Patent Description:
Mixed beverage options during flight are limited by stowage space available and time available to serve customers, and/or flight attendants' knowledge of drink mixing. In this regard, passengers may have limited options to single serve bottles that can be purchased by customers. Additionally, current beverage options in aircraft cabins are operated solely by flight attendants or the like, which further limits mixed alcoholic beverage options, due to flight attendants' mixing knowledge, as well as limiting a number of beverages that can be sold on a shorter flight.

<CIT> discloses a capsule-based alcoholic beverage forming apparatus operable to dispense an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor, proof, temperature, and volume, which mixes water and alcohol with a flavor medium to form an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor that may be dispensed from the apparatus. <CIT>discloses juicing systems and methods for preparing custom beverages.

A beverage mixing device according to the invention is disclosed as follows: The beverage mixing device may comprise: a housing; a dispensing head spaced apart from the housing; a nozzle coupled to the dispensing head; a capsule receiver configured to receive a capsule including a pre-mixed composition, the capsule receiver including a first sensor; a water supply tank disposed within the housing; a carbonation vessel disposed within the housing, the carbonation vessel configured for on-demand carbonation; and a controller in electronic communication with the first sensor, the controller configured to: determine a drink type based on receiving sensor data from the first sensor, and dispense a carbonated water or a non-carbonated water based the drink type.

In various embodiments, the beverage mixing device may be mobile. It may also be stationary or installed in an aircraft cabin. The beverage mixing device may further comprise a pump disposed between the water supply tank and a first valve, the controller further configured to activate the first valve to fluidly couple the water supply tank to the on-demand carbonation vessel in response the controller receiving an indication the drink type uses carbonated water. The first valve may comprise a first inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. A first fluid conduit may extend from the second outlet to a first inlet of a second valve. The second valve may include the first inlet, a second inlet in fluid communication with the carbonation vessel, and a first outlet in fluid communication with the nozzle. The beverage mixing device may further comprise a flow meter disposed between the water supply tank and the pump, the flow meter in electronic communication with the controller. The controller may be further configured to command pumping of water, via the pump, from the water supply tank in response to determining the drink type includes a non-carbonated water for mixing. The beverage mixing device may further comprise a third valve disposed between a carbon dioxide vessel and the on-demand carbonation vessel. In various embodiments, in response to determining the drink type includes a carbonated water, the controller is further configured to: activate the first valve to fluidly couple the water supply tank to the on-demand carbonation vessel, activate the third valve to fluidly couple the carbon dioxide vessel to the on-demand carbonation vessel, and activate the second valve to fluidly couple the on-demand carbonation vessel to the nozzle.

An article of manufacture according to the invention is disclosed as follows: The article of manufacture may include a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving, via a processor, an identifier from a sensor disposed in a beverage mixing device, the sensor configured to capture the identifier on a capsule including a pre-mixed composition; determining, via the processor, a drink type associated with the identifier; determining, via the processor, the drink type includes a carbonated water; activating, via the processor, a first valve to fluidly couple a water supply tank to an on-demand carbonation vessel; activating, via the processor, a second valve to vent the on-demand carbonation vessel during filling of the on-demand carbonation vessel with water; de-activating, via the processor the first valve and the second valve; activating, via the processor, a third valve to fluidly couple a carbon dioxide vessel to the on-demand carbonation vessel; and activating, via the processor, a fourth valve to fluidly couple the on-demand carbonation vessel to a nozzle, the nozzle configured to dispense the carbonated water and the pre-mixed composition.

In various embodiments, the operations may further: comprise receiving, via the processor, pressure data from a pressure transducer disposed between the on-demand carbonation vessel and the third valve. The operations may further comprise de-activating the third valve in response to a pressure in the pressure data exceeding a pressure threshold. De-activating the first valve and the fourth valve may be in response to determining a predetermined volume of water is disposed in the on-demand carbonation vessel based on data received from a flow meter. The operations may further comprise commanding, via the processor, an air pump to pump air through the nozzle. The operations may further comprise commanding, via the processor, a pump to pump non-carbonated water from the water supply tank in response to determining the drink type includes a non-carbonated water as a mixer.

A control system for a beverage mixing device according to the invention is disclosed in claim <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the control system may further comprise a carbonation vessel and a pressure transducer configured to measure a pressure in the carbonation vessel. The controller may be further configured to receive pressure data from the pressure transducer. The control system may be configured to activate the fourth valve while filling the on-demand carbonation vessel with water from the water supply tank. The control system may further comprise an air pump configured to be fluidly coupled with a nozzle, the second valve fluidly coupled to the nozzle. The controller may further be configured to command the air pump to dispense a pressurized air through the nozzle.

Disclosed herein is an alcoholic beverage mixing device for use in aircraft cabins. In various embodiments, the alcoholic beverage mixing device is mobile. Although described herein as being a mobile device, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the alcoholic beverage mixing device may be stationary and may be configured to be installed in an aircraft cabin, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the alcoholic beverage mixing device may comprise a power source. The power source may be capable of powering the alcoholic beverage mixing device. In various embodiments, the power source may be a rechargeable power source, such as a battery, auxiliary power units, generators, or the like.

In various embodiments, the alcoholic beverage mixing device comprises a dispensing head, a mixing nozzle, a water supply tank, a carbon dioxide tank, a carbonation vessel, pump(s), and a controller. In various embodiments, the controller is configured to perform various operations to mix alcohol and generate a mixed alcoholic drink, as described further herein. In various embodiments, the alcoholic beverage device comprises flavoring concentrates including alcohol.

Currently, alcoholic beverages available in flight are limited to beer, wine, and single serve bottles of distilled spirits (vodka, whiskey, etc.) or liqueur that can be mixed by the customer with another beverage, sometimes referred to as a mixer. The devices disclosed herein allow for the sale of more complex cocktails (mixtures of distilled spirits and mixers) like margaritas, mojitos, long island iced teas, and others, in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, the devices disclosed herein may provide an additional revenue stream from passengers and/or enhanced amenities for various passengers, in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of an alcoholic beverage mixing device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for use in aircraft cabins is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. The device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> comprises housing <NUM> configured to house a water supply tank <NUM>, pump(s) <NUM>, a carbonation vessel <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and a power source <NUM>. In various embodiments, the housing <NUM> may be mobile (e.g., the device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include wheel(s) <NUM> coupled to the housing <NUM>). Although illustrated as including wheel(s) <NUM>, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the housing <NUM> may be installed in a cabin of an aircraft, in accordance with various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> further comprises a dispensing head <NUM>, a nozzle <NUM>, a drip tray <NUM>, and a plumbing system <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. During operation, the plumbing system <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be in fluid communication with the water supply tank <NUM>, the carbonation vessel <NUM>, and the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM>. In this regard, the plumbing system <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to transport a mixed drink generated from the device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> through the nozzle <NUM> via the plumbing system <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as described further herein.

In various embodiments, the device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> further comprises a storage container <NUM> and a waste receptacle <NUM>. Although illustrated as comprising the storage container <NUM> and the waste receptacle <NUM>, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, for a stationary application a storage container <NUM> and/or a waste receptacle <NUM> may be eliminated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the storage container <NUM> may be configured to house drink pods (i.e., a pre-mixed flavor concentration and an alcoholic beverage), such as a whiskey and syrup concentrate, or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of the device <NUM> from <FIG> is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the device <NUM> further comprises a drink capsule receiver <NUM>. The drink capsule receiver <NUM> may be configured to receive a drink capsule containing a pre-mixed composition, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the pre-mixed composition may include a flavoring (e.g., in powder form, a syrup, or the like) and an alcohol (e.g., whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, tequila, etc.). In various embodiments, the premixed composition may be sealed within the drink capsule and the device <NUM> may be configured to break the seal of the drink capsule (e.g., by puncturing the seal via an actuated pin, or the like). The present disclosure is not limited in this regard. Any means for breaking a seal for a pre-mixed composition is within the scope of this disclosure.

The plumbing system <NUM> of device <NUM> includes various fluid conduits configured to transfer fluid throughout the plumbing system <NUM> as disclosed further herein. In various embodiments, the plumbing system <NUM> comprises a first fluid conduit <NUM> extending from a water supply tank <NUM> to a pump <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may comprise an electrically activated pump (i.e., the pump <NUM> may be configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy). In various embodiments, in response to receiving electrical energy from the power source <NUM> from <FIG>, the pump <NUM> is configured to pump water from the water supply tank <NUM> through the first fluid conduit <NUM> and out an outlet of the pump <NUM> towards a first valve <NUM> via a second fluid conduit. In various embodiments, the first valve <NUM> comprises an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. In various embodiments, the first valve <NUM> is in fluid communication with the second outlet in an un-energized state. Although illustrated as being in fluid communication with the second outlet of the first valve <NUM> in the un-energized state and in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first valve <NUM> in an energized state, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the first valve <NUM> could be in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first valve <NUM> in the un-energized state. In various embodiments, the first valve <NUM> is a solenoid valve. In this regard, in response to being energized (i.e., an electrical coil receiving current therethrough), a plunger may be actuated to close the second outlet of the first valve <NUM> and open the first outlet of the first valve <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments.

The first outlet of the first valve <NUM> is in fluid communication with the carbonation vessel <NUM> via a third fluid conduit <NUM>. The second outlet of the first valve <NUM> is in fluid communication with a first inlet of a second valve <NUM> via a fourth fluid conduit <NUM>. In various embodiments, the second valve <NUM> comprises the first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. In various embodiments, the first inlet of the second valve <NUM> is in fluid communication with the outlet of the second valve <NUM> in an un-energized state. Although illustrated as being the first inlet of the second valve <NUM> being in fluid communication with the outlet in the un-energized state and the second inlet being in fluid communication with the outlet of the second valve <NUM> in an energized state, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the second inlet of the second valve <NUM> could be in fluid communication with the outlet of the second valve <NUM> in the un-energized state, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the second valve <NUM> is a solenoid valve.

In various embodiments, the outlet of the second valve <NUM> is in fluid communication with a flow meter <NUM> via a fifth fluid conduit <NUM>. The flow meter <NUM> is in fluid communication with the nozzle <NUM> via a sixth fluid conduit <NUM> of the device <NUM>. In this regard, as described further herein, in response to a controller determining a drink to be mixed is not a carbonated drink, the controller may command the pump <NUM> to pump water through fluid conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and out the nozzle <NUM> combined with a premixed composition of a respective drink capsule as defined further herein.

In various embodiments, the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM> is in fluid communication with a pressure regulator <NUM>. In various embodiments, the pressure regulator <NUM> may be coupled directly to the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM>, may be integral with the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM>, or may be in fluid communication through a seventh fluid conduit <NUM>. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The pressure regulator comprises a valve configured to control a pressure of the carbon dioxide supplied to the carbonation vessel <NUM>. In this regard, based on a command from a controller <NUM> from <FIG>, the pressure of the carbon dioxide supplied to the carbonation vessel <NUM> may be regulated based on a respective drink capsule as disclosed further herein.

In various embodiments, the pressure regulator <NUM> is in fluid communication with the carbonation vessel <NUM> via an eighth fluid conduit <NUM>. In various embodiments, the carbonation vessel <NUM> may be configured for continuous carbonation. In this regard, the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM> may be constantly providing carbon dioxide into the carbonation vessel <NUM> during operation of the device <NUM>. In various embodiments, a sensor <NUM> may be operably coupled to the carbonation vessel <NUM> configured to measure a level of fluid disposed in the carbonation vessel <NUM>. In this regard, the level sensor may be configured to provide an input as to a height of fluid disposed in the carbonation vessel <NUM> to provide an indication when the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM> is low on water, in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, the carbonation vessel <NUM> may be a continuous carbonation vessel. Thus, once water recedes below a predetermined level, as determined by the controller <NUM> from <FIG> based on a measurement of the sensor <NUM>, water from the water supply tank <NUM> may be supplied to the carbonation vessel <NUM> (i.e., via energizing first valve <NUM>), and pumping water from the water supply tank <NUM> via pump <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the carbonation vessel <NUM> is in fluid communication with the second input of the second valve <NUM> via a ninth fluid conduit <NUM>. In various embodiments, in response to a controller determining a drink to be mixed is a carbonated drink, the controller <NUM> from <FIG> may energize the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>, command the pump <NUM> to pump water through fluid conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> into the carbonation vessel <NUM> to form a carbonated water, pump the carbonated water from the carbonation vessel <NUM> through fluid conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and out the nozzle <NUM>, and combine the carbonated water with a premixed composition of a respective drink capsule at the nozzle <NUM> as defined further herein.

Although illustrated as having the flow meter <NUM> disposed between the second valve <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM>, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the flow meter <NUM> may be disposed in the first fluid conduit <NUM>, the second fluid conduit <NUM>, or two flow meters utilized (e.g., one in fourth fluid conduit <NUM> and one in third fluid conduit <NUM> or the like), in accordance with various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the device <NUM> comprises an air pump <NUM> in fluid communication with the nozzle <NUM>. In this regard, the air pump <NUM> may be configured to provide a positive pressure to push a remaining fluid out the nozzle <NUM> proximate an end of a dispensing cycle, in accordance with various embodiments. Although illustrated as comprising the air pump <NUM>, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, with brief reference to <FIG>, the air pump <NUM> may be replaced by fluidly coupling the carbon dioxide vessel to a third valve <NUM> through a second pressure regulator <NUM> of device <NUM>. In various embodiments, device <NUM> is in accordance with device <NUM>, where like numerals denote like elements of device <NUM>. In various embodiments, the third valve <NUM> may be in closed in an un-energized state and opened in an energized state. In this regard, in response to nearing an end of a dispensing cycle, a portion of the carbon dioxide may be routed to the nozzle <NUM> to push a remaining fluid out the nozzle <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments.

Although illustrated as providing continuous carbonation, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, with reference now to <FIG>, a schematic view of a device <NUM> with a plumbing system <NUM> configured for on-demand carbonation is illustrated, where like numerals denote like elements of device <NUM>. In various embodiments, the flow meter <NUM> from device <NUM> may be moved from between second valve <NUM> and nozzle <NUM> to being between the water supply tank <NUM> (i.e., fluidly coupled via fluid conduit <NUM>) and the pump <NUM> (i.e., fluidly coupled via fluid conduit <NUM>), and a pressure transducer <NUM> may be coupled to the ninth fluid conduit <NUM> extending from an on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>. Thus, a single conduit <NUM> may extend from the second valve <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>. In this regard, flow meter <NUM> and the pressure transducer <NUM> may provide inputs to the controller <NUM> from <FIG> to regulate a pressure of pump <NUM> for a drink being carbonated on-demand based on a respective carbonation level for the drink, in accordance with various embodiments.

In various embodiments, a third valve <NUM> may be disposed between the pressure regulator <NUM> (i.e., fluidly coupled via fluid conduit <NUM>) and the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> (i.e., fluidly coupled via fluid conduit <NUM>). In various embodiments, the third valve <NUM> may be closed in an un-energized state and opened in an energized state. In this regard, a default state of the third valve <NUM> may correspond to a drink being generated that is non-carbonated, whereas in response to the controller <NUM> from <FIG> determining a drink is to be carbonated, the third valve <NUM> may be energized to open the third valve <NUM> and fluidly couple the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM> to the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the device <NUM> further comprises a first exhaust fluid conduit <NUM> extending from the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> to an input of a fourth valve <NUM> and a second exhaust fluid conduit <NUM> extending from an output of the fourth valve <NUM> to an output port. In various embodiments, the fourth valve <NUM> is closed in an un-energized state and opened in an energized state. In this regard, in response to a drink dispensing cycle being finished, any remaining carbon dioxide in the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> may be exhausted through the output port of the second exhaust fluid conduit <NUM>.

Although illustrated with devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being configured to receive a drink capsule, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, with reference now to <FIG>, a schematic view of a device <NUM> not according to the invention with a plumbing system <NUM> configured for a plurality of bulk pre-mixed compositions <NUM> is illustrated, where like numerals denote like elements of device <NUM>. In various examples, the device <NUM> comprises a plurality of bulk pre-mixed compositions <NUM>, each bulk pre-mixed composition stored in a respective container. In various examples, the bulk pre-mixed compositions <NUM> include alcohol and a flavoring concentrate, such as a powder composition, a syrup composition, or the like. In various examples, the bulk pre-mixed compositions may include alcohol disposed separately from the flavoring concentrate and configured to be mixed/dispensed together in response to dispensing the bulk pre-mixed composition (e.g., bulk premixed composition <NUM> or bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM>).

Although illustrated as including a first bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM> and a second pre-mixed composition <NUM> (not according to the invention), the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, any number of bulk premixed compositions for the device <NUM> is within the scope of this disclosure. In various examples, each pre-mixed composition may be associated with a respective pump in fluid communication with the nozzle <NUM>. In this regard, in response to the controller <NUM> from <FIG> receiving a drink selection, the controller may command a respective pump (e.g., pump <NUM> in response to a user selecting a drink associated with the bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM>), to dispense a predetermined amount of the bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM> to be mixed with one of a non-carbonated water or a carbonated water as described previously herein. Although illustrated as a pump for each bulk pre-mixed composition, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, instead of pump <NUM> being associated with bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM> and pump <NUM> being associated with pump <NUM>, a single pump may be utilized and a valve may be configured to open or close as described previously herein to fluidly couple a selected bulk pre-mixed composition to the nozzle <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments.

Although device <NUM>,not according to the invention, is illustrated as having a carbonation system in accordance with device <NUM>, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. For example, the device <NUM> may include a carbonation system in accordance with device <NUM> or device <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, the carbonation system of device <NUM> may be configured to utilize the carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM> to push a remaining fluid out the nozzle <NUM> in accordance with device <NUM>, or may include an on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> in accordance with device <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of a control system <NUM> for the device <NUM> from <FIG> and <FIG> is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiment, the control system <NUM> comprises the controller <NUM> of device <NUM> from <FIG>. In various embodiments, controller <NUM> may be configured as a central network element or hub to access various systems and components of control system <NUM>. In various embodiments, controller <NUM> may comprise a processor. In various embodiments, controller <NUM> may be implemented in a single processor. In various embodiments, controller <NUM> may be implemented as and may include one or more processors and/or one or more tangible, non-transitory memories (e.g., memory) and be capable of implementing logic. Each processor can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor ("DSP"), an application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), a field programmable gate array ("FPGA") or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. Controller <NUM> may comprise a processor configured to implement various logical operations in response to execution of instructions, for example, instructions stored on a non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable medium configured to communicate with controller <NUM>.

System program instructions and/or controller instructions may be loaded onto a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a controller, cause the controller to perform various operations. The term "non-transitory" is to be understood to remove only propagating transitory signals per se from the claim scope and does not relinquish rights to all standard computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se. Stated another way, the meaning of the term "non-transitory computer-readable medium" and "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium" should be construed to exclude only those types of transitory computer-readable media which were found in In Re Nuijten to fall outside the scope of patentable subject matter under <NUM> U.

In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> is in electronic communication (e.g., wirelessly or electrically) with the sensor <NUM>, a capsule sensor <NUM>, the flow meter <NUM>, the pressure regulator <NUM> and the power source <NUM> of device <NUM>. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to receive data from the sensor <NUM>, the pressure regulator <NUM>, the flow meter <NUM>, and the capsule sensor <NUM>. In this regard, the controller <NUM> may command power source <NUM> to provide electrical power to various components in response to data received during operation of the device <NUM> as described further herein. With combined reference to <FIG>, the capsule sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the drink capsule receiver <NUM>. In this regard, the capsule sensor <NUM> is configured to provide drink data to the controller <NUM> for the controller to act on. In various embodiments, the capsule sensor <NUM> may comprise a radio frequency identification ("RFID") reader, a camera, a scanner, or the like. Thus, a drink capsule may comprise a drink identifier that the capsule sensor <NUM> is configured to read, such as an RFID tag, a barcode, or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, a control system <NUM> for the device <NUM> from <FIG> and <FIG> is illustrated, where like numerals denote like elements of control system <NUM> from <FIG>, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> comprises a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is in accordance with the controller <NUM> except as otherwise described herein. In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> is in accordance with control system <NUM> with the exception that air pump <NUM> is removed, the pressure regulator <NUM> is added and the third valve <NUM> is added. In various embodiments, the pressure regulator <NUM> is in electronic (i.e., electrical or wireless) communication with the controller <NUM>. In this regard, the pressure regulator <NUM> is configured to provide data to the controller as to a pressure being measured between the carbon dioxide vessel <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> of device <NUM> from <FIG>, in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, the controller <NUM> may be configured to monitor and regulate the pressure in response to the data, in accordance with various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the third valve <NUM> is in electrical communication with the controller <NUM>. In this regard, in response to the controller <NUM> determining a dispensing cycle has ended (i.e., by deactivating pump <NUM>), a remaining fluid may be pushed out of the nozzle <NUM> of device <NUM> from <FIG> in response to the controller <NUM> commanding the power source to energize the third valve <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring now to <FIG>, a control system <NUM> for the device <NUM> from <FIG> and <FIG> is illustrated, where like numerals denote like elements of control system <NUM> from <FIG>, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> comprises a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is in accordance with the controller <NUM> except as otherwise described herein. In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> is in accordance with control system <NUM> with the exception that control system <NUM> further comprises the third valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM>. In various embodiments, the third valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM> are in electrical communication with the power source <NUM>. In this regard, the controller <NUM> is configured to open the third valve <NUM> by energizing the third valve <NUM> in response to determining a respective beverage to be mixed is to be carbonated. In this regard, the controller <NUM> may control the pressure regulator <NUM> to control an amount of carbon dioxide to supply to the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> of device <NUM> from <FIG> and de-energize the third valve <NUM> upon completing a dispensing cycle, in accordance with various embodiments. Similarly, the controller <NUM> is configured to command (e.g., through the power source <NUM>) energizing fourth valve <NUM> to exhaust carbon dioxide from the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> of device <NUM> from <FIG> in response to completing the dispensing cycle, in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring now to <FIG>, a control system <NUM> for the device <NUM> from <FIG> and <FIG> is illustrated, where like numerals denote like elements of control system <NUM> from <FIG>, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> comprises a controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is in accordance with the controller <NUM> except as otherwise described herein. In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> is in accordance with control system <NUM> with the exception that control system <NUM> does not include the capsule sensor <NUM> and further comprises pumps <NUM>, <NUM> and a user interface <NUM>. In various embodiments, the user interface <NUM> includes a graphical user interface which may be accessible by a display device via an application, web browser, software application, or the like. In various embodiments, since the pre-mixed compositions are disposed within the housing <NUM> of <FIG>, a capsule sensor <NUM> is not used. In this regard, a user may select a drink from a list of mixed drinks for the device <NUM> from <FIG>. In response to selecting a mixed drink from the user interface <NUM>, the controller may determine a bulk pre-mixed composition from a plurality of bulk pre-mixed compositions <NUM> from <FIG> from which to dispense through nozzle <NUM> of device <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments. In this regard, the controller <NUM> may activate a pump (e.g., pump <NUM> or pump <NUM>) associated with a respective bulk pre-mixed composition (e.g., bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM> or bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM>), in accordance with various embodiments.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow chart for a process <NUM> of dispensing a mixed drink via a control system <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. The process <NUM> comprises determining via a controller, a mixed drink to be dispensed (step <NUM>). In various embodiments, determining the mixed drink may be based on receiving an identifier from a capsule sensor (e.g., capsule sensor <NUM> of control systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) as disclosed previously herein. In various embodiments, determining the mixed drink may be based on receiving a selected drink from a user interface (e.g., user interface <NUM> from control system <NUM>).

In various embodiments, the process <NUM> further comprises determining whether the mixed drink to be dispensed includes carbonation (step <NUM>). In various embodiments, each identifier for a mixed drink in accordance with control systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and each selectable drink from a user interface in accordance with control system <NUM> may include the following data: carbonation data (i.e., carbonated or not), volume data (i.e., a volume of water or carbonated water to be dispensed), or the like.

In various embodiments, the process <NUM> further comprises commanding, via the controller, dispensing of a pre-determined volume of carbonated water in response to determining the mixed drink is a carbonated mixed drink (step <NUM>).

In various embodiments, control systems <NUM>, <NUM> may dispense carbonated water in accordance with step <NUM> from the carbonation vessel <NUM> which is continuously carbonated as described previously herein. In this regard, the second valve <NUM> may be energized by the controller <NUM>, <NUM> of the control system <NUM>, <NUM>, pressure from the carbonation vessel <NUM> may propel the carbonated water out the nozzle <NUM> of the device <NUM>, <NUM>, and the flow meter <NUM> may provide data to the controller <NUM>, <NUM> to ensure the volume of carbonated water is in accordance with the mixed drink of step <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> may energize, via a command from the controller <NUM>, the first valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM> (i.e., to provide a vent during filling of the on-demand carbonation vessel). The control system <NUM> may proceed to fill the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> with a predetermined volume of water associated with a drink being dispensed. The control system <NUM> may fill the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> based on data received from the flow meter <NUM>. In various embodiments, once the predetermined volume of water is disposed in the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may de-energize the pump <NUM>, the valve <NUM>, and the third valve <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may further energize valve <NUM> to pressurize the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> to a predetermined pressure. In this regard, pressure transducer <NUM> may provide pressure data to the controller <NUM> to ensure the pressure of the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> meets the predetermined pressure. In various embodiments, in response to the predetermined pressure being met or exceeded, the controller <NUM> may de-energize valve <NUM> and energize valve <NUM> to dispense the carbonated water.

In this regard, carbonated water may be formed in the on-demand carbonation vessel <NUM> by regulating, via the pump <NUM> (in response to controller receiving data from flow meter <NUM>) and pressure regulator <NUM> and an amount of water supplied from water supply tank <NUM> and an amount of carbon dioxide supplied from carbon dioxide vessel <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, the pressure transducer <NUM> may provide pressure data to the controller <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the control system <NUM> may dispense the carbonated water in accordance with control system <NUM>, control system <NUM>, or control system <NUM> as outlined above.

In various embodiments, the process <NUM> further comprises commanding, via the controller, dispensing of a pre-mixed composition associated with the mixed drink (step <NUM>). In various embodiments, the pre-mixed composition may be dispensed via the dispensing head <NUM> from <FIG> by breaking a seal of a drink capsule (e.g., for control systems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) or by activating a pump (e.g., pump <NUM> or pump <NUM> of device <NUM>) associated with the pre-mixed composition (e.g., bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM> or bulk pre-mixed composition <NUM> of device <NUM>), in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, steps <NUM> and <NUM> may be performed simultaneously. In various embodiments, the bulk pre-mixed composition associated with the mixed drink may be configured to release a pre-determined volume of the pre-mixed composition prior to pumping the pre-mixed composition through the nozzle <NUM>, in accordance with various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the process <NUM> further comprises commanding, via the controller, dispensing of a pre-determined volume of non-carbonated water in response to determining the mixed drink is a non-carbonated mixed drink (step <NUM>). In this regard, the controller <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may command the pump <NUM> to pump a pre-determined volume of water through the nozzle <NUM>. In various embodiments, the controller <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may monitor the amount of non-carbonated water being dispensed via flow meter <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A beverage mixing device, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a dispensing head (<NUM>) spaced apart from the housing;
a nozzle (<NUM>) coupled to the dispensing head;
a capsule receiver (<NUM>) configured to receive a capsule including a pre-mixed composition, the capsule receiver including a first sensor (<NUM>);
a water supply tank (<NUM>) disposed within the housing;
a carbonation vessel (<NUM>) disposed within the housing, the carbonation vessel configured for on-demand carbonation; and
a controller in electronic communication with the first sensor, the controller configured to:
determine a drink type based on receiving sensor data from the first sensor, and
characterized in that the controller is further configured to:
dispense a carbonated water or a non-carbonated water based on the drink type.