Beverage dispensing apparatus
US9045323B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 2, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB67D2210/00076
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process for dispensing a beverage into a cup comprising the steps of: providing a dispensing structure; providing a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure; providing a staging structure linked with the transportation structure; providing a control system linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism; providing a sensor mechanism linked with the control system, the sensor mechanism providing signals indicating the position of a cup; providing a cup identification system having an interactive display connected to the control system; picking a cup from a storage device and positioning it within a dispensing structure; dispensing ice and a beverage at separate locations within the dispensing structure; transporting the filled beverage to a staging structure; positioning the filled cup in the staging structure; removing the filled cup from the staging structure for sale to a customer wherein the cup identification system and the display outputs visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup at every stage of the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.