U.S. patent application number 16/401949 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-22 for fluid mixing apparatus and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is ROASTING PLANT, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael R. Caswell.
Application Number | 20190254466 16/401949 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39668284 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190254466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caswell; Michael R. |
August 22, 2019 |
FLUID MIXING APPARATUS AND METHODS
Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for making a beverage or
providing a liquid. First and second liquids may be mixed to form a
mixed liquid. The mixed liquid may be passed through a frothing
head and/or may be combined with a coffee product and optionally
dispensed into a cup. Examples of first and second liquids can
include, but are not limited to various dairy products, enzymes and
flavoring liquids. According to one example implementation, a first
liquid is a reduced fat milk, such as skim milk, and a second
liquid is whole milk, thereby enabling the creation of dairy
product varieties including one percent and two percent milk to be
created by the appropriate mixture combination of the skim milk and
whole milk.
Inventors: |
Caswell; Michael R.; (New
York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ROASTING PLANT, INC. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
39668284 |
Appl. No.: |
16/401949 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14857401 |
Sep 17, 2015 |
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16401949 |
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11699979 |
Jan 30, 2007 |
9167936 |
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14857401 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/4485 20130101;
A47J 31/4489 20130101; A23F 5/246 20130101; A23C 9/156 20130101;
A47J 31/4496 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 31/44 20060101
A47J031/44; A23C 9/156 20060101 A23C009/156; A23F 5/24 20060101
A23F005/24 |
Claims
1.-23. (canceled)
24. A method of making a beverage, the method comprising: obtaining
a first liquid dairy product; obtaining a second liquid dairy
product; receiving an instruction to specify a mixture of the first
liquid dairy product and the second liquid dairy product;
automatically mixing the first liquid dairy product and the second
liquid dairy product to form a mixed dairy product; dispensing the
mixed diary product into a cup; and dispensing a coffee product
into the cup.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising heating the mixed
diary product prior to the act of dispensing the mixed dairy
product.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising injecting steam into
the mixed diary product prior to the act of dispensing the mixed
dairy product.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein, in the act of obtaining a
first liquid dairy product, the first liquid dairy product is skim
milk; and in the act of obtaining a second liquid dairy product,
the second liquid dairy product is whole milk.
28. A method of making a beverage, the method comprising: receiving
an instruction to specify a mixture of a first liquid dairy product
and an enzyme; mixing the first liquid dairy product and the enzyme
according to the instruction; dispensing the mixed first liquid
diary product and the enzyme into a cup; and dispensing a coffee
product into the cup.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: mixing a second
liquid dairy product with at least one of the group of the first
liquid dairy product and the enzyme; and wherein the act of
dispensing the mixed first liquid diary product and the enzyme into
a cup also includes dispensing the mixed second liquid dairy
product.
30. A method of making a beverage, the method comprising: receiving
an instruction to specify a mixture of a first liquid dairy product
and a flavoring liquid; mixing the first liquid dairy product and
the flavoring liquid according to the instruction; dispensing the
mixed first liquid diary product and the flavoring liquid into a
cup; and dispensing a coffee product into the cup.
31. The method of claim 30, further comprising: mixing a second
liquid dairy product with at least one of the group of the first
liquid dairy product and the flavoring liquid; and wherein the act
of dispensing the mixed first liquid diary product and the
flavoring liquid into a cup also includes dispensing the mixed
second liquid dairy product.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates broadly to the beverage industry.
More particularly, this invention relates to apparatus and methods
for the mixing of multiple liquids.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The production of beverage milks combines the operations of
clarification, separation for the production of lower fat milks,
pasteurization, and homogenization. While the fat content of most
raw milk is 4% or higher, the fat content in most beverage milks
has been reduced to 3.4%. Lower fat alternatives, such as 2% fat,
1% fat, or skim milk (<0.1% fat) are also available in most
markets. These products are either produced by partially skimming
the whole milk, or by completely skimming it and then adding an
appropriate amount of cream back to achieve the desired final fat
content.
[0003] Milk is a major ingredient in espresso and cocoa-based
gourmet beverages, specifically cappuccino, mocha, hot cocoa, and
latte beverages, both hot and iced. One method for producing
cappuccino and latte beverages is through the use of
super-automated brewing equipment. These machines come equipped as
two-step or one-step machines, referring to the number of steps
required by the operator to produce the milk/espresso beverage.
Two-step machines require the operator to first hand steam the milk
component and then combine the milk with espresso that is produced
automatically by the machine or with cocoa. One-step machines
automatically steam and combine the milk component with
automatically produced espresso.
[0004] A major limitation of existing available one-step machines
is the variety of milk that is available to the consumer. Machines
currently available can only handle one milk variety due to
limitations in milk storage, plumbing, and recipe programming
capacity.
[0005] In the North American market in particular this creates a
problem and major limitation for the commercial viability of these
one-step machines because the educated coffee consumer has become
accustomed to choosing between, skim, 1%, 2%, and whole (3.4%)
milk. Retailers typically steam milk by hand in order to offer this
variety of milk to their customers. This results in slower customer
service, product inconsistency and more milk waste.
SUMMARY
[0006] Various embodiments of the present invention can address
some of the deficiencies of the art and are usable with many types
of brewing equipment. Examples of the present invention may be used
in a wide variety of applications to provide an ability to
automatically mix fluids, including dairy products, in order to
provide a desired fluid as an additive to a beverage.
[0007] Various embodiments of the invention may provide methods or
apparatus for providing a beverage and/or addition to a beverage.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, an
apparatus provides a liquid. In this embodiment, the apparatus
includes a water input; a first liquid input in fluid communication
with a first liquid storage; a second liquid input in fluid
communication with a second liquid storage; a mixing chamber in
fluid communication with the first liquid input and second liquid
input and adapted to provide a mixture of the first liquid and the
second liquid; and a frothing head in fluid communication with the
mixing chamber, the frothing head adapted to receive the mixture;
wherein the water input is in fluid communication with a dispenser
and the dispenser and the frothing head are configured to output
into a liquid container.
[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, an
apparatus for providing a liquid includes a frothing head; a first
liquid pump having a first output coupled to the frothing head and
having a first input coupled to a first refrigerated liquid
container; and a second liquid pump having a second output coupled
to the frothing head and having a second input coupled to a second
refrigerated liquid container.
[0009] According to one illustrative embodiment of the invention,
an apparatus for providing a beverage includes a brewing chamber
configured to receive coffee grounds and water and to output
coffee; a mixing chamber in fluid communication with a first liquid
input and a second liquid input and adapted to output a mixture of
the first liquid and the second liquid; and a beverage container
region having at least one element defining a border of the region,
wherein the mixing chamber is in fluid communication with the
beverage container region to dispense the mixture into the beverage
container region and wherein the brewing chamber is in fluid
communication with the beverage container region to dispense the
coffee into the beverage container region.
[0010] According to one illustrative embodiment of the invention, a
method of making a beverage includes the acts of obtaining a first
liquid dairy product; obtaining a second liquid dairy product;
receiving an instruction to specify a mixture of the first liquid
dairy product and the second liquid dairy product; automatically
mixing the first liquid dairy product and the second liquid dairy
product to form a mixed dairy product; dispensing the mixed diary
product into a cup; and dispensing a coffee product into the
cup.
[0011] A method of making a beverage includes receiving an
instruction to specify a mixture of a first liquid dairy product
and an enzyme; mixing the first liquid dairy product and the enzyme
according to the instruction; dispensing the mixed first liquid
diary product and the enzyme into a cup; and dispensing a coffee
product into the cup.
[0012] A further method of making a beverage according to another
illustrative embodiment of the invention includes receiving an
instruction to specify a mixture of a first liquid dairy product
and a flavoring liquid; mixing the first liquid dairy product and
the flavoring liquid according to the instruction; dispensing the
mixed first liquid diary product and the flavoring liquid into a
cup; and dispensing a coffee product into the cup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of
an apparatus for providing a liquid according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for
providing a liquid according to a further illustrative embodiment
of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for providing a beverage
according to a further illustrative embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4 through 6 provide example flowchart illustrations of
various methods of making a beverage according to further example
embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] According to various embodiments of this invention, methods
and devices are provided for making a beverage and/or providing a
liquid. First and second liquids may be mixed to form a mixed
liquid. The mixed liquid may be passed through a frothing head
and/or may be combined with a coffee product and optionally
dispensed into a cup. Examples of first and second liquids can
include, but are not limited to various dairy products, enzymes and
flavoring liquids. According to an example implementation, a first
liquid is a reduced fat milk, such as skim milk, and a second
liquid is whole milk, thereby enabling the creation of dairy
product varieties including one percent and two percent milk to be
created by the appropriate mixture combination of the skim milk and
whole milk.
[0018] An illustrative embodiment of the invention is provided in
FIG. 1. The apparatus 100 for providing liquid includes a mixing
chamber 110 having a first liquid input 120 and a second liquid
input 130. The first liquid input 120 is in fluid communication
with a first liquid storage 140 and the second liquid input 130 is
in communication with a second liquid storage 150. The mixing
chamber 110 is configured to output a mixture of the first liquid
and the second liquid. It is understood that the output of the
mixing chamber 110 may not be fully mixed so as to be uniform
mixture of the first liquid and second liquid, although further
mixture of the fluids may occur in a frothing head 160 and/or a
liquid container 200. Alternatively, the mixing chamber 110 may
provide a thoroughly mixed output.
[0019] The output of the mixing chamber 110 is coupled to the
frothing head 160 that is configured to froth the output of the
mixing chamber. Frothing of the output may be performed in a wide
variety of ways known in the art, including the injection of air
into the fluid passing through the frothing head. Optionally, a
heating element 170 may be provided proximate to the frothing head
to heat the output of the mixing chamber 110. A water input 180 is
also provided with the apparatus 100. The water input 180 is in
fluid communication with a dispenser 190. Both the dispenser 190
and the frothing head 160 are configured to output into the liquid
container 200. The invention can be used with a wide variety of
liquid containers 200, such as for example, a coffee mug, a
pitcher, a vat and/or a bucket.
[0020] Optionally, a brewing chamber 185 may be provided in fluid
communication with the water input 180 and the dispenser 190. The
brewing chamber 185 may be used to brew a beverage such as coffee.
Brewing methods can include, but are not limited to, percolation,
French press, espresso, drip, cold and vacuum brewing.
[0021] The first liquid storage 140 and second liquid storage 150
may be refrigerated and may be used to store a wide variety of
liquids. Examples of liquids can include, but are not limited to
dairy products such as reduced fat milk, skim milk, one percent
milk, two percent milk, whole milk and heavy cream. Other examples
of fluids can include a flavorizing liquid that can be used to
provide a flavor to the output of the mixing chamber 110. Another
example of a fluid for use in the first liquid storage 140 or
second liquid storage 150 is an enzyme.
[0022] Examples of enzymes can include, but are not limited to,
enzymes to enable digestion of milk by a lactose-intolerant person.
In one example, the enzyme can break down at least some of the
lactose in the milk to create a digestible sugar, as is understood
in the art.
[0023] Various embodiments of the invention can provide a liquid
mixing capability that can enable the delivery of any milk fat
percentage in any size beverage, by the cup, and on-demand,
including while utilizing one-step super automated brewing
equipment, such as, but not limited to, the Egro 50 Series
super-automated brewing system. This milk handling strategy can be
provided with an ability to store the milk in connection with the
automated brewing equipment or may utilize a separate milk storage
system, such as a separate refrigerator.
[0024] By utilizing two milks, such as, for example a reduced fat
milk, such as, for example skim (<0.1% fat), and whole (3.4%
fat), and combining them in various proportions as they enter the
one or more frothing heads, the creation of unlimited permutations
of delivered milk fat content is provided, in any beverage size, to
the final beverage cup.
[0025] According to a second illustrative embodiment of the
invention, an apparatus 300 may provide a liquid. The apparatus 300
is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2. The apparatus 300
includes a first liquid pump 310 and a second liquid pump 320. Each
of the liquid pumps 310, 320 is configured to have a liquid input
coupled to a refrigerated liquid container. The first pump 310 has
a liquid input coupled to a first refrigerated liquid container
330, while the second pump 320 has a input coupled to a second
refrigerated liquid container 340. A controller 350 is provided to
control the timing and rate of operation of each of the pumps 310,
320. The pumps 310, 320 are configured to output to a frothing head
360. By use of the controller 350, the first pump 310 and/or second
pump 320 may be activated to provide a desired mixture of a liquid
contained in the first refrigerated liquid container 330 and the
liquid contained in the second refrigerated liquid container 340.
According to one example implementation of the invention, skim milk
may be located in the first refrigerated liquid container 330 and
whole milk may be located in the second refrigerated liquid
container 340. In another example implementation of the invention,
a dairy product may be located in the first refrigerated liquid
container 330 and an enzyme may be located in the second
refrigerated liquid container 340.
[0026] By enabling the independent but simultaneous control of each
pump 310, 320, milk can be combined in a range from 100% of a first
fluid, such as skim milk to 100% of a second fluid, such as whole
milk, or any mixture of the two. By way of illustration, if a
customer orders a whole milk latte, the recipe can include
instructions to activate only the pump connected to the liquid
container having whole milk, thereby delivering 100% whole milk to
the frothing head(s) and, eventually, beverage cup. If the customer
orders a 2% milk latte, then the recipe instructions will include
signals to drive both pumps 310, 320 in a manner that delivers the
appropriate percentage of each milk so that when combined at the
frothing head(s) the resulting steamed or cold milk contains 2%
milk fat.
[0027] For 1% milk orders the recipes would specify 29% by volume
whole milk, and 71% by volume nonfat milk, yielding 1% milk fat
content in the cup. Similarly the system could deliver milk at
0.5%, 1.5%, or 2.5% or any other % in between 0% and 3.4% by
programming the appropriate ratio. Also, should a higher milk fat
content be desired the whole milk ingredient could be replace by
half & half, light cream, heavy cream etc. and the associated
milk fat % would be calculated in order to deliver the correct
final milk fat content (4, 5, 6% etc.) in the beverage. For skim
milk orders, the recipe will include instructions to activate only
the pump connected to the liquid container having skim milk,
thereby delivering 100% skim milk to the frothing head(s) and
beverage cup.
[0028] According to a third example embodiment of the invention, an
apparatus 400 for providing a beverage may be provided as
illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3. A brewing chamber 410 is
configured to receive coffee grounds and water and to output
coffee. A mixing chamber 420 is in fluid communication with a first
liquid input 422 and a second liquid input 424 and can output a
mixture of the first liquid and second liquid. A beverage container
region 430 is also provided having at least one element 432
defining a border of the region 430. The mixing chamber 420 is in
fluid communication with the beverage container region 430 to
dispense a mixture of the first liquid and second liquid into the
beverage container region 430. The brewing chamber 410 is in fluid
communication with the beverage container region 430 to dispense
the coffee into the beverage container region 430.
[0029] Optionally, a coffee bean grinder 440 may be provided to
grind coffee beans and provide the coffee grounds to the brewing
chamber 410. Also optionally, a first and/or second refrigerated
liquid storage 450, 460 may be provided in fluid communication with
the first liquid input 422 and second liquid input 424,
respectively, of the mixing chamber 420. Optionally, a frothing
head 470 may be provided in fluid communication with the mixing
chamber 420 and the beverage container region 430 so as to froth an
output of the mixing chamber 420. Optionally, an input device 480
may be provided to receive an instruction to specify a desired
mixture of the first liquid and second liquid.
[0030] A wide variety of fluids may be stored in the first and
second refrigerated liquid storage 450, 460. Examples include, but
are not limited to skim milk, one percent milk, two percent milk,
whole milk, heavy cream, an enzyme and a flavoring liquid.
According to an example implementation of the invention, the input
device 480 may receive an instruction to mix two percent milk. The
first refrigerated liquid storage 450 may have skim milk located
therein, and the second refrigerated liquid storage 460 may have
whole milk located therein. By an appropriate mixture of the skim
milk and whole milk, the desired two percent milk may be mixed by
the mixing chamber 420 and therefore output to the beverage
container region 430.
[0031] An element 432 of the beverage container region 430 may
include a sidewall, base plate, top plate, one or more posts and/or
a marking so as to define at least a portion of a border of the
beverage container region 430. The beverage container region 430 is
intended to receive and optionally store a beverage container,
thereby locating the beverage container 490, such as a coffee cup,
to receive the output of the brewing chamber 410 and mixing chamber
420, optionally through the frothing head 470.
[0032] By way of example, in operation, if the input device 480
receives instructions for a 16 oz latte beverage, the recipe could
specify 2 oz of espresso, and 14 oz of milk. In order to deliver 14
oz of 2% milk, the recipe could specify the delivery of 8.24 oz
(59% by volume) whole milk and 5.76 oz (41% by volume) skim. For
larger and smaller 2% milk drinks, the milk volumes would be
adjusted utilizing the 59/41% ratio.
[0033] According to a further example embodiment of the invention,
a method of making a beverage is provided as illustrated by way of
example in FIG. 4. The method 500 includes obtaining 510 a first
liquid dairy product and obtaining 520 a second liquid dairy
product. Examples of liquid dairy products include, but are not
limited to reduced fat milk, skim milk, one percent milk, two
percent milk, whole milk and heavy cream. An instruction is
received 530 to specify a mixture of the first liquid dairy product
and the second liquid dairy product. The first liquid dairy product
and second liquid dairy product are automatically mixed 540 to form
a mixed dairy product. The mixed dairy product is dispensed 550
into a cup. The coffee product is also dispensed 560 into the cup.
Optionally, the mixed dairy product may be heated prior to
dispensing 550 the mixed dairy product into the cup. Optionally,
steam may be injected into the mixed dairy product prior to
dispensing 550 the mixed dairy product into the cup.
[0034] A further example embodiment of the invention is a method
600 of making a beverage as illustrated by way of example in FIG.
5. The method includes receiving 610 an instruction to specify a
mixture of a first liquid dairy product and an enzyme. The first
liquid dairy product and enzyme are mixed 620 according to the
instruction. The mixed first liquid dairy product and the enzyme
are dispensed 630 into a cup. Also, a coffee produce is dispensed
640 into the cup. Optionally, a second liquid dairy product may be
mixed with the first liquid dairy product and/or the enzyme. In
such a case, dispensing 630 the mixed first liquid dairy product
and the enzyme into the cup also includes dispensing the mixed
second liquid dairy product.
[0035] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the
invention, a method 700 is provided by way of example in FIG. 6.
The method 700 is a method of making a beverage and includes
receiving 710 an instruction to specify a mixture of a first liquid
dairy product and a flavoring liquid. The first liquid dairy
product and the flavoring liquid are mixed 720 according to the
instruction. The mixed first liquid dairy product and the flavoring
liquid are dispensed 730 into a cup. Also, a coffee product is
dispensed 740 into the cup. Optionally, a second liquid dairy
product may be mixed with the first liquid dairy product and/or the
flavoring liquid. In such an implementation, dispensing 730 the
mixed first liquid dairy product and the flavoring liquid into the
cup also includes dispensing the mixed second liquid dairy
product.
[0036] The illustrative embodiments, implementations and examples
herein are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. The present
invention has been described by way of example, and modifications
and variations of the exemplary embodiments will suggest themselves
to skilled artisans in this field without departing from the spirit
of the invention. Features and characteristics of the
above-described embodiments may be used in combination. The
preferred embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be
considered restrictive in any way.
* * * * *