IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0060229
(2005-02-17)
|
등록번호 |
US-7624895
(2009-12-16)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
24 인용 특허 :
6 |
초록
▼
A beverage dispenser includes a tower head disposed atop a tower, and at least one beverage syrup flow path having at least one control module disposed within the tower to regulate the flow of a beverage syrup through the flow path, thereby reducing the size requirements for the tower head. The beve
A beverage dispenser includes a tower head disposed atop a tower, and at least one beverage syrup flow path having at least one control module disposed within the tower to regulate the flow of a beverage syrup through the flow path, thereby reducing the size requirements for the tower head. The beverage dispenser may further include additional flow paths to add variable products. The beverage dispenser further includes a control board including at least one input and output device disposed on a top of the beverage dispenser, such that an operator may easily interact with the control board to configure the beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser may be utilized in a master/slave arrangement, wherein a slave beverage dispenser without a control panel is disposed adjacent to and in communication with the control board of the master beverage dispenser, such that the master beverage dispenser conducts all global and configuration operations.
대표청구항
▼
I claim: 1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a housing including an accessible area on a top portion; at least one beverage dispensing flow path disposed within the housing, the beverage dispensing flow path including a nozzle, wherein the at least one beverage dispensing flow path is in communica
I claim: 1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a housing including an accessible area on a top portion; at least one beverage dispensing flow path disposed within the housing, the beverage dispensing flow path including a nozzle, wherein the at least one beverage dispensing flow path is in communication with a product source; a control board disposed within the accessible area of the housing a cover hingedly coupled to the housing, wherein the cover closes out the top of the housing when in a lowered position, and further wherein the cover is raised to access the control board; and a plate having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to the cover, and the second end translating along an upper edge of the housing, wherein the plate is substantially vertical when the cover is in the raised position, and substantially horizontal and beneath the cover when the cover is in the lowered position, and further wherein the control board is mounted to the plate, such that the control board is operable from a front of the beverage dispenser. 2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein an operator may interact with the control board to configure parameters associated with dispensing of a beverage through the beverage dispensing nozzle. 3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the control board comprises a controller, an output device, and an input device, thereby allowing the controller to accept input and output information to the operator. 4. The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the output device is a liquid crystal display. 5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the input device is at least one pushbutton. 6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the control board is operable by an operator from the front of the beverage dispenser. 7. The beverage dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal display is readable from the front of the beverage dispenser. 8. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a tower head comprised of a plurality of walls defining a tower head cavity; a tower comprised of a plurality of walls defining a tower cavity, wherein the tower is disposed substantially completely underneath the tower head for supporting the tower head thereon; a cross bar passing from a first top front corner to a second top front corner of the tower head such that the cross bar provides stability to the top front corners of the tower head, wherein the cross bar is removable to provide access along the front and top of the tower head cavity during servicing of the beverage dispenser; at least one beverage dispensing nozzle coupled with the tower head; at least one beverage syrup flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one beverage syrup flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; and a control module disposed within the at least one beverage syrup flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage syrup through the at least one beverage flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof; at least one diluent flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one diluent flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one diluent flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of diluent through the at least one diluent flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof; and a control board that operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup and diluent through the at least one beverage syrup and diluent flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup and diluent are combined to form a beverage. 9. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the control board is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof. 10. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one injected flavor flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one injected flavor flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one injected flavor flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of injected flavor through the at least one injected flavor flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor through the at least one beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor are combined to form a beverage. 11. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one injected flavor flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one injected flavor flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one injected flavor flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of injected flavor through the at least one injected flavor flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor through the at least one beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor are combined to form a beverage. 12. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising a splash plate disposed at an exposed portion of the tower cavity, wherein the splash plate is removable for access to the tower cavity. 13. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising: a second beverage syrup flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the second beverage syrup flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; and a control module disposed within the second beverage syrup flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage syrup through the second beverage syrup flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof. 14. The beverage dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of the second beverage syrup and diluent through the second beverage syrup and diluent flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the second beverage syrup and diluent are combined to form a beverage. 15. The beverage dispenser according to claim 13, further comprising: a second diluent flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the second diluent flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the second diluent flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage through the second diluent flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of the second beverage syrup and second diluent through the second beverage syrup and second diluent flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the second beverage syrup and second diluent are combined to form a beverage. 16. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8, further comprising: a cover hingedly connected to the tower head, wherein an operator gains access to a top of the tower head cavity when the cover is in a raised position; and a panel hingedly coupled to a lower portion of the tower head, such that the panel closes out a front of the tower head cavity when in a raised position, wherein the panel may be rotated downward by an operator to gain access to the tower head cavity. 17. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a housing; at least one beverage dispensing nozzle coupled with the housing; at least one beverage flow path disposed within the housing and coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one beverage flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage through the at least one beverage flow path; a panel hingedly coupled to the housing such that the panel closes out a front of the housing when in a raised position, wherein rotation of the panel downward provides access to components disposed within the housing; a cover hingedly connected to the housing such that the panel closes out a top of the housing when in a lowered position, wherein rotation of the panel upward provides access to components disposed within the housing; and a cross bar passing from a first top front corner to a second top front corner of the housing to provide stability to the top front corners of the housing, wherein the cross bar is disposed behind the panel when the panel is in a raised position, further wherein, when the panel is rotated downward and the cross bar is exposed, the cross bar is removable to provide access along the front and top of the cavity during servicing of components disposed within the housing. 18. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a tower head comprised of a plurality of walls defining a tower head cavity; a tower comprised of a plurality of walls defining a tower cavity, wherein the tower is disposed substantially completely underneath the tower head for supporting the tower head thereon; a cross bar passing from a first top front corner to a second top front corner of the tower head such that the cross bar provides stability to the top front corners of the tower head, wherein the cross bar is removable to provide access along the front and top of the tower head cavity during servicing of the beverage dispenser; at least one beverage dispensing nozzle coupled with the tower head; at least one beverage syrup flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one beverage syrup flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; and a control module disposed within the at least one beverage syrup flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage syrup through the at least one beverage flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof; at least one diluent flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one diluent flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one diluent flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of diluent through the at least one diluent flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof; and a control board that operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup and diluent through the at least one beverage syrup and diluent flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup and diluent are combined to form a beverage. 19. The beverage dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the control board is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof. 20. The beverage dispenser according to claim 18, further comprising: at least one injected flavor flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one injected flavor flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one injected flavor flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of injected flavor through the at least one injected flavor flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor through the at least one beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor are combined to form a beverage. 21. The beverage dispenser according to claim 18, further comprising: at least one injected flavor flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one injected flavor flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one injected flavor flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of injected flavor through the at least one injected flavor flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor through the at least one beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor are combined to form a beverage. 22. The beverage dispenser according to claim 18, further comprising a splash plate disposed at an exposed portion of the tower cavity, wherein the splash plate is removable for access to the tower cavity. 23. The beverage dispenser according to claim 18, further comprising: a second beverage syrup flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the second beverage syrup flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle: and a control module disposed within the second beverage syrup flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage syrup through the second beverage syrup flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof. 24. The beverage dispenser according to claim 23, wherein the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of the second beverage syrup and diluent through the second beverage syrup and diluent flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the second beverage syrup and diluent are combined to form a beverage. 25. The beverage dispenser according to claim 23, further comprising: a second diluent flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the second diluent flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the second diluent flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage through the second diluent flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of the second beverage syrup and second diluent through the second beverage syrup and second diluent flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the second beverage syrup and second diluent are combined to form a beverage. 26. The beverage dispenser according to claim 18, further comprising: a cover hingedly connected to the tower head, wherein an operator gains access to a top of the tower head cavity when the cover is in a raised position; and a panel hingedly coupled to a lower portion of the tower head, such that the panel closes out a front of the tower head cavity when in a raised position, wherein the panel may be rotated downward by an operator to gain access to the tower head cavity. 27. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a tower head comprised of a plurality of walls defining a tower head cavity; a tower comprised of a plurality of walls defining a tower cavity, wherein the tower is disposed substantially completely underneath the tower head for supporting the tower head thereon; a cross bar passing from a first top front corner to a second top front corner of the tower head such that the cross bar provides stability to the top front corners of the tower head, wherein the cross bar is removable to provide access along the front and top of the tower head cavity during servicing of the beverage dispenser; at least one beverage dispensing nozzle coupled with the tower head; at least one beverage syrup flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one beverage syrup flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; and a control module disposed within the at least one beverage syrup flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of beverage syrup through the at least one beverage flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof; at least one diluent flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one diluent flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one diluent flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of diluent through the at least one diluent flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower head thereof; and a control board that operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup and diluent through the at least one beverage syrup and diluent flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup and diluent are combined to form a beverage. 28. The beverage dispenser according to claim 27, wherein the control board is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof. 29. The beverage dispenser according to claim 27, further comprising: at least one injected flavor flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one injected flavor flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one injected flavor flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of injected flavor through the at least one injected flavor flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower head in the tower head cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor through the at least one beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor are combined to form a beverage. 30. The beverage dispenser according to claim 27, further comprising: at least one injected flavor flow path disposed within the tower and the tower head, wherein the at least one injected flavor flow path is coupled with the at least one beverage dispensing nozzle; a control module disposed within the at least one injected flavor flow path for commencing and ceasing the flow of injected flavor through the at least one injected flavor flow path, wherein the control module is disposed within the tower in the tower cavity thereof; and the control board operates the control modules to commence and cease the flow of beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor through the at least one beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor flow paths and to the beverage dispensing nozzle where the beverage syrup, diluent, and injected flavor are combined to form a beverage. 31. The beverage dispenser according to claim 27, further comprising a splash plate disposed at an exposed portion of the tower cavity, wherein the splash plate is removable for access to the tower cavity. 32. The beverage dispenser according to claim 27, further comprising: a cover hingedly connected to the tower head, wherein an operator gains access to a top of the tower head cavity when the cover is in a raised position; and a panel hingedly coupled to a lower portion of the tower head, such that the panel closes out a front of the tower head cavity when in a raised position, wherein the panel may be rotated downward by an operator to gain access to the tower head cavity.
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