Juice Dispensing System

Abstract

The present application describes a product mixing device. The product mixing device includes an ingredient combination chamber and means for agitation positioned about the ingredient combination chamber. The ingredient combination chamber includes a diluent inlet, a number of macro-ingredient inlets, a number of micro-ingredient inlets, and an outlet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a beverage dispenser as is described herein.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the beverage dispenser as described herein.

FIG. 3 is a further side cross-sectional view of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a further side cross-sectional view of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a further side cross-sectional view of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of an orifice and an impingement surface for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of an agitation chamber for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a further side cross-sectional view of the agitation chamber of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative agitation chamber for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a further side cross-sectional view of the agitation chamber of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of a flush diverter for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the flush diverter for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is a further side cross-sectional view of the flush diverter of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a user interface for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an alternative user interface for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of an alternative user interface for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an alternative user interface for use with the beverage dispenser of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A product mixing device, comprising: an ingredient combination chamber;the ingredient combination chamber comprising a diluent inlet, a plurality of macro-ingredient inlets, a plurality of micro-ingredient inlets, and an outlet; andmeans for agitation positioned about the ingredient combination chamber.

2. The product mixing device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of macro-ingredient sources and wherein the plurality of macro-ingredient sources comprise reconstitution ratios in the range of about three to one (3:1) to about six to one (6:1).

3. The product mixing device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of micro-ingredient sources and wherein the plurality of micro-ingredient sources comprise reconstitution ratios in the range of about ten to one (10:1) or higher.

4. The product mixing device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pumping or metering devices in communication with the water inlet, the plurality of macro-ingredient inlets, and the plurality of micro-ingredient inlets.

5. The product mixing device of claim 1, wherein the water inlet, the plurality of macro-ingredient inlets, and the plurality of micro-ingredient inlets comprise a check valve therein.

6. The product mixing device of claim 1, wherein the ingredient combination chamber comprises a plurality of ingredient combination chambers.

7. The product mixing device of claim 1, wherein the means for agitation comprises a static mixer.

8. The product mixing device of claim 1, wherein the means for agitation comprises an orifice positioned in the outlet.

9. The product mixing device of claim 8, wherein the means for agitation comprises an impingement surface positioned about the orifice.

10. The product mixing device of claim 1, wherein the means for agitation comprises a motorized agitator.

11. The product mixing device of claim 10, wherein the motorized agitator comprises a propeller driven by a motor.

12. The product mixing device of claim 1, wherein the means for agitation comprises a passive mechanical agitator.

13. The product mixing device of claim 12, wherein the passive mechanical agitator comprises a propeller positioned about a narrow chamber entrance.

14. The product mixing device of claim 1, further comprises a flush diverter positioned downstream of the agitator.

15. The product mixing device of claim 14, wherein the flush diverter comprises a pivoting flow diverter positioned about a drain.

16. The product mixing device of claim 14, wherein the flush diverter comprises a linear diverter positioned about a drain.

17. The product mixing device of claim 16, wherein the linear diverter comprises a drawer operated by a solenoid.

18. The product mixing device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface.

19. The product mixing device of claim 18, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of product selections.

20. The product mixing device of claim 18, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of product use indicators to indicate that a product has been selected.

21. The product mixing device of claim 18, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of additive selections.

22. The product mixing device of claim 18, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of portion selections.

23. The product mixing device of claim 18, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of intensity selections.

24. The product mixing device of claim 18, wherein the user interface comprises a consumer data system.

25. The product mixing device of claim 24, wherein the consumer data system comprises a communications device.

26. The product mixing device of claim 24, wherein the consumer data system comprises a biometric sensor.

27. A method of preparing a product, comprising: selecting one or more base products;selecting one or more additives;dispensing the one or more base products and the one or more additives into a chamber;dynamically agitating the one or more base products and the one or more additives to create the product; anddispensing the product.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising selecting the intensity of the one or more base products or the one or more additives.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising receiving consumer information prior to the selecting steps.

30. A product dispenser, comprising: at least one macro-ingredient source;at least one micro-ingredient source;a diluent source;an ingredient chamber;a plurality of pumps or metering devices positioned between the at least one macro-ingredient source, the at least one micro-ingredient source, the diluent source and the ingredient chamber; anda user interface for receiving a request for a product type and instructing the plurality of pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the ingredient chamber for a predetermined flow rate.

31. The product dispenser of claim 30, further comprising means for flushing the ingredient chamber.

32. The product dispenser of claim 30, further comprising means for agitation positioned downstream of the ingredient chamber.

33. The product dispenser of claim 30, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of product selections.

34. The product dispenser of claim 30, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of additive selections.

35. The product dispenser of claim 30, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of intensity selections.

36. The product dispenser of claim 30, wherein the user interface dispenses the predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and water to the ingredient chamber for the predetermined flow rate.

37. The product dispenser of claim 30, further comprising a consumer data system.