阅读说明：本技术 饮料容器分配器和用于分配饮料容器的方法 (Beverage container dispenser and method for dispensing beverage containers ) 是由 P·德斯潘德 G·S·布塔尼 B·D·凯丽 W·布洛恩 于 2020-03-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种用于向消费者分配饮料容器的方法。该方法包括：在饮料容器分配器中接收第一饮料容器,该第一饮料容器容纳有对应于用户的饮料选择的饮料。该方法还包括：从饮料容器分配器的温度调节隔室分配容纳有饮料的第二饮料容器。从温度调节隔室分配的第二饮料容器对应于用户的饮料选择。(A method for dispensing a beverage container to a consumer is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: a first beverage container containing a beverage corresponding to a user's beverage selection is received in a beverage container dispenser. The method further comprises the following steps: a second beverage container containing a beverage is dispensed from the temperature regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser. The second beverage container dispensed from the temperature regulated compartment corresponds to a beverage selection by the user.)

1. A method for dispensing a beverage container from a beverage dispenser, the method comprising:

receiving a user selection of a beverage;

upon receiving the user selection, displaying a simulation of a beverage container dispensing operation on a display; and

upon completion of the simulation, dispensing a beverage container corresponding to the user selection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the user selection comprises: the user selection is received through a user interface of the beverage container dispenser.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the user interface is a touch screen display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the user selection comprises: a first beverage container corresponding to a beverage selection by a user is received.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising detecting an indicia of the first beverage container to determine a beverage type, and wherein dispensing the beverage container comprises: dispensing a second beverage container of the same beverage type as the first beverage container.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the display is disposed on the beverage dispenser.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulation depicts a same beverage container as the beverage selected by the user.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulation depicts a beverage container moving on the display toward a delivery opening of the beverage dispenser.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulation depicts formation of a frappe within the beverage container.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein dispensing the beverage container comprises: dispensing the beverage container from a temperature regulated compartment of a beverage container dispenser.

11. A beverage container dispenser, said beverage container dispenser comprising:

a housing;

a user interface for receiving a user selection of a beverage;

a first temperature regulating compartment disposed within the housing for storing a first beverage container containing a beverage at a first predetermined temperature;

a second temperature regulating compartment disposed within the housing for storing a second beverage container containing a beverage at a second predetermined temperature; and

a delivery opening disposed on the housing for providing access to a beverage container corresponding to the user selection.

12. The beverage container dispenser of claim 11, wherein the first temperature is greater than the second temperature, and wherein the second temperature is at or below the freezing point of the beverage of the second beverage container.

13. The beverage container dispenser of claim 11, wherein the first temperature is about 35F to about 45F.

14. The beverage container dispenser of claim 11, wherein the first and second beverage containers each store the same type of beverage.

15. The beverage container dispenser of claim 11 further comprising a display that displays a simulation of a beverage container dispensing operation upon receiving the user selection.

16. The beverage container dispenser of claim 15, wherein the user interface and the display comprise a touch screen display.

17. The beverage container dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a beverage collector configured to retrieve the first beverage container or the second beverage container based on the user selection and deliver the first beverage container or the second beverage container to the delivery port.

18. The beverage container dispenser of claim 11, further comprising an agitator configured to receive the second beverage container dispensed from the second temperature regulated compartment, wherein the agitator nucleates the beverage within the second beverage container to form a slush beverage with the second beverage container.

19. A method for providing a frappe in a beverage container, the method comprising:

receiving, by a beverage container dispenser, a user selection of a beverage;

displaying a simulation that a beverage container is being dispensed on a display of the beverage container dispenser;

dispensing a beverage container corresponding to the user selection from a first temperature regulating compartment having a first predetermined temperature at or below the freezing point of the beverage; and

displaying instructions for nucleating the beverage within the beverage container.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving a user selection comprises: a user selection is received via the user interface.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the user interface and the display comprise a touch screen display.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein displaying instructions for nucleation to occur comprises: displaying a video showing a process for nucleation to occur.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein displaying instructions for nucleation to occur comprises: displaying instructions for shaking the beverage container.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the beverage container dispenser further comprises an agitator configured to nucleate the beverage within the beverage container, and wherein displaying the instructions comprises instructions for operating the agitator.

25. A method for dispensing a beverage container to a consumer, the method comprising:

receiving, in a beverage container dispenser, a first beverage container containing a beverage corresponding to a beverage selection of a user; and

dispensing a second beverage container containing the beverage from a temperature regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser, wherein the second beverage container corresponds to the beverage selection of the user.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein receiving the first beverage container comprises: receiving the first beverage container in an inlet port of the beverage container dispenser.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising storing the first beverage container in the temperature regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising storing the first beverage container in a storage compartment of the beverage container dispenser.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein receiving the first beverage container comprises: receiving a bottled or canned beverage.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising detecting a beverage type of the first beverage container by a detector of the beverage container dispenser.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein detecting the beverage type of the first beverage container comprises: detecting, by the detector, a marker on the first beverage container, wherein the marker corresponds to the beverage type of the first beverage container.

Technical Field

Embodiments described herein relate generally to devices for dispensing beverage containers to consumers. In particular, embodiments described herein relate to a beverage container dispenser that displays a simulation for a process of dispensing a beverage container.

Background

Beverage dispensers for dispensing packaged beverages to consumers are well known. Many such dispensers provide the consumer with a choice of available beverages and allow the consumer to make a beverage selection. The device then dispenses a beverage container corresponding to the consumer's beverage selection. Many beverage dispensers are purely functional and simply dispense a selected beverage to a consumer. Such conventional beverage dispensers do not provide a unique or entertaining experience to the consumer, and the consumer must boring to wait while the beverage is being dispensed.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a beverage container dispenser that provides a unique beverage dispensing experience for consumers.

Disclosure of Invention

Some embodiments relate to a method for dispensing a beverage container to a consumer, the method comprising: receiving a first beverage container in a beverage container dispenser, the first beverage container containing a beverage corresponding to a beverage selection by a user; and dispensing a second beverage container containing a beverage from the temperature regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser, wherein the second beverage container corresponds to a beverage selection by the user.

Some embodiments relate to a method for dispensing a beverage container, the method comprising: receiving a user selection of a beverage; displaying a simulation of a beverage container dispensing operation on the display upon receiving a user selection; and dispensing a beverage container corresponding to the user selection upon completion of the simulation.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, receiving a first beverage container may comprise: a first beverage container is received in an inlet port of a beverage container dispenser. In some embodiments, the method for dispensing a beverage container further comprises: the first beverage container is stored in a temperature regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser. In some embodiments, the method for dispensing a beverage container may further comprise: storing the first beverage container in a storage compartment of the beverage container dispenser.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, receiving a first beverage container may comprise: receiving a bottled or canned beverage.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the method for dispensing a beverage container may further comprise: the beverage type of the first beverage container is detected by a detector of the beverage dispenser. In some embodiments, detecting the beverage type of the first beverage container may include: a marker on the first beverage container is detected by the detector, wherein the marker corresponds to the beverage type of the first beverage container. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: detecting a marking on the first beverage container to determine the beverage type, and dispensing the beverage container comprises: a second beverage container of the same beverage type as the first beverage container is dispensed.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the display is disposed on the beverage dispenser.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, receiving the user selection may include: the user selection is received by means of a user interface of the beverage container dispenser. In some embodiments, the user interface may be a touch screen display.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the simulation may depict a beverage container of a type selected by a user. In some embodiments, the simulation may depict movement of the beverage container on the display toward a delivery opening of the beverage dispenser. In some embodiments, the simulation may be a pre-recorded video.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, dispensing a beverage container may comprise: dispensing a beverage container from a temperature regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser.

Some embodiments relate to a beverage container dispenser comprising: a housing; a user interface for receiving a user selection of a beverage; a first temperature regulating compartment disposed within the housing for storing a first beverage container containing a beverage at a first predetermined temperature; a second temperature regulating compartment disposed within the housing for storing a second beverage container containing a beverage at a second predetermined temperature; and a delivery port disposed on the housing for providing access to the beverage container corresponding to the user selection.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the first temperature may be greater than the second temperature, and the second temperature may be at or below the freezing point of the beverage of the second beverage container. In some embodiments, the first temperature may be about 35 ° f to about 45 ° f.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the first beverage container and the second beverage container may each store the same type of beverage.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage container dispenser may further comprise a display that displays a simulation of the beverage container dispensing operation upon receiving a user selection.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage container dispenser may further include a beverage collector configured to retrieve the first beverage container or the second beverage container based on a user selection and deliver the first beverage container or the second beverage container to the delivery port.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, the beverage container dispenser may further include an agitator configured to receive a second beverage container dispensed from the second temperature regulated compartment, and the agitator may nucleate a beverage within the second beverage container to form a slush beverage with the second beverage container.

Some embodiments relate to a method for providing a frappe in a beverage container, the method comprising: receiving, by a beverage container dispenser, a user selection of a beverage; displaying a simulation that a beverage container is being dispensed on a display of the beverage dispenser; dispensing a beverage container corresponding to the user's selection from a first temperature regulating compartment having a first predetermined temperature at or below the freezing point of the beverage; and displaying instructions for nucleating the beverage within the beverage container.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, displaying instructions for nucleation to occur may comprise: a video showing a process for nucleation to occur is displayed. In some embodiments, the instructions that indicate that nucleation occurs may include: an instruction to shake the beverage container is displayed. In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser may further include an agitator configured to nucleate a beverage within the beverage container, and the display instructions may include instructions for operating the agitator.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the disclosure.

Fig. 1 shows a beverage container dispenser according to one embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of components of a beverage container dispenser according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 illustrates a cooling system of a beverage container dispenser according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of components of a beverage container dispenser according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows a graphical user interface of a beverage container dispenser according to an embodiment.

Figure 6 illustrates a display of a simulation of a beverage dispensing operation according to one embodiment.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of components of a beverage container dispenser for storing beverage containers at different temperatures according to one embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a front perspective view of a beverage container dispenser according to one embodiment.

Fig. 9 shows a front perspective view of the inner volume of the beverage container dispenser according to fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a front perspective view of the temperature regulating compartment of the beverage container dispenser according to fig. 8.

Fig. 11 shows a front perspective view of a temperature regulating compartment of the beverage container dispenser according to fig. 8 as used for storing beverage containers.

Fig. 12 shows a detail of the dispensing mechanism of the beverage container dispenser according to fig. 8.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of components of a cooling system of the beverage container dispenser according to fig. 8.

FIG. 14 shows a view of an agitator of a beverage container dispenser, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 15 shows a graphical user interface of a beverage container dispenser according to an embodiment.

Fig. 16 illustrates a flow chart of a method for providing a frappe in a beverage container according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system in which embodiments may be implemented.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

Vending machines for dispensing packaged beverages, such as bottled or canned beverages (whether in plastic bottles or glass bottles), are well known. Vending machines enable consumers to quickly and easily purchase beverages on demand. Thus, the consumer does not have to enter the store, search for the desired beverage, queue up the checkout, pay for the beverage at the checkout counter, and the like.

While vending machines provide convenience to consumers, conventional vending machines may have a number of drawbacks. In particular, many vending machines only receive user selections of beverages and dispense the selected beverages to consumers. The consumer must boring to wait for a period of time while the beverage is being dispensed. Such vending machines do not provide a unique or entertaining experience for the consumer to attract the consumer to return to the vending machine for additional purchases. Thus, the consumer may choose to purchase subsequent beverages from other suppliers or vending machines. Instead, the consumer may wish to see the progress of the beverage dispensing to achieve a unique experience. Additionally, if the consumer can view the process of preparing the beverage, the consumer may get a unique and interesting experience. By providing a unique consumer experience, beverage dispenser and vending machine owners may increase overall sales.

In addition, vending machines typically dispense cooled or frozen beverage containers only from a refrigerated compartment within the vending machine. Such vending machines do not allow the consumer to select the temperature of the dispensed beverage container. The consumer may prefer to have the option of selecting the temperature of the dispensed beverage in order to select, for example, a chilled beverage or a semi-frozen beverage. The availability of multiple temperature options, including the option of selecting a semi-frozen beverage in a beverage container, may attract consumers to revisit a particular vending machine.

Other types of beverage dispensers known in the art have similar limitations in that such beverage dispensers only dispense beverages to consumers. Thus, such beverage dispensers do not provide a unique or interesting experience. The process of dispensing the beverage is not depicted to the consumer and the consumer must simply wait while the beverage is being dispensed. Further, generally, beverage dispensers do not provide the consumer with the option of selecting a beverage temperature (such as selecting a frozen beverage or a semi-frozen beverage).

While some devices for providing a frappe to a consumer are known, known systems for providing frappes have a number of disadvantages. Such systems may require a consumer to manually remove the beverage container from the refrigerator, shake or open the beverage container and re-close the lid, and position the beverage container in the nucleation device for nucleation of the beverage to form a slush beverage within the beverage container. However, opening the refrigerator to remove the beverage container may cause a temperature change within the refrigerator. If the beverage container is not stored at the proper temperature, the beverage will not nucleate and a slush beverage will not result. Further, the consumer may need to follow a series of instructions and perform a variety of tasks to prepare the frappe. This gives the user a number of opportunities to make mistakes and if the consumer is unable to prepare a frappe, the consumer will be less likely to reuse the device or make additional purchases. Furthermore, many consumers may find it inconvenient to follow a series of steps to prepare the slush beverage, and the consumer may choose not to use the slush beverage system, but rather support a more direct and less time consuming beverage purchase option.

In some embodiments described herein, the beverage container dispenser includes an inlet port for receiving a first beverage container and dispensing a second beverage container from the temperature control compartment to give the consumer the impression that the inserted beverage container is a cooled beverage container being dispensed. In some embodiments described herein, the beverage container dispenser includes a display for displaying a simulation of the beverage dispensing operation to provide a unique and interesting experience for the consumer. In some embodiments described herein, the beverage container dispenser comprises a first temperature regulated compartment and a second temperature regulated compartment such that a consumer can select a temperature of the beverage to be dispensed and one of the temperatures is at or below the freezing point of the beverage in order to provide the consumer with a semi-frozen beverage.

These and other embodiments are discussed with reference to the figures, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the specific embodiments presented herein with respect to these figures are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

In any of the various embodiments described herein, the term "beverage container" may refer to any of various types of containers for storing beverages. The beverage container may be in the form of a bottle or can. The beverage container may comprise any of a variety of materials, including glass, metal (such as aluminum), or plastic (such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), among others.

As used herein, the term "beverage" includes any consumable, free-flowing liquid or semi-liquid product, which may be carbonated or non-carbonated, including but not limited to soft drinks, water, carbonated water, dairy beverages, fruit juices, alcoholic beverages, sports drinks, smoothies, coffee beverages, tea beverages, and milkshakes, and the like. In addition, the term "frappe" includes any beverage that is at least partially frozen as described herein, such that the beverage is in a partially liquid state and a partially solid state.

In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser 100 includes an inlet port 120 for receiving the first beverage container 800. The first beverage container 800 may be at ambient temperature and may be a filled and unopened beverage container ready for purchase by a consumer. The first temperature regulating compartment 180 (see fig. 2) stores the second beverage container 850 at a predetermined temperature such that the second beverage container 850 is cooled. Upon receiving the first beverage container 800 through the inlet port 120, the second beverage container 850 is dispensed to the delivery port 160 of the beverage container dispenser 100. The second beverage container 850 contains the same type of beverage as the beverage in the first beverage container 800. Thus, the beverage container dispenser 100 provides the consumer with the impression that the first beverage container 800 inserted into the inlet port 120 is the same as the cooled second beverage container 850 being dispensed.

As shown in fig. 1, the beverage container dispenser 100 may include a housing 105 such that the beverage container dispenser 100 is a stand-alone device. The beverage container dispenser 100 may be mounted on a support surface, such as a floor, and may be used in any of a variety of environments, such as a restaurant, office, school, movie theater, convenience store, stadium, or concert venue.

The inlet port 120 may be disposed on the housing 105 of the beverage container dispenser 100, such as on a sidewall of the housing 105. The inlet port 120 may be sized to receive a first beverage container 800 containing a beverage, such as a canned or bottled beverage. The inlet port 120 is configured to receive a first beverage container 800 identical to a second beverage container 850 stored within the beverage container dispenser 100. In some embodiments, the inlet port 120 may be sized and/or shaped to receive an appropriate beverage container. For example, if the beverage container dispenser 100 stores only bottled beverage a and bottled beverage B, the inlet port 120 is configured to receive only bottled beverage a or only bottled beverage B. The inlet port 120 may be shaped similar to a beverage container to be inserted into the inlet port 120. Thus, the inlet port 120 may include, for example, a bottle-shaped opening or a can-shaped opening for receiving a bottle or can in a substantially vertical orientation. In some embodiments, the inlet port 120 may have a rectangular or oval shaped opening sized to receive a beverage container.

A delivery port 160 may also be disposed on the housing 105 of the beverage container dispenser 100 for providing access to the dispensing beverage container to the consumer. Delivery port 160 may be located in any of a variety of locations on housing 105 and may be located, for example, on a sidewall of housing 105. In some embodiments, the delivery opening 160 can include a door or lid for removably covering the delivery opening 160 until the beverage container is dispensed. The housing 105 may define a rectangular delivery port 160, as shown in fig. 1, however, in alternative embodiments, the delivery port 160 may be formed to have any of a variety of shapes, including but not limited to square, oval, bottle, can, or other suitable shapes.

The beverage container dispenser 100 further includes a first temperature regulating compartment 180, as shown in fig. 2, for storing a second beverage container 850 at a first predetermined temperature. A first temperature regulated compartment 180 is disposed within the housing 105. The first temperature regulated compartment 180 may store a plurality of beverage containers such that they are inaccessible to the consumer. The first temperature regulating compartment 180 may be insulated in order to maintain the first predetermined temperature and limit or reduce heat transfer into the first temperature regulating compartment 180. For example, the first temperature regulated compartment may be constructed of one or more layers of insulating material and/or may have a double-walled construction. The first predetermined temperature may be a temperature of about 35F to about 55F, or about 35F to about 50F. In this way, the beverage container dispenser 100 may dispense a second beverage container from the first temperature regulated compartment 180 that is cooled or frozen.

The beverage container dispenser 100 may include a cooling system 190, such as shown in FIG. 3. The cooling system 190 is configured to maintain the first temperature regulated compartment 180 at a first predetermined temperature. In one embodiment, the cooling system 190 may include an evaporator 192 in communication with a compressor 194, a condenser 196, and an expansion valve 198 via a plurality of conduits 199 for circulating a refrigerant. The evaporator 192 supplies cooling air to the first temperature regulated compartment 180 via a duct 193. The first temperature regulated compartment 180 may have a vent 185 through which cooling air can flow from the evaporator 192 through the duct 193 and into the first temperature regulated compartment 180. The duct 193 may also be connected to a fan 195 for facilitating circulation of cooling air located within the first temperature regulated compartment 180. In some embodiments, the first temperature regulated compartment 180 may include one or more temperature sensors 189 to determine the temperature within the compartment 180. The control unit 150 may automatically adjust the operation of the cooling system 190 based on the reading of the temperature sensor 189 to maintain the temperature of the first temperature regulating compartment 180 at a first predetermined temperature. In alternative embodiments, other types of cooling systems may be used as long as the temperature of the first temperature regulating compartment 180 is maintained at the first predetermined temperature.

In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser 200 includes an inlet port 220 that directs a beverage container inserted into the inlet port 220 to a storage compartment 230 of the beverage dispenser 200, as shown in fig. 4. The inlet port 220 may be in communication with the storage compartment 230, such as through a chute or channel 225. The storage compartment 230 is located within the beverage dispenser 200 (e.g., disposed entirely within the housing 105) such that the storage compartment 230 and any beverage containers therein are inaccessible to a consumer. The storage compartment 230 may collect and store beverage containers received by the inlet port 220. Thus, the beverage container within the storage compartment 230 is not dispensed. In some embodiments, the storage compartment 230 may be manually emptied by an operator of the beverage dispenser 200. By directing the beverage container to the storage compartment 230, an operator may inspect any beverage containers therein to ensure that the beverage container inserted by the consumer into the inlet port 220 has not been damaged, opened, or otherwise breached prior to restocking the inserted beverage container for purchase by other consumers. In addition, the storage compartment 230 may collect any non-beverage container items that were erroneously or intentionally inserted into the inlet port 220.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, a first beverage container 800 received by the inlet port 120 of the beverage container dispenser 100 is directed to the temperature regulated compartment 180. In such embodiments, during normal operation, the temperature regulating compartment 180 is continuously or periodically refilled with beverage containers, as the beverage container inserted into the inlet port 120 by the consumer replaces the beverage container dispensed to the consumer from the first temperature regulating compartment 180, such that the number of beverage containers within the beverage container dispenser 100 remains constant. Thus, in some embodiments, the operator does not have to restock or refill the beverage container dispenser 100 with beverage containers because the beverage container dispenser 100 is refilled by the consumer during normal operation.

In some embodiments, the first temperature regulating compartment 180 defines a channel that directs the beverage container from the inlet of the first temperature regulating compartment 180 to the outlet thereof. The beverage containers are arranged in a sequential manner within the first temperature regulated compartment 180 such that an inserted first beverage container is dispensed first. In this way, a beverage container inserted by a consumer through the inlet port 120 will remain in the temperature regulated compartment 180 for a sufficient time to allow the beverage container to cool to a predetermined temperature, since the inserted beverage container will not be dispensed until all previously inserted beverage containers held within the first temperature regulated compartment 180 have been dispensed. However, in some embodiments, a first beverage container 800 inserted by a consumer into the inlet port 120 may pass through the temperature regulated compartment 180 for rapid cooling and then be dispensed to the delivery port 160 such that the first beverage container 800 inserted by the consumer is the same as a second beverage container 850 dispensed to the consumer.

The inlet of the first temperature regulating compartment 180 is in communication with the inlet port 120 of the beverage container dispenser 100 such that a beverage container inserted into the inlet port 120 passes through the inlet of the temperature regulating compartment 180 and into the compartment 180. At the outlet of the first temperature regulated compartment 180, the beverage container may be transferred to the delivery port 160 of the beverage container dispenser 100 for access by the consumer. In some embodiments, the beverage container may be moved from the outlet of the first temperature regulated compartment 180 by a delivery mechanism for retrieving and transporting the beverage container. In some embodiments, the beverage container at the outlet of the first temperature regulated compartment 180 may be moved directly to the delivery port 160 without the use of a delivery mechanism, such as by dropping the beverage container along a chute under the force of gravity. A beverage dispenser having a chute for dispensing beverage containers under the force of gravity as disclosed, for example, in indian patent application No. 201841038006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In embodiments where the beverage container dispenser 100 includes a plurality of temperature regulated compartments 180, a first beverage container 800 inserted by a consumer into the inlet port 120 is directed to the temperature regulated compartments 180 for storing that type of beverage within the first beverage container 800. As shown, for example, in fig. 1-2, the beverage container dispenser 100 may include a detector 110 for determining the type of beverage held within the first beverage container 800 such that the beverage container dispenser 100 may direct the first beverage container 800 to the temperature regulated compartment 180 for storing the type of beverage held within the first beverage container 800. For example, if the first beverage container 800 stores beverage a and the beverage container dispenser 100 includes a first temperature regulated compartment 180 for storing beverage a and a second temperature regulated compartment for storing beverage B, the detector 110 may detect that the first beverage container 800 stores beverage a and thus the first beverage container 800 is directed to the first temperature regulated compartment 180.

In some embodiments, the detector 110 may be a scanner capable of reading a barcode, two-dimensional (QR) code, or other indicia 810 on the first beverage container 800 (see fig. 1) in order to determine the beverage type of the first beverage container 800. The detector 110 may include an optical scanner, an RFID reader, or other suitable device. The detector 110 may be positioned adjacent to the inlet port 120 and configured to detect the first beverage container 800 when received by the inlet port 120, or in some embodiments, may require the consumer to scan the first beverage container 800 before inserting the first beverage container 800 into the inlet port 120. The inlet port 120 may be configured to receive only beverage containers after they are scanned by the detector 110.

The detector 110 may be operatively connected to a control unit 150, as shown in fig. 2. The control unit 150 may include a database of available beverage containers within the beverage container dispenser 100. Upon scanning the first beverage container 800 by the detector 110, the control unit 150 may determine the beverage type of the first beverage container 800 and compare the beverage type to a database of available beverages. If the beverage type of the first beverage container 800 detected by the detector 110 is available in the beverage container dispenser 100 as determined by the control unit 150, the control unit 150 will allow the first beverage container 800 to be received by the inlet port 120. Otherwise, the inlet port 120 will not allow receipt of the first beverage container 800 and the display 140 may provide a notification or instruction to the consumer that the selected beverage is not available and/or an instruction to select a different beverage. In this manner, the beverage container dispenser 100 prevents a consumer from inserting an undispensed beverage container and helps to ensure that the consumer receives the desired beverage.

In such embodiments, upon receiving the first beverage container 800, the beverage container dispenser 100 dispenses a second beverage container 850 corresponding to the type of beverage stored by the first beverage container 800 as determined by the detector 110. Thus, the consumer is provided the impression that the second beverage container 850 being dispensed is the same as the first beverage container 800 inserted into the inlet port 120.

In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser 300 may include a user interface 310 for receiving a user selection of a beverage, as shown, for example, in fig. 5. The user interface 310 may include a plurality of buttons, levers, handles, or actuators. The user interface 310 may also include an electronic display screen, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, or an organic LED (oled) display. In some embodiments, the user interface 310 may be a touch screen display 340. The touch screen display 340 may display a graphical user interface 500 on which icons corresponding to available beverages are displayed and which may display instructions for operating the beverage container dispenser.

The graphical user interface 500 may display instructions 510 for the consumer to make a beverage selection and dispense a beverage container. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface 500 may display instructions 510 for the consumer to make a temperature selection for the beverage to be dispensed so that the user may select a frozen beverage or a semi-frozen beverage. The graphical user interface 500 may also display icons 520 indicating the types of beverages available (e.g., beverage a, beverage B) and indicating temperature selections (e.g., temperature 1 (frozen beverage), temperature 2 (semi-frozen beverage)). The consumer may make the selection by touching the portion of the touch screen display 340 displaying the particular icon 520.

In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser 300 may be configured to receive user input of a beverage selection by means of a mobile device 700, such as a smartphone, tablet, or other portable electronic device of a consumer. Mobile device 700 may include a software application (e.g., "app") configured to display instructions for dispensing a beverage and/or to display types of available beverages and beverage temperature options. The beverage container dispenser 300 may include a communication component 330 (see fig. 7) configured to communicate with a mobile device 700 via wireless communication methods, such as through bluetooth or other short-range wireless networks, or through wireless local area networks, such as Wi-Fi, etc., in order to receive consumer selections.

In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser 100 may include a display 140, as shown, for example, in fig. 1. In embodiments of the beverage container dispenser 100 that use a touch screen display as the user interface, the touch screen display may serve as both the user interface and the display 140. In embodiments where the user interface is a plurality of buttons, levers, actuators, or controls, the display 140 may be separate from the user interface.

The display 140 of the beverage container dispenser 100 may be configured to display a simulation 600 of a process of dispensing a beverage, such as, for example, a beverage container. In some embodiments, the simulation 600 may alternatively or additionally be displayed on a display of the mobile device 700, such as a smartphone, tablet, or other portable electronic device of the consumer.

The simulation 600 may include a depiction of a beverage container. The beverage containers shown in the simulation may be shown on the display 140 in the same size as the actual beverage containers. The beverage containers shown in simulation 600 may also be the same type and style of beverage container selected by the consumer. In this way, the simulation 600 may provide the consumer with the impression that the beverage container shown in the simulation 600 is the same beverage container as that dispensed to the consumer by the beverage container dispenser 100. In embodiments where the consumer inserts a first beverage container into the inlet port 120, the simulation 600 may also provide the impression that the first beverage container inserted into the inlet port 120 is the beverage container shown in the simulation 600 and dispensed upon completion of the simulation 600. Thus, the simulation 600 may begin with a beverage container appearing on a portion of the display 140 adjacent the inlet port 120 to provide the appearance that an inserted beverage container is displayed on the display 140. Further, when the beverage container completes the simulation 600, the beverage container shown in the simulation 600 may be moved to a portion of the display 140 located near the delivery opening 160 to provide the impression that the beverage container of the simulation 600 was dispensed to the delivery opening 160. Thus, the beverage container dispenser 100 provides a unique experience for the consumer, wherein the consumer can see the simulation 600 that a beverage container is being dispensed.

In one embodiment, the simulation 600 may be stored as a digital video file in a memory, such as the control unit 150, and the dispenser 100 may be configured to play the digital video file on the display 140. The video may be automatically played upon receiving a user selection, whether from the user interface or by receiving the first beverage container via the inlet port 120. The control unit 150 may play the digital video file on the display 140 upon receiving a user selection. The simulation 600 may be based on the type or style of beverage selected such that each type of beverage has a separate simulation. Additionally, the beverage dispenser 100 may include multiple digital video files of different simulations such that each beverage purchased by a consumer may result in a display of a different simulation.

The simulation 600 may depict a beverage container dispensing operation. The simulation 600 may include real-time footage, computer animation, computer generated images, or a combination thereof. The term "beverage container dispensing operation" refers to any process of dispensing a beverage or beverage container, such as the beverage container moving from a storage area shown on a display toward a delivery opening (such as along a track or path). In some embodiments, simulation 600 may depict the operation of a Rube Goldberg-type machine for dispensing beverage containers, such that a series of events results in a beverage container being dispensed. The beverage container dispensing operation may also include methods for preparing a beverage, such as a method of cooling or freezing a beverage or a method of forming a slush beverage. Thus, the simulation 600 may show that the beverage container is being sprayed with chilled air or submerged in an ice bath to alert the consumer that the beverage container is being chilled. In the embodiment shown forming a slush beverage, simulation 600 may depict the beverage container being stirred such that nucleation of the beverage within the beverage container occurs. The simulation 600 may depict agitation by showing a beverage container that is being subjected to a mechanical shock or a violent shock. For example, the simulation 600 may show that the beverage container is dropped onto a surface, bumped or shaken by an object, and other methods for blending a beverage. Once stirred, the simulation 600 may depict the beverage within the container as it gradually freezes, such as by showing ice or ice crystals formed within the beverage.

For example, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the simulation 600 may be an animation showing a beverage container 644 of the type selected by the consumer moving from a storage area to a dispensing area as shown on the display 140. The simulation 600 may depict a beverage container 644 being selected from a plurality of beverage containers in the beverage storage area 642. The selected beverage container 644 then moves or rolls along path 646 from the upper portion 141 of the display 140 adjacent the inlet port 120 to the lower portion 143 of the display 140 adjacent the delivery port 160 of the beverage container dispenser 100. Along path 646, the beverage container 644 may encounter one or more obstacles 648 and may undergo one or more processes, such as cooling. The simulation 600 may also include various visual effects and modifications as the beverage container 644 moves toward the delivery port 160. The simulation 600 may also include audio, such as sound effects to be played by speakers of the beverage container dispenser 100 to provide additional enjoyment and entertainment.

Upon completion of the simulation 600, the beverage container dispenser 100 is configured to dispense a second beverage container from the temperature regulated compartment 180 in order to provide the impression that the beverage container shown in the simulation 600 is being dispensed to a consumer. The dispensing operation may be timed at the completion of the simulation such that the simulation ends and the second beverage container is dispensed substantially simultaneously. Thus, for example, the simulation 600 may have a set running time, and the control unit 150 of the beverage container dispenser 100 may play the simulation 600 on the display 140 and dispense the beverage container after the running time of the simulation 600 has elapsed.

In some embodiments, the display 140 may also be configured to display images or video while the beverage container dispenser 100 is in an idle state. Thus, when the beverage container dispenser 100 is not being used by a consumer, the display 140 may be configured to display images or videos designed to attract the attention of the consumer. In the idle state, the display 140 may display advertisements and/or images or videos of beverages available for purchase. The display 140 may automatically enter an idle state if the beverage container dispenser 100 is not used by a consumer for a fixed period of time. When the consumer uses the beverage container dispenser 100, the beverage container dispenser 100 may return to displaying a graphical user interface for receiving consumer selections of the beverage and/or the beverage temperature. The consumer may be detected by a sensor of the beverage container dispenser 100, such as a motion sensor, a proximity sensor, or a thermal sensor, or may be detected by a consumer's interaction with a user interface, such as by touching a touch screen display. Upon completion of the beverage dispensing operation, which may include displaying a simulation, the display may return to an idle state.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a beverage container dispenser 300 that may include: a first temperature regulating compartment 380 for storing beverage containers at a first predetermined temperature; and a second temperature regulated compartment 382 for storing beverage containers at a second predetermined temperature, as shown, for example, in fig. 7. The first and second temperature regulated compartments 380, 382 are operatively connected to a cooling system 390 for maintaining the temperature regulated compartments 380, 382 at first and second predetermined temperatures, respectively.

A single cooling system 390 may be used for each of the temperature regulated compartments 380, 382, or multiple cooling systems may be used. The cooling system 390 may be configured in the same manner as the cooling system 190 described above with respect to the beverage container dispenser 100. Accordingly, the cooling system 390 may include an evaporator 392 in communication with a compressor 398, a condenser 396 and an expansion valve via a plurality of conduits for circulating a refrigerant, as shown in FIG. 13. Evaporator 392 supplies cooled air to temperature regulated compartment 380 through conduit 393. The temperature regulated compartment 380 may have an air vent 397 through which cooling air can flow from the evaporator 392 through the conduit 393 and into the first and second temperature regulated compartments 380, 382 and may have a fan 395 for facilitating circulation of the cooling air within the temperature regulated compartment 380.

In some embodiments, the first and second temperature regulated compartments 380, 382 of the beverage container dispenser 300 are configured to store the same type of beverage. Thus, the beverage container dispenser 300 is capable of dispensing a beverage at either the first predetermined temperature or the second predetermined temperature depending on the needs of the consumer. The first predetermined temperature may be about 35 ° f to about 55 ° f, and may be about 40 ° f to about 50 ° f, such that the beverage container stored at the first predetermined temperature is cooled or frozen. The second predetermined temperature may be at or below the freezing point of the beverage within the beverage container such that the beverage held within the beverage container is subcooled. A beverage is "supercooled" when it is at or below its freezing point but remains in a liquid state. The supercooled beverage will remain liquid until agitated, such as by shaking, dropping or impacting the beverage container, or by opening the lid of the beverage container to release the carbonation. In one embodiment, the second predetermined temperature may be about 10F to about 32F, or about 16F to about 25F, or about 19F to about 25F. To achieve sub-cooling of the beverage within the second temperature regulating compartment 382, the beverage may be stored in the compartment 382 for at least about one hour to about eight hours, depending on the particular beverage and the temperature of the compartment 382. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the freezing point may vary from beverage to beverage, and that the appropriate temperature may be selected accordingly. For example, the freezing point of a carbonated sweetened beverage is typically lower than that of purified water, and thus, the temperature-regulated compartment for storing the carbonated sweetened beverage may need to be maintained at a lower temperature than the temperature-regulated compartment for storing purified water.

In embodiments having a first temperature regulating compartment 380 and a second temperature regulating compartment 382 (such as the beverage container dispenser 300 of fig. 7), the beverage container dispenser 300 may include a user interface 310 for receiving user input. When the beverage container dispenser 300 stores a single type of beverage, the user input may be the temperature of the beverage to be dispensed (e.g., frozen or super-cooled) so that the consumer may select a frozen beverage or a semi-frozen beverage. In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser 300 may store multiple types of beverages, and the user input may be the type of beverage, such as soda or sugarless soda, and the temperature of the beverage to be dispensed (see fig. 5).

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 8-9, the beverage container dispenser 300 includes a housing 305 having an enclosed interior volume 309. One or more temperature regulated compartments 380 are disposed within the interior volume 309. It should be understood that the temperature regulated compartment 380 may be a first temperature regulated compartment for storing a beverage at a first predetermined temperature, or a second temperature regulated compartment for storing a beverage at a second predetermined temperature. The temperature regulated compartment 380 stores beverage containers to be dispensed by the beverage container dispenser 300. The beverage container dispenser 300 also includes a delivery mechanism 361 to retrieve beverage containers from the temperature regulated compartment 380 and deliver the beverage containers to the delivery port 360. The beverage container dispenser 300 may also include an agitator 370 to cause nucleation of the subcooled beverage within the beverage container dispensed by the beverage container dispenser 300.

In some embodiments, each temperature regulated compartment 380 defines a path 381 such that beverage containers 800 are arranged in a single column within the temperature regulated compartment 380, as shown in fig. 10-11, and dispensed in a sequential manner. Each temperature regulated compartment 380 may be configured to store one or more beverage containers in a lateral or horizontal orientation. Thus, a plurality of beverage containers may be arranged in a lateral orientation and stacked vertically on top of each other from the lower end 308 to the upper end 307 of the temperature regulated compartment 380 such that the side wall of a first beverage container is adjacent to or in contact with the side wall of a second beverage container.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 10, the path 381 may be defined by a first sidewall 385 opposite a second sidewall 386, and one or both sidewalls may include a plurality of protrusions 383 extending therefrom. The temperature conditioning compartment 380 may include a series of protrusions 383 spaced apart from one another along the first or second side walls 385,386 from the upper end 307 of the temperature conditioning compartment 380 toward the lower end 308 of the temperature conditioning compartment 380. In some embodiments, the protrusions 383 extend from the first sidewall 385 toward the opposing second sidewall 386. In fig. 10, second sidewall 386 is shown without any protrusions 383, however, in some embodiments, second sidewall 386 can also include protrusions 383 that define path 381. The protrusions 383 can have any of a variety of configurations and are shown as having a generally triangular longitudinal cross-section. However, in alternative embodiments, the protrusions 383 may have alternative cross-sectional shapes, such as semi-circular or trapezoidal cross-sections. The protrusions 383 may help bear a portion of the weight of the beverage container so that the weight of the beverage container is not directly applied to other beverage containers in the temperature regulated compartment 380. Additionally, the protrusions 383 may help slow the travel of the beverage container along the path 381 so that the beverage container does not freely fall into the temperature regulated compartment 380 when the beverage container is dispensed.

A gate 387 may be disposed at the lower end 308 of the temperature regulated compartment 380 along the path 381 that prevents the beverage container 800 within the path 381 from moving to the chute 388, as best shown in fig. 10. The gate 387 may be electrically actuated and operatively connected to the control unit 350 such that the gate 387 is configured to open in response to a user selection of a beverage container so as to allow release of an individual beverage container 800 from the temperature regulated compartment 380. When the beverage containers are stacked vertically, the beverage containers may be released under the force of gravity. Once the beverage container is released to the chute 388, the gate 387 will return to the closed position to prevent additional beverage containers from passing to the chute 388.

The chute 388 may be positioned at the lower end 308 of the temperature conditioning compartment 380. The chute 388 may include an inclined surface configured to reorient beverage containers stored in a lateral orientation to a vertical or upright orientation. The inclined surface may have an angle of about 30 ° to 80 °, about 40 ° to about 75 °, or about 50 ° to about 70 ° with respect to horizontal. Thus, when a beverage container oriented in a horizontal orientation is released onto the chute 388, the chute 388 serves to reorient the beverage container into a vertical or upright orientation.

In some embodiments, the delivery mechanism 361 is included in the beverage container dispenser 300, as shown in fig. 9. Since the supercooled beverage will nucleate and will transform to a solid state upon agitation, care must be taken to move the supercooled beverage container to the delivery opening 360 in order to avoid agitation of the beverage container and nucleation of the beverage. If nucleation occurs within the beverage container dispenser 100, the consumer will obtain a slush beverage within the beverage container, but will not be able to see the nucleation process of the beverage, which the consumer may find interesting and which provides a unique consumer experience. The delivery mechanism 361 includes a beverage collector 364 for retrieving beverage containers from the temperature regulated compartment 380 and delivering the beverage containers to the delivery port 360. In addition to reorienting the beverage containers, the chute 388 of the temperature regulated compartment 380 can also be used to direct the beverage containers onto the beverage collector 364.

The beverage collector 364 is movable from the temperature regulated compartment 380 to the delivery port 360 for retrieval and delivery of beverage containers. In some embodiments, the beverage collector 364 is positioned on a guide rod 376 having an upper end 377 and a lower end 378 such that the guide rod 376 extends parallel to the temperature regulated compartment 380 from the lower end 308 to the upper end 307 of the temperature regulated compartment 380. The beverage collector 364 is movable along the longitudinal axis of the guide rod 376 from an upper end 377 to a lower end 378 (in the Y-direction). Guide rods 376 are also movably positioned on a pair of tracks 379 disposed at the upper end 307 and lower end 308 of the temperature conditioning compartment 380. The tracks 379 are arranged laterally with respect to the guide rods 376 and are parallel to each other. The guide rods 376 are configured to move along the track 379 (in the X-direction) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the guide rods 376. In this way, when dispensing a beverage container, the beverage collector 364 is movable in two directions perpendicular to each other, e.g., the X-direction and the Y-direction, and movable via the guide 376 and the track 379 to retrieve the beverage container from the temperature regulating compartment 380 and transport it to the delivery opening 360 for dispensing the beverage container to a consumer.

In some embodiments, the beverage collector 364 includes a receptacle support 362 and a movable sidewall 365, as shown, for example, in fig. 12. The container support 362 may include: a base 363 configured to support a lower end or base of the beverage container 800; and a sidewall 368. The container support 362 may have a generally L-shaped configuration. The side walls 368 may be integrally formed with the base 363. The container support 362 may be movably secured to the guide rods 376 via side walls 368.

The container support 362 may also include a movable sidewall 365. The movable sidewall 365 may have a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section such that when the beverage container 800 is positioned on the container support 362, the movable sidewall 365 surrounds a portion of the beverage container 800. The movable side wall 365 may be connected to the container support 362 via a pivot point 366 (such as a hinge) such that the movable side wall 365 can move from a first position to a second position. In the first position, a portion of the movable side wall 365 abuts the side wall 368 of the container support 362 to support the beverage container on the base 363. In the second position, the movable side wall 365 rotates about the pivot point 366 in an outward direction away from the side wall 368. When the moveable side wall 365 partially surrounds the beverage container 800, this outward rotation moves the beverage container 800 away from the base 363 and the beverage container 800 drops under the force of gravity through the open lower end 367 of the moveable side wall 365. The movable sidewall 365 may direct the beverage container 800 toward the delivery opening 360, which may include an inlet chute 369 configured to direct the beverage container 800 into the delivery opening 360.

The beverage collector 364 may be moved by a drive mechanism, such as a motor, and the operation of the delivery mechanism 361 may be determined by the control unit 350 of the beverage container dispenser 300. Thus, upon receiving a user selection of a beverage, the control unit 350 may move the beverage collector 364 to a position where the beverage container is in the temperature regulated compartment 380 to retrieve the beverage container. The gate 387 of the temperature regulated compartment 380 may be opened to release the beverage container 800 onto the chute 388 such that the beverage container is reoriented to an upright position and moved onto the container support 362 of the beverage collector 364 with the movable side wall 365 in the first position. The beverage collector 364 moves along the guide bar 376, which moves along the track 379 such that the beverage collector 364 is adjacent to the delivery opening 360. Once adjacent the delivery opening 360, the movable sidewall 365 is moved to the second position by rotating outward from the container support 362 such that the beverage container 800 is directed into the delivery opening 360. Nucleation of the beverage within the beverage container is avoided by transporting the beverage container within the beverage collector 364, rather than by dropping the beverage container such that the beverage container is free to drop to the delivery opening 360.

In some embodiments, the beverage container dispenser 300 may further include an agitator 370 for nucleating a beverage container containing a supercooled beverage, as shown, for example, in fig. 14. The agitator 370 is configured to nucleate a beverage within a beverage container dispensed by the beverage container dispenser 300. Thus, when the consumer chooses to dispense a beverage container from the second temperature regulated compartment 382 such that the dispensed beverage is at a temperature at or below the freezing point of the beverage, the consumer can use the blender 370 to provide a slush beverage and can see the process of the beverage changing from a liquid state to a partially solid state through nucleation.

The agitator 370 may be integrally connected to or formed as part of the beverage container dispenser 300. For example, the agitator 370 may be built into the housing 305 of the beverage container dispenser 300 or may be connected to the housing 305. In some embodiments, the agitator 370 is a separate device from the beverage container dispenser 300 and may be positioned adjacent thereto.

In some embodiments, the blender 370 includes a beverage container frame 384 defining a beverage container receiving area 375. The beverage container frame 384 is configured to securely hold the beverage container 800 within the beverage container receiving area 375. In some embodiments, the beverage container frame 384 may include a lower support 373 and an upper support 374, wherein the lower support 373 is configured to support a base of the beverage container 800 and the upper support 374 is configured to support a lid or upper end of the beverage container 800 such that the beverage container 800 is securely held between the upper support 374 and the lower support 373. The beverage container frame 384 is configured to impart a shaking motion to the beverage container 800. The beverage container frame 384 may be moved rapidly in an up-and-down motion, a side-to-side motion, or a combination thereof. Thus, the beverage container frame 384 may impart a circular shaking motion to the beverage container 800. Alternatively, the beverage container frame 384 may be configured to move in a rocking motion by pivoting about a fixed point. To impart a shaking motion on the beverage container, the beverage container frame 384 may be operatively connected to a drive mechanism, such as motor 371, by an arm or linkage 389. The motor 371 may be housed within a housing 372, wherein the housing 372 may be separate from or integrated with the housing 305 of the beverage container dispenser 300.

Upon dispensing a beverage container containing a beverage at a second predetermined temperature (e.g., a temperature at or below the freezing point of the beverage within the dispensed beverage container), the display 340 of the beverage container dispenser 300 may display instructions for nucleating the beverage, as shown in fig. 15. The display 340 may include a graphical user interface 500 that illustrates manually shaking 560 the beverage container 540 to nucleate a beverage within the container. The instructions may include text instructions 550 and/or image or video instructions, such as animation, for nucleating the beverage within the beverage container 540. In embodiments of the beverage container dispenser 300 having the blender 370, the instructions may demonstrate or explain the operation of the blender 370. For example, the instructions for operating the blender 370 may include the steps of inserting and securing the dispensed beverage container in the blender 370 and operating controls for initiating operation of the blender 370. The blender 370 may be configured to automatically blend a beverage container inserted into the blender 370 or the consumer may have to operate controls to cause the blender 370 to begin operation.

One method for dispensing a frappe in a beverage container is shown, for example, in fig. 16. The method for dispensing the frappe 400 includes: a user selection 410 of a beverage and/or a temperature of the beverage to be dispensed is received. The user selection may be received by a user interface of the beverage container dispenser, such as a touch screen display of the beverage container dispenser. The user selection may be made in part by inserting the beverage container into an inlet port of the beverage dispenser, wherein the beverage container dispenser may detect the type of beverage within the beverage container. Upon receiving the user selection, the beverage container dispenser may display a simulation of the beverage dispensing operation 420. Upon completion of the simulation, the beverage container dispenser may dispense a beverage container 430 corresponding to the user's selection. The beverage dispenser may also display instructions for stirring the beverage 440 if the consumer chooses to dispense the beverage at a temperature at or below the beverage's freezing point. The instructions may include steps for manually agitating the beverage or may include steps for operating an agitator of the beverage container dispenser. The consumer may then stir the beverage 450 according to instructions presented on the display, such as by inserting the beverage container into a stirrer of the beverage dispenser and operating the stirrer to cause nucleation of the beverage dispenser.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the beverage container dispenser may further comprise a payment system for receiving payment from the user prior to dispensing the beverage container to the consumer. The payment system may include any of a variety of means for accepting payment from a user, including but not limited to: a slot for receiving notes (e.g., dollar notes, coins, or tokens); credit card readers for reading credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and the like; or a mobile payment scanner for receiving payments made by applications on smartphones.

Fig. 17 illustrates an exemplary computer system 900 in which an embodiment or portions of the embodiment can be implemented as computer readable code. The control units 150, 250, 350 as discussed herein may be computer systems having all or some of the components of the computer system 900 for implementing the processes discussed herein.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may be executed on a commercially available processing platform or special purpose device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer system configurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems, minicomputers and mainframe computers, computers linked or clustered with distributed functionality, and ordinary or minicomputers that can be embedded in virtually any device.

For example, memory and at least one processor device may be used to implement the above-described embodiments. The processor means may be a single processor, a plurality of processors, or a combination thereof. A processor device may have one or more processor "cores.

Various embodiments may be implemented in accordance with this exemplary computer system 900. After reading this description, it will become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement one or more of the present invention using other computer systems and/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as a sequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed in parallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and with program code stored locally or remotely for access by single or multi-processor machines. Additionally, in some embodiments, the order of the operations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the disclosed subject matter.

The processor device 904 may be a special purpose processor device or a general purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art, the processor device 904 may also be a single processor in a multi-core/multi-processor system, such system operating alone or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm. The processor device 904 is connected to a communication infrastructure 906, such as a bus, message queue, network, or multi-core messaging scheme.

Computer system 900 also includes a main memory 908, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 910. The secondary memory 910 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 912 or a removable storage drive 914. Removable storage drive 914 may comprise a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive 914 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 918 in a well known manner. Removable storage unit 918 may comprise a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, etc., which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 914. Removable storage unit 918 includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art.

Computer system 900 (optional) includes a display interface 902 (which may include input devices and output devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, etc.) that forwards graphics, text, and other data from communication infrastructure 906 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on display 940.

In alternative implementations, secondary memory 910 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 900. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 922 and an interface 920. Examples of such means may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 922 and interfaces 920 which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 922 to computer system 900.

Computer system 900 may also include a communications interface 924. Communications interface 924 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 900 and external devices. Communications interface 924 can include a modem, a network interface (such as an ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or the like. Software and data transferred via communications interface 924 may be in the form of signals which may be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received via communications interface 924. These signals may be provided to communications interface 924 via a communications path 926. Communications path 926 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, or other communications channels.

In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and "computer usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such as removable storage unit 918, removable storage unit 922, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 912. Computer program medium and computer usable medium may also refer to memories, such as main memory 908 and secondary memory 910, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g., DRAMs, etc.).

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 908 and/or secondary memory 910. Computer programs may also be received via communications interface 924. Such computer programs, when executed, enable computer system 900 to implement embodiments discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor device 904 to implement the processes of the embodiments discussed herein. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system 900. Where embodiments are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 900 using removable storage drive 914, interface 920 and hard drive 912 or communications interface 924.

Embodiments of the present invention may also relate to a computer program product comprising software stored on any computer usable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing devices, causes the data processing devices to operate as described herein. Embodiments of the present invention may employ any computer-usable or readable medium. Examples of computer-usable media include, but are not limited to, primary storage (e.g., any type of random access memory), secondary storage (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMs, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic and optical storage, MEMS, nanotechnology storage, etc.).

It is to be understood that the detailed description section, and not the summary and abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The summary and abstract sections may set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention contemplated by the inventors, and are therefore not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.

The invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specific functions and relationships thereof. Boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries may be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance presented herein.

The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.