US20110011888A2 - Product dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A product dispensing system includes a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient. A pump module is configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient. A controller is configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe. The controller is further configured to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• This disclosure claims the priority of the following patent applications, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Patent Application No. 61/092,396, entitled “RFID System and Method” and filed 27 Aug. 2008; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/092,394, entitled “Processing System and Method” and filed 27 Aug. 2008; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/092,388, entitled “Beverage Dispensing System” and filed 27 Aug. 2008; U.S. Patent Application No. 60/970,501, entitled “Content Dispensing System” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; U.S. Patent Application No. 60/970,494, entitled “Virtual Manifold System and Method” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; U.S. Patent Application No. 60/970,493, entitled “FSM System and Method” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; U.S. Patent Application No. 60/970,495, entitled “Virtual Machine System and Method” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; U.S. Patent Application No. 60/970,497, entitled “RFID System and Method” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/851,344, entitled “System and Method for Generating a Drive Signal” and filed 6 Sep. 2007; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/054,757, entitled “RFID System and Method” and filed 20 May 2008; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/054,629, entitled “Flow Control Module” and filed 20 May 2008; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/054,745, entitled “Capacitance-Based Flow Sensor” and filed 20 May 2008; U.S. Patent Application No. 61/054,776, entitled “Beverage Dispensing System” and filed 20 May 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• This disclosure relates to processing systems and, more particularly, to processing systems that are used to generate products from a plurality of separate ingredients.
BACKGROUND
• Processing systems may combine one or more ingredients to form a product. Unfortunately, such systems are often static in configuration and are only capable of generating a comparatively limited number of products. While such systems may be capable of being reconfigured to generate other products, such reconfiguration may require extensive changes to mechanical/electrical/software systems.
• For example, in order to make a different product, new components may need to be added, such as e.g., new valves, lines, manifolds, and software subroutines. Such extensive modifications may be required due to existing devices/processes within the processing system being non-reconfigurable and having a single dedicated use, thus requiring that additional components be added to accomplish new tasks.
SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
• In a first implementation, a product dispensing system includes a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient. A pump module is configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient. The system also includes a controller configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe. The controller is also configured to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe.
• One or more of the following features may be included. The flow control device may include a flow measuring device configured to provide a feedback signal based upon a volume of the first ingredient flowing within the flow control device. A variable line impedance may be configured to regulate the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, the feedback signal of the flow measuring device and the first control signal provided by the controller. The flow measuring device may include a positive displacement flow measuring device. The positive displacement flow measuring device may include a gear-based positive displacement flow measuring device.
• The variable line impedance may include a first rigid member having a first surface and a second rigid member having a second surface. A variable cross-section fluid pathway may be defined by, at least in part, the first surface and the second surface. The first surface may be movable relative to the second surface to increase and decrease the variable cross-section fluid pathway. A stepper motor may be coupled to one of the first rigid member and the second rigid member for moving the first surface relative to the second surface.
• The pump module may be configured to releasably engage the supply of the second ingredient. The pump module may include a bracket assembly configured to releasably engage a plurality of supplies of the second ingredient. The pump module may include a solenoid piston pump assembly configured to provide a calibratedly determined volume of the second ingredient.
• A flow sensor may be associated with the pump module. The flow sensor may include a fluid chamber that may be configured to receive a fluid and a diaphragm assembly that may be configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly may be configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a flow signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber. The transducer assembly may include a first capacitive plate coupled to the diaphragm and moveable therewith, and may include a second capacitive plate rigidly affixed relative to the fluid chamber. The flow signal may be based upon, at least in part, a change in capacitance between the first capacitive plate and the second capacitive plate.
• The flow control device and the pump module may be coupled to a nozzle for mixing the first ingredient and the second ingredient.
• In a second implementation, a fluid delivery system includes a fluid pathway having an inlet disposed at a first vertical height and an exit disposed at a second vertical height higher than the first vertical height. A fluid pump is disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit. The fluid pump is further disposed at a third vertical height higher than the first vertical height and lower than the second vertical height. A flow sensor is disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid pump. The flow sensor is configured to detect the flow of fluid through a fluid pathway. Air entering the fluid inlet may travel through the fluid pathway and exit via the fluid exit.
• One or more of the following features may be included. The inlet of the fluid pathway may be coupled to an ingredient supply. A fluid chamber may be configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly may be configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. Further, a transducer assembly may be configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and may generate a flow signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber. The transducer assembly may include a first capacitive plate coupled to the diaphragm and moveable therewith, and may include a second capacitive plate rigidly affixed relative to the fluid chamber. The flow signal may be based upon, at least in part, a change in capacitance between the first capacitive plate and the second capacitive plate.
• The fluid pump may include a solenoid piston pump assembly that may be configured to provide a calibratedly determined volume of the second ingredient.
• In a third implementation, a flow control device includes a flow measuring device configured to generate a flow feedback signal indicative of a volume of content flowing within a line of a dispensing system. A feedback controller system is responsive to the flow feedback signal and is configured to compare a desired flow volume to the flow feedback signal to generate a flow control signal. The feedback controller system includes a feed forward controller for establishing, at least in part, an initial value for the flow control signal. A variable line impedance is positioned within the line of the dispensing system and is responsive to the flow control signal. The variable line impedance is configured to regulate the volume of content flowing within the line of the dispensing system based, at least in part, upon the flow control signal.
• One or more of the following features may be included. The flow measuring device may include a positive displacement flow measuring device. The positive displacement flow measuring device may include a gear-based positive displacement flow measuring device.
• The variable line impedance may include a first rigid member having a first surface, and a second rigid member having a second surface. A variable cross-section fluid pathway may be defined by, at least in part, the first surface and the second surface. The first surface may be movable relative to the second surface to increase and decrease the variable cross-section fluid pathway. A stepper motor may be coupled to one of the first rigid member and the second rigid member for moving the first surface relative to the second surface.
• The variable line impedance may include a first rigid member defining a first fluid-path portion including a bore, and a second rigid member defining a second fluid-path portion. The first fluid-path portion may be moveable relative to the second fluid-path portion to increase and decrease a fluid path defined by the first fluid-path portion and the second fluid path portion.
• A binary valve may be positioned within the line of the dispensing system for selectively preventing flow of content within the line of the dispensing system.
• In a fourth implementation, a fluid pumping system includes a fluid pathway having a fluid inlet and a fluid exit. A fluid pump is configured to pump a fluid through the fluid pathway between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit. An air detection sensor is disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit. The air detection sensor is configured to detect the presence of air within the fluid pathway.
• One or more of the following features may be included. The fluid pump may include a solenoid piston pump assembly configured to provide a calibratedly determined volume of the fluid. The air detection sensor may be configured to provide a signal in response to air detection sensor detecting the presence of air within the fluid pathway. The fluid pump may further be configured to stop pumping the fluid through the fluid pathway in response to the signal provided in response to the air detection sensor detecting the presence of air within the fluid pathway.
• A valve may be included within the fluid pathway. The valve may be configured to move to a closed position in response to the signal provided in response to the air detection sensor detecting the presence of air within the fluid pathway, thereby at least partially preventing the flow of fluid through the fluid pathway.
• The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a processing system;
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a control logic subsystem included within the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a high volume ingredient subsystem included within the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a microingredient subsystem included within the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5A is a diagrammatic side view of one embodiment of a capacitance-based flow sensor included within the processing system ofFIG. 1 (during a non-pumping condition);
• FIG. 5B is a diagrammatic top view of the capacitance-based flow sensor ofFIG. 5A;
• FIG. 5C is a diagrammatic view of two capacitive plates included within the capacitance-based flow sensor ofFIG. 5A;
• FIG. 5D is a time-dependent graph of the capacitance value of the capacitance based flow sensor ofFIG. 5A (during a non-pumping condition, a pumping condition, and an empty condition);
• FIG. 5E is a diagrammatic side view of the capacitance-based flow sensor ofFIG. 5A (during a pumping condition);
• FIG. 5F is a diagrammatic side view of the capacitance-based flow sensor ofFIG. 5A (during an empty condition);
• FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic view of a plumbing/control subsystem included within the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 6B is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a gear-based, positive displacement flow measuring device;
• FIGS. 7A and 7B diagrammatically depict an embodiment of a flow control module ofFIG. 3;
• FIGS. 8-14C diagrammatically depict various alternative embodiments of a flow control module ofFIG. 3;
• FIGS. 15A and 15B diagrammatically depict a portion of a variable line impedance;
• FIG. 15C diagrammatically depicts one embodiment of a variable line impedance;
• FIGS. 16A and 16B diagrammatically depict a gear of a gear-based positive displacement flow measuring device according to one embodiment; and
• FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view of a user interface subsystem included within the processing system ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an FSM process executed by the control logic subsystem ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view of a first state diagram;
• FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic view of a second state diagram;
• FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a virtual machine process executed by the control logic subsystem ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a virtual manifold process executed by the control logic subsystem ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an RFID system included within the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view of the RFID system ofFIG. 23;
• FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic view of an RFID antenna assembly included within the RFID system ofFIG. 23;
• FIG. 26 is an isometric view of an antenna loop assembly of the RFID antenna assembly ofFIG. 25;
• FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a housing assembly for housing the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 28 is a diagrammatic view of an RFID access antenna assembly included within the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative RFID access antenna assembly included within the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 30 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the processing system ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 31 is a diagrammatic view of the internal assembly of the processing system ofFIG. 30;
• FIG. 32 is a diagrammatic view of the upper cabinet of the processing system ofFIG. 30;
• FIG. 33 is a diagrammatic view of a flow control subsystem of the processing system ofFIG. 30;
• FIG. 34 is a diagrammatic view of a flow control module of the flow control subsystem ofFIG. 33;
• FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic view of the upper cabinet of the processing system ofFIG. 30;
• FIGS. 36A and 36B are diagrammatic views of a power module of the processing system ofFIG. 35;
• FIGS. 37A, 37B, and37C diagrammatically depict a flow control module of the flow control subsystem ofFIG. 35;
• FIG. 38 is a diagrammatic view of the lower cabinet of the processing system ofFIG. 30;
• FIG. 39 is a diagrammatic view of a microingredient tower of the lower cabinet ofFIG. 38;
• FIG. 40 is a diagrammatic view of a microingredient tower of the lower cabinet ofFIG. 38;
• FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic view of a quad product module of the microingredient tower ofFIG. 39;
• FIG. 42 is a diagrammatic view of a quad product module of the microingredient tower ofFIG. 39;
• FIGS. 43A, 43B, and43C are diagrammatic views of one embodiment of a microingredient container;
• FIG. 44 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a microingredient container;
• FIGS. 45A and 45B diagrammatically depict an alternative embodiment of a lower cabinet of the processing system ofFIG. 30;
• FIGS. 46A, 46B,46C, and46D diagrammatically depict one embodiment of a microingredient shelf of the lower cabinet ofFIGS. 45A and 45B.
• FIGS. 47A, 47B,47C,47D,47E, and47F diagrammatically depict a quad product module of the microingredient shelf ofFIGS. 46A, 46B,46C, and46D;
• FIG. 48 diagrammatically depicts a plumbing assembly of the quad product module ofFIGS. 47A, 47B,47C,47D,47E, and47F;
• FIGS. 49A, 49B,49C diagrammatically depict a large volume microingredient assembly of the lower cabinet ofFIGS. 45A and 45B;
• FIG. 50 diagrammatically depicts a plumbing assembly of the large volume microingredient assembly ofFIGS. 49A, 49B,49C;
• FIG. 51 diagrammatically depicts one embodiment of a user interface screen in a user interface bracket;
• FIG. 52 diagrammatically depicts one embodiment of a user interface bracket without a screen;
• FIG. 53 is a detailed side view of the bracket ofFIG. 52; and
• FIGS. 54 and 55 diagrammatically depict a membrane pump.
• Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
• Described herein is a product dispensing system. The system includes one or more modular components, also termed “subsystems”. Although exemplary systems are described herein, in various embodiments, the product dispensing system may include one or more of the subsystems described, but the product dispensing system is not limited to only one or more of the subsystems described herein. Thus, in some embodiments, additional subsystems may be used in the product dispensing system.
• The following disclosure will discuss the interaction and cooperation of various electrical components, mechanical components, electro-mechanical components, and software processes (i.e., “subsystems”) that allow for the mixing and processing of various ingredients to form a product. Examples of such products may include but are not limited to: dairy-based products (e.g., milkshakes, floats, malts, frappes); coffee-based products (e.g., coffee, cappuccino, espresso); soda-based products (e.g., floats, soda w/ fruit juice); tea-based products (e.g., iced tea, sweet tea, hot tea); water-based products (e.g., spring water, flavored spring water, spring water w/ vitamins, high-electrolyte drinks, high-carbohydrate drinks); solid-based products (e.g., trail mix, granola-based products, mixed nuts, cereal products, mixed grain products); medicinal products (e.g., infusible medicants, injectable medicants, ingestible medicants, dialysates); alcohol-based products (e.g., mixed drinks, wine spritzers, soda-based alcoholic drinks, water-based alcoholic drinks, beer with flavor “shots”); industrial products (e.g., solvents, paints, lubricants, stains); and health/beauty aid products (e.g., shampoos, cosmetics, soaps, hair conditioners, skin treatments, topical ointments).
• The products may be produced using one or more “ingredients”. Ingredients may include one or more fluids, powders, solids or gases. The fluids, powders, solids, and/or gases may be reconstituted or diluted within the context of processing and dispensing. The products may be a fluid, solid, powder or gas.
• The various ingredients may be referred to as “macroingredients”, “microingredients”, or “large volume microingredients”. One or more of the ingredients used may be contained within a housing, i.e., part of a product dispensing machine. However, one or more of the ingredients may be stored or produced outside the machine. For example, in some embodiments, water (in various qualities) or other ingredients used in high volume may be stored outside of the machine (for example, in some embodiments, high fructose corn syrup may be stored outside the machine), while other ingredients, for example, ingredients in powder form, concentrated ingredients, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and/or gas cylinders may be stored within the machine itself.
• Various combinations of the above-referenced electrical components, mechanical components, electro-mechanical components, and software processes are discussed below. While combinations are described below that disclose e.g., the production of beverages and medicinal products (e.g., dialysates) using various subsystems, this is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, rather, exemplary embodiments of ways in which the subsystems may work together to create/dispense a product. Specifically, the electrical components, mechanical components, electro-mechanical components, and software processes (each of which will be discussed below in greater detail) may be used to produce any of the above-referenced products or any other products similar thereto.
• Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a generalized view ofprocessing system10 that is shown to include a plurality of subsystems namely:storage subsystem12,control logic subsystem14, highvolume ingredient subsystem16,microingredient subsystem18, plumbing/control subsystem20,user interface subsystem22, andnozzle24. Each of the above describedsubsystems12,14,16,18,20,22 will be described below in greater detail.
• During use ofprocessing system10,user26 may select aparticular product28 for dispensing (into container30) usinguser interface subsystem22. Viauser interface subsystem22,user26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such product. For example, options may include but are not limited to the addition of one or more ingredients. In one exemplary embodiment, the system is a system for dispensing a beverage. In this embodiment, the use may select various flavorings (e.g. including but not limited to lemon flavoring, lime flavoring, chocolate flavoring, and vanilla flavoring) to be added into a beverage; the addition of one or more nutraceuticals (e.g. including but not limited to Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B₆, Vitamin B₁₂, and Zinc) into a beverage; the addition of one or more other beverages (e.g. including but not limited to coffee, milk, lemonade, and iced tea) into a beverage; and the addition of one or more food products (e.g. ice cream, yogurt) into a beverage.
• Onceuser26 makes the appropriate selections, viauser interface subsystem22,user interface subsystem22 may send the appropriate data signals (via data bus32) to controllogic subsystem14.Control logic subsystem14 may process these data signals and may retrieve (via data bus34) one or more recipes chosen from a plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12. The term “recipe” referring to instructions for processing/creating the requested product. Upon retrieving the recipe(s) fromstorage subsystem12,control logic subsystem14 may process the recipe(s) and provide the appropriate control signals (via data bus38) to e.g. highvolume ingredient subsystem16, microingredient subsystem18 (and, in some embodiments, large volume microingredients, not shown, which may be included in the description with respect to microingredients with respect to processing. With respect to the subsystems for dispensing these large volume microingredients, in some embodiments, an alternate assembly from the microingredient assembly, may be used to dispense these large volume microingredients), and plumbing/control subsystem20, resulting in the production of product28 (which is dispensed into container30).
• Referring also toFIG. 2, a diagrammatic view ofcontrol logic subsystem14 is shown.Control logic subsystem14 may include microprocessor100 (e.g., an ARM™ microprocessor produced by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.), nonvolatile memory (e.g. read only memory102), and volatile memory (e.g. random access memory104); each of which may be interconnected via one or more data/system buses106,108. As discussed above,user interface subsystem22 may be coupled to controllogic subsystem14 viadata bus32.
• Control logic subsystem14 may also include anaudio subsystem110 for providing e.g. an analog audio signal tospeaker112, which may be incorporated intoprocessing system10.Audio subsystem110 may be coupled tomicroprocessor100 via data/system bus114.
• Control logic subsystem14 may execute an operating system, examples of which may include but are not limited to Microsoft Windows CE™, Redhat Linux™, Palm OS™, or a device-specific (i.e., custom) operating system.
• The instruction sets and subroutines of the above-described operating system, which may be stored onstorage subsystem12, may be executed by one or more processors (e.g. microprocessor100) and one or more memory architectures (e.g. read-only memory102 and/or random access memory104) incorporated intocontrol logic subsystem14.
• Storage subsystem12 may include, for example, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, an optical drive, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a CF (i.e., compact flash) card, an SD (i.e., secure digital) card, a SmartMedia card, a Memory Stick, and a MultiMedia card, for example.
• As discussed above,storage subsystem12 may be coupled to controllogic subsystem14 viadata bus34.Control logic subsystem14 may also include storage controller116 (shown in phantom) for converting signals provided bymicroprocessor100 into a format usable bystorage system12. Further,storage controller116 may convert signals provided bystorage subsystem12 into a format usable bymicroprocessor100.
• In some embodiments, an Ethernet connection is also included.
• As discussed above, high-volume ingredient subsystem (also referred to herein as “macroingredients”)16,microingredient subsystem18, and/or plumbing/control subsystem20 may be coupled to controllogic subsystem14 viadata bus38.Control logic subsystem14 may include bus interface118 (shown in phantom) for converting signals provided bymicroprocessor100 into a format usable by high-volume ingredient subsystem16,microingredient subsystem18, and/or plumbing/control subsystem20. Further, bus interface118 may convert signals provided by high-volume ingredient subsystem16,microingredient subsystem18 and/or plumbing/control subsystem20 into a format usable bymicroprocessor100.
• As will be discussed below in greater detail,control logic subsystem14 may execute one or more control processes120 (e.g., finite state machine process (FSM process122),virtual machine process124, andvirtual manifold process126, for example) that may control the operation ofprocessing system10. The instruction sets and subroutines ofcontrol processes120, which may be stored onstorage subsystem12, may be executed by one or more processors (e.g. microprocessor100) and one or more memory architectures (e.g. read-only memory102 and/or random access memory104) incorporated intocontrol logic subsystem14.
• Referring also toFIG. 3, a diagrammatic view of high-volume ingredient subsystem16 and plumbing/control subsystem20 are shown. High-volume ingredient subsystem16 may include containers for housing consumables that are used at a rapid rate when makingbeverage28. For example, high-volume ingredient subsystem16 may includecarbon dioxide supply150,water supply152, and high fructosecorn syrup supply154. The high-volume ingredients, in some embodiments, are located within close proximity to the other subsystems. An example ofcarbon dioxide supply150 may include, but is not limited to, a tank (not shown) of compressed, gaseous carbon dioxide. An example ofwater supply152 may include but is not limited to a municipal water supply (not shown), a distilled water supply, a filtered water supply, a reverse-osmosis (“RO”) water supply or other desired water supply. An example of high fructosecorn syrup supply154 may include, but is not limited to, one or more tank(s) (not shown) of highly-concentrated, high fructose corn syrup, or one or more bag-in-box packages of high-fructose corn syrup.
• High-volume ingredient subsystem16 may include acarbonator156 for generating carbonated water from carbon dioxide gas (provided by carbon dioxide supply150) and water (provided by water supply152).Carbonated water158,water160 and highfructose corn syrup162 may be provided to cold plate assembly163 (for example, in embodiments where a product is being dispensed in which it may be desired to be cooled. In some embodiments, the cold plate assembly is not included as part of the dispensing systems or may be bi-passed). Cold plate assembly163 may be designed to chillcarbonated water158,water160, and highfructose corn syrup162 down to a desired serving temperature (e.g. 40° F.).
• While a single cold plate163 is shown to chillcarbonated water158,water160, and highfructose corn syrup162, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example, an individual cold plate may be used to chill each ofcarbonated water158,water160 and highfructose corn syrup162. Once chilled, chilledcarbonated water164,chilled water166, and chilled highfructose corn syrup168 may be provided to plumbing/control subsystem20. And in still other embodiments, a cold plate may not be included. In some embodiments, at least one hot plate may be included.
• Although the plumbing is depicted as having the order shown, in some embodiments, this order is not used. For example, the flow control modules described herein may be configured in a different order, i.e., flow measuring device, binary valve and then variable line impedance.
• For descriptive purposes, the system will be described below with reference to using the system to dispense soft drinks as a product, i.e., the macroingredients/high-volume ingredients described will include high-fructose corn syrup, carbonated water and water. However, in other embodiments of the dispensing system, the macroingredients themselves, and the number of macroingredients, may vary.
• For illustrative purposes, plumbing/control subsystem20 is shown to include threeflow control modules170,172,174.Flow control modules170,172,174 may generally control the volume and/or flow rate of high-volume ingredients.Flow control modules170,172,174 may each include a flow measuring device (e.g., flow measuringdevices176,178,180), which measure the volume of chilledcarbonated water164,chilled water166 and chilled high fructose corn syrup168 (respectively). Flow measuringdevices176,178,180 may providefeedback signals182,184,186 (respectively) tofeedback controller systems188,190,192 (respectively).
• Feedback controller systems188,190,192 (which will be discussed below in greater detail) may compare flow feedback signals182,184,186 to the desired flow volume (as defined for each of chilledcarbonated water164,chilled water166, and chilled highfructose corn syrup168; respectively). Upon processing flow feedback signals182,184,186,feedback controller systems188,190,192 (respectively) may generate flow control signals194,196,198 (respectively) that may be provided to variable line impedances200,202,204 (respectively). Examples of variable line impedances200,202,204 are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,683 and U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2007/0085049, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Variable line impedances200,202,204 may regulate the flow of chilledcarbonated water164,chilled water166 and chilled highfructose corn syrup168 passing throughlines218,220,222 (respectively), which are provided tonozzle24 and (subsequently)container30. However, additional embodiments of the variable line impedances are described herein.
• Lines218,220,222 may additionally includebinary valves212,214,216 (respectively) for preventing the flow of fluid throughlines218,220,222 during times when fluid flow is not desired/required (e.g. during shipping, maintenance procedures, and downtime). In one embodiment,binary valves212,214,216 may include solenoid operated binary valves. However, in other embodiments, the binary valves may be any binary valve known in the art, including, but not limited to a binary valve actuated by any means. Additionally,binary valves212,214,216 may be configured to prevent the flow of fluid throughlines218,220,222 whenever processingsystem10 is not dispensing a product. Further, the functionality ofbinary valves212,214,216 may be accomplished via variable line impedances200,202,204 by fully closing variable line impedances200,202,204, thus preventing the flow of fluid throughlines218,220,222.
• As discussed above,FIG. 3 merely provides an illustrative view of plumbing/control subsystem20. Accordingly, the manner in which plumbing/control subsystem20 is illustrated is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example, some or all of the functionality offeedback controller systems182,184,186 may be incorporated intocontrol logic subsystem14. Also, with respect to theflow control modules170,172,174, the sequential configuration of the components are shown inFIG. 3 for illustration purposes only. Thus, the sequential configuration shown serves merely as an exemplary embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the components may be arranged in a different sequence.
• Referring also toFIG. 4, a diagrammatic top-view ofmicroingredient subsystem18 and plumbing/control subsystem20 is shown.Microingredient subsystem18 may includeproduct module assembly250, which may be configured to releasably engage one ormore product containers252,254,256,258, which may be configured to hold microingredients for use when makingproduct28. The microingredients are substrates that are used in making the product Examples of such micro ingredients/substrates may include but are not limited to a first portion of a soft drink flavoring, a second portion of a soft drink flavoring, coffee flavoring, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and may be fluids, powders or solids. However for illustrative purposes, the description below refers to microingredients that are fluids. In some embodiments, where the microingredients are powders or solids. Where a microingredient is a powder, the system may include an additional subsystem for metering the powder and/or reconstituting the powder (although, as described in examples below, where the microingredient is a powder, the powder may be reconstituted as part of the methods of mixing the product, i.e., the software manifold).
• Product module assembly250 may include a plurality ofslot assemblies260,262,264,266 configured to releasably engage plurality ofproduct containers252,254,256,258. In this particular example,product module assembly250 is shown to include four slot assemblies (namelyslots260,262,264,266) and, therefore, may be referred to as a quad product module assembly. When positioning one or more ofproduct containers252,254,256,258 withinproduct module assembly250, a product container (e.g. product container254) may be slid into a slot assembly (e.g. slot assembly262) in the direction ofarrow268. Although as shown herein, in the exemplary embodiment, a “quad product module” assembly is described, in other embodiments, more or less product may be contained within a module assembly. Depending on the product being dispensed by the dispensing system, the numbers of product containers may vary. Thus, the numbers of product contained within any module assembly may be application specific, and may be selected to satisfy any desired characteristic of the system, including, but not limited to, efficiency, necessity and/or function of the system.
• For illustrative purposes, each slot assembly ofproduct module assembly250 is shown to include a pump assembly. For example,slot assembly252 is shown to includepump assembly270;slot assembly262 is shown to includepump assembly272;slot assembly264 is shown to includepump assembly274; andslot assembly266 is shown to includepump assembly276.
• An inlet port, coupled to each ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276, may releasably engage a product orifice included within the product container. For example,pump assembly272 is shown to includeinlet port278 that is configured to releasably engagecontainer orifice280 included within product container254.Inlet port278 and/orproduct orifice280 may include one or more sealing assemblies (not shown), for example, one or more o-rings or a luer fitting, to facilitate a leak-proof seal. The inlet port (e.g., inlet port278) coupled to each pump assembly may be constructed of a rigid “pipe-like” material or may be constructed from a flexible “tubing-like” material.
• An example of one or more ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276 may include, but is not limited to, a solenoid piston pump assembly that provides a calibratedly expected volume of fluid each time that one or more ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276 are energized. In one embodiment, such pumps are available from ULKA Costruzioni Elettromeccaniche S.p.A. of Pavia, Italy. For example, each time a pump assembly (e.g. pump assembly274) is energized bycontrol logic subsystem14 viadata bus38, the pump assembly may provide approximately 30 μL of the fluid microingredient included within product container256 (however, the volume of flavoring provided may vary calibratedly). Again, for illustrative purposes only, the microingredients are fluids in this section of the description. The term “calibratedly” refers to volumetric, or other information and/or characteristics, that may be ascertained via calibration of the pump assembly and/or individual pumps thereof.
• Other examples ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276 and various pumping techniques are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,161; U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,482; U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,162; U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,515; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,357, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In some embodiments, the pump assembly may be a membrane pump as shown inFIGS. 54-55. In some embodiments, the pump assembly may be any of the pump assemblies and may use any of the pump techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,823 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• The above-cited references describe non-limiting examples of pneumatically actuated membrane-based pumps that may be used to pump fluids. A pump assembly based on a pneumatically actuated membrane may be advantageous, for one or more reasons, including but not limited to, ability to deliver quantities, for example, microliter quantities of fluids of various compositions reliably and precisely over a large number of duty cycles; and/or because the pneumatically actuated pump may require less electrical power because it may use pneumatic power, for example, from a carbon dioxide source. Additionally, a membrane-based pump may not require a dynamic seal, in which the surface moves with respect to the seal. Vibratory pumps such as those manufactured by ULKA generally require the use of dynamic elastomeric seals, which may fail over time for example, after exposure to certain types of fluids and/or wear. In some embodiments, pneumatically-actuated membrane-based pumps may be more reliable, cost effective and easier to calibrate than other pumps. They may also produce less noise, generate less heat and consume less power than other pumps. A non-limiting example of a membrane-based pump is shown inFIG. 54.
• The various embodiments of the membrane-basedpump assembly2900, shown inFIGS. 54-55, include a cavity, which inFIG. 54 is2942, which may also be referred to as a pumping chamber, and inFIG. 55 is2944, which may also be referred to as a control fluid chamber. The cavity includes adiaphragm2940 which separates the cavity into the two chambers, the pumping chamber2942 and thevolume chamber2944.
• Referring now toFIG. 54, a diagrammatic depiction of an exemplary membrane-basedpump assembly2900 is shown. In this embodiment, the membrane-basedpump assembly2900 includes membrane ordiaphragm2940, pumping chamber2942, control fluid chamber2944 (best seen inFIG. 55), a three-port switching valve2910 andcheck valves2920 and2930. In some embodiments, the volume of pumping chamber2942 may be in the range of approximately 20 microliters to approximately 500 microliters. In an exemplary embodiment, the volume of pumping chamber2942 may be in the range of approximately 30 microliters to approximately 250 microliters. In other exemplary embodiments, the volume of pumping chamber2942 may be in the range of approximately 40 microliters to approximately 100 microliters.
• Switching valve2910 may be operated to placepump control channel2958 either in fluid communication with switchingvalve fluid channel2954, or switchingvalve fluid channel2956. In a non-limiting embodiment, switchingvalve2910 may be an electromagnetically operated solenoid valve, operating on electrical signal inputs viacontrol lines2912. In other non-limiting embodiments, switchingvalve2910 may be a pneumatic or hydraulic membrane-based valve, operating on pneumatic or hydraulic signal inputs. In yet other embodiments, switchingvalve2910 may be a fluidically, pneumatically, mechanically or electromagnetically actuated piston within a cylinder. More generally, any other type of valve may be contemplated for use inpump assembly2900, with preference that the valve is capable of switching fluid communication withpump control channel2958 between switchingvalve fluid channel2954 and switchingvalve fluid channel2956.
• In some embodiments, switchingvalve fluid channel2954 is ported to a source of positive fluid pressure (which can be pneumatic or hydraulic). The amount of fluid pressure required may depend on one or more factors, including, but not limited to, the tensile strength and elasticity ofdiaphragm2940, the density and/or viscosity of the fluid being pumped, the degree of solubility of dissolved solids in the fluid, and/or the length and size of the fluid channels and ports withinpump assembly2900. In various embodiments, the fluid pressure source may be in the range of approximately 15 psi to approximately 250 psi. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid pressure source may be in the range of approximately 60 psi to approximately 100 psi. In another exemplary embodiment, the fluid pressure source may be in the range of approximately 70 psi to approximately 80 psi. As discussed above, some embodiments of the dispensing system may product carbonated beverages and thus, may use, as an ingredient, carbonated water. In these embodiments, the gas pressure of CO2 used to generate carbonated beverages is often approximately 75 psi, the same source of gas pressure may also be regulated lower and used in some embodiments to drive a membrane-based pump for pumping small quantities of fluids in a beverage dispenser.
• In response to the appropriate signal provided viacontrol lines2912,valve2910 may place switchingvalve fluid channel2954 into fluid communication withpump control channel2958. Positive fluid pressure can thus be transmitted todiaphragm2940, which in turn can force fluid in pumping chamber2942 out throughpump outlet channel2950.Check valve2930 ensures that the pumped fluid is prevented from flowing out of pumping chamber2942 throughinlet channel2952.
• Switching valve2910 viacontrol lines2912 may place thepump control channel2958 into fluid communication with switchingvalve fluid channel2956, which may cause thediaphragm2940 to reach the wall of the pumping chamber2942 (as shown inFIG. 54). In an embodiment, switchingvalve fluid channel2956 may be ported to a vacuum source, which when placed in fluid communication withpump control channel2958, may causediaphragm2940 to retract, reducing the volume ofpump control chamber2944, and increasing the volume of pumping chamber2942. Retraction ofdiaphragm2940 causes fluid to be pulled into pumping chamber2942 viapump inlet channel2952.Check valve2920 prevents reverse flow of pumped fluid back into pumping chamber2942 viaoutlet channel2950.
• In an embodiment,diaphragm2940 may be constructed of semi-rigid spring-like material, imparting on the diaphragm a tendency to maintain a curved or spheroidal shape, and acting as a cup-shaped diaphragm type spring. For example,diaphragm2940 may be constructed or stamped at least partially from a thin sheet of metal, the metal that may be used includes but is not limited to high carbon spring steel, nickel-silver, high-nickel alloys, stainless steel, titanium alloys, beryllium copper, and the like.Pump assembly2900 may be constructed so that the convex surface ofdiaphragm2940 faces thepump control chamber2944 and/or thepump control channel2958. Thus,diaphragm2940 may have a natural tendency to retract after it is pressed against the surface of pumping chamber2942. In this circumstance, switchingvalve fluid channel2956 can be ported to ambient (atmospheric) pressure, allowing diaphragm2940 to automatically retract and draw fluid into pumping chamber2942 viapump inlet channel2952. In some embodiments the concave portion of the spring-like diaphragm defines a volume equal to, or substantially/approximately equal to the volume of fluid to be delivered with each pump stroke. This has the advantage of eliminating the need for constructing a pumping chamber having a defined volume, the exact dimensions of which may be difficult and/or expensive to manufacture within acceptable tolerances. In this embodiment, the pump control chamber is shaped to accommodate the convex side of the diaphragm at rest, and the geometry of the opposing surface may be any geometry, i.e., may not be relevant to performance.
• In an embodiment, the volume delivered by a membrane pump may be performed in an ‘open-loop’ manner, without the provision of a mechanism to sense and verify the delivery of an expected volume of fluid with each stroke of the pump. In another embodiment, the volume of fluid pumped through the pump chamber during a stroke of the membrane can be measured using a Fluid Management System (“FMS”) technique, described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,161; 4,826,482; 4,976,162; 5,088,515; and 5,350,357, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Briefly, FMS measurement is used to detect the volume of fluid delivered with each stroke of the membrane-based pump. A small fixed reference air chamber is located outside of the pump assembly, or example in a pneumatic manifold (not shown). A valve isolates the reference chamber and a second pressure sensor. The stroke volume of the pump may be precisely computed by charging the reference chamber with air, measuring the pressure, and then opening the valve to the pumping chamber. The volume of air on the chamber side may be computed based on the fixed volume of the reference chamber and the change in pressure when the reference chamber was connected to the pump chamber.
• Product module assembly250 may be configured to releasably engagebracket assembly282.Bracket assembly282 may be a portion of (and rigidly fixed within) processingsystem10. Although referred to herein as a “bracket assembly”, the assembly may vary in other embodiments. The bracket assembly serves to secure theproduct module assembly282 in a desired location. An example ofbracket assembly282 may include but is not limited to a shelf withinprocessing system10 that is configured to releasably engageproduct module250. For example,product module250 may include an engagement device (e.g. a clip assembly, a slot assembly, a latch assembly, a pin assembly; not shown) that is configured to releasably engage a complementary device that is incorporated intobracket assembly282.
• Plumbing/control subsystem20 may includemanifold assembly284 that may be rigidly affixed tobracket assembly282.Manifold assembly284 may be configured to include a plurality ofinlet ports286,288,290,292 that are configured to releasably engage a pump orifice (e.g. pumporifices294,296,298,300) incorporated into each ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276. When positioningproduct module250 onbracket assembly282,product module250 may be moved in the direction of thearrow302, thus allowing forinlet ports286,288,290,292 to releasably engagepump orifices294,296,298,300 (respectively).Inlet ports286,288,290,292 and/or pumporifices294,296,298,300 may include one or more o-ring or other sealing assemblies as described above (not shown) to facilitate a leak-proof seal. The inlet ports (e.g.,inlet ports286,288,290,292) included withinmanifold assembly284 may be constructed of a rigid “pipe-like” material or may be constructed from a flexible “tubing-like” material.
• Manifold assembly284 may be configured to engagetubing bundle304, which may be plumbed (either directly or indirectly) tonozzle24. As discussed above, high-volume ingredient subsystem16 also provides fluids in the form of, in at least one embodiment, chilledcarbonated water164,chilled water166 and/or chilled high fructose corn syrup168 (either directly or indirectly) tonozzle24. Accordingly, ascontrol logic subsystem14 may regulate (in this particular example) the specific quantities of the various high-volume ingredients e.g. chilledcarbonated water164,chilled water166, chilled highfructose corn syrup168 and the quantities of the various micro ingredients (e.g. a first substrate (i.e., flavoring, a second substrate (i.e., a nutraceutical, and a third substrate (i.e., a pharmaceutical),control logic subsystem14 may accurately control the makeup ofproduct28.
• As discussed above, one or more ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276 may be a solenoid piston pump assembly that provides a defined and consistent amount of fluid each time that one or more ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276 are energized by control logic subsystem14 (via data bus38). Further and as discussed above,control logic subsystem14 may execute one ormore control processes120 that may control the operation ofprocessing system10. An example of such a control process may include a drive signal generation process (not shown) for generating a drive signal that may be provided fromcontrol logic subsystem14 to pumpassemblies270,272,274,276 viadata bus38. One exemplary methodology for generating the above-described drive signal is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/851,344, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A DRIVE SIGNAL, which was filed on 6 Sep. 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• AlthoughFIG. 4 depicts onenozzle24, in various other embodiments, more than onenozzle24 may be included. In some embodiments, more than onecontainer30 may receive product dispensed from the system, for example, via more than one set tubing bundles. Thus, in some embodiments, the dispensing system may be configured such that one or more users may request one or more products to be dispensed concurrently.
• Capacitance-basedflow sensors306,308,310,312 may be utilized to sense flow of the above-described microingredients through each ofpump assemblies270,272,274,276.
• Referring also toFIG. 5A (side view) andFIG. 5B (top view), a detailed view of exemplary capacitance-basedflow sensor308 is shown. Capacitance-basedflow sensor308 may includefirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312.Second capacitive plate312 may be configured to be movable with respect tofirst capacitive plate310. For example,first capacitive plate310 may be rigidly affixed to a structure withinprocessing system10. Further, capacitance-basedflow sensor308 may also be rigidly affixed to a structure withinprocessing system10. However,second capacitive plate312 may be configured to be movable with respect to first capacitive plate310 (and capacitance-based flow sensor308) through the use ofdiaphragm assembly314.Diaphragm assembly314 may be configured to allow for the displacement ofsecond capacitive plate312 in the direction ofarrow316.Diaphragm assembly314 may be constructed of various materials that allow for displacement in the direction ofarrow316. For example,diaphragm assembly314 may be constructed out of a stainless steel foil with a PET (i.e., Polyethylene Terephthalate) coating to prevent corrosion of the stainless steel foil. Alternatively,diaphragm assembly314 may be constructed of a titanium foil. Further still,diaphragm assembly314 may be constructed of an injection molded plastic in which one surface of the injection molded plastic diaphragm assembly is metallized to formsecond capacitive plate312.
• As discussed above, each time a pump assembly (e.g. pump assembly272) is energized bycontrol logic subsystem14 viadata bus38, the pump assembly may provide a calibrated volume of fluid, for example 30-33 μL, of the appropriate microingredient included within e.g., product container254. Accordingly,control logic subsystem14 may control the flow rate of the microingredients by controlling the rate at which the appropriate pump assembly is energized. An exemplary rate of energizing a pump assembly is between 3 Hz (i.e. three times per second) to 30 Hz (i.e. 30 times per second).
• Accordingly, whenpump assembly272 is energized, a suction is created (withinchamber318 of capacitance-based flow sensor308) that effectuates drawing of the appropriate microingredient (e.g. a substrate) from e.g. product container254. Therefore, uponpump assembly272 being energized and creating a suction withinchamber318,second capacitive plate312 may be displaced downward (with respect toFIG. 5A), thus increasing distance “d” (i.e. the distance between firstcapacitive plate310 and second capacitive plate312).
• Referring also toFIG. 5C and as is known in the art, the capacitance (C) of a capacitor is determined according to the following equation:$C=\frac{\varepsilon A}{d}$
• wherein “∈” is the permittivity of the dielectric material positioned between firstcapacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312; “A” is the area of the capacitive plates; and “d” is the distance between firstcapacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312. As “d” is positioned in the denominator of the above-described equation, any increase in “d” results in a corresponding decrease in “C” (i.e. the capacitance of the capacitor).
• Continuing with the above-stated example and referring also toFIG. 5D, assume that whenpump assembly272 is not energized, the capacitor formed byfirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312 has a value of 5.00 pF. Further assume that whenpump assembly272 is energized at time T=1, a suction is created withinchamber316 that is sufficient to displacesecond capacitive plate312 downward a distance sufficient to result in a 20% reduction in the capacitance of the capacitor formed byfirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312. Accordingly, the new value of the capacitor formed byfirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312 may be 4.00 pF. An illustrative example of asecond capacitive plate312 being displaced downward during the above-described pumping sequence is shown inFIG. 5E.
• As the appropriate microingredient is drawn from product container254, the suction withinchamber318 may be reduced andsecond capacitive plate312 may be displaced upward to its original position (as shown inFIG. 5A). Assecond capacitive plate312 is displaced upward, the distance between secondcapacitive plate312 andfirst capacitive plate310 may be reduced back to its initial value. Accordingly, the capacitance of the capacitor formed byfirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312 may once again be 5.00 pF. Whensecond capacitive plate312 is moving upward and returning to its initial position, the momentum ofsecond capacitive plate312 may result insecond capacitive plate312 overshooting its initial position and momentarily being positioned closer tofirst capacitive plate310 then during the initial position of the second capacitive plate312 (as shown inFIG. 5A). Accordingly, the capacitance of the capacitor formed by firstinductive plate310 and secondinductive plate312 may momentarily increase above its initial value of 5.00 pF and shortly thereafter stabilize at 5.00 pF.
• The above-described varying of the capacitance value of between (in this example) 5.00 pF and 4.00 pF whilepump assembly272 is repeatedly cycled on and off may continue until e.g. product container254 is empty. Assume for illustrative purposes that product container254 is emptied at time T=5. At this point in time,second capacitive plate312 may not return to its original position (as shown inFIG. 5A). Further, aspump assembly272 continues to be cycled,second capacitive plate312 may continue to be drawn downward untilsecond capacitive plate312 can no longer be displaced (as shown inFIG. 5F). At this point in time, due to the increase in distance “d” over and above that illustrated inFIG. 5A andFIG. 5E, the capacitance value of the capacitor formed byfirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312 may be minimized tominimum capacitance value320. The actual value ofminimum capacitance value320 may vary depending upon the flexibility ofdiaphragm assembly314.
• Accordingly, by monitoring the variations in the capacitance value (e.g., absolute variations or peak-to-peak variations) of the capacitor formed byfirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312, the proper operation ofe.g. pump assembly272 may be verified. For example, if the above-described capacitance value cyclically varies between 5.00 pF and 4.00 pF, this variation in capacitance may be indicative of the proper operation ofpump assembly272 and a nonempty product container254. However, in the event that the above-described capacitance value does not vary (e.g. remains at 5.00 pF), this may be indicative of a failed pump assembly272 (e.g., a pump assembly that includes failed mechanical components and/or failed electrical components) or a blockednozzle24.
• Further, in the event that the above-described capacitance value decreases to a point below 4.00 pF (e.g. to minimum capacitance value320), this may be indicative of product container254 being empty. Additionally still, in the event that the peak-to-peak variation is less than expected (e.g., less than the above-described 1.00 pF variation), this may be indicative of a leak between product container254 and capacitance-basedflow sensor308.
• To determine the capacitance value of the capacitor formed byfirst capacitive plate310 andsecond capacitive plate312, a signal may be provided (viaconductors322,324) tocapacitance measurement system326. The output ofcapacitance measurement system326 may be provided to controllogic subsystem14. An example ofcapacitance measurement system326 may include the CY8C21434-24LFXI PSOC offered by Cypress Semiconductor of San Jose, Calif., the design and operation of which are described within the “CSD User Module” published by Cypress Semiconductor, which is incorporated herein by reference.Capacitance measurement circuit326 may be configured to provide compensation for environmental factors (e.g., temperature, humidity, and power supply voltage change).
• Capacitance measurement system326 may be configured to take capacitance measurements (with respect to the capacitor formed withfirst capacitive plate310 and second capacitive plate312) over a defined period of time to determine if the above-described variations in capacitance are occurring. For example,capacitance measurement system326 may be configured to monitor changes in the above-described capacitance value that occur over the time frame of 0.50 seconds. Accordingly and in this particular example, as long aspump assembly272 is being energized at a minimum rate of 2.00 Hz (i.e., at least once every 0.50 seconds), at least one of the above-described capacitance variations should be sensed bycapacitance measurement system326 during each 0.50 second measurement cycle.
• Referring also toFIG. 6A, a diagrammatic view of plumbing/control subsystem20 is shown. While the plumbing/control subsystem described below concerns the plumbing/control system used to control the quantity of chilledcarbonated water164 being added toproduct28, viaflow control module170, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are also possible. For example, the plumbing/control subsystem described below may also be used to control e.g., the quantity of chilled water166 (e.g., via flow control module172) and/or chilled high fructose corn syrup168 (e.g., via flow control module174) being added toproduct28.
• As discussed above, plumbing/control subsystem20 may includefeedback controller system188 that receives flow feedback signal182 fromflow measuring device176.Feedback controller system188 may compare flowfeedback signal182 to the desired flow volume (as defined bycontrol logic subsystem14 via data bus38). Upon processingflow feedback signal182,feedback controller system188 may generateflow control signal194 that may be provided tovariable line impedance200.
• Feedback controller system188 may includetrajectory shaping controller350,flow regulator352, feedforward controller354, unit delay356,saturation controller358, andstepper controller360, each of which will be discussed below in greater detail.
• Trajectory shaping controller350 may be configured to receive a control signal fromcontrol logic subsystem14 viadata bus38. This control signal may define a trajectory for the manner in which plumbing/control subsystem20 is supposed to deliver fluid (in the case, chilledcarbonated water164 via flow control module170) for use inproduct28. However, the trajectory provided bycontrol logic subsystem14 may need to be modified prior to being processed by e.g.,flow controller352. For example, control systems tend to have a difficult time processing control curves that are made up of a plurality of line segments (i.e., that include step changes). For example,flow regulator352 may have difficultyprocessing control curve370, as it consists of three distinct linear segments, namelysegments372,374,376. Accordingly, at the transition points (e.g.,transition points378,380),flow controller352 specifically (and plumbing/control subsystem20 generally) would be required to instantaneously change from a first flow rate to a second flow rate. Therefore,trajectory shaping controller350 may filtercontrol curve30 to form smoothedcontrol curve382 that is more easily processed byflow controller352 specifically (and plumbing/control subsystem20 generally), as an instantaneous transition from a first flow rate to a second flow rate is no longer required.
• Additionally,trajectory shaping controller350 may allow for the pre-fill wetting and post-fill rinsing ofnozzle24. In some embodiments, and/or for some recipes, one or more ingredients may present problems to thenozzle24 if the ingredient (referred to herein as “dirty ingredient”) contacts thenozzle24 directly, i.e., in the form in which it is stored. In some embodiments, thenozzle24 may be pre-fill wetted with a “pre-fill” ingredient, for example, water, so as to prevent the direct contact of these “dirty ingredients” with thenozzle24. Thenozzle24 may following, be post-fill rinsed with a “post-wash ingredient”, for example, water.
• Specifically, in the event thatnozzle24 is pre-fill wetted with, for example, 10 mL of water, and/or post-fill rinsed with, for example, 10 mL of water or any “post-wash” ingredient, once the adding of the dirty ingredient has stopped,trajectory shaping controller350 may offset the pre-wash ingredient added during the pre-fill wetting and/or post-fill rinsing by providing an additional quantity of dirty ingredient during the fill process. Specifically, ascontainer30 is being filled withproduct28, the pre-fill rinse water or “pre-wash” may result inproduct28 being initially under-concentrated with a the dirty ingredient,Trajectory shaping controller350 may then add dirty ingredient at a higher-than-needed flow rate, resulting inproduct28 transitioning from “under-concentrated” to “appropriately concentrated” to “over-concentrated”, or present in a concentration higher than that which is called for by the particular recipe. However, once the appropriate amount of dirty ingredient has been added, the post-fill rinse process may add additional water, or another appropriate “post-wash ingredient”, resulting inproduct28 once again becoming “appropriately-concentrated” with the dirty ingredient.
• Flow controller352 may be configured as a proportional-integral (PI) loop controller.Flow controller352 may perform the comparison and processing that was generally described above as being performed byfeedback controller system188. For example,flow controller352 may be configured to receive feedback signal182 fromflow measuring device176.Flow controller352 may compare flowfeedback signal182 to the desired flow volume (as defined bycontrol logic subsystem14 and modified by trajectory shaping controller350). Upon processingflow feedback signal182,flow controller352 may generateflow control signal194 that may be provided tovariable line impedance200.
• Feedforward controller354 may provide a “best guess” estimate concerning what the initial position ofvariable line impedance200 should be. Specifically, assume that at a defined constant pressure, variable line impedance has a flow rate (for chilled carbonated water164) of between 0.00 mL/second and 120.00 mL/second. Further, assume that a flow rate of 40 mL/second is desired when fillingcontainer30 with abeverage product28. Accordingly, feedforward controller354 may provide a feed forward signal (on feed forward line384) that initially opensvariable line impedance200 to 33.33% of its maximum opening (assuming thatvariable line impedance200 operates in a linear fashion).
• When determining the value of the feed forward signal, feedforward controller354 may utilize a lookup table (not shown) that may be developed empirically and may define the signal to be provided for various initial flow rates. An example of such a lookup table may include, but is not limited to, the following table:

  	Signal to stepper
  Flowrate mL/second	controller

  0	pulse to 0degrees
  20	pulse to 30 degrees
  40	pulse to 60 degrees
  60	pulse to 150degrees
  80	pulse to 240degrees
  100	pulse to 270degrees
  120	pulse to 300 degrees

• Again, assuming that a flow rate of 40 mL/second is desired when fillingcontainer30 withbeverage product28, for example, feedforward controller354 may utilize the above-described lookup table and may pulse the stepper motor to 60.0 degrees (using feed forward line384). Although in the exemplary embodiment a stepper motor is used, in various other embodiments, any other type of motor may be used including but not limited to a servo motor.
• Unit delay356 may form a feedback path through which a previous version of the control signal (provided to variable line impedance200) is provided to flowcontroller352.
• Saturation controller358 may be configured to disable the integral control of feedback controller system188 (which, as discussed above, may be configured as a PI loop controller) whenevervariable line impedance200 is set to a maximum flow rate (by stepper controller360), thus increasing the stability of the system by reducing flow rate overshoots and system oscillations.
• Stepper controller360 may be configured to convert the signal provided by saturation controller358 (on line386) into a signal usable byvariable line impedance200.Variable line impedance200 may include a stepper motor for adjusting the orifice size (and, therefore, the flow rate) ofvariable line impedance200. Accordingly,control signal194 may be configured to control the stepper motor included within variable line impedance.
• Referring also toFIG. 6B, an example offlow measuring devices176,178,180 offlow control modules170,172,174, respectively, may include but is not limited to a paddle wheel flow measuring device, a turbine-type flow measuring device, or a positive displacement flow measuring device (e.g., gear-based, positive displacement flow measuring device388). Thus, in various embodiments, the flow measuring device may be any device capable of measuring flow, either directly or indirectly. In the exemplary embodiment, a gear-based, positive displacement,flow measuring device388 is used. In this embodiment, theflow measuring device388 may include a plurality of meshing gears (e.g., gears390,392) that e.g., may require that any content passing through gear-based, positive displacementflow measuring device388 follow one or more defined pathways (e.g.,pathways394,396), resulting in e.g., the counterclockwise rotation ofgear390 and the clockwise rotation ofgear392. By monitoring the rotation ofgears390,392, a feedback signal (e.g., feedback signal182) may be generated and provided to the appropriate flow controller (e.g., flow controller352).
• Referring also toFIGS. 7-14, various illustrative embodiments of a flow control module (e.g., flow control module170) are shown. However, as discussed above, the order of the various assemblies may vary in various embodiments, i.e., the assemblies may be arranged in any order desired. For example, in some embodiments the assemblies are arranged in the following order: flow measuring device, binary valve, variable impedance; while in other embodiments, the assemblies are arranged in the following order: flow measuring device, variable impedance, binary valve. In some embodiments, it may be desired to vary the order of the assemblies to either maintain pressure and fluid on the variable impedance or vary the pressure on the variable impedance. In some embodiments, the variable impedance valve may include a lip seal. In these embodiments, it may be desirable to maintain pressure and fluid on the lip seal. this may be accomplished by ordering the assemblies as follows: flow measuring device, variable impedance, and binary valve. The binary valve being downstream from the variable line impedance maintains pressure and liquid on the variable impedance such that the lip seal maintains a desirable seal.
• Referring first toFIGS. 7A and 7B, one embodiment of theflow control module170ais shown. In some embodiments, theflow control module170amay generally includeflow meter176a,variable line impedance200aandbinary valve212a, and may have a generally linear fluid flow path there-through.Flow meter176amay includefluid inlet400 for receiving a high-volume ingredient from high-volume ingredient subsystem16.Fluid inlet400 may communicate the high-volume ingredient to a gear-based, positive displacement, flow measuring device (e.g., gear-based,positive displacement device388 generally described above), including a plurality of intermeshing gears (e.g., including gear390) disposed withinhousing402. The high-volume ingredient may pass fromflow meter176ato abinary valve212aviafluid passage404.
• Binary valve212amay includebanjo valve406 actuated bysolenoid408.Banjo valve406 may be biased (e.g., by a spring, not shown) to positionbanjo valve406 toward a closed position, thereby preventing the flow of the high-volume ingredient throughflow control module170a.Solenoid coil408 may be energized (e.g., in response to a control signal from control logic subsystem14), to linearly driveplunger410, vialinkage412, to movebanjo valve406 out of sealing engagement withvalve seat414, thereby openingbinary valve212ato permitting flow of the high-volume ingredient tovariable line impedance200a.
• As mentioned above,variable line impedance200amay regulate the flow of the high-volume ingredients.Variable line impedance200amay include drivemotor416, which may include, but is not limited to a stepper motor, or a servo motor.Drive motor416 may be coupled tovariable impedance valve418, generally. As mentioned above,variable impedance valve418 may control the flow of the high-volume ingredients, e.g., passing frombinary valve212aviafluid passage420, and exiting fromfluid discharge422. Examples ofvariable impedance valve418 are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,683 and U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2007/0085049, both are which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. While not shown, a gearbox may be coupled betweendrive motor416 andvariable impedance valve418.
• Referring also toFIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of a flow control module (e.g.,flow control module170b) is shown, generally includingflow meter176b,binary valve212b, andvariable line impedance200b. Similar to flowcontrol module170a,flow control module170bmay includefluid inlet400, which may communicate the high-volume ingredient to flowmeter176b.Flow meter176bmay include meshinggears390,392 disposed with incavity424, e.g., which may be formed withinhousing member402. Meshing gears390,392 andcavity424 may define flow pathways about the perimeter ofcavity424. The high-volume ingredient may pass fromflow meter176btobinary valve212bviafluid passage404. As shown,fluid inlet400 andfluid passage404 may provide for a 90 degree flow path in to, and out of,flow meter176b(i.e., into and out of cavity424).
• Binary valve212bmay includebanjo valve406, urged into engagement with valve seat414 (e.g., in response to a biasing force applied byspring426 via linkage412). Whensolenoid coil408 is energized,plunger410 may be retracted towardsolenoid coil408, thereby movingbanjo valve406 out of sealing engagement withvalve seat414, thereby allowing the high-volume ingredient to flow tovariable line impedance200b. In other embodiments, thebanjo valve406 may be downstream from thevariable line impedance200b.
• Variable line impedance200bmay generally include a first rigid member (e.g., shaft428) having a first surface.Shaft428 may define a first fluid-path portion with a first terminus at the first surface. The first terminus may include a groove (e.g., groove430) defined on the first surface (e.g., of shaft428). Groove430 may taper from a large cross-sectional area to a small cross-sectional area normal to the tangent of the curve of the first surface. However, in other embodiments, theshaft428 may include a bore (i.e., a straight ball-style hole, seeFIG. 15C) rather than agroove430. A second rigid member (e.g., housing432) may have a second surface (e.g., inner bore434). The second rigid member (e.g., housing432) may define a second fluid-path portion with a second terminus at the second surface. The first and second rigid members are capable of being rotated with respect to each other from a fully open position continuously through partially open positions to a closed position. For example,shaft428 may be rotatably driven relative tohousing432 by drive motor416 (e.g., which may include, a stepper motor or a servo motor). The first and second surfaces define a space therebetween. An aperture (e.g., opening436) in the second rigid member (i.e., housing432) may provide fluid communication between the first and second fluid-path portions when the first and second rigid members are in the fully open position or in one of the partially open positions with respect to each other. Fluid flowing between the first and second fluid-path portions flows through the groove (i.e., groove430) as well as the aperture (i.e., opening436). At least one sealing means (e.g., a gasket, o-ring, or the like, not shown) in some embodiments, may be disposed between the first and second surfaces providing a seal between the first and second rigid members for preventing fluid from leaking out of the space which also prevents fluid leaking from the desired flow path. However, in the exemplary embodiment as shown, this type of sealing means is not used. Rather, in the exemplary embodiments, alip seal429 or other sealing means, is used to seal the space.
• Various connection arrangements may be included for fluidly couplingflow control modules170,172,174 to high-volume ingredient subsystem16 and/or downstream components, e.g.,nozzle24. For example, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 with respect to flowcontrol module170b, lockingplate438 may be slidingly disposed relative to guidefeature440. A fluid line (not shown) may be at least partially inserted intofluid discharge422 and lockingplate438 may be slidingly translated to lock the fluid line in engagement with fluid discharge. Various gaskets, o-rings, or the like may be employed to provide a fluid-tight connection between the fluid line andfluid discharge422.
• FIGS. 10 through 13 depict various additional embodiments of flow control modules (e.g.,flow control modules170c,170d,170e, and170f, respectively).Flow control modules170c,170d,170e,170fgenerally differ from previously describedflow control modules170a,170bin terms of fluid connections and relativevariable line impedance200 andbinary valve212 orientations. For example,flow control modules170dand170f, shown inFIGS. 11 and 13 respectively, may includebarbed fluid connections442 for communicating fluid to/fromflow meters176dand176f. Similarly,flow control module170cmay includebarbed fluid connection444 for communicating fluid to/fromvariable line impedance200c. Various additional/alternative fluid connection arrangements may be equally utilized. Similarly, various relative orientations ofsolenoid408 and configurations of spring bias forbanjo valve406 may be employed to suit various packaging arrangements and design criteria.
• Referring also toFIGS. 14A-14C, yet another embodiment of a flow control module is depicted (i.e., flow control module170g). Flow control module170gmay generally includeflow meter176g,variable line impedance200g, andbinary valve212g(e.g., which may be a solenoid actuated banjo valve, as generally described herein above). Referring toFIG. 14C, the lip seals202gmay be seen. Also,FIG. 14C shows one exemplary embodiment where the flow control module includes a cover which may provide protection to the various flow control module assemblies. Although not depicted in all embodiments shown, each of the embodiments of the flow control module may also include a cover
• It should be noted that while the flow control module (e.g.,flow control modules170,172,174) have been described as being configured such that high-volume ingredients flow from high-volume ingredient subsystem16 to the flow meter (e.g., flowmeters176,178,180), then to the variable line impedance (e.g.,variable line impedance200,202,204), and finally through the binary valve (e.g.,binary valves212,214,216), this should not be construed as a limitation on the present disclosure. For example, as shown and discussed with respect toFIGS. 7 through 14C, the flow control modules may be configured having a flow path from high-volume ingredient subsystem16, to the flow meter (e.g., flowmeters176,178,180), then to the binary valve (e.g.,binary valve212,214,216), and finally through the variable line impedance (e.g.,variable line impedance200,202,204). Various additional/alternative configurations may be equally utilized. Additionally, one or more additional components may be interconnected between one or more of the flow meter, the binary valve, and the variable line impedance.
• Referring toFIGS. 15A and 15B, a portion of a variable line impedance (e.g., variable line impedance200) is shown including drive motor416 (e.g., which may be a stepper motor, a servo motor, or the like).Drive motor416 may coupled toshaft428, havinggroove430 therein. Referring now toFIG. 15C, in some embodiments, theshaft428 includes a bore, and in the exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 15C, the bore is a ball-shaped bore. As discussed, e.g., with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, drivemotor416 may rotateshaft428 relative to a housing (e.g., housing432) to regulate flow through the variable line impedance.Magnet446 may be coupled to shaft428 (e.g., maybe at least partially disposed within axial opening inshaft428.Magnet446 may be generally diametrically magnetized, providingsouth pole450 andnorth pole452. The rotational position ofshaft428 may be determined, e.g., based upon the magnetic flux imparted bymagnet446 on one or more magnetic flux sensing devices, e.g.,sensors454,456 shown inFIG. 9. Magnetic flux sensing devices may include, but are not limited to, for example, a Hall-Effect sensor, or the like. The magnetic flux sensing device may provide a position feedback signal, e.g., to controllogic subsystem14.
• Referring again toFIG. 15C, in some embodiments, themagnet446 is located on the opposite side as the embodiment shown and described above with respect toFIGS. 8 and 9. Additionally, in this embodiment, themagnet446 is held bymagnet holder480.
• In addition/as an alternative to utilizing magnetic position sensors (e.g., for determining the rotational position of the shaft), the variable line impedance may be determined based upon, at least in part, a motor position, or an optical sensor to detect shaft position.
• Referring next toFIGS. 16A and 16B, a gear (e.g., gear390) of a gear-based, positive displacement, flow measuring device (e.g., gear-based, positive displacement, flow measuring device388) may include one or more magnets (e.g.,magnets458,460) coupled thereto. As discussed above, as a fluid (e.g., a high-volume ingredient) flows through gear-based, positive displacement,flow measuring device388, gear390 (and gear392) may rotate. The rate of rotation ofgear390 may be generally proportional to the flow rate of the fluid passing through gear-based, positive displacement,flow measuring device388. The rotation (and/or rate of rotation) ofgear390 may be measured using a magnetic flux sensor (e.g., a Hall-Effect sensor, or the like), which may measure the rotational movement ofaxial magnets458,460 coupled togear390. The magnetic flux sensor, e.g., which may be disposed on printedcircuit board462, depicted inFIG. 8, may provide a flow feedback signal (e.g., flow feedback signal182) to a flow feedback controller system (e.g., feedback controller system188)
• Referring also toFIG. 17, a diagrammatic view ofuser interface subsystem22 is shown.User interface subsystem22 may include touch screen interface500 (exemplary embodiments described below with respect toFIGS. 51-53) that allowsuser26 to select variousoptions concerning beverage28. For example, user26 (via “drink size” column502) may be able to select the size ofbeverage28. Examples of the selectable sizes may include but are not limited to: “12 ounce”; “16 ounce”; “20 ounce”; “24 ounce”; “32 ounce”; and “48 ounce”.
• User26 may be able to select (via “drink type” column504) the type ofbeverage28. Examples of the selectable types may include but are not limited to: “cola”; “lemon-lime”; “root beer”; “iced tea”; “lemonade”; and “fruit punch”.
• User26 may also be able to select (via “add-ins” column506) one or more flavorings/products for inclusion withinbeverage28. Examples of the selectable add-ins may include but are not limited to: “cherry flavor”; “lemon flavor”; “lime flavor”; “chocolate flavor”; “coffee flavor”; and “ice cream”.
• Further,user26 may be able to select (via “nutraceuticals” column508) one or more nutraceuticals for inclusion withinbeverage28. Examples of such nutraceuticals may include but are not limited to: “Vitamin A”; “Vitamin B6”; “Vitamin B12”; “Vitamin C”; “Vitamin D”; and “Zinc”.
• In some embodiments, an additional screen at a level lower than the touch screen may include a “remote control” (not shown) for the screen. The remote control may include buttons indicating up, down, left and right and select, for example. However, in other embodiments, additional buttons may be included.
• Onceuser26 has made the appropriate selections,user26 may select “GO!”button510 anduser interface subsystem22 may provide the appropriate data signals (via data bus32) to controllogic subsystem14. Once received,control logic subsystem14 may retrieve the appropriate data fromstorage subsystem12 and may provide the appropriate control signals to e.g., highvolume ingredient subsystem16,microingredient subsystem18, and plumbing/control subsystem20, which may be processed (in the manner discussed above) to preparebeverage28. Alternatively,user26 may select “Cancel”button512 andtouch screen interface500 may be reset to a default state (e.g., no buttons selected).
• User interface subsystem22 may be configured to allow for bidirectional communication withuser26. For example,user interface subsystem22 may includeinformational screen514 that allowsprocessing system10 to provide information touser26. Examples of the types of information that may be provided touser26 may include but is not limited to advertisements, information concerning system malfunctions/warnings, and information concerning the cost of various products.
• As discussed above,control logic subsystem14 may execute one ormore control processes120 that may control the operation ofprocessing system10. Accordingly,control logic subsystem14 may execute a finite state machine process (e.g., FSM process122).
• As also discussed above, during use ofprocessing system10,user26 may select aparticular beverage28 for dispensing (into container30) usinguser interface subsystem22. Viauser interface subsystem22,user26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such beverage. Onceuser26 makes the appropriate selections, viauser interface subsystem22,user interface subsystem22 may send the appropriate indication to controllogic subsystem14, indicating the selections and preferences of user26 (with respect to beverage28).
• When making a selection,user26 may select a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes that produces a multi-component product. For example,user26 may select a root beer float, which is a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct components (i.e. vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As a further example,user26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. This cola/coffee combination is essentially a combination of two separate and distinct components (i.e. cola soda and coffee).
• Referring also toFIG. 18, upon receiving550 the above-described indication,FSM process122 may process552 the indication to determine if the product to be produced (e.g., beverage28) is a multi-component product.
• If the product to be produced is amulti-component product554,FSM process122 may identify556 the recipe(s) required to produce each of the components of the multi-component product. The recipe(s) identified may be chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12, shown inFIG. 1.
• If the product to be produced is not amulti-component product554,FSM process122 may identify558 a single recipe for producing the product. The single recipe may be chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12. Accordingly, if the indication received550 and processed552 was an indication that defined a lemon-lime soda, as this is not a multi-component product,FSM process122 may identify558 the single recipe required to produce the lemon-lime soda.
• If the indication concerns amulti-component product554, upon identifying556 the appropriate recipes chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12,FSM process122 may parse560 each of the recipes into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions.FSM process122 may then define562 at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states.
• If the indication does not concern amulti-component product554, upon identifying558 the appropriate recipe chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12,FSM process122 may parse564 the recipe into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions.FSM process122 may then define566 at least one finite state machine for the recipe using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states.
• As is known in the art, a finite state machine (FSM) is a model of behavior composed of a finite number of states, transitions between those states and/or actions. For example and referring also toFIG. 19, if defining a finite state machine for a physical doorway that can either be fully opened or fully closed, the finite state machine may include two states, namely “opened”state570 and “closed”state572. Additionally, two transitions may be defined that allow for the transition from one state to another state. For example,transition state574 “opens” the door (thus transitioning from “closed”state572 to “open” state570) andtransition state576 “closes” the door (thus transitioning from “opened”state570 to “closed” state572).
• Referring also toFIG. 20, a state diagram600 concerning the manner in which coffee may be brewed is shown. State diagram600 is shown to include five states, namely:idle state602; ready to brewstate604; brewing state605; maintain temperature state608; and offstate610. Additionally, five transition states are shown. For example, transition state612 (e.g., installing coffee filter, installing coffee grounds, filling coffee machine with water) may transition fromidle state602 to ready to brewstate604. Transition state614 (e.g., pressing the brew button) may transition from ready to brewstate604 to brewingstate606. Transition state616 (e.g., exhausting the water supply) may transition from brewingstate606 to maintain temperature608. Transition state618 (e.g., turning the power switch off or exceeding a maximum “maintain temperature” time) may transition from maintain temperature state608 to offstate610. Transition state620 (e.g., turning the power switch on) may transition from offstate610 toidle state602.
• Accordingly,FSM process122 may generate one or more finite state machines that correspond to the recipes (or portions thereof) utilized to produce a product. Once the appropriate finite state machines are produced,control logic subsystem14 may execute the finite state machine(s) and generate the product (e.g., multi-component or single component) requested by e.g.,user26.
• Accordingly, assume thatprocessing system10 receives550 an indication (via user interface subsystem22) thatuser26 has selected a root beer float.FSM process122 may process552 the indication to determine if the root beer float is amulti-component product554. As the root beer float is a multi-component product,FSM process122 may identify556 the recipes required to produce the root beer float (namely the recipe for root beer soda and the recipe for vanilla ice cream) and parse560 the recipe for root beer soda and the recipe for vanilla ice cream into a plurality of discrete states and define one or more state transitions.FSM process122 may then define562 at least one finite state machine (for each recipe) using at least a portion of the plurality of discrete states. These finite state machines may subsequently be executed bycontrol logic subsystem14 to produce the root beer float selected byuser26.
• When executing the state machines corresponding to the recipes,processing system10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included withinprocessing system10. As used in this disclosure, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to allow for the execution of one or more processes. In order to facilitate the movement of ingredients into and out of the manifolds,processing system10 may include a plurality of valves (controllable by e.g., control logic subsystem14) for facilitating the transfer of ingredients between manifolds. Examples of various types of manifolds may include but are not limited to: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
• For example, when making coffee, a grinding manifold may grind coffee beans. Once the beans are ground, water may be provided to a heating manifold in whichwater160 is heated to a predefined temperature (e.g. 212° F.). Once the water is heated, the heated water (as produced by the heating manifold) may be filtered through the ground coffee beans (as produced by the grinding manifold). Additionally and depending on howprocessing system10 is configured,processing system10 may add cream and/or sugar to the coffee produced in another manifold or atnozzle24.
• Accordingly, each portion of a multi-portion recipe may be executed in a different manifold included withinprocessing system10. Therefore, each component of a multi-component recipe may be produced in a different manifold included withinprocessing system10. Continuing with the above-stated example, the first component of the multi-component product (i.e., the root beer soda) may be produced within a mixing manifold included withinprocessing system10. Further, the second component of the multi-component product (i.e., the vanilla ice cream) may be produced within a freezing manifold included withinprocessing system10.
• As discussed above,control logic subsystem14 may execute one ormore control processes120 that may control the operation ofprocessing system10. Accordingly,control logic subsystem14 may executevirtual machine process124.
• As also discussed above, during use ofprocessing system10,user26 may select aparticular beverage28 for dispensing (into container30) usinguser interface subsystem22. Viauser interface subsystem22,user26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such beverage. Onceuser26 makes the appropriate selections, viauser interface subsystem22,user interface subsystem22 may send the appropriate instructions to controllogic subsystem14.
• When making a selection,user26 may select a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes that produces a multi-component product. For example,user26 may select a root beer float, which is a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct components (i.e. vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As a further example,user26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. This cola/coffee combination is essentially a combination of two separate and distinct components (i.e. cola soda and coffee).
• Referring also toFIG. 21, upon receiving650 the above-described instructions,virtual machine process124 may process652 these instructions to determine if the product to be produced (e.g., beverage28) is a multi-component product.
• If654 the product to be produced is a multi-component product,virtual machine process124 may identify656 a first recipe for producing a first component of the multi-component product and at least a second recipe for producing at least a second component of the multi-component product. The first and second recipes may be chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12.
• If654 the product to be produced is not a multi-component product,virtual machine process124 may identify658 a single recipe for producing the product. The single recipe may be chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12. Accordingly, if the instructions received650 were instructions concerning a lemon-lime soda, as this is not a multi-component product,virtual machine process124 may identify658 the single recipe required to produce the lemon-lime soda.
• Upon identifying656,658 the recipe(s) from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12,control logic subsystem14 may execute660,662 the recipe(s) and provide the appropriate control signals (via data bus38) to e.g. highvolume ingredient subsystem16microingredient subsystem18 and plumbing/control subsystem20, resulting in the production of beverage28 (which is dispensed into container30).
• Accordingly, assume thatprocessing system10 receives instructions (via user interface subsystem22) to create a root beer float.Virtual machine process124 may process652 these instructions to determine if654 the root beer float is a multi-component product. As the root beer float is a multi-component product,virtual machine process124 may identify656 the recipes required to produce the root beer float (namely the recipe for root beer soda and the recipe for vanilla ice cream) and execute660 both recipes to produce root beer soda and vanilla ice cream (respectively). Once these products are produced,processing system10 may combine the individual products (namely root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) to produce the root beer float requested byuser26.
• When executing a recipe,processing system10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included withinprocessing system10. As used in this disclosure, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to allow for the execution of one or more processes. In order to facilitate the movement of ingredients into and out of the manifolds,processing system10 may include a plurality of valves (controllable by e.g., control logic subsystem14) for facilitating the transfer of ingredients between manifolds. Examples of various types of manifolds may include but are not limited to: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
• For example, when making coffee, a grinding manifold may grind coffee beans. Once the beans are ground, water may be provided to a heating manifold in whichwater160 is heated to a predefined temperature (e.g. 212° F.). Once the water is heated, the heated water (as produced by the heating manifold) may be filtered through the ground coffee beans (as produced by the grinding manifold). Additionally and depending on howprocessing system10 is configured,processing system10 may add cream and/or sugar to the coffee produced in another manifold or atnozzle24.
• Accordingly, each portion of a multi-portion recipe may be executed in a different manifold included withinprocessing system10. Therefore, each component of a multi-component recipe may be produced in a different manifold included withinprocessing system10. Continuing with the above-stated example, the first portion of the multi-portion recipe (i.e., the one or more processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make root beer soda) may be executed within a mixing manifold included withinprocessing system10. Further, the second portion of the multi-portion recipe (i.e., the one or more processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make vanilla ice cream) may be executed within a freezing manifold included withinprocessing system10.
• As discussed above, during use ofprocessing system10,user26 may select aparticular beverage28 for dispensing (into container30) usinguser interface subsystem22. Viauser interface subsystem22,user26 may select one or more options for inclusion within such beverage. Onceuser26 makes the appropriate selections, viauser interface subsystem22,user interface subsystem22 may send the appropriate data signals (via data bus32) to controllogic subsystem14.Control logic subsystem14 may process these data signals and may retrieve (via data bus34) one or more recipes chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12. Upon retrieving the recipe(s) fromstorage subsystem12,control logic subsystem14 may process the recipe(s) and provide the appropriate control signals (via data bus38) to e.g. highvolume ingredient subsystem16microingredient subsystem18 and plumbing/control subsystem20, resulting in the production of beverage28 (which is dispensed into container30).
• Whenuser26 makes their selection,user26 may select a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes. For example,user26 may select a root beer float, which is a multi-portion recipe that is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes (i.e. vanilla ice cream and root beer soda). As a further example,user26 may select a drink that is a combination of cola and coffee. This cola/coffee combination is essentially a combination of two separate and distinct recipes (i.e. cola soda and coffee).
• Accordingly, assume thatprocessing system10 receives instructions (via user interface subsystem22) to create a root beer float, knowing that a recipe for a root beer float is a multi-portion recipe,processing system10 may simply obtain the standalone recipe for root beer soda, obtain the standalone recipe for vanilla ice cream, and execute both recipes to produce root beer soda and vanilla ice cream (respectively). Once these products are produced,processing system10 may combine the individual products (namely root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) to produce the root beer float requested byuser26.
• When executing a recipe,processing system10 may utilize one or more manifolds (not shown) included withinprocessing system10. As used in this disclosure, a manifold is a temporary storage area designed to allow for the execution of one or more processes. In order to facilitate the movement of ingredients into and out of the manifolds,processing system10 may include a plurality of valves (controllable by e.g., control logic subsystem14) for facilitating the transfer of ingredients between manifolds. Examples of various types of manifolds may include but are not limited to: a mixing manifold, a blending manifold, a grinding manifold, a heating manifold, a cooling manifold, a freezing manifold, a steeping manifold, a nozzle, a pressure manifold, a vacuum manifold, and an agitation manifold.
• For example, when making coffee, a grinding manifold may grind coffee beans. Once the beans are ground, water may be provided to a heating manifold in whichwater160 is heated to a predefined temperature (e.g. 212° F.). Once the water is heated, the heated water (as produced by the heating manifold) may be filtered through the ground coffee beans (as produced by the grinding manifold). Additionally and depending on howprocessing system10 is configured,processing system10 may add cream and/or sugar to the coffee produced in another manifold or atnozzle24.
• As discussed above,control logic subsystem14 may execute one ormore control processes120 that may control the operation ofprocessing system10. Accordingly,control logic subsystem14 may executevirtual manifold process126.
• Referring also toFIG. 22,virtual manifold process126 may monitor680 one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on e.g.,processing system10 to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. For example, assume that the multi-portion recipe concerns the making of a root beer float, which (as discussed above) is essentially the combination of two separate and distinct recipes (i.e. root beer soda and vanilla ice cream) that may be chosen from plurality ofrecipes36 maintained onstorage subsystem12. Accordingly, the first portion of the multi-portion recipe may be considered the one or more processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make root beer soda. Further, the second portion of the multi-portion recipe may be considered the one or more processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make vanilla ice cream.
• Each portion of these multi-portion recipes may be executed in a different manifold included withinprocessing system10. For example, the first portion of the multi-portion recipe (i.e., the one or more processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make root beer soda) may be executed within a mixing manifold included withinprocessing system10. Further, the second portion of the multi-portion recipe (i.e., the one or more processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make vanilla ice cream) may be executed within a freezing manifold included withinprocessing system10. As discussed above,processing system10 may include a plurality of manifolds, examples of which may include but are not limited to: mixing manifolds, blending manifolds, grinding manifolds, heating manifolds, cooling manifolds, freezing manifolds, steeping manifolds, nozzles, pressure manifolds, vacuum manifolds, and agitation manifolds.
• Accordingly,virtual manifold process126 may monitor680 the processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make root beer soda (or may monitor the processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make vanilla ice cream) to obtain data concerning these processes.
• Examples of the type of data obtained may include but is not limited to ingredient data and processing data.
• Ingredient data may include but is not limited to a list of ingredients used during the first portion of a multi-portion recipe. For example, if the first portion of a multi-portion recipe concerns making root beer soda, the list of ingredients may include: a defined quantity of root beer flavoring, a defined quantity of carbonated water, a defined quantity of non-carbonated water, and a defined quantity of high fructose corn syrup.
• Processing data may include but is not limited to a sequential list of processes performed on the ingredients. For example, a defined quantity of carbonated water may begin to be introduced into a manifold withinprocessing system10. While filling the manifold with carbonated water, the defined quantity of root beer flavoring, the defined quantity of high fructose corn syrup, and the defined quantity of non-carbonated water may also be introduced into the manifold.
• At least a portion of the data obtain may be stored682 (e.g., either temporarily or permanently). Further,virtual manifold process126 may enable684 the availability of this stored data for subsequent use by e.g., one or more processes occurring during a second portion of the multi-portion recipe. When storing682 the data obtained,virtual manifold process126 may archive686 the data obtained in a non-volatile memory system (e.g., storage subsystem12) for subsequent diagnostic purposes. Examples of such diagnostic purposes may include enabling a service technician to review ingredient consumption characteristics to establish a purchasing plan for purchasing consumables forprocessing system10. Alternatively/additionally, when storing682 the data obtained,virtual manifold process126 may temporarily write688 the data obtained to a volatile memory system (e.g., random access memory104).
• When enabling684 the availability of the data obtained,virtual manifold process126 may route690 the obtained data (or a portion thereof) to one or more processes that are occurring (or will occur) during the second portion of the multi-portion recipe. Continuing with the above-stated example, in which the second portion of the multi-portion recipe concerns the one or more processes utilized by processingsystem10 to make vanilla ice cream,virtual manifold process126 may enable684 the data obtained (or a portion thereof) to be available to the one or more processes utilized to make vanilla ice cream.
• Assume that the root beer flavoring utilized to make the above-described root beer float is flavored with a considerable quantity of vanilla flavoring. Further, assume that when making the vanilla ice cream, a considerable quantity of vanilla flavoring is also used. Asvirtual manifold process126 may enable684 the availability of the obtained data (e.g., ingredient and/or process data) to control logic subsystem (i.e., the subsystem orchestrating the one or more processes utilized to make the vanilla ice cream), upon reviewing this data,control logic subsystem14 may alter the ingredients utilized to make the vanilla ice cream. Specifically,control logic subsystem14 may reduce the quantity of vanilla flavoring utilized to make the vanilla ice cream to avoid an overabundance of vanilla flavoring within the root beer float.
• Additionally, by enabling684 the availability of the obtained data to subsequently-executed processes, procedures may be performed that would prove impossible had that data not be made available to the subsequently-executed processes. Continuing with the above-stated example, assume that it is determined empirically that consumers tend to not like any single-serving of a product that includes more than 10.0 mL of vanilla flavoring. Further, assume that 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is included within the root beer flavoring utilized to make the root beer soda for the root beer float, and another 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring is utilized to make the vanilla ice cream utilized to make the root beer float. Therefore, if these two products (the root beer soda and the vanilla ice cream) are combined, the final product would be flavored with 16.0 mL of vanilla flavoring (which exceeds the empirically-defined not-to-exceed 10.0 mL rule).
• Accordingly, if the ingredient data for the root beer soda was not stored682 and the availability of such stored data was not enabled684 byvirtual manifold process126, the fact that the root beer soda contains 8.0 mL of vanilla flavoring would be lost and a final product containing 16.0 mL of vanilla flavoring would be produced. Accordingly, this obtained and stored682 data may be utilized to avoid (or reduce) the occurrence of any undesirable effect (e.g., an undesired flavor characteristic, an undesired appearance characteristic, an undesired odor characteristic, an undesired texture characteristic, and exceeding a maximum recommended dosage of a nutraceutical).
• The availability of this obtained data may allow for subsequent processes to also be adjusted. For example, assume that the quantity of salt utilized to make the vanilla ice cream varies depending on the quantity of carbonated water utilized to make the root beer soda. Again, if the ingredient data for the root beer soda was not stored682 and the availability of such stored data was not enabled684 byvirtual manifold process126, the quantity of carbonated water used to make the root beer soda would be lost and the ability to adjust the quantity of salt utilized to make the ice cream may be compromised.
• As discussed above,virtual manifold process126 may monitor680 one or more processes occurring during a first portion of a multi-portion recipe being executed on e.g.,processing system10 to obtain data concerning at least of portion of the one or more processes. The one or more processes monitored680 may be executed within a single manifold of theprocessing system10 or may be representative of a single portion of a multi-portion procedure executed within a single manifold ofprocessing system10.
• For example, when making the root beer soda, a single manifold may be used that has four inlets (e.g., one for the root beer flavoring, one for the carbonated water, one for the non-carbonated water, and one for the high fructose corn syrup) and one outlet (as all of the root beer soda is being provided to a single secondary manifold).
• However, if instead of having one outlet, the manifold has two outlets (one having a flow rate of four times the other),virtual manifold process126 may consider this process to include two separate and distinct portions being executed simultaneously within the same manifold. For example, 80% of all of the ingredients may be mixed together to produce 80% of the total quantity of root beer soda; while the remaining 20% of all of the ingredients may be simultaneously mixed together (in the same manifold) to produce 20% of the root beer soda. Accordingly,virtual manifold process126 may enable684 the data obtained concerning the first portion (i.e., the 80% portion) to be made available to the downstream process that utilizes the 80% of the root beer soda and enable684 the data obtained concerning the second portion (i.e., the 20% portion) to be made available to the downstream process that utilizes the 20% of the root beer soda.
• Additionally/alternatively, the single portion of a multi-portion procedure executed within a single manifold ofprocessing system10 may be indicative of one process that occurs within a single manifold that executes a plurality of discrete processes. For example, when making vanilla ice cream within the freezing manifold, the individual ingredients may be introduced, mixed, and reduced in temperature until frozen. Accordingly, the process of making vanilla ice cream may include an ingredient introduction process, an ingredient mixing process, and an ingredient freezing process, each of which may be individually monitored680 byvirtual manifold process126.
• As discussed above, product module assembly250 (ofmicroingredient subsystem18 and plumbing/control subsystem20) may include a plurality ofslot assemblies260,262,264,266 configured to releasably engage a plurality ofproduct containers252,254,256,258. Unfortunately, when servicingprocessing system10 to refillproduct containers252,254,256,258, it may be possible to install a product container within the wrong slot assembly ofproduct module assembly250. A mistake such as this may result in one or more pump assemblies (e.g.,pump assemblies270,272,274,276) and/or one or more tubing assemblies (e.g., tubing bundle304) being contaminated with one or more microingredients. For example, as root beer flavoring (i.e., the microingredient contained within product container256) has a very strong taste, once a particular pump assembly/tubing assembly is used to distribute e.g., root beer flavoring, it can no longer be used to distribute a microingredient having a less-strong taste (e.g., lemon-lime flavoring, iced tea flavoring, and lemonade flavoring).
• Additionally and as discussed above,product module assembly250 may be configured to releasably engagebracket assembly282. Accordingly, in the event thatprocessing system10 includes multiple product module assemblies and multiple bracket assemblies, when servicingprocessing system10, it may be possible to install a product module assembly onto the wrong bracket assembly. Unfortunately, such a mistake may also result in one or more pump assemblies (e.g.,pump assemblies270,272,274,276) and/or one or more tubing assemblies (e.g., tubing bundle304) being contaminated with one or more microingredients.
• Accordingly,processing system10 may include an RFID-based system to ensure the proper placement of product containers and product modules withinprocessing system10. Referring also toFIGS. 23 & 24,processing system10 may includeRFID system700 that may includeRFID antenna assembly702 positioned onproduct module assembly250 ofprocessing system10.
• As discussed above,product module assembly250 may be configured to releasably engage at least one product container (e.g., product container258).RFID system700 may includeRFID tag assembly704 positioned on (e.g., affixed to)product container258. Wheneverproduct module assembly250 releasably engages the product container (e.g., product container258),RFID tag assembly704 may be positioned within e.g., upper detection zone706 ofRFID antenna assembly702. Accordingly and in this example, wheneverproduct container258 is positioned within (i.e. releasably engages)product module assembly250,RFID tag assembly704 should be detected byRFID antenna assembly702.
• As discussed above,product module assembly250 may be configured to releasably engagebracket assembly282.RFID system700 may further includeRFID tag assembly708 position on (e.g. affixed to)bracket assembly282. Wheneverbracket assembly282 releasably engagesproduct module assembly250,RFID tag assembly708 may be positioned within e.g., lower detection zone710 ofRFID antenna assembly702.
• Accordingly, through use ofRFID antenna assembly702 andRFID tag assemblies704,708,RFID system700 may be able to determine whether or not the various product containers (e.g.,product containers252,254,256,258) are properly positioned withinproduct module assembly250. Further,RFID system700 may be able to determine whether or notproduct module assembly250 is properly positioned withinprocessing system10.
• WhileRFID system700 shown to include one RFID antenna assembly and two RFID tag assemblies, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible. Specifically, a typical configuration ofRFID system700 may include one RFID antenna assembly positioned within each slot assembly ofproduct module assembly250. For example,RFID system700 may additionally includeRFID antenna assemblies712,714,716 positioned withinproduct module assembly250. Accordingly,RFID antenna assembly702 may determine whether a product container is inserted into slot assembly266 (of product module assembly250);RFID antenna assembly712 may determine whether a product container is inserted into slot assembly264 (of product module assembly250);RFID antenna assembly714 may determine whether a product container is inserted into slot assembly262 (of product module assembly250); andRFID antenna assembly716 may determine whether a product container is inserted into slot assembly260 (of product module assembly250). Further, since processingsystem10 may include multiple product module assemblies, each of these product module assemblies may include one or more RFID antenna assemblies to determine which product containers are inserted into the particular product module assembly.
• As discussed above, by monitoring for the presence of an RFID tag assembly within lower detection zone710 ofRFID antenna assembly702,RFID system700 may be able to determine whetherproduct module assembly250 is properly positioned withinprocessing system10. Accordingly, any ofRFID antenna assemblies702,712,714,716 may be utilized to read one or more RFID tag assemblies affixed tobracket assembly282. For illustrative purposes,product module assembly282 is shown to include only a singleRFID tag assembly708. However, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example,bracket assembly282 may include multiple RFID tag assemblies, namely RFID tag assembly718 (shown in phantom) for being read byRFID antenna assembly712; RFID tag assembly720 (shown in phantom) for being read byRFID antenna assembly714; and RFID tag assembly722 (shown in phantom) for being read byRFID antenna assembly716.
• One or more of the RFID tag assemblies (e.g.,RFID tag assemblies704,708,718,720,722) may be passive RFID tag assemblies (e.g., RFID tag assemblies that do not require a power source). Additionally, one or more of the RFID tag assemblies (e.g.,RFID tag assemblies704,708,718,720,722) may be a writeable RFID tag assembly, in thatRFID system700 may write data to the RFID tag assembly. Examples of the type of data storable within the RFID tag assemblies may include, but is not limited to: a quantity identifier for the product container, a production date identifier for the product container, a discard date identifier for the product container, an ingredient identifier for the product container, a product module identifier, and a bracket identifier.
• With respect to the quantity identifier, in some embodiments, each volume of ingredient pumped from a container including an RFID tag, the tag is written to include the updated volume in the container, and/or, the amount pumped. Where the container is subsequently removed from the assembly, and replaced into a different assembly, the system will read the RFID tag and will know the volume in the container and/or the amount that has been pumped from the container. Additionally, the dates of pumping may also be written on the RFID tag.
• Accordingly, when each of the bracket assemblies (e.g. bracket assembly282) is installed withinprocessing system10, an RFID tag assembly (e.g. RFID tag assembly708) may be attached, wherein the attached RFID tag assembly may define a bracket identifier (for uniquely identifying the bracket assembly). Accordingly, if processingsystem10 includes ten bracket assemblies, ten RFID tag assemblies (i.e., one attached to each bracket assembly) may define ten unique bracket identifiers (i.e. one for each bracket assembly).
• Further, when a product container (e.g. product container252,254,256,258) is manufactured and filled with a microingredient, an RFID tag assembly may include: an ingredient identifier (for identifying the microingredient within the product container); a quantity identifier (for identifying the quantity of microingredient within the product container); a production date identifier (for identifying the date of manufacture of the microingredient); and a discard date identifier (for identifying the date on which the product container should be discarded/recycled).
• Accordingly, whenproduct module assembly250 is installed withinprocessing system10,RFID antenna assemblies702,712,714,716 may be energized by RFID subsystem724. RFID subsystem724 may be coupled to controllogic subsystem14 via databus726. Once energized,RFID antenna assemblies702,712,714,716 may begin scanning their respective upper and lower detection zones (e.g. upper detection zone706 and lower detection zone710) for the presence of RFID tag assemblies.
• As discussed above, one or more RFID tag assemblies may be attached to the bracket assembly with whichproduct module assembly250 releasably engages. Accordingly, whenproduct module assembly250 is slid onto (i.e. releasably engages)bracket assembly282, one or more ofRFID tag assemblies708,718,720,722 may be positioned within the lower detection zones ofRFID antenna assemblies702,712,714,716 (respectively). Assume, for illustrative purposes, thatbracket assembly282 includes only one RFID tag assembly, namelyRFID tag assembly708. Further, assume for illustrative purposes thatproduct containers252,254,256,258 are being installed withinslot assemblies260,262,264,266 (respectively). Accordingly,RFID subsystem714 should detect bracket assembly282 (by detecting RFID tag assembly708) and should detectproduct containers252,254,256,258 by detecting the RFID tag assemblies (e.g., RFID tag assembly704) installed on each product container.
• The location information concerning the various product modules, bracket assemblies, and product containers, may be stored withine.g. storage subsystem12 that is coupled to controllogic subsystem14. Specifically, if nothing has changed, RFID subsystem724 should expect to haveRFID antenna assembly702 detect RFID tag assembly704 (i.e. which is attached to product container258) and should expect to haveRFID antenna assembly702 detect RFID tag assembly708 (i.e. which is attached to bracket assembly282). Additionally, if nothing has changed:RFID antenna assembly712 should detect the RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached toproduct container256;RFID antenna assembly714 should detect the RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached to product container254; andRFID antenna assembly716 should detect the RFID tag assembly (not shown) attached toproduct container252.
• Assume for illustrative purposes that, during a routine service call,product container258 is incorrectly positioned withinslot assembly264 andproduct container256 is incorrectly positioned withinslot assembly266. Upon acquiring the information included within the RFID tag assemblies (using the RFID antenna assemblies), RFID subsystem724 may detect the RFID tag assembly associated withproduct container258 usingRFID antenna assembly262; and may detect the RFID tag assembly associated withproduct container256 usingRFID antenna assembly702. Upon comparing the new locations ofproduct containers256,258 with the previously stored locations ofproduct containers256,258 (as stored on storage subsystem12), RFID subsystem724 may determine that the location of each of these product containers is incorrect.
• Accordingly, RFID subsystem724, viacontrol logic subsystem14, may render a warning message on e.g.informational screen514 of user-interface subsystem22, explaining to e.g. the service technician that the product containers were incorrectly reinstalled. Depending on the types of microingredients within the product containers, the service technician may be e.g. given the option to continue or told that they cannot continue. As discussed above, certain microingredients (e.g. root beer flavoring) have such a strong taste that once they have been distributed through a particular pump assembly and/or tubing assembly, the pump assembly/tubing assembly can no longer be used for any other microingredient. Additionally and as discussed above, the various RFID tag assemblies attached to the product containers may define the microingredient within the product container.
• Accordingly, if a pump assembly/tubing assembly that was used for lemon-lime flavoring is now going to be used for root beer flavoring, the service technician may be given a warning asking them to confirm that this is what they want to do. However, if a pump assembly/tubing assembly that was used for root beer flavoring is now going to be used for lemon-lime flavoring, the service technician may be provided with a warning explaining that they cannot proceed and must switch the product containers back to their original configurations or e.g., have the compromised pump assembly/tubing assembly removed and replaced with a virgin pump assembly/tubing assembly. Similar warnings may be provided in the event that RFID subsystem724 detects that a bracket assembly has been moved withinprocessing system10.
• RFID subsystem724 may be configured to monitor the consumption of the various microingredients. For example and as discussed above, an RFID tag assembly may be initially encoded to define the quantity of microingredient within a particular product container. Ascontrol logic subsystem14 knows the amount of microingredient pumped from each of the various product containers, at predefined intervals (e.g. hourly), the various RFID tag assemblies included within the various product containers may be rewritten by RFID subsystem724 (via an RFID antenna assembly) to define an up-to-date quantity for the microingredient included within the product container.
• Upon detecting that a product container has reached a predetermined minimum quantity, RFID subsystem724, viacontrol logic subsystem14, may render a warning message oninformational screen514 of user-interface subsystem22. Additionally, RFID subsystem724 may provide a warning (viainformational screen414 of user-interface subsystem22) in the event that one or more product containers has reached or exceeded an expiration date (as defined within an RFID tag assembly attached to the product container).
• WhileRFID system700 is described above as having an RFID antenna assembly affixed to a product module and RFID tag assemblies affixed to bracket assemblies and product containers, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure. Specifically, the RFID antenna assembly may be positioned on any product container, a bracket assembly, or product module. Additionally, the RFID tag assemblies may be positioned on any product container, bracket assembly, or product module. Accordingly, in the event that an RFID tag assembly is affixed to a product module assembly, the RFID tag assembly may define a project module identifier that e.g. defines a serial number for the product module.
• Due to the close proximity of the slot assemblies (e.g.,slot assemblies260,262,264,266) included withinproduct module assembly250, it may be desirable to configureRFID antenna assembly702 in a manner that allows it to avoid reading e.g., product containers positioned within adjacent slot assemblies. For example,RFID antenna assembly702 should be configured so thatRFID antenna assembly702 can only readRFID tag assemblies704,708;RFID antenna assembly712 should be configured so thatRFID antenna assembly712 can only readRFID tag assembly718 and the RFID tag assembly (not shown) affixed toproduct container256;RFID antenna assembly714 should be configured so thatRFID antenna assembly714 can only readRFID tag assembly720 and the RFID tag assembly (not shown) affixed to product container254; andRFID antenna assembly716 should be configured so thatRFID antenna assembly716 can only readRFID tag assembly722 and the RFID tag assembly (not shown) affixed toproduct container252.
• Accordingly and referring also toFIG. 25, one or more ofRFID antenna assemblies702,712,714,716 may be configured as a loop antenna. While the following discussion is directed towardsRFID antenna assembly702, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as the following discussion may be equally applied toRFID antenna assemblies712,714,716.
• RFID antenna assembly702 may include first capacitor assembly750 (e.g., a 2.90 pF capacitor) that is coupled betweenground752 andport754 that may energizeRFID antenna assembly702. A second capacitor assembly756 (e.g., a 2.55 pF capacitor) maybe positioned betweenport754 andinductive loop assembly758. Resistor assembly760 (e.g., a 2.00 Ohm resistor) may coupleinductive loop assembly758 withground752 while providing a reduction in the Q factor to increase the bandwidth and provide a wider ranger of operation.
• As is known in the art, the characteristics ofRFID antenna assembly702 may be adjusted by altering the physical characteristics ofinductive loop assembly758. For example, as the diameter “d” ofinductive loop assembly758 increases, the far field performance ofRFID antenna assembly702 may increase. Further, as the diameter “d” ofinductive loop assembly758 decreases; the far field performance ofRFID antenna assembly702 may decrease.
• Specifically, the far field performance ofRFID antenna assembly702 may vary depending upon the ability ofRFID antenna assembly702 to radiate energy. As is known in the art, the ability ofRFID antenna assembly702 to radiate energy may be dependent upon the circumference of inductive loop assembly708 (with respect to the wavelength ofcarrier signal762 used to energizeRFID antenna assembly702 viaport754.
• Referring also toFIG. 26 and in a preferred embodiment,carrier signal762 may be a 915 MHz carrier signal having a wavelength of 12.89 inches. With respect to loop antenna design, once the circumference ofinductive loop assembly758 approaches or exceeds 50% of the wavelength ofcarrier signal762, theinductive loop assembly758 may radiate energy outward in a radial direction (e.g., as represented byarrows800,802,804,806,808,810) fromaxis812 ofinductive loop assembly758, resulting in strong far field performance. Conversely, by maintaining the circumference ofinductive loop assembly758 below 25% of the wavelength ofcarrier signal762, the amount of energy radiated outward byinductive loop assembly758 will be reduced and far field performance will be compromised. Further, magnetic coupling may occur in a direction perpendicular to the plane of inductive loop assembly758 (as represented byarrows814,816), resulting in strong near field performance.
• As discussed above, due to the close proximity of slot assemblies (e.g.,slot assemblies260,262,264,266) included withinproduct module assembly250, it may be desirable to configureRFID antenna assembly702 in a manner that allows it to avoid reading e.g., product containers positioned within adjacent slot assemblies. Accordingly, by configuringinductive loop assembly758 so that the circumference ofinductive loop assembly758 is below 25% of the wavelength of carrier signal762 (e.g., 3.22 inches for a 915 MHz carrier signal), far field performance may be reduced and near field performance may be enhanced. Further, by positioninginductive loop assembly758 so that the RFID tag assembly to be read is either above or belowRFID antenna assembly702, the RFID tag assembly may be inductively coupled toRFID antenna assembly702. For example, when configured so that the circumference ofinductive loop assembly758 is 10% of the wavelength of carrier signal762 (e.g., 1.29 inches for a 915 MHz carrier signal), the diameter ofinductive loop assembly758 would be 0.40 inches, resulting in a comparatively high level of near field performance and a comparatively low level of far field performance.
• Referring also toFIGS. 27 & 28,processing system10 may be incorporated intohousing assembly850.Housing assembly850 may include one or more access doors/panels852,854 that e.g., allow for the servicing ofprocessing system10 and allow for the replacement of empty product containers (e.g., product container258). For various reasons (e.g., security, safety, etc), it may be desirable to secure access doors/panels852,854 so that the internal components ofbeverage dispensing machine10 can only be accessed by authorized personnel. Accordingly, the previously-described RFID subsystem (i.e., RFID subsystem700) may be configured so that access doors/panels852,854 may only be opened if the appropriate RFID tag assembly is positioned proximate RFIDaccess antenna assembly900. An example of such an appropriate RFID tag assembly may include an RFID tag assembly that is affixed to a product container (e.g.,RFID tag assembly704 that is affixed to product container258).
• RFIDaccess antenna assembly900 may include multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902. A first matching component904 (e.g., a 5.00 pF capacitor) may be coupled betweenground906 andport908 that may energize RFIDaccess antenna assembly900. A second matching component910 (e.g., a 16.56 nanoHenries inductor) may be positioned betweenport908 and multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902.Matching components904,910 may adjust the impedance of multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 to a desired impedance (e.g., 50.00 Ohms). Generally, matchingcomponents904,910 may improve the efficiency of RFIDaccess antenna assembly900.
• RFIDaccess antenna assembly900 may include a reduction in the Q factor of element912 (e.g., a 50 Ohm resistor) that may be configured to allow RFIDaccess antenna assembly900 to be utilized over a broader range of frequencies. This may also allow RFIDaccess antenna assembly900 to be used over an entire band and may also allow for tolerances within the matching network. For example, if the band of interest of RFIDaccess antenna assembly900 is 50 MHz and reduction of Q factor element (also referred to herein as a “de-Qing element”)912 is configured to make theantenna 100 MHz wide, the center frequency of RFIDaccess antenna assembly900 may move by 25 MHz without affecting the performance of RFIDaccess antenna assembly900.De-Qing element912 may be positioned within multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 or positioned somewhere else within RFIDaccess antenna assembly900.
• As discussed above, by utilizing a comparatively small inductive loop assembly (e.g.,inductive loop assembly758 ofFIGS. 25 & 26), far field performance of an antenna assembly may be reduced and near field performance may be enhanced. Unfortunately, when utilizing such a small inductive loop assembly, the depth of the detection range of the RFID antenna assembly is also comparatively small (e.g., typically proportional to the diameter of the loop). Therefore, to obtain a larger detection range depth, a larger loop diameter may be utilized. Unfortunately and as discussed above, the use of a larger loop diameter may result in increased far field performance.
• Accordingly, multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 may include a plurality of discrete antenna segments (e.g.,antenna segments914,916,918,920,922,924,926), with a phase shift element (e.g.,capacitor assemblies928,930,932,934,936,938,940). Examples ofcapacitor assemblies928,930,932,934,936,938,940 may include 1.0 pF capacitors or varactors (e.g., voltage variable capacitors) for example, 0.1-250 pF varactors. The above-described phase shift element may be configured to allow for the adaptive controlling of the phase shift of multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 to compensate for varying conditions; or for the purpose of modulating the characteristics of multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 to provide for various inductive coupling features and/or magnetic properties. An alternative example of the above-described phase shift element is a coupled line (not shown).
• As discussed above, by maintaining the length of an antenna segment below 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal energizing RFIDaccess antenna assembly900, the amount of energy radiated outward by the antenna segment will be reduced, far field performance will be compromised, and near field performance will be enhanced. Accordingly each ofantenna segments914,916,918,920,922,924,926 may be sized so that they are no longer than 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal energizing RFIDaccess antenna assembly900. Further, by properly sizing each ofcapacitor assemblies928,930,932,934,936,938,940, any phase shift that occurs as the carrier signal propagates around multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 may be offset by the various capacitor assemblies incorporated into multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902. Accordingly, assume for illustrative purposes that for each ofantenna segments914,916,918,920,922,924,926, a 90° phase shift occurs. Accordingly, by utilizing properlysized capacitor assemblies928,930,932,934,936,938,940, the 90° phase shift that occurs during each segment may be reduced/eliminated. For example, for a carrier signal frequency of 915 MHz and an antenna segment length that is less than 25% (and typically 10%) of the wavelength of the carrier signal, a 1.2 pF capacitor assembly may be utilized to achieve the desired phase shift cancellation, as well as tune segment resonance.
• While multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 is shown as being constructed of a plurality of linear antenna segments coupled via miter joints, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure. For example, a plurality of curved antenna segments may be utilized to construct multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902. Additionally, multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 may be configured to be any loop-type shape. For example, multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902 may be configured as an oval (as shown inFIG. 28), a circle, a square, a rectangle, or an octagon.
• While the system is described above as being utilized within a processing system, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example, the above-described system may be utilized for processing/dispensing other consumable products (e.g., ice cream and alcoholic drinks). Additionally, the above-described system may be utilized in areas outside of the food industry. For example, the above-described system may be utilized for processing/dispensing: vitamins; pharmaceuticals; medical products, cleaning products; lubricants; painting/staining products; and other non-consumable liquids/semi-liquids/granular solids and/or fluids.
• While the system is described above as having the RFID tag assembly (e.g., RFID tag assembly704) that is affixed to the product container (e.g., product container258) positioned above the RFID antenna assembly (e.g., RFID antenna assembly702), which is positioned above the RFID tag (e.g., RFID tag assembly708) that is affixed tobracket assembly282, this for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example, the RFID tag assembly (e.g., RFID tag assembly704) that is affixed to the product container (e.g., product container258) may be positioned below the RFID antenna assembly (e.g., RFID antenna assembly702), which may be positioned below the RFID tag (e.g., RFID tag assembly708) that is affixed tobracket assembly282.
• As discussed above, by utilizing comparatively short antenna segments (e.g.,antenna segments914,916,918,920,922,924,926) that are no longer than 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal energizingRFID antenna assembly900, far field performance ofantenna assembly900 may be reduced and near field performance may be enhanced.
• Referring also toFIG. 29, if a higher level of far field performance is desired from the RFID antenna assembly,RFID antenna assembly900amay be configured to include far field antenna assembly942 (e.g., a dipole antenna assembly) electrically coupled to a portion of multi-segmentinductive loop assembly902a. Farfield antenna assembly942 may include first antenna portion944 (i.e., forming the first portion of the dipole) and second antenna portion946 (i.e., forming the second portion of the dipole). As discussed above, by maintaining the length ofantenna segments914,916,918,920,922,924,926 below 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal, far field performance ofantenna assembly900amay be reduced and near field performance may be enhanced. Accordingly, the sum length offirst antenna portion944 andsecond antenna portion946 may be greater than 25% of the wavelength of the carrier signal, thus allowing for an enhanced level of far field performance.
• Referring also toFIG. 30, as discussed above (e.g., with reference toFIG. 27)processing system10 may be incorporated intohousing assembly850.Housing assembly850 may include one or more access doors/panels (e.g.,upper door852, and lower door854) that e.g., allow for the servicing ofprocessing system10 and allow for the replacement of empty product containers (e.g., product container258).Touch screen interface500 may be disposed onupper door852, allowing facile user access.Upper door852 may also provide access todispenser assembly1000, which may allow a beverage container (e.g., container30) to be filled with a beverage (e.g., vianozzle24; not shown), ice, or the like. Additionally,lower door854 may includeRFID interrogation region1002, e.g., which may be associated with RFIDaccess antenna assembly900, e.g., to permit one or more of access doors/panels852,854 to be opened.Interrogation region1002 is depicted for illustrative purposes only, as RFIDaccess antenna assembly900 may be equally located in various alternative locations, including locations other than access doors/panels852,854.
• Referring also toFIGS. 51-53, an exemplary embodiment of theuser interface assembly5100 is depicted, which may be incorporated into thehousing assembly850 shown inFIG. 30. The user interface assembly may include thetouch screen interface500.User interface assembly5100 may include atouch screen5102, aframe5104, aborder5106, aseal5108, and asystem controller enclosure5110. Theborder5106 may space thetouch screen5102, and may also serve as a clean visual border. Thetouch screen5102, in the exemplary embodiment, is a capacitive touch screen, however, on other embodiments, other types of touch screens may be used. However, in the exemplary embodiment, due to the capacitive nature of thetouch screen5102 it may be desirable to maintain a predetermined distance between thetouch screen5102 and thedoor852 via theborder5106.
• Theseal5108 may protect the display shown inFIG. 52 as5200) and may serve to prevent moisture and/or particulates from reaching thedisplay5200. In the exemplary embodiment, theseal5108 contacts the door of thehousing assembly852 to better maintain a seal. In the exemplary embodiment, thedisplay5200 is an LCD display an is held by the frame by at least one set of spring fingers5202, which may engage thedisplay5200 and retain thedisplay5200. In the exemplary embodiment, thedisplay5200 is a 15″ LCD display such as model LQ150X1LGB1 from Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. However, in other embodiments, the display may be any type of display. The spring fingers5202 may additionally serve as springs, to allow for tolerances within theuser interface assembly5100, thus, in the exemplary embodiment, thetouch screen5102 is allowed to float relative to thedisplay5200. In the exemplary embodiment, thetouch screen5102 is a projected capacitive touch screen such as model ZYP15-10001D by Zytronics of Blaydon on Tyne, UK, but in other embodiments, the touch screen may another type of touch screen and/or another capacitive touch screen. In the exemplary embodiment, the seal is a foam in place gasket, which in the exemplary embodiment, is made from polyurethane foam die-cut, but in other embodiments, may be made from silicone foam or other similar materials. In some embodiments, the seal may be an over molded seal or any other type of sealing body.
• In the exemplary embodiment, theuser interface assembly5100 includes four sets of spring fingers5202. However, other embodiments may include a greater or fewer number of spring fingers5202. In the exemplary embodiment, the spring fingers5202 and theframe5104 are made from ABS, but in other embodiments, may be made from any material.
• Referring also toFIG. 53, theuser interface assembly5100, in the exemplary embodiment, also includes as least one PCB as well as at least onconnector5114, which, in some embodiments, may be covered by a connector cap5116.
• Referring also toFIG. 31, consistent with an exemplary embodiment,processing system10 may includeupper cabinet portion1004aandlower cabinet portion1006a. However, this should not be construed as a limitation on this disclosure, as other configurations may be equally utilized. With additional reference also toFIGS. 32 and 33,upper cabinet portion1004a(e.g., which may be covered, at least in part, by upper door852) may include one or more features ofplumbing subsystem20, described above. For example,upper cabinet portion1004amay include one or more flow control modules (e.g., flow control module170), a fluid chilling system (e.g., cold plate163, not shown), a dispensing nozzle (e.g.,nozzle24, not shown), plumbing for connection to high-volume ingredient supplies (e.g.,carbon dioxide supply150,water supply152, andHFCS supply154, not shown), and the like. Additionally,upper cabinet portion1004amay includeice hopper1008 for storing ice, andice dispensing chute1010, for dispensing ice from ice hopper1008 (e.g., into beverage containers).
• Carbon dioxide supply150 may be provided by one or more carbon dioxide cylinders, e.g., which may be remotely located and plumbed toprocessing system10. Similarly,water supply152 may be provided as municipal water, e.g., which may also be plumbed toprocessing system10. High fructosecorn syrup supply154 may include, for example, one or more reservoirs (e.g., in the form of five gallon bag-in-box containers), which may be remotely stored (e.g., in a back room, etc.). High fructosecorn syrup supply154 may also by plumbed toprocessing system10. Plumbing for the various high-volume ingredients may be achieved via conventional hard or soft line plumbing arrangements.
• As discussed above,carbonated water supply158,water supply152, and high fructosecorn syrup supply154 may be remotely located and plumbed to processing system10 (e.g., to flowcontrol modules170,172,174). Referring toFIG. 34, a flow control module (e.g., flow control module172) may be coupled to a high-volume ingredient supply (e.g., water152) viaquick plumbing connection1012. For example,water supply152 may be coupled toplumbing connection1012, which may be releasably coupled to flowcontrol module172, thereby completing plumbing ofwater supply152 to flowcontrol module170.
• Referring toFIGS. 35, 36A,36B,37A,37B, and37, another embodiment of the upper cabinet portion (e.g.,upper cabinet portion1004b) is shown. Similar to the above-described exemplary embodiment,upper cabinet portion1004bmay include one or more features ofplumbing subsystem20, described above. For example,upper cabinet portion1004bmay include one or more flow control modules (e.g., flow control module170), a fluid chilling system (e.g., cold plate163, not shown), a dispensing nozzle (e.g.,nozzle24, not shown), plumbing for connection to high-volume ingredient supplies (e.g.,carbon dioxide supply150,water supply152, andHFCS supply154, not shown), and the like. Additionally,upper cabinet portion1004bmay includeice hopper1008 for storing ice, andice dispensing chute1010, for dispensing ice from ice hopper1008 (e.g., into beverage containers).
• Referring also toFIGS. 36A-36b,upper cabinet portion1004bmay includepower module1014.Power module1014 may house, e.g., a power supply, one or more power distribution busses, controllers (e.g., control logic subsystem14) user interface controllers,storage device12, etc.Power module1014 may include one or more status indicators (indicator lights1016, generally), and power/data connections (e.g.,connections1018 generally).
• Referring also toFIGS. 37A, 37B, and37C,flow control module170 may be mechanically and fluidly coupled toupper cabinet portion1004bviaconnection assembly1020, generally.Connection assembly1020 may include a supply fluid passage, e.g., which may be coupled to a high-volume ingredient supply (e.g.,carbonated water158,water160, high-fructose corn syrup162, etc) viainlet1022.Inlet1024 offlow control module170 may be configured to be at least partially received inoutlet passage1026 ofconnection assembly1020. Accordingly,flow control module170 may receive high-volume ingredients viaconnection assembly1020.Connection assembly1020 may further include a valve (e.g., ball valve1028) movable between an opened and closed position. Whenball valve1028 is in the opened position,flow control module170 may be fluidly coupled to a high-volume ingredient supply. Similarly, whenball valve1028 is in the closed position,flow control module170 may be fluidly isolated from the high-volume ingredient supply.
• Ball valve1028 may be moved between the opened and closed position by rotatably actuatinglocking tab1030. In addition to opening and closingball valve1028, lockingtab1030 may engageflow control module170, e.g., thereby retaining flow control module relative toconnection assembly1020. For example,shoulder1032 may engagetab1034 offlow control module170. Engagement betweenshoulder1032 andtab1034 may retaininlet1024 offlow control module170 inoutlet passage1026 ofconnection assembly1020. Retaininginlet1024 offlow control module170 inoutlet passage1026 ofconnection assembly1020 may additionally facilitate maintaining a fluid-tight connection betweenflow control module170 and connection assembly1020 (e.g., by maintaining satisfactory engagement betweeninlet1024 and outlet1026).
• Lockingtab face1036 oflocking tab1030 may engage outlet connector1038 (e.g., which may be fluidly coupled to an outlet of flow control module170). For example, as shown, lockingtab face1036 may engageface1040 ofoutlet connector1038, retainingoutlet connector1038 in fluid tight engagement withflow control module170.
• Connection assembly1020 may facilitate the installation/removal offlow control module170 from processing system10 (e.g., to allow replacement of a damaged/malfunctioning flow control module). Consistent with the depicted orientation, lockingtab1030 may be rotated counterclockwise (e.g., approximately one quarter of a turn in the illustrated embodiment). Counterclockwise rotation of locking tab130 may disengageoutlet connector1038 andtab1034 offlow control module170.Outlet connector1038 may be disengaged fromflow control module170. Similarly,inlet1024 offlow control module170 may be disengaged fromoutlet passage1026 ofconnection assembly1020. Additionally, counterclockwise rotation oflocking tab1030 may rotateball valve1028 to the closed position, thereby closing the fluid supply passage connected to the high-volume ingredient. As such, once lockingtab1030 is rotated to allowflow control module170 to be removed fromconnection assembly1020, the fluid connection to the high-volume ingredient is closed, e.g., which may reduce/prevent contamination of processing system by the high-volume ingredients.Tab extension1042 oflocking tab1030 may inhibit the removal offlow control module170 fromconnection assembly1020 untilball valve1028 is in a fully closed position (e.g., by preventing the fluid disengagement and removal offlow control module170 untilball valve1028 has been rotated 90 degrees to a fully closed position).
• In a related manner,flow control module170 may be coupled toconnection assembly1020. For example, withlocking tab1030 rotated counterclockwise,inlet1024 offlow control module170 may be inserted intooutlet passage1026 ofconnection assembly1020.Outlet connector1038 may be engaged with the outlet (not shown) offlow control module170.Locking tab1030 may be rotated clockwise, thereby engagingflow control module170 andoutlet connector1038. In the clockwise rotated position,connection assembly1020 may retaininlet1024 offlow control module170 in fluid tight connection withoutlet passage1026 of connection assembly. Similarly,outlet connector1038 may be retained in fluid tight connection with the outlet offlow control module170. Further, clockwise rotation oflocking tab1030 may moveball valve1028 to the opened position, thereby fluidly couplingflow control module170 to the high-volume ingredient.
• With additional reference also toFIG. 38,lower cabinet portion1006amay include one or more features ofmicroingredient subsystem18, and may house one or more on-board consumable ingredient supplies. For example,lower cabinet portion1006amay include one or more microingredient towers (e.g.,microingredient towers1050,1052,1054) andsupply1056 of non-nutritive sweetener (e.g., an artificial sweetener or combination of a plurality of artificial sweeteners). As shown,microingredient towers1050,1052,1054 may include one or more product module assemblies (e.g., product module assembly250), which may each be configured to releasably engage one or more product containers (e.g.,product containers252,254,256,258, not shown). For example,microingredient towers1050 and1052 may each include three product module assemblies, andmicroingredient tower1054 may include four product module assemblies.
• Referring also toFIGS. 39 and 40, one or more of the microingredient towers (e.g., microingredient tower1052) may be coupled to an agitation mechanism, e.g., which may rock, linearly slide, or otherwise agitatemicroingredient tower1052, and/or a portion thereof. The agitation mechanism may aid in maintaining a mixture of separable ingredients stored onmicroingredient tower1052. The agitation mechanism may include, for example,agitation motor1100, which may driveagitation arm1102 vialinkage1104.Agitation arm1102 may be driven in a generally vertical oscillatory motion, and may be coupled to one or more product module assemblies (e.g.,product module assemblies250a,250b,250c,250d), thereby imparting a rocking agitation toproduct module assemblies250a,250b,250c,250d. A safety shut-shut off may be associated withlower door854, e.g., which may disable the agitation mechanism whenloser cabinet door1154 is open.
• As discussed above,RFID system700 may detect the presence, location (e.g., product module assembly and slot assembly) and contents of various product containers. Accordingly,RFID system700 may render a warning (e.g., via RFID subsystem724 and/or control logic subsystem14) if a product container including contents that require agitation have been installed in a microingredient tower (e.g., microingredient tower1052) that is not coupled to the agitation container. Further,control logic subsystem14 may prevent the product container which is not being agitated from being utilized.
• As discussed above, the product module assemblies (e.g., product module assembly250) may be configured with four slot assemblies, and may, therefore, be referred to as a quad product module and/or quad product module assembly. With additional reference also toFIG. 41,product module assembly250 may include a plurality of pump assemblies (e.g.,pump assemblies270,272,274,276). For example, one pump assembly (e.g.,pump assemblies270,272,274,276) may be associated with each of the four slot assemblies of product module250 (e.g., in the case of a quad product module).Pump assemblies270,272,274,276 may pump product from product containers (not shown) releasable engaged in corresponding slot assemblies ofproduct module assembly250.
• As shown, each product module assembly (e.g.,product module assemblies250a,250b,250c,250d) of the microingredient towers (e.g., microingredient tower1052) may be coupled to a common wiring harness, e.g., via connector1106. As such,microingredient tower1052 may be electrically coupled to, for example,control logic subsystem14, a power supply, etc., via a single connection point.
• Referring also toFIG. 42, as discussed above,product module250 may include a plurality of slot assemblies (e.g.,slot assemblies260,262,264,266).Slot assemblies260,262,264,266 may be configured to releasably engage a product container (e.g., product container256).Slot assemblies260,262,264,266 may includerespective doors1108,1110,1112. As shown, two or more of the slot assemblies (e.g.,slot assemblies260,262) may be configured to releasably engage a double wide product container (e.g., a product container configured to be releasably engaged in two slot assemblies), and/or two separate product containers including complimentary products (e.g., separate ingredients for a two ingredient beverage recipe). Accordingly,slot assemblies260,262 may include a double-wide door (e.g., door1108) covering bothslot assemblies260,262.
• Doors1108,1110,1112 may releasably engage a hinge rail to allow pivotal opening and closing ofdoors1108,1108,1112. For example,doors1108,1110,1112 may include a snap-fit feature, allowingdoors1108,1108,1112 to be snapped onto, and off of, the hinge rail. Accordingly,doors1108,1110,1112 may be snapped onto, or off of, the hinge rail allow replacement of broken doors, reconfiguration of the doors (e.g., to replace a double-wide door with two single-wide doors, or vice versa).
• Each door (e.g., door1110) may include a tongue feature (e.g., tongue1114) which may engage a cooperating feature of a product container (e.g.,notch1116 of product container256).Tongue1114 may transfer force to product container256 (e.g., via notch1116), and may assist insertion and removal ofproduct container256 into, and out of,slot assembly264. For example, during insertion,product container256 may be at least partially inserted intoslot assembly264. Whendoor1110 is closed,tongue1114 may engagenotch1116, and transfer door closing force toproduct container256, securingseating product container256 in slot assembly264 (e.g., as a result of the leverage provided by door1110). Similarly,tongue1114 may at least partially engage notch1116 (e.g., may be at least partially captured by a lip of notch1116), and may apply a removal force (e.g., again as a result of the leverage provided by door1110) toproduct container256.
• Product module250 may include one or more indicator lights, e.g., which may convey information regarding the status of a one or more slot assemblies (e.g.,slot assemblies260,262,264,266. For example, each of the doors (e.g., door1112) may include a light pipe (e.g., light pipe1118) optically coupled to a light source (e.g., light source1120).Light pipe1118 may include, for example, a segment of clear or transparent material (e.g., a clear plastic such as acrylic, glass, etc.) that may transmit light fromlight source1120 to the front ofdoor1112.Light source1120 may include, for example, one or more LED's (e.g., a red LED and a green LED). In the case of a double-wide door (e.g., door1108) only a single light pipe and single light source, associated with the single light pipe, corresponding to one of the slot assemblies may be utilized. The unused light source, corresponding to the other slot assembly of the double-wide door, may be blocked off by at least a portion of the door.
• As mentioned,light pipe1118 andlight source1120 may convey various information regarding the slot assembly, product container, etc. For example,light source1120 may provide a green light (which may be conveyed vialight pipe1118 to the front of door1112) to indicate an operational status ofslot assembly266 and a non-empty status of the product container releasably engaged inslot assembly266.Light source1120 may provide a red light (which may be conveyed vialight pipe1118 to the front of door1112) to indicate that the product container releasably engaged inslot assembly266 is empty. Similarly,light source1120 may provide a flashing red light (which may be conveyed vialight pipe1118 to the front of door1112) to indicate a malfunction or fault associated withslot assembly266. Various additional/alternative information may be indicated usinglight source1120 andlight pipe1118. Further, additional related lighting schemes may also be utilized (e.g., flashing green light, orange light resulting from the light source providing both a green and a red light, and the like).
• Referring also toFIGS. 43A, 43B, and43C,product container256 may, for example, include a two piece housing (e.g., includefront housing portion1150 and rear housing portion1152).Front housing portion1150 may includeprotrusion1154, e.g., which may providelip1156.Lip1156 may facilitate handling of product container256 (e.g., during insertion and/or removal of product container from slot assembly264).
• Rear housing portion1152 may includefitment feature1158a, e.g., which may fluidly couple the product container (e.g., product container256) to a mating fitment of a pump assembly (e.g.,pump assembly272 of product module250).Fitment feature1158amay include a blind mate fluid connector, which may fluidly coupleproduct container256 to pumpassembly272 when fitment feature is pressed onto a cooperating feature (e.g., a stem) ofpump assembly272. Various alternative fitment features (e.g.,fitment feature1158bdepicted inFIG. 44) may be provided to provide fluid coupling betweenproduct container256 and various pump assemblies.
• Front housing portion1150 andrear housing portion1152 may include separate plastic components which may be joined to formproduct container256. For example,front housing portion1150 andrear housing portion1152 may be heat staked together, adhesively bonded, ultrasonically welded, or otherwise joined in a suitable manner.Product container256 may further includeproduct pouch1160, which may be at least partially disposed withinfront housing portion1150 andrear housing portion1152. For example,product pouch1160 may be filled with a consumable (e.g., a beverage flavoring), and positioned withinfront housing portion1150 andrear housing portion1152, which may be subsequently joined tohouse product pouch1160.Product pouch1160 may include, for example, a flexible bladder that may collapse as the consumable is pumped from product pouch1160 (e.g., by pump assembly272).
• Product pouch1160 may includegussets1162, which may improve the volumetric efficiency ofproduct container256, e.g., by allowingproduct pouch1160 to occupy a relatively larger portion of the interior volume defined byfront housing portion1150 andrear housing portion1152. Additionally,gussets1162 may facilitate the collapse ofproduct pouch1162 as the consumable is pumped out ofproduct pouch1160. Additionally,fitment feature1158amay be physically joined toproduct pouch1160, e.g., via ultrasonic welding.
• As mentioned above, in addition to the microingredient towers,lower cabinet portion1006amay includesupply1056 of a large volume microingredient. For example, in some embodiments, the large volume microingredient may be a non-nutritive sweetener (e.g., an artificial sweetener or combination of a plurality of artificial sweeteners). Some embodiments may include microingredients in which larger volumes are required. In these embodiments, one or more large volume microingredient supplies may be included. In the embodiment as shown,supply1056 may be a non-nutritive sweetener which may include, for example, a bag-in-box container, e.g., which is know to include a flexible bladder containing the non-nutritive sweetener product disposed within a generally rigid box, e.g., which may protect the flexible bladder against rupture, etc. For purposes of illustration only, the non-nutritive sweetener example will be used. However, in other embodiments, any microingredient may be stored in the large volume microingredient supply. In some alternate embodiments, other types of ingredients may be stored in a supply similar tosupply1056 as described herein. The term “large volume microingredient” refers to a microingredient identified as a frequent use microingredient in which, for the products being dispensed, is used frequently enough that a greater than one microingredient pump assembly is used.
• Supply1056 of non-nutritive sweetener may be coupled to a product module assembly, e.g., which may include one or more pump assemblies (e.g., as previously described above). For example,supply1056 of non-nutritive sweetener may be coupled to a product module including four pump assemblies as described above. Each of the four pump assemblies may include a tube or line directing non-nutritive sweetener from the respective pump assembly tonozzle24, for dispensing the non-nutritive sweetener (e.g., in combination with one or more additional ingredients).
• Referring toFIGS. 45A and 45B, lower cabinet portion1006bmay include one or more features ofmicroingredient subsystem18. For example, lower cabinet portion106bmay house one or more microingredient supplies. The one or more microingredient supplies may be configured as one or more microingredient shelves (e.g.,microingredient shelves1200,1202,1204) and asupply1206 of non-nutritive sweetener. As shown, each microingredient shelf (e.g., microingredient shelf1200) may include one or more product module assemblies (e.g.,product module assemblies250d,250e,250f) configured in a generally horizontal arrangement. One or more of the microingredient shelves may be configured to agitate (e.g., in a generally similar manner tomicroingredient tower1052 described above).
• Continuing with the above-described embodiment, in which the one or more microingredient supplies may be configured as one or more microingredient shelves, and as discussed above,shelf1200 may include a plurality of product module assemblies (namely,product module assemblies250d,250e,250f). Each product module assembly (e.g.,product module assembly250f) may be configured to releasably engage one or more product containers (e.g., product container256) in a respective slot assembly (e.g.,slot assemblies260,262,264,266).
• Additionally, each ofproduct module assemblies250d,250e,250fmay include a respective plurality of pump assemblies. For example, and referring also toFIGS. 47A, 47B,47D,47E, and47F,product module assembly250dmay generally includepump assemblies270a,270b,270d, and270e. A respective one ofpump assemblies270a,270b,270c,270dmay be associated with one ofslot assemblies260,262,264,266, e.g., for pumping ingredients contained within a respective product container (e.g., product container256). For example, each ofpump assemblies270a,270b,270c,270dmay include a respective fluid coupling stem (e.g., fluid coupling stems1250,1252,1254,1256), e.g., which may fluidly couple to a product container (e.g., product container256) via a cooperating fitment (e.g.,fitment feature1158a,1158bshown inFIGS. 43B and 44).
• Referring toFIG. 47E, a cross sectional view of thepump module assembly250dis shown. Theassembly250dincludes afluid inlet1360 which is shown in the cross sectional view of the fitment. The fitment mates with the female part (shown inFIG. 43B as1158a) of the product containers (not shown, shown as256 inFIG. 43B, amongst other figures). The fluid from the product container enters thepump assembly250dat thefluid inlet1360. The fluid flows into thecapacitive flow sensor1362 and then through thepump1364, past thebackpressure regulator1366 and to thefluid outlet1368. As shown herein, the fluid flow path through thepump module assembly250dallows the air to flow through theassembly250dwithout being trapped within the assembly. Thefluid inlet1360 is on a lower plane than thefluid exit1368. Additionally, the fluid travels vertically towards the flow sensor and then when traveling in the pump, is again at a higher plane than theinlet1360. Thus, the arrangement allows the fluid to continually flow upwards allowing air to flow through the system without getting trapped. Thus, thepump module assembly250ddesign is a self-priming and purging positive displacement fluid delivery system.
• Referring toFIGS. 47E and 47F, thebackpressure regulator1366 may be any backpressure regulator, however, the exemplary embodiment of thebackpressure regulator1366 for pumping small volumes is shown. Thebackpressure regulator1366 includes adiaphragm1367 including “volcano” features and a molded o-ring about the outer diameter. The o-ring creates a seal. A piston is connected to thediaphragm1367. A spring, about the piston, biases the piston and the diaphragm in a closed position. In this embodiment, the spring is seated on an outer sleeve. When the fluid pressure meets or exceeds the cracking pressure of the piston/spring assembly, the fluid flows past thebackpressure regulator1366 and towards thefluid exit1368. In the exemplary embodiment, the cracking pressure is approximately 7-9 psi. The cracking pressure is tuned to thepump1364. Thus, in various embodiments, the pump may be different from the one described, and in some of those embodiment, another embodiment of the backpressure regulator may be used.
• With additional reference toFIG. 48,outlet plumbing assembly1300 may be configured to releasably engagepump assemblies270a,270b,270c,270d, e.g., for supplying ingredients from a respective product module assembly (e.g.,product module assembly250d) to plumbing/control subsystem20.Outlet plumbing assembly1300 may include a plurality of plumbing fitments (e.g.,fitments1302,1304,1306,1308) configured to fluidly couple torespective pump assemblies270a,270b,270c,270d, e.g., for fluidly couplingpumping assemblies270a,270b,270c,270dto plumbing/control subsystem20 viafluid lines1310,1312,1314,1316.
• Releasable engagement betweenoutlet plumbing assembly1300 andproduct module assembly250dmay be effectuated, e.g., via a camming assembly providing facile engagement and release ofoutlet plumbing assembly1300 andproduct module assembly250d. For example, the camming assembly may include handle1318 rotatably coupled tofitment support1320, and cam features1322,1324. Cam features1322,1324 may be engageable with cooperating features (not shown) ofproduct module assembly250d. With reference toFIG. 47C, rotational movement ofhandle1318 in the direction of the arrow may releaseoutlet plumbing assembly1300 fromproduct module assembly250d, e.g., allowingoutlet plumbing assembly1300 to be lifted away, and removed, fromproduct module assembly250d.
• With particular reference toFIGS. 47D and 47E,product module assembly250dmay similarly be releasable engageable tomicroingredient shelf1200, e.g., allowing facile removal/installation ofproduct module assembly250 tomicroingredient shelf1200. For example, as shown,product module assembly250dmay includerelease handle1350, e.g., which may be pivotally connected toproduct module assembly250d.Release handle1350 may include, e.g., lockingears1352,1354 (e.g., most clearly depicted inFIGS. 47A and 47D). Lockingears1352,1354 may engage cooperating features ofmicroingredient shelf1200, e.g., thereby retainingproduct module assembly250din engagement withmicroingredient shelf1200. As shown inFIG. 47E,release handle1350 may be pivotally lifted in the direction of the arrow to disengage lockingears1352,1354 from the cooperating features ofmicroingredient shelf1200. Once disengaged,product module assembly250dmay be lifted frommicroingredient shelf1200.
• One or more sensors may be associated with one or more ofhandle1318 and/orrelease handle1350. The one or more sensors may provide an output indicative of a locking position ofhandle1318 and/orrelease handle1350. For example, the output of the one or more sensors may indicate whetherhandle1318 and/orrelease handle1350 is in an engaged or a disengaged position. Based upon, at least in part the output of the one or more sensor,product module assembly250dmay be electrically and/or fluidly isolated from plumbing/control subsystem20. Exemplary sensors may include, for example, cooperating RFID tags and readers, contact switches, magnetic position sensors, or the like.
• Referring also toFIGS. 49A, 49B,49C, an exemplary configuration ofsupply1206 of non-nutritive sweetener.Supply1206 of non-nutritive sweetener may generally includehousing1400 configured to receivenon-nutritive sweetener container1402.Non-nutritive sweetener container1402 may include, for example, a bag-in-box configuration (e.g., a flexible bag containing the non-nutritive sweetener disposed within a generally rigid, protective housing).Supply1206 may include coupling1404 (e.g., which may be associated with pivotal wall1406), which may fluidly couple to a fitment associated withnon-nutritive container1402. The configuration and nature ofcoupling1404 may vary according to the cooperating fitment associated withnon-nutritive container1402.
• Referring also toFIG. 49C,supply1206 may include one or more pump assemblies (e.g.,pump assemblies270e,270f,270g,270h). The one ormore pump assemblies270e,270f,270g,270gmay be configured similar to the above-discussed product module assemblies (e.g., product module assemble250).Coupling1404 may be fluidly coupled tocoupling1404 viaplumbing assembly1408.Plumbing assembly1408 may generally include inlet1410, which may be configured to be fluidly connected tocoupling1404. Manifold1412 may distribute non-nutritive sweetener received at inlet1410 to one or more distribution tubes (e.g., distribution tubes1414,1416,1418,1420). Distribution tubes1414,1416,1418,1420 may include respective connectors1422,1424,1426,1428 configured to be fluidly coupled torespective pump assemblies270e,270f,270g,270g.
• Referring now toFIG. 50,plumbing assembly1408, in the exemplary embodiments, includes an air sensor1450. Theplumbing assembly1408 thus includes a mechanism for sensing whether air is present. In some embodiments, if the fluid entering through the fluid inlet1410 includes air, the air sensor1450 will detect the air and, in some embodiments, may send a signal to stop pumping from the large volume microingredient. This function is desired in many dispensing systems, and particularly in ones where if the volume of the large volume microingredient is incorrect, the dispensed product may be compromised and/or dangerous. Thus, theplumbing assembly1408 including an air sensor assures air is not pumped and in embodiments where medicinal products are dispensed, for example, is a safety feature. In other products, this embodiment of theplumbing assembly1408 is part of a quality assurance feature.
• While the various electrical components, mechanical components, electro-mechanical components, and software processes are described above as being utilized within a processing system that dispenses beverages, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a limitation of this disclosure, as other configurations are possible. For example, the above-described processing system may be utilized for processing/dispensing other consumable products (e.g., ice cream and alcoholic drinks). Additionally, the above-described system may be utilized in areas outside of the food industry. For example, the above-described system may be utilized for processing/dispensing: vitamins; pharmaceuticals; medical products, cleaning products; lubricants; painting/staining products; and other non-consumable liquids/semi-liquids/granular solids or any fluids.
• As discussed above, the various electrical components, mechanical components, electro-mechanical components, and software processes ofprocessing system10 generally (andFSM process122,virtual machine process124, andvirtual manifold process126 specifically) may be used in any machine in which on-demand creation of a product from one or more substrates (also referred to as “ingredients”) is desired.
• In the various embodiments, the product is created following a recipe that is programmed into the processor. As discussed above, the recipe may be updated, imported or changed by permission. A recipe may be requested by a user, or may be preprogrammed to be prepared on a schedule. The recipes may include any number of substrates or ingredients and the product generated may include any number of substrates or ingredients in any concentration desired.
• The substrates used may be any fluid, at any concentration, or, any powder or other solid that may be reconstituted either while the machine is creating the product or before the machine creates the product (i.e., a “batch” of the reconstituted powder or solid may be prepared at a specified time in preparation for metering to create additional products or dispensing the “batch” solution as a product). In various embodiments, two or more substrates may themselves be mixed in one manifold, and then metered to another manifold to mix with additional substrates.
• Thus, in various embodiments, on demand, or prior to actual demand but at a desired time, a first manifold of a solution may be created by metering into the manifold, according to the recipe, a first substrate and at least one additional substrate. In some embodiments, one of the substrates may be reconstituted, i.e., the substrate may be a powder/solid, a particular amount of which is added to a mixing manifold. A liquid substrate may also be added to the same mixing manifold and the powder substrate may be reconstituted in the liquid to a desired concentration. The contents of this manifold may then be provided to e.g., another manifold or dispensed.
• In some embodiments, the methods described herein may be used in conjunction with mixing on-demand dialysate, for use with peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, according to a recipe/prescription. As is known in the art, the composition of dialysate may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: bicarbonate, sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, dextrose, lactate, acetic acid, acetate, magnesium, glucose and hydrochloric acid.
• The dialysate may be used to draw waste molecules (e.g., urea, creatinine, ions such as potassium, phosphate, etc.) and water from the blood into the dialysate through osmosis, and dialysate solutions are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
• For example, a dialysate typically contains various ions such as potassium and calcium that are similar to their natural concentration in healthy blood. In some cases, the dialysate may contain sodium bicarbonate, which is usually at a concentration somewhat higher than found in normal blood. Typically, the dialysate is prepared by mixing water from a source of water (e.g., reverse osmosis or “RO” water) with one or more ingredients: e.g., an “acid” (which may contain various species such as acetic acid, dextrose, NaCl, CaCl, KCl, MgCl, etc.), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and/or sodium chloride (NaCl). The preparation of dialysate, including using the appropriate concentrations of salts, osmolarity, pH, and the like, is also well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As discussed in detail below, the dialysate need not be prepared in real-time, on-demand. For instance, the dialysate can be made concurrently or prior to dialysis, and stored within a dialysate storage vessel or the like.
• In some embodiments, one or more substrates, for example, the bicarbonate, may be stored in powder form. Although for illustrative and exemplary purposes only, a powder substrate may be referred to in this example as “bicarbonate”, in other embodiments, any substrate/ingredient, in addition to, or instead of, bicarbonate, may be stored in a machine in powder form or as another solid and the process described herein for reconstitution of the substrate may be used. The bicarbonate may be stored in a “single use” container that, for example, may empty into a manifold. In some embodiments, a volume of bicarbonate may be stored in a container and a particular volume of bicarbonate from the container may be metered into a manifold. In some embodiments, the entire volume of bicarbonate may be completely emptied into a manifold, i.e., to mix a large volume of dialysate.
• The solution in the first manifold may be mixed in a second manifold with one or more additional substrates/ingredients. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., one or more conductivity sensors) may be located such that the solution mixed in the first manifold may be tested to ensure the intended concentration has been reached. In some embodiments, the data from the one or more sensors may be used in a feedback control loop to correct for errors in the solution. For example, if the sensor data indicates the bicarbonate solution has a concentration that is greater or less than the desired concentration, additional bicarbonate or RO may be added to the manifold.
• In some recipes in some embodiments, one or more ingredients may be reconstituted in a manifold prior to being mixed in another manifold with one or more ingredients, whether those ingredients are also reconstituted powders/solids or liquids.
• Thus, the system and methods described herein may provide a means for accurate, on-demand production or compounding of dialysate, or other solutions, including other solutions used for medical treatments. In some embodiments, this system may be incorporated into a dialysis machine, such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/072,908 filed on Feb. 27, 2008 and having a priority date of Feb. 27, 2007 which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments, this system may be incorporated into any machine where mixing a product, on-demand, may be desired.
• Water may account for the greatest volume in dialysate, thus leading to high costs, space and time in transporting bags of dialysate. The above-describedprocessing system10 may prepare the dialysate in a dialysis machine, or, in a stand-alone dispensing machine (e.g., on-site at a patient's home), thus eliminating the need for shipping and storing large numbers of bags of dialysate. This above-describedprocessing system10 may provide a user or provider with the ability to enter the prescription desired and the above-described system may, using the systems and methods described herein, produce the desired prescription on-demand and on-site (e.g., including but not limited to: a medical treatment center, pharmacy or a patient's home). Accordingly, the systems and methods described herein may reduce transportation costs as the substrates/ingredients are the only ingredient requiring shipping/delivery.
• As discussed above, other examples of such products producible by processingsystem10 may include but are not limited to: dairy-based products (e.g., milkshakes, floats, malts, frappes); coffee-based products (e.g., coffee, cappuccino, espresso); soda-based products (e.g., floats, soda w/ fruit juice); tea-based products (e.g., iced tea, sweet tea, hot tea); water-based products (e.g., spring water, flavored spring water, spring water w/ vitamins, high-electrolyte drinks, high-carbohydrate drinks); solid-based products (e.g., trail mix, granola-based products, mixed nuts, cereal products, mixed grain products); medicinal products (e.g., infusible medicants, injectable medicants, ingestible medicants); alcohol-based products (e.g., mixed drinks, wine spritzers, soda-based alcoholic drinks, water-based alcoholic drinks); industrial products (e.g., solvents, paints, lubricants, stains); and health/beauty aid products (e.g., shampoos, cosmetics, soaps, hair conditioners, skin treatments, topical ointments).
• A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (29)

1. A product dispensing system comprising:

a flow control device configured to regulate a first ingredient;

a pump module configured to be coupled to a supply of a second ingredient;

a controller configured to provide a first control signal to the flow control device for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, a predetermined recipe, and to provide a second control signal to the pump module for controlling the supply of a first quantity of the second ingredient based upon, at least in part, the predetermined recipe.

2. The product dispensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the flow control device includes:

a flow measuring device configured to provide a feedback signal based upon a volume of the first ingredient flowing within the flow control device; and

a variable line impedance configured to regulate the first ingredient based upon, at least in part, the feedback signal of the flow measuring device and the first control signal provided by the controller.

3. The product dispensing system ofclaim 2, wherein the flow measuring device includes a positive displacement flow measuring device.

4. The product dispensing system ofclaim 3, wherein the positive displacement flow measuring device includes a gear-based positive displacement flow measuring device.

5. The product dispensing system ofclaim 2, wherein the variable line impedance includes:

a first rigid member having a first surface;

a second rigid member having a second surface; and

a variable cross-section fluid pathway defined by, at least in part, the first surface and the second surface;

the first surface being movable relative to the second surface to increase and decrease the variable cross-section fluid pathway.

6. The product dispensing system ofclaim 5, further including a stepper motor coupled to one of the first rigid member and the second rigid member for moving the first surface relative to the second surface.

7. The product dispensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the pump module is configured to releasably engage the supply of the second ingredient.

8. The product dispensing system ofclaim 7, wherein the pump module includes a bracket assembly configured to releasably engage a plurality of supplies of the second ingredient.

9. The product dispensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the pump module includes a solenoid piston pump assembly configured to provide a calibratedly determined volume of the second ingredient.

10. The product dispensing system ofclaim 1, further including a flow sensor associated with the pump module, the flow sensor including:

a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid;

a diaphragm assembly configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced; and

a transducer assembly configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a flow signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.

11. The product dispensing system ofclaim 10, wherein the transducer assembly includes a first capacitive plate coupled to the diaphragm and moveable therewith, and a second capacitive plate rigidly affixed relative to the fluid chamber, the flow signal based upon, at least in part, a change in capacitance between the first capacitive plate and the second capacitive plate.

12. The product dispensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the flow control device and the pump module are coupled to a nozzle for mixing the first ingredient and the second ingredient.

13. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid pathway having an inlet disposed at a first vertical height and an exit disposed at a second vertical height higher than the first vertical height;

a fluid pump disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit, the fluid pump further disposed at a third vertical height higher than the first vertical height and lower than the second vertical height; and

a flow sensor disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid pump, the flow sensor configured to detect the flow of fluid through a fluid pathway;

wherein air entering the fluid inlet may travel through the fluid pathway and exit via the fluid exit.

14. The fluid delivery system ofclaim 13, wherein the inlet of the fluid pathway is coupled to an ingredient supply.

15. The fluid delivery system ofclaim 13, wherein the flow sensor includes:

a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid;

a diaphragm assembly configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced; and

a transducer assembly configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a flow signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.

16. The fluid delivery system ofclaim 15, wherein the transducer assembly includes a first capacitive plate coupled to the diaphragm and moveable therewith, and a second capacitive plate rigidly affixed relative to the fluid chamber, the flow signal based upon, at least in part, a change in capacitance between the first capacitive plate and the second capacitive plate.

17. The fluid delivery system ofclaim 13, wherein the fluid pump includes a solenoid piston pump assembly configured to provide a calibratedly determined volume of the second ingredient.

18. A flow control device comprising:

a flow measuring device configured to generate a flow feedback signal indicative of a volume of content flowing within a line of a dispensing system;

a feedback controller system, responsive to the flow feedback signal and configured to compare a desired flow volume to the flow feedback signal to generate a flow control signal, wherein the feedback controller system includes a feed forward controller for establishing, at least in part, an initial value for the flow control signal; and

a variable line impedance positioned within the line of the dispensing system and responsive to the flow control signal, the variable line impedance being configured to regulate the volume of content flowing within the line of the dispensing system based, at least in part, upon the flow control signal.

19. The flow control device ofclaim 18, wherein the flow measuring device includes a positive displacement flow measuring device.

20. The flow control device ofclaim 19, wherein the positive displacement flow measuring device includes a gear-based positive displacement flow measuring device.

21. The flow control device ofclaim 18, wherein the variable line impedance includes:

a first rigid member having a first surface;

a second rigid member having a second surface; and

a variable cross-section fluid pathway defined by, at least in part, the first surface and the second surface;

the first surface being movable relative to the second surface to increase and decrease the variable cross-section fluid pathway.

22. The flow control device ofclaim 21, further including a stepper motor coupled to one of the first rigid member and the second rigid member for moving the first surface relative to the second surface.

23. The flow control device ofclaim 18, further including a binary valve positioned within the line of the dispensing system for selectively preventing flow of content within the line of the dispensing system.

24. The flow control device ofclaim 18, wherein the variable line impedance includes:

a first rigid member defining a first fluid-path portion including a bore;

a second rigid member defining a second fluid-path portion;

the first fluid-path portion being moveable relative to the second fluid-path portion to increase and decrease a fluid path defined by the first fluid-path portion and the second fluid path portion.

25. A fluid pumping system comprising:

a fluid pathway having a fluid inlet and a fluid exit;

a fluid pump configured to pump a fluid through the fluid pathway between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit; and

an air detection sensor disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid exit, the air detection sensor configured to detect the presence of air within the fluid pathway.

26. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 25, wherein the fluid pump includes a solenoid piston pump assembly configured to provide a calibratedly determined volume of the fluid.

27. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 25, wherein the air detection sensor is configured to provide a signal in response to air detection sensor detecting the presence of air within the fluid pathway.

28. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 27, wherein the fluid pump is further configured to stop pumping the fluid through the fluid pathway in response to the signal provided in response to the air detection sensor detecting the presence of air within the fluid pathway.

29. The fluid pumping system ofclaim 27, further including a valve within the fluid pathway, the valve configured to move to a closed position in response to the signal provided in response to the air detection sensor detecting the presence of air within the fluid pathway, thereby at least partially preventing the flow of fluid through the fluid pathway.

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