Soft drink dispensing machine with modular customer interface unit

US6547100B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE COCA-COLA COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Paul A. Phillips · Bromsgrove, GB
• William A. Edwards · Los Angeles, US
• Daniel S. Quartarone · Stone Mountain, US
• David Pham · Monrovia, US
• Samuel Durham · San Antonio, US
• Franchot Chang · Marietta, US
• Thaddeus M. Jablonski · Palatine, US
• Ryan D. Schuchart · Cedar Rapids, US
• Michael Meyer · Wiedensahl, DE
• Alfred A. Schroeder · San Antonio, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2001
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2003
• Expiry date: May 21, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B67D2210/0006
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A machine for dispensing beverages may include a support structure and a plurality of valve trays mounted on the support structure in side-by-side relation. The machine may also include a connection block disposed on each of the plurality of valve trays, where each connection block may be configured to receive a first supply of a diluent and a second supply of a diluent. A valve may be disposed on each connection block, and each valve may be configured to be selectively movable between the first supply, the second supply, and a closed position. A nozzle may be mounted to each of the valve trays at a predefined dispensing location, and each nozzle may be configured to selectively receive diluent from the first supply and the second supply.