US-20260123786-A1 - BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM

US20260123786A1US 20260123786 A1US20260123786 A1US 20260123786A1US-20260123786-A1

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system illustratively includes a beverage dispenser having a controller for operating a valve assembly. The controller is illustratively in wireless communication with a remote user interface. In an illustrative embodiment, a hot beverage device may supply hot beverages to a valve assembly, and a cold beverage device may provide cold beverages to the valve assembly.

Inventors

Joseph Wayne Baumgarte
Madeline Clare Ryals
Brian Wayne Johnson
Gerald Robert Hayes

Assignees

DELTA FAUCET COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20230929

Claims (20)

1 . A beverage dispensing system comprising: a beverage dispenser including a spout having an outlet; a valve assembly in fluid communication with the spout; at least one beverage container in fluid communication with the valve assembly; a controller in communication with the valve assembly, the controller including a processor and a memory having machine readable instructions for execution by the processor; a wireless transceiver in communication with the controller; and a remote user interface in communication with the wireless transceiver.
2 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of process modules in communication with the controller, the process modules including at least one of a voice control module and a data collection module.
3 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the remote user interface is in wireless communication with the controller via the internet.
4 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly comprises an electrically operable valve.
5 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a fixed user interface supported by the spout and in communication with the controller.
6 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a dispenser spout sensor operably coupled to the spout to detect an object in proximity to the outlet of the spout.
7 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 6 , wherein the dispenser spout sensor includes a capacitive sensor.
8 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a hot beverage device and a cold beverage device in communication with the controller, and fluidly coupled to the valve assembly.
9 . The beverage dispensing system of claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning device in communication with the controller, the cleaning device configured to clean portions of the beverage dispenser at predetermined times.
10 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . A beverage faucet comprising: an outlet; a valve cartridge that allows for water mixing and temperature control through the operation of a single handle and fluidly coupled to an instant hot water device; and wherein the valve cartridge permits delivery of water from a cold water supply to the instant hot water device, delivery of water from the instant hot water device to the outlet of the beverage faucet, delivery of water from the cold water supply to the outlet of the beverage faucet, and delivery of a mixture of water from the instant hot water device and the cold water supply to the outlet of the beverage faucet.
17 . The beverage faucet of claim 16 , wherein the valve cartridge provides a vent passageway for the instant hot water device through the beverage faucet.
18 . The beverage faucet of claim 16 , further comprising a spout supported by a sink deck and including the outlet.
19 . The beverage faucet of claim 16 , wherein the valve cartridge includes a movable valve member having a cold water inlet port in fluid communication with the cold water supply, a hot water inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet of the instant hot water device, and a cold water outlet port in fluid communication with an inlet of the instant hot water device.
20 . A beverage faucet comprising: a spout including an outlet; a hot water device; a mixing valve including a moveable valve member having a cold water inlet port in fluid communication with a cold water source, a hot water inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet of the hot water device, a cold water outlet port in fluid communication with an inlet of the hot water device, and a combined water outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet of the spout; and wherein movement of the moveable valve member includes a plurality of operating positions, the operating positions including a closed position, a full cold position, a mix position, and a full hot position.
21 . The beverage faucet of claim 20 , wherein: the cold water inlet port is not in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port, and the hot water inlet port is not in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port in the closed position; the cold water inlet port is in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port, and the hot water inlet port is not in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port in the full cold position; the cold water inlet port is in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port, the hot water inlet port is in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port, and the cold water inlet port is in fluid communication with the cold water outlet port in the mix position; and the cold water inlet port is not in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port, the hot water inlet port is in fluid communication with the combined water outlet port, and the cold water inlet port is in fluid communication with the cold water outlet port in the full hot position.
22 . The beverage faucet of claim 20 , further comprising: a fixed valve member sealingly engaging the moveable valve member; and a valve stem operably coupled to the moveable valve member.
23 . The beverage faucet of claim 20 , wherein the valve member further includes a vent port configured to provide selective fluid communication between the hot water device and atmosphere.
24 . The beverage faucet of claim 23 , wherein: the vent port provides fluid communication between the hot water device and atmosphere in the closed position, the full cold position, and the mix position; and the vent port does not provide fluid communication between the hot water device and atmosphere in the full hot position.
25 - 28 . (canceled)

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/412,362, filed Sep. 30, 2022, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY The present disclosure relates generally to fluid dispensing systems. Illustrative fluid dispensing systems that may be mounted to a sink deck, and be in wireless communication with a remote user interface. It is known to provide beverage dispensing systems on a countertop for dispensing both hot and cold beverages in response to a user input at a control panel. It is desired to provide a beverage dispensing system that may be mounted adjacent to a sink, and configured to provide wireless communication with a remote user interface. It is also desired to provide a beverage dispensing system that may be voice controlled, is configured for remote control (including for operation, brewing and inventory), collects and analyzes data (including beverages dispensed by kind, amount, date, time, etc.), identifies a user and user preferences/historical data, and/or facilitates operational configuration (e.g., beverage strength, carbonation, etc.). It is also desired to provide a remote user interface, illustratively an application on a smart device, allowing for remote operation, brewing, configuration, inventory, etc. Beverage faucets generally supply either cold water or instant hot water and are often filtered. Faucets that supply both hot water and cold water are typically configured with two handles, one for hot water and one for cold water, and often are not very aesthetically appealing, having a plain industrial or utilitarian appearance. It is desired to have a beverage faucet that could supply instant hot water, cold water, or mixed water using a single handle, allowing for a more streamlined and pleasing appearance. It is also desired to have the handle self-return to the closed position for safety and convenience purposes. According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispenser including a spout having an outlet, a valve assembly in fluid communication with the spout, at least one beverage container in fluid communication with the valve assembly, and a controller in communication with the valve assembly. The controller includes a processer, and a memory including machine readable instructions for execution by the processor. A wireless transceiver is in communication with the controller. A remote user interface is in communication with the wireless transceiver. According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispenser having a spout with an outlet, the spout supported above a sink deck, and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the spout. A refrigerator is positioned below the sink deck, and a plurality of beverage containers are removably supported within the refrigerator. Each of the beverage containers are in fluid communication with the valve assembly. A controller is in communication with the valve assembly. The valve assembly provides selective communication between at least one beverage container and the outlet of the beverage dispenser. According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a beverage faucet includes an outlet, a valve cartridge that allows for water mixing and temperature control through the operation of a single handle operably and fluidly coupled to an instant hot water device. More particularly, the valve cartridge permits delivery of water from a cold water supply to the instant hot water device, delivery of water from the instant hot water device to the outlet of the beverage faucet, delivery of water from the cold water supply to the outlet of the beverage faucet, and delivery of a mixture of water from the instant hot water device and the cold water supply to the outlet of the beverage faucet. The valve cartridge may also provide a vent passageway for the instant hot water device through the beverage faucet. According a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a beverage faucet includes a spout having an outlet, a hot water device, and a mixing valve having a moveable valve member. The moveable valve member includes a cold water inlet port in fluid communication with a cold water source, a hot water inlet port in fluid communication with an outlet of the hot water device, a cold water outlet port in fluid communication with an inlet of the hot water device, and a combined water outlet port in fluid communication with the outlet of the spout. Movement of the moveable valve member includes a plurality of operating positions including a closed position, a full cold position, a mix position, and a full hot position. According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispenser incl