Automated dispensing system for customized beverages
AssigneeStarbucks Corporation
InventorsNatarajan Venkatakrishnan, Andrew Corlett, Jonathan Levey, Brandon Michael Roberts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure generally relates to an automated modular dispensing platform for creating customized beverages (e.g., using various sauces, syrups, sweeteners, colors and/or flavors added to a base beverage). The automated dispensing platform may simultaneously aggregate beverage modifiers or ingredients (e.g., sweetener, flavor, and/or color) and facilitate automated, efficient cleaning cycles for modular beverage dispensers.
Claims26
A countertop beverage ingredient dispensing system configured to dispense a beverage order comprising at least one beverage ingredient of a plurality of beverage ingredients, the countertop beverage ingredient dispensing system comprising:
- a housing;
- a touchscreen on the housing;
- a controller configured to transmit instructions to dispenser the at least one beverage ingredient;
- a plurality of pump assemblies;
- a scanner configured to scan an identification element to receive the beverage order comprising at least one beverage ingredient of the plurality of beverage ingredients;
- a plurality of supply lines;
- a main dispensing spout extending from the housing, the main dispensing spout comprising a plurality of outlet orifices;
- and
- a plurality of sliding ingredient trays, each sliding ingredient tray of the plurality of sliding ingredient trays configured to receive a plurality of beverage ingredients, the plurality of sliding ingredient trays positioned horizontally adjacent each other and rearward of the dispensing spout,
- wherein the main dispensing spout is configured to dispense the beverage order into a beverage container positioned under the main dispensing spout and in front of one of the sliding ingredient trays by dispensing the at least one beverage ingredient, wherein each outlet orifice of the plurality of outlet orifices is configured to be fluidically coupled with a different beverage ingredient of the plurality of beverage ingredients via a different supply line of the plurality of supply lines so each beverage ingredient of the at least one beverage ingredient is configured to be dispensed through a different outlet orifice.
A countertop beverage ingredient dispensing system configured to dispense a beverage order comprising at least one beverage ingredient of a plurality of beverage ingredients, the countertop beverage ingredient dispensing system comprising:
- a housing;
- a touchscreen on the housing;
- a controller configured to transmit instructions to dispenser the at least one beverage ingredient;
- a plurality of pump assemblies;
- a scanner configured to scan an identification element to receive the beverage order comprising at least one beverage ingredient of the plurality of beverage ingredients;
- a plurality of supply lines;
- a main dispensing spout extending from the housing, the main dispensing spout comprising a plurality of outlet orifices;
- and
- a plurality of sliding ingredient trays, each sliding ingredient tray of the plurality of ingredient trays configured to receive a beverage ingredient of the plurality of beverage ingredients, the plurality of sliding ingredient trays positioned rearward of the dispensing spout, wherein front panels of the plurality of sliding ingredient trays form a front surface of the countertop beverage ingredient dispensing system,
- wherein the main dispensing spout is configured to dispense the beverage order into a beverage container positioned under the main dispensing spout and in front of one of the sliding ingredient trays by dispensing the at least one beverage ingredient, wherein each outlet orifice of the plurality of outlet orifices is configured to be fluidically coupled with a different beverage ingredient of the plurality of beverage ingredients via a different supply line of the plurality of supply lines so each beverage ingredient of the at least one beverage ingredient is configured to be dispensed through a different outlet orifice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.