Cornelius, Inc.

Jeffrey DeBuhr

Thaddeus M Jablonski

David M Joyce

James A Kasallis

Bryant Crane

David K Njaastad

Vincenzo DiFatta

A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a staging structure linked with the transportation mechanism. A control system is linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism. A sensor mechanism is linked with the control system. The sensor mechanism provides signals indicating the position of a cup. A cup identification system having an interactive display is connected to the control system. The display has visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.

Beverage dispensing apparatus

The present invention recognizes the need for an apparatus and method for creating carbonated beverages having a customizable carbonation level. The invention uses a CPU to control an inlet valve which connects a tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to a vessel containing the beverage to be carbonized. The tube connecting the tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to the vessel contains an orifice for reducing the carbon dioxide's flow rate, thereby increasing control over the amount of carbon dioxide introduced to the vessel. A motor agitates the vessel, causing the carbon dioxide to become absorbed in the beverage. During the pressurization process, the pressure inside the vessel is monitored by the CPU to determine whether more CO2 should be added to the vessel. An outlet valve causes excess pressure to drain from the vessel. An outlet orifice causes the pressure to release gradually, thus preventing the beverage from foaming.

Method for customizing a beverage's carbonation level

A process for dispensing a beverage into a cup comprising the steps of: providing a dispensing structure; providing a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure; providing a staging structure linked with the transportation structure; providing a control system linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism; providing a sensor mechanism linked with the control system, the sensor mechanism providing signals indicating the position of a cup; providing a cup identification system having an interactive display connected to the control system; picking a cup from a storage device and positioning it within a dispensing structure; dispensing ice and a beverage at separate locations within the dispensing structure; transporting the filled beverage to a staging structure; positioning the filled cup in the staging structure; removing the filled cup from the staging structure for sale to a customer wherein the cup identification system and the display outputs visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup at every stage of the process.

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Bartlett, IL, United States of America

Jeffrey DeBuhr