Material dispenser

Abstract

A material dispenser comprises a plurality of additive coupling modules (10A to 10F) for coupling additive containers to the dispenser; an additive manifold (14) in communication with the coupling modules for receiving additives from the coupling modules, and in fluid communication with a water source for flushing the additives from the manifold; and a dispense head (18) in fluid communication with the manifold for dispensing the additives. Also disclosed is a method of dispensing a material.

Description

MATERIAL DISPENSER

[0001] The present invention relates to a material dispenser, and in particular to a dispenser for liquids containing additives, such as a beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages such as carbonated and uncarbonated soft drinks.

[0002] In retail outlets such as bars and restaurants, flavoured beverages are commonly dispensed from a dispensing head attached to a flexible hose (often referred to as a "soda gun") , or from a beverage fountain, where a beverage container (e.g. a glass) is positioned under a dispensing head to receive a beverage. Soda guns and beverage fountains typically dispense a plurality of different beverages, which are supplied through individual supply tubes to the dispensing head.

[0003] Pre-mix systems use containers pre-filled with ready- to-drink beverages (e.g. pressurized containers, in the case of carbonated beverages) . The containers are stored remotely from the dispense point, and the beverage passes through a chiller prior to delivery. Pre-mix systems have the advantage that the perceived and actual quality of the dispensed beverage is high, compared to the same product as sold in sealed, single-serving containers, but have the disadvantage of transportation, logistics and storage of the containers.

[0004] Post-mix systems have cooling and carbonating systems for water, and containers with pumps for additives, such as flavour syrups, remote from the dispense point. The additive is pumped to the dispenser head separately from the water, and the additive and (un) carbonated water are mixed together at the dispenser head. Alternatively, the additive can be dispensed into a vessel which already contains water. An advantage of the post-mix system is that it uses aconcentrated additive , typically mixed in a ratio of about 5 parts water to 1 part additive , and a mains water supply . There is thus no need to transport and store large volumes of liquid . The disadvantages of post-mix systems include the perceived and actual lower quality of the dispensed beverage compared to the same product as sold in sealed, singleserving containers . In addition, the dispenser head can be a complicated structure incorporating valves for supplying either premixed drinks , or for mixing (un) carbonated water and additives , for example to produce beverages of di f ferent flavours .

[0005] Another disadvantage of both pre-mix and post-mix systems is that beverage and additive containers can be complicated to couple and uncouple correctly from the dispenser, for example when a container needs replacing . Accordingly, in a restaurant or bar, staf f members may require training in how to correctly couple and uncouple a container to / from a dispenser, and these tasks may consequently be performed by more senior or specially trained staf f . However, dispensers such as beverage fountains are increasingly being used in other settings , such as of fices and domestic dwellings , where appropriate training may not be desirable or available . Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a beverage dispenser for which coupling and uncoupling additive containers is easy to perform with minimal training, whilst being reliable in preventing unwanted disconnects and leaks .

[0006] The present invention seeks to provide a material dispenser which can overcome disadvantages of conventional dispensers .

[0007] According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a material dispenser comprising :a plurality of additive coupling modules for coupling additive containers to the dispenser ; an additive mani fold in communication with the coupling modules for receiving additives from the coupling modules , and in fluid communication with a water source for flushing the additives from the mani fold; and a dispense head in fluid communication with the mani fold for dispensing the additives .

[0008] The present invention thus provides a material dispenser wherein a plurality of di f ferent additives can be delivered, for example to be mixed with water . The additives are preferably liquid additives , but may be any flowable material , such as dry solids . The material dispenser of the present invention is preferably a beverage dispenser, for dispensing carbonated or uncarbonated beverages containing one or more additives . The dispenser can thus be used to deliver beverages containing, for example , flavour syrups , in accordance with the preferences of the user, and / or in accordance with a particular flavour recipe . Flushing the additive ( s ) from the mani fold with water upstream of the dispense head has the advantage that the additives are more thoroughly mixed, which can reduce the appearance o f surface residues and films on the dispensed material , and the need to stir the material after dispense .

[0009] Thus , the material dispenser of the present invention comprises a plurality of additive coupling modules for coupling additive containers to the dispenser . Preferred additives are flavour syrups , for adding to carbonated or uncarbonated water . It is to be noted that whilst the dispenser of the present invention comprises a plurality of additive coupling modules for coupling a plurality of additive containers containing di f ferent additives to thedispenser, the actual additive ( s ) which are dispensed in any given dispensing operation is / are dependent upon the selection of the user . Thus , for example , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention which is a beverage dispenser, the additives may be di f ferent flavour syrups , presenting the user with a number of options for di f ferent beverage f lavours / recipes . From these options , the user may select a beverage which contains a single flavour additive , a beverage which contains a plurality of flavour additives , or no additive at all ( i . e . the user may select plain water, carbonated or uncarbonated) .

[0010] The coupling modules preferably each comprise : a container support for supporting and positioning an additive container ; a connector for engaging with the container outlet of a container positioned on the container support to allow the additive to flow from the container ; an actuator which is moveable relative to the container support between an unlocked position in which a user can position a container on and remove a container from the container support , and a locked position in which the actuator can hold a container in position on the container support , wherein the actuator engages with the connector such that when a container is positioned on the container support and the actuator is in the unlocked position the connector is disengaged from the container outlet , and when the actuator is in the locked position the connector is engaged with the container outlet to allow material to flow from the container .

[0011] An advantage of the preferred coupling module described hereinabove is that it is reliable and simple to operate, through the use of an actuator which both holds the containerin position on the container support and simultaneously ensures correct engagement of the connector with the container outlet . In this way, a user wishing to couple a container to the dispenser, for example , to replace an empty container, merely needs to correctly position the container on the container support and lock it in position by moving the actuator to the locked position, without needing to manually fit the connector to the container outlet .

[0012] Preferably, the coupling module is for supporting the container whilst coupled to the dispenser and for ensuring correct positioning of the container relative to the connector . The container support may be configured to support a container with the container outlet facing upwards or downwards . However, preferably the container support is configured to support a container with the container outlet facing downwards , whereby the flow of material from the container is assisted by gravity .

[0013] The container support preferably comprises positioning means for ensuring correct positioning of a container on the support . The positioning means may thus comprise , for example , a holder into which a container may be placed, the holder having dimensions corresponding to one or more dimensions of the container to restrict movement of the container on the support . For example , the container support may comprise a holder having a cross-sectional prof ile which corresponds to that of the container being used, into which the container may be placed with the container outlet facing downwards , the holder having a base opening through which the container outlet may be engaged by the connector .

[0014] The positioning means may comprise a slot or channel into which a container may be inserted and held in position . For example , where the container outlet is formed within aneck portion which extends from shoulders of the container body, then the positioning means may comprise a slot for receiving the neck portion of the container . For example , the positioning means may comprise opposing arms defining a gap into which the neck portion of the container may be received, the arms configured so that the shoulders of the container body are supported on upper surfaces of the arms . In such embodiments , the connector may engage with the container outlet from below through the gap defined by the arms .

[0015] Preferably, the coupling module also comprises a connector for engaging with the outlet of an additive container positioned on the container support to allow flow of additive from the container .

[0016] Preferred connectors engage with the container outlet through insertion into the outlet , with additive passing out of the container through the connector . For example , the connector may comprise a male element having a flow-through passage for flow of additive from the container, which male element is received by the container outlet ( forming the female element ) . The connector preferably forms an additive- tight seal with the container outlet to prevent leakages .

[0017] A preferred connector is referred to in the art as a QCD ("Quick-Connect-Disconnect" ) push- fit type connector . These push- fit connectors comprise a domed or substantially hemispherical male element having a flow-through passage which may be pushed into the outlet of a container, to form an additive-tight seal therewith, and may be disconnected from the container by simply pulling it free . These connectors thus have the advantage of requiring no manual screwing or tightening .

[0018] Preferred containers for use with the coupling moduleare preferably configured to reseal when the connector is withdrawn from the container outlet . For example , the container may have an internal membrane or valve which recloses when the connector is withdrawn . For oxygensensitive materials , the container may be configured so that material flows from the container through the connector without any air entering the container . The container may further comprise communication protocol technology, such near- field communication (NFC ) or radio- frequency identi fication (RFID) technology . The use of these technologies allows the container to communicate information to another compatible local communication protocol reader . For example , the container may electronically communicate information to a local reader regarding the identity and / or volume of its contents . This information may be used by an appropriate controller ( such as a computer ) to control and manage flow of additive from the container . For example , a controller may provide a user with information as to which di f ferent flavours and flavour combinations are available , according to the information provided by the containers being used . Particular beverage "recipes" comprising a plurality of di f ferent additives may be selected by a user according to the containers being used . The information provided by the container may also be used by a controller to inform a user when a container is empty and needs replacing, when hardware may require servicing, about inventory management , and so forth . One or more of the coupling modules may thus comprise an electronic communication reader, such a near- field communication (NFC ) or radio- frequency identi fication (RFID) reader, for reading information provided by a container . An electronic communication reader may be located, for example , adj acent the coupling modules , for example in a housing or front cover portion of the material dispenser .

[0019] In preferred embodiments , each o f the plurality of coupling modules comprises an electronic communication reader, such a near- field communication (NFC ) or radiofrequency identi fication (RFID) reader, for reading information provided by a container comprising the appropriate communication protocol technology when positioned on the coupling module . Each electronic communication reader may be located, for example , on ( e . g . incorporated into or attached to ) the actuator of each coupling module . Locating the electronic communication reader on the actuator ensures a close proximity of the reader to the corresponding communication protocol technology of the container when positioned on the coupling module . Additionally or alternatively, an electronic communication reader may be provided within a user interface , e . g . a touchscreen, by which a user can scan a container prior to mounting it on the material dispenser .

[0020] In the preferred coupling module , the connector has an outlet for passage of additive from the container through the connector to the mani fold .

[0021] The preferred coupling module preferably further comprises an actuator which is moveable relative to the container support between an unlocked position in which a user can position a container on and remove a container from the container support , and a locked position in which the actuator can hold a container in position on the container support . The actuator engages with the connector such that when a container is positioned on the container support and the actuator is in the unlocked position the connector is disengaged from the container outlet , and when the actuator is in the locked position the connector is engaged with the container outlet to allow material to flow from thecontainer . The actuator thus both holds the container in position on the container support and simultaneously ensures and maintains correct engagement of the connector with the container outlet . In this way, a user wishing to couple a container to the dispenser, for example , to replace an empty container, merely needs to correctly position the container on the container support and lock it in position by moving the actuator to the locked position, without needing to manually fit the connector to the container outlet .

[0022] The actuator is moveable relative to the container support between locked and unlocked positions . The actuator may comprise a lever which can pivot towards and away from the container support between locked and unlocked positions . For example , the container support and the actuator may be attached to or form part of a common housing or frame , with the container support fixed in position relative to the housing or frame and the actuator pivotally attached to the housing or frame . Thus , in preferred embodiments , to lock a container in position on the support , the container is positioned on the support ( for example , by a neck portion of the container slotting into a gap defined by opposing arms of positioning means of the support , as described above ) with the actuator in the unlocked position, and when the container is in position on the support the actuator is pivoted towards the container support from the unlocked position into the locked position, in which the container is held in position on the support by the actuator . When a container is to be removed, the actuator is pivoted back to the unlocked position away from the container support , and the container is removed from the support . The actuator preferably comprises releasable locking means , for maintaining the actuator in the locked position .

[0023] As described above , the actuator not only serves to hold and preferably lock a container in position on the container support , but also engages and disengages the connector with the outlet of a container positioned on the support . Thus , the connector engages and disengages with the outlet of a container positioned on the support through movement of the actuator between the unlocked and locked positions . In those embodiments in which the actuator comprises a lever which pivots towards and away from the container support between unlocked and locked positions , the connector may be attached to and move with the lever .

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the coupling module , the container support comprises positioning means comprising a slot for receiving a neck portion of a container with the container outlet facing downwards , the connector is a push- fit connector comprising a domed or substantially hemispherical male element having a flow-through passage for fitting into the outlet of a container positioned on the support , and the actuator compri ses a lever which can pivot towards and away from the container support about a pivot point positioned below the container support , the connector being attached to the lever such that , when a container is positioned on the container support , moving the lever towards the support from the unlocked to the locked pos ition causes the male element of the connector to engage with and enter into the container outlet from below . The actuator preferably releasably locks in the locked position . When the container is to be removed, the lever is released from the locked position, and moved away from the container support to the unlocked position, which disengages the male element from the container outlet and allows the container to be slid out of the slot in the positioning means .

[0025] The material dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of coupling modules. Each coupling module can be used to deliver a different additive, and the number of coupling modules to be used will thus depend upon the number of different additives which are available to be delivered. For example, six coupling modules would allow for up to six different additives to be delivered. The dispenser may for example comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more coupling modules. A preferred dispenser comprises six coupling modules.

[0026] The material dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention preferably comprises at least one additive pump, for pumping additives from the coupling modules to the additive manifold. Whilst a single pump may be used in connection with the plurality of coupling modules, it is preferred that each coupling module has a separate pump.

[0027] For beverage dispensing, the amounts of beverage additives used per beverage serving are typically small (e.g. 1 to 5ml) , and must be accurately controlled to provide the correct beverage mix, recipe or formulation. Suitable pumps include stepper motor driven pumps, and peristaltic pumps. Peristaltic pumps are often used where the flow of material needs to be carefully metered, i.e. where small amounts of material need to be accurately delivered.

[0028] A typical peristaltic pump comprises a flexible tube for conveying material through compression of the tube in a peristaltic manner. Material is pushed or pulled through the tube by moving the region of compression along the length of the tube. Compression of the tube is typically achieved by mechanically driven rollers which pinch off a section of the tube. A typical peristaltic pump thus comprises a plurality of rollers between which material is trapped: as the rollersrotate , the trapped material is transported through the tube towards the pump outlet .

[0029] A preferred peristaltic pump for use with the material dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a fluid inlet and outlet ; a carrier member having an outer surface ; flexible tubing for conveying the flowable material which extends at least partially around the outer surface of the carrier member ; and a drivable compression roller ; wherein the carrier member and compression roller can be positioned adj acent one another to compress the flexible tubing therebetween, and the compression roller rotated about an axis of rotation to thereby cause the carrier member and flexible tubing to rotate about an axis of rotation, by which flowable material within the flexible tubing can be conveyed along the flexible tubing between the inlet and outlet . This preferred peristaltic pump conveys material using the same principles as a conventional peristaltic pump, i . e . flowable material is conveyed along flexible tubing by compressing the flexible tubing and moving the point of compression along the flexible tubing . However, unlike a conventional peristaltic pump, rollers do not rotate about an internal central axis relative to flexible tubing which is fixed in position, for example within and relative to a housing or mani fold . Instead, the flexible tubing moves relative to the compression roller, through rotation of the carrier member about its rotational axis , on which the flexible tubing is positioned, driven by rotation of the compression roller . Thus , in use , when the compression roller and carrier member are positioned to convey flowable material through the flexible tubing, with the flexible tubing compressed therebetween, the axis of rotation of the carrier member and the axis of rotation of the compression roller / flexible tubing are in fixed positions relative to each other . In thisway, greater accuracy of material delivery can be achieved compared to conventional peristaltic pumps. For example, the compression roller may have a circumference substantially smaller than that of the carrier member, meaning that rotation of the compression roller through a full 360° rotation corresponds to rotation of the carrier member, and hence the flexible tubing, through only a fraction (arc) of the circumference of the carrier member. For example, the ratio of the circumference of the compression roller to the carrier member may be from 1:10 to 1:15 or 1:20, meaning that, for these ratios, a full 360° rotation of the compression roller would rotate the carrier member through 36°, 27° and 18° respectively. This arrangement allows for very accurate control of the amount of material being conveyed through the flexible tubing. However, the relative sizes of the compression roller and carrier member are not limited, and may be selected as desired according to the requirements of the pump.

[0030] The additive pump is preferably located downstream of the additive coupling module. Thus, in preferred embodiments, additive can flow from the container through the connector to the pump, via tubing. The tubing conveying the additives to the manifold may be dual-layered, to reduce leakage and seepage of the additives into and from the tubing. For dispensing beverages, the use of dual-layered tubing to convey flavours can provide a greater flavour intensity compared to using single-layered tubing. The pump is preferably a peristaltic pump, as described herein. The pump may be located adjacent the additive coupling module, for example adjacent the container support and actuator. For example, the coupling module may comprise a housing or frame to which the container support, the actuator and the pump are commonly attached or form part of. Such an arrangement hasthe advantage of compactness, thus reducing the length of tubing which is required. It also allows for the coupling module and pump to form a discrete unit, which can for example be retrofitted into beverage dispensers. Alternatively, the pump(s) may be located apart from the additive coupling modules, for example in a separate unit.

[0031] In preferred embodiments, there is a separate pump for each coupling module, i.e. a plurality of pumps. The pumps are preferably operable in parallel, i.e. more than one pump may operate simultaneously. In this way, a plurality of additives can be delivered to the manifold simultaneously, thus reducing the time taken to deliver the additives compared to sequential delivery. The pumps may be configured to be programmable to pump an additive from a container to the manifold in one or more steps, for example one or more steps of a pre-determined duration, according to the additive which is being pumped, according to instructions received from a controller (preferred features of which are described further below) . Thus, different additives have different properties, such as viscosity, and may require different pumping characteristics. For example, as described above, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, each coupling module comprises an electronic communication reader which can read information from a container positioned on the coupling module. This information may include the identity of the additive within the container, which information may be communicated to the controller. The controller may then instruct the pump associated with that coupling module to pump that additive in accordance with one or more steps which are specific to that particular additive and / or a particular flavour recipe. Thus, the pump may be calibrated to deliver that particular additive. In these preferred embodiments, when a container held by a coupling module is removed andreplaced by another container, for example containing a different additive, then the identity of the new additive is automatically communicated to the controller and the controller recalibrates the pump to deliver the new additive.

[0032] The at least one additive pump is for pumping additives from the coupling modules to the additive manifold. The additive manifold is in communication with the coupling modules for receiving and mixing additives from the coupling modules, and is in fluid communication with a water source for flushing the additives from the manifold. In use, the additives may mix within the manifold, and are then flushed from the manifold to the dispense head through the manifold outlet by passing water through the manifold.

[0033] The additive manifold preferably comprises a plurality of additive inlets in communication with the coupling modules for receiving additives, and a water inlet for receiving water from a water source. The manifold preferably comprises an additive inlet for each coupling module, i.e. each coupling module is preferably connected separately to the manifold. In this way, cross-contamination of additives upstream of the manifold is avoided. The additive inlets may face each other, e.g. be located on opposite sides of the manifold, or may be located adjacent one another, e.g. along the same side of the manifold in a "straight" formation. A "straight" formation of additive inlets is preferred for embodiments which are configured for simultaneous delivery of a plurality of additives to the manifold, since the additives are not delivered simultaneously to opposite sides of the manifold.

[0034] Preferably, the manifold comprises a chamber into which the additive inlet or inlets feed. The chamber is also preferably in fluid communication with the water inlet, forflushing additives from the chamber by water entering the water inlet and through an outlet to the dispense head.

[0035] The manifold water inlet is in fluid communication with a water source. The water is typically sourced from a mains water supply, and is preferably uncarbonated. The water supplied to the manifold is for flushing the additive mixture from the manifold to the dispense head; the main body of water, either carbonated or uncarbonated, which in preferred embodiments is to form the majority of a beverage, is preferably provided by a separate water supply directly to the dispense head. The water inlet may be controlled by an inlet valve, such as a rocker valve, by a controller. The dispenser may be configured so that in use multiple flushes of water through the manifold occur for each serve. Thus, an initial flush may carry the majority of the additives from the manifold towards the dispense head, another flush may remove any residual additives remaining in the manifold, and a further flush may assist with cleaning the manifold and tubing between the manifold and the dispense head to reduce cross-contamination for future serves. It may be desirable for the additives to be dispensed sequentially, as opposed to being mixed together in the manifold. Thus, for example, a first additive may enter the manifold and be flushed to the dispense head, then a second additive may enter the manifold and be flushed to the dispense head, and so on. Alternatively, as described hereinabove, all the additives may be mixed together in the manifold before being flushed together to the dispense head.

[0036] In embodiments, in use water may flow continuously through the manifold, with additives dropping into the water flow within the manifold when delivered from the additive containers by the pump(s) .

[0037] The material dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a dispense head in fluid communication with the mani fold for dispensing the additivecontaining water . Thus , the dispense head may be connected to the mani fold through appropriate tubing, piping, and the like , through which in use the water-additive mixture is delivered to the dispense head . The dispense head may take di f ferent forms , according to the intended use . For example , in a beverage dispenser the dispense head may form part of a hand-held soda gun, or may form part of a counter-top beverage dispenser . The dispense head pre ferably comprises a flow straightener . Flow straighteners are known in the art , and typically comprise multiple channels ( for example , a "honeycomb" structure ) for reducing disturbances in the fluid flow .

[0038] The dispense head is also preferably in fluid communication with a water source , for example for providing the main body of water forming a beverage . The water is preferably sourced from a mains water supply, and may be filtered, chilled and / or carbonated upstream of the dispense head . The dispense head may comprise an additive outlet adj acent a separate water outlet for dispensing additives and water into a vessel . For example , the additive outlet may be positioned adj acent a flow straightener through which water is dispensed . Alternatively, additives received from the mani fold may be dispensed through the same outlet as the water, for example mixed with water prior to being dispensed, for example by passing through a flow straightener .

[0039] In preferred embodiments , the material dispenser of the present invention is configured to dispense hot and cold beverages . For example , for dispensing hot beverages the dispenser may comprise an integrated boiler and optionally a hot water filter .

[0040] For dispensing hot beverages additional design considerations may need to be taken into account . For example , the dispenser will preferably incorporate a safety feature to avoid inadvertent or accidental activation of hot water . Thus , for dispensing hot beverages the dispenser may be configured so that a particular sequence of actions on the part of a user i s required to activate hot water, such as a "double-tap" or swipe / slide of a particular activating mechanism on a user interface ( e . g . a button or slider on a graphical user interface , such as a touchscreen) .

[0041] In addition, many conventional f low meters are not designed for use with hot water, and other means and methods of measuring the volume of hot water dispensed by the dispenser may need to be used . For example , rather than direct measurement of water volume through a flow meter, the material dispenser may be configured to measure the volume of hot water dispensed by measuring the weight of a vessel into which the beverage is dispensed before and after dispensing ( for example , through a load cell incorporated into a vessel support , described further below) , and / or by measuring the duration of the dispense .

[0042] Furthermore , i f the material dispenser is configured to dispense both hot and cold beverages , then the respective hot and cold water delivery pipes are preferably thermally insulated to reduce or prevent heat exchange therebetween . For example , the respective hot and cold water delivery pipes may be separated and / or lagged with an insulating material . In an arch tap design, described below, for example , the respective hot and cold water delivery pipes may be provided to the dispense head in separate legs of the arch .

[0043] The material dispenser of the first aspect of thepresent invention may thus be a counter-top beverage dispenser compri sing a tap, for example an arch tap, comprising the dispense head, below which in use a vessel is placed to receive a beverage di spensed from the dispense head . The dispenser may comprise a vessel support for receiving and supporting a vessel under the dispense head . Thus , the vessel support may be configured to ensure correct positioning of a vessel under the dispense head, for example by comprising a seat or recess into which a vessel is to be placed . The vessel support may comprise a pressure sensor, such as a strain gauge , for detecting the presence or absence of a vessel on the support . In this way, the dispenser may be configured so that material will only be dispensed i f a vessel is detected on the vessel support by the pressure sensor, i . e . dispensing is prevented unless a vessel is detected on the support , and will cease when a vessel is removed from the support . Dispense cut-of f when a vessel is removed from the support also has advantages for managing spills , for example i f a vessel containing dispensed material falls or is accidentally knocked over, which will suddenly reduce the weight of the vessel as measured by the pressure sensor . Spills can also be detected and managed through sensors positioned in a waste outlet , discussed further below . The dispenser may be configured so that the weight of the vessel as measured by the pressure sensor assigns a predetermined identity to the vessel , for example "glass" , "bottle" , " small" , " large" , and the like , and is configured to dispense a pre-determined volume of material according to that identity . The dispenser may be configured such that no material is dispensed i f the weight measured by the pressure sensor exceeds a pre-determined maximum . The pressure sensor is positioned beneath the vessel support , and is thus preferably protected against material being spilled or overflowing from a vessel positioned on the support . Forexample, for dispensing beverages, the pressure sensor is preferably waterproofed.

[0044] The material dispenser may comprise a waste outlet, e.g. a drain, and / or a waste storage reservoir, for removal of dispensed material which has not be captured by a vessel. For example, a waste outlet may comprise a pipe to convey waste material to a waste water outlet, a refuse bin, or the like, as appropriate. Additionally or alternatively, waste material may be conveyed to a waste storage reservoir, for example where the material dispenser cannot be connected to drainage, wherein the waste material collects for disposal at a later time.

[0045] In preferred embodiments, the material dispenser is configured to compensate for signal noise generated by components of the material dispenser, such as a chiller (when present) , to reduce interference with the accurate operation of the pressure sensor. Thus, for example, the dispenser controller may be configured to analyse different signals received from the pressure sensor and engineer out the signal noise generated by other dispenser components. The dispenser may also be configured to take into account the effect of temperature on the signals received from the pressure sensor. Thus, the controller may be configured to compensate for signal drifts caused by temperature changes, for example by resetting the baseline weight measurement.

[0046] The material dispenser may comprise other sensors, for example to detect the presence of a vessel under the dispense head, the volume of the vessel, and / or its fill level. For example, the dispenser may comprise one or more ultrasonic sensors and / or image capture devices, such as cameras, to detect the presence of a vessel under the dispense head. Theultrasonic sensor ( s ) and / or image capture device ( s ) may also be used to monitor the height and fill level of a vessel , to monitor the fill level in real time as material is dispensed, with the dispenser configured to cease dispensing i f the fill level reaches a pre-determined maximum relative to the height of the vessel . Ultrasonic sensors and / or image capture devices may also be used to estimate the volume of a vessel positioned under the dispense head, with the dispenser configured to dispense a volume of material appropriate for that volume . The dispenser may comprise a sensor for identi fying a speci fic vessel which is positioned under the dispense head . For example , the dispenser may comprise a QR code reader, such as an infrared reader, which can read a QR code on a vessel . A QR code reader may be positioned, for example , beneath the vessel support to read a QR code on the bottom of a vessel . A vessel identi fier may be used to monitor the number of times a particular vessel is used with the material dispenser . For example , a user might purchase a vessel , such as a drinking bottle , having a pre-paid number of serves . Each time the vessel is used with the dispenser, it is identi fied by the dispenser, for example by reading a QR code on the vessel , and one serve is spent . When all the pre-paid serves are spent then the dispenser may deny any further serves to that particular vessel . The dispenser may comprise means for cleaning the vessel support area, to reduce bacterial contamination, such as a UVC light , for example located in or adj acent the dispense head to illuminate an area beneath the dispense head . When using UVC light in this way, the dispenser may comprise UV shielding to prevent or restrict leakage of UV light from the area under illumination, and / or the UVC light source may be configured to operate under a timer for speci fic limited time periods .

[0047] The material dispenser may comprise one or more flow meters , to measure the flow of material into and out of the dispenser .

[0048] The material dispenser may comprise one or more water pressure sensors to monitor the pressure of water entering and / or leaving the system .

[0049] The material dispenser may comprise one or more waste sensors , to monitor the amount of waste material leaving the dispenser, and / or the amount of waste material which has been collected within a waste storage reservoir . In these embodiments , when the amount of waste within the waste storage reservoir reaches a pre-determined level then the dispenser may be configured so that no further dispensing of material , and or flushing of the system, is poss ible until the waste storage reservoir has been emptied, and / or an alert is provided to the user to empty the reservoir . Monitoring the amount of waste material can also be used as a crosscheck as to whether / how much material being dispensed is being received in a user' s vessel . For example , i f material is overflowing from a vessel then the dispenser may be configured to stop dispensing material when the amount of overflow reaches a pre-determined threshold volume .

[0050] In those embodiments of the material dispenser which are configured to dispense carbonated beverages , the dispenser may comprise a carbon dioxide pressure sensor . Thus , in preferred embodiments , i f the measured pressure of carbon dioxide falls below a pre-determined threshold then an alert may be provided to the user to replace the carbon dioxide . The dispenser may also be configured so that no carbonated beverages can be dispensed until the carbon dioxide source is replaced .

[0051] The material dispenser may be configured so that an alert is provided to the user when an additive container needs changing . For example , the alert may be generated when the volume of additive within the container falls to a predetermined level ( for example , as measured by the number of serves of a particular additive ) . Additionally or alternatively the alert may be generated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the container was mounted on the dispenser ( for example , as detected by an electronic communication tag on the container, read by an electronic communication reader of the dispenser ) . The alert may be provided for the user to action, or may trigger automatic reordering of a replacement container, for example through communication with a remote ordering system .

[0052] The material dispenser may comprise one or more temperature sensors to measure for example the temperature of incoming water, chilled water, ambient water and hot water . As described above with reference to the pressure sensor, the dispenser may be configured so that its operation takes into account changes in temperature .

[0053] The material dispenser preferably comprises a controller for controlling operation of the dispenser . Thus , the controller preferably controls the types and volumes of additives which enter the mani fold from the additive coupling modules , or for example the sequence in which additives enter the mani fold, for example through controlling appropriate additive pumps . In this connection, as described above the controller may control the or each pump according to the identity of the additive which is held by the coupling module associated with that pump, for example as identi fied via an electronic communication tag in the container . Thus , when a container held by a coupling module is removed and replaced by another container, for example containing a di f ferentadditive , then the identity of the new additive is communicated to the controller and the pumping instructions to the pump associated with that coupling module are changed i f / as appropriate for the new additive . The controller may control the volume and frequency o f water flushes through the mani fold to deliver the additives to the dispense head, and, for example for beverage dispensing, whether the main water forming the beverage delivered to the dispense head is carbonated or uncarbonated, hot or cold, etc . In preferred embodiments , the controller may prevent material from being dispensed i f no vessel is detected under the di spense head, and / or may control the volume of material to be dispensed according to the volume of the vessel detected . The controller may provide the user with information regarding the di f ferent additives which are available , for example di f ferent flavour syrups , through a user interface . For example , when an additive container is coupled to the dispenser by a coupling module , a user may manually input information regarding the additive ( e . g . the type and / or volume of additive ) to the controller, or as discussed hereinabove the container may electronically communicate information regarding its contents to the controller via, for example , an NFC or RFID tag and reader . The controller may then use this information to convey to a user which di f ferent additives and additive combinations are available . In this way, the controller may also provide information as to when an additive container needs replacing, according to the volume of additive initially contained in the container and the amount which has been subsequently dispensed .

[0054] The controller preferably comprises a computer running appropriate software , and is preferably configured to connect to the internet to communicate with one or more remote computers / servers . For example , a plurality of dispensers maybe in communication with each other and / or a central remote computer . More preferably, the material dispenser may be configured to use arti ficial intelligence software (Al ) , for example machine learning, to control its operations . For example a plurality of dispensers in communication with each other may feed back information from which each dispenser in communication can learn . The Al may operate locally on the dispenser or remotely on a remote computer with which the dispenser communicates .

[0055] For example , the Al may be configured to change the amounts of additives which in use are pumped from the containers according to information received from the dispenser sensors and / or from external sources . Thus , for example , with beverage dispensing the AT may change the amounts of particular additives which are used in a recipe according to changes in water pressure above and / or below certain pressure thresholds . The AT may be configured to halt dispensing in response to changes in water pressure above or below threshold values to prevent damage to dispenser hardware . The AT may be configured to prevent carbonated beverages from being dispensed i f the carbon dioxide pressure falls below a pre-determined threshold value , and / or alert the user of the need to replace the source of carbon dioxide ( or automatically communicate with a remote ordering system to reorder carbon dioxide ) . The AT may make adj ustments to the dispenser operation in response to changes in temperature .

[0056] The material dispenser may be configured to employ AT to sel f-calibrate , sel f-learn, and / or sel f-report . For example , the material dispenser may sel f-calibrate by continuously or periodically monitoring system parameters , such as water pressure and / or temperature , and additivevolumes within containers . The material dispenser may be configured to alert a user when new supplies , for example of additive containers or carbon dioxide , are required, i f the dispenser has contracted a fault and requires servicing, or that a routine periodic service is due . The AT may sel flearn, for example , by detecting faults with the material dispenser and determining whether or not the fault may be corrected through sel f-adj ustment of system parameters , or whether a service engineer call-out is required . The AT may sel f-report , for example , by reporting to a remote computer the number of times the dispenser has been used, and / or which additives have been dispensed . For example , the AT may report this information back to an additive supplier, who can use the information to cross-check and reconcile against the products which have been supplied to a particular customer . The reported information may be used to automatically supply that customer with replacement products .

[0057] The material dispenser may comprise a database of information regarding di f ferent additive containers which may be used with the dispenser . In this way, the dispenser is able to identi fy containers which are used with the dispenser, for example through an electronic communication reader ( e . g . RFID tag and reader ) , and store information on how the containers are used by the dispenser . This information may be communicated to a remote computer, for example held by a container supplier, or may be stored locally by the dispenser in a memory i f the dispenser is being used of f-line . I f being used of f-line then the container usage information held in the memory of the dispenser may be periodically used to manually update a central database of container information by the user, for example every 90 days . The central database preferably contains information regarding the containers being used by a particulardispenser, which is either automatically or manually updated as described above .

[0058] The material dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention preferably comprises a user interface , for conveying information to the user, and for the user to input information to the dispenser, such as beverage selections . The user interface may comprise a display screen, preferably a touch screen . Thus , in the case of a beverage dispenser the user interface may provide the user with information regarding the selection of beverages which are available , according to the di f ferent additives which have been coupled to the dispenser . The user interface may allow the user to make various selections as to the beverage they wish to dispense , for example the flavour and / or volume of beverage , and / or whether the beverage is to be carbonated or uncarbonated, hot or cold . The user interface may provide the user with other information, such as the additive levels within the additive containers , and / or whether a container needs replacing . The user interface may further provide the user with nutritional information regarding their selection . The user interface may provide the user with sustainability information, such as the equivalent number of plastic bottles they have saved by avoiding the use of single serve bottles . The controller may be configured to record personal profiles for di f ferent users , which may be accessed through the user interface , to provide the user with information regarding their beverage selection history .

[0059] According to the present invention in a second aspect there is also provided a method of dispensing a material which comprises the steps of : presenting a user with a plurality of additive options ; the user making a selection from the available additiveoptions ; pumping a predetermined amount of each of the selected additives to a mani fold; flushing the one or more additives from the mani fold to a dispense head; dispensing the additives from the dispense head into a vessel .

[0060] The material being dispensed in the method of the second aspect of the present invention is preferably a beverage .

[0061] The method of the second aspect of the present invention is preferably performed using a dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention .

[0062] According to the present invention in a third aspect is an additive rack for use in a material dispenser, which additive rack comprises : a plurality of additive coupling modules for coupling additive containers to the additive rack; and an additive mani fold in communication with the coupling modules for receiving additives from the coupling modules , and configured to be connectable to a water source for flushing the additives from the mani fold .

[0063] The various features and embodiments of the material dispenser of the first aspect of the present invention may also be used with and incorporated into the additive rack of the third aspect of the present invention .

[0064] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which :

[0065] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a material dispenser according to the present invention;

[0066] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing two coupling modules for use in an embodiment of a material dispenser and additive rack according to the present invention, with a first coupling module holding an additive container in a locked position, and a second coupling module in an unlocked position with no additive container ;

[0067] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the two coupling modules shown in Figure 2 , with the first coupling module holding an additive container in a locked position, and the second coupling module holding an additive container in an unlocked position;

[0068] Figure 4 is a close up perspective view of one of the coupling modules shown in Figures 2 and 3 in an unlocked position with no additive container ;

[0069] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the coupling module shown in Figure 4 ;

[0070] Figure 6A is a simpli fied perspective view of an additive container for use with an embodiment of a material dispenser and additive rack according to the invention, and Figure 6B is a simpli fied front view of the container in position on the container support ;

[0071] Figures 7A and 7B show side and front views of an additive mani fold for use in an embodiment of the material dispenser and additive rack according to the invention;

[0072] Figure 8 shows a front view of the mani fold shown in Figures 7A and 7B including dashed lines to show the internal structure of the mani fold, together with cross-sectionalviews along lines A-A and B-B .

[0073] Figure 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an additive rack for use in material dispenser according to the present invention;

[0074] Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the additive rack shown in Figure 9 ;

[0075] Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the additive rack shown in Figures 9 and 10 showing the pump compartment front panel detached;

[0076] Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of the additive rack shown in Figures 9 to 11 with the rear cover removed to show the internal components ;

[0077] Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the additive rack shown in Figures 9 to 12 with the rear cover and pipework removed; and

[0078] Figures 14a and 14b are top and front views respectively of a further mani fold embodiment for use in the material dispenser and additive rack of the present invention .

[0079] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a material dispenser according to the present invention . A preferred embodiment of the material dispenser of the present invention as described with reference to the accompanying drawings is a beverage dispenser, but it is to be noted that dispensers for materials other than beverages are within the scope of the present invention . The beverage dispenser comprises a plurality of additive coupling modules 10A to 10F for coupling additive containers to the dispenser . In the illustrated embodiment , the beverage dispenser comprises sixadditive coupling modules 10A to 10F, holding six additive containers , indicated by the letters A to F respectively . Each of the additive coupling modules 10A to 10F has an additive pump 12A to 12 F respectively, for pumping additives A to F from the coupling modules 10A to 10F to additive mani fold 14 . The additive mani fold 14 is in fluid communication with each of the coupling modules 10A to 10F for receiving additives A to F, and is in fluid communication with a water source 16 for flushing the additives A to F from the mani fold . The beverage dispenser further comprises a dispense head 18 in fluid communication with the mani fold 14 and water source 16 for dispensing the additives A to F and water into a vessel . The water from water source 16 may be chilled and / or carbonated by a chiller 20 and a carbonator 22 respectively upstream of dispense head 18 . The beverage dispenser further comprises a controller 24 which is configured to control operation of the dispenser, and a user interface 26 for conveying information to and receiving instructions from a user to be conveyed to and actioned by the controller 24 .

[0080] In use , information regarding the di f ferent additive containers which are coupled to the beverage dispenser is communicated to the controller 24 , either through a user manually inputting the information or as described herein through electronic communication via, for example , RFID or NFC tags and readers . The controller may then use this information to convey to a user which di f ferent additives and additive combinations are available . The di f ferent beverage options are presented to the user through the user interface 26 , such as a touchscreen, and the user makes a selection through the user interface 26 which is conveyed to and actioned by the controller 24 . The controller 24 activates the appropriate pump ( s ) 12A to 12 F according to the selectionmade by the user, to pump an appropriate volume of one or more of additives A to F to the manifold 14. For example, if a user selected beverage "ABC" (a hypothetical beverage comprising equal volumes of additives A, B and C) , then the controller 24 would activate pumps 12A, 12B and 12C to deliver equal volumes of additives A, B and C to the manifold 14. The additives may be delivered to the manifold 14 simultaneously or sequentially. The controller 24 then activates an appropriate pump and inlet valve (e.g. a rocker valve, not shown) to flush water from water source 16 through the manifold 14 to convey the one or more additives within the manifold 14 to the dispense head 18. The beverage dispenser may be configured so that in use multiple flushes of water through the manifold 14 occur for each beverage serve. Thus, an initial flush may carry the majority of the additives from the manifold 14 towards the dispense head 18, another flush may remove any residual additives remaining in the manifold 14, and a further flush may assist with cleaning the manifold 14 and tubing between the manifold 14 and the dispense head 18 to reduce cross-contamination for future beverage serves. Alternatively, water may continuously flow through the manifold 14 and the additives drop into the flow within the manifold 14. It may be desirable for the additives to be dispensed sequentially, as opposed to being mixed together in the manifold 14. Thus, for example, the controller 24 may be configured such that for certain beverage selections a first additive may enter the manifold 14 and be flushed to the dispense head 18, then a second additive may enter the manifold 14 and be flushed to the dispense head 18, and so on. The controller 24 further activates the system to pump water from water source 16 to the dispense head 18 via chiller 20 and / or carbonator 22, according to the selection made by the user. The additive / water mixture and water are dispensed as a beverage into a vessel provided by the user.

[0081] Individual components of the beverage dispenser embodiment will now be described in more detail , illustrated by Figures 2 through to 8 .

[0082] Thus , Figures 2 to 5 show an embodiment of additive coupling modules 10 for use in the beverage dispenser and additive rack of the present invention . The coupling module 10 comprises a housing 111 , a container support 112 for supporting and positioning a container 160 , a connector 114 for engaging with the container outlet of a container 160 positioned on the container support 112 to allow material to flow from the container, and an actuator 116 which is moveable relative to the container support 112 between an unlocked position in which a user can position a container 160 on and remove a container 160 from the container support 112 , and a locked position in which the actuator 116 can hold a container 160 in position on the container support 112 . In Figure 2 a first coupling module 10 is shown holding an additive container 160 with the actuator 116 in a locked position, and a second coupling module 10 shown with no additive container 160 and the actuator in an unlocked position; in Figure 3 the first coupling module 10 is shown holding an additive container 160 with the actuator 116 in the locked position, and the second coupling module 10 with the actuator 116 in the unlocked position but with an additive container 160 positioned on the container support 112 ; and Figure 4 is a close up perspective view of one of the coupling modules 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3 with the actuator 116 in an unlocked position with no additive container 160 . Thus , when the actuator 116 in the unlocked position, a container 160 can be positioned on the container support 112 . The actuator 116 engages with the connector 114 such that when a container 160 is positioned on the container support 112 and the actuator116 is in the unlocked position the connector 114 is disengaged from the container outlet , and when the actuator 116 is in the locked position the connector 114 is engaged with the container outlet to allow material to flow from the container 160 .

[0083] As is best shown in Figure 4 , the coupling module 10 thus comprises a container support 112 . The container support 112 is for supporting the container 160 whilst coupled to the dispenser and for ensuring correct positioning of the container 160 relative to the connector 114 . In the illustrated embodiment , the container support 112 comprises a channel 118 for receiving the neck portion (not shown in Figures 2 and 3 ) of a container 160 , i . e . the container 160 opening faces downwards , so that gravity can assist with flow of material from the container 160 . The channel 118 is defined by opposing arms 120 , the width W of the channel corresponding to the width / diameter of the neck portion of a container 160 , to restrict movement of a container 160 positioned on the container support 112 . The arms 120 are configured so that the shoulders of the container body are supported on upper surfaces of the arms 120 . The connector 114 is positioned below the container support 112 in the unlocked position and engages with a container outlet from below through the channel 118 defined by the arms 120 . The container support 112 may also comprise a back plate (not shown) against which a container 160 positioned on the container support 112 may be pressed when held in place by the actuator 16 in the locked position .

[0084] The coupling module 10 also comprises a connector 114 for engaging with the outlet of a container 160 positioned on the container support 112 to allow flow of material from the container 160 .

[0085] As is best shown in Figure 4 , the connector 114 is a QCD ("Quick-Connect-Disconnect" ) push- fit type connector . The connector 114 comprises a domed male element 124 having a flow-through passage 126 which pushes into the outlet of a container 160 positioned on the container support 112 . This type of connector 114 has the advantage of requiring no manual screwing or tightening .

[0086] The connector 114 has an outlet (not shown) which connects to a pump 128 ( shown in Figure 5 ) by tubing 130 , for passage of material from the container 160 through the connector 114 to the mani fold 14 ( shown in more detail in Figures 6A through to 7C ) . In the illustrated embodiment , the pump 128 is a peristaltic pump, which enables the flow of material from the container 160 to be carefully metered . The additive is pumped from pump 128 to the mani fold 14 via tubing132 (partially shown in Figure 5 ) .

[0087] The actuator 116 is moveable relative to the container support 112 between an unlocked position in which a user can position a container 160 on and remove a container 160 from the container support 112 , and a locked position in which the actuator 116 holds a container 160 in position on the container support 112 . Figures 2 and 3 show adj acent first and second coupling modules 10 having actuators 116 in locked and unlocked positions respectively . In the illustrated embodiment , the actuator 116 is an essentially L-shaped member, having a pivotally mounted bracket portion 134 and a substantially orthogonal handle portion 136 . The bracket portion 134 is pivotally attached to the housing 111 , via pivot 135 , within the housing 111 , to as to be pivotable relative thereto . The bracket portion 134 comprises substantially parallel side portions between which a connector support member 140 is fixed, upon which connector114 is mounted . The connector 114 thus raises and lowers as the actuator 116 is raised and lowered between the unlocked and locked positions . The handle portion 136 is for a user to hold when moving the actuator 116 between the unlocked and locked positions . The actuator 116 comprises releasable locking means (not shown) , for maintaining the actuator 116 in the locked position .

[0088] As shown in Figures 2 to 5 , in the illustrated embodiment the pump 128 , container support 112 and actuator 116 are located within or attached to the housing 111 for compactness . This allows for the illustrated coupling modules 10 to each form a discrete unit . As shown in Figures 2 and 3 , each coupling module 10 may be attached to the beverage dispenser as a unit by slotting into a rack 150 . In the illustrated embodiment , lugs 152 on the housing 111 distal from the handle portion 136 may be positioned within slots 154 on the rack 150 to position the coupling module 10 on the beverage dispenser . This allows coupling module 10 units to be added or removed from a beverage dispenser as desired . The beverage dispenser of the present invention comprises a plurality of coupling modules 10 , each module capable of providing a di f ferent additive ( e . g . syrup or flavour ) .

[0089] Figure 6A is a simpli fied perspective view of an additive container 160 for use with the beverage dispenser and additive rack of the present invention . Suitable additive containers 160 include those which are known in the art for use in bag-in-box dispensing systems , and typically comprise a flexible , collapsible additive-containing bag (not shown in the Figures ) in a box 161 . The additive container 160 comprises an outlet 162 through which additive is dispensed ( and through which the bag within the container 160 may also be filled with additive ) . The container box 161 has a neckportion 166 , for example a spout , which comprises the outlet 162 , and shoulders 164 . As noted, bag-in-box type additive containers are known in the art , and the structure of the bag and outlet will not be discussed in detail here .

[0090] Figure 6B is a simpli fied front view of an additive container 160 in position on the container support 112 ( for clarity the connector 114 and actuator 116 are not shown in Figures 6B or 6C ) . Thus , the shoulders 164 of the container box 161 rest upon the opposing arms 120 of the container support 112 , with the neck portion 166 positioned within the channel 118 with the container outlet 162 facing downwards , available to receive the connector 114 when the actuator 116 moves from the unlocked to the locked position, and to disengage with the connector 114 when the actuator 116 returns to the unlocked position .

[0091] Figures 7A, 7B, and 8 show an embodiment of an additive mani fold 14 for use in the beverage dispenser and additive rack of the present invention . Figures 7A and 7B show side and front views respectively of the mani fold 14 , and Figure 8 shows a front view of the mani fold 14 including dashed lines to show the internal structure of the mani fold 14 , together with cross-sectional views along lines A-A and B-B .

[0092] The mani fold 14 comprises a plurality of additive inlets 202 for fluid communication with the coupling modules 10 to receive additives therefrom . The mani fold embodiment 14 shown in Figures 7A, 7B, and 8 comprises multiple additive inlets 202 , to allow for connection to multiple coupling modules 10 in various configurations , according to requirements . Multiple coupling modules 10 may thus be independently connected to the mani fold 14 . In the illustrated embodiment , there are additive inlets 202positioned on opposite sides of the mani fold 14 . However, the additive inlets 202 may also be positioned adj acent one another along the same side of the mani fold 14 , as is described in more detail below in connection with an alternative mani fold embodiment .

[0093] The mani fold 14 comprises an elongate tubular chamber 204 into which the additive inlets 202 can feed via chamber inlets 206 . In the illustrated embodiment , the chamber 204 comprises four chamber inlets 206 on each side of the mani fold 14 . Chamber inlets 206 are connectable to additive inlets 202 via suitable connectors (not shown) , for example appropriate tubing, for mixing of additives within the chamber 204 . The chamber inlets 206 themselves may be connected directly to coupling modules 10 .

[0094] The mani fold 14 further comprises a water inlet 208 at a first end of the elongate tubular chamber 204 for receiving water from a water source , and an outlet 210 at an opposing second end of the chamber 204 in fluid communication with the dispense head 18 . It is to be noted that the illustrated embodiment of the mani fold 14 is reversible , in the sense that the water inlet 208 may equal ly be employed as the outlet 210 , and the outlet 210 may be employed as the water inlet 208 . The water inlet 208 is in fluid communication with a water source (not shown) . The water is typically sourced from a mains water supply, and is preferably uncarbonated . The water supplied to the mani fold 14 is for flushing the additive mixture from the mani fold 14 to the dispense head 18 via outlet 210 ; the main body of water, either carbonated or uncarbonated, which is to form the maj ority of the beverage , is preferably provided by a separate water supply directly to the dispense head 18 . The water inlet 208 may be controlled by an inlet valve (not shown) , such as a rocker valve , by the controller 24 . The beverage dispenser may be configured sothat in use multiple flushes of water through the mani fold 14 occur for each beverage serve . Thus , an initial flush may carry the maj ority of the additives from the chamber 204 via outlet 210 to the dispense head 18 , another flush may remove any residual additives remaining in the chamber 210 , and a further flush may assist with cleaning the chamber 210 and tubing between the mani fold 14 and the dispense head 18 to reduce cross-contamination for future beverage serves . Alternatively, water may flow continuously through the mani fold 14 and the additives drop into the flow within the mani fold 14 . It may be desirable for the additives to be dispensed sequentially, as opposed to being mixed together in the mani fold 14 . Thus , for example , a first additive may enter the mani fold 14 and be flushed to the dispense head 18 , then a second additive may enter the mani fold 14 and be flushed to the dispense head 18 , and so on . Alternatively, as described hereinabove , all the additives for a particular beverage may be mixed together in the mani fold 14 before being flushed together to the dispense head 18 .

[0095] Figures 9 to 13 show an embodiment of an additive rack 500 of the present invention for use in a material dispenser of the present invention . Thus , the additive rack 500 comprises a plurality of additive coupling modules 510G to 510L for coupling additive containers G to L, and an additive mani fold 514 ( location shown in Figure 11 and described in more detail with reference to Figures 14A and 14B ) in communication with the coupling modules 510G to 510L for receiving additives from the containers G to L held by the coupling modules 510G to 510L, and in fluid communication with a water source (not shown) for flushing additives from the mani fold 514 . The additive rack 500 in use will be connected to a dispense head (not shown in Figures 9 to 13 ) . Thus , the additive rack 500 is intended to be located forexample beneath a counter, or otherwise hidden from view, with the dispense head positioned above the counter . The additive rack 500 should however be accessible to change containers , for servicing, and so forth . It is to be noted that not all of the features of the additive rack 500 described below are shown in each of Figures 9 to 13 .

[0096] The additive rack 500 as described with reference to Figures 9 to 13 is configured for use in a beverage dispenser, but it is to be noted that dispensers for materials other than beverages are within the scope of the present invention . The additive rack 500 comprises a plurality of additive coupling modules 510G to 510L for coupling additive containers to the rack 500 . In the illustrated embodiment , the rack 500 comprises six additive coupling modules 510G to 510L, holding six additive containers , indicated by the letters G to L respectively, although greater or fewer additive coupling modules may be used . Each of the additive coupling modules 510G to 510L has an additive pump 512G to 512L respectively, for pumping additives G to L from the coupling modules 510G to 510L to additive mani fold 514 . The coupling modules 510G to 510L are substantially as described above with reference to Figures 2 to 5 but with the pumps 512G to 512L located apart from ( as opposed to integrally with) the coupling modules 510G to 510L . In preferred embodiments , each of the coupling modules 510G to 510L comprises an electronic communication reader (not shown) , such a near- field communication (NFC ) or radio- frequency identi fication (RFID) reader, for reading information provided by the respective container G to L, comprising the appropriate communication protocol technology when positioned on the coupling module 510G to 510L . Each electronic communication reader may be located, for example , on ( e . g . incorporated into or attached to ) the actuator ofeach coupling module 510G to 510L. Locating the electronic communication reader on the actuator ensures a close proximity of the reader to the corresponding communication protocol technology of the container when positioned on the coupling module 510G to 510L.

[0097] The additive manifold 514 is in fluid communication with each of the coupling modules 510G to 510L via appropriate tubing for receiving additives from containers G to L. The manifold 514 is shown in more detail in Figures 14A and 14B. In the illustrated embodiment, the additive manifold 514 comprises six additive inlets 538G to 538L in communication with the respective coupling modules 510G to 510L for receiving additives from containers G to L respectively, and a water inlet 540 for receiving flush water via tubing 528. In the illustrated embodiment, the additive inlets 538G to 538L are located adjacent one another, along the same side of the manifold 514 in a "straight" formation. The illustrated manifold 514 comprises an outlet 542 which is in fluid communication with the dispense head, via outlet 530, and through which additives within the manifold are flushed to the dispense head. It is to be noted that the illustrated embodiment of the manifold 514 is reversible, in the sense that the water inlet 540 may equally be employed as the outlet 542, and the outlet 542 may be employed as the water inlet 540. The manifold 514 also comprises valves 544G to 544L (for example, solenoid valves) which are controlled by the controller (e.g. PCB 532, described herein) to allow ingress of additives into the manifold 514.

[0098] The additive rack 500 comprises three water inlets 516A to 516C, for ingress of sparkling water, still water, and manifold flushing water respectively. The sparkling and still water received through inlets 516A and 516B respectively form the main body of the beverage to be dispensed, and themani fold flush water received through inlet 516C flushes additives from the mani fold 514 to the dispense head . Sparkling and still water may have previously passed through a chiller and / or carbonator (not shown) upstream of the additive rack 500 . Sparkling and still water are conveyed from inlets 516A and 516B respectively to a solenoid valve 518 ( shown in Figures 12 and 13 ) via hoses 520A and 520B respectively . Solenoid valve 518 controls the flow of sparkling and still water through the additive rack 500 and is connected to flow meter 522 via hose 523 which in turn is connected to outlet 524 . In use , sparkling and / or still water thus passes into the additive rack 500 via inlets 516A and / or 516B respectively through hoses 520A and / or 520B respectively controlled by solenoid valve 518 , and from the solenoid valve 518 via hose 523 and flow meter 522 to outlet 524 , from where it passes to the dispense head . Mani fold flush water is conveyed from inlet 516C via hose 520C to solenoid valve 526 , which controls the flow of mani fold flush water through the additive rack 500 . Thus , the solenoid valve 526 may be left open for a continuous flow of mani fold flush water through the additive rack 500 or may be opened and closed on demand . The flush water passes from the solenoid valve 526 to mani fold 514 via tubing 528 . Flush water and additives pass from the mani fold 514 to the dispense head (not shown in Figures 9 to 13 ) via additive outlet 530 .

[0099] In the illustrated embodiment , operation of the additive rack 500 is controlled by printed circuit board ( PCB ) 532 . The additive rack 500 has a power switch 534 and a data trans fer connection 536 , for up- and down-loading data . As described herein, PCB 532 may be configured to use arti ficial intelligence software (Al ) , for example machine learning, to control operations . For example a plurality of additive racks 500 in communication with each other mayfeedback information from which each additive rack 500 in communication can learn . The Al may operate locally or remotely on a remote computer with which the PCB 532 communicates .

[0100] For example , the Al may be configured to change the amounts of additives which in use are pumped from the containers G to L according to information received from the dispenser sensors and / or from external sources . Thus , for example , the AT may change the amounts of particular additives G to L which are used in a recipe according to changes in water pressure above and / or below certain pressure thresholds . The AT may be configured to halt dispensing in response to changes in water pressure above or below threshold values to prevent damage to dispenser hardware . The AT may be configured to prevent carbonated beverages from being dispensed i f the carbon dioxide pressure falls below a pre-determined threshold value , and / or alert the user of the need to replace the source of carbon dioxide ( or automatically communicate with a remote ordering system to reorder carbon dioxide ) . The AT may make adj ustments to the dispenser operation in response to changes in temperature .

[0101] The PCB 532 may be configured to employ AT to sel fcalibrate , sel f-learn, and / or sel f-report . For example , the dispenser may sel f-calibrate by continuously or periodically monitoring system parameters , such as water pressure and / or temperature , and material / additive volumes within containers . The dispenser may be configured to alert a user when new supplies , for example of additive containers or carbon dioxide , are required, i f the dispenser has contracted a fault and requires servicing, or that a routine periodic service is due . The AT may sel f-learn, for example , by detecting faults with the dispenser and determining whetheror not the fault may be corrected through sel f-adj ustment of system parameters , or whether a service engineer call-out is required . The Al may sel f-report , for example , by reporting to a remote computer the number of times the dispenser has been used, and which additives have been dispensed . For example , the Al may report this information back to an additive supplier, who can use the information to cross-check and reconcile against the products which have been supplied to a particular customer . The reported information may be used to automatically supply that customer with replacement products .

[0102] In use , information regarding the di f ferent additive containers G to L which are coupled to the additive rack 500 is presented to the user via a user interface ( for example , a touchscreen not shown in Figures 9 to 13 ) . Information regarding the contents of the containers G to L may be obtained through electronic communication via, for example , RFID or NFC tags on the containers G to L and one or more readers , for example located on the container coupling modules or elsewhere within the additive rack 500 housing . The PCB 532 may have stored thereon information regarding di f ferent additive containers which may be used with the additive rack 500 . In this way, the additive rack 500 is able to identi fy containers coupled thereto , for example through an electronic communication reader ( e . g . RFID tag and reader ) , and store information how the containers G to L are used . This information may be communicated to a remote computer, for example held by a container supplier, or may be stored locally, for example in a PCB 532 memory, i f the additive rack 500 is being used of f-line . I f being used of f-line then the container usage information held in the memory of the PCB 532 may be periodically used to manually update a central database of container information by theuser, for example every 90 days . The central database preferably contains information regarding the containers being used by a particular dispenser, which is either automatically or manually updated as described above .

[0103] A user is thus informed which di f ferent additives and additive combinations are available . The di f ferent beverage options are presented to the user through the user interface and the user makes a selection through the user interface which is conveyed to and actioned by the PCB 532 . The PCB 532 activates the appropriate pump ( s ) 512G to 512L according to the selection made by the user, to pump an appropriate volume of one or more of additives G to L to the mani fold 514 . The PCB 532 also activates solenoid valves 518 and 526 as appropriate , according to the user selection . As described herein, mani fold flush water may flow continuously through the mani fold 514 or flow on-demand following user input . The one or more additives within the mani fold 514 are thus flushed from the mani fold 514 via outlet 524 to the dispense head . As discussed herein, the additive rack may be configured so that in use multiple flushes of water through the mani fold 514 occur for each beverage serve . Thus , an initial flush may carry the maj ority of the additives from the mani fold 514 towards the dispense head, another flush may remove any residual additives remaining in the mani fold 514 , and a further flush may assist with cleaning the mani fold 514 and tubing between the mani fold 514 and the dispense head to reduce cross-contamination for future beverage serves . Alternatively, water may continuously flow through the mani fold 514 and the additives drop into the flow within the mani fold 514 . It may be desirable for the additives to be dispensed sequentially, as opposed to being mixed together in the mani fold 514 . Thus , for example , the PCB may be configured such that for certain beverage selections a firstadditive may enter the mani fold 514 and be flushed to the dispense head, then a second additive may enter the mani fold 514 and be flushed to the dispense head, and so on . The PCB 532 further activates the system to pump water from water source to the di spense head via chiller and / or carbonator, according to the selection made by the user . The additive / water mixture and water are dispensed as a beverage into a vessel provided by the user .

[0104] It will be appreciated that the embodiment illustrated above describes the invention for the purposes of illustration only . In practice the invention may be applied to many di f ferent configurations , the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A material dispenser comprising : a plurality of additive coupling modules for coupling additive containers to the dispenser ; an additive mani fold in communication with the coupling modules for receiving additives from the coupling modules , and in fluid communication with a water source for flushing the additives from the mani fold; and a dispense head in fluid communication with the mani fold for dispensing the additives .2 . A material dispenser according to claim 1 which is a beverage dispenser .3 . A material dispenser according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the coupling modules each comprise : a container support for supporting and positioning an additive container ; a connector for engaging with the container outlet of a container positioned on the container support to allow the additive to flow from the container ; an actuator which is moveable relative to the container support between an unlocked position in which a user can position a container on and remove a container from the container support , and a locked position in which the actuator can hold a container in position on the container support , wherein the actuator engages with the connector such that when a container is positioned on the container support and the actuator is in the unlocked position the connector is disengaged from the container outlet , and when the actuator is in the locked position the connector is engaged with the container outlet to allow material to flow from the container .4 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises at least one electronic communication reader for reading information provided on an additive container .5 . A material dispenser according to claim 4 wherein each coupling module comprise an electronic communication reader .6 . A material dispenser according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the electronic communication reader comprises a nearfield communication (NFC ) or radio- frequency identi fication (RFID) reader .7 . A material dispenser according to any one of claims 4 to 6 which comprises an electronic communication reader located within a user interface .8 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises at least one additive pump, for pumping additives from the coupling modules to an additive mani fold .9 . A material dispenser according to claim 8 which comprises one or more peristaltic pumps .10 . A material dispenser according to claim 8 or 9 which comprises a separate pump for each coupling module .11 . A material dispenser according to claim 10 wherein the pumps are operable in parallel for delivery of a plurality of additives to the mani fold simultaneously .12 . A material dispenser according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the at least one pump is operable to pump an additive from a container to the mani fold in one or moresteps according to the characteristics of the additive which is being pumped .13 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the additive mani fold comprises a plurality of additive inlets in communication with the coupling modules for receiving additives , and a water inlet for receiving water from a water source .14 . A material dispenser according to claim 13 wherein the mani fold comprises an additive inlet for each coupling module .15 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim wherein the mani fold comprises a chamber into which the additive inlet or inlets feed, wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with the water inlet , for flushing additives from the chamber by water entering the water inlet and through an outlet to the dispense head .16 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which is configured for water to flow continuously through the mani fold and for additives to drop into the water flow within the mani fold when delivered from the additive containers .17 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which is a counter-top beverage dispenser comprising a tap comprising the dispense head, below which in use a vessel is placed to receive a beverage dispensed from the dispense head .18 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises a vessel support for receiving and supporting a vessel under the dispense head .19 . A material dispenser according to claim 18 wherein the vessel support comprises a pressure sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a vessel on the support .20 . A material dispenser according to claim 19 wherein the pressure sensor is positioned beneath the vessel support and is protected against material being spilled or overflowing from a vessel positioned on the support .21 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which is configured to compensate for signal noise generated by components of the material dispenser .22 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which is configured to take into account the ef fect of temperature on the operation of the material dispenser .23 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises one or more sensors selected from ultrasonic sensors and / or image capture devices , and sensors for identi fying a speci fic vessel which is positioned under the dispense head .24 . A material dispenser according to claim 23 wherein the sensor for identi fying a speci fic vessel which is positioned under the dispense head comprises a QR code reader which can read a QR code on a vessel .25 . A material dispenser according to claim 24 wherein the QR code reader is positioned beneath a vessel support to read a QR code on the bottom of a vessel .26 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises one or more flow meters , to measure the flow of material into and out of the dispenser .

2. . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises one or more water pressure sensors to monitor the pressure of water entering and / or leaving the system .28 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises one or more waste sensors , to monitor the amount of waste material leaving the dispenser, and / or the amount of waste material which has been collected within a waste storage reservoir .29 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which is configured to dispense carbonated beverages and comprises a carbon dioxide pressure sensor .30 . A material dispenser according to claim 29 which is configured to provide an alert to a user i f the measured pressure of carbon dioxide falls below a pre-determined threshold .31 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which is configured so that an alert is provided to a user when the volume of additive within a container falls to a pre-determined level and / or after a pre-determined time has elapsed since the container was mounted on the dispenser .32 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises one or more temperature sensors .33 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises a controller for controlling operation of the dispenser .34 . A material dispenser according to claim 33 wherein the controller is configured to control one or more of the following :the types and volumes of additives which enter the mani fold from the additive coupling modules ; the sequence in which additives enter the mani fold; the volume and frequency of water flushes through the mani fold to deliver the additives to the di spense head; whether water delivered to the dispense head is carbonated or uncarbonated .35 . A material dispenser according to claim 33 or 34 which comprises at least one additive pump, for pumping additives from the coupling modules to an additive mani fold, and the controller is configured to control the pump ( s ) according to the identity of the additive which is held by the coupling module ( s ) associated with that pump .36 . A material dispenser according to any one of claims 33 to 35 wherein the controller is configured to prevent material from being dispensed i f no vessel is detected under the dispense head .37 . A material dispenser according to any one of claims 33 to 36 wherein the controller is configured to control the volume of material to be dispensed according to the volume of the vessel detected .38 . A material dispenser according to any one of claims 33 to 37 wherein the controller is configured to provide the user with information regarding the di f ferent additives which are available .39 . A material dispenser according to any one of claims 33 to 38 wherein the controller comprises a computer running appropriate software and is configured to connect to the internet to communicate with one or more remote computers .40 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which is configured to use arti ficial intelligence software (Al ) to control its operations .41 . A material dispenser according to claim 40 wherein the Al is configured to : change the amounts of additives which in use are pumped from the containers according to information received from the dispenser sensors and / or from external sources ; and / or halt dispensing in response to changes in water pressure above or below threshold values to prevent damage to dispenser hardware ; and / or prevent carbonated beverages from being dispensed i f carbon dioxide pressure falls below a pre-determined threshold value , and / or alert the user of the need to replace the source of carbon dioxide ; and / or make adj ustments to the dispenser operation in response to changes in temperature .42 . A material dispenser according to claim 40 or 41 which is configured to employ Al to sel f-calibrate , sel flearn, and / or sel f-report .43 . A material dispenser according to claim 42 which is configured to sel f-calibrate by continuously or periodically monitoring system parameters , and / or to sel flearn by detecting faults with the material dispenser and determining whether or not the fault may be corrected through sel f-adj ustment of system parameters , or whether a service engineer call-out is required, and / or to sel f-report by reporting to a remote computer the number of times the material dispenser has been used, and which materials or additives have been dispensed .44 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises a database of information regarding di f ferent additive containers which may be used with the dispenser .45 . A material dispenser according to any preceding claim which comprises a user interface , for conveying information to the user, and for the user to input information to the dispenser .46 . A method of dispensing a material which comprises the steps of : presenting a user with a plurality of additive options ; the user making a selection from the available additive options ; passing a predetermined amount of each of the selected additives to a mani fold; flushing the one or more additives from the mani fold to a dispense head; dispensing the additives from the dispense head into a vessel .47 . A method according to claim 46 wherein the material being dispensed is a beverage .48 . A method according to claim 46 or 47 which is performed using a dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 45 .49 . Tin additive rack for use in a material dispenser, which additive rack comprises : a plurality of additive coupling modules for coupling additive containers to the additive rack; and an additive mani fold in communication with the coupling modules for receiving additives from the coupling modules ,and configured to be connectable to a water source for flushing the additives from the mani fold .

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