US 2007/0114244 A1 · SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING FLAVOR DOSES AND BLENDED BEVERAGES

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and beverages. A beverage tower may be provided that has a small footprint and that is capable of dispensing a wide variety of flavor doses and blended beverages. The beverage tower may include a flow control module that controls the flow rate of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower and a switch module that includes a plurality of switches that may be selectively opened and closed to control the flow of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower to a point of dispense. A flavor dose or blended beverage may be dispensed by the beverage tower in accordance with user input that is provided to the beverage tower via a control panel. The user input may specify a desired beverage additive, a desired cup size, and an indication of whether a flavor shot or a blended beverage is desired. Additionally, a user may define and program into the memory of the beverage tower the various flavor doses and blended beverages that are capable of being dispensed by the beverage tower.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A beverage dispenser, comprising:

a flow control module that is configured to be coupled to a plurality of incoming supply lines carrying water and at least one beverage additive, and wherein the flow control module provides individual channels through which the water and beverage additive pass at a controlled flow rate;
a switch module configured to receive the water and beverage additive from the flow control module, wherein the switch module provides individual channels through which the water and beverage additive respectively pass, the switch module comprising a switch associated with each of the channels through which the water and beverage additive pass that may be selectively actuated to individually control the flow of the water and beverage additive through the switch module;
a nozzle configured to receive the water and beverage additive downstream from the switch module and providing individual channels through which the water and beverage additive are dispensed;
a control panel configured to receive user selection of a mixed beverage or a beverage additive;
and
a control unit coupled to the control panel and the switch module, wherein the control panel selectively actuates each switch based on user input received by the control panel.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and blended beverages

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and blended beverages

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25