The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 27, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 08, 1997
David F Ford, Springfield, IL (US);
Bunn-o-matic Coporation, Springfield, IL (US);
Abstract
A powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus which combines a powdered beverage substance and water to produce a desired beverage, for example cappuccino, hot chocolate, as well as other beverages which may be provided in powdered form. The apparatus includes at least one hopper having a powdered beverage stirring and dispensing mechanism which stirs the powder to further prevent caking and to controllably dispense a desired quantity of powder from the hopper. A water dispensing system is coupled to the apparatus to controllably dispense a quantity of water for mixing with a quantity of powder dispensed from the hopper. A mixing assembly communicates with the hopper and with the water dispensing system to combine powder. A weir is positioned in a dispensing tube to minimize the face surface of the angle of repose of the powder in the tube. A vapor removal assembly is positioned between the mixing chamber and the hopper to remove moist air from the mixing assembly to reduce intrusion of such moist air into the hopper and absorption by the beverage powder. A dispensing nozzle is attached to the mixing assembly for directing the dispensing of a beverage into a container. A tip edge of the nozzle is positioned at an angle to prevent bubble formation thereover.