# US 2018/0022593 A1 · Beverage dispensing machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022593 A1 - Document ID: US20180022593A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/721,174 - Filed: 2017-09-29 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-27 - Inventors: Anthony V. Feola - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022593A1 ## CPC - B67D 1/0021: {the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers} - A23G 9/045: {of slush-ice, e.g. semi-frozen beverage} - A23G 9/28: for portioning or dispensing - A47J 31/41: of liquid ingredients - A47J 31/46: Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices - A47J 31/461: {Valves, e.g. drain valves} - B67D 1/0004: {the beverage being stored in a container, e.g. bottle, cartridge, bag-in-box, bowl} - B67D 1/0078: {Ingredient cartridges} - B67D 1/0081: {Dispensing valves} - B67D 1/07: Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus {(B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence)} - B67D 1/0877: {Advertising means (advertising in general G09F)} - B67D 1/0888: {Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)} - G06Q 20/18: involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals - G06Q 20/327: {Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices} - G06Q 20/34: using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards - G07F 9/001: {Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices} - G07F 9/023: {Arrangements for display, data presentation or advertising} - G07F 9/0235: {the arrangements being full-front touchscreens} - G07F 13/025: {wherein the volume is determined during delivery} - 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) - A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a liquid beverage dispensing apparatus and specifically a modular component for installation on and use in conjunction with the liquid beverage dispensing system. The modular component includes a communication interface and controller, an actuator for a valve, for use with a beverage faucet that dispenses the liquid beverage. The actuator is in electronic communication with the communication interface and controller and is responsive to direction received from the communication interface and controller to open or close the valve. The modular component is sized, dimensioned, and configured to be retrofitted to an existing beverage dispensing system to replace an existing conventional manual beverage faucet, or as a newly manufactured system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular component configured for use in a beverage dispensing system, comprising: a communication interface and controller; a beverage faucet, comprising: an actuator; a valve adapted to control flow of liquid beverage through the faucet, the valve coupled with and controllable by the actuator to open and close the valve; wherein the actuator is in electronic communication with the communication interface and controller and is responsive to direction received from the communication interface and controller to open or close the valve; wherein the modular component is sized, dimensioned, and configured to be retrofitted to an existing beverage dispensing system to replace an existing conventional manual beverage faucet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispensing system is a coffee dispensing system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispensing system is a beer dispensing system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispensing system is a carbonated beverage dispensing system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, further comprising a plunger or a guillotine coupled with the actuator and moveable within the valve to effectuate opening and closing of the valve. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The modular component of claim 5, wherein the plunger is interchangeable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The modular component of claim 5, wherein the plunger is disposed within a plunger pocket, which is disposed within the valve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the communication interface and controller is chosen from the group consisting of a wired internet connection, a wireless internet connection, a remote control device, and a touchscreen device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, further comprising an additive delivery system including at least one cartridge for addition of one or more additives into the flow of liquid beverage through the faucet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The modular component of claim 9, wherein the additive delivery system supplies a flavor additive. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The modular component of claim 9, wherein the additive delivery system supplies a nutritional supplement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, further comprising a metering system configured to quantify an amount of liquid beverage dispensed through the beverage faucet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, further including a manual control moveable to open and close the valve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The modular component of claim 13, wherein the manual control is a draw handle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, further comprising sensors for sensing at least one of the characteristics of the group consisting of temperature, bacteria level, viscosity and type of product. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the component is configured to receive payment from a credit card or mobile application. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the communication interface communication interface and controller can generate advertising and promotional messages. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the communication interface communication interface and controller displays nutritional information about the liquid beverage. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the modular component controls dispensing of the liquid beverage according with a desired nutritional parameter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the communication interface and controller is operably connected to a communication network and enables two-way communication to and from the communication interface and controller. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a guillotine valve. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a metering valve. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The modular component of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a motorized plunger assembly moveable within the valve to effectuate opening and closing of the valve. ### Claim 24 A liquid beverage dispensing system, comprising: a programmable controller; a modular operator interface including an indicator of at least one item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller; a liquid beverage dispensing system in communication the operator interface, the dispensing system including at least one beverage faucet operable, in response to motion of a plunger or a guillotine valve, to dispense at least one liquid beverage product, the at least one beverage faucet; the programmable controller, being operably connected to a communications network, and being operable to associate at least one liquid beverage item with the least one liquid beverage product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one liquid beverage product associated with the selected liquid beverage item from the at least one beverage faucet when the at least one liquid beverage item is selected.