etc.

[0015]

[0075] In operation, the drivers 141, 143 may be biased to rotate the turntables 124, 126, respectively, about a central axis 155. Specifically, the first driver 141 may be biased to rotate the inner turntable 124 about axis 155, and the second driver 143 may be biased to rotate the outer turntable 126 about axis 155 via gears (not shown) in the gearbox 142. Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, rotation of the turntables 124, 126 about axis 155 may selectively advance beverages through stations 130, 180, 190, 200 in the beverage handling assembly 120. Because the turntables 124, 126 are rotated about axis 155 via separate drivers (e.g., drivers 141, 143 shown in FIG. 3 ), the turntables 124, 126 may be rotated about axis 155 independently of one another during operation. Without being bound by this or any other theory, the independent rotation of the turntables 124, 126 may provide redundancy to the beverage production system 100 in the event of a failure of one or more components of the beverage production system 100. Additionally, the independent rotation of the turntables 124, 126 may allow beverage production to be segmented and organized via the queues 154, 156. For example, the queues 154, 156 may be arranged to produce beverages for different sources (e.g., drive-thru orders vs. dine-in orders) and / or may be used to produce a variety of beverage types (e.g., carbonated vs. still, hot vs. cold). Further details of embodiments of stations 130, 180, 190, 200 are now described below.

[0016]

[0076] 1 and 4, in some embodiments, a cup dispensing station 130 includes a central axis 135, a dispenser 134, and a plurality of tubular magazines 132 coupled to and extending axially from the dispenser 134 relative to the axis 135. Each magazine 132 includes a first or upper end 132a and a second or lower end 132b opposite the upper end 132a. The lower end 132b is coupled to a corresponding receptacle 136 within the dispenser 134, and the upper end 132a projects axially away from the dispenser 134. Each magazine 132 is capable of receiving and storing a plurality of stacked cups 50. In some embodiments, the cups 50 may be loaded into the magazine 132 through the upper end 132a. In some embodiments, the magazine 132 may be detachable from the dispenser 134 to facilitate loading the cups 50 therein. In some embodiments (not shown), the exterior configuration of the plurality of tubular magazines 132 may not be circular, but may instead be hexagonal or another shape, and the sides of the tubular magazines 132 may include openings for receiving cups, such that cups may be loaded from the side instead of the top or bottom. In such embodiments, the hexagonal or other shape may hold cups based on the geometry of the unclosed tubular magazines 132.

[0017]

[0077] Dispenser 134 is a generally cylindrical member including a first or upper side 134a, a second or lower side 134b opposite upper side 134a, and a cylindrical outer surface 134c extending axially between sides 134a, 134b. Receptacle 136 extends axially through dispenser 134 between sides 134a, 134b about axis 135. Magazine 132 is engaged within receptacle 136 at upper side 134a such that, during operation, cups 50 dispensed from magazine 132 move through receptacle 136 and are ejected from lower side 134b.

[0018]

[0078] The dispenser 134 is disposed within the housing 131. During operation, the dispenser 134 can rotate within the housing 131 about an axis 135. A bearing 139 can be inserted into the housing 131 and engage an underside 134b of the dispenser 134, thus facilitating rotation of the dispenser 134 about the axis 135 during operation. A driver 138 can be coupled to one or more gears 133 disposed within a gearbox 129 of the housing 131. In some embodiments, the driver 138 comprises an electric motor, while in other embodiments, the driver 138 can comprise a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or the like. The one or more gears 133 can be coupled (e.g., meshed) with gear teeth or other suitable structure on the cylindrical outer surface 134c of the dispenser 134. A top plate 137 can cover the gearbox 129, and the driver 138 can be supported on the top plate 137. In other embodiments, the dispenser 134 may be driven by a timing belt pulley (not shown) engaged at the top portion of the dispenser 134 .

[0019]

[0079] 1 and 4 , during operation, driver 138 can rotate dispenser 134 about axis 135 via one or more gears 133. Specifically, driver 138 can rotate dispenser 134 to align selected ones of receptacles 136 in magazine 132 and dispenser 134 with cup receptacles 125 in rows 154, 156 on turntable assembly 122. In some embodiments, magazine 132 can hold various sizes and / or types of cups that can be selectively aligned with rows 154, 156 to produce a desired beverage during operation.

[0020]

[0080] 5, in some embodiments, the dispenser 134 includes an outer housing 163 that defines an interior chamber 167. A cap 160 can fit over the housing 163 to close the chamber 167 and conceal components disposed therein (described in more detail below). The cap 160 can define an upper side 134a, and the housing 163 can define a lower side 134b and a cylindrical outer surface 134c of the dispenser 134.

[0021]

[0081] A plurality of ring gears 166 are disposed within the chamber 167 and aligned with each of the receivers 136 along corresponding axes 165. A drive gear 168 is engaged (e.g., meshed) with gear teeth or other suitable structure on the radially outer surface of each of the ring gears 166. The drive gears 168 are coupled to a driver 162, which may be mounted in the cap 160. For example, the drive gears 168 may be engaged with an output shaft (not shown) of the driver 162 that extends through a suitable aperture (not shown) in the cap 160. In operation, the driver 162 may rotate the drive gears 168, thereby driving the rotation of the ring gears 166 about the corresponding axes 165. A bearing 169 may be mounted within the chamber 167 to facilitate and support the rotation of the ring gears 166 about the axes 165. In some embodiments, the driver 162 comprises an electric motor, while in other embodiments, the driver 162 may comprise a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or the like.

[0022]

[0082] Each axis 165 is parallel to and radially offset from the central axis 135. In some embodiments, the axes 165 are evenly spaced circumferentially about the axis 135. In the embodiment of the cup dispensing station 130 shown in Figures 4 and 5, there are a total of three magazines 132 and therefore a total of three receptacles 136. As a result, the axes 165 are spaced approximately 120° apart circumferentially about the axis 135. In other embodiments, more than three magazines 132 or fewer than three magazines 132 may be included to accommodate a desired number of cup sizes and cup types.

[0023]

[0083] A plurality of wedge members 164 are disposed within each ring gear 166. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 , each wedge member 164 includes a cylindrical body 174 including a central or longitudinal axis 175. Within each ring gear 166, the axis 175 of the wedge members 164 may be parallel to the axis 165 or may be radially offset from the axis 165. The body 174 includes a plurality of gear teeth 176 extending circumferentially about the axis 175. The teeth 176 may engage (e.g., mesh) with corresponding teeth 172 on the radially inner surface 170 of the ring gear 166. Thus, rotation of the ring gear 166 about the axis 165 results in rotation of the wedge members 164 about the axis 175 via the engagement of the teeth 172, 176.

[0024]

[0084] A pair of wedges 178, 179 extend radially outward from body 174. Wedges 178, 179 may extend radially outward from opposite radial sides of body 174 relative to axis 175. In some embodiments, wedges 178, 179 may extend circumferentially approximately 180° about body 174, although in some embodiments, wedges 178, 179 may extend circumferentially more or less than 180° about body 174. Additionally, wedges 178, 179 may be axially spaced apart from one another such that wedge 178 may be axially disposed above wedge 179 along axis 175. Accordingly, wedge 178 may be referred to herein as a first wedge or upper wedge 178, and wedge 179 may be referred to herein as a second wedge or lower wedge 179.

[0025]

[0085] In operation, the wedge members 164 can rotate about axis 175 to engage wedges 178, 179 with cups 50 extending into the receptacle 136 of the dispenser 134. Generally speaking, the upper wedge 178 can engage between axially adjacent cups 50 for removing the cups 50 from the dispenser 134 when desired, and the lower wedge 179 can support the cups 50 within the dispenser 134 when the cups 50 are not being dispensed from the dispenser 134. Specifically, in operation, each wedge member 164 can be transitioned between a first position shown in FIG. 6 and a second position shown in FIG. 7 to selectively remove and dispense cups 50 from the dispenser 134. In the first position ( FIG. 6 ), the lower wedge 179 can be rotated circumferentially about axis 175 to extend radially inward toward the axis 165 and, therefore, the cups 50. As a result, the lower wedge 179 of each wedge member 164 can engage the lip 52 of the lowest cup 50 in the dispenser 134 to prevent the cup 50 from falling through the dispenser 134 when the wedge assembly 164 is in the first position (FIG. 6).

[0026]

[0086] When it is desired to dispense cups 50 from the dispenser 134, the wedge member 164 can be transitioned from a first position (FIG. 6) to a second position (FIG. 7) by rotating the body 174 about the axis 175, thereby engaging the upper wedge 178 between the lips 52 of the two lowest cups 50 within the dispenser 134. The upper wedge 178 can have an axial width (e.g., relative to the axis 175) that tapers axially as it moves circumferentially around the body 174, such that as the body 174 rotates about the axis 175 from the first position ( FIG. 6 ) to the second position ( FIG. 7 ), the lips 52 of adjacent cups 50 are gradually spaced apart along the axis 175 until contact between adjacent cups 50 is reduced to a point where the axially lowest cup 50 can drop axially through the receptacle 136 and into the cup receptacle 125 within one of the rows 154, 156 on the turntable assembly 122 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When in the second position ( FIG. 7 ), an undispensed cup 50 in the dispenser 134 can be supported by the upper wedge 178.

[0027]

[0087] Once the lowest cup 50 has been dispensed from the dispenser 134, the wedge assembly 164 may again be transitioned from the second position (FIG. 7) back to the first position (FIG. 6) by rotating the body 174 about the axis 175, thereby realigning the lower edge 179 within the cup 50. As the body 174 is rotated from the second position (FIG. 7) to the first position (FIG. 6) about the axis 175, the cup 50 may fall downward along the axis 165, such that the lip 52 of the lowest cup 50 in the dispenser 134 engages the lower wedge 179 in the conventional manner. Thus, once the wedge assembly 164 has returned to the first position (FIG. 6), the dispenser 134 is again ready to dispense another cup 50 in the manner described above. In some embodiments, the wedge assembly 164 can be transitioned from a first position (FIG. 6) to a second position (FIG. 7) and back to the first position (FIG. 6) through continuous rotation of the body 174 about the axis 175 (e.g., a full 360° around the axis 175).

[0028]

[0088] While several specific examples of cup-dispensing stations 130 have been described above, it should be appreciated that various features of the cup-dispensing stations 130 may be altered, substituted, or eliminated in various embodiments, and that some embodiments of the cup-dispensing stations 130 may include additional features. For example, with reference to FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, the dispenser 134 may include one or more reciprocating wedge members 270 within and about the receiver 136 instead of or in addition to the wedge members 164. The wedge members 270 include one or more wedges 272 that may slide along the lips 52 and engage between axially adjacent cups 50 as the wedges 270 are moved radially inward toward the axis 165. The wedge 272 may include a slanted or angled surface such that as the wedge 270 moves radially inward toward the axis 165, adjacent cups 50 are moved axially away from one another along the axis 165, allowing the lowermost cup 50 to be removed and fall through the receiver 136 as generally described above.

[0029]

[0089] Referring now to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the cup dispensing station 130 may include a gripper arm 274 that can grasp a cup 50 extending through the dispenser 134 and pull the cup 50 downward toward the turntable assembly 122 (note: to simplify the drawing, only a schematic representation of the outer row 156 is provided in FIG. 9).

[0030]

[0090] 10, in some embodiments, the magazine 132 may linearly reciprocate along a track 276 or other structure to selectively align the magazine 132 with the rows 154, 156 of the turntable assembly 122 (FIG. 2). (Note: To simplify the drawing, FIG. 10 also includes only a schematic representation of one of the rows 156.) In some of these embodiments, the cups 50 may be dispensed from the magazine 132 via any of the methods and systems described herein and / or other known methods and systems. FIG. 10 depicts the gripper arm 274 of FIG. 9 to show some examples.

[0031]

[0091] 11 , in some embodiments, magazine 132 may be fixedly aligned with respect to rows 154, 156 of turntable assembly 122 ( FIG. 2 ). In some of these embodiments, additional magazines 132 may be included to allow a variety of cup sizes and cup types to be dispensed on each of rows 154, 156 (Note: to simplify the drawing, FIG. 11 also includes only a schematic representation of one of rows 156). In some of these embodiments, cups 50 may be dispensed from magazine 132 via any of the methods and systems described herein.

[0032]

[0092] 2, after a cup 50 is dispensed into one or both cup receptacles 125 in rows 154, 156 of turntable assembly 122, turntables 124, 126 are rotated about axis 155 to advance the empty cup 50 to ice dispensing station 180. Referring now to FIG. 12, in some embodiments, ice dispensing station 180 includes an inlet 182, a pair of outlets 188, 189, and a chute 185 disposed between inlet 182 and outlets 188, 189. Outlet 188 may be aligned with a cup receptacle 125 in inner row 154 (FIG. 2), and outlet 189 may be aligned with a cup receptacle 125 in outer row 156 (FIG. 2).

[0033]

[0093] Inlet 182 may be coupled to or may include some or all of freezer compartment 122 shown in Figure 1. An agitator 184 is disposed within inlet 182. Agitator 184 includes a plurality of paddles 186 that are driven to rotate within inlet 182 by a driver 187. Engagement between paddles 186 and the ice within inlet 182 breaks up ice obstructions within inlet 182 and assists in ensuring continuous advancement of the ice through inlet 182 and into chute 185.

[0034]

[0094] A distribution valve 181 is disposed within the chute 185. The distribution valve 181 may generally comprise a gate valve that is movable between a first or closed position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 12 ) to block the advancement of ice through the chute 185 toward the outlets 188, 189, and a second or open position (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12 ) to allow the advancement of ice through the chute 185 toward the outlets 188, 189. In some embodiments, a driver 183 may actuate the distribution valve 181 between the closed and open positions by pivoting the distribution valve 181 about a hinge 177. In some embodiments, the distribution valve 181 may move into and out of the chute 185 in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the flow or movement of ice within the chute 185 during operation.

[0035]

[0095] In some embodiments, an outlet selection valve 193 is coupled to the outlets 188, 189. The outlet selection valve 193 may include a gate 173 that is pivotable about a hinge 191 to selectively block one of the outlets 188, 189. Specifically, a driver 192 may pivot the gate 173 about the hinge 191 to a first position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 12 ) to block the outlet 188, such that ice advancing out of the chute 185 is directed into the outlet 189. Additionally, the driver 192 may pivot the gate 173 about the hinge 191 to a second position (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12 ) to block the outlet 189, such that ice advancing out of the chute 185 is directed into the outlet 188.

[0036]

[0096] 2 and 12, outlets 188, 189 may be aligned with rows 154, 156. Thus, during operation, when ice is dispensed into a cup 50 received in a cup receptacle 125 of one of rows 154, 156, driver 183 may transition dispensing valve 181 to an open position, thereby allowing the ice to advance through chute 185 under the force of gravity. Depending on whether the cup to receive the ice is located in a cup receptacle 125 of inner row 154 or a cup receptacle 125 of outer row 156, driver 192 may pivot gate 173 of outlet selector valve 193 to a first or second position to direct the ice out the desired corresponding outlet 188, 189. During these operations, driver 187 may rotate paddle 186 of agitator 184 within inlet 182 to ensure continuous advancement of ice toward chute 185.

[0037]

[0097] In some embodiments, the outlet selection valve 193 may be replaced by a pair of valves or gate assemblies coupled to the outlets 188, 189. Thus, in these embodiments, during operation, ice may be dispensed out of one or both of the outlets 188, 189 by actuating a gate assembly (not shown) for the selected outlet 188, 189.

[0038]

[0098] Valves (e.g., valves 181, 193, etc.) may be actuated to dispense ice out of outlets 188, 189 at specified times to prevent overfill. In some embodiments, ice dispensing station 180 may include a suitable sensor or other measuring device to monitor the volume of ice dispensed from outlets 188, 189 to prevent overfill. In some embodiments, a weight or force sensor may be employed (e.g., in cup receptacle 125 of FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to monitor the total weight of the cup and dispensed ice to prevent overfill. In these various embodiments, the amount of ice to be dispensed (and thus the various parameters for monitoring the amount of ice dispensed) may be determined by the size of cup 50 positioned in ice dispensing station 180.

[0039]

[0099] In some embodiments, the drivers 187, 183, 192 may comprise electric motors, but the drivers 187, 183, 192 may comprise any suitable driving device, such as, for example, a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, etc.

[0040]

[0100] In other embodiments, instead of a pair of outlets 188, 189, ice dispensing station 180 may include only one outlet, such as either outlet 188 or 189, to dispense ice into cups 50 in only one of the rows, such as either outer row 154 or inner row 156. For example, in this embodiment (not shown), outlet 189 may be eliminated, as may driver 192 and pivot gate 173. Further, in this embodiment, agitator 184 and paddle 186 may be replaced with an auger or other element in communication with a timing circuit to operate for a specified duration to dispense the appropriate amount of ice into the cups. This embodiment contemplates a variation of beverage dispensing system 100 that achieves a full fill of beverage in only one of inner row 154 or outer row 156, instead of a full fill of beverage in both rows 154 and 156.

[0041]

[0101] 2, after ice is dispensed into cups 50 at ice dispensing station 180, turntables 124, 126 can rotate about axis 155 to align cups 50 with beverage dispensing station 190. Beverage dispensing station 190 includes a pair of nozzles 194, 196, with a first nozzle 194 aligned with a cup receptacle 125 in inner row 154 and a second nozzle 196 aligned with a cup receptacle 125 in outer row 156. In operation, nozzles 194, 196 can dispense a selected beverage into cups 50 dispensed in rows 154, 156, respectively.

[0042]

[0102] 13 , in some embodiments, each of the nozzles 194, 196 is coupled to a distribution valve assembly 195. Furthermore, the distribution valve assembly 195 may be coupled to a carbonated water source 197, a non-carbonated water source 198, and a plurality of flavoring sources 199. Additional valves, pumps, and other components may be included to facilitate and control the flow of fluid from the sources 197, 198, 199, but these additional components are not shown to simplify the drawings. In operation, when a cup (e.g., cup 50 of FIGS. 1 and 2) is aligned with one of the nozzles 194, 196, a selected beverage is dispensed by flowing water from one (or both) of the sources 197, 198 and flavorings from one or more of the sources 199 to the distribution valve assembly 195. The distribution valve assembly 195 can then be actuated to direct fluid to the selected nozzles 194, 196. Fluids may be mixed in the dispensing valve assembly 195, in and / or between the nozzles 194, 196 to produce a selected beverage. In other embodiments, additional fluid sources may be connected to the dispensing valve assembly 195 to dispense beverages that do not require mixing, such as, but not limited to, juice, coffee, and milk.

[0043]

[0103] The dispensing valve assembly 195 may include or be coupled to a timing device to ensure the correct amount of fluid is dispensed from the selected nozzle 194, 196 while preventing overfill. In some embodiments, the dispensing valve assembly 195 may additionally or alternatively monitor (e.g., via flow sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) the volume of fluid dispensed to and from the nozzles 194, 196 to prevent overfill. In some embodiments, a weight or force sensor may be employed (e.g., in the cup receptacle 125 of FIGS. 1 and 2 ) to monitor the total weight of the cup, ice (if any), and the dispensed beverage to prevent overfill. In these various embodiments, the amount of fluid to be dispensed (and thus the various parameters for monitoring the amount of fluid dispensed) may be determined by the size of the cup 50 positioned in the beverage dispensing station 190.

[0044]

[0104] 13 includes two nozzles 194, 196, it should be appreciated that different numbers and configurations of nozzles may be utilized in other embodiments. For example, referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, beverage dispensing station 190 may include multiple nozzles for dispensing beverages into cups 50 disposed in inner row 154 and / or multiple nozzles for dispensing beverages into cups 50 disposed in outer row 156. Without being bound by this or any other theory, the number and configuration of nozzles (e.g., nozzles 194, 196) of beverage dispensing station 190 may enable a particular beverage or group of particular beverages to be dispensed from selected nozzles, which may increase the number of beverages that can be dispensed into cups 50 over a period of time. Additionally, the nozzles (e.g., nozzles 194, 196) of beverage dispensing station 190 may be separately coupled to sources 197, 198, 199, such that beverages may be dispensed simultaneously from various nozzles during operation. In embodiments where only one of the cup receptacles in the inner row 154 or the outer row 156 is filled with beverage, only one of the nozzles 194, 196 may be present.

[0045]

[0105] 2, after the beverage is dispensed into the cup 50 via the beverage dispensing station 190, the turntables 124, 126 rotate about axis 155 to align the cup 50 with the lid application station 200. Generally speaking, the lid application station 200 may include a plurality of tubular magazines 202 capable of receiving and holding a plurality of lids 60 to be dispensed and placed onto the cups 50 during operation.

[0046]

[0106] 14 and 15, which illustrate an embodiment of a lid application station 200. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the magazine 202 includes a central or longitudinal axis 205, a first or upper end 202a, and a second or lower end 202b opposite the upper end 202a. Lids 60 may be stacked into the magazine 202 from the upper end 202a and dispensed from the magazine 202 via a lid dispensing assembly 210 at the lower end 202b.

[0047]

[0107] In some embodiments, the lid dispensing assembly 210 can include a grapple 214 near the lower end 202b that is pivotally connected to the magazine 202 via a hinge 212. A driver 226 is coupled to the grapple 214 and / or the hinge 212 that can selectively rotate the grapple 214 about the hinge 212 between a first position shown in FIG. 14 and a second position shown in FIG. 15. In some embodiments, the driver 226 can include an electric motor, while in other embodiments, the driver 226 can include a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or the like.

[0048]

[0108] The grapple 214 includes a first or inner end 214a near the hinge 212 and a second or outer end 214b that projects away from the hinge 212. In addition, the grapple 214 includes a first lid grip 216 at (or near) the outer end 214b and a second lid lip 218 at (or near) the inner end 214a. The first lid grip 216 and the second lid grip 218 may include teeth or other suitable structure that can engage and retain the lid 60 during a dispensing operation. The first lid grip 216 may be fixed in position at (or near) the outer end 214b of the grapple 214, while the second lid grip 218 may be pivotally connected to the grapple 214 at (or near) the inner end 214a via a hinge 220. Additionally, the second lid grip 218 may be biased to rotate about the hinge 220 (e.g., via a torsion spring or other suitable device), such that the second lid grip 218 is biased to engage the lid 60 held by the grapple 214 (FIG. 14).

[0049]

[0109] A lid 60 may be dispensed from the magazine 202 by rotating the grapple 214 to a first position, as shown in FIG. 14 , so as to engage the lowest lid 60 in the magazine 202. More specifically, in the position of FIG. 14 , the lid 60 is grasped or engaged between the first lid grip 216 and the second lid grip 218. As previously described, the second lid grip 218 may be biased about the hinge 220 to engage the lid 60. Then, when it is desired to dispense a lid 60 onto the top of a cup (e.g., cup 50 of FIGS. 1 and 2 ) aligned with the lid application station 200, the driver 226 may rotate the grapple 214 about the hinge 212 from the first position, as shown in FIG. 14 , to the second position, as shown in FIG. 15 . 15, the second lid grip 218 can engage a cam surface 224 coupled to (or located near) the hinge 212. As a result, engagement of the second lid grip 218 with the cam surface 224 followed by continued rotation of the grapple 214 about the hinge 212 toward the second position can force the second lid grip 218 to rotate about the hinge 220 and thus disengage from the lid 60, allowing the lid 60 to fall under the force of gravity toward the cup 50 aligned with the lid 60. The driver 226 can then rotate the grapple 214 about the hinge 212 back toward the first position of FIG. 14 to engage another lid 60. Because the grapple 214 pivots about the hinge 212 between a first position (FIG. 14) and a second position (FIG. 15) during the lid dispensing operation described above, the lid 60 can be inserted into the magazine "upside down" so that when the lid 60, along with the grapple 214, is rotated to the second position of FIG. 15, the bottom side of the lid 60 faces the cup 50 (not shown).

[0050]

[0110] In some embodiments, the grapple 214 may be eliminated, and the lid 60 may be dispensed from the magazine 202 via other systems or methods. Referring now to FIG. 16 , in some embodiments, the magazine 202 may include a slot 230 extending radially through the wall of the magazine 202 at a point closer to the lower end 202b than the upper end 202a. A lid 60 inserted into the upper end 202a of the magazine 202 may fall or otherwise advance axially downward through the magazine 202 along the axis 205 until it aligns with the slot 230. A ram 232 may be coupled to the magazine 202 and may be aligned with the slot 230. The ram 232 may be selectively moved radially relative to the axis 205 (e.g., via a suitable driver or actuator) to pass through the slot 230 during operation. Each time the ram 232 moves radially through the slot 230, the lid 60 may be pushed radially out of the slot 230 and the magazine 202, thereby allowing it to fall downward toward the cup 50 (which may be disposed in the receptacle 125).

[0051]

[0111] In some embodiments, the lids 60 dispensed from the lid application station 200 may be misaligned with the cups 50. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the dispensing mechanism (e.g., grapple 214) of the lid application station 200 may align the lids 60 with the cups 50 (e.g., so that the lids 60 are substantially centered over the tops of the cups 50). In some embodiments, the lid application station 200 may include a separate device or assembly for aligning the lids 60 with the cups 50 after dispensing the lids 60 (e.g., from the magazine 202). For example, referring now to FIG. 17 , the cups 50 and dispensed lids 60 may be fed between a pair of merging rails 234 (e.g., via turntables 124, 126). The shape and position of the rails 234 may be selected such that the lids 60 may be aligned with the underlying cups 50 as the cups 50 and lids 60 are moved between the rails 234.

[0052]

[0112] Once the lid 60 is dispensed onto the cup 50 and aligned with the cup 50, the lid 60 may then be secured onto the cup 50 and pressed against the cup 50. In some embodiments, the grapple 214 of FIGS. 14 and 15 may be moved axially relative to the axis 205 (e.g., independently or integral with the magazine 202) to press the dispensed lid 60 against the cup 50.

[0053]

[0113] In some embodiments, the dispensed lid 60 may be pressed against the cup 50 via a separate press or other suitable device. For example, referring now to FIG. 18 , in some embodiments, a press 237 may be loosely fitted onto the cup 50 and then engage the lid 60 after it has been dropped. The press 237 includes a plunger 236 coupled to a linear actuator 238. The plunger 236 may have any suitable shape that can correspond to the shape of the lid (e.g., the lid 60 of FIGS. 14 and 15 ). The plunger 236 may be selectively extended and retracted along a central axis 235 via the linear actuator 238. In some embodiments, the linear actuator 238 may comprise a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. In some embodiments, the linear actuator 238 may comprise an electric linear actuator.

[0054]

[0114] 19, in some embodiments, dispensed lids 60 may be pressed against cups 50 via belts 240 spaced apart from rows 154, 156 (FIG. 2). Specifically, during operation, lids 60 and cups 50 are pressed between corresponding cup receptacles 125 (not shown in FIG. 19) of rows 154, 156 and belt 240, thereby securing lids 60 to cups 50.

[0055]

[0115] 20 , in some embodiments, the lid application station 200 can include a roller assembly 242 for pressing and securing the dispensed lid 60 against the cup 50. The roller assembly 242 can include a ring 244 and a plurality of rollers 246 rotatably mounted on the ring 244. The rollers 246 can be generally cylindrical in shape and include a central axis 245. The rollers 246 can be mounted on the ring 244 such that the axes 245 are angled relative to the central axis 55 of the cup 50. In some embodiments, the axes 245 are disposed at an angle θ relative to the central axis 55 that is greater than 0° and less than 90°. During operation, the cup 50 and dispensed lid 60 are aligned with the roller assembly 242, which is lowered along the axes 55 to engage the lid 60 and simultaneously rotated about the axes 55, causing the rollers 246 to press the lid 60 against the cup 50.

[0056]

[0116] 21 , in some embodiments, the lid application station 200 (FIGS. 1 and 2) can include a heat sealer 250. The heat sealer 250 can cut a lid from a continuous belt of lid material 258 (e.g., a polymer film) unrolled from a start roller 252 and taken up by a finish roller 254, and can heat seal the lid to the cup 50. Specifically, the heat sealer 256 can include a heating element (not shown) and can be moved along an axis 55 toward the cup 50 to cut off a portion of the lid material 258 and fuse the lid material 258 to the rim of the cup 50. In some embodiments, a pair of heat sealers 256 can be included in the heat sealer 250, with each heat sealer 256 aligned with a corresponding one of the rows 154, 156 of the turntable assembly 122. In some embodiments, each row 154 , 156 may be aligned with a separate, independent heat seal lid assembly 250 .

[0057]

[0117] In some embodiments, some or all of the lid application process may be performed manually (e.g., by an employee or a customer). For example, in some embodiments, the lid 60 may be manually removed and secured to the cup 50. In some embodiments, the lid application station 200 may dispense (and possibly align) the lid 60 onto the cup 50, after which the employee / customer may manually press the lid 60 against the cup 50. Thus, in some embodiments, some or all of the lid application station 200 may be eliminated from the beverage handling assembly 120 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0058]

[0118] 1 and 22 , in some embodiments, the beverage production system 100 can include a beverage identification assembly 260 for identifying beverages advanced through stations 130, 180, 190, 200 and ready for collection by an employee or customer. Specifically, as best shown in FIG. 22 , the beverage identification assembly 260 can include a plurality of emitting devices 262 coupled to the beverage handling assembly 120 configured to emit light 264 onto the cup 50 and (if present) lid 60 that can be used to identify a particular beverage or beverage order. In some embodiments, the light 266 can be color-coded to identify a particular beverage (or order) using various colors. In some embodiments, the light 264 can generate an image (e.g., letters and / or symbols) on the beverage that can provide sufficient information (e.g., name, order number, table number, vehicle identification information). In some embodiments, the emitting devices 262 can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) and / or other suitable light-emitting devices.

[0059]

[0119] 1 and 2 , during operation, a command to prepare a selected beverage may be received by suitable electronics (not shown) of beverage production system 100. For example, an employee or customer may select a desired beverage on user interface 110, which then initiates the beverage preparation process as generally described above. In some embodiments, user interface 110 may include a touch-sensitive electronic display. In some embodiments, beverage production system 100 may accept a command to prepare a beverage via another electronic device communicatively coupled to beverage production and dispensing system 100 via a suitable network or connection. For example, in some embodiments, beverage production system 100 may accept a command to prepare a beverage from a point-of-sale system of a restaurant or dining establishment that may receive orders via a customer or employee. In some embodiments, the point-of-sale system may comprise part of a computer system that further includes beverage production system 100 (e.g., computer system 400, described below).

[0060]

[0120] When a command to make a beverage is received by beverage production system 100, turntables 124, 126 may be rotated about axis 155 to advance cup receptacles 125 through stations 130, 180, 190, 200. Simultaneously, assemblies and mechanisms within each of stations 130, 180, 190, 200 may operate in the manner described above to make a beverage. Specifically, as described above, cup dispensing assembly 130 may dispense a cup 50 from magazine 132 into a cup receptacle 125 in one or both of rows 154, 156, after which cup 50 is aligned with ice dispensing station 180, thereby dispensing ice into cup 50. In some instances, depending on the selected preferences for each requested beverage, ice may not be dispensed into the cup when the cup is aligned with ice dispensing station 180. The cup 50 and ice (if dispensed) are then aligned with the beverage dispensing station 190, whereby the selected beverage is dispensed into the cup 50 (e.g., via nozzles 194, 196). Depending on the lid system employed, the cup 50 may then be advanced to the lid application station 200, whereby a lid 60 may be dispensed from a magazine 202 and secured onto the cup 50, or a film lid may be placed and secured onto the cup, such as by heat sealing. Finally, with brief reference to FIGS. 1 and 22, after the cup 50 has been advanced through the lid application station 200, the cup is generally moved into alignment with the beverage identification assembly 260, whereby the particular finished beverage can be identified via projected light 264, as generally described above. As previously discussed, in some embodiments, some or all of the lid application process may be performed manually, such that the lid application station 200 may be simplified or eliminated entirely from the beverage handling assembly 120.

[0061]

[0121] 23 , a method 300 of producing a beverage using an embodiment of the beverage dispensing system 100 is shown, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more elements of the method 300 may be performed by components of the beverage handling assembly 120 as described herein and / or by a computer system (such as, for example, computer system 400, described in more detail below). Accordingly, in describing features of the method 300, continued reference will be made to the beverage production system 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the beverage handling assembly 120 depicted in FIG. 2.

[0062]

[0122] Initially, method 300 involves receiving an order (or command) to prepare a desired beverage at block 302. The order may be generated or received via employee or customer interaction with a user interface device, such as user interface 110 shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the order may be generated or received by a point of sale system utilized by the restaurant or dining establishment, as described above.

[0063]

[0123] The method 300 further includes selecting a row 154, 156 on the turntable assembly 122 for producing the beverage at block 304. Specifically, in some embodiments, the row selection at block 304 may be determined based on predefined rules for producing beverages using the beverage production system 100. For example, as discussed above, in some embodiments, the origin of the beverage order (e.g., drive-thru, eat-in) may dictate which row 154, 156 is selected at block 304. Additionally, in some embodiments, the type and / or size of the desired beverage may further dictate which row 154, 156 is selected at block 304.

[0064]

[0124] The method 300 further includes, at block 306, aligning a magazine 132 of the cup dispensing station 130 with the selected row 154, 156 and dispensing a cup 50 from the magazine 132. As previously described, the magazine 132 can hold various sizes and / or types of cups 50 therein. Thus, during operation, the magazine 132 holding the desired cup size and type can dictate which magazine 132 will be utilized to dispense a cup 50 for a beverage production operation based on the command received at block 302. In some embodiments, as previously described, the dispenser 134 of the cup dispensing station 130 can be rotated (e.g., via a driver 138 shown in FIG. 4 ) to align the selected magazine 132 with the selected row 154, 156 on the turntable assembly 122.

[0065]

[0125] The method 300 further includes, at block 308, aligning the dispensed cup 50 with the outlets 188, 189 of the ice dispensing station 180 and dispensing ice into the cup 50 from the aligned outlets 188, 189. The outlets 188, 189 utilized to dispense the ice at block 308 may be indicated by the columns 154, 156 selected at block 304. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the outlet selector valve 193 (FIG. 12) may be actuated to direct the dispensed ice out the selected outlets 188, 189.

[0066]

[0126] The method 300 further includes, at block 310, aligning the nozzles 194, 196 of the beverage dispensing station 190 with the cup 50 and dispensing the beverage from the aligned nozzles 194, 196. Similar to the ice dispensing station 180, the nozzles 194, 196 utilized to dispense the beverage at block 310 may be indicated by the selection of the columns 154, 156 at block 304. In some embodiments, the nozzles aligned at block 310 may be selected based on the type of beverage being produced based on the instruction received at block 302.

[0067]

[0127] The method 300 further includes, at block 312, dispensing a lid 60 onto a cup 50 using the lid application station 200. In some embodiments, the lid application station 200 may be operated to dispense a lid 60 onto a cup 50, which may then be manually secured by an employee or a customer. In some embodiments, the lid application station 200 may be operated to both dispense a lid 60 and secure the lid 60 to the cup 50.

[0068]

[0128] At each of blocks 306, 308, 310, and 312 of method 300, the turntables 124, 126 of the turntable assembly 122 may be rotated (e.g., via drivers 141, 143) to align the cup receptacle 125 (and / or the cup 50 placed therein) with respect to each of the cup dispensing station 130, ice dispensing station 180, beverage dispensing station 190, and lid application station 200.

[0069]

[0129] FIG. 24 illustrates a computer system 400 suitable for implementing one or more embodiments disclosed herein. For example, beverage production system 100 (FIG. 1) can include or be coupled to computer system 400. During operation, beverage production system 100 can utilize computer system 400 to accept and process beverage orders (or commands associated with beverage orders) and to operate various components of beverage handling assembly 120 as described above. In some embodiments, one or more components of computer system 400 can be located within cabinet 114 shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, beverage production system 100 can include all or some aspects of computer system 400 connected to a point-of-sale or other system, where the point-of-sale further encompasses all or some aspects of computer system 400, or a combination thereof. Such a configuration allows beverage selection to be performed at either beverage dispensing and production system 100 or the point-of-sale or both.

[0070]

[0130] Computer system 400 includes a processor 402 (which may be referred to as a central processing unit or CPU) in communication with memory devices including secondary storage 404, read only memory (ROM) 406, random access memory (RAM) 408, input / output (I / O) devices 410, and network connectivity devices 412. Processor 402 may be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

[0071]

[0131] It will be understood that programming and / or loading executable instructions into computer system 400 modifies at least one of CPU 402, RAM 408, and ROM 406, transforming computer system 400, in part, into a particular machine or apparatus having novel functionality taught by the present disclosure. It is fundamental to the technical fields of electrical and software engineering that functionality that can be implemented by loading executable software into a computer can be converted into a hardware implementation according to well-known design rules. The decision between implementing a concept in software versus hardware typically depends on considerations of stability of the design and number of units to be manufactured, rather than any issues involved in converting from the software domain to the hardware domain. In general, designs that undergo frequent ongoing change may be preferable to be implemented in software because respinning a hardware implementation is more expensive than respinning a software design. In general, it may be preferable for a stable design to be mass-produced to be implemented in hardware, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), because hardware implementations may be less expensive compared to software implementations for mass production processes. Often, a design may be developed and tested in software form using well-known design rules, and then converted to an equivalent hardware implementation in an application-specific integrated circuit that hardwires the software's instructions. Just as a machine controlled by a new ASIC is a special machine or device, a computer programmed with and / or loaded with executable instructions may also be considered a special machine or device.

[0072]

[0132] Additionally, after system 400 is turned on or booted up, CPU 402 can execute computer programs or applications. For example, CPU 402 can execute software or firmware stored in ROM 406 or stored in RAM 408. In some cases, at boot-up and / or when an application is started, CPU 402 can copy the application or portions of the application from secondary storage 404 to RAM 408 or to a storage space within CPU 402 itself, and then execute the instructions that make up the application. In some cases, CPU 402 can copy the application or portions of the application from memory accessed via network-connected device 421 or via I / O device 410 to RAM 408 or to a storage space within CPU 402, and then execute the instructions that make up the application. During execution, the application can load instructions into CPU 402, e.g., some of the application's instructions can be loaded into a cache of CPU 402. In some contexts, an executing application can be said to configure CPU 402 to do something, such as configuring CPU 402 to perform functions promoted by the present application. When CPU 402 is configured in this manner by an application, CPU 402 becomes a special-purpose computer or special-purpose machine.

[0073]

[0133] Secondary storage 404 typically consists of one or more disk or tape drives and is used for non-volatile storage of data or as an overflow data storage device when RAM 408 is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage 404 may be used to store programs that are loaded into RAM 408 when such programs are selected for execution. ROM 406 is used to store instructions and possibly data that are read during program execution. ROM 406 is a non-volatile memory device that typically has a small storage capacity compared to the larger storage capacity of secondary storage 404. RAM 408 is used to store volatile data and possibly instructions. Accessing both ROM 406 and RAM 408 is typically faster than accessing secondary storage 404. Secondary storage 404, RAM 408, and / or ROM 406 may, in some contexts, be referred to as computer-readable storage media and / or non-transitory computer-readable media.

[0074]

[0134] The I / O data 410 may include a printer, a video monitor, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a touchscreen display (e.g., the user interface 110 shown in FIG. 1), a keyboard, a keypad, a switch, a dial, a mouse, a trackball, a voice recognition device, a card reader, a paper tape reader, or other well-known input and output devices.

[0075]

[0135] The network connectivity devices 412 may take the form of modems, modem banks, Ethernet cards, universal serial bus (USB) interface cards, serial interfaces, token ring cards, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) cards, wireless local area network (WLAN) cards, radio transceiver cards, and / or other well-known devices. The network connectivity devices 412 may provide wired and / or wireless communication links (e.g., a first network connectivity device 412 may provide a wired communication link and a second network connectivity device 412 may provide a wireless communication link). The wired communication links may be provided in accordance with Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), Internet protocol (IP), time division multiplexing (TDM), data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), and / or wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), etc.In embodiments, the wireless transceiver card may provide a wireless communication link using protocols such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), long-term evolution (LTE), WiFi (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth, ZigBee, narrowband Internet of things (NB IoT), near field communication (NFC), radio frequency identification (RFID), etc. The wireless transceiver card may facilitate wireless communication using 5G, 5G New Radio, or 5G LTE wireless communication protocols. These network connectivity devices 412 may enable the processor 402 to communicate with the Internet or one or more intranets. Using such network connections, it is contemplated that the processor 402 may receive information from a network or output information to a network in the course of performing the method steps described above. Such information, often represented as a series of instructions to be executed using processor 402, may be received from or output to a network, for example, in the form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave. Accordingly, the present disclosure contemplates receiving instructions via network-connected device 412, such as customer orders received online or via so-called internet applications or other techniques, including orders for beverages that are then automatically produced by beverage production system 100 without input from employees or personnel located at or operating beverage production system 100.

[0076]

[0136] Such information, which may include, for example, data or instructions to be executed using processor 402, may be received from and output to a network in the form of, for example, computer data baseband signals or signals embodied in carrier waves. Baseband signals or carrier wave embodied signals, or other types of signals now used or later developed, may be generated according to a number of methods well known to those skilled in the art. Baseband signals and / or carrier wave embodied signals may, in some contexts, be referred to as transitory signals.

[0077]

[0137] The processor 402 executes instructions, code, computer programs, and scripts that it accesses from a hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk (all of these various disk-based systems may be considered secondary storage 404), flash drive, ROM 406, RAM 408, or network-connected device 412. While only one processor 402 is shown, there may be multiple processors. Thus, while instructions may be discussed as being executed by a processor, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially, or in other manners by one or more processors. For example, instructions, code, computer programs, scripts, and / or data that may be accessed from secondary storage 404, ROM 406, and / or RAM 408, such as a hard drive, floppy disk, optical disk, and / or other devices, may be referred to in some contexts as non-transitory instructions and / or non-transitory information.

[0078]

[0138] In embodiments, computer system 400 may comprise two or more computers in communication with each other that cooperate to perform tasks. For example, but not by way of limitation, an application may be partitioned to allow parallel and / or concurrent processing of the application's instructions. Alternatively, data processed by an application may be partitioned to allow parallel and / or concurrent processing of different portions of the data set by two or more computers. In embodiments, virtualization software may be employed by computer system 400 to provide the functionality of multiple servers not directly connected to the multiple computers within computer system 400. For example, virtualization software may provide 20 virtual servers on four physical computers. In embodiments, the functionality disclosed above may be provided by running one application and / or multiple applications in a cloud computing environment. Cloud computing may include providing computing services over a network connection using dynamically scalable computing resources. Cloud computing may be supported, at least in part, by virtualization software. A cloud computing environment may be established by an enterprise and / or rented as needed from a third-party provider. Some cloud computing environments may include cloud computing resources that are owned and operated by an enterprise, as well as cloud computing resources that are rented and / or leased from third-party providers.

[0079]

[0139] In embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may include one or more computer-readable storage media having computer-usable program code embodied therein to implement the functionality disclosed above. The computer program product may include data structures, executable instructions, and other computer-usable program code. The computer program product may be embodied in removable and / or non-removable computer storage media. Removable computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, paper tape, magnetic tape, magnetic disks, optical disks, solid-state memory chips, such as analog magnetic tape, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) disks, floppy disks, jump drives, digital cards, multimedia cards, and the like. The computer program product may be suitable for loading at least a portion of its contents by the computer system 400 into the secondary storage 404, the ROM 406, the RAM 408, and / or other non-volatile and volatile memory of the computer system 400. Processor 402 may process the executable instructions and / or data structures in part by accessing the computer program product directly, for example, by reading it from a CD-ROM disk inserted into a disk drive peripheral to computer system 400. Alternatively, processor 402 may process the executable instructions and / or data structures by accessing the computer program product remotely, for example, by downloading the executable instructions and / or data structures from a remote server through network-connected device 412.The computer program product may include instructions that facilitate loading and / or copying data, data structures, files, and / or executable instructions to secondary storage 404, to ROM 406, to RAM 408, and / or other non-volatile and volatile memory of the computer system 400.

[0080]

[0140] In some contexts, secondary storage 404, ROM 406, and RAM 408 may be referred to as non-transitory computer-readable media or computer-readable storage media. A dynamic RAM embodiment of RAM 408 may likewise be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium because it stores information written to it while it receives power and operates according to its design, for example, while computer system 400 is turned on and operational. Similarly, processor 402 may include internal RAM, internal ROM, cache memory, and / or other internal non-transitory storage blocks, sections, or components that may in some contexts be referred to as non-transitory computer-readable media or computer-readable storage media.

[0081]

[0141] FIG. 25 illustrates another embodiment of a beverage production system 500. The beverage production system 500 may be similar in some respects to the beverage production system 100. For example, the beverage production system 500 may employ the cup dispensing station 130 described above. However, the beverage production system 500 includes some notable differences, such as a lid-and-print assembly 502 for sealing and identifying filled beverages, as discussed further below. While it is anticipated that beverages may be dispensed in both rows, in this embodiment, the beverage production system 500 may be configured such that cups are dispensed and ice and beverages are dispensed in only one row of the turntable, such as the inner row or the outer row, rather than both rows. This embodiment illustrates a full beverage in the cup holder in the outer row.

[0082]

[0142] 26, the beverage production system 500 may also employ a modified turntable assembly 504 (also shown cut away in FIG. 25). The modified turntable assembly 504 may be similar in some respects to the turntable assembly 122 described above. The modified turntable assembly 504 may be configured to have an outer turntable 505 having an outer row of cup receptacles 506 and an inner turntable 507 having an inner row of cup receptacles 508. The inner turntable 505 and the outer turntable 507, which may be collectively referred to as the modified turntable 510, are configured to rotate independently of one another and may include drives, motors, and gearboxes (not shown) that operate similarly to those described above in connection with the inner turntable 124 and outer turntable 126 described above.

[0083]

[0143] The cup receptacles 506 and 508 are configured to hold cups 50 to be dispensed from the cup dispensing station 130. The cup receptacles 506 and 508 may be sized to hold cups 50 of various sizes. The outer row of cup receptacles 506 may include an opening 512 near a bottom exterior 511 of the outer row of cup receptacles 506. Additionally, instead of being circular, the outer row of cup receptacles 506 and the inner row of cup receptacles 508 are U-shaped in this embodiment. Thus, the outer turntable 505 and the inner turntable 507 may be rotated such that the U-shaped opening of a particular outer row of cup receptacles 506 may be aligned with the U-shaped opening of a particular inner row of cup receptacles 508. For example, FIG. 26 shows a cup 520 disposed in an outer row of cup receptacles 506 aligned with an inner row of cup receptacles 508. Cups 520 may be filled with beverages via beverage dispensing station 502 while positioned within cup receptacles 506 of the outer rows.

[0084]

[0144] 27 , a slide assembly 530 disposed below the turntable assembly 510 extends through an opening 512 in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 that holds the cup 520 and includes an arm 532 that can be actuated to slide or move the cup 520 from its position in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to an aligned inner row of cup receptacles 508. Once the cup 520 is filled with a beverage, the cup 520 can remain in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 or can slide into an unoccupied cup receptacle in one of the inner row of cup receptacles 508. Thus, in this embodiment, the inner row of cup receptacles 508 provide additional space for storing a beverage filled in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 until it is removed for serving to or by a customer.

[0085]

[0145] FIG. 28 illustrates one embodiment of slide assembly 530 in more detail. Slide assembly 530 includes an arm 532, a rail 534, a motor 536, and a belt drive 538. Arm 532 includes a portion 533 shaped to engage the curved side of cup 520. Arm 532 is slidably mounted on rail 534 and is further connected to belt drive 538. Motor 536 is an electric motor, although in other embodiments, motor 536 may comprise a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or the like. Motor 536 is coupled to belt drive 538, and when activated, drives belt drive 538, which, via arm 532, laterally moves rail 534, thereby moving cup 520, as discussed above. The motor 536 may be coupled to a computer and / or other system that cooperates to rotate the turntable 510 to align the arm 532 with an opening 512 (see also Figures 26 and 27) in one of the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to slide a cup, such as cup 520, from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508.

[0086]

[0146] Although the modified turntable assembly 504 shown in Figures 26 and 27 is shown as having 12 cup receptacles in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 and 7 cup receptacles in the inner row of cup receptacles 508, the present disclosure contemplates fewer or more cup receptacles and fewer or more rows, which may be determined by the overall size of the beverage production system 500, the size of the cups 520, and other considerations that will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0087]

[0147] FIG. 29 is another partial cutaway view of the modified turntable assembly 504, showing the outer turntable 505 with the outer row of cup receptacles 506. FIG. 29 illustrates another embodiment of a slide assembly 530 positioned below the modified turntable assembly 504. As also shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 30A, the slide assembly 530 of this embodiment includes an upper magnetic assembly 560 and a lower magnetic assembly 561. The upper magnetic assembly 560 includes an arm 532 having a portion 533 configured to engage a cup 50 to transport the cup 50 from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508 through an opening 512 in the outer row of cup receptacles 506, substantially as discussed above. The upper magnetic assembly 560 includes a body 562, which may be a metal, plastic, or polymer body or coating, that houses a magnet located within a lower plate region 563 of the upper magnetic assembly 560. The magnets located within the lower plate region 563 may be integrally formed with the lower plate region 563 or may be housed within openings formed in the lower plate region 563 .

[0088]

[0148] Lower magnetic assembly 561 includes a generally L-shaped bracket 564 that includes a flat upper portion 565 that is generally parallel to lower plate region 563 of upper magnetic assembly 560. Upper portion 565 includes a magnet 570 coupled thereto. Bracket 564 further includes a side portion 566 that is generally perpendicular to upper portion 565. Bracket 564 includes a lip 567 and a mounting point 568. Lower magnetic assembly 561 is mounted to rail 534 of slide assembly 530 by engaging lip 567 with the upper portion of rail 534, and is attached at mounting point 568 to an arm 569 mounted on the side of rail 534. In this manner, lower magnetic assembly 561 is carried forward and backward on rail 534 when belt drive 538 of slide assembly 530 engages arm 569 to move rail 534 laterally. In some embodiments, lip 567 of lower magnetic assembly 561 may be mounted to carriage 572 disposed on rail 534, and belt drive 538 may engage carriage 572 and / or arm 569 to facilitate movement of lower magnetic assembly 561 along slide assembly 350. The magnets of upper magnetic assembly 560 and lower magnetic assembly 561 may be integrally formed, disposed within openings or recesses in the respective assemblies, press-fit, glued, mechanically secured, or configured in other manners as would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

[0089]

[0149] The magnets in upper magnetic assembly 560 and lower magnetic assembly 561, in some embodiments, include multiple magnets in each of upper assembly 560 and lower assembly 561. In embodiments with multiple magnets in each of upper assembly 560 and lower assembly 561, some of the magnets may be arranged to have a polarity in a different direction relative to the polarity of the other magnets in each of upper assembly 560 and lower assembly 561, so that upper magnetic assembly 560 can be magnetically positioned in only one direction or orientation (e.g., a precise position, as shown in FIG. 29 ) to prevent an operator from mispositioning upper magnetic assembly 560 so that it is facing the wrong way.

[0090]

[0150] Rail 534 and lower magnetic assembly 561 are positioned below sink 600 (discussed later in connection with Figures 31-35 and not shown in Figure 29). Modified turntable assembly 504 is disposed within sink 600 so that runoff and waste from beverage preparation flows down into the sink for draining and cleaning. Upper magnetic assembly 560 is mounted above sink 600 so as to be directly above lower magnetic assembly 561. Thus, sink 600 is positioned within gap 571 between upper magnetic assembly 560 and lower magnetic assembly 561. In this way, when rail 534 causes lower magnetic assembly 561 to move slide assembly 530 laterally, the attractive force of magnet 570 in upper portion 565 of lower magnetic assembly 561 to the magnet in body 562 within upper magnetic assembly 560 causes upper magnetic assembly 560 to move laterally within the bottom of sink 600 in a path corresponding to lower magnetic assembly 561 along the bottom of sink 600.

[0091]

[0151] Because the upper magnetic assembly 560 is disposed at the bottom of the sink 600, which can collect runoff from beverages prepared by the beverage production system 500, the upper magnetic assembly 560 may require periodic cleaning. As discussed above, the upper magnetic assembly 560 may be fabricated so that its outer surface is plastic, polymeric, or has a coating that allows for easy cleaning. In this manner, the upper magnetic assembly 560 can be easily removed for cleaning because there is no mechanical or fixed connection to the slide assembly 530, and only the engagement between the upper magnetic assembly 560 and the lower magnetic assembly 561 is magnetic. Thus, the magnetic coupling of the upper magnetic assembly 560 and the lower magnetic assembly 561 allows for easy manual removal and replacement by a user or operator of the beverage production system 500 without the need for tools or disassembly of the slide assembly 530. Additionally, this configuration prevents spills from beverage preparation from contacting the lower magnetic assembly 561, motor 536, belt drive 538, and rail 534, which are located below or beneath the sink.

[0092]

[0152] FIG. 30B is a perspective view of another embodiment showing the lower magnetic assembly 561 coupled to the carriage 572, with the remaining portions of the slide assembly 530 and outer turntable 505 cut away. FIG. 30C shows a perspective view from below or on the bottom of the inner and outer turntables 505, 507 and slide assembly 530. In the embodiment shown, the upper magnetic assembly 560 is equipped with a pusher plate 573 that may be attached to the bottom or lower portion of the body 562 of the upper magnetic assembly 560. In some embodiments, the pusher plate 573 may not be attached to the bottom of the body 562, but instead is simply attached to or fitted to the front end 574 of the body 562. The pusher plate 573 may be configured with a wedge 575 or V-shaped front edge. It will be appreciated that ice dispensed into cups 50 located in the outer turntable 505 can flow down and collect in the outer row of cup receptacles 506, and that ice can be pushed by the cups 50 as they are moved to the inner row of cup receptacles 508, resulting in similar collection in the inner row of cup receptacles 508. Ice can also fall into and collect in the sink 600 below the inner turntable 505 and outer turntable 507. Because the upper magnetic assembly 560 is positioned at the bottom of the sink 600, ice can interfere with the smooth and efficient transition of the upper slide assembly 560 along the bottom of the sink 600 during the transport of cups 50 between the outer turntable 505 and inner turntable 507. The forward edge of the wedge 575 of the pusher plate 573 functions as a snow blower to move or shift ice located at the bottom of the sink 600 that is in the path of the upper magnetic assembly 560 during cup transport.

[0093]

[0153] 30B-C further illustrate another embodiment of the inner turntable 507 in which modifications are made to the inner row of cup receptacles 508. In this embodiment, an opening 576 is provided in a rear lower portion 577 of each of the inner row of cup receptacles 508. The opening 576 allows ice that collects in or is pushed into the inner row of cup receptacles 508, for example by a cup 50, to be further pushed out of the inner row of cup receptacles 508 through the opening 576 and into a sink 600 located below the inner turntable 507. This prevents ice buildup that would otherwise collect at the bottom of the inner row of cup receptacles 508 and interfere with the transport of a cup 50 into the inner row of cup receptacles 508.

[0094]

[0154] Additionally, in this embodiment, the inner row of cup receptacles 508 includes a sloped portion 578 along a lower front edge 579 of the inner row of cup receptacles 508. The sloped portion 578 gradually increases in height or thickness from the lower front edge 579 toward the height of the bottom 585 of the inner row of cup receptacles 508. The sloped portion 578 allows for a smoother transition of the bottom edge of the cup 50 from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508 without hitting or catching on a vertical or abrupt edge at the lower front edge 579 of the inner row of cup receptacles 508.

[0095]

[0155] 30B-C further show notches 587 forming rectangular openings along the lower front edges 579 of the inner row of cup receptacles 508. The notches 587 allow the arms 532 of the upper magnetic assembly 560 to extend sufficiently into the inner row of cup receptacles 508 to allow the cups 50 to move fully into position within the inner row of cup receptacles 508.

[0096]

[0156] 31 is a perspective view of a modified turntable assembly 504 disposed within a sink 600 according to another embodiment of the beverage production system 500. In this embodiment, an upper sensor 588 is shown positioned above the inner turntable 507. The upper sensor 588 may be attached to a portion or structure of the beverage production system 500 above the inner turntable 507. The upper sensor 588 is positioned to sense the presence or absence of a cup 50 in the inner row of cup receptacles 508 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the turntable 504. In this embodiment, only one sensor 588 is provided, positioned to determine whether the cup 50 is positioned within the inner row of cup receptacles 508 as the cup 50 is transferred by the slide assembly 530 from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, one or more additional sensors may be used and positioned to detect the presence of a cup 50 at other locations or in all of the cup receptacles within the inner turntable 507. Furthermore, the upper sensor 588 may be movable, such as driven by a motor, to sense a cup 50 in other locations, or may include an array of sensors oriented in various directions to sense a cup 50 in any combination of cup receptacles within the inner turntable 507.

[0097]

[0157] Similarly, a side sensor 589 is positioned adjacent the outer turntable 505 and may be attached to the sink 600 or other structure of the beverage production system 500. The side sensor 589 is positioned to sense the presence or absence of a cup 50 in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 in a direction horizontal to the surface of the turntable 504. In this embodiment, only one sensor 589 is provided and is positioned to determine whether the cup 50 is located in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 as the cup 50 is transferred by the slide assembly 530 from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508. The side sensor 589 may be positioned at a height to detect horizontally across the outer turntable 505 and the portion of the cup 50 extending above the outer turntable 505. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, one or more additional sensors may be used and positioned to detect the presence of a cup at other locations or in all of the cup receptacles within the outer turntable 505. Additionally, the lower sensor 589 may be movable, such as driven by a motor, to sense cups 50 in other positions, or may include an array of sensors oriented in various directions to sense cups 50 in any combination of cup receptacles in the outer turntable 505. The sensors 588, 589 may be photoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, passive infrared sensors, or other motion sensors, infrared transducers, ultrasound, cameras, computer vision, combinations thereof, or any known or later-developed sensor capable of detecting the presence of one or more cups 50 in the inner and / or outer rows of cup receptacles 506, 508.

[0098]

[0158] The following is a brief overview of the operation of a portion of the beverage production system 500, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the slide assembly 530 is positioned to transition the cup 50 from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508 at a position just prior to the position in the outer turntable 505 where the cup 50 will be dispensed and filled. As the cup 50 is dispensed and filled, the fully filled beverage remains in the cup receptacle in the outer turntable 505. As the outer turntable 505 is rotated, for example, clockwise, to continuously dispense and fill beverages, a side sensor 589 determines whether a cup 50 is present in the cup receptacle located adjacent to the slide assembly 530. If a cup 50 is not detected, the outer turntable 505 may be rotated to continue filling the beverage. However, if the side sensor 589 detects a cup 50 in an adjacent cup receptacle in the outer turntable 505, the upper sensor 588 detects whether a cup 50 is present in the inner row of cup receptacles 508 at the position where the cup 50 will be transferred by the slide assembly 530 to the inner turntable 507. If the upper center 588 determines that a cup 50 is not present in the adjacent inner row of cup receptacles 508, the slide assembly is activated, and the cup 50 is moved or transferred from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508. The outer turntable 505 is then rotated to fill the cup receptacle vacated by this transfer with the next beverage. However, if the upper center 588 detects a cup 50 in the inner row of cup receptacles 508 located adjacent to the slide assembly 530, the inner turntable 507 is rotated, for example, in either direction, to determine whether the next inner cup receptacle is occupied. If the next cup receptacle in the inner row is blocked, the inner turntable 507 continues to rotate until an empty cup receptacle is located, or it is determined that all cup receptacles within the inner turntable 507 are blocked.The system may employ logic to periodically rotate or recheck for empty cup receptacles on either or both of the outer turntable 505 and inner turntable 507 .

[0099]

[0159] FIG. 31 shows details regarding sink 600. While sink 600 is substantially rectangular in this embodiment, in other embodiments it may be oval, circular, or otherwise shaped. Sink 600 may be constructed of plastic, polymer, aluminum, or other materials. In this embodiment, sink 600 is a single, integral component constructed substantially of a polymeric material. With further reference to FIG. 32 , sink 600 has an upper outer edge 601 that extends from recessed tub 602 around sink 600. Upper outer edge 601 is provided to hold and position sink 600 within a cabinet, frame, or other structure (not shown) of beverage production system 500. Recessed tub 602 has walls 604 that extend from a top surface 606 to a bottom surface 608 of sink 600, with walls 604 defining the generally circular outer shape of recessed tub 602. Sink 600 includes an opening or drain 610 on a bottom surface 608 where runoff and waste from beverages produced by beverage production system 500 can collect and be removed from sink 600. Plumbing (not shown) can be connected to drain 610 for draining the runoff and waste.

[0100]

[0160] 31-33, sink 600 and recessed tub 602 are sized to receive modified turntable assembly 504. In this view, outer turntable 505 and inner turntable 507, having outer row cup receptacles 506 and inner row cup receptacles 508, are shown positioned within recessed tub 602 of sink 600. Notably, cup holder 506a (discussed in more detail below) is shown disposed within outer row cup receptacles 506 in FIG. 31 and is shown removed from the view shown in FIG. 33. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 31-36, cup holder 506a may be provided only in outer row cup receptacles 506, and inner row cup receptacles 508 may not include cup holder 506a; instead, the cup holder may be integrally formed as part of inner turntable 507.

[0101]

[0161] The recessed tab 602 may include a lip 612 (see FIG. 32) extending around an upper portion of the recessed tab 602 that is configured to receive an outer edge 614 (see FIG. 31) of the outer turntable 505. The wall 604 may include ribs 616 extending therefrom or various other configurations to facilitate engagement with a mating portion (not shown) of the outer turntable 505. Additionally, a structure 619, such as a track or channel, is formed in the bottom 608 of the sink 600. The structure 619 is configured to facilitate guided movement of the upper magnetic assembly 560 along the bottom 608 of the sink 600 when the slide assembly 530 is actuated, as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 27-30 .

[0102]

[0162] The sink 600 may further include a centering post 618 disposed in the center of the recessed tab 602 and extending from the bottom 608 of the sink 600, the centering post 618 configured to mate with an opening 620 in the center of the inner turntable 507. In some embodiments, the centering post 618 is provided to orient the inner turntable 507 for rotation about the centering post 618. In this embodiment, a motor or drive may be located elsewhere and may engage the inner turntable 507 for rotation thereof. With further reference to FIG. 34 , a side view of the sink 600 is shown. In this embodiment, the centering post 618 may be eliminated, and an opening (not shown) in the bottom 608 of the sink 600 may be provided in the location of the centering post 618. A motor 630 can drive a shaft 632 extending through the opening, and an engagement end 634 (see also FIG. 35 ) of the shaft 632 can be configured to be attached to the inner turntable 507 for rotation thereof. In this embodiment, the inner turntable 507 is formed with a centrally located opening configured to mate with the engagement end 634 of the shaft 632 for rotation. As shown in FIG. 34 , the sink 600 can be viewed as generally sloping from a left side 635 to a right side 636 toward the drain 610, which can promote the flow of liquid spillage within the recessed tab 602 toward the drain 610 for disposal.

[0103]

[0163] 35, sink 600 may further include an inner wall 638 that generally defines an inner concentric ring within recessed tab 602 (relative to the outer concentric ring defined by wall 604 of recessed tab 602), the inner concentric ring being sized and configured to receive inner turntable 507. In this embodiment, inner wall 638 does not form a complete circle, but rather includes opening 640. Opening 640 is provided at a location on modified turntable assembly 504 where cups 50 are transported from the outer row of cup receptacles 506 to the inner row of cup receptacles 508 by slide assembly 530, as previously discussed, to allow cups 50 to pass between the outer row of cup receptacles 506 and the inner row of cup receptacles 508. The inner wall 638 can provide additional structure to stabilize the inner turntable 507 during rotation and can also function as a barrier to prevent cups 50 that are not transferred between the outer turntable 505 and the inner turntable 507 from moving or sliding out of the inner row of cup receptacles 508 during rotation. In this embodiment, the inner wall 638 can prevent liquid spillage from directly reaching the drain 610. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the inner wall 638 can be equipped with a drain access opening 642 along a lower portion of the wall 638 adjacent to a portion of the bottom 608 of the sink 600. The drain access opening 642 can be located on the side of the wall 638 closest to the drain 610, such that the sloped overall design of the bottom 608 of the sink 600 discussed above (see FIG. 34 ) allows spillage to flow out of the area within the inner wall 638 and into the drain 610.

[0104]

[0164] 29-35, each of the individual cup holders 506a, outer and inner turntables 505 and 507, and upper magnetic assembly 560 of slide assembly 530 are all easily removable, either individually or together, for easy cleaning of the individual cup holders 506a, outer and inner turntables 505 and 507, and upper magnetic assembly 560. After removal, sink 600 and recessed tab 602 can be accessed and cleaned, with or without sink 600 being removed, and any excess fluid from cleaning will slope toward drain 610 and out of sink 600. In this manner, inner turntable 507 can be easily removed and replaced in its original position within the sink by simply lifting inner turntable 507 out of its resting engagement with engagement end 634 of shaft 632 (see also FIG. 35). Similarly, the outer turntable 505 can be easily removed and replaced in place within the sink 600 without disassembling or reassembling the drive system or other components.

[0105]

[0165] 36A-E are perspective views illustrating one embodiment of a drive system 700 for driving the outer turntable 505. FIG. 36A shows the outer turntable 505 disposed within the recessed tub 602 of the sink 600. In this embodiment, the drive system 700 can include two pinch drives 704 and two idlers 706 mounted to the sink 600. The pinch drives 704 each include an electric motor 702, although in other embodiments, pneumatic or other systems can be employed. The motors 702 drive an up pinch roller 708 and a down pinch roller 710. In some embodiments, the electric motor 702 can drive the rotation of both pinch rollers 708, 710, while in other embodiments, the drive can drive the rotation of only the down pinch roller 710, with the up pinch roller 708 provided for stability and tension, or vice versa. 36E , in which an edge portion 712 of the outer turntable 505 is shown disposed between the up pinch roller 708 and the down pinch roller 710, such that the up pinch roller 708 and the down pinch roller 710 frictionally engage the upper and lower surfaces of the edge portion 712 of the outer turntable 505. Thus, when the electric motor 702 drives one or both of the pinch rollers 708, 710, the frictional engagement of the up pinch roller 708 and the down pinch roller 710 with the edge portion 712 of the outer turntable 505 facilitates rotation of the outer turntable 505 in the desired direction.

[0106]

[0166] The idler 706 includes an idler roller 714 and a lift bearing 716. The idler roller 714 is positioned to face the outer edge of the outer turntable 505 and engages with the outer edge of the outer turntable 505, providing tension and stability to the outer turntable 505 along a horizontal plane parallel to the upper horizontal surface of the outer turntable 505. Similarly, the lift bearing 716 is positioned below the lower surface of an edge portion 712 of the outer turntable 505 and engages with the lower surface of the edge portion 712 of the outer turntable 505, providing tension and stability to the outer turntable 505 along a vertical plane parallel to the vertical surface of the wall 604 of the concave tab 602, for example, to prevent sagging of the outer turntable 505 near the location of the idler 706. The up-side pinch roller 708 and the down-side pinch roller 710, the idler roller 714, and the lift bearing 716 may be constructed of rubber or other materials to promote frictional engagement of the rollers with the surface of the outer turntable 505.

[0107]

[0167] While the pinch drives 704 and idlers 706 are shown disposed in particular locations about the sink 600 and outer turntable 505, the pinch drives 704 and idlers 706 may be provided in other arrangements and configurations in other embodiments. Similarly, while two pinch drives 704 and two idlers 706 are shown, it is contemplated that fewer or more may be provided in other embodiments. Furthermore, while two idlers 706 are described, it will be recognized that the idlers 706 are provided primarily to support the outer turntable 505, and that other support structures or systems may also be employed, as will readily occur to one skilled in the art.

[0108]

[0168] 37, a portion of the beverage production system 500 is shown in greater detail. A cup 50 is shown disposed in one of the cup receptacles 506 (also shown partially cut away) in an outer row of a modified turntable assembly 504 (also shown partially cut away). A lid application and printing assembly 502 and a beverage dispensing station 503 are also shown.

[0109]

[0169] 38, the lidding and printing assembly 502 is shown in more detail. The lidding and printing assembly 502 includes a sealing film 544, an in-line printer 540, and a perforation device 542. The sealing film 544 may be provided in roll form (as shown) and is disposed on a series of rollers 546. The sealing film 544 may be fed into one or more motors / rollers 548 so that, as the sealing film 544 is pulled by the one or more motors / rollers 548, the roll of sealing film 544 unfolds and extends into position to seal as a lid 60 over the cup 50. The in-line printer 540 prints beverage identification indicia on the upper or top side of the sealing film 544 for viewing by the server or customer. The beverage identification indicia can identify the type and size of the beverage, an accompanying order number, the customer's name, or any other useful or identifying information.

[0110]

[0170] The perforation device 542 can punch holes, slits, or create various indentations in the sealing film 544 to, for example, but not limited to, facilitate the introduction of a drinking straw through the sealing film 544. A sealer bulb 550 is positioned above the sealing film 544 and the lip or rim of the cup 50. An electric current can then be passed through the sealer bulb 550 to generate heat to heat-seal the sealing film 544 around the lip or rim of the cup 50. The sealing film 544 can then be separated, such as, but not limited to, by cutting the sealing film 544 or tearing along the perforated or slit sections of the sealing film 544. The present disclosure also contemplates that in other embodiments, the printing process, perforation process, and heat-sealing process can be performed in other orders.

[0111]

[0171] Also shown in FIG. 38 is a lift assembly 580. The lift assembly 580 operates to vertically lift a cup 50 from its seated position in the outer row of cup receptacles 506 and transport the top lip or rim of the cup 50 to a position below the capping and printing assembly 502 for capping the cup 50. The lift assembly 508 includes a linear actuator 582 and a cup centering device 584. The cup centering device 584 is coupled to an elbow 586 extending from the bottom of the linear actuator 582. A belt-driven motor (not shown) drives the linear actuator 582 vertically up and down, perpendicular to a plane parallel to the surface of the modified turntable assembly 504. The belt-driven motor (not shown) can be electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, or the like. A plunger limit switch 583 is configured to determine when the linear actuator 582 has sufficiently raised the cup 50 vertically to a position for capping.

[0112]

[0172] With further reference to FIG. 39A, a top-down view of a portion of modified turntable assembly 504 is shown. As can be seen, cup centering device 584 is disposed within an opening in the bottom 590 of outer row cup receptacles 506. In this embodiment, cup centering device 584 is cross-shaped and extends through a larger but similarly configured cross-shaped opening 581 in the bottom of outer row cup receptacles 506. FIG. 39B further shows a more detailed perspective view of one of outer row cup receptacles 506, which may also be referred to as cup holder 506a. Cup centering device 584 is configured to engage the bottom of cup 50 and vertically lift cup 50 out of outer row cup receptacle 506 upon elevation of linear actuator 582. Cup centering device 584 may be configured to facilitate engagement of the bottom of cup 50 so that cup centering device 584 is generally centered on the bottom of cup 50 to stabilize cup 50 during the lifting and lowering process. While cup centering device 584 is shown as generally cross-shaped, other shapes and configurations for engaging the bottom of cup 50 for these purposes may alternatively be readily envisioned.

[0113]

[0173] Once the lid application and printing process is complete, the linear actuator 582 lowers the cup 50 back into position within the outer row of cup receptacles 506. Before the outer turntable 505 is rotated, the linear actuator 582 may be lowered further so that the cup centering device 584 is positioned lower and clear of the bottom of the outer row of cup receptacles 506 so as not to interfere with the rotation of the outer turntable 505.

[0114]

[0174] In other embodiments (not shown), all or a portion of the lid application and printing assembly 502 may be positioned above the cup 50 and moved vertically downward toward the cup 50 to lid the cup 50, while the cup 50 remains stationary within the outer row of cup receptacles 506.

[0115]

[0175] FIG. 40A shows another view of a portion of beverage production system 500. An ice chute 594 is shown connected to a portion of ice dispenser 596 for dispensing ice into cups 50 positioned in the outer row of cup receptacles 506. In this embodiment, ice dispenser 596 is configured to provide ice only into cups 50 on the outer row of cup receptacles 506, as previously discussed with reference to FIG. 12. FIGS. 40B and 40C show other portions of beverage production system 500. As can be seen, beverage production system 500 includes, arranged in series, cup dispensing station 130, ice dispensing chute 594, beverage dispensing station 503, and print and lid assembly 502. Thus, the beverage production system 500 fulfills an order by dispensing cups 50 into outer row cup receptacles 506, dispensing ice into the cups 50, filling the cups 50 with beverages via beverage dispensing station 503, and capping and printing labels on the cups 50 via lid application and printing assembly 502. As discussed above, the process further includes moving filled beverages from the outer row cup receptacles 506 to the inner row cup receptacles 508 when desired to allow more beverages to be prepared and stored until removed for inspection.

[0116]

[0176] It will be appreciated that the overall configuration of beverage production system 500 may have advantages over beverage production system 100, further described above. For example, full filling of beverages in only the outer row cup receptacles 506 may be accomplished using only a single station for each of dispensing cups, dispensing ice, dispensing beverages, and capping for multiple rows, which would require multiple stations for each process, thus requiring additional space, additional equipment, and additional complexity.

[0117]

[0177] 41, another embodiment of a beverage production system 800 is shown. The beverage production system 800 includes a support table 810, as well as several components of the system described above, including a beverage handling assembly 120 disposed on the support table 810, as well as a freezer compartment 112 and an electronics housing 814 disposed below the table 810.

[0118]

[0178] Beverage handling assembly 120 includes multiple stations for performing various stages or steps of the beverage production process. Specifically, beverage handling assembly 120 includes cup dispensing station 130, ice dispensing station 180, beverage dispensing station 190, and lid application station 200. Beverages may be produced by advancing through stations 130, 180, 190, and 200 using conveyor assembly 822.

[0119]

[0179] 42, conveyor assembly 822 includes a central hub 824 and a plurality of cup receivers 828 movably coupled to hub 824. Specifically, central hub 824 has a periphery or side 826 that is oblong or stadium shaped. Cup receivers 828 are movably coupled to central hub 824 such that, during operation, cup receivers 828 can be moved laterally along periphery 826 to advance through stations 130, 180, 190, 200 of beverage handling assembly 120.

[0120]

[0180] 43 , in some embodiments, cup receptacles 828 may be coupled to a continuous conveyor 821 that is rotated about a pair of pulleys 823. The conveyor 821 may comprise a belt or chain coupled to a plurality of cup receptacles 828. Specifically, each cup receptacle 828 includes a cup holder 829 coupled to the conveyor 821 using supports 827. Each pulley 823 includes a central axis 825. In operation, one or both of the pulleys 823 may be actuated (e.g., via an electric motor, pneumatic motor, hydraulic motor, or other suitable driver) to rotate about the corresponding axis 825, thereby generally rotating the conveyor 821 about the central hub 824. Rotation of the conveyor 821 about the pulleys 823 further moves the cup receptacles 828 along the periphery 826 of the central hub 824.

[0121]

[0181] Cup receptacle 828 can include many different shapes, designs, and features in various embodiments. For example, referring now to FIG. 44, in some embodiments, cup holder 829 can include a ring that can tightly engage cup 50 to prevent (or at least limit) cup 50 from moving therein when cup receptacle 828 is moved along periphery 826 of central hub 824 during operation (FIGS. 42 and 43).

[0122]

[0182] 45, in some embodiments, the cup holder 829 can comprise a cup-shaped member having a sidewall 841 and a bottom 842. The sidewall 841 can in some embodiments loosely contact the cup 50, allowing some movement of the cup 50 within the cup holder 829 during operation.

[0123]

[0183] 46, in some embodiments, the cup holder 829 can include a plurality of leaf spring elements 844 that are biased into engagement with a cup 50 (FIGS. 42 and 43) inserted into the cup holder 829. In some embodiments, the leaf spring elements 844 can engage the cup 50 to prevent movement of the cup 50 during operation.

[0124]

[0184] 47 , in some embodiments, the cup holder 829 can include a pair of gripper arms 846 that can be actuated to engage and hold a cup 50 during operation. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the gripper arms 846 are pivotally coupled to an elongated member 848 that can extend and retract into the support 827. A biasing member 849 (e.g., a coil spring) can be coupled to the elongated member 848 to bias the elongated member 848 into the support 827. When the elongated member 848 moves into the support 827 (e.g., via the biasing member 849), the gripper arms 846 can engage the support 827 and rotate toward each other about the axis 845. Thus, during operation, when a cup 50 is inserted into the holder 829, the gripper arms 846 can close against the inserted cup 50 via the spring force provided by the biasing member 849. Additionally, in some embodiments, an additional support ring 843 may be included on the holder 829 below the gripper arms 846 to provide additional support for a cup 50 inserted into the holder 829. Without being bound by this or any other theory, actuation of the gripper arms 846 may allow various sizes (e.g., having various widths) to be fixedly held within the cup holder 829 during operation. In some embodiments, the gripper arms 846 may be actuated away from one another against a spring force provided by a biasing member 849 to accept a cup 50 to be dispensed when the holder 829 is aligned with the cup dispensing station 130. Actuation of the gripper arms 846 away from one another may be achieved via engagement of the gripper arms 846 (or components coupled to the gripper arms 846) with a cam surface on or adjacent to the conveyor assembly 822.

[0125]

[0185] 42 and 43, during operation, cup receiving portion 828 can be moved along peripheral edge 826 of central hub 824 to align cup receiving portion 828 (and particularly cup holder 829) with stations 130, 180, 190, 200 to dispense cups 50, dispense ice, dispense beverages, and dispense lids 60, respectively, as part of the beverage production process, as will be described in more detail below.

[0126]

[0186] Referring to FIG. 41, the beverage production system 800 may include systems that are substantially similar in operation and configuration to those already described above, such as the tubular magazine 132 of the cup dispensing station, the dispenser 134, the beverage dispensing nozzle 194, and the tubular magazine 202 containing the lids 60 of the lid application station 200.

[0127]

[0187] Additionally, beverage production system 800 is equipped with user interface 116. An employee or customer can select a desired beverage on user interface 116, which then initiates the beverage production process as generally described above. In some embodiments, beverage production system 800 can accept commands to produce beverages via other electronic devices communicatively coupled to beverage production and dispensing system 800 via a suitable network or connection. For example, in some embodiments, beverage production system 800 can accept commands to produce beverages from a restaurant or dining establishment point of sale system that can accept orders via customers or employees. In some embodiments, the point of sale system can comprise part of a computer system that further includes beverage production system 800 (e.g., computer system 400 described above).

[0128]

[0188] When a command to produce a beverage is received by the beverage production system 800, the cup receiver 828 may be advanced through the stations 130, 180, 190, 200 via the conveyor assembly 822 as previously described. Simultaneously, the assemblies and mechanisms within each of the stations 130, 180, 190, 200 may operate in the manner described above to produce a beverage.

[0129]

[0189] In some embodiments, the beverage production system 800 may include a beverage identification assembly 860 for identifying beverages advanced through the stations 130, 180, 190, 200 and ready for collection by an employee or customer. Specifically, the beverage identification assembly 860 may include a plurality of light sources 862 (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and / or other suitable light-emitting devices) coupled to the beverage handling assembly 120 configured to emit light of a selected color that may correspond to a particular beverage (or order). In operation, a cup 50 (with or without a lid 60) may be aligned with a selected one of the light sources 862 via the conveyor assembly 822, causing the light source 862 to emit a color of light corresponding to the aligned beverage. In some embodiments, the light source 862 may include an electronic display (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a micro-LED display) capable of displaying an image (e.g., letters and / or symbols) to convey sufficient information (e.g., name, order number, table number, vehicle identification information) to identify the beverage.

[0130]

[0190] 48, another embodiment of a beverage production system 900 is shown. The beverage production system 900 may include a number of features that are substantially similar in configuration and operation to those already discussed, such as a support table 810, a beverage handling assembly 120 disposed on the support table 810, a freezer compartment 112 supported above the beverage handling assembly 120, and an electronics housing 814 disposed below the table 810.

[0131]

[0191] Beverage handling assembly 120 includes multiple stations for performing various stages or steps of the beverage production process. Specifically, beverage handling assembly 120 includes cup dispensing station 130, ice dispensing station 180, beverage dispensing station 190, and lid application station 200.

[0132]

[0192] Beverages may be produced by advancing through stations 130, 180, 190, 200 using a turntable 922. More specifically, turntable 922 is a cylindrical member including a plurality of cup receptacles 925 disposed around its peripheral edge. In operation, a driver (e.g., an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, a magnetic motor, a pneumatic motor) may rotate turntable 922 about a central axis 927 to align cup receptacles 925 with stations 130, 180, 190, 200 to dispense cups 50, ice, beverages, and lids 60, respectively, as part of the beverage production process.

[0133]

[0193] 48 and 49 , in this embodiment, a plurality of magazines 132 are coupled to and extend from corresponding dispensers 134. The magazines 132 are capable of receiving a plurality of stacked cups 50 therein. Each dispenser 134 is generally aligned with a cup receptacle 925 so that, during operation, cups 50 may be fed from the magazines 132 to the dispensers 134 and then dispensed from the dispensers 134 into the aligned cup receptacles 925 on the turntable 922. In some embodiments, the magazines 132 may be detachable from the dispensers 132 to facilitate loading the cups 50 therein.

[0134]

[0194] In some embodiments, each dispenser 134 can be configured to dispense various sizes and / or types of cups 50 into the cup receptacles 925 during operation. As shown in FIG. 48 , the dispensers 134 are arranged such that at a particular rotational position of the turntable 922 about axis 927, each dispenser 134 is aligned with a different one of the cup receptacles 925.

[0135]

[0195] 49, each dispenser 134 includes a central axis 135, a first side or upper side 134a, and a second side or lower side 134b opposite the upper side 134a. A receptacle 136 extends axially through the dispenser 134 between the sides 134a, 134b relative to the axis 135. A corresponding magazine 132 is engaged within the receptacle 136 at the upper side 134a and extends along the axis 135 away from the upper side 134a. During operation, cups 50 dispensed from the magazine 132 move through the receptacle 136 and are ejected from the lower side 134b.

[0136]

[0196] The dispenser 134 has an interior chamber 167 through which the cups 50 can enter and exit the receptacles 136. A ring gear 166 is disposed within the chamber 167 and aligned with the receptacles 136 along the axis 135. A drive gear 168 is engaged (e.g., meshed) with gear teeth or other suitable structure on the radially outer surface of each of the ring gears 166. The drive gears 168 are coupled to a driver 162, which may be located within the interior chamber 167. In operation, the driver 162 may rotate the drive gears 168, thereby driving rotation of the ring gear 166 about the axis 135. In some embodiments, the driver 162 comprises an electric motor, while in other embodiments, the driver 162 may comprise a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, or the like. A plurality of wedge members 164 are disposed within the ring gear 166, and each wedge member 164 includes a cylindrical body 174 having a central or longitudinal axis. Dispenser 134 otherwise operates substantially similarly to that described above in connection with FIGS.

[0137]

[0197] 50, there is shown another embodiment of a beverage production system 1000. Similar to the systems discussed above, the beverage production system 1000 includes a support table 810, a beverage handling assembly 120 disposed on the support table 1110, a freezer compartment 122 supported above the beverage handling assembly 120, and an electronics housing 814 disposed below the table 810.

[0138]

[0198] Beverage handling assembly 120 includes multiple stations for performing various stages or steps of a beverage production process, which may be similar in configuration and operation to the stations already discussed above, such as cup dispensing station 130, ice dispensing station 180, beverage dispensing station 190, and lid application station 200. A beverage may be produced by advancing through stations 130, 180, 190, and 200 using conveyor assembly 1122. In some embodiments, conveyor assembly 1122 may be configured and operate similarly to conveyor 822 described above in connection with Figures 42-47. Similarly, cup dispensing station 120 and lid application station 200 may operate according to any of the various configurations discussed above.

[0139]

[0199] The beverage production system 1000 may further include a beverage identification assembly 1260 that may include a plurality of emitting devices 1262 coupled to the beverage handling assembly 120 configured to emit light 1264 onto the cup 50 and (if present) lid 60 that may be used to identify a particular beverage or beverage order. In some embodiments, the light 1264 may be color-coded to identify a particular beverage (or order) using different colors. In some embodiments, the light 1264 may generate an image (e.g., letters and / or symbols) on the beverage that may provide sufficient information (e.g., name, order number, table number, vehicle identification information). In some embodiments, the emitting devices 1262 may include light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and / or other suitable light-emitting devices.

[0140]

[0200] 51-53 illustrate yet another embodiment of a beverage production system 1300. The beverage production system 1300 may be similar in some respects to various beverage production systems previously described, such as the beverage production system 500. For example, in this embodiment, a modified turntable assembly 504 includes an outer turntable 505 and an inner turntable 507. However, in this embodiment, the outer turntable 505 does not have an outer row of cup receptacles 506; instead, the outer turntable 505 is a flat rotating surface or dial 1302. The dial 1302 may be constructed of a variety of materials, including plastic or polymeric materials, rubber, stainless steel, or other materials. In some embodiments, the dial 1302 may be constructed of a material that promotes frictional engagement of the cup 50 against the dial 1302 to prevent the cup from sliding off the dial 1302 while still allowing the cup 50 to be transferred onto the dial 1302. The inner turntable 507, in this embodiment, continues to have an inner row of cup receptacles 508. In this embodiment of beverage production system 1300, the inner row of cup receptacles 508, which may also be referred to as cup holders 506a in this portion of the description, are separate, removable components from the inner turntable 507, although it is contemplated that in other embodiments these components may be integrally formed. As described above, the inner turntable 505 and outer turntable 507 are configured to rotate independently of one another and may include drives, motors, and gearboxes (not shown) that operate in a similar manner as described above in connection with the inner turntable 124 and outer turntable 126 and beverage production system 500 described above.

[0141]

[0201] The beverage production system 1300 employs another embodiment of the cup dispensing station 130. In this embodiment, a plurality of tubular magazines 132 are secured above a modified turntable assembly 504 and configured to dispense cups 50 of various sizes into an inner row of cup receptacles 508. The cups 50 are automatically dispensed from the tubular magazines 132 in a variety of ways as previously discussed. For example, when a particular size beverage is ordered, the beverage production system 1300 causes the tubular magazine 132 containing the ordered size cup 50 to dispense or drop the cup 50 into the cup receptacle 506 immediately below using the techniques described herein.

[0142]

[0202] In this embodiment, the beverage is fully filled into the inner turntable 507 and moved to the outer turntable 505 for removal by the user. Referring to FIG. 53, the beverage production system 1300 is circular and includes a separation wall 1304 located between the inner turntable 507 and the outer turntable 505. The separation wall 1304 provides a barrier to assist in the placement of the cup 50 within the inner row of cup receptacles 508 as the cup 50 is dropped into the inner row of cup receptacles 508 and rotated to a station for receiving ice and beverage.

[0143]

[0203] 54 , in some embodiments, a sink 1307 similar to sink 600 described above may be employed in this embodiment and modified to include a separation wall 1304 that is a component of or integral with sink 1307. Separation wall 1304 includes a gap 1306 such that separation wall 1304 does not extend completely around the circumference of inner turntable 507. The gap 1306 in separation wall 1304 is located at a transfer position 1308 where a cup 50 is transferred from an inner row of cup receptacles 508 to the dial 1302 of the outer turntable 505. Similar to that described above, cup receptacles 508 may include a receptacle opening 1310 to allow a transition arm 1312 of a transition assembly (not shown) to slide a cup 50 located in an adjacent cup receptacle 508 onto the outer turntable 505. The transition assembly may be similar to the slide assembly 530 discussed above, may be magnetically driven, or may include other motors or drives for driving the transition arm 1312 to achieve such movement of the cup 50, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art. The transition arm 1312 may be similar in function to the above-discussed arm 532 of the transition assembly 530. In this embodiment, the transition arm 1312 is a substantially cylindrical shaft, but may be configured otherwise in other embodiments.

[0144]

[0204] 55, the transition arm 1312 is shown in an extended position. Also shown is a transition platform 1314 located between the cup receptacle bottom 1316 and the dial 1302. It will be appreciated that the width of the separation wall 1304 can, in some embodiments, create a spacing difference between the cup receptacle bottom 1316 and the dial 1302. The transition platform 1314 spans the space between the cup receptacle bottom 1316 and the dial 1302, allowing for a smooth and uniform transition or movement of the cup 50 from the cup receptacle 580 to the dial 1302. Furthermore, as can be seen in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, the inner turntable 507 includes an upper frame 1318, which is a substantially circular plate configured with a U-shaped opening 1320 configured to receive the cup holder 506a. In this embodiment, the upper lip 1322 of the cup holder 506a extends above the U-shaped opening 1320 and rests on the upper frame 1316 due to gravity.

[0145]

[0205] 55 shows the sink 1307 exposed by removing the upper frame 1316 and the plurality of cup receptacles 508. Although the upper frame 1318 and the cup receptacles 508 are described as separate components, these and other components of the beverage production systems described herein may be integrally formed as one or more unitary components for ease of construction, operation, or based on other considerations.

[0146]

[0206] Further shown are drive system components 1324, which may include motors, rollers, and other components as already described or as otherwise required, for rotating the inner turntable 507 and / or outer turntable 505.

[0147]

[0207] FIG. 56 shows another view of the cup holder 506a according to this embodiment. In this view, the upper lip 1322 and cup receptacle opening 1310 can be seen. With further reference to FIG. 57, the bottom side 1326 of the cup holder 506a is shown. As will be discussed in more detail below, in this embodiment, the entire cup holder 506a can be raised to move out of the inner turntable 507 as part of the beverage filling process. In this embodiment, the cup holder 506a is raised to cover the cup 50, but in other embodiments, the cup holder 506a can also be raised to dispense ice and / or add beverages to the cup 50. According to this embodiment, the bottom side 1326 of the cup holder 506a is equipped with a groove 1328 for secure and stable lifting. While this embodiment shows the groove 1328, in other embodiments, the bottom side 1326 of the cup receptacle 508 can have a variety of configurations, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, for secure engagement of the cup receptacle 508 during vertical movement.

[0148]

[0208] FIG. 58 illustrates one embodiment of a lift mechanism 1330 configured to vertically elevate the cup receptacle 508 during beverage full filling. In this embodiment, the lift mechanism 1330 is located below the inner turntable 507 and sink 1307 adjacent to the cup receptacle 508 that will be elevated for lid application and printing. The lift mechanism 1330 generally includes a drive system 1332 and multiple lift shafts 1334. The lift shafts 1334 are attached to the drive system 1332 such that, when actuated, the drive system 1332 vertically elevates the lift shafts 1334. While the drive system 1332 can operate in a variety of ways, in this embodiment, the drive system 1332 includes a stepper motor 1336 and a lead screw 1338 attached to the stepper motor 1336.

[0149]

[0209] 59, a positioning plate 1340 may be installed within the sink 1307 adjacent to and below the location of the cup receptacle 508 to be lifted. The positioning plate 1340 is provided with a plate opening 1342 sized to receive a lift shaft 1334 therethrough. The lift shaft end 1344 is configured and arranged to engage with a groove 1328 on the bottom side 1326 of the cup holder 506a when the lift shaft 1334 is actuated by the drive system 1332. Although the lift mechanism 1330 is shown as having three lift shafts 1334, other numbers of lift shafts 1334 may be used.

[0150]

[0210] 60 and 61 show diagrams of a lid application and printing system 1350 positioned above the inner turntable 507 and above a cup receptacle 508 to be lifted by a lift mechanism 1330. In this embodiment, the lift mechanism 1330 lifts the cup holder 506a to lid and print a cup 50 positioned in the cup receptacle 508. As discussed above, other lift mechanisms 1330 may be provided in other embodiments to lift other cup receptacles 508 in other full beverage positions. The lid application and printing system 1350 may include aspects of the lid application and printing assembly 502 discussed above for lid application and printing. For example, the lid application and printing system 1350 may include the sealing film 544, in-line printer 540, and perforation device 542, as well as other components, as discussed above. In this way, when the cup receiver 508 is lifted, the cup 50 located therein is positioned within the opening 1352 of the lid applying and printing system 1350 for lidding and printing on the cup 50 .

[0151]

[0211] 62 shows the locations of ice dispensing station 180, beverage dispensing station 190, and lid application and printing system 1350, according to one embodiment. As can be seen, as inner turntable 507 rotates clockwise, cups 50 are dispensed into cup receptacles 508, cups 50 are placed under ice dispensing station 180 for dispensing ice into cups 50, then placed at beverage dispensing station 190 for dispensing beverages into cups 50, and then placed at lid application and printing system 1350 to place lids on cups 50 and provide identifying indicia on the lids.

[0152]

[0212] In this embodiment, the beverage dispensing station 190 includes two nozzles 1353A, 1353B for dispensing beverages, although other numbers of nozzles are contemplated. In this embodiment, the first nozzle 1353A may be used to substantially fill the cup 50 with the beverage at a first position 1354, while the second nozzle 1353B may be used to top off or complete the filling of the beverage at a second position 1356. It may be beneficial to provide two beverage filling positions to completely fill the cup 50 with the desired beverage. However, in other embodiments, the first nozzle 1353A and the second nozzle 1353B may be used to dispense a variety of beverages, to provide redundancy, or to increase the production of beverages or the number of beverages that can be fully filled.

[0153]

[0213] Once the full beverage fill is completed on the inner turntable 507, the filled cup 50 may be transferred via the transition arm 132 to the outer turntable 505. The outer turntable 505 may then be indexed or rotated clockwise to one or more cup positions to provide space for the next finished beverage. By providing the dial 1302 on the outer turntable 505 instead of a separate cup receptacle, this design may provide the advantage of providing additional space for more nearly finished beverages and may also allow easier access to the finished beverage.

[0154]

[0214] Operationally, beverage production system 1300 can accept input from a store point of sale system or from other systems, such as computer system 400 discussed above. Additionally, sensors located at various locations around beverage production system 1300 can be used to control the advancement of inner turntable 507 and outer turntable 505, for example to ensure that the finished beverage on dial 1302 is accessible to the user and does not interfere with a newly filled beverage transferring from inner turntable 507.

[0155]

[0215] While beverage production system 1300 has been described as having cup receptacles 508 only on inner turntable 507 and no cup receptacles on outer turntable 505, it is contemplated that outer turntable 505 may have one or more cup holders 506a and that inner turntable 507 may have fewer cup receptacles 508 or no cup receptacles 508 in other embodiments. Furthermore, while beverage production has been described in this embodiment as being accomplished on inner turntable 507, it is contemplated that the beverage may alternatively or additionally be completely filled on outer turntable 505. Furthermore, while the filled beverage is described as being transferred from inner turntable 507 to outer turntable 505, the filled beverage may remain within inner turntable 507 or may be filled on outer turntable 505 and transferred to inner turntable 507.

[0156]

[0216] FIG. 63 shows a wiper 1360 engaging the dial 1302 to remove material 1362 that may collect on the upper surface 1364 of the dial 1302. It will be appreciated that material such as beverage spillage, ice, and moisture may collect on the upper surface 1364 of the dial 1302 during a full beverage fill. When the cup 50 is transitioned over the dial 1302, the upper surface 1364 may become slippery, the cup 50 may not remain stationary on the dial 1302, and may undesirably slide or move on the dial 1302 when the outer turntable 505 is rotated or slid. The wiper 1306, in this embodiment, may include a body 1366 having an engagement member 1368 attached to a lower end 1370 of the engagement member 1368. The engagement member 1368 is disposed adjacent to the upper surface 1364 of the dial 1302. As the dial 1302 rotates, an engagement member 1368 engages and wipes or removes moisture that may collect on the upper surface 1364 of the dial 1302. In this embodiment, the wiper 1360 is located adjacent the left side 1372 of the beverage production system 1300 and sweeps across the width of the dial 1302. Moisture collected by the engagement member 1368 may be wiped or swept away from the dial 1302 so as to collect in a channel 1374 between the dial 1302 and the separation wall 1304. The channel 1374 may be formed as part of the sink 1307 or otherwise formed to facilitate waste removal of the material 1362 to a drain, as discussed above. In some embodiments, multiple wipers 1360 may be used and may be provided in other locations around the dial 1302, so long as the wiper 1360 does not interfere with the finished beverage rotating on the dial 1302. For example, during beverage production, it may be advantageous to prevent the filled beverage from rotating or sliding beyond the left side 1372 of the beverage production system 1300 because the beverage may become out of reach of the user. Therefore, the wiper 1360 may be preferably located adjacent the dial 1302 in a position that avoids engaging the filled beverage.Although the wiper 1360 is described as having an arcuate design, other embodiments are contemplated in which the wiper 1360 may be generally linear, wedge-shaped, or other configurations. In other embodiments, the wiper 1360 may be located near the dial 1302 and may be periodically actuated, such as via a motor, to sweep across the upper surface 1364 of the dial 1302 and then stored away from the upper surface 1364 to allow finished beverages on the dial 1302 to pass by without engaging the wiper 1360. Still other configurations will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0157]

[0217] While the systems described herein, including beverage production systems 100, 500, 800, 900, 1000, and 1300 and each of their various subsystems, assemblies, and components, have been described individually, the present disclosure contemplates implementations that combine any configuration of the various systems and subsystems described above. As just one example of contemplated substitutions and combinations, the lidding system described in connection with FIG. 37 may be used in place of the lidding system described in connection with FIGs. 15-20. Additionally, it is contemplated that a beverage identification system, such as the systems described in FIGs. 41 and 50, may be employed with any of the other beverage production systems described herein. Similarly, not all of the described beverage production systems employ a user interface 116 for selection of a desired beverage on the user interface 116 and a connection via a point-of-sale system or a sink located below the conveyor, and the present disclosure contemplates such combinations with any of the disclosed beverage production systems. As a further example, while only two turntables, outer turntable 505 and inner turntable 507, are shown in beverage production system 500, one or more additional concentric rows of turntables may be added to increase the total number of beverages that can be prepared and stored for pickup. It is further contemplated that beverage production system 500 or other beverage production systems may be used with additional conveyors, where beverages are moved from a production conveyor or turntable to a conveyor that transports the beverages to customers or staff elsewhere in the facility for added convenience and efficiency. These are merely a few of the example combinations contemplated by the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, not every contemplated combination is discussed, but these will readily occur to those skilled in the art. These and other combinations will readily occur to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the various components and support structures may be constructed of metal or metal alloy, plastic or polymeric material, or any suitable material.

[0158]

[0218] The embodiments disclosed herein include beverage production systems and related methods that can further improve the efficiency of the beverage production process by automating many, most, or substantially all of the steps for producing a beverage. Thus, by using the embodiments disclosed herein, the number of manual steps that may be required to produce a beverage can be reduced, improving the efficiency of the beverage production process and improving food service overall.

[0159] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, modifications of these exemplary embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings of this specification. The embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited solely to the embodiments described herein, but is limited solely by the claims that follow, which scope is intended to include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless otherwise specified, steps within a method claim may be performed in any order.

Claims

1. 1. A beverage production system, comprising: a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups; a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage; 1. A turntable assembly comprising: central axis, an inner turntable including a row of cup receptacles; and an outer turntable arranged circumferentially around the inner turntable; Equipped with the inner turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the row with respect to the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station; a turntable assembly configured to align openings in the turntable assembly with cup receptacles in the row, the openings adjacent the outer turntable; an actuator configured to move cups disposed in the cup receptacles in the row onto the outer turntable; A beverage production system comprising:

2. The beverage production system of claim 1 , wherein the outer turntable includes a dial having a substantially flat circular surface.

3. The beverage production system of claim 2 , further comprising a wiper disposed adjacent to the dial.

4. The beverage production system of claim 2 , wherein a portion of the wiper engages the flat circular surface of the dial.

5. 3. The beverage production system of claim 2, wherein the actuator includes a slide assembly having an arm configured to slide the cups positioned in the cup receptacles in the row onto the dial of the outer turntable.

6. The beverage production system of claim 1 , further comprising a sink, wherein at least a portion of the turntable assembly is adjacent to the sink.

7. 5. The beverage production system of claim 4, wherein the bottom portion of the sink is angled relative to the top portion of the sink such that the bottom portion slopes toward the sink drain.

8. The beverage production system of claim 1 , wherein each of the cup receptacles in the row is separately removable.

9. 2. The beverage production system of claim 1, wherein a first drive system drives the outer turntable and a second drive system drives the inner turntable, such that the first and second drive systems enable the outer turntable and the inner turntable to move independently.

10. 10. The beverage production system of claim 9, further comprising a processor, a display, and circuitry operably coupled to the first and second drive systems, the cup dispensing station, the beverage dispensing station, and the actuator for dispensing beverages.

11. 10. The beverage production system of claim 1, further comprising a processor, circuitry, and one or more sensors coupled to the beverage production system and configured to rotate the outer turntable such that a cup on the outer turntable does not advance completely around the outer turntable.

12. The beverage production system of claim 1 , further comprising a lift assembly configured to vertically lift a cup receptacle containing a cup out of the inner turntable.

13. 13. The beverage production system of claim 12, further comprising a lid assembly, wherein the lift assembly is configured to lift the cup receiver to bring the cup contained within the cup receiver into engagement with the lid assembly for lidding the cup.

14. 14. The beverage production system of claim 13, wherein the lid application assembly is configured to place a film lid over an upper rim of the cup and heat seal the film to the upper rim of the cup.

15. 1. A method for producing a beverage, comprising: dispensing cups at a cup dispensing station into cup receptacles within an inner turntable of a turntable assembly; dispensing a beverage into the cup within the inner turntable of the turntable assembly at a beverage dispensing station; rotating the inner turntable about a central axis of the turntable assembly to align the cup receptacles in an inner row with openings between the inner and outer turntables of the turntable assembly, the outer turntable being circumferentially disposed around the inner turntable; moving a cup from the cup receptacle in the inner row through the aligned opening via an actuator onto the outer turntable; A method comprising:

15. The method of claim 15 , wherein the outer turntable includes a dial having a substantially flat circular surface.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a wiper adjacent to the dial.

17. rotating the dial; removing at least some material on the upper surface of the dial via the wiper; 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

18. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising vertically lifting the cup receptacle above the inner turntable via a lift assembly.

19. 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: capping an upper rim of the cup via a capping assembly while the cup in the cup receptacle is elevated above the inner turntable.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of independently rotating the inner turntable and the outer turntable.

Images