Patent Publication Number: US-9890028-B2

Title: Multiple inlet dispensing apparatus and system for preparing beverages

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/915,130 filed 29 Oct. 2010, entitled MULTIPLE INLET DISPENSING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a multiple inlet dispensing apparatus and system for preparing beverages, and more particularly, to an apparatus and system for preparing beverages by use of a pump having multiple inlets and pumping sections thereby delivering separate or multiple additives or ingredients to a beverage preparation system for dispensing or preparing beverages. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Dispensing liquid from an indoor dispenser, a refrigerator or other liquid dispensing platform is well known. In fact, many new and existing liquid dispensing platforms, such as a refrigerator have an indoor or other dispenser having a liquid outlet to dispense liquid. Although these existing refrigerators can dispense liquid from a dispenser, including ice from an ice dispenser, no concept or platform exists where the refrigerator, or other liquid dispensing appliance, is configured with a multiple inlet dispensing apparatus and system for dispensing separate or multiple additives or ingredients for preparing beverages. Therefore, a need has been identified in the art to provide a multiple inlet dispensing apparatus and system for use in a liquid dispensing appliance, such as a refrigerated appliance for dispensing separate or multiple additives or ingredients for preparing beverages. 
     Dispensing multiple additives or ingredients for preparing a beverage is known. The existing platforms use a separate pump associated with each additive or ingredient for dispensing the same for preparing a beverage. The use of multiple pumps for dispensing multiple additives or ingredients is an unnecessary business expense. Therefore, a need has been identified in the art to provide a multiple inlet pump dispensing apparatus and system having multiple pump sections in fluid communication with multiple inlets for delivering separate or multiple additives or ingredients to a beverage preparation system for dispensing or preparing beverages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The dispensing apparatus includes a pump housing having a primary inlet, a secondary inlet offset from the primary inlet, and an outlet. The dispensing apparatus also includes a first container having a first additive and connected in fluid communication to the primary inlet, a second container having a second additive and connected in fluid communication to the secondary inlet, and a pumping system configured for pumping fluid through the primary inlet and the secondary inlet and out through the outlet. The pump housing includes a first pumping section for pumping fluid through the primary inlet and a second pumping section for pumping fluid through the secondary inlet. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a fluid dispensing system for preparing beverages is disclosed. This system includes a disposable housing, a pump having a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, and an outlet. The outlet passes through a wall of the disposable housing. A first and second container is included within the disposable housing, wherein the first and second containers hold a first additive and a second additive respectively. A pump housing is configured for pumping the first additive through the primary inlet and the second additive through the secondary inlet and out the outlet. In a further aspect of the system, a first valve is connected in fluid communication to the primary inlet and a second valve connected in fluid communication to the secondary inlet for controlling flow of the first and second additives through the pump housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a refrigerator illustrating a dispensing apparatus and system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration depicting a multiple inlet pump according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration depicting a dispensing system and multiple inlet pump according to one aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram illustration of a multiple inlet, single pump housing and additive dispensing apparatus for use as a consumable in a beverage preparation system; 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram illustration of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4A  being used in combination with a beverage preparation system; 
         FIG. 5A  is a illustration depicting a multiple inlet and pump housing additive dispensing apparatus for use as a consumable in a beverage preparation system; 
         FIG. 5B  is a diagram illustration of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 5A  being used in combination with a beverage preparation system; 
         FIG. 6A  is an illustration depicting a multiple inlet and pump housing additive dispensing system using combination with a beverage preparation system using micro actuated valves for controlling flow of the liquid additive from liquid additive containers from the pump housing; and 
         FIG. 6B  is an illustration depicting a valueless version of the multiple inlet and pump housing additive dispensing system shown in  FIG. 6A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to a refrigerator and other additive dispensing devices and appliances such as a countertop/tabletop water dispenser, water dispensing cabinet, or beverage vending machine. In particular, the present invention provides for a refrigerated appliance or other liquid dispensing device, platform or appliance, having an interface for receiving a multiple inlet and single or multiple pump housing additive apparatus, or the same device, platform or appliance including an integrated additive dispensing system operating in combination with a beverage preparation system for preparing and dispensing a finished beverage. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a refrigerator  10  having a cabinet body  12  including a refrigerated compartment  14  and a freezer compartment  16  associated with the cabinet body  12 . The refrigerator  10  includes a dispenser, such as a liquid and/or ice/water dispenser  20  in one of the doors  18  of the refrigerator  10 . As is customary, the dispenser  20  receives liquid from a liquid source  22  such as a plumbed waterline associated with a domestic, commercial or residential dwelling. The liquid source  22  could also be a bottled source such as where water is stored and dispensed from a bottle at or remote to the refrigerator. Liquid from liquid source  22  may be stored in a liquid holding reservoir (not shown), before or after being filtered through an inline filter, and communicated to the beverage dispensing system  32  at the dispenser  20 . The dispenser  20  includes one or both of an ice dispenser  28  and a liquid dispenser  30  for dispensing ice and/or liquid from the dispenser  20 . Dispenser  20  also includes a beverage preparation system  24  in operable communication with a liquid additive system  26 . The beverage preparation system  24  and liquid additive system  26  operate together to provide a beverage dispensing system  32  at the dispenser  20 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a Quantex pump suitable for use in advancing liquid additives or ingredients from a additive container to an outlet for combining with a liquid for dispensing and/or preparing a beverage. A similar pump is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/069,043 entitled “PUMPS” filed on Mar. 2, 2005, and is hereby incorporated by reference. The pump  38  includes a pump housing  40  having two or more inlets and an outlet  54 . In one aspect of the invention, pump  38  includes a primary inlet  42 , a secondary inlet  44  and a tertiary inlet  46 . Within the pump housing  38  is included a rotor  60  set upon and rotated by shaft  61 . The pump housing  40  includes an inner wall  56  in which the apices  64  of rotor  60  are in contact with during rotation of rotor  60 . The rotor  60  includes outer surfaces  62  spaced apart from inner wall  56  of pump housing  40  thereby creating a plurality of closed chambers  66 . The geometry of the outer surface  62  may be altered to decrease or increase the volume of the closed chamber  66 . A portion of the inner wall  56  comprises a seal  58 . The seal  58  is preferably an elastomeric member that seats against the outer surface  62  of rotor  60  upon rotation of the outer surface  62  into contact with seal  58 . Liquid from one or more sources is ducted/pumped into the closed chamber  66  through one of the inlets and subsequently forced out of the outlet  54  as a result of the sealing action provided by seal  58  against the outer surface  62  of rotor  60 . The pump  38  illustrated in  FIG. 2  comprises a single pumping section as opposed to the pump  38  illustrated in  FIG. 5A  which includes multiple pumping sections and will be discussed in greater detail infra. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a liquid additive system  26  incorporated into a beverage dispensing system  32 , such as a beverage preparation system in a liquid dispensing appliance. The present invention contemplates that the liquid additive system  26  may be used in combination with any type of system, platform, or appliance where additives or other ingredients are dispensed therefrom using a single, inexpensive pump, which in some aspects of the invention is disposable being part of a consumable. The liquid additive system  26  includes a pump  38 , such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 2  of the invention. Each inlet of the pump housing  40  is connected in liquid communication with a liquid additive container  36 . In one aspect of the invention, a conduit  70  is connected to an inlet of pump  38  and liquid additive container  36 . A micro actuated valve  68 , such as an electrostatic microvalve, electromagnetic microvalve, piezoelectric microvalve, bimetallic microvalve, thermopneumatic microvalve, or a shape memory alloy actuation valve, may be included inline to conduit  70  and connected between liquid additive container  36  and an inlet of pump  38 . The liquid additive system  26  includes a pump  38  having a primary inlet  42 , a secondary inlet  44  and a tertiary inlet  46 . The primary inlet  42  is connected to a liquid additive container  36  by conduit  70 . Similarly, other liquid additive containers  36  are connected by a conduit  70  to the secondary inlet  44  and tertiary inlet  46  of the pump housing  40 . The pump  38  includes a motor powered by a power source  82 , such as an electrical chemical cell, for providing rotation to rotor  60 . The outlet  54  of pump  38  is connected to the beverage preparation system  24 . The beverage preparation system  24  may be the liquid dispensing system such as dispenser  20  associated with refrigerator  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The beverage preparation system  24  includes a conduit  70  connected to a liquid source  22 . The outlet  54  of pump  38  is connected in liquid communication with a conduit  70  connected to the liquid source  22 . Liquid  48  is combined and/or mixed with additive  50  for preparing a beverage  52 . In operation, a liquid additive container  36  contains a liquid additive  50 . The liquid additive  50  may include any flavoring or concentrate component and may include such things as a brew, a nutraceutical, a medicine, a mineral, a vitamin, or an aroma in liquid form. The liquid additive  50  could be any combination of the aforementioned liquid additives. The liquid additive  50  could also be any combination of the aforementioned liquid additives where one additive interacts with another or with liquid  48  being dispensed from the liquid dispensing appliance to provide a finished or complete beverage  52 . The liquid additive container  36  is a consumable component of the system. Containers  36  are inserted, the liquid additive  50  is spent, and the used containers removed and replaced with a new liquid additive container  36 . For example, depending upon the desired beverage, the requisite liquid additive container  36  is selected and inserted into the liquid additive system  26  through an additive loading/unloading interface  34 . The additive loading/unloading interface  34  provides a location for inserting and removing additives or ingredients from the beverage dispensing appliance. For example, the refrigerator  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may include an additive loading and unloading interface on the cabinet body  12  such as one of the doors  18 . The loading and unloading additive interface  34  may also be configured into the operator interface of dispenser  20 . The loading and unloading interface is preferably at a location associated with the liquid dispensing appliance where a user or operator can conveniently load and unload a liquid additive container  36 . The loading and unloading interface  34  may also be configured in an exterior portion, such as an exterior skin of the liquid dispensing appliance, or an interior portion such as a refrigerator or freezer compartment associated with the refrigerated appliance shown in  FIG. 1 . Through the interface, a user or operator may load a liquid additive container  36  into the liquid additive system  26  and remove a spent container. 
     The pump illustrated in  FIG. 3  is configured with a primary inlet  42 , secondary inlet  44 , and a tertiary inlet  46 . Each inlet is connected in liquid communication with a liquid additive container  36 . The pump  38  could be configured to have two, three, or several inlets to accommodate connection to two, three, or several liquid additive containers  36 . 
     The electronics associated with pump  38 , such as its motor, are electrically connected to a control board, not shown, associated with operator controls of the liquid dispensing appliance. For example, the electronics for operating the pump  38  could be electronically connected to the operating system associated with the dispenser  20  of refrigerator  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Similarly, the micro actuator valves  68  are electrically connected to a control board or controller whereby instructions from the operator or user, such as those input by a user or operator at an operating interface, are communicated from the controller or control board to the micro actuator valve  68  and pump  38  to control dispensing of liquid additives  50 . A display associated with the liquid dispensing appliance, such as a display associated with dispenser  20  on refrigerator  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , may be configured to apprise the operator or user of the different types of liquid additives currently docked within the liquid additive system  26 . Using the list of liquid additive containers  36 , a user/operator is able to select the specific type of liquid additive  50  needed to prepare the desired beverage  52 . Upon selection of the desired additive or ingredient, the liquid additive system  26  receives instruction from a controller or control board for operating pump  38  and one or more micro actuated valves  68 . In the case where the liquid additive system  26  is dispensing from a single liquid additive container  36 , one of the micro actuator valves  68  opens and the rotor  60  within pump housing  40  rotates to pump liquid additive  50  from the liquid additive containers  36  through the inlet and out the outlet  54  to combine the liquid additive  50  with the liquid  48  from source  22  to prepare a complete or finished beverage  52 . In the case where multiple additives are needed to prepare the finished or complete beverage  52 , two or more of the micro actuated valves  68  may open up simultaneously or sequentially to allow liquid additive components  50  within two or more of the liquid additive container  36  to be drawn into the pump  38  and dispensed through outlet  54  into the liquid stream to combine with liquid  48  to prepare a finished or complete beverage  52 . When the beverage dispense cycle is complete, the controller or control board associated with the liquid dispensing appliance issues an instruction to end the pump cycle and close the micro actuator valve(s)  68 . The present invention contemplates that other liquid components may be loaded into the liquid additive system  26  for maintaining the liquid additive system  26  and the beverage preparation system  24 . For example, a liquid additive container  36  containing a de-scaling agent or component, or other anti-microbial agents suitable for use with food grade components may be inserted and the system cycled for cleaning conduit  70 , pump  38 , micro actuator valves  68  and other components of the system exposed to liquid additives or ingredients. 
       FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate another aspect of the invention. The liquid additive system  26  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is configured as a disposable or consumable device. The liquid additive system  26  is also configured for use in combination with a beverage preparation system  24  as previously described. The liquid additive system  26  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  includes a housing  72 . The housing  72  may be in the form of a capsule, pouch, pod, or other housing shape, material or design suitable for use as a consumable. Within the housing  72  is included a pump  38 , such as the pump illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Also included within the housing  72  are multiple liquid additive containers  36 . Each liquid additive container  36  is connected by a conduit  70  to an inlet associated with pump housing  40  of pump  38 . As with previous aspects of the invention illustrated and discussed supra, a micro actuated valve  68  is connected between the liquid additive container  36  and the inlet of pump housing  40 . The outlet  54  of pump  38  passes through housing  72  so that liquid additive  50  from a liquid additive container  36  may be dispensed from the housing  72 . At a location on the housing  72  (not shown), an electronics interface is provided whereby instructions from a controller or control board associated with the liquid dispensing platform, such as the refrigerator dispenser in  FIG. 1 , are communicated to actuate the motor (not shown) associated with the pump  38  and the micro actuated valves  68  for operating the liquid additive system  26 . The components associated with the liquid additive system  26  are preferably of minimal cost such that the liquid additive system  26  may be disposed of after a single use or multiples uses. The liquid additive system  26  shown in  FIG. 4A  is designed to be a consumable. The liquid additive system  26  may be configured with two, three or several liquid additive containers  36 . Some of the containers may include a liquid additive such as a flavoring or concentrate for preparing a finished or complete beverage. In one aspect of the present invention, or the case of a multiple use liquid additive system  26 , one of the liquid additive containers  36  may include an anti-microbial agent or an anti-scaling component suitable for use in food grade components to prevent scaling, deposits and other contamination resulting in any of the components associated with the liquid additive system  26  and/or the beverage preparation system  24  in which the liquid additive system  26  is used. A single use liquid additive system  26  could include also a de-scaling or anti-microbial liquid component for treating and cleaning elements and components associated with the beverage preparation system  24  at the end of the cycle of the liquid additive system  26 . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates the liquid additive system  26  used in combination with a beverage preparation system  24  such as the beverage preparation system  24  associated with a dispenser  20  of a refrigerator  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The present invention contemplates that the liquid additive system  26  may be used in combination with any liquid dispensing platform such as those listed supra. As shown in  FIG. 4B , the liquid dispensing platform may include a beverage dispensing system  32 . The beverage dispensing system  32  may include a additive loading and unloading interface  34 . Liquid additive system  26  may be loaded and unloaded (inserted and retrieved) through the additive loading and unloading interface  34 . The beverage dispensing system  32  also includes a beverage preparation system  24  having a liquid source  22  in fluid communication with a conduit  70  for providing a liquid for preparing a beverage. Liquid  48  from source  22  travels through conduit  70  connected to another conduit  70  attached in liquid communication with the outlet  54  of pump  38 . The beverage dispensing system  32  is configured whereby the liquid additive system  26  is docked so that the outlet  54 , when the liquid additive system  26  is in the docking position, is connected in liquid communication with conduit  70  associated with the beverage preparation system  24 . When the liquid additive system  26  is docked within the beverage dispensing system  32  the electronic controls associated with the liquid additive system  26  are brought into electronic communication with the controls, controller or control board associated with the liquid platform in which the liquid additive system  26  is used. For example, when the liquid additive system  26  is docked in the beverage dispensing system  32 , electronic controls of liquid additive system are brought into communication with the controller or control board associated with the liquid dispensing platform such as a refrigerator dispenser whereby instructions from a user or operator provided at the interface of the dispenser are communicated to the liquid additive system  26  for controlling pump  38  and micro actuated valve(s)  68 . 
     In operation, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the liquid additive system  26  is loaded into the beverage dispensing system  32 . The particular liquid additive system  26  may be selected depending upon the type of liquid additive component in each of the liquid additive containers  36 . In the case where a certain type of beverage is desired, a certain type of liquid additive system  26  may be selected having liquid additive containers  36  containing the desired liquid additive components. Alternatively, depending on the desired finished beverage  52 , a user/operator may select the appropriate liquid additive in liquid additive container  36 . The liquid additive container then may be inserted into the housing  72  so that the liquid additive system  26  includes all of the desired liquid additive components in their respective liquid additive containers contained within the housing  72 . For example, the user/operator could acquire the requisite liquid additive containers containing the necessary flavor or concentrate for preparing the desired finished beverage  52  and insert these containers into the housing  72 , and in turn insert the housing  72  into the beverage dispensing system  32 . When the liquid additive system  26  is docked within the beverage dispensing system  32 , the outlet  54  of the pump  38  is connected in liquid communication with conduit  70  and an electronics interface (not shown) associated with the housing  72  is brought into electrical communication with the opposing electronics interface associated with the liquid dispensing platform. Instructions received from a user/operator are communicated from a control or control board to the liquid additive system  26  for operating the motor (not shown) associated with pump  38  and the micro actuated valve(s)  68  within housing  72 . For example, in the instance where a multi-flavored beverage is desired, two or more of the micro actuated valves  68  may be instructed to open when or during operation of pump  38  whereby liquid additive components  50  may be communicated through the pump housing  40  and outlet  54  into the beverage preparation system  24  for combining with liquid  48  from liquid source  22  for preparing a complete or finished beverage  52 . When the beverage is complete and the liquid additive system  26  has completed its dispensing cycle, and assuming the liquid additive system is a single use system, the user/operator is instructed to remove the liquid additive system and dispose of it. A new liquid additive system  26  replaces the old one. The present invention contemplates that the liquid additive system may include a de-scaling or anti-microbial component contained within a liquid additive container  36 ; this component, after the beverage has been prepared, is dispensed through the pump housing  40  and beverage preparation system  24  for preventing contamination of the beverage preparation system and/or the beverage dispensing system  32 . In addition to a liquid additive system  26  containing multiple and/or various flavor-type concentrates or other liquid components for preparing a complete beverage, a liquid additive system  26  may be configured with a treatment system for removing contaminants, treating and preserving components associated with the beverage dispensing system  32 . For example, one liquid component could be a de-scaling agent, another liquid component could be an anti-microbial agent and another a conditioning component. Another liquid component could be a conduit treating agent to preserve the life of the conduit and/or care for the components associated with pump  38 . In either case, the liquid additive system  26 , whether dispensing liquids for maintaining the beverage dispensing system  32  or for preparing a finished or complete beverage, may be configured as a consumable part of the beverage dispensing system  32 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate another aspect of the present invention. The liquid additive system  26  illustrated in  FIG. 5A , similar to previous aspects of the invention, includes a housing  72  within which is contained several liquid additive containers  36 , each container connected in liquid communication with a pumping section associated with pump  38 . The housing shown in  FIG. 5A  may be configured as a pod, pouch or cartridge or other housing design suitable for containing one or more liquid additive containers and a pump. Enclosed within the housing  72 , as shown in  FIG. 5A , are three liquid additives containers  36 . The outlet of each container is connected in fluid communication with a pumping section of the pump  38 . For example, a first liquid additive container is connected in liquid communication with a first pumping section  74 , a second liquid additive container is connected in liquid communication with a second pumping section  76 , and a third liquid additive container is connected in liquid communication with a third pumping section  78 . The first, second and third pumping sections are contained within pump housing  40  of pump  38 . Each pumping section is sealed off from the other pumping sections and includes a rotor  60  mounted on and rotated by a single shaft  61  driven by a motor  80  powered by a power source  82 . Each pumping section includes an outlet connected in liquid communication with a common outlet  54  for the housing  72 . In operation, power source  82  provides electricity to motor  80  for rotating shaft  61  which in turn imparts rotation to rotor  60 . Rotation of the shaft  61  imparts rotation to the rotor  60  in each of the first, second and third pumping sections  74 ,  76  and  78 , respectively. Liquid additive  50  within the liquid additive container  36  is pumped through the inlet and out the outlet  54  of the liquid additive system  26 . Micro actuated valves such as those previously discussed and illustrated may be connected between the outlet of each liquid additive container and the inlet of the respective pumping section associated with pump housing  40  to control the flow of liquid additive from each of the liquid additive containers through the pump housing  40  and out the outlet  54 . Alternatively, to dispense a liquid additive from one liquid additive container and not another, or dispense liquid additives independent of the other, the shaft  61  may be configured with ribbings, gears, spines, detents or other geometries that interface with specific opposing geometries in each of the individual pumping sections so that if one pumping section is desired to pump and another is desired to not pump, the shaft may be translated by a micro actuator back and forth so as to engage certain geometries associated with the first pumping section and rotor in the first pumping section to cause the rotor to rotate and pump liquid additive from liquid additive container out the outlet  54 . Similarly, if a different liquid additive is desired, the shaft by way of a micro actuator, may be shifted to a second or third position whereby a different set of geometries positioned on the shaft  61  are brought into contact with corresponding geometries associated with the rotor in the desired pumping section so as to rotate the rotors and pump liquid additive out the outlet of housing  72 . In this manner, by shifting the shaft  61  laterally relative to each of the rotors associated with the first pumping section  74 , second pumping section  76  and third pumping section  78  the system is able to control which liquid additive container the liquid additive system dispenses liquid additive from without having to dispense from each of the liquid additive containers simultaneously. As with previous aspects of the invention, the liquid additive containers  36  could be filled with an additive for preparing a beverage or for maintaining the liquid additive system  26  or beverage preparation system  24  illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates the liquid additive system  26  shown in  FIG. 5A  used in combination with the liquid dispensing platform such as a dispenser of the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 1 . The liquid dispensing platform, such as a refrigerator appliance or other liquid dispensing appliance, includes a beverage dispensing system  32 , such as the dispenser  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . The beverage dispensing system  32  includes a loading and unloading interface  34  through which liquid additive system  26  is inserted and retrieved from the beverage dispensing system  32 . Similar to the liquid additive system  26  illustrated in  FIG. 4B , when the liquid additive system  26  shown in  FIG. 5B  is docked within the beverage dispensing system  32 , the outlet  54  associated with housing  72  is connected in liquid communication with conduit  70  connected to the beverage preparation system  24  associated with the liquid dispensing platform. Similarly, an electronic interface associated with housing  72  is brought into electronic communication with corresponding hardware associated with the beverage dispensing system  32  for receiving instructions for operating the motor driving shaft  61  and each of the rotors housed within the first pumping section  74 , the second pumping section  76 , and the third pumping section  78  of the pump housing  40 . A user interface associated with the liquid dispensing platform, such as a dispenser associated with the refrigerator shown in  FIG. 1 , may be used for inputting instructions for operating the liquid additive system  26 . In operation, a user/operator selects the type of beverage to be dispensed. The beverage type may be selected from the user interface associated with the liquid dispensing platform. Electronic communication with the liquid additive system  26  may provide a listing of the type of liquid additives contained in the liquid additive system  26 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the liquid additive system includes three liquid additive containers  36 . Each container could include a different additive for preparing a single beverage or multiple beverages. In the case where the beverage type requires that liquid additive  50  is dispensed from each of the liquid additive containers  36 , shaft  61  rotates to impart rotation to each of the rotors within the first, second and third pumping sections  74 ,  76  and  78  respectively to pump the liquid additive from each of the containers through the pump housing  40  out the outlet  54  into the beverage preparation system  24 . In the case where the beverage being prepared requires that less than all three of the liquid additive containers  36  be dispensed from at a single time, a micro actuator through electronic communication with a controller or control board associated with the liquid dispensing platform may be actuated to align certain geometries associated with shaft  61  with corresponding geometries associated with one or more of the rotors in the first, second and third pumping sections  74 ,  76  and  78  so that the desired rotor associated with the desired liquid additive container is rotated without rotating the others to pump liquid additive from the container through the pump housing  40  and into the beverage preparation system  24 . Alternatively, the liquid additive system  26  may be configured with micro actuated valves, such as those previously discussed and described, whereby electronic actuation of a valve allows one liquid additive container  36  to be in communication with its respective pumping section within pump housing  40  of pump  38  so as to pump liquid additive from the container through the pump housing and into the beverage preparation system  24 . Depending upon the desired beverage, instructions from an operating system may be provided to the liquid additive system  26  to control operation of the micro actuated valves associated with each liquid additive container so as to control when each additive container dispenses a liquid additive for preparing the desired beverage. As with other aspects of the invention, one or more of the liquid additive containers  36  may include a component such as a de-scaling component or anti-microbial component for treating, maintaining and preventing contamination of the beverage dispensing system  32  associated with the liquid dispensing platform in which the beverage preparation system  24  and liquid additive system  26  are used. The liquid additive  50  dispensed from the liquid additive system  26  is communicated through conduit  70  into beverage preparation system  24 . In the beverage preparation system  24  the liquid additive is combined with liquid  48  from source  22  to prepare a finished beverage  52 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate other aspects of the present invention.  FIG. 6A  illustrates the pump housing shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B  used in combination with a liquid dispensing platform such as a dispenser of a refrigerator illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A liquid dispensing platform could be configured to include a beverage dispensing system  32  as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . The beverage dispensing system  32  includes an additive loading and unloading interface as previously discussed and described supra. Liquid additive containers  36  are inserted into the beverage dispensing system  32  through the interface  34 . Liquid additive containers  36  may also be removed from the beverage dispensing system  32  through the interface. The beverage dispensing system  32  includes a liquid additive system  26  into which liquid additive containers  36  are inserted and removed. The liquid additive containers  36  may contain any flavoring, concentrate or other component as previously discussed and described supra. Each liquid additive container  36  is docked into the liquid additive system  26 . Placement of the liquid additive container  36  into the liquid additive system  26  connects conduit  70  with the container. Each liquid additive container  36  is connected in liquid communication with an inlet of the pump housing  40  of pump  38 . One liquid additive container  36  is connected to the primary inlet  42  of pump housing  40  via conduit  70 . Another liquid additive container  36  is connected to the secondary inlet  44  of pump housing  40  via a conduit  70 . Likewise, a third liquid additive container  36  is connected to the tertiary inlet  46  of pump housing  40  via a conduit  70 . Connected between the liquid additive container  36  and each inlet of the pump housing  40  is a micro actuated valve  68 . The micro actuated valve  68  controls the flow of liquid additive from the liquid additive container  36  to an inlet of the pump housing  40 . The primary inlet  42  of pump housing is in direct communication with first pumping section  74 , the secondary inlet  44  of the pump housing  40  is in direct communication with second pumping section  46 , and the tertiary inlet  46  of the pump housing  40  is in direct communication with the third pumping section  78 . The first pumping section  74 , second pumping section  76  and third pumping section  78  are separate housings contained within the overall pump housing  40 . The first pumping section  74  includes a rotor  60 , the second pumping section  76  includes another rotor  60  and the third pumping section  78  includes another rotor  60 . The three rotors being separate from each other but connected by the same shaft  61  driven by motor  80  powered by source  82 . Electricity from the source  82  drives the motor  80  which imparts rotation to shaft  61  for rotating each of the rotors within the individual pumping sections of the pump  38 . Each pumping section  74 ,  76  and  78  have an outlet  54  connected in common by a conduit  70  which is in turn connected to the beverage preparation system  24 . 
     In operation, a user/operator selects the desired liquid additive or additives and inserts the liquid additive container(s)  36  into the liquid additive system  26  through the interface  34 . The liquid additive system  26  is configured to recognize the type of liquid additive container  36  docked within the system. A user/operator may select through an operator&#39;s interface (on a liquid dispensing platform) the desired beverage. For example, a user/operator may use the user interface associated with dispenser  20  of refrigerator  10  shown in  FIG. 1  to select the desired beverage. Instructions are received at the pump  38  and micro actuated valves  68  from a controller or control board associated with the interface of the liquid dispensing platform. A valve (not shown) associated with the liquid source  22  opens to allow liquid  48  to travel through conduit  90  of the beverage preparation system  24 . The micro actuated valve  68  associated with the desired liquid additive is opened to allow the flow of liquid additive through conduit  70  to an input of the pump housing  40 . The motor  80  is actuated and imparts rotation to shaft  61  which turns rotor  60  for pumping liquid additive from the liquid additive container  36  through the conduit into the beverage preparation system  24 . The liquid additive  50  is combined with liquid  48  from the liquid source  22  to provide a finished or completed beverage  52 . In the case where the finished beverage requires more than one liquid additive, more than one micro actuated valve  68  may open up simultaneously or sequentially to allow liquid additives to pump from liquid additive containers  36  through pump housing  40  into the beverage preparation system  24 . Any number of the micro actuated valves  68  may be opened at one time to accommodate preparations of the finished beverage  52 . As with other aspects of the invention, an additive container could include any number of additives or components for cleaning, maintaining and preserving the hygienical integrity of the beverage preparation system  24  and liquid additive system  26 . For example, one liquid additive system  26  could include an anti-microbial component that is cycled through the liquid additive system  26  and beverage preparation system  24  after the preparation of each finished beverage  52  for insuring that the beverage dispensing system  32  is hygienically safe for preparing and dispensing the next beverage. Anti-microbial components or other agents used for cleaning and maintaining the system are those suitable for use in combination with food grade systems. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates another aspect of the beverage dispensing system  32  illustrated in  FIG. 6A . The beverage dispensing system  32  illustrated in  FIG. 6B  operates similar to the system illustrated in  FIG. 6A . However, the system illustrated in  FIG. 6B  is configured without micro actuated valves  68  being placed between the outlet of each liquid additive container  36  and the primary inlet  42 , secondary inlet  44  and tertiary inlet  46  of pump housing  40 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates a valveless version of the liquid additive system shown in  FIG. 6B . In this aspect of the invention, pump  38  is configured to control which rotor in which pumping section of the pump housing  40  rotates thereby controlling which liquid additive is dispensed to the beverage preparation system  24 . As with previous aspects of the invention, the rotors  60  contained within each pumping section  74 ,  76  and  78  are driven by shaft  61 . Rotation is imparted to shaft  61  by motor  80  receiving electricity from power source  82 . In one aspect of the invention, each rotor includes an electromagnetic responsive sleeve (not shown) through which shaft  61  extends. Mounted on the shaft  61  relative to the electromagnetic sleeve within each rotor are electromagnetic members which are electrically connected to power source  82 . For example, the rotor  60  in the first pumping section  74  includes at its core an electromagnetic sleeve surrounding the shaft that passes through the rotor  60 . On the outer peripheral surface of the shaft  61  are positioned electromagnetic members. These electromagnetic members (not shown) are connected to the shaft and rotate within the electromagnetic sleeve attached to the rotor. The rotor within the second pumping section  76  and the rotor within the third pumping section  78  are configured likewise. Depending upon the liquid additive that is selected by the user the controller or control board electrically charges the magnetic members fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft  61  for the rotor that needs to turn to pump liquid additive to the beverage preparation system  24 . For example, if the rotor  60  within the first pumping section  74  is to be rotated to pump liquid additive into the beverage preparation system  24  the electromagnetic members attached to the shaft within the electromagnetic sleeve of the rotor in the first pumping section  74  are electromagnetically actuated or charged so as to electromagnetically grip the sleeve within the rotor and impart rotation from the shaft to the rotor for pumping liquid additive from the liquid additive container  36  into the beverage preparation system  24 . The electromagnetic members associated with each rotor may be electrically charged individually, consecutively or in any order in which dispensing should occur to prepare the finished or completed beverage  52 . For example, the rotor  60  in the first pumping section  74  and in the third pumping  78  may be rotated at the same time by electromagnetically charging the electromagnetic members attached to the shaft  61  within the electromagnetic sleeve of the rotor in the first pumping section  74  and the rotor in the third pumping section  78 . In the case where the finished beverage requires that each of the rotors turn to pump liquid additive from the containers to the beverage preparation system  24  the electromagnetic members within each electromagnetic sleeve for the rotor  60  in the first pumping section  74 , the second pumping section  76  and the third pumping section  78  are electromagnetically charged to grip the sleeve and thereby impart rotation from the shaft to the rotors for turning each of the rotors and pumping liquid additive from each of the containers to the beverage preparation system  24  for preparing the finished or complete beverage  52 . Alternative embodiments for imparting rotation from the shaft  61  to each of the rotors in the separate pumping sections are also contemplated as described and suggested supra. 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the drawings and the specification although specific terms are employed, these are used in the generically descriptive sense only and are not used for the purpose of limitation. Changes in the form proportion of parts as well as substitution of equivalents are contemplated as the circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.