Patent Description:
The fluid packages may require agitation to keep the ingredients mixed. Typically, the entire ingredient tower may be agitated to mix the fluid packages. The agitation of the entire ingredient tower often results in an unintended agitation of the corresponding pumps, valves, sensors, and any associated electrical harnesses and wiring. This unintended agitation may contribute to electrical and mechanical malfunction requiring frequent repair, costly maintenance and replacement.

<CIT> discloses a product dispensing mechanism comprising an agitation mechanism that that includes an agitation motor driving an agitation arm via a linkage to agitate product module assemblies.

<CIT> discloses a liquid dispenser that comprises an agitation mechanism including a number of shelves that are linked via arms, wherein each shelf rotates about its own axis of rotation. The initial rotation of a shelf is carried out by a motor, and this rotation is transferred to the other shelves via the arms.

This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a housing tower, comprising: a chassis assembly configured to house a single rack tower and a pump assembly, wherein the rack tower is configured to receive a plurality of fluid packages, wherein the pump assembly is adapted to fluidly connect with the plurality of fluid packages upon receipt into the rack tower; and an agitation assembly configured to agitate the rack tower relative to the chassis assembly; wherein the chassis assembly remains stationary as the agitation assembly agitates the rack tower, characterised in that the agitation assembly is configured to agitate the rack tower by oscillating the rack tower about a single pivot point on the chassis assembly.

The chassis assembly may comprise at least one of a control board, power and data connection to the pump assembly, and a pump electrical connection and as the agitation assembly agitates, the at least one of the control board, the power and data connection to the pump assembly, and the pump electrical connection may remain stationary, and the rack tower may comprise a radio frequency identification antenna, wherein the control board is coupled to the chassis assembly on a first side panel and the radio frequency identification antenna is located on a second side panel of the chassis assembly opposite to the first side panel.

The rack tower may comprise slots to receive the plurality of fluid packages, wherein the plurality of fluid packages are stacked package to package, and wherein the slots are inclined at an angle of at least five degrees; and/or the plurality of fluid packages are connected to the pump assembly comprises connecting each of the plurality of fluid packages to an associated individual pump.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a beverage system, comprising: at least one housing tower according to the first aspect, wherein the rack tower is a first rack tower and the pump assembly is a first pump assembly, wherein the first rack tower is configured to receive a first plurality of fluid packages, wherein the first plurality of fluid packages is connected to the first pump assembly located at the chassis assembly, and the agitation assembly comprises a motor located within the chassis assembly configured to agitate the first rack tower relative to the chassis assembly; and at least one stationary housing tower, comprising a second rack tower configured to house a second pump assembly and to receive a second plurality of fluid packages, wherein the second plurality of fluid packages are connected to the second pump assembly.

The chassis assembly may comprise at least one of a control board, power and data connection to the first pump assembly, and a pump electrical connection, and agitating the first rack tower relative to the chassis assembly may comprise maintaining a stationary position of the at least one of the control board, the power and data connection to the first pump assembly, and the pump electrical connection. The first rack tower may comprise a radio frequency identification antenna, wherein the power and data connection is coupled to the chassis assembly on a first side panel and the radio frequency identification antenna is located on a second side panel of the chassis assembly opposite to the first side panel.

The first rack tower may comprise slots to receive the first plurality of fluid packages, wherein the slots are inclined at an angle of at least five degrees; and/or each of the first plurality of fluid packages are connected to an associated individual pump.

At least one of the first plurality of fluid packages may comprise a sweetener, wherein the sweetener is one of a non-nutritive sweetener and a high fructose corn syrup, and at least one of the first plurality of fluid packages may be coupled to an associated plurality of pumps in the first pump assembly.

The first plurality of fluid packages may comprise eight individual fluid packages, and the first pump assembly may comprise eight individual pumps.

Agitating the first rack tower relative to the chassis assembly may comprise maintaining a stationary position of the chassis assembly, the first pump assembly, and the stationary housing tower.

The second rack tower may comprise slots to receive the second plurality of fluid packages, wherein the second plurality of fluid packages are stacked package to package, and wherein the second plurality of fluid packages remain stationary within the second rack tower.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for agitating fluid packages utilizing an agitation device comprising an agitation chassis assembly and an agitation rack tower, wherein the method comprises: receiving a plurality of fluid packages at the agitation rack tower; connecting the plurality of fluid packages to a pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly is located at the agitation chassis assembly; agitating the agitation rack tower relative to the agitation chassis assembly about a single pivot point located on the agitation rack tower; and allowing the pump assembly at the agitation chassis assembly to remain stationary as the agitation rack tower agitates.

Receiving the plurality of fluid packages at the agitation rack tower may comprise securing each of the plurality of fluid packages at an angle of at least five degrees. Connecting the plurality of fluid packages to the pump assembly may comprise connecting each of the plurality of fluid packages to an associated individual pump.

At least one of the plurality of fluid packages may comprise a non-nutritive sweetener or high fructose corn syrup, and at least one of the plurality of fluid packages may be coupled to an associated plurality of pumps in the pump assembly.

The agitation chassis assembly may comprise at least one of a control board, power and data connection to the pump assembly, and a pump electrical connection, and agitating the agitation rack tower relative to the agitation chassis assembly may comprise maintaining a stationary position of the at least one of the control board, the power and data connection to the pump assembly, and the pump electrical connection.

Agitating the agitation rack tower relative to the agitation chassis assembly may comprise using an agitation motor located within the agitation chassis assembly that is connected to the agitation rack tower by a rod to agitate the agitation rack tower.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an exemplary operating environment <NUM> for agitating a plurality of fluid packages or containers. As shown in <FIG>, the operating environment <NUM> comprises an agitation chassis assembly <NUM>, an agitation rack tower <NUM>, a connecting rod <NUM>, an agitation motor mount <NUM>, and a pump assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the operating environment <NUM> is assembled as an agitation device <NUM>. The agitation rack tower <NUM> includes a plurality of fluid sources.

The plurality of fluid sources include, for example, fluid packages or containers that are inserted within the agitation rack tower <NUM>. The fluid packages contain a colloid, typically an emulsion. In some examples, the fluid packages have beverage forming ingredients therein and act as beverage forming ingredient sources. In such scenarios, the fluid in the fluid packages can be used to form beverages such as teas, soft drinks, sport drinks, fruit drinks, and the like. In other examples, other types of fluids can be contained in the fluid packages and be used to form other beverages.

The rack tower <NUM> has slots <NUM> to physically receive the fluid packages. In some embodiments, to enable receipt of the maximum number of fluid packages, the rack tower <NUM> may omit dividers between the packages. Instead, each fluid package may be stacked within the agitation rack tower <NUM> package to package in the slots <NUM>. In some embodiments, fluid packages are inserted into the slots <NUM> in a drawer. Such fluid packages and drawers are described in <CIT>.

For example, one non-limiting embodiment of a fluid package <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The fluid package <NUM> includes a carton <NUM> with a bag positioned therein with a fluid. The carton <NUM> includes a product label <NUM>. In this example, the product label <NUM> includes an RFID tag embedded therein positioned on a side <NUM> of the carton <NUM>. The carton <NUM> is held by a container <NUM> that is sized to be positioned within the rack tower <NUM> as described herein.

Referring again to <FIG>, the agitation device <NUM> agitates the plurality of fluid packages to keep the contents from stratifying or otherwise settling and/or separating. For example, the contents may stratify when the fluid packages have remained stationary for a set period of time. The fluid packages are agitated within the agitation rack tower <NUM>. The agitation chassis assembly <NUM> remains stationary as the agitation rack tower <NUM> oscillates about an agitation rack tower pivot point <NUM> relative to an agitation chassis assembly pivot <NUM>. The agitation rack tower <NUM> is agitated via an agitation motor mount pivot point <NUM>. The agitation motor mount pivot point <NUM> is connected to the agitation motor mount <NUM> via the connecting rod <NUM>. As the motor mount <NUM> is actuated it causes the agitation motor mount pivot point <NUM> to oscillate via the connecting rod <NUM>.

The agitation rack tower <NUM> oscillates about the agitation rack tower pivot point <NUM> relative to the agitation chassis assembly pivot <NUM>. The motor mount <NUM> is a conventional electric motor or any other type of conventional drive device. For example, the motor mount <NUM> may be a stepper motor, a switched reluctance motor, or an induction motor. The agitation rack tower <NUM> may be agitated up to plus-or-minus ten degrees about the agitation rack tower pivot point <NUM> at varying ranges. More specifically, the agitation rack tower <NUM> may be agitated up to plus-or-minus four degrees about the agitation rack tower pivot point <NUM>. The agitation rack tower <NUM> may be agitated at ranges of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> Hertz or higher, or frequencies less than <NUM> Hertz. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid packages may be agitated utilizing piezo electric, or pendulum motion agitation.

The agitation rack tower <NUM> secures each of the plurality of fluid packages at an angle <NUM> to ensure improved evacuation of the fluid from the fluid packages. The overall height of the tower is confined to a predefined height. Furthermore, a predefined number of fluid packages may be desired. Therefore, the angle <NUM> must be able to accommodate the improved evacuation, predefined tower height, and predefined number of fluid packages. For example, each of the fluid packages may be stored at a five-degree angle <NUM> with respect to a top surface of the agitation rack tower <NUM>. Other angles greater than zero degrees and less than or equal to <NUM> degrees may be used.

Each of the fluid packages is connected to an individual pump 51A-<NUM> within the pump assembly <NUM> via a product tube 52A-<NUM>. The product tubes 52A-<NUM> include packaging connectors 53A-<NUM> for providing fluid communication between the fluid packages and the product tubes. The packaging connectors 53A-<NUM> are a fitment engaging probe, a bag-in-box connector or other such connector. The fluid packages likewise include a fitment (see, e.g., 2B shown in <FIG>) adapted to engage with the packaging connector 53A-<NUM>. In an embodiment, the agitation rack tower <NUM> includes eight fluid packages and eight associated pumps. Other numbers of packages and pumps may be used. When a fluid package is installed in the agitation rack tower <NUM>, the package fitment is located at a lower end of the slots <NUM> of the agitation rack tower <NUM> such that gravity draws fluid in each fluid package toward the package fitment due to the angle <NUM> of the slots.

The pumps each include a back pressure modulation device <NUM>. The back pressure modulation device <NUM> is utilized for regulating back pressure on the pump. Each individual pump 51A-<NUM> is located below the fluid package fitment to enable the fluid within the packages to drain. For example, because each individual pump 51A-<NUM> is below the package fitment, the fluid contained therein is able to drain and prime the individual pump 51A-<NUM> using gravity. Therefore, the input to the pumps 51A-<NUM> is always wet (e.g., the pumps 51A - <NUM> don't have to pump air to prime the lines). However, the lowest fluid package's associated pump <NUM> is not be below the package fitment due to space restriction within the agitation device <NUM>. Positioning the individual pump 51A-<NUM> below the package fitment also forces any air within the tubing to flow back within the fluid package.

In one embodiment, there is a relationship between a particular fluid package and one or more respective pumps 51A-<NUM>. For example, there is be a one-to-one relationship between a particular fluid package and a pump 51A-<NUM>. As another example, there may be a one-to-many relationship between a particular fluid package and associated pumps 51A-<NUM>. A wide variety of relationships between a particular fluid and associated pump(s) 51A-<NUM> may be utilized as desired in various embodiments of the invention. The utilization of more than one pump 51A-<NUM> for drawing fluid from a fluid package facilitates the ability to draw a higher volume of a fluid from a fluid package in a given period of time. For fluid packages that are fluids, it may be desirable to use a plurality of pumps 51A-<NUM> to be able to draw a higher volume of an ingredient (e.g., a sweetener) from the package in a given period of time.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the pump assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of pumps 51A-<NUM> connected to a pump assembly control board <NUM> via a power and data connection <NUM>. The fluid drawn from the fluid packages is delivered to a nozzle (not shown) via a pump outlet <NUM> and tubing (not shown) that provides fluid communication between the pump outlet and the nozzle. The pump power and data connection <NUM> are utilized to physically connect and hold the pump in place.

The pump assembly <NUM> is attached to the agitation chassis assembly <NUM> at surface <NUM>. The agitation chassis assembly <NUM> remains stationary as the agitation rack tower <NUM> oscillates relative to the agitation chassis assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, the pump assembly <NUM> remains stationary while the agitation rack tower <NUM> oscillates. The surface <NUM> faces away from the agitation rack tower <NUM> to protect the pump assembly <NUM> from potential fluid leaks and package ruptures. In some embodiments, the pump assembly <NUM> is located separate from the agitation device <NUM>, such as on a door or housing that may enclose the agitation device <NUM>.

In one embodiment, inserting the correct fluid package into the slot <NUM> of the agitation rack tower <NUM> may be double checked or otherwise verified by scanning a machine readable code on the package. A machine readable code reader, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna <NUM>, may be utilized to read an RFID tag prior to, during, and/or subsequent to its insertion into the agitation rack tower <NUM>. In this regard, a RFID antenna <NUM> may be used to obtain information related to or associated with the fluid package, and use such information to identify or otherwise determine the location within the agitation rack tower <NUM> of the fluid package. The RFID antenna <NUM> may be highly sensitive to displacement with respect to the fluid packages.

Therefore, the RFID antenna <NUM> may be securely affixed to the agitation rack tower <NUM> and coupled to an RFID control board with an RFID reader thereon. The RFID antenna <NUM> may be securely connected to the RFID control board via a flexible electrical connector, such as, for example, a coaxial cable. Although the RFID antenna <NUM> is located on the agitation rack tower <NUM>, only the antenna is agitated. The RFID control board may be attached to the agitation chassis assembly <NUM> or other stationary attachment surface within reach of the flexible electrical connector. Other types of readers can be used.

In one example, the power and data connections <NUM> may be segregated from the RFID antenna <NUM> to reduce noise and interference. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the power and data connections <NUM> are located at a first side <NUM> of the agitation rack tower <NUM>, and the RFID antenna <NUM> is located at a second side <NUM> of the agitation rack tower <NUM>. By separating the radio frequency electronics from the power electronics, any electronic noise and interference may be reduced or eliminated.

Furthermore, the RFID antenna <NUM> is located near the second side <NUM> of the agitation rack tower <NUM> to enable an RFID tag in the fluid packages to be directed towards the RFID antenna <NUM>. For example, a fluid package may include an RFID tag on the side (see RFID tag <NUM> on side <NUM> of the fluid package <NUM>). Therefore, after loading the fluid package in the agitation rack tower <NUM>, the RFID tag may be pointed towards the antenna located on the right side of the agitation chassis assembly <NUM>.

An RFID antenna <NUM> may also be located between the agitation device <NUM> and a stationary device, such as the stationary tower <NUM> described below. Mounting the RFID antenna <NUM> to the stationary tower <NUM> and adjacent to the agitation device <NUM> allows the RFID antenna <NUM> to performed desired reads from RFID tags held by fluid packages within the agitation device <NUM> while avoiding unintended agitation as only the agitation rack tower <NUM> is agitated.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the agitation device <NUM> in more detail consistent with embodiments of the disclosure. The agitation device <NUM> agitates the plurality of fluid packages to keep the fluid packages from stratifying. As shown in <FIG>, there may be a single agitation device <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, there may be multiple agitation devices located directly on top of one another or stacked adjacent to each other, as depicted in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a stationary tower <NUM> in more detail consistent with embodiments of the disclosure. The stationary tower <NUM> houses a plurality of fluid packages that do not require agitation. The stationary tower <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and a plurality of fluid slots <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, there may be a single stationary tower <NUM>. In an alternative embodiment, there may be multiple stationary towers located directly on top of one another, as depicted in <FIG>.

The stationary tower <NUM> is generally configured in a manner similar to the agitation rack tower <NUM> described above, including a pump assembly <NUM>.

A machine readable code reader, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna <NUM> similar to that described above, may be utilized to read an RFID tag prior to, during, and/or subsequent to its insertion into the stationary tower <NUM>. In this regard, a RFID antenna <NUM> may be used to obtain information related to or associated with the fluid, and use such information to identify or otherwise determine the location within the stationary tower <NUM> of the fluid package. The RFID antenna <NUM> may be highly sensitive to displacement with respect to the fluid packages. Therefore, the RFID antenna <NUM> may be securely affixed to the stationary tower <NUM> and coupled to an RFID control board located near or at the pump assembly control board <NUM>. The RFID antenna <NUM> may be securely connected to the RFID control board via a flexible electrical connector, such as, for example, a coaxial cable.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an agitation device (e.g., agitation rack tower <NUM>) - stationary device (e.g., stationary tower <NUM>) configuration consistent with embodiments of the disclosure. There are multiple towers located directly on top of one another to form a higher tower. Both towers include a plurality of fluid packages. In alternative designs, two or more agitation rack towers <NUM> can be positioned on top of one another, or two or more stationary rack towers <NUM> can be positioned on top of one another. Further, a mixture of one or more agitation rack towers <NUM> and stationary rack towers <NUM> can be combined.

As depicted, the top ingredient tower is the stationary tower <NUM>, allowing its plurality of fluid packages to remain stationary. The stationary tower <NUM> may include a different configuration in comparison to the agitation tower <NUM>. For example, the stationary tower may include a single housing apparatus to house the plurality of fluid packages, rather than both an agitation chassis assembly <NUM> and an agitation rack tower <NUM>. In addition, the stationary tower may be a standalone ingredient tower for fluid packages that only have ingredients that don't require agitation. Furthermore, the stationary tower may be stacked upon another stationary tower. The agitation tower rack <NUM> and the stationary tower <NUM> can be configured as described above.

The plurality of fluid packages that are agitated may contain emulsions, whereas the plurality of fluid packages that are not agitated may contain solutions. In some embodiments, the emulsions may include brand specific beverage forming content. In other embodiments, the emulsions may include flavor content such as, for example, a cola flavor, a cherry flavor, and a vanilla flavor. In such an embodiment, the variety of fluid packages may include, but is not limited to, cola flavor, cherry flavor, cherry and vanilla flavor, and vanilla flavor. Therefore, the stationary tower may include a plurality of beverage forming flavor solutions. Whereas, the agitation device <NUM> may include a plurality of fluid emulsions.

<FIG> is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in a method <NUM> consistent with an embodiment of the disclosure for agitating fluid packages. Method <NUM> is implemented using an agitation chassis assembly <NUM>, an agitation rack tower <NUM>, a connecting rod <NUM>, an agitation motor mount <NUM>, and a pump assembly <NUM> as described in more detail above with respect to <FIG>.

Method <NUM> may begin at operation <NUM> and proceed to operation <NUM> where a plurality of fluid packages are received. The agitation tower rack <NUM> has slots <NUM> to physically receive the plurality of fluid packages.

From operation <NUM>, where the plurality of fluid packages are received, method <NUM> may advance to operation <NUM> where the plurality of fluid packages are connected to the pump assembly <NUM>. Each of the plurality of fluid packages are connected to an individual pump 51A-<NUM> within the pump assembly <NUM> via a product tube 52A-<NUM>.

From stage <NUM>, where the plurality of fluid packages are connected to the pump assembly <NUM>, method <NUM> advances to operation <NUM> where the agitation rack tower <NUM> oscillates about a pivot point relative to the agitation chassis assembly <NUM>. The agitation device <NUM> agitates the plurality of fluid packages to keep the fluid packages from stratifying.

Claim 1:
A housing tower, comprising:
a chassis assembly (<NUM>) configured to house a single rack tower (<NUM>) and a pump assembly (<NUM>), wherein the rack tower is configured to receive a plurality of fluid packages (<NUM>), wherein the pump assembly is adapted to fluidly connect with the plurality of fluid packages upon receipt into the rack tower; and
an agitation assembly configured to agitate the rack tower relative to the chassis assembly;
wherein the chassis assembly remains stationary as the agitation assembly agitates the rack tower,
characterised in that the agitation assembly is configured to agitate the rack tower by oscillating the rack tower about a single pivot point (<NUM>) on the chassis assembly.