WO2025240123A1 - Nutritional beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides a nutritional beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage from a number of juice concentrates in a number of concentrate pouches. The nutritional beverage dispenser may include three or more product trays such that one of the concentrate pouches is in each of the three or more product trays, a dispensing nozzle, and a number of impeller pumps. One of the impeller pumps is positioned between each of the three or more product trays and the dispensing nozzle so as to pump one of the juice concentrates from one of the three or more product trays to the dispensing nozzle.

Description

Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 NUTRITIONAL BEVERAGE DISPENSER TECHNICAL FIELD This application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.63/647,227, filed May 14, 2024, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to beverage dispensers and more particularly relate to a nutritional beverage dispenser for serving nutritional beverages such as juices, nectars, fruit drinks, and like with improved taste, operation, ratio stability, sustainability, and cleaning BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditional juice dispensers typically had a one to one ratio between the juice in the dispenser and the products dispensed therefrom. As a result, consumers could only chose from a relatively small number of beverage options (generally two) given the necessity for significant storage space for the concentrate. A typical juice dispenser thus required a relatively large footprint. Due to the viscous nature of the juice concentrate and similar concentrates used in juice dispensers, performing daily cleaning and daily/monthly maintenance may be difficult. Similarly, a significant amount of concentrate residue may remain in the bag after dispensing and thus may be wasted product. There is thus a desired for an improved beverage dispenser that can accommodate a wide range of different beverages. Preferably, the beverage dispenser may accommodate a wide range of juice-based products or similar types of beverages within a footprint of reasonable size. Further, the beverage dispenser should be easy to operate and easy to clean. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present application and the resultant patent thus provide a nutritional beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage from a number of juice concentrates in a number of concentrate pouches. The nutritional beverage dispenser may include three or more product trays such that one of the concentrate pouches is in each of the three or more 1 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 product trays, a dispensing nozzle, and a number of impeller pumps. One of the impeller pumps is positioned between each of the three or more product trays and the dispensing nozzle so as to pump one of the juice concentrates from one of the three or more product trays to the dispensing nozzle. The present application and the resulting patent further provide method of loading a number of concentrate pouches into a nutritional beverage dispenser. The method includes the steps of (a) placing one of the concentrate pouches in a product tray, (b) sliding the product tray into the nutritional beverage dispenser, (c) directly attaching a pouch spout of the one of the concentrate pouches to a docking pin of a impeller pump, and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for a second and a third of the concentrate pouches. These and other features and improvements of the present application and the resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a nutritional beverage dispenser as may be described herein. Fig.2 is a perspective view of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig.3 is a front view of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig.4 is a rear view of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig.5 is a side view of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1 with the loading door open. Fig.7 is a further perspective view of the interior of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an impeller pump that may be used with the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Figs. 9A-9E are perspective views showing the loading of a concentrate pouch in the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the touch screen for use with the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. 2 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a cleaning lid of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1 in the dispensing position. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the cleaning lid of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1 in the cleaning position. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the cleaning lid of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a cleaning cup of the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps in flushing the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig. 16 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps in cleaning the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps in restarting the nutritional beverage dispenser of Fig.1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, Fig.1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary nutritional beverage dispenser 100 as may be described herein. As described above, the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 may be used to dispense juices, nectars, fruit juices, and the like. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 may accommodate many different types of beverages. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 may include an outer shell 110. The outer shell 110 may have any convenient size, shape, or configuration. The outer shell 110 may define an exterior 120 and an interior 130 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. The outer shell 110 may be insulated. The outer shell 110 may be made out of any type of conventional materials. The interior 130 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 may have a number of product trays 140 positioned therein. In this example, a first product tray 150, a second product tray 160, and a third product tray 170 are shown although any number of the product trays 140 may be used. (As described above, a conventional juice dispenser would have two product trays.) The product trays 140 may have any convenient size, shape, or 3 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 configuration. The product trays 140 may be made out of a conventional thermoplastic or any convenient substantially rigid material. A concentrate pouch 180 may be positioned in each of the product trays 140. Given such, a first concentrate pouch 190, a second concentrate pouch 200, and a third concentrate pouch 210 are shown although any number of concentrate pouches may be used. The concentrate pouches 180 may have any convenient size, shape, or configuration. The concentrate pouches 180 may be made out of a conventional thermoplastic or any convenient substantially flexible material. The concentrate pouches 180 may have a pouch spout 220 formed on one side thereon. The pouch spouts 220 may have any convenient size, shape, or configuration. The pouch spouts 220 permit the filing and the emptying of the concentrate pouches 180. As will be described in more detail below, each of the product trays 140 may have a pouch spout aperture 230 form therein to accommodate the pouch spouts 220 therein. The product trays 140 may accommodate concentrate pouches 180 of differing sizes and configurations. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 may have a pumping system 240 therein. The pumping system 240 may have a number of pumps 250. In this example, a first pump 260, a second pump 270, and a third pump 280 are shown although any number of pumps 250 may be used. As will be described in more detail below, the pumps 250 may be impeller pumps 290 and the like. Other types of pumps and other types of fluid moving devices may be used herein. The pumps 250 may have varying volumes, capacities, and flow rates. Each pump 250 may have a docking pin 300 on one end thereof. The docking pin sized and shaped to mate directly with the pouch spout aperture 230 of each concentrate pouch 180 to draw fluid therethrough. Each pump 250 may be in communication with a dispensing line 310. In this example, a first dispensing line 320, a second dispensing line 330, and a third dispensing line 340 are shown although any number of the dispensing lines 310 may be used. The dispensing lines 310 may be made out of a thermoplastic or any convenient substantially flexible material. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 may include a dispensing nozzle 350. The nozzle 350 may have any convenient size, shape, or configuration. The dispensing nozzle 350 may be a multi-flavor nozzle and the like. The dispensing nozzle 350 may extend from the interior 130 to the exterior 120 of the outer shell 110. The 4 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 dispensing nozzle 350 may be in communication with each of the dispensing lines 310. The pumps 250 of the pumping system 240 thus pumps the concentrate from each concentrate pouch 180 through the dispensing lines 310 to the dispensing nozzle 350 and into a consumer’s cup 355 and the like. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 also may include a water system 360. The water system 360 may include a water source 370 in communication with the dispensing nozzle 350 via a water line 380 having an on/off valve 385 and the like. The water source 370 may a conventional municipal water source or any convenient source of water. The water line 380 may be made out of a thermoplastic or any convenient substantially flexible material. Depending upon the pressure of the water source 370 and/or the desired pressure of the flow of water, a water pump 390 and/or a flow meter 400 may be used on the water line 380. The water pump 390 may be of conventional design and may have any suitable volume or capacity. The flow meter 400 also may be of conventional design and may determine the pressure and/or flow rate of the flow of water therein. An integrated water chiller also may be used. The water system 360 thus delivers a flow of water to the dispensing nozzle 350 at the desired pressure and flow rate. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 also may include a refrigeration system 410. The refrigeration system 410 may be of conventional design. The refrigeration system 410 may maintain the interior 130 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 at a constant temperature as desired. In certain embodiments, the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 also may using heating elements as desired. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 also may include a controller 420. The controller 420 may be any type of programmable logic device with conventional input devices, output devices, memory, operating systems, and communication systems. The controller 420 may be local or remote. Multiple controllers 420 may be used herein. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. Figs. 2-5 show the exterior 120 of the outer shell 110 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. The outer shell 110 has a front face 430. The front face 430 has a loading door 440 and a dispensing area 450. The loading door 440 swings open via a pair of hinges 460 to provide access to the interior 130 of the outer shell 110 with the product 5 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 trays 140, the pumping system 240, and the refrigeration system 410. The loading door 440 may have a touch screen 470 positioned thereon. The touch screen 470 may be of conventional design. The touch screen 470 may display beverage selections and receive beverage orders. The touch screen 470 may be in communication with the controller 420. The dispensing area 450 may be positioned below the loading door 440. The dispensing area 450 may extend from the dispensing nozzle 350 to a drain tray 480. The exterior 120 of the outer shell 110 also may have a rear face 490. The rear face 490 may have a water port 500 thereon in communication with the water system 360. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. Figs. 6 and 7 show the interior 130 of the outer shell 110 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 with the loading door 440 open. In Fig. 6, the three product trays 150, 160, 170 are shown. Any number of the product trays 140 may be used herein. Likewise, the consumer’s cup 355 is shown in the dispensing area 450 underneath the dispensing nozzle 350. In Fig.7, the first product tray 150 has been removed. As is shown, each product tray 140 may be inserted into the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 along a pair of rails 510. The rails 510 may be angled toward the respective pump 250 for each product tray 140. The first pump 260, the dispensing lines 310 and the dispensing nozzle 350 are also shown. Other components and other configurations also may be used herein. Fig. 8 shows an example of the impeller pump 290 used in the pumping system 240. The impeller pump 290 may include a number of impeller blades 295 positioned within an eccentric shroud or a pump housing 305. The impeller blades 295 may be made from an elastic thermoplastic and the like. Due to the eccentric shape of the pump housing 305, a vacuum is created in a suction side that enlarges the volume between the impeller blades 295 to cause the product suction. The product is carried from the suction side to a discharge outlet. The impeller blades 295 then bend at the discharge side so as to reduce the volume therebetween and cause the discharge of the product. The speed of the impeller pump 290 is determined by the controller 420. The variable speed of the impeller pump 290 is in contrast to the mechanically fixed peristaltic pumps usually found in conventional juice dispensers. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. Figs. 9A-9E show exemplary steps in loading the concentrate pouches 180 beverage dispenser 100. In Fig. 9A, the first product tray 150 is removed from the interior 130 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. The first 6 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 concentrate pouch 190 is placed therein. In Fig. 9B, the pouch spout 220 of the first concentrate pouch 190 is secured within the pouch spout aperture 230 of the first product tray 150. In Fig. 9C, the first product tray 150 is slid into position into the interior 130 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 along the rails 510. In Fig.9E, the pouch spout 220 of the first concentrate pouch 190 is docked directly with the docking pin 300 of the first pump 260 of the pumping system 240. These steps are then repeated for the second concentrate pouch 200 and the third concentrate pouch 210. In Fig. 9F, the loading door 440 is shut and the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 is ready for use. In use, the touch screen 470 may display a number of product offerings 520 and volumes 530 as is shown in Fig.10. For example, product offerings 520 such as and “lemon” may be shown along with product volumes 530 such as “Small” or “210 ml”, “Medium” or “400 ml”, and “Large” or “600 ml” and the like may be shown. Any type of product offerings 520 and product volumes 530 may be used herein. Product offerings 520 and product volumes 530 may be varied as desired. The consumer thus selects the desired product offering 520 and product volume 530. Once selected, the controller 420 instructs the appropriate pump 250 associated with the appropriate product tray 140 and the appropriate concentrate pouch 180 to pump the appropriate volume of concentrate to the dispensing nozzle 350. The controller 420 also opens the on/off valve 385 on the water line 380 of the water system 360. Depending upon the pressure and flow rate of the water through the water line 380 as determined by the flow meter 400, the water pump 390 also may be used. The combination of the flow meter 400 and the impeller pump 290 thus provides self-regulating ratio control in that the speed of the impeller pump 290 may be varied according to the pressure and the flow rate of the water as determined by the flow meter 400. The correct ratio of concentrate to water is thus provided. Moreover, the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 may provide a significantly greater water to concentrate mix than may be offered by conventional juice dispenser, i.e., greater Brix capability. Figs.11-14 show various components of a cleaning system 540 that may be used with the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. Figs. 11 and 12 show a cleaning lid 550 that may be positioned about the pouch spout aperture 230 of each product tray 140. The cleaning lid 550 may have a cleaning port 560 sized to accept the docking pin 300 of each pump 250. The cleaning lid 550 may have a dispensing position as is shown in Fig. 11 where the pouch spout aperture 230 is unobstructed and a cleaning position as is shown in 7 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 Figs. 12 and 13 where the docking pin 300 is inserted in the cleaning port 560. Fig. 14 shows a dispensing nozzle cleaning cup 570. The cleaning cup 570 may have a rotatable lid 580 with a nozzle aperture 590 sized to accommodate the dispensing nozzle 350 and a pair of attachment pins 600 sized to mate with dispensing area apertures positioned about the dispensing nozzle 350 to secure the cleaning cup 570 in place. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. Fig. 15 is a flow chart show exemplary steps in flushing the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. In step 610, the first product tray 150 is removed from the interior 130 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. In step 620, the pouch spout 220 is removed from the pouch spout aperture 230 and the first concentrate pouch 190 is removed from the first product tray 150. In step 630, the cleaning lid 550 is rotated into the cleaning positon. In step 640, the first product tray 150 is inserted back within the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 such that the cleaning lid 550 engages the docking pin 300 of the first pump 260. (Please note that the concentrate pouches 180 also may remain in the product trays 150 such that only the cleaning lid 550 is manuvered.) In step 650, these steps are repeated for the second product tray 160 and the third product tray 170. In step 660, a water flush is initiated through the dispensing lines 310, the pumps 250, the docking pins 300, and the cleaning ports 560 of the rotatable lid 580. Fig. 16 is a flow chart show exemplary steps in cleaning the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. In step 670, the cleaning cup 570 is positioned underneath the dispensing nozzle 350 and the dispensing nozzle 350 is positioned within the nozzle aperture 590. In step 680, the cleaning cup 570 is secured in place via the attachment pins 600. In step 690, a cleaning solution may be circulated therein. The flushing steps and the cleaning steps do not necessary need to be both performed at the same time. Generally described, the dispensing nozzle 350 may be cleaned every day while the flushing steps for the impeller pump 290 and the dispensing lines 310 may be performed on a routine but less frequent basis. Any other desired or mandated intervals may be used herein. Fig. 17 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps in restarting the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. In step 700, the cleaning cup 570 may be removed from about the dispensing nozzle 350. In step 710, the first product tray 150 may be removed from the interior 130 of the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. In step 720, the cleaning lid 550 may be rotated into the dispensing position. In step 730, the first concentrate pouch 190 is placed into the first product tray 150. In step 740, the first product tray 150 with the first 8 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 concentrate pouch 190 is returned to the nutritional beverage dispenser 100. In step 750, these steps are repeated for the second product tray 160 and the third product tray 170. At step 760, a priming cycle may be initiated. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 is now again ready for use. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 thus is easy to load, easy to use, and easy to clean. Moreover, the nutritional beverage dispenser 100 provides accurate dosing to ensure ratio stability as well as portion control. The nutritional beverage dispenser 100 also provides good draining of the concentrate pouches 180 so at to limit waste and improve overall efficiency. It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the present application and the resultant patent. Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof. 9 53028250.1

Claims

Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 CLAIMS We claim: 1. A nutritional beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage from a plurality of juice concentrates in a plurality of concentrate pouches, comprising: three or more product trays; wherein one of the plurality of concentrate pouches is in each of the three or more product trays; a dispensing nozzle; and a plurality of impeller pumps; wherein one of the plurality of impeller pumps is positioned between each of the three or more product trays and the dispensing nozzle to pump one of the juice concentrates from one of the three or more product trays to the dispensing nozzle. 2. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of concentrate pouches comprises a pouch spout. 3. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of impeller pumps comprises a docking pin that mates with one of the pouch spouts of the plurality of concentrate pouches. 4. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein each of the three or more product trays comprises a pouch spout aperture that accommodates one of the pouch spouts of the plurality of concentrate pouches. 5. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 4, wherein each of the three or more product trays comprises a cleaning lid positioned about the pouch spout aperture. 6. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 5, wherein the cleaning lid comprising a dispensing position and a cleaning position. 10 53028250.1 Docket No.25040-6114 Client Docket No.81392244 7. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 5, further comprising a cleaning cup, wherein the cleaning cup accommodates the dispensing nozzle. 8. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of impeller pumps comprises a plurality of elastic impeller blades. 9. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a water system in communication with the dispensing nozzle. 10. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 9, wherein the water system comprises a flow meter. 11. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 9, wherein the water system comprises a water pump. 12. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of the three or more product trays is slidable along a pair of rails. 13. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein each of the three or more product trays is angled. 14. The nutritional beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a refrigeration system. 15. A method of loading a plurality of concentrate pouches into a nutritional beverage dispenser, comprising: (a) placing one of the plurality of concentrate pouches in a product tray; (b) sliding the product tray into the nutritional beverage dispenser; (c) directly attaching a pouch spout of the one of the plurality of concentrate pouches to a docking pin of a impeller pump; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c) for a second and a third of the plurality of concentrate pouches. 11 53028250.1