Automated beverage dispensing system and method

US11738987B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Yum Connect, LLC · US

Inventors

• Nicholas Michael Degnan · Redondo Beach, US
• Arthur Francois David Levy · Culver City, US
• Robert W. Lyle · معلمی نژاد, US
• Joseph Park
• Aaron Thomas · Louisville, US
• Karl Thomas Szatrowski · Louisville, US
• Won Suk You · Whittier, US
• Elvis Junior Palma · Harbor Pines, US
• Sze Wun Wong · Woodside Village, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 24, 2022
• Grant date: Aug 29, 2023
• Expiry date: Feb 24, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B67D2210/00078
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A beverage production system, comprising a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups, a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage, and a turntable assembly. The turntable assembly comprising a central axis, an inner turntable including a first row of cup receptacles, and an outer turntable including a second row of cup receptacles. The outer turntable is disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable, and the outer turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the second row with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station. The turntable assembly is configured to align an opening in a cup receptacle in the second row with an opening in a cup receptacle in the first row. A slide assembly includes an arm configured to slide a cup positioned in the cup receptacle in the second row into the aligned opening of the cup receptacle in the first row.