Patent classifications
B01F35/2213
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPENSING FLUID MIXTURES
In some embodiments of a fluid dispensing system: (1) two or more mixing channels are fluidly connected to (a) a mixing chamber fluidly connected to a dispenser, (b) a particular two or more solvent reservoirs, and (c) a respective one or more ingredient reservoirs, wherein each of the ingredient reservoirs is configured to dispense into a respective one of the mixing channels; and (2) a controller is programmed to receive a request for a fluid mixture, and, in response control the system to: mix, in the mixing channels to form an intermediate fluid mixture, a respective predetermined amount of solvent from each of the particular solvent reservoirs and a respective predetermined amount of the ingredients from some of the ingredient reservoirs; flow, to the mixing chamber and then to the dispenser, the intermediate fluid mixture; and dispense the requested fluid mixture (including the intermediate fluid mixture) via the dispenser.
INGREDIENTS CARTRIDGE FOR A BEVERAGE MIXTURE DISPENSING SYSTEM
A cartridge and an associated beverage mixture dispensing system are disclosed. The cartridge is detachable from the associated beverage mixture dispensing system. The cartridge includes a casing and at least twenty ingredient reservoirs located within the casing and storing at least twenty respective ingredients. The cartridge also includes a dispensing interface for dispensing the at least twenty ingredients into the beverage mixture dispensing system. The at least twenty ingredient reservoirs include a first reservoir of a concentrated salt and a second reservoir of a concentrated food grade acid. The remaining ingredient reservoirs include additional concentrated ingredients. The beverage mixture dispensing system includes a solvent reservoir and a receiving interface for receiving the at least twenty ingredients from the cartridge. The beverage mixture dispensing system also includes a mixing area fluidly connected to the solvent reservoir and the at least twenty ingredient reservoirs.
INGREDIENT DISPENSING IN A FLUID MIXTURE SYSTEM USING MONITORED PRESSURE
Ingredient dispensing systems and methods in a fluid mixture system using a monitored chamber pressure are disclosed. One system includes a chamber, an inlet to the chamber, a set of ingredient reservoirs, in the chamber, storing a respective set of ingredients and sealed by a respective set of valve, a pressure source, and a controller. The system is programmed to set a pressure of the chamber using the pressure source and the inlet to the chamber. The system is also programmed to dispense, using the pressure, at least two ingredients from the respective set of ingredients by actuating at least two valves from the respective set of valves.
Sanitizing Systems and Methods for Fluid Mixture Dispensing Device
Systems and methods for sanitizing a fluid mixture dispensing system are disclosed. One system comprises at least one reservoir for storing a substance, a mixing area, and a controller. The controller is programmed to cause the system to execute a mixing cycle and a cleaning cycle. During the mixing cycle the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to prepare an ingestible fluid mixture. During the cleaning cycle, the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to sanitize the mixing area.
Membrane for Reservoir Seals in Fluid Mixture Dispensing System
- Gregory Allen Springer ,
- Jeffery Lance Kizer ,
- Matthew Ambauen ,
- Stephan Weidi Tai ,
- Erik James Shahoian ,
- David Friedberg ,
- Andrés Ornelas Vargas ,
- Simon Spence ,
- Peter Delmenico ,
- Andrew Christopher Jenkins ,
- Nathan Andrew Ray ,
- Kristopher Bernardo Dos Santos ,
- Elijah S. Kashi ,
- Andrew Scott Davies ,
- Danilo Bueno
A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.
Membrane for Reservoir Seals in Fluid Mixture Dispensing System
- Gregory Allen Springer ,
- Jeffery Lance Kizer ,
- Matthew Ambauen ,
- Stephan Weidi Tai ,
- Erik James Shahoian ,
- David Friedberg ,
- Andrés Ornelas Vargas ,
- Simon Spence ,
- Peter Delmenico ,
- Andrew Christopher Jenkins ,
- Nathan Andrew Ray ,
- Kristopher Bernardo Dos Santos ,
- Elijah S. Kashi ,
- Andrew Scott Davies ,
- Danilo Bueno
A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.
Pnuematic System for Fluid Mixture Dispensing Device
- Elijah S. Kashi ,
- Kristopher Bernardo Dos Santos ,
- Andrew Scott Davies ,
- Danilo Bueno ,
- Gregory Allen Springer ,
- Jeffery Lance Kizer ,
- Matthew Ambauen ,
- Stephan Weidi Tai ,
- Erik James Shahoian ,
- David Friedberg ,
- Andrés Ornelas Vargas ,
- Simon Spence ,
- Peter Delmenico ,
- Andrew Christopher Jenkins ,
- Nathan Andrew Ray
Fluid mixture dispensing systems, devices and methods are disclosed. A device includes a set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a mixing area configured to receive at least one ingredient from the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a pressure source, an accumulator chamber, a set of valves, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the set of valves to pressurize the accumulator chamber using the pressure source. The controller is further programmed to operate the set of valves to set a pressure in at least one of the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs using the accumulator chamber.
Low pressure fluctuation apparatuses for blending fluids, and methods of using the same
A low pressure fluctuation control apparatus comprises a liquid recirculation loop comprising a dip tube, a diaphragm or bellows type pump, a first regulator, a first flow meter, a junction, and a return tube. A back pressure controller is located in the return tube. In addition, the apparatus comprises a material supply line fluidly connected the liquid recirculation loop via the junction. A flow control system is located in the material supply line. The recirculation loop draws liquid from a supply container by the dip tube, and returns a portion of the liquid to the supply container by the return tube. The backpressure flow controller regulates the flow rate of the liquid, thereby steadying fluctuations in the liquid being supplied.
Gas/liquid infusion system with intelligent level management and adjustable absorption output
A system features a controller having a signal processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about a liquid level of a gas infused liquid in a liquid/gas infusion tank/vessel, one or more gas input characteristics of a gas provided to the liquid/gas infusion tank/vessel, and one or more liquid input characteristics of an incoming non-infused liquid provided to the liquid/gas infusion tank/vessel; and determine corresponding signaling containing information to control a pump that provides the incoming non-infused liquid to the infusion tank/vessel on demand each time a beverage is dispensed with the gas infused liquid from the liquid/gas infusion tank/vessel and to maintain a desired liquid level and target equilibrium gas pressure in the liquid/gas infusion tank/vessel at a given temperature.
ON-DEMAND IN-LINE-BLENDING AND SUPPLY OF CHEMICALS
This in-line active and reverse calculating mass balance blending system can maintain a chemical at desired control points, such as with respect to concentration, temperature, and/or pressure, while the output flow rate is changing dynamically to a point of use. A blending unit is configured to receive and blend at least two species and deliver a mixture at selected concentrations to points of use. A controller can be configured to determine a mass balance to maintain the concentrations in the mixture using information from metrology systems and a flow in an output to the at least one point of use. The controller also can be configured to maintain a concentrations in the mixture within a concentration range by controlling flow rates to the blending unit.