`
`
`EXHIBIT 1004
`EXHIBIT 1004
`
`
`
`

`

`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2016/0368752 A1
`Bethuy et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Dec. 22, 2016
`
`US 201603.68752A1
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`(72)
`
`CONTAINER-LESS CUSTOM BEVERAGE
`VENDING INVENTION
`
`Applicant: Ecowell, LLC, Exton, PA (US)
`Inventors: Timothy William Bethuy, Erie, PA
`(US); Preston Fitzjarrell David, Honey
`Brook, PA (US); Matthew J. Wiant,
`Fairfield, CT (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 15/252,734
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 31, 2016
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 14/688,017,
`filed on Apr. 16, 2015, which is a continuation of
`application No. 13/798.296, filed on Mar. 13, 2013,
`now Pat. No. 9,026,245, which is a continuation of
`application No. 13/021,607, filed on Feb. 4, 2011,
`now Pat. No. 8.442,674.
`Provisional application No. 61/301.959, filed on Feb.
`5, 2010.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`B67D I/O
`B67D I/08
`B67D L/12
`B67D I/07
`B67D L/10
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............... B67D I/0037 (2013.01); B67D I/07
`(2013.01); B67D I/10 (2013.01); B67D 1/122
`(2013.01); B67D I/0867 (2013.01); B67D
`I/0862 (2013.01)
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage
`vending machine and its operation are described. An embed
`ded computer interface allows consumers to create their own
`drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dis
`pensed in a container. The beverages may be made from hot
`water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with
`various flavors of syrup, Sweeteners and nutritional Supple
`ments. Identification may be presented and the computer
`recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer's
`account to determine funds available and previous drink
`selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an
`automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dis
`pense area.
`
`
`
`612
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 1 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 2 of 45
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`FIG.2
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 3 of 45
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 4 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 5 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 7 of 45
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`| 70||
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 8 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 9 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 10 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`CONNECT TOOTHER PLCS -? 138
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`ACTIVATE SUBROUTINES
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`- 139
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`WALL TO RECEIVE DATA
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`BASED ON WATER TYPE
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`POUR PARTIAL VOLUME
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`SYRUP(x)
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`NO
`
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`VOLUMEBASED ON WATER TYPE
`
`POST CLEAN (CLOSE ALL)
`JUMPTO RECEIVE DATA
`FIG 1 O
`
`142
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 11 of 45
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`US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 12 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 13 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 14 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 15 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 16 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 18 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 19 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 20 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 21 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`| PS
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`INGEREDIENTX (G) 72°F
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`FIG 17A
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 22 of 45
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`US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 23 of 45
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 24 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 25 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 26 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 27 of 45
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 28 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 29 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 30 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 31 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 32 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 33 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 34 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 35 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 36 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 37 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 38 of 45
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`US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 39 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 40 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 41 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 42 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 43 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 44 of 45 US 2016/0368752 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Dec. 22, 2016 Sheet 45 of 45
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`US 2016/0368752 A1
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`IGH-FLOW TO 630-1
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`

`

`US 2016/0368752 A1
`
`Dec. 22, 2016
`
`CONTAINER-LESS CUSTOM BEVERAGE
`VENDING INVENTION
`
`BACKGROUND
`0001 Convenience beverage vending is a multi-billion
`dollar major industry world-wide. Today, market share is
`totally dominated by beverages sold in plastic bottles and
`aluminum cans. It is estimated that less than 15% of such
`beverage containers are currently recycled, leading to huge
`environmental waste.
`0002. In addition, most convenience beverages are pre
`dominately water, and consequently, there is a significant
`embedded energy in their bottling, transportation and dis
`tribution into the vending machines themselves.
`0003. There is a need for a new type of beverage vending
`that addresses the selection limitations and environmental
`concerns related to existing beverage vending machines.
`
`SUMMARY
`0004. A convenience beverage vending machine and
`methods of dispensing convenience beverages are described.
`An embedded computer interface that allows customers to
`vend a wide variety of convenience beverages into their own
`containers is utilized. This vending machine is connected to
`a municipal water source and drain, in a similar fashion to
`a standard drinking fountain. This allows the bulk of the
`beverage contents to be supplied to the machine in a highly
`concentrated form, and mixed into a custom beverage in the
`machine, rather than transporting the water to the vending
`site. The municipal water entering the machine goes through
`a multi-stage filtration process that is custom tailored to the
`water quality at a specific location site.
`0005. The vending machine vends beverages that may be
`made from hot, cold or carbonated water, and everything
`from plain filtered water, to standard soft drinks, to fully
`custom beverages that are designed by the customer. Bev
`erage ingredients may be stocked in the machine in one of
`two ways, both in highly concentrated forms. Beverage
`ingredients may be in the form of liquids, either in industry
`standard "bag-in-box” format, cartridges, or in product
`tanks. Beverage ingredients may be in powder form and may
`appear in bulk powder containers and or low volume con
`tainers. Each machine holds a plurality of separate ingredi
`ents. Some of these may be standard beverages and the
`remainder may be separate ingredients including, but not
`limited to: multiple types of real fruit syrup concentrates,
`regular and low calorie Sweeteners, real fruit extracts, real
`herb extracts, natural flavor ingredients, coffees, teas, cocoa,
`chocolate, dairy based products, such milk or cream, non
`dairy products, such as Soy milk or almond milk, vegetables,
`Such as juices or powders or purees, multiple types of
`flavored nutritional Supplements, and multiple types of
`nutritional Supplements.
`0006. A human agent or user may approach the invention
`and present identification. The machine identifies the user as
`a customer and pulls up that customer's account. Further, the
`machine may locate a customer based on a global position
`ing system (GPS) or a proximity sensor and sign the
`customer in via a mobile device application. If desired, the
`user may add funds through the machine interface with
`physical currency or bill the amount necessary, for example,
`to a credit card. The machine may also accumulate charges
`for beverages. The charges may be billed to any third party,
`
`Such as but not limited to, an employer, sponsor, School
`district, host, advertiser, or health care provider. In an
`implementation, the third party may pay the full charge, or
`any portion of the full charge of the beverage Such as a set
`fee (per beverage or per day), for example, as part of an
`employee benefit. The machine may also pull up a list of that
`user's favorite or recently vended beverages. The user can
`then simply order from this list, order plain filtered water, a
`standard Soft drink, favorite or top selling recipes recom
`mended by the machine, or design a totally new custom
`beverage. In designing a new custom beverage, the user may
`select flavor types (which may be blended) and their relative
`flavor intensity. For example, the user could select 30%
`pomegranate and 70% blueberry, and then vary the intensity
`from light, like a flavor hinted water, to heavy, like a fruit
`juice. The user may also select additional Sweetener, from a
`more standard Sugar based Sweetener, like cane/agave syrup,
`or a low calorie Sweetener, like Stevia or monk fruit extract.
`Again, the user may select a combination of these in various
`percentages, and then vary the intensity from lightly Sweet
`to very sweet. Next, the user may optionally select a
`nutritional Supplement mix, like immune boost, energy
`boost, multi-vitamin, etc., select their relative percentages,
`and then vary the amount, maybe according to body weight.
`For example, a child may use less nutritional Supplement
`than an adult. After making all these selections, the beverage
`is automatically mixed and dispensed into the user's own
`container. If the user likes the drink, it may be saved to the
`user's account and stored in the database for future vending
`or editing to adjust the recipe. In another example, a cus
`tomer may access a social media outlet, Such as provided by
`Facebook, Inc. headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., and “drink
`share’ recipes. For example, a customer may access a Social
`media outlet (e.g., Facebook(R) via an electronic application
`Such as an iPhone.R. application, Android R. application and/
`or other electronic application, and “drink share’ custom
`drink recipes. A customer may then choose to have a local
`machine vend a shared drink recipe discovered from the
`Social media outlet experience. The local machine may be
`able to vend the requested shared drink recipe by accessing
`a remote database via an internet connection. For example,
`a customer may discover a shared drink recipe during a
`Social media outlet experience and save it to a personal
`account. The personal account may be saved in a remote
`database, which the machines are able to access and Subse
`quently vend a drink as requested by the customer.
`0007. A custom mix ratio beverage may also be created.
`Unlike a standard Soda machine, which vends the syrup and
`water base in a fixed ratio simultaneously, the microproces
`sor control allows any combination of all of the multiple
`ingredients stocked in the machine to be mixed in variable
`proportion to each other, and to the base water. Standard
`Soda fountain mix ratios may be pre-programmed so that
`standard soft drinks may be vended, or completely custom
`beverages designed by the individual users may also be
`vended.
`0008. An automatic cleaning cycle, incorporated into a
`novel vending cycle may also be incorporated. In a standard
`Soda fountain, Soda syrup/water mix drips slightly at the end
`of each vending operation. This causes the dispense area to
`be sticky and hence, it requires frequent cleaning. A mixing
`manifold may be incorporated that is first cleaned with an
`automatic clean cycle. This purges any drips that may have
`leaked into the manifold during the period between vending
`
`

`

`US 2016/0368752 A1
`
`Dec. 22, 2016
`
`cycles. The mixing manifold multi-path Solenoid valve on
`the end that is normally open to the machine drain is
`connected to the drain. The cleaning cycle may be effectu
`ated with hot water at approximately 190.degree. F. and/or
`with a cleaning solution Such as bleach.
`0009. The vending machine may also be equipped to
`provide for automated cleaning of valves. Solenoid valves
`and Standard Soda fountain dispensing valves alike can
`become sticky over time, and may fail to open or close
`correctly. In a standard Soda fountain machine, the machine
`parts are frequently disassembled and cleaned and then
`reassembled. One embodiment of the vending machine
`utilizes a periodic valve cleaning cycle which may be
`executed via Software or through manual control at certain
`defined intervals based upon events such as elapsed time, or
`number of vends of given syrup types.
`0010. The vending machine may also provide a unique
`billing/customer interface that enables the individual cus
`tomer to create unique beverages and store their favorite
`recipes in the machine central database. Each machine may
`be connected via the internet to the main database. As each
`individual machine may be stocked with different ingredi
`ents, the user interface may display drink possibilities that
`can be made in the specific machine that the customer is
`using. The system may also enable features such as “parental
`controls.” This feature may be enabled in machines
`deployed in Schools, where parents may set limits on the
`number and type of beverages their children can vend, and
`may put limits on types of beverages or specific ingredients,
`Such as Sugar. The parent may also require a specific
`nutritional Supplement in each beverage. In addition, cus
`tomers may name drinks and Submit them to be tried and
`rated by other customers, and the database may display the
`top rated/top selling recipes in the machine. The system may
`also enable features such as “own/operator controls.” For
`example, the machine may incorporate lockout times. For
`example, the machine may be programmed to lock the
`machine to students during class times, while remaining
`open to teachers and/or staff.
`0011. The vending machine may also be able to vend
`beverages into containers of all different sizes, colors and
`translucencies. Often opaque containers are difficult to see
`through during beverage filling causing overfilling and
`spills. If the user knows the bottle/container size, they can
`select the appropriate size/amount of total beverage, and the
`microprocessor may adjust the quantities of all ingredients
`automatically and fill the container accurately, without over
`flowing the container. If the user makes a mistake, and does
`not know the size of the container, a manual or micropro
`cessor controlled cycle may be activated to circumvent
`overfilling.
`0012. The vending machine may also provide the user
`with a safe experience. Since the machine may be used to
`vend hot, cold or carbonated beverages, there is a risk that
`Some customer may vend a hot drink into an unsuitable
`container, Such as a stainless steel bottle that is not insulated,
`potentially causing burns. For this reason, the vending
`machine may incorporate a temperature sensor. If the tem
`perature on the surface of the bottle exceeds a safe level, the
`user may be alerted and the vending process halted.
`0013 Dispense area sanitation may also be incorporated
`in the vending machine. Traditional Soda fountains utilize a
`dispense nozzle which is activated by pushing a disposable
`cup up against the dispense valve lever. If users were to use
`
`their own containers with this type of dispense mechanism,
`bacteria may be transmitted to the dispense lever and
`consequently between Successive customers. In one embodi
`ment of the vending machine, a recessed dispense tube may
`be utilized which is shielded so it cannot come in contact
`with users bottles, and the entire dispense area may be
`flooded with an anti-bacterial Ultra-Violet sterilization light.
`0014. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection
`of concepts in a simplified form that are further described
`below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not
`intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed
`Subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in
`determining the scope of the claimed Subject matter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`(0015 The detailed description is described with refer
`ence to accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most
`digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which
`the reference number first appears. The use of the same
`reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or
`identical items.
`0016 FIG. 1 is a schematic of an implementation of the
`plumbing system in the vending machine apparatus.
`0017 FIG. 2 is a schematic of an implementation of the
`electrical system in the vending machine apparatus.
`0018 FIG. 3 is a depiction of an implementation showing
`the locations of components in the vending machine appa
`ratuS.
`0019 FIG. 4 is a depiction of an interface presented to the
`human agent to effectuate the dispense of a custom bever
`age.
`0020 FIG. 5 is a depiction of an interface presented to the
`human agent to effectuate the dispense of a custom bever
`age.
`FIG. 6 is a depiction of an interface presented to the
`0021
`human agent to effectuate the dispense of a custom bever
`age.
`0022 FIG. 7 is a depiction of an interface presented to the
`human agent to effectuate the dispense of a custom bever
`age.
`0023 FIG. 8 is a depiction of an interface presented to the
`human agent to effectuate the dispense of a custom bever
`age.
`0024 FIG. 9 is a depiction of an interface presented to the
`human agent to effectuate the dispense of a custom bever
`age.
`0025 FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting the control process
`relating to beverage vending in an implementation.
`0026 FIG. 11 is a schematic of an implementation of a
`plumbing system in a beverage dispensing system.
`0027 FIG. 12 is a schematic of an implementation of a
`water filtration system in the beverage dispensing system.
`(0028 FIGS. 13A and 13B are respective perspective and
`cross-sectional depictions of an implementation of a ther
`moelectric water cooling and carbonation system in the
`beverage dispensing system.
`0029 FIGS. 14A and 14B are cross-sectional depictions
`of an implementation of the thermoelectric water cooling
`and carbonation system showing water flow in the water
`bath and an ice-bank reserve.
`0030 FIG. 14C is a schematic of an implementation of
`the thermoelectric water cooling and carbonation system.
`
`

`

`US 2016/0368752 A1
`
`Dec. 22, 2016
`
`0031 FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematics of an imple
`mentation of a differential pressure dosing system in the
`beverage dispensing system.
`0032 FIGS. 16A and 16B are respective perspective and
`cross-sectional depictions of an implementation of a differ
`ential pressure dosing device for measuring fluid flow in the
`differential pressure dosing system.
`0033 FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C are a series of graphs
`depicting flow rate measurement dosing of the differential
`pressure dosing system.
`0034 FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C are a series of graphs
`depicting flow rate measurement dosing of the differential
`pressure dosing system.
`0035 FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematics of an imple
`mentation of a pulse counter dosing system in the beverage
`dispensing system.
`0036 FIGS. 20A and 20B are exploded perspective view
`and cross-sectional view depictions, respectively, of an
`implementation of a two-sensor pulse counter dosing system
`using Hall effect sensors.
`0037 FIG. 200 is a chart of an implementation of the
`two-sensor pulse counter dosing system for pulse counting.
`0038 FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F, 21G, 21H,
`21I, 21J, 21K., 21L, 21M and 21N depict an implementation
`of a four-sensor pulse counter dosing system using Hall
`effect sensors.
`0039 FIG. 22 is a perspective view depiction of an
`implementation of an infra-red sensor pulse counter dosing
`system.
`0040 FIG. 23 is an overhead view depiction of an
`implementation of an optical pulse generator of the infra-red
`sensor pulse counter dosing system.
`0041
`FIGS. 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 24F and 24G are
`a series of depictions of an implementation of the infra-red
`sensor pulse counter dosing system.
`0042 FIG. 25 is a depiction of an exploded-view of an
`implementation of a dispenser in the beverage dispensing
`system.
`0043 FIG. 26 is a depiction of an overview of an
`implementation of a dispenser in the beverage dispensing
`system.
`0044 FIGS. 27A and 27B depict partial cross-sectional
`views of an implementation of a nozzle in the beverage
`dispensing system.
`0045 FIG. 27C is a depiction of a cross-sectional view of
`a portion of the nozzle in the beverage dispensing system
`illustrating a direction of liquid being dispensed by the
`ingredient outlets.
`0046 FIG. 27D is a depiction of a cross-sectional view of
`a portion of a nozzle illustrating a direction of liquid being
`dispensed without rounded outlets.
`0047 FIGS. 28A, 28B, 28C and 28D depict respective
`partial cross-sectional and cross-sectional views of an imple
`mentation of a full-cone spray of the nozzle in the beverage
`dispensing system.
`0048 FIG. 28E is depiction of a perspective partial
`cross-sectional view of a water rinse outlet and resulting
`full-cone spray of the nozzle in the beverage dispensing
`system.
`0049 FIG. 29 is a depiction of a user container filled by
`a nozzle in the beverage dispensing system.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0050 Referring to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an imple
`mentation of the vending machine apparatus that may
`include a touch screen display 100. However, other imple
`mentations may include many other means for the delivery
`and/or reception of information to and from a user Such as
`a keyboard, monitor, human interface device, or visual
`display. In an implementation, a personal computer (PC)
`containing a processor or processors and memory 101 may
`communicate with the touch screen display 100 to receive
`and transmit information related to the information acquired
`by the display 100 and/or delivered by the PC 101. Other
`implementations may include other means for the delivery
`or reception of information to a component interacting with
`the user.
`0051. The PC 101 may convert received information to a
`format and/or language for communication with two Pro
`grammable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 103,104. Other imple
`mentations may include a means to directly and/or indirectly
`communicate the users input with one or more controller
`devices.
`0052. The PC 101 may communicate with two PLCs 103,
`104 via an Ethernet router 102. The PLCs 103,104 may send
`and receive information to and from the PC 101 which is
`directly related to the information retrieved from a user
`and/or the operation of said PLCs 103, 104. Other imple
`mentations may include single or multiple control devices
`and/or methods capable of directly or indirectly effectuating
`the user's desire. In one example, the user may select an
`option presented on the touch screen display 100 which may
`then be transmitted to the PC 101. PC 101 may then interpret
`the users input and convert the input to a format and/or
`language intelligible to the PLCs 103, 104. The PC 101 may
`then transmit information necessary to accomplish the desire
`of the user to the PLCs 103, 104 via an Ethernet router 102.
`0053. In an implementation the PLC 103 controls a relay
`105 connected to a solenoid valve 124 to effectuate the
`controlled flow of fluid and/or gas through the solenoid
`manifold 113. Alternative implementations may include
`single or multiple relays of varying types including solid
`state relays, polarized relays, latching relays, reed relays, or
`other means to control or directly influence the actuation of
`a valve or the flow of fluid. Other implementations may also
`include single or multiple valves actuated by pneumatic,
`hydraulic, electrical, and/or other mechanical means. For
`example, the users input after being communicated to the
`PLC 103 via the PC 101 and/or Ethernet router 102 may be
`effectuated by the activation of a relay 105 which activates
`a Solenoid valve 124 allowing fluid to pass for an amount of
`time directly related to the user's input. Further, the user's
`input after being communicated to the PLC 103 via the PC
`101 and/or Ethernet router 102 may be effectuated by the
`activation of a relay 105 which activates the solenoid valve
`124 allowing fluid to pass for an amount of Volume based on
`feedback from one or more flow sensors directly related to
`the users input.
`0054 As illustrated in FIG. 1, an implementation utilizes
`a fluid system to effectuate the transportation, filtration,
`alteration and manipulation of one or more fluids and its
`properties. Water entering the vending machine apparatus
`passes through a normally closed safety solenoid valve 106.
`Valve 106 allows for the flow of fluid into the vending
`machine to be terminated at any time. An OZone generator
`may be connected to the fluid path exiting valve 106 via a
`
`

`

`US 2016/0368752 A1
`
`Dec. 22, 2016
`
`T-connection. Flow from the fluid path exiting valve 106
`may be prevented from entering the OZone generator via a
`check valve. In this implementation, the water passes
`through a water softening filter 107 to reduce magnesium,
`calcium, and other dissolved minerals to levels desirable and
`palatable for human consumption. After the softener 107.
`fluid passes through two activated carbon filters 108 orien
`tated in series. The fluid then passes through an ultraviolet
`(UV) filter 109 before continuing to other components of the
`fluid system.
`0055. In summary, an implementation may use a four
`stage filtration process consisting of a softener 107, acti
`vated carbon filters 108, and a UV filter 109 to effectuate the
`delivery of water that is palatable and suitable for human
`consumption. However, other implementations may include
`varying quantities and types of purification and/or particu
`late filters necessary to effectuate the delivery of water that
`is palatable and Suitable for human consumption. An imple
`mentation may include other means to reduce scale and/or
`water hardness Such as a scale filter. Alternative implemen
`tations may omit the use of filtration in the fluid system.
`0056. The inlet fluid path may be divided to flow to
`several components. One component may be a solenoid
`valve 110 for controlling the flow of fluid to a hot tank or
`water heater 111. Another implementation may use one or
`more pneumatic, electric, hydraulic, and/or mechanical
`valves located before and/or after a heater tank to effectuate
`the flow of fluid to and from a heater tank.
`0057 The flow of fluid into the heater tank 111 may be
`directly controlled by the actuation of a solenoid valve 110.
`Fluid flow to and from the heater tank 111 passes through the
`inlet port and outlet port respectively. The outlet port may be
`directly connected to a fluid path that remains at atmospheric
`pressure at all times. Other implementations may utilize
`means to effectuate the heating of water Such as a pressur
`ized hot tank, instant water heater, or various other heat
`addition techniques.
`0058. The temperature of hot water may range from
`about 100.degree. F. to 212.degree. F. This hot fluid then
`follows a fluid path to a one way valve 112 which prohibits
`the backflow of fluid toward or into the heater tank 111. After
`the one way valve 112, the hot fluid passes through three
`manifolds 113, orientated with one in series and two in
`parallel, a fluid flow meter, and a 3-way normally open
`solenoid valve 115. At this point the hot fluid is diverted to
`a fluid path connected to the dispensing nozzle 116 or to a
`fluid path connected to a drain line 117. Another implemen
`tation may include one or more fluid paths which the hot
`fluid would follow directly and/or indirectly to the dispens
`ing nozzle and/or drain. Yet another implementation may
`include means necessary to guide hot fluids from a source to
`a destination in the fluid system resulting in the dispensing
`and/or draining of said fluid.
`0059 Fluid may also enter a fluid treatment apparatus
`118 which possesses the ability to cool and/or carbonate
`incoming fluid. This vending machine also possesses the
`ability to cool one or multiple incoming fluids all of which
`pass through unique fluid paths. Other implementations may
`include one or more apparatuses to effectuate the cooling
`and/or carbonating of fluid in the invention.
`0060 Fluid paths exiting the vending machine, such as a
`path dedicated to chilled fluid flow through a one way valve
`112 to preve