# US 2016/0257549 A1 · Beverage Dispensing System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0257549 A1 - Document ID: US20160257549A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/686,820 - Filed: 2015-04-15 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-13 - Assignees: Sestra Systems, Inc - Inventors: Lev Volftsun - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160257549A1 ## CPC - B67D 1/0007: {based on volumetric dosing} - B67D 1/00: Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught (B67D3/00 takes precedence; apparatus for making beverages A47J31/00) - B67D 1/0004: {the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl} - B67D 1/04: Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers - B67D 1/0406: {with means for carbonating the beverage, or for maintaining its carbonation (B67D1/0418 takes precedence)} - B67D 1/08: Details - B67D 1/0855: {concerning the used flowmeter (flowmeter per se G01F1/00, G01F3/00)} - B67D 1/0884: {Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure} - B67D 1/12: Flow or pressure control devices or systems {, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers} - B67D 1/1247: {Means for detecting the presence or absence of liquid} - B67D 1/1281: {responsive to pressure} - B67D 7/08: Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred (arrangement of flow- or pressure-control valves B67D7/36; computing, calculating, counting G06; coin-freed apparatus for dispensing fluids G07F13/00; prepayment devices for metering liquids G07F15/00) - B67D 7/80: Arrangements of heating or cooling devices for liquids to be transferred - G01F 11/06: with provision for varying the stroke of the piston - B67D 1/0888: {Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)} - B67D 1/0895: {Heating arrangements} - B67D 2001/075: {Sanitising or sterilising the apparatus} - B67D 2210/00089: Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals - B67D 2210/00118: Heating and cooling - 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) - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME ## Abstract A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The system provides for precise measurement of each portion. An error alarm system warns an operator about beverage tank low level. A system for forcing the flashing of poor quality beverage. Recording of all delivery process events allows for operator or management review and control. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage comprising: a bulk storage and distribution system for a pressurized beverage; a metering mechanism in fluid communication with a beverage supply in operative connection with said bulk storage and distribution system, said metering system for providing a specific selected volumetric discharge in fluid communication with a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for said beverage to be discharged in a controlled and metered manner into a drinking container that is coordinated the beverage being discharged; wherein said metering mechanism operatively utilizes pressure from said bulk storage as a motive force while maintaining a system pressure within said storage and distribution system between dispensing cycles. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage of claim 1, wherein said metering mechanism comprises: a chamber forming an internal volume and adapted to function as a line pressure powered bi-directional metering volume, said chamber providing a defined internal volume; a piston contained within said internal volume, said piston being freely movable laterally, as urged, in a reciprocating manner about the internal volume, wherein said piston comprises a pair of parallel face surfaces and circumscribed by a perimeter sealing surface in contact with an inside surface forming said internal volume; a closeable ingress or egress portal engaged to each respective end of the chamber; wherein said metering system further provides for a both a fluid communication input from said bulk storage and distribution system and a fluid communication output with a metered discharge to said tap or spigot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein said fluid communication output in connection with the metered discharge and further comprises: a first flow splitter that directs a flow conduit from each egress portal; a second flow splitter that directs a flow conduit to each inlet portal; three-way switching valving operatively connected between the input and outlet of said metering chamber for providing alternating and symmetric flow paths through the metering chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 3, wherein said three-way switching valving is selected from the group consisting of: four 2-way valves; two 3-way valves; one 4-way valve; and a manifold in combination with a pressure redirecting mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 3, further comprising an on/off valve between said metering mechanism and said tap or spigot for maintaining a line pressure after dispensing a volume. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein said defined internal volume is approximately equal to the volume of a desired beverage pour. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein said defined internal volume is approximately equal to a whole fraction of the volume of a desired beverage pour and wherein further multiple metered volumes are provided for use in mixed or blended drinks. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein: said defined internal volume is a multiple of the volume of a desired beverage pour; and said metered discharge is created by a measured movement of said piston within said chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 8, wherein a position of said piston within said chamber is detected with a sensor for detecting proximity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 9, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of: RF sensors; magnets; halo effect sensors; and IR sensors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 10, wherein said sensor is embedded within said chamber and a sensor target is formed in said piston. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein said internal volume is selected from the group consisting of ½ fluid ounce increments. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A dispensing and pour control system for a beverage comprising a plurality of metering mechanisms of claim 1 provided in a modular block affixed to a mounting plate in a stacked arrangement that provides for multi-line flow metering within a compact form factor that is adapted for the systems particular use and within tight or limited quarters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprising, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The dispensing and pour control system of claim 14, wherein said system further comprises a system to control the quality and quantity of servings delivered by the operator and comprising: a system for precise measurement of each portion; an error alarm system for warning an operator about beverage tank low level; a mechanism for forcing the flashing of the poor quality beverage; and a method and device for recording delivery process events in the log. ### Claim 16 A method for dispensing and pouring beverages comprising: a. pressurizing a bulk volume of a beverage; b. distributing said pressurized beverage to a metering mechanism for providing a metered discharge in fluid communication with a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for a beverage specific controlled metered pour into a beverage container; and c. coordinating said beverage container with the metering of the regulated beverage being discharged; wherein said metering mechanism further comprises a metering chamber adapted to function as a line pressure powered bi-directional dispenser, said chamber providing a defined internal volume that is approximately equal to a volume of a desired beverage pour. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising dispensing a plurality of pressurized beverage to a metering mechanism for providing a plurality of individually metered discharges in fluid communication with the tap or spigot in a manner wherein said defined internal volume of each said metering chamber is each respectively equal to a fractional component of a volume of a desired component beverage pour for use in mixed or blended drinks. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method of using a dispensing and pour control system of claim 1, wherein said beverage specific controlled metered pour into a beverage container is discharged at a selected service temperature that is varied to optimize for a specific beverage type. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method of using a dispensing and pour control system of claim 18, wherein said beverage specific controlled metered pour is discharged by a system pressure caused an elevated pressure of a bulk storage distribution system a without adding additional inline pressure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein a specific beverage type comprises a light dry white wines, a rosé wine, or a sparkling wines and said selected service temperature is between approximately 40° F. to approximately 50° F. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein: said specific beverage type may be selected from between a group consisting of light dry white wines, rosé wines, and sparkling wines and the group consisting of full-bodied white wines and light, fruity red wines; and said selected service temperature is between first service temperature selected to optimize delivery of a first beverage type and a second service temperature selected to optimize delivery of a second beverage type. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein: said first service temperature is between approximately 40° F. to approximately 50° F. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein: said second service temperature is between approximately 50° to approximately 60° F. ### Claim 24 A method for dispensing and controlling the pour for beverages comprising: a. providing at least one beverage from a bulk storage distribution system and at an elevated pressure; b. controlling a dispensed volume by filling a fixed volume chamber with said beverage, said beverage being urged to said fixed volume chamber by said elevated pressure; c. urging said fixed volume of beverage in fluid communication with a tap or spigot by displacing said fixed volume chamber with subsequent beverage being urged to said fixed volume chamber by said elevated pressure. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein said fixed volume chamber further comprises a dual reciprocating piston that forms a continuous flow metering dispenser that is urged between a first position at a first end of said chamber to a second position at a second end of said chamber. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein said controlling a dispensed volume and said urging said fixed volume chamber by said elevated pressure are controlled by a dispensing and pour control system, wherein said dispensing and pour control system further comprises, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein said dispensing and pour control system further comprises a system to control the quality and quantity of servings delivered by the operator and comprising: a system for precise measurement of each portion; an error alarm system for warning an operator about beverage tank low level; a mechanism for forcing the flashing of the poor quality beverage; and a method and device for recording delivery process events in the log. ### Claim 28 A method for dispensing and controlling the pour for beverages comprising: a. providing at least one beverage from a bulk storage distribution system and at an elevated pressure and at a controlled temperature; b. controlling a dispensed volume by filling a fixed volume chamber with said beverage, said beverage being urged to said fixed volume chamber by said elevated pressure at a first temperature; c. urging said fixed volume of beverage in fluid communication with a tap or spigot by displacing said fixed volume chamber with subsequent beverage being urged to said fixed volume chamber by said elevated pressure; and d. modulating a final beverage temperature at said tap or spigot to a second temperature; wherein said second temperature is greater than said first temperature. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method for dispensing and controlling the pour for beverages of claim 28, wherein said at least one beverage is selected from the group consisting of: light dry white wines; rosé wines; sparkling wines; full-bodied white wines; light, fruity red wines; full-bodied red wines; fortified or ports wines; beer; and a alcoholic liquor; and wherein said second temperature is an appropriate service temperature adapted for the at least one regulated beverage selected from said group. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein said second temperature is selected from the group consisting of: between approximately 40° F. to approximately 50° F.; between approximately 50° F. to approximately 60° F.; and between approximately 60° F. to approximately 65° F.