Liquid flow control and beverage preparation apparatuses, methods and systems
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsLukasz D. Skalski, Tiemen T. Van Dillen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.
Claims17
A method for enhancing a liquid with an enhancement component to dispense a beverage comprising:
- a. directing a liquid from a liquid source through a liquid flow path;
- b. directing an enhancement component from an enhancement component source through an enhancement flow path that is separate from the liquid flow path;
- c. moving the enhancement component alone through the enhancement flow path to a mixing point using liquid from the liquid flow path by passing the liquid from the liquid source through the liquid flow path to push the enhancement component from the enhancement component source into the liquid flow path;
- d. creating a mixture comprising the enhancement component from the enhancement flow path and the liquid from the liquid flow path;
- and
- e. dispensing the mixture as a beverage at a beverage receiving point.
A method for enhancing a liquid with an enhancement component to dispense a beverage comprising:
- a. providing a liquid flow path and a separate enhancement flow path;
- b. directing a liquid from a liquid source through the liquid flow path;
- c. directing an enhancement component from an enhancement component source through the enhancement flow path;
- d. moving the enhancement component through the enhancement flow path separate from the liquid in the liquid flow path using at least a portion of the liquid from the liquid flow path by passing the liquid from the liquid source through the liquid flow path to push the enhancement component from the enhancement component source into the liquid flow path;
- e. creating a beverage mixture from the enhancement component and the liquid at a mixing point;
- and
- f. dispensing the beverage mixture from the mixing point to a beverage receiving point.
A method for enhancing a liquid with an enhancement component to dispense a beverage comprising:
- a. providing a structure having a liquid flow path, a separate enhancement flow path and an enhancement component source;
- b. directing a liquid from a liquid source through the liquid flow path;
- c. moving the enhancement component through the enhancement flow path separate from the liquid in the liquid flow path using at least a portion of the liquid from the liquid flow path by passing the liquid from the liquid source through the liquid flow path to push the enhancement component from the enhancement component source into the liquid flow path;
- e. creating a beverage mixture from the enhancement component and the liquid at a mixing point;
- and
- f. conduitlessly dispensing the beverage mixture from the mixing point directly to a beverage receiving point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.