US 12,017,901 B2
Automated beverage dispensing system and method
Nicholas Michael Degnan, Redondo Beach, CA (US); Arthur Francois David Levy, Culver City, CA (US); Robert William Lyle, Simi Valley, CA (US); Joseph Park, Plano, TX (US); Aaron Thomas, Louisville, KY (US); Karl Thomas Szatrowski, Louisville, KY (US); Won Suk You, Whittier, CA (US); Elvis Junior Palma, Harbor City, CA (US); and Sze Wun Wong, West Covina, CA (US)
Assigned to YUM Connect, LLC, Louisville, KY (US)
Filed by YUM Connect, LLC, Louisville, KY (US)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/345,810.
Application 18/345,810 is a continuation of application No. 17/680,120, filed on Feb. 24, 2022, granted, now 11,738,987.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/203,558, filed on Jul. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/153,274, filed on Feb. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/153,275, filed on Feb. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/153,269, filed on Feb. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/153,271, filed on Feb. 24, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0348256 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B67D 1/12 (2006.01); B67B 5/03 (2006.01); B67D 1/08 (2006.01)
CPC B67D 1/1227 (2013.01) [B67B 5/034 (2013.01); B67D 1/0882 (2013.01); B67B 2201/01 (2013.01); B67D 2210/00076 (2013.01); B67D 2210/00078 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A beverage production system, comprising:
a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups;
a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage;
a turntable assembly comprising:
a central axis;
an inner turntable including a row of cup receptacles; and
an outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable,
wherein the inner turntable is configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the row with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station,
wherein the turntable assembly is configured to align an opening in the turntable assembly with a cup receptacle in the row, the opening adjacent the outer turntable; and
an actuator configured to move a cup positioned in the cup receptacle in the row onto the outer turntable.