# US 10,501,304 B2 · System for mixing and dispensing beverages > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,304 B2 - Document ID: US10501304B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/817,864 - Filed: 2015-08-04 - Published: 2016-02-11 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-05 - Assignees: Somabar, Inc. - Applicants: Somabar, Inc. - Inventors: Ammar Jangbarwala; Dylan Purcell-Lowe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501304B2 ## CPC - B67D 1/0041: {Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers} - B67D 1/0021: {the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers} - B67D 1/0031: {in the form of a metering pump} - B67D 1/0049: {with means for diverging streams} - B67D 1/0078: {Ingredient cartridges} - B67D 1/07: Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus {(B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence)} - B67D 1/124: {the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing} - B67D 1/16: Devices for collecting spilled beverages - B67D 1/0888: {Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)} - B67D 2001/009: {operated by cup detection} - B67D 2210/00031: Housing - B67D 2210/00065: related to the use of drinking cups or glasses - B67D 2210/00083: Access code recognition means - B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F) ## Abstract A drink vending apparatus comprises a housing, one or more ingredient cartridges removably coupled to the housing, a mixing container, a dispensing nozzle, and a control unit. A user provides user commands from a smart device to the control unit that comprises drink requests from the user. In response thereto, ingredients are dispensed from one or more of the ingredient cartridges into the mixing container, and the mixed ingredients are dispensed from the mixing container into a receptacle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drink vending apparatus, comprising: a housing having a plurality of ingredient cartridge slots formed therein, each ingredient cartridge slot configured to receive one ingredient cartridge; wherein the housing contains: a mixing container configured to receive ingredients from all ingredient cartridges via connection hardware provided between the mixing container and every ingredient cartridge; a plurality of two-port valves, each two-port valve provided with one ingredient cartridge slot; a plurality of fluid passageways, comprising: a series of first fluid passageways each connecting a first opening of each of the plurality of two-port valves with a cleaning solution container; and a series of second fluid passageways connecting a second opening of each of the plurality of two-port valves with the mixing container; and a control unit configured to: receive a user command; selectively control the dispensing of ingredients from each ingredient cartridge into the mixing container based on the user command; and cause dispensing of mixed ingredients from the mixing container into a receptacle; wherein the control unit is further configured to initiate a system flush cycle, the system flush cycle causing the cleaning solution container to disperse cleaning solution through the first series of passageways through each two-port valve and subsequently through the second series of passageways to the mixing container, and to a waste container, thereby flushing the first series of fluid passageways, each two-port valve, and the second series of fluid passageways. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixing container includes one or more fittings through which different ingredients can be introduced into the mixing container from respective ingredient cartridges, and an outlet whereby the mixed ingredients exit the mixing container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control simultaneous dispensing of ingredients from different ingredient cartridges into the mixing container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to cause the expulsion of cleaning solution from the cleaning solution container into the mixing container; and wherein the control unit is further configured to cause the expulsion of contents from the mixing container into the waste container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The drink vending apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to issue a command to initiate rinsing after a drink has been provided from the drink vending apparatus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for identifying contents contained therein comprising an electronic storage device and a communications device, wherein the control unit is configured to identify contents of one ingredient cartridge based on information available on the electronic storage device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one ingredient cartridge, wherein at least one end of the one ingredient cartridge comprises a removable lid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for identifying contents contained therein comprising an electronic tag comprising an electronic storage device and an antenna, and wherein the control unit is configured to communicate with the electronic tag to read information stored on the tag. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for identifying contents contained therein, comprising an electronic tag comprising an electronic storage device and an antenna; wherein the drink vending apparatus is configured to interface with a remote device such that the remote device receives information stored on the electronic tag. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The drink vending apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor capable of detecting the presence of a container situated so as to receive a drink from a dispensing nozzle provided with the mixing container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The drink vending apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control unit is programmed to automatically dispense a drink in response to the detection of a receptacle under the dispensing nozzle. ### Claim 12 An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of ingredient cartridge slots configured to maintain a corresponding plurality of ingredient cartridges; wherein the housing contains: a mixing container configured to receive ingredients from all ingredient cartridges; a plurality of two-port valves each connectable to one ingredient cartridge, each two-port valve provided with one ingredient cartridge slot; a plurality of fluid passageways, comprising: a series of first fluid passageways, each first fluid passageway connecting a first opening of each of the plurality of two-port valves with a cleaning solution container; and a series of second fluid passageways connecting a second opening of each of the plurality of two-port valves with the mixing container; and a control unit configured to: receive a command comprising a drink request; based on the drink request, control dispensing of ingredients from each ingredient cartridge into the mixing container via the connection hardware; and dispense mixed ingredients from the mixing container into a receptacle in response to the drink request; wherein during a system flush cycle, the cleaning solution container disperses cleaning solution through the first series of passageways through each two-port valve and subsequently through the second series of passageways to the mixing container, and to a waste container, thereby flushing the first series of fluid passageways, each two-port valve, and the second series of fluid passageways. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the mixing container includes one or more fittings through which ingredients can be introduced into the mixing container from respective ingredient cartridges, and an outlet whereby the mixed ingredients exit the mixing container. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for identifying contents contained therein comprising an electronic storage device and a communications device, wherein the control unit is configured to identify contents of one ingredient cartridge based on information available on the electronic storage device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for identifying contents contained therein comprising an electronic tag comprising an electronic storage device and an antenna, and wherein the control unit is configured to communicate with the electronic tag and read information stored on the electronic tag. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one ingredient cartridge slot is located inside an exterior of the housing and at least one ingredient cartridge slot is formed on the exterior of the housing. ### Claim 17 An apparatus comprising: a housing having a plurality of ingredient cartridge slots formed therein, each ingredient cartridge slot configured to receive one ingredient cartridge; wherein the housing contains: a mixing container provided with the housing and configured to receive ingredients from all ingredient cartridges; a plurality of two-port valves each connectable to one ingredient cartridge, each two-port valve provided with one ingredient cartridge slot; a plurality of fluid passageways, comprising: a series of first fluid passageways, each first fluid passageway connecting a first opening of each of the plurality of two-port valves with a cleaning solution container; and a series of second fluid passageways connecting a second opening of each of the plurality of two-port valves with the mixing container; and a control unit configured to: control dispensing of ingredients from each ingredient cartridge into the mixing container; receive a command comprising a drink request; provide ingredients from each ingredient cartridge in proportions based on and in accordance with the drink request; and dispense mixed ingredients from the mixing container into a receptacle in response; wherein the control unit is further configured to provide a system flush cycle to the cleaning solution container causing the cleaning solution container to disperse cleaning solution through the first series of passageways through each two-port valve and subsequently through the second series of passageways to the mixing container, and to a waste container, thereby flushing the first series of fluid passageways, each two-port valve, and the second series of fluid passageways. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the mixing container has a conical shape and includes one or more fittings through which different ingredients can be introduced into the mixing container from respective ingredient cartridges, and an outlet whereby the mixed ingredients exit the mixing container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein one ingredient cartridge slot is located inside walls of the housing and at least one ingredient cartridge slot is formed on an exterior of the housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for identifying contents contained therein comprising an electronic storage device, wherein the control unit is configured to identify contents of one ingredient cartridge based on information available on the electronic storage device.