	US 7,490,638 B2
	Method and device for dispensing from liquid concentrates beverages having multi-layer visual appearance
Alexander S. Sher, Danbury, Conn. (US); Raffaella Saggin, New Milford, Conn. (US); Kenneth R. Moffitt, Brookfield, Conn. (US); Beli R. Thakur, New Milford, Conn. (US); Simon J. Livings, New Milford, Conn. (US); and Elaine R. Wedral, Sherman, Conn. (US)
Assigned to Nestec S.A., Vevey (Switzerland)
Filed on Jun. 23, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/166,604.
Application 11/166604 is a division of application No. 10/695993, filed on Oct. 30, 2003, granted, now 7,013,933.
Prior Publication US 2005/0238768 A1, Oct. 27, 2005
Int. Cl. B65B 1/04 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 141—100 [222/129.1; 99/299; 99/309]

13 Claims

1. A dispensing device for automatically dispensing a beverage having a distinctive visual appearance of multi-layers in a serving container, comprising:

at least one mixing means;

a water supply and a water transport and metering means to transport and meter water to the mixing means;

at least first and second liquid concentrates individually contained in storage means;

concentrate lines and transport and metering means configured to transport and meter each concentrate individually from the storage means to the mixing means;

at least one delivery line with an outlet to discharge amounts of the mixed and diluted concentrates in a serving container;

control means including a user input means and a controller that selectively control the activation of the transport and metering means according to a programmed cycle corresponding to the specific user input means activated by the user;

characterized in that:

the control means selectively activates the water and concentrate transport and metering means for the mixing and delivery of a metered amount of a first concentrate with a metered amount of water to form a first liquid layer and, subsequently the mixing and delivery of a metered amount of a second concentrate with a metered amount of water to form a second liquid layer;

wherein the water and the first and second liquid layers respectively have concentrate-to-water dilution rates that are controlled one relative to the other in a manner to adjust the density of the first liquid layer at a higher value than that of the second liquid layer so that the first and second layers form a stable layered arrangement in the container with the second, diluted liquid layer of lower density remaining spatially above the first liquid layer to provide a beverage having a visually distinct upper layer upon a lower layer in the container.