Beverage dispenser with variable-concentration additive dispensing
OwnerArturo Guerrero, David Harrisoninventors
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Abstract
Beverage dispensers and dispensing methods that facilitate mixing of one or more additives (e.g., flavorings) with a base liquid are described. In a preferred method of preparing a beverage, a base liquid is dispensed from a dispensing device into a container. A flowable additive is dispensed from the dispensing device into the container to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid during the dispensing of the base liquid to provide the beverage. Preferably, the dispensing of the base liquid and the flowable additive is controlled to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base liquid in the container during the dispensing.
Claims31
A method of preparing a beverage, comprising:
- mixing a fluid concentrate beverage component with a first liquid to provide a base liquid;
- dispensing a base liquid from a dispensing device into a container;
- dispensing a flowable additive from the dispensing device into the container to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid during the dispensing of the base liquid to provide a beverage;
- and
- controlling the dispensing of the base liquid and additive to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base liquid in the container during the dispensing.
A method of preparing a beverage, comprising:
- dispensing a base liquid from a dispensing device into a container at less than about 50° C., wherein the base liquid comprises protein, a milk based component, fat, carbohydrates, a nondairy whitener, or a mixture thereof;
- dispensing a flowable additive from the dispensing device into the container to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid during the dispensing of the base liquid to provide a beverage;
- and
- controlling the dispensing of the base liquid and additive to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base liquid in the container during the dispensing.
A method of preparing a beverage, comprising:
- dispensing a base liquid from a dispensing device into a container;
- and
- automatically dispensing a flowable additive from the dispensing device into the container in a plurality of pulses of predetermined durations to mix the flowable additive with the base liquid during the dispensing of the base liquid, the pulses beginning after the base liquid dispensing is begun and ending up to substantially to when the dispensing of the base liquid is stopped.
A beverage dispensing device, comprising:
- a first liquid source;
- a fluid concentrate beverage component source;
- and
- a blending system operably associated with the first liquid and beverage component sources for receiving and blending a first liquid and a beverage component from the sources to prepare a base liquid;
- a base liquid dispensing mechanism comprising a component delivery mechanism that is configured for delivering the beverage component to the blending mechanism,-the base liquid dispensing mechanism also being associated with the base blending system for dispensing a base liquid therefrom into a container;
- an additive source;
- an additive dispensing mechanism operably associated with the additive source for dispensing a flowable additive therefrom into the container, wherein the dispensing mechanisms are configured such that the flowable additive is mixed with the base liquid to provide a beverage during the dispensing of the base liquid;
- and
- a controller associated with the dispensing mechanisms to vary the relative concentration of the additive in the base liquid in the container during the dispensing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.