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:
Jan. 24, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 16, 2003
Brian C. Jones, New Hartford, CT (US);
David N. Evans, Ridgefield, CT (US);
Scott A. Dzibela, Carmel, NY (US);
John C. Nordenstrom, Blaine, MN (US);
Sanjay Kumar, Bethel, CT (US);
Russell J. Duchene, Torrington, CT (US);
Allen L. Rogala, Torrington, CT (US);
Michael J. Fodor, Torrington, CT (US);
William K. Henninger, Southington, CT (US);
Amir A. Faroqui, Chicopee, MA (US);
Brian C. Jones, New Hartford, CT (US);
David N. Evans, Ridgefield, CT (US);
Scott A. Dzibela, Carmel, NY (US);
John C. Nordenstrom, Blaine, MN (US);
Sanjay Kumar, Bethel, CT (US);
Russell J. Duchene, Torrington, CT (US);
Allen L. Rogala, Torrington, CT (US);
Michael J. Fodor, Torrington, CT (US);
William K. Henninger, Southington, CT (US);
Amir A. Faroqui, Chicopee, MA (US);
PepsiCo, Inc., Purchase, NY (US);
Abstract
A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing device, at least one valve that distributes a diluent, a concentrate pump that distributes concentrate, a support structure that supports the foregoing components and exterior cladding attached to the support structure. The exterior cladding provides the appearance of a real leaf tea brewer. The diluent valve and concentrate pump distribute the diluent and concentrate into the dispensing device to form a mixture to be dispensed therefrom. The diluent can be hot water and the apparatus further includes an air ejector device for eliminating air bubbles from the hot water prior to mixing. In addition, an improved sensor can accurately determine when the supply of concentrate is depleted.