TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to beverage stations and in some embodiments to a system for self-pouring of a beverage from a beverage station.

BACKGROUND

Currently, beverage stations, e.g. beer stations, are managed and operated exclusively by professionals, e.g. a bartender, supplier and/or brewer.

Some beer stations serve draft beer. Draft beer is beer served from a barrel or keg rather than from a bottle or can. A beer tap is a valve, specifically a tap, for controlling the release of draft beer.

Consumers may place importance on beer heads. The beer head is the frothy foam that rests on top of beer and is produced by bubbles of gas, typically carbon dioxide or nitrogen that was dissolved into the beer during the brewing process, rising to the surface. The desired amount of head can act as an insulating layer to keep the temperature of the beer more stable and can further serve to retain the carbonation of the beer. The aroma released by gas escaping from the head can enhance the flavor experienced by the consumer. However, too much head is undesirable as it detracts from the liquid volume of the drink. In some beverages i t i s desirable to pour the beverage so as to avoid the formation of a head altogether.

Accordingly, controlling the balance between liquid beer and head that is transferred from a beer barrel to a consumer receptacle can be in some cases an important aspect of draft beer pouring. The amount of the beer bead produced during pouring is variable and is affected, inter alia, by flow rate of the beer through the tap and pour angle (e.g. amount of agitation/turbulence in the consumer receptacle). Conventionally, pouring the beer to achieve the desired head is performed by an experienced professional.

In some cases pouring the beverage without any head is desirable.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a system for self-pouring of a beverage from a beverage station. The beverage station may include one or more beverage barrels containing a beverage therein. The beverage flows via fluid conduits from the barrel to a beverage tower. The beverage tower includes a tap having a spout and a handle and being configured for pouring the beverage via the spout into a beverage receptacle of a consumer.

In accordance with some embodiments, the system includes any one or more of a control unit comprising at least a control valve operative to control the flow of the beverage from the barrel to the spout, a flow meter operative to measure an amount of beverage exiting the spout and to generate a signal indicative at least of the exited amount, and a controller operative at least to actuate the control valve and to receive the signal from the flow meter.

In some embodiments, the system and/or the control unit includes the control valve with or without the flow meter and with or without the controller.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the control unit further comprises sensors and detectors operative to identify the barrel and/or the beverage contained therein and/or related data, such as any inventory related information (in a non-limiting example, the age of beverage, location of the barrel, consumed amount of the beverage, and the like). The beverage or barrel related data may be transmitted to a beverage station manager or supplier or any other relevant human or automated system, to alert in case the barrel will soon empty or expire.

In some embodiments, the control unit (more specifically, the controller) is operative to collect consumer information, e.g. the age of the consumer (e.g. such as to comply with regulatory age limitations) ID data and/or data about users/customers, payment details and consumer beverage consumption related data, e.g. history of the consumer passed pouring data, beverage preferences, and the like).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an auxiliary system operative for retrofitting a preexisting beverage station for enabling selfpouring of a beverage by a consumer from the preexisting beverage station, comprising the control unit to allow the consumer to self-pour the beverage.

'In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided in addition to the control unit or separate therefrom, an angular positioning apparatus or member comprising a stopper and being engageable with the spout, so as to form a gap therewith configured to receive therein the lateral wall of the receptacle at a predetermined angle. The angular positioning member acts as an assistant tool for selfpouring of the beverage and provides the lay consumer with the experience of mastering the art of professional beverage pouring.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a cooling system for maintaining a cooled environment of a beverage exiting from at least one beverage barrel comprising at least one chiller tube operative for flow of a cooling fluid therethrough and a conduit assembly configured to extend within the beverage tower at least along a predetermined length of the beverage tower and arranged with an annulus arrangement, in which at least at the predetermined length, the at least one beverage tube is positioned within the at least one chiller tube.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a system for pouring at least a first and a second type of beverage from a common, single spout of a beverage station, including at least a first and second control valve. The first and second control valves are operative to control the flow of the respective first and second beverage from the respective first and second barrel to the single spout. The first control valve and the second control valve are positioned along respective first fluid conduit and second fluid conduit within the single beverage tower at a predetermined distance from the single tap.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a system for self-pouring of a beverage from a beverage station including at least one beverage barrel containing a beverage, the beverage barrel being in gaseous communication with a gas tank operative for carbonating the beverage and for propelling flow of the beverage within fluid conduits extending from the barrel to a beverage tower, the beverage tower including a tap having a spout and a handle and being configured for pouring the beverage via the spout into a beverage receptacle of a consumer in response to manual control of the handle by the consumer, the receptacle including a lateral wall extending from a base, the system including: a control unit configured to be positioned along the fluid conduits, including: a control valve operative to control the flow of the beverage from the barrel to the spout, and a flow meter operative to measure an amount of beverage exiting the spout and to generate a signal indicative at least of the exited amount, a controller in communication at least with the flow meter and operative to receive the signal which is convertible to data utilized for collection of consumer information associated at least with the pouring of the beverage by the consumer, and an angular positioning member including a stopper and being engageable with the spout so as to form a gap therebetween the stopper and the spout, the gap being configured to receive therein the lateral wall of the receptacle at a predetermined angle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the controller is operative to actuate the control valve in response to a consumer activity. In some embodiments, the spout has a longitudinal axis thereof and the stopper includes an extension positioned at an incline with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spout. In some embodiments, the incline has a predetermined angle configured for directing the flow of the beverage exiting the spout to impinge on the lateral wall or the base of the receptacle at an impingement angle distal to the spout longitudinal axis.

In an embodiment, the extension includes an arched arm. In an embodiment, the extension includes a rigid material. In an embodiment, the extension includes a flexible material forming a flexible extension. In an embodiment, the flexible extension is configured to be pushed towards the spout by application of a manual force thereon and to resume its position at the predetermined angle, following termination of the applied manual force. In an embodiment, the control unit further includes a sensor configured to detect depletion of the beverage in the barrel. In an embodiment, the control unit further includes at least one RFID tag, NFC tag or QR code or any element associated with the barrel and indicative of data related to any one of the beverage and the barrel. In an embodiment, the data includes at least one of the expiry date of the beverage, supplier of the barrel and passage of time from implementation of the barrel in the beverage station. In an embodiment, the beverage includes a draft beer.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an auxiliary system operative for retrofitting a preexisting beverage station for enabling selfpouring of a beverage by a consumer from the preexisting beverage station. The preexisting beverage station includes at least one beverage barrel containing a beverage, the beverage barrel is in gaseous communication with a gas tank operative for carbonating the beverage and for propelling flow of the beverage within fluid conduits extending from the barrel to a beverage tower, the beverage tower including a tap having a spout and a handle and being configured for pouring the beverage via the spout into a beverage receptacle of a consumer in response to manual control of the handle by the consumer, the receptacle including a lateral wall extending from a base, the system including: a control unit configured to be positioned along the fluid conduits, including: a control valve operative to control the flow of the beverage from the barrel to the spout, and a flow meter operative to measure an amount of beverage exiting the spout and to generate a signal indicative at least of the exited amount, a controller in communication at least with the flow meter and operative to receive the signal which is convertible to data utilized for collection of consumer information associated at least with the dispending of the beverage by the consumer, and an angular positioning apparatus including a stopper and being engageable with the spout so as to form a gap therewith configured to receive therein the lateral wall of the receptacle at a predetermined angle.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a cooling system for maintaining a cooled environment of a beverage exiting from at least one beverage barrel and flowing within at least one beverage tube through a beverage chiller via a beverage tower to a spout defined on the beverage tower, the cooling system including: at least one chiller tube operative for flow of a cooling fluid therethrough, and a conduit assembly configured to extend within the beverage tower at least along a predetermined length of the beverage tower and arranged with an annulus arrangement, in which at least at the predetermined length, the at least one beverage tube is positioned within the at least one chiller tube.

In some embodiments, the annulus arrangement defines an annulus space formed intermediate the at least one chiller tube and the at least one beverage tube and the cooling liquid is operative to flow in the annulus space for convectively cooling the at least one beverage tube. In some embodiments, the conduit assembly includes at least one of a chiller tube inlet and outlet. In some embodiments, the conduit assembly includes a plurality of annulus arrangements. In some embodiments, the inlet includes a common inlet and the outlet includes a common outlet used for the plurality of annulus arrangements. In some embodiments, the plurality of annulus arrangements includes at least a first and second annulus arrangement, the first annulus arrangement including a first beverage tube connected to a first beverage barrel and the second annulus arrangement including a second beverage tube connected to a second beverage barrel.

In some embodiments, the first beverage barrel is configured to contain a first beverage and the second beverage barrel is configured to contain a second beverage and the first and second beverage are a different type of beverage. In some embodiments, the first beverage tube is controlled by a first flow control valve operative to control the flow of the first beverage from the first barrel to the beverage tower and the second beverage tube is controlled by a second flow control valve operative to control the flow of the second beverage from the second barrel to the beverage tower.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a system for pouring beverages from a beverage station including at least a first beverage barrel containing a first beverage and a second beverage barrel containing a second beverage, a first fluid conduit extending from the first barrel for flow of the first beverage therethrough and a second fluid conduit extending from the second barrel for flow of the second beverage therethrough, the system including: a single beverage tower including a single tap having a single spout, at least a first control valve operative to control the flow of the first beverage from the first barrel to the single spout, at least a second control valve operative to control the flow of the second beverage from the second barrel to the single spout, the first control valve being positioned along the first fluid conduit within the single beverage tower at a predetermined distance from the at least single tap, the second control valve being positioned along the second fluid conduit within the single beverage tower at the predetermined distance from the at least single tap, and a controller operative to actuate: the first control valve for allowing the first beverage to flow from the first barrel to the single spout, and the second control valve for allowing the second beverage to flow from the second barrel to the single spout.

In some embodiments, the at least two or more beverage barrels are configured to contain a different type of beverage and the system is utilized for pouring the different types of beverages from the single spout.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an angular positioning member used for self-pouring of a beverage from a beverage station including at least one beverage barrel containing a beverage, the beverage barrel being in gaseous communication with a gas tank operative for carbonating the beverage and for propelling flow of the beverage within fluid conduits extending from the barrel to a beverage tower, the beverage tower including a tap having a spout and a handle and being configured for pouring the beverage via the spout into a beverage receptacle of a consumer in response to manual control of the handle by the consumer, the receptacle including a lateral wall extending from a base, the angular positioning member including: a stopper for forming a gap intermediate the stopper and the spout, the gap being configured to receive therein the lateral wall of the receptacle at a predetermined angle, and a mounting portion formed with an aperture configured for slidably mounting the angular positioning member on the spout.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, there is provided a system for controlled self-service of an authorized consumer to allow the consumer to manually pour (namely dispense) a selected beverage in such a controlled manner that guarantees quality of service which comprises at least one of: remote communication between a customer and a suitable beverage station for providing direct access of the customer to the dispensing tap of a selected beverage, ensuring that the beverage is fresh and cooled, preventing spillage of the ordered beverage, and remotely performing accompanying operations before and after dispensing of the beverage.

It is therefore an additional object of the present application to effectively perform remote operations which are required for granting access to a specific customer, to a specific selected beverage from a specific selected beverage station and/or to bill some actions involved in the process of the beverage purchase.

According to further aspects of the present application, there is also provided a technique for controlling the above-described beverage station (BS), for directly dispensing a selected beverage to an authorized customer (i.e a user) at a selected beverage station.

In some embodiments, the technique comprises a control system and a corresponding computer-implemented method of controlling the proposed beverage station (BS). In a specific case, the method may be formulated as a computer- implemented method for assisting a customer to directly dispense a beverage from the beverage station.

In some embodiments, there is provided a control system for assisting a customer to directly dispense a beverage (such as beer or the like) from a controllable beverage station (BS) offering one or more beverages, wherein the user is a specific user among a plurality of users capable of selecting any beverage station out of one or more such controlled beverage stations and any beverage out of the one or more beverages. The control system comprises a Processor and Memory Circuitry (PMC) configured for establishing control and data communication between the user at one side, and the beverage station (BS) at the other side.

In some embodiments, the PMC comprises the above-mentioned controller.

In some embodiments, the PMC is configured for performing at least one of the steps of : collecting o ID (identification) data for identifying the user, o control data for specifying the beverage station (BS) selected by the user, o control data for specifying the beverage selected by the user, o operative data from the specified beverage station (BS), processing the collected ID data, control data and operative data, depending on the processing result, authorizing the user for the self- service (e.g. self pouring of the beverage) and controlling the specified beverage station (BS) accordingly, so as to enable manual dispensing of the selected beverage by the authorized user and measuring an amount of the dispensed beverage.

It is noted that any specific customer (user) can be understood as a layman wishing to directly/manually dispense a beverage from a tap of the beverage station without a bartender or any other skilled person such as a professional.

In some embodiments, the user may be understood as a recognizable user, i.e. a customer being capable of providing ID data recognizable and identifiable by the PMC (a credit card, a card of membership in a club, an access code, etc.)

In some embodiments, the beverage station may be a beer station, and the beverages may be various types of beer.

In some embodiments, the PMC may further be configured for enabling the authorized user to dispense any desired volume of the selected beverage, and for registering the dispensed volume.

In some embodiments, the PMC may be configured for limiting the amount of dispensable beverage according to a predetermined maximal volume of a receptacle (glass or the like).

In some embodiments, the beverage station (BS) may be configured in the form of a conventional beverage station, which may be provided with a kit and/or an add-on controlled via the PMC so as to mechanically and/or hydraulically, in a non-limiting example, ensure the dispensing of the selected beverages.

In some embodiments, the beverage station (BS) comprises a beverage station interface (BSI) for ensuring communication between the beverage station (BS) devices and the PMC. Beverage station interface (BSI) is operable for producing operative data from the beverage station (BS) to the PMC, and for allowing dispensing of drinks to customers (e.g. for receiving control instructions from the PMC and translating them into control commands for operating specific devices such as one or more valves, e.g. control valves, and flow meters in the beverage station (BS).

In some embodiments, the beverage station interface BSI comprises the above- mentioned control unit.

In some embodiments, the operative data collected by the PMC from the beverage station interface (BSI) includes at least data corresponding to the measured amount of the dispensed beverage.

In some embodiments, the control system may be further configured to enable billing for the beverage dispensed by the authorized user. The billing may be arranged between various entities: the user and/or the user's club or organization, a bank, various service providers, manufacturers of the beverages, etc.

In some embodiments, the PMC may be in the form of a controller, computer, server, DOK, microprocessor, etc.

In some embodiments, the PMC may be implemented at least in one or more of the following possible modifications: it may be embedded in a controllable beverage station (BS), it may form part of the kit as described in the summary above, it may be part of an add-on to a controllable beverage station (BS) (i.e. an auxiliary system operative for retrofitting a preexisting beverage station), it may constitute a remote server S, it may be a PMC, distributed between the beverage station (or kit/add-on thereof) and a remote server S.

In some embodiments, the BSI (beverage station interface) may be part of the

PMC. In some embodiments, the PMC may be implemented as a central remote server S adapted to serve a plurality of the beverage stations (BS), the server S being configured to establish control and data communication with a number of users (customers) at one side, and with a number (same or different) of respective beverage stations (BS) at another side.

In another specific embodiment, the PMC may be designed to form at least a part of an interactive device (kit, add-on) installable at the controllable beverage station (BS) (as a stand-alone device or as an integrated device). Such a PMC may comprise a beverage station interface (BSI) and, inter alia, a display and means for recognizing the customer.

The customer may identify himself/herself by using any ID means. The ID means may be implemented by the customer just by directly introducing the required ID data via a touchscreen or keyboard at the beverage station. However, the customer may use an ID item for identification.

In any implementation of the control system, ID means may be an ID item selected from a non-exhaustive list comprising: an abonnement, a membership card, a credit card, an ID card, a driver's license etc.

In some embodiments, the interactive device may comprise one or more valves controllable by the PMC. Such a control valve, when opened due to a command received from the PMC, allows further control of a suitable tap/spout manually by the authorized user. The one or more controllable valves and taps may be connectable by flow to the beverage station (BS). However, the interactive device may be part of an auxiliary system which may upgrade a preexisting beverage station. The auxiliary system may accommodate at least one beverage barrel associated with its conduit, control valve, flow meter and/or spout.

The PMC may be in the form of a DOK (disc on key), a microprocessor, a computer etc. installed in the interactive device.

The above-described interactive device may serve alone and perform all the functions for a specific beverage station (BS).

However, similar interactive devices serving different beverage stations (BSs) may be interconnected into a common network, they may exchange control and operative data with a central server S and thus form a centralized control system. In the described control system, the PMC may be operative for establishing control and data communication with the user and the beverage station (BS) by using at least one of the following non-limiting examples: a computer application (e.g. a web application) accessible via a mobile device e.g. of the consumer ( optionally: a mobile application (MA) installed in a mobile device of the user), capable of providing the ID data and the control data from the user and receiving notifications from the PMC, a BSI (Beverage Station Interface) which may also be termed a local controller, provided at the beverage station (BS), configured to provide the operative data regarding the beverage station and to receive control instructions from the PMC, wherein the PMC is configured to collect the control and the ID data from the mobile application (MA), to collect the operative data from the beverage station interface (BSI) of the beverage station specified by the user, to process all the collected data and to issue both control instructions to the beverage station (BSI) specified by the user, and notifications to the user.

The mobile application (MA) may be configured to provide the control data concerning the specified beverage station (BS) by using an RFID/NFC circuit formed between the mobile device of the user and the beverage station (BS) to which the user has approached, and wherein the RFID/NFC circuit comprises at least one RFID tag or QR code and at least one corresponding reader.

In some embodiments, in the described control system: the ID data may comprise at least one attribute for identifying the user preregistered in the PMC as having payment details and being older than a predetermined age, the control data may comprise at least specification of the beverage station and selection of the beverage at the specified station, the operative data may comprise at least information on availability of specific beverages and data on the dispensed amount of beverage, the control instructions may comprise at least authorization of the user sent to the local controller (beverage station interface (BSI)) and/or a suitable command allowing manual dispensing of the selected beverage by the authorized user.

In some embodiments, in the control system, the PMC may be configured to establish data communication with one or more Billing authorities (BA) for charging the authorized user for the dispensed beverage and performing associated payments to one or more service providers.

The PMC may be further configured to collect from the beverage station (BS) the operative data concerning expiry date of beverages presently offered by the beverage station (BS), technical condition of the beverage station (BS) and to establish data and control communication with service authorities (SA) for solving tasks and/or problems reported by the beverage station (BS).

The PMC may be configured to store information at least on: the users preregistered for the self-service (self-pouring of beverages), the beverage stations, the collected and/or the processed data for further purposes. The stored information may be then used for various purposes, for example for advertising, statistics, marketing etc.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a computer-implemented method for assisting a user (customer) to directly dispense a beverage from a beverage station (BS) offering one or more beverages, the method may be performed by establishing control and data communication between the user and the beverage station (BS) via a Processor and Memory Circuitry PMC, by performing the one or more of the following steps: collecting one or more: o ID data for identifying the user, o control data for specifying the beverage station (BS) selected by the user, o control data for specifying the beverage selected by the user, o operative data from the specified beverage station (BS), processing the collected ID data, control data and operative data, depending on the processing result, authorizing the user and controlling the specified beverage station (BS) so as to enable manual dispensing of the selected beverage by the authorized user.

There is also provided a software product comprising computer-implementable instructions and data stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and designed to cause a processor and memory circuitry (PMC) to take steps of the method described herein. Additionally, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be provided, accommodating the software product described above and stored thereon.

It is noted that the terms “dispensing” and “pouring” may be used interchangeably herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A-C are each a perspective view of a beverage pouring system including an optional angular positioning member, according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are respective front view of an angular positioning member (2A), side view thereof (2B), side mounted view thereof (2C), side mounted view shown during operation (2D), according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are respective front view of an angular positioning member (3 A), side view thereof (3B), side mounted view thereof (3C), side mounted view shown during operation (3D), according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E are respective front view of an angular positioning member (4 A), side view thereof (4B), side mounted view thereof (4C), side mounted view shown during operation (4D) and an additional embodiment thereof (4E), according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figs. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are respective front view of an angular positioning member (5 A), side view thereof (5B), side mounted view thereof (5C), side mounted view shown during operation (5D), according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a beverage pouring system employing a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cooling system shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a beverage pouring system according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig 9 is a simplified block diagram for providing, to any authorizable customer, access for self-pouring of a beverage from a controllable beverage station (BS), according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a control system utilized in conjunction with the beverage pouring system for providing access to the controllable beverage station (BS) for a customer which may be authorized using one or another type of ID tools;

Fig. 11 is a schematic illustration of an interactive device, which may be installed at a beverage station (BS), for allowing a customer to self-pour a selected beverage from the beverage station;

Fig. 12 is a schematic illustration of a Processing and Memory Circuit (PMC) which is mainly located at a server and is in remote communication with one or more beverage stations BS-1 and BS-2 and with one or more customers having respective ID tools MA- 1, MA-2, ID-3; and

Fig. 13 is a simplified exemplary flow chart of a computer-implemented method for controlling the beverage station, with indication of specific stages of the method (on the left side of the flow chart) and entities participating in the process (on the right side of the flow chart).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application there is provided a beverage pouring system 100 (e.g. in Figs. 1A - 1C) which includes a beverage station 102 configured for dispensing a beverage. The beverage station 102 may typically comprise one or more beverage barrels 110 configured for containing a beverage. The beverage may comprise a non-carbonated, carbonated, non-alcoholic and/or alcoholic beverage. By way of example, an alcoholic, carbonated beverage, e.g. beer, such as a draft beer stored within barrels, is described as being poured from the beverage station 102, yet it is appreciated that the system 100 may be employed for pouring any suitable beverage consumed by a consumer.

In embodiments wherein the beverage is carbonated, the beverage station 102 may comprise one or more gas tanks 112 in gaseous communication with the beverage barrel 110 via a gas conduit 114. The gas may typically comprise carbon dioxide, nitrogen or any other suitable gas operative for carbonating the beverage and for propelling flow of the beverage from the beverage barrel 110 within beverage conduits (i.e. fluid conduits) 116 to a beverage tower 120.

The beverage tower 120 within the beverage station 102 typically comprises a tower housing 124 configured for housing one or more of the fluid conduits 116 to facilitate flow of the beverage to one or more beverage taps 126 disposed at an upper end of the tower housing 124. In general, the beverage tap 126 comprises a handle 130 formed in any suitable shape and dimensioned for manual control thereof for inducing the pouring of the beverage by opening a spigot and allowing the pouring of the beverage via a spout 132.

The beverage tower 120 is disposed, in some embodiments, upon a panel 134. In some beverage stations 102 the beverage barrel 110 may be located in relative proximity to the beverage tower 120, such as under or near the panel 134. In some embodiments the beverage barrel 110 is located at a relative distance from the beverage tower 120, thereby requiring providing means for cooling the beverage to compensate for rise in the beverage temperature as it flows within the beverage conduits 116 to the spout 132. In general, the cooling means may comprise a cooler or chiller 140 typically comprising a chiller tube 142 configured for containing a coolant, e.g. water, glycol or any other fluid cooled to a relatively low temperature, such as in the range of about 1-10 degrees Celsius, subranges and variables thereof, by a cooling cycle unit 143. Cooling cycle unit 143 is embedded within the chiller 140 and may comprise cooling elements, such as a solenoid, and further compressors, pumps and fans, for example. contThe chiller tube 142 typically extends alongside the beverage conduit 116 at least along a portion of the tower housing 124. At an interface region 144, a side section 146 of the beverage conduit 116 faces an interface side section 148 of an external wall of the chiller tube 142 and may be contiguous therewith (e.g. in physical contact) or incontiguous therewith, yet with sufficient proximity for cooling the beverage flowing within the beverage conduit 116.

Conventional beverage stations are typically constructed to be operated by a professional operator, such as a bartender or barista. Furthermore, conventional beverage stations lack means for collecting consumer information related to the consumer or to the consumer’s beverage consumption. Moreover, conventional beverage stations lack means for communicating with the consumer.

The beverage pouring system 100 described herein is operative for the selfpouring of the beverage by the consumer in accordance with some embodiments of the present application. Furthermore, beverage pouring system 100 described herein may be operative for collecting the consumer information and/or for facilitating communication with the consumer and/or vice versa, i.e. communication initiated by the consumer with the beverage pouring system 100.

It is noted that the features described in reference to the system 100 may also be employed by anyone else besides the consumer, such as a professional operator, beer station manager and/or a distributor of the beverage or the provider of any of the components within the system 100.

Reference is now made to Figs. 1A-C which are a perspective view of the beverage pouring system 100, according to an embodiment of the present application. As seen in Fig. 1A, the beverage pouring system 100 comprises a control unit 150, which includes one or more control valves 152 operative to control the flow of the beverage from the beverage barrel 110 to the spout 132 (e.g. comprising a nozzle) and/or one or more flow meters 154 operative to measure an amount of beverage exiting the spout 132 and further configured to generate a signal indicative at least of the exited amount. The control unit 150 further comprises a controller 160 in communication with the flow meter 154 and is configured for receiving the signal. The signal is transmitted from the flow meter 154 to the controller 160 by any suitable means such as via wired or wireless communication, such as by a transmitter embedded within the flow meter 154. The controller 160 may comprise Processor and Memory Circuitry (PMC), (e.g. PMC 1106 of Fig. 9) for receiving data carried by the signal, processing and storing it, as will be further described in reference to Figs. 9-13. The controller 160 may be configured for collection of consumer information associated at least with the pouring of the beverage by the consumer (e.g. ID data and/or data about users/customers such as ID, age, payment details, history of the consumer such as past pouring data, beverage preferences and the like). The control valve 152 may comprise a valve suitable for control of a fluid such as in a non-limiting example, a solenoid valve, a pneumatic valve, an electric valve, a mechanical valve and/or a manually operated valve.

In some examples, the control valve 152 comprises an actuator 162 operable to actuate the operation (e.g. full or partial opening and/or closing) of the control valve 152. The actuator 162 is in wired or wireless communication with the controller 160 and is controlled thereby, as will be described further in reference to Figs. 9-13.

In general, the control valve 152 and the flow meter 154 may be disposed along the beverage conduits 116 in proximity to beverage barrel 110, intermediate the beverage barrel 110 and the beverage tower 120 and/or within the beverage tower 120. In the shown example of Figs. 1A and IB the control valve 152 and the flow meter 154 are both disposed along the beverage conduits 116, intermediate the beverage barrel 110 and the beverage tower 120.

In some examples, the control valve 152 and the flow meter 154 may be positioned away from the beverage conduits 116 yet in fluid communication with the beverage conduits 116.

In some embodiments, the controller 160 may be incorporated within a beverage station interface (BSI) 1107 including a touchscreen of an interactive device 1110 which may be provided at the beverage station 102, as shown for example in Fig. 11 and/or may be provided remotely from the beverage station 102, (e.g. a remote unit, for example a central PMC located on a server (S) described in reference to Figs. 9-13).

In some examples, the control unit 150 is operable to facilitate the self pouring of the beverage by a consumer (e.g. a customer), which may be a laymen inexperienced or untrained in pouring the beverage, while providing the consumer with a professionally poured beverage. In a non-limiting example, the consumer may be a beer consumer, inexperienced or untrained in the art of bartending. The control unit 150 facilitates the self pouring of the beer while providing the consumer with professionally poured beer.

In some embodiments, the consumer may independently select a desired type of beverage contained within a barrel 110 without aid of an operator by performing a consumer activity.

In a non-limiting example, a consumer activity may include any activity which prompts the controller 160 to actuate (e.g. via the control unit 150) the opening of the control valve 152 to allow flow of the selected beverage from the barrel 110 to its spout 132 into a receptacle of the consumer. Such an activity which prompts the controller 160 to actuate the control valve 152 may be the recognition of the consumer by the controller 160 in a non-limiting example.

In some embodiments, the request for consumer recognition may be facilitated by a user interface, e.g. interactive device 1110 as will be further described in reference to Figs. 11. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the control valve 152 facilitates the selfpouring of the beverage by the consumer. In some embodiments, the consumer self-pours the beverage into his receptacle by manually controlling the handle 130, typically by opening the tap spigot. The flow of the beverage from the barrel 110 to the spout 132 is allowed due to the opening of the control valve 152, as described hereinabove. In some embodiments, the manual control or automatic control of the handle 130 prompts the opening of the control valve 152.

In some embodiments, the consumer may independently select a desired quantity of beverage to be poured, typically into the consumer receptacle. In some embodiments the selected quantity may be predetermined and/or premeasured (e.g. a half a pint) and the control valve 152 (and /or the handle 130) may be actuated by the controller 160 to its closed state so as to prevent further pouring beyond the predetermined quantity.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present application, the selected quantity is not predetermined and is rather determined by the consumer according to his manual control of the handle 130. Namely, turning the handle 130 from its initial state prompts the opening of the spigot, commencing the pouring of the beverage out of the spout 132. Returning the handle 130 to its initial state by the consumer, closes the spigot, thereby terminating the pouring of the beverage. In some embodiments, the commencement and/or termination of the pouring of the beverage is performed by a combination of manual control of the handle 130 and the actuation of control valve 152.

In a non-limiting example, the commencement of the pouring may be performed by the consumer moving the handle 130 from its initial state, thereby allowing flow of the beverage from the spout 132. The control valve 152 may be actuated by the controller 160 to transition to a closed state thereby terminating the pouring of the beverage from the spout 132. In a non-limiting example, the consumer performs a consumer activity which activates a beverage station interface (e.g. BSI 1107 of Fig. 11), e.g. by touching a touchscreen or use of an App (i.e. a computer application). In response, a command is sent to the PMC (e.g. PMC 1106 of Fig. 9) comprising the controller 160. The controller 160 actuates the control valve 152, via its actuator 162, to position the control valve 152 in a pouring mode, in which the beverage can flow from the barrel 110 to the spout 132, via the beverage conduits 116. In some embodiments, the beverage may pour out of the spout 132 following the pressing of the handle 130 by the consumer, thereby opening the tap spigot and allowing flow of the beverage into the consumer receptacle. Once the consumer ceases pressing the handle 130, the beverage stops pouring out of the spout 132. The consumer may once again engage with the beverage station interface and enter information indicating that he ceases pouring. In response, the controller 160 actuates the control valve 152, via its actuator 162, to position the control valve 152 in a standby mode, wherein the beverage conduits 116 will prevent the flow of the beverage from the barrel 110 to the spout 132. In this standby mode pressing the handle 130 will not cause the beverage to pour out.

In some embodiments, measuring the poured quantity is performed by the flow meter 154. As described hereinabove, the flow meter 154 is configured to generate a signal indicative of the poured quantity. The controller 160 is operative to process the signal and utilize the data of the poured quantity for any suitable consumer related activity, such as for billing the consumer in accordance with the poured quantity. Accordingly, it is appreciated that in some embodiments the flow meter 154 facilitates self-pouring of the beverage by the consumer and allows the consumer to extemporaneously select the desired beverage quantity.

In some examples, control unit 150 may comprise an optional identification element 170 which may be disposed on any one or more of the barrels 110 or at any other suitable location. The identification element 170 is operative to identify the barrel 110 and/or the beverage contained therein. Identification of the barrel 110 and/or the beverage includes identification of any data related to the barrel 110 and/or the beverage, such as in a non-limiting example, the type of beverage, data related to the manufacture of the barrel 110 and/or the beverage, the expiration date of the barrel 110 and/or the beverage, the passage of time since the barrel 110 was installed at the beverage station 102 and/or the passage of time since the barrel 110 was first opened and/or used, and the like. Such data may be used by any one of the barrel and/or the beverage manufacture, distributor, manager of the beverage station and consumer or any other human or automated system. In a non-limiting example, the data can be used to alert the manufacture, distributor and/or manager or any other human or automated system, that a predetermined duration of time has passed since the barrel 110 was opened, the carbonation and/or foam level of the beverage may have reduced to an undesirable degree and/or spoilage of beverage. In a non-limiting example, the data may be related to maintain the supplies and inventory of the components (e.g., barrel, beverage, gas tank and the like) within the beverage station 102.

In a non-limiting example, the data can be used to provide status information or alerts to the manufacture, distributor and/or manager or any other human or automated system that the barrel 110 will soon be depleted or has been depleted. In a non- limiting example, the data can be used to inform the manufacture, distributor and/or manager or any other human or automated system that a new barrel 110 was installed.

In a non-limiting example data may include means for monitoring the poured beer, the location of the poured beer, the type, the batch of the barrel and/or types and quantity of consumed beer . In some examples, the data and/or consumer information may be used to provide recommendations for future types of beverages.

Further examples for data and/or consumer information and uses thereof are described in reference to Figs. 9-13.

In some embodiments, the data may be displayed on the screen of a beverage station interface (e.g. BSI 1107 of Fig. 11).

In a non-limiting example, the identification element 170 comprises an RFID/NFC circuit comprising at least one RFID tag or QR code or barcode and at least one corresponding reader or any other element which may provide access to information indicative of data related to any one of the beverage and the barrel 110.

It is to be noted that the identification element 170 can be perceived broadly and comprise any element which provides data relevant to the barrel 110 and/or the beverage contained therein, while not necessarily performing that act of identification.

In some examples, control unit 150 may comprise an optional Foam on Beer (FOB) detector 174 which is operable to prevent dispensing of foam from a barrel 110 emptied from its beverage. In some examples, FOB detectors 174 comprise one or more floats configured to sink in foam and to shut the flow of foam from the barrel 110 once the barrel had been emptied from its beverage. In some embodiments, the FOB detector 174 is operable to communicate with the controller 160 to signal an alert that the barrel is empty or soon to be empty.

In some examples, the control unit 150 may comprise further optional sensors 176 positioned at any suitable location within the system 100. In a non-limiting example, the further optional sensors 176 may comprise temperature sensors, pressure sensors, optical sensors, chromatic sensors, accelerometers, flowmeters, PH sensors or any other sensors operable for measuring and/or detecting signals indicative of any information or data relating to at least one of the barrel, beverage, beer station, consumer and the like.

In a non-limiting example, such information may include the amount of beverage remaining in the barrel 110, the carbonation level of the beverage and the like.

In some embodiments, the system 100 comprises an angular positioning member 180 engageable with the spout 132. The angular positioning member 180 is configured to direct the flow of the beverage exiting the spout 132 to impinge the receptacle at a predetermined impingement angle. Impingement of the beverage flow on the receptacle at the predetermined impingement angle aids the consumer in executing pouring of the beverage to produce a desirable head of foam, e.g. the density of the foam and the height of the foam, or alternatively, facilitating pouring absent formation of the head. Accordingly, the angular positioning member 180 enhances the consumer self-pouring while resulting in professionally poured beer by achieving the desirable head of foam, or absence thereof. Exemplary angular positioning members 180 and their operation is further described in reference to Figs. 2A-5D.

Fig. 1A illustrates a system 100 with a single barrel 110. Fig. IB is similar to Fig. 1A, yet comprises a multi-barrel system 100 comprising a plurality of barrels 110. Any one of the barrels 110 is in fluid communication, by its fluid conduit 116, with its spout 132, via its beverage tower 120. The control unit 150 may comprise a plurality of sets of controls valves 152 and flow meters 154, each set associated with one or more barrels. In some embodiments, the control unit 150 may comprise a plurality of controllers 160 while in some embodiments a single controller 160 is provides and is in communication with the plurality of sets of controls valves 152 and flow meters 154. Any one of barrels 110 within the plurality of barrels 110 may contain the same or different type of beverage which may be different by the chemical makeup of the beverage, its age, different brewery or any other parameter.

As described hereinabove, in some embodiments, the consumer may independently select a desired type of beverage contained within a barrel 110 without aid of an operator (e.g. a professional, a bartender). In a non-limiting example, the multibarrel system 100 shown in Fig. IB comprises a first barrel 110a containing a first type of beverage and a second barrel 110b containing a second type of beverage. The consumer may select the first beverage at a user interface (e.g. BSI 1107 of Fig. 11), thereby prompting the controller 160 to actuate the opening of the first control valve 152a controlling the first barrel 110a, while the second control valve 152b remains closed. The first beverage flows via the first beverage conduits 116a to the first beverage tower 120a and out to the consumer via the first spout 132a. The first flow meter 154a is operable to measure the quantity of the poured first beverage.

In some embodiments, the beer station 102 of any one of Figs. 1 A - 1C or other systems herein, may be constructed with any one of the components of the control unit 150 (e.g. the control valve 152, the flow meter 154, controller 160, FOB detectors 174 and/or further optional sensors 176) and/or the angular positioning member 180 (which may be part of the control unit 150 or may be separate therefrom).

In some embodiments, one or more components of the control unit 150 and/or the angular positioning member 180 may be part of a separate, stand-alone kit. The kit may be implemented within an existing beverage station 102, such as in a non-limiting example, a conventional beer station.

In some embodiments, one or more components of the control unit 150 and/or the angular positioning member 180 may be part of an auxiliary system operative for retrofitting a beverage station 120. In a non-limiting example, the retrofitted beverage station comprises a pre-existing, conventional beer station. The retrofitted beverage station is operative for collecting the consumer information and/or for facilitating communication with the consumer.

In some embodiments, the controller 160 may be incorporated within a beverage station interface (BSI) 1107, which is located at the beverage station 120 and enables data and control exchange between the control unit 150 and a PMC 1106, as described in reference to Fig. 9. In some embodiments, the controller 160 may be incorporated within a beverage station interface (BSI) 1107 (Fig. 11) located remotely from the beverage station 120. In some embodiments the components which perform the functionally of the controller 160 may be located within one or more units, such as at the beverage station interface (BSI) 1107, server (S), PMC 1106, Mobile Phone (MA) and/or any other unit, such as described in reference to Figs. 9-13. In some embodiments PMC 1106 may be implemented as a distributed unit partially located at a server (S) and partially at the beverage station 120.

In a non- limiting example, the controller 160 may transmit further data and information related to the beverage station 120 and/or the consumer. For example, the controller 160 may provide an alert upon a communication malfunction related to any one of the components of the control unit 150.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1C, which shows the system 100 and is generally similar to Fig. 1A and/or IB. However, in Fig. 1C the control unit 150 is formed as an integrated unit which comprises one or more components of the control unit 150. In a non-limiting example, the integrated control unit, here designated by reference numeral 184, may comprise a housing for including one or more of the control valve 152, the flow meter 154, FOB detectors 174, further optional sensors 176, identification element 170 and/or a reader of the identification element. The integrated control unit 184 may be positioned at any suitable location within system 100, such as in a non-limiting example, along the beverage conduits 116. In some embodiments, integrated control unit 184 may be positioned in proximity to a clutch 186 of the beverage barrel 110. In some embodiments integrated control unit 184 is in communication with the controller 160, as described herein.

Reference is now made to Figs. 2A-5D, which are illustrations of some embodiments of an angular positioning member.

As described hereinabove, the amount of the head produced during pouring is affected, inter alia, by the magnitude of turbulence and mechanical agitation of a beverage stream exiting the spout 132 as it impacts a receptacle 190 (Fig. 2D) on its lateral wall 192 and/or base 194. A smaller magnitude of turbulence and mechanical agitation of the beverage stream induces formation of smaller, more stable bubbles, creating a more stable head, which may be desirous. Moreover, a smaller magnitude of turbulence and mechanical agitation of the beverage stream produces a small amount of head, which can be further increased to yield the predetermined , desired amount of final head.

A receptacle 190 may include any container for containing a beverage, typically a cup, glass, can, bottle, jug or the like.

The magnitude of turbulence and mechanical agitation is effected by an impact angle al of the beverage stream on the receptacle lateral wall 192 or base 194 (and referred to herein also as the “pouring angle”). Generally, a smaller impact angle al will lower the magnitude of turbulence and mechanical agitation. Furthermore, a smaller velocity of the beverage stream decreases the magnitude of turbulence and mechanical agitation.

Accordingly, in some types of carbonated beverages (e.g. draft beer) professional pouring includes at least initially pouring the beverage at a pour angle al by tilting receptacle 190 relative to a longitudinal axis axl of the spout 132. In a non-limiting example, pouring angle a l may be in the range of 25-60 degrees and at subranges and any variables thereof. In a non-limiting example, pouring angle al in the range of 35-50 degrees, and at subranges and any variables thereof.

Lateral wall 192 has a height H and defines a central region 198 (shown between dashed lines) which extends peripherally around wall 192. In some embodiments, professional pouring may include positioning the central region 198 under the beverage stream, as shown in Fig. 2D. Thus, the beverage stream impacts the wall 192 at its central region 198 and thereafter slides along the wall 192 towards base 194, thereby reducing the velocity of the beverage stream as it flows to the base 194, which further reduces the formation of the head.

Professional pouring may include eventual straightening of the receptacle 190 in parallel with axis ax l for preventing spills. For some types of beverages (e.g. some types of beers) professional pouring includes straightening the glass midway during pouring.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application the angular positioning member 180 is provided to urge the consumer to tilt the receptacle 190 with respect to the spout 132 so as to aid in pouring of the beverage at the predetermined impact angle al and/or at central region 198 within the receptacle 190. The angular positioning member 180 acts as an assistant tool for self-pouring of the beverage and provides the lay consumer with the experience of mastering the art of professional beverage pouring.

In general, the angular positioning member 180 is engaged with the spout 132, such as by a mounting element 200. The angular positioning member 180 comprises a stopper 202 so as to form a gap 210 between the stopper 202 and the spout 132 (Fig. 2D). The gap 210 is configured to receive therein the lateral wall 192 of the receptacle 190 at the predetermined impact angle al, which substantially spans from the spout 132 to the lateral wall 192. The gap 210 is formed at an angle a2 substantially equal to or greater than impact angle al. Angle a2 substantially spans from the spout 132 to arms 214 of the angular positioning member 180.

In the shown examples of Figs. 2A-5D, the angle a2 of gap 210 is substantially equivalent or a bit larger than the pouring angle al . In a non-limiting example, the pouring angle al is about 45 degrees and the gap angle a2 is about 50 degrees, such as for allowing room for placement of the lateral wall 192 in gap 210 and removal therefrom.

In the shown examples of Figs. 2A-5D, the stopper 202 comprises a frame-like configuration 212 comprising a pair of arms 214 connected by a transverse rod 218 at a distal end 220, with respect to the spout 132. At a proximal end 222 the arms 214 are connected therewith by the mounting element 200. In the shown examples of Figs. 2A- 4E, a pair of transverse bars 224 extend from arms 214 at the proximal end and meet at the mounting element 200.

In the shown examples, arms 214 are formed with a tilted section 226. In some embodiments, the arms 214 are entirely tilted (Figs. 2A-3D) and in some embodiments the arms are partially tilted (Figs. 4A-5D). The arms 214 are tilted at section 226 at the angle a2 with respect to longitudinal axis axl, so as to form the gap 210 intermediate the arms 214 and the spout 132. During pouring, the consumer can rest the lateral wall 192 on the titled section 226 and thereby position the receptacle 190 at the predetermined pour angle al.

Arms 214 are configured for positioning the lateral wall 192 at any region thereof along its height H. In the angular positioning member 180 of Figs. 4A-5D the tilted section 226 may be sized to extend from the distal end 220 and terminate at a central or any intermediary region 230 thereof. An upright portion 232 of arms 214 extends from the central region 230 and terminates at the proximal end 222. In some embodiments, the upright portion 232 prevents positioning a lip 236 (Fig. 4D) of lateral wall 192 of receptacle 190 along the upright portion 232 and rather forces positioning lip 236 at the arm central region 230, thereby positioning the central region 198 of wall 192 at (or in proximity to) the distal end 220 of the angular positioning member 180. Thus, the consumer is forced during pouring to position the central region 198 of wall 192 under the beverage stream or in proximity to the central region 198.

In some examples, the mounting element 200 comprises an aperture 240 or any other means for mounting the angular positioning member 180 onto the tap 126 at any location thereof. In the example of Figs. 3A-5D, the aperture 240 is dimensioned with a radius R1 corresponding to a radius of the spout 132. Accordingly, the angular positioning member 180 is configured to be slidably insertable on the spout 132 for secure mounting on the spout 132, yet allowing removal from the spout 132 without having to disassemble the tap 126 or the angular positioning member 180.

Furthermore, the components of tap 126 may be diversely sized and shaped in different beverage station 120. Thus, configuring the mounting element 200 to be insertable on the spout 132 advantageously allows mounting the angular positioning member 180 on substantially any type of tap 126, regardless to it configuration.

In the example of Figs. 5A-D, aperture 240 is dimensioned with a radius R2 corresponding to a radius of a cylindrical shank 246 typically extending from spout body 248. The mounting element 200 of Figs. 5A-D may be formed with a flexible slot 250 for securely mounting the angular positioning member 180 on the tap 126 and for removal therefrom.

It is appreciated that angular positioning member 180 may be configured in any suitable manner and variations, thicknesses and lengths, as described. For example, arms 214 may be formed generally parallelly thereto, as seen in Figs. 3A-5D or the arms 214 may be positioned generally angularly thereto, as seen in Figs. 2A-2D.

In some embodiments, the frame 212 is formed substantially rigidly. In some embodiments, the frame 212 may be formed at least partially (or fully) with a flexible portion, such as a flexible portion 254 shown extending along arms 214 and bar 218 in Fig. 4E. The flexible portion 254 may be formed of a flexible material (e.g. a flexible polymer such as rubber, polycarbonate , or combination thereof ) which is configurable to be straightened in parallel with axis axl (Fig. 2D) in response to the straightening motion of the receptacle 190 performed by the consumer. The flexible portion 254 may further provide ease of straightening the receptacle 190 during pouring and/or thereafter. It is noted that any one of the angular positioning members 180 of Figs. 2A-5D may comprise a flexible portion 254 or may not.

It is noted that in some embodiments, stopper 202 comprises a protrusion, extension or rod configured to form gap 210.

In some embodiments, the stopper 202 may comprises a protrusion protruding from the beverage tower 120 and may be unmounted on the spout 132.

It is noted that the angular positioning member 180 may be incorporated in any beverage station 102, such as a conventional beverage station and/or a preexisting beverage station, which do not include the control unit 150. In some embodiments, the angular positioning member 180 may be incorporated in system 100 comprising a beverage station 102 including (by being constructed with or retrofitted with) the control unit 150.

Reference is now made to Figs. 6 and 7 which are a perspective view of a beverage pouring system 300 employing a cooling system 310 according to an embodiment of the present application (Fig. 6) and a perspective view of the cooling system 310 (Fig. 7).

As described in reference to Figs. 1A - 1C, some beverage stations 102 comprise a chiller 140 for cooling the beverage along its flow path from its beverage barrels 110 to its beverage tower 120. As seen in Figs 1A - 1C, the chiller tube 142 extends from the cooling cycle unit 143, embedded in the chiller 140, through the beverage tower 120 towards the spout 132 and typically returns to the cooling cycle unit 143. Conventionally, chiller tube 142 extends alongside a portion of the beverage conduits 116 at least at a portion which extends within the beverage tower 120. Heat transfer is performed at the interface region 144 where the side section 148 of the colder chiller tube 142 faces the side section 146 of the warmer beverage tube 116 and absorbs the heat from the beverage tube 116 and thereby cools the beverage tube 116. The cooling is performed at the interface region 144 only where the side section 146 of the beverage tube 116 is in direct contact with the side section 148 of the chiller tube 142, or is disconnected therefrom and the heat is absorbed via air intermediate the beverage tube 116 and chiller tube 142.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present application, the cooling system 310 is configured for maintaining a cooled environment of a beverage 338 exiting from at least one of the beverage barrels 110 and flowing through the beverage chiller 140 via a beverage tower 312 to a spout 314.

In a non-limiting example, the beverage 338 exits the spout 314 at a temperature in the range of 5-15 degree Celsius, subranges and variables thereof.

The cooling system 310 comprises at least one chiller tube 330 operative for flow of a cooling fluid 332, e.g. water, glycol or any other coolant, therethrough. A beverage conduit 334, which may comprise the beverage tube 116 of Figs. 1A - 1C or may comprise a different beverage tube, is operative for flow of beverage 338 from the chiller 140 along the beverage tower 312 to the spout 314. A conduit assembly 340 is configured to extend within the beverage tower 120 at least along a predetermined length xl of the beverage tower 312. The conduit assembly 340 is arranged with an annulus arrangement 344, in which at least at the predetermined length xl, the at least one beverage conduit 334 is positioned within the at least one chiller tube 330.

In the annulus arrangement 344, the beverage conduit 334 is circumscribed by the chiller tube 330, therefore the cooling is performed convectively by the cooling fluid 332, which circumscribed the beverage conduit 334 and absorbed heat emitted substantially from the entire (or at least from a large portion of the) circumference of the beverage conduit 334. It is hypothesized that the cooling efficiency of the beverage 338, cooled by cooling system 310 is greater, such that the beverage cooled by the cooling system 310 is about 1 degree Celsius or by even 2 degree Celsius less that a conventionally cooled beverage. In a non-limiting example, beer cooled within a conventional chiller tube 142 at the interface section (Fig. 1A) is cooled to 4 degrees Celsius, while beer is cooled within the cooling system 310 to 3 degree Celsius or 2 degree Celsius.

The cooling system 310 may be incorporated in any type of beverage station, such as in a beverage station comprising a single beverage barrel 110, as shown in Fig. 1 A. In the exemplary cooling system 310 shown in Fig. 6, the cooling system 310 is incorporated in a beverage station 102 of Fig. IB comprising the first beverage barrel 110a and the second beverage barrel 110b, it being appreciated that the cooling system 310 may be incorporated in a beverage station with any number of barrels 110, even or odd.

In the shown example of Figs. 6 and 7, cooling system 310 comprises a chiller inlet 350 for introducing the cooling fluid 332 from the chiller tube 142 of the chiller 140 into the chiller tube 330 of the cooling system 310, generally with the aid of an optional pump 354. The chiller tube 330 may be configured in a U-shaped configuration, with a first down-stream portion 360, where the chiller tube 330 circumscribes a first beverage conduit 334a and the cooling fluid 332 flows down-stream with respect to the flow orientation of a first beverage 338a flowing in first beverage conduit 334a. The chiller tube 330 extends at down-stream portion 360 along length xl and returns to the chiller tube 142 via a second, up-stream portion 370, where the chiller tube 330 circumscribes a second beverage conduit 334b and the cooling fluid 332 flows up-stream with respect to the flow orientation of a second beverage 338b flowing in second beverage conduit 334b. The cooling fluid 332 exits chiller tube 330 via a chiller outlet 372 back to the chiller tube 142, typically for repeated circulation thereof.

The cooling system 310 may comprise a flow barrier 374 for preventing the flow of the cooling fluid 332 directly from inlet 350 to outlet 372 and rather force the cooling fluid 332 to flow from inlet 350 to outlet 372, via the down-stream portion 360 and upstream portion 370.

It is noted that first beverage conduit 334a may be a portion of first beverage conduit 116a or separate therefrom. Likewise, second beverage conduit 334b may be a portion of second beverage conduit 116b or separate therefrom.

The cooling system 310 may be incorporated in a beverage station comprising a control unit 150, as shown in Figs. 1A - 1C where the cooling system 310 does not incorporate the flow meters 154a and 154b and rather the flow meters 154a and 154b are positioned within system 300 yet away from the cooling system 310. In some embodiments, the respective first and second beverage conduit 116a and 116b each flow in its separate beverage tower 120a and 120b and out its spout 132a and 132b, similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. IB.

In the shown example of Figs. 6 and 7, cooling system 310 incorporates the first and second control valves, here designated by numerals 380a and 380b, respectively. First and second control valves 380a and 380b are disposed along the corresponding respective first and second beverage conduit 334a and 334b and are disposed intermediate the chiller tube 330 and the spout 314 at a predetermined distance DI measured from the spout body 388 (and may be not shown to scale). The first and second beverages 338a and 338b each flow out of the respective first and second beverage conduit 334a and 334b into a common volume V 1 defined by predetermined distance D 1 , and flow out to the consumer via a common single spout 314 of a common, single beverage tower 312. The volume VI may be the product based on the predetermined distance DI and a diameter of first and/or second beverage conduit 334a and 334b, or any other dimension of the beverages conduit intermediate the first and second control valves 380a and 380b and the spout body 388.

During operation, a consumer may first select first beverage 338a, which prompts controller 160 to actuate the first control valve 380a to open so as to allow the consumer to pour the first beverage 338a from the common spout 314. Upon termination of the pouring operation, the first control valve 380a is shut and pouring of the first beverage 338a ceases, yet residues of the first beverage 338a may remain within the common volume VI. Thereafter, a consumer may select second beverage 338b which prompts controller 160 to actuate the second control valve 380b to open. The second beverage 338b flows through volume VI and may mix with residual first beverage 338a prior to being poured out from the common spout 314. Usually, pouring the consumer a mixture of first and second beverages 380a and 380b is undesired. However, by positioning the first and second control valves 380a and 380b at relative proximal distance DI from the spout 314, the beverages 380a and 380b mix within volume VI. The volume VI is relatively small and thus the mixture does not adversely affect the taste of the second beverage 380b.

Accordingly, it is appreciated that positioning the first and second control valves 380a and 380b proximal to the spout 314 at predetermined distance DI, facilities configuration of a beverage station comprising a plurality of barrels 110 with a single common beverage tower 312 and a single, common spout 314, or at least with a number of beverage towers 312 and spouts 314 less than the number of barrels 110.

In the shown example of Figs. 6 and 7, cooling system 310 incorporates the first and second control valves.

Turning to Fig. 8, it is seen that a beverage pouring system 400 may or may not include the cooling system 310. The first and second control valves 380a and 380b are positioned proximal to the spout 314 at predetermined distance D 1. This facilities pouring different types of beverages, e.g. first and second beverages 338a and 338b (Fig. 6), each contained in respective first and second barrels 110a and 110b, from single common beverage tower 312 and single, common spout 314, or at least with a number of beverage towers 312 and spouts 314 less than the number of barrels 110. In a non- limiting example, the predetermined volume V 1 may be in the range of about 10-0.5 milliliters or in the range of about 6-1 milliliters, or about 2 milliliters or less, subranges and variables thereof. In a non-limiting example, the volume VI may comprise a volume which does not affect the final flavor of a total volume of a single type of beverage which is poured into the receptacle 190. In a non-limiting example, volume VI may comprise 10% or less of the total volume and subranges and variables thereof. In a non-limiting example, volume VI may comprise 1% or less of the total volume and subranges and variables thereof. In a non-limiting example, volume VI may comprise 0.6% or less of the total volume and subranges and variables thereof. In a non-limiting example, volume VI may comprise 0.5% or less of the total volume and subranges and variables thereof.

It is appreciated that though the systems described herein are described as facilitating self-pouring by a lay consumer (namely a layman inexperienced or untrained in the art of beverage pouring), the systems may be used and benefit the professional operator as well.

It is further appreciated that components of the systems of Figs. 1A-13 may be isolated and integrated within other systems.

Fig 9 is a simplified, basic block diagram of a system 1100 for providing any potentially authorizable customer 1102 (whom may be referred to herein as a “user”), access for directly dispensing (e.g. self pouring) a beverage from a tap (spout) of a controllable beverage station (BS) 1104, using a Processing an Memory Circuit (PMC) 1106.

In some embodiments, the controllable beverage station (BS) 1104 may include the beverage station 102 operating with the local control unit 150 within the beverage pouring system 100 of Figs. 1A - 1C or any of Figs. 1A-8.

The PMC 1106 may be a remote unit, such as for example a central PMC located on a server S (not shown).

In another embodiment, the PMC 1106 may be a local unit embedded at the beverage station (BS) 1104. In yet another embodiment, PMC 1106 may be implemented as a distributed unit partially located at a server S and partially at the beverage station (BS) 1104 . In some embodiments, the PMC 1106 establishes bidirectional communication: at one end - with the customer 1102 provided with any suitable ID means 1108, and at another end - with the controllable beverage station (BS) 1104. The communication may be (but is not obligatory) remote.

Fig. 10 shows one embodiment of the control system 1100.1. As mentioned above, the PMC 1106 may have a number of possible configurations/ implementations.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 10, the control system 1100.1 comprises a beverage station interface (BSI) 1107, which is located at the station 1104 (e.g. beverage station 102 of Figs. 1 A - 8) and enables data and control exchange between its interface (BSI) 1107, for example in the form of the control unit 150 (e.g. of Figs. 1A-8) and the PMC 1106.1. As noted in reference to Figs. 1A - 8, the control unit 150 may include internal units and devices of the beverage station (BS) (such as switches, valves, sensors, flow meters, etc.). In some embodiments, the beverage station interface (BSI) 1107 may be a separate unit and may be located remotely from the beverage station 1104.

In some embodiments, where the PMC 1106.1 is located at the beverage station (BS) 1104, the Beverage Station Interface (BSI) 1107 may be integrated with PMC 1106.1 . In some embodiments, the Beverage Station Interface (BSI) 1107 may form part of a distributed PMC 1106.1, which is located remotely from the beverage station (BS) 1104.

The user 1102 may have some ID means 1108 for communicating with the PMC 1106. PMC 1106 is entitled to authorize the user 1102 to receive the mentioned self- service from the beverage station (BS) 1104, and to control the beverage station (BS) 1104 accordingly.

The user's ID means 1108 may comprise a mobile device 1108.1 carrying a mobile application (MA) and/or capable of forming an RFID circuit by using an RFID tag or a QR code and a suitable reader. Such a wireless circuit may be formed between the 1108.1 and the beverage station (BS) 1104 or its beverage station interface (BSI) 1107, when the user 1102 approaches the beverage station (BS) 1104. It should be noted that placement of the tag/code and the suitable reader, which are responsible for forming a specific wireless circuit between a user's ID means 1108 and a specific beverage station (BS), can be selected by a designer. Alternatively or additionally, the user's ID means 1108 may be in the form of a club card 1108.2, a credit card 1108.3, etc.

In yet a further embodiment, the user 1102 may implement the ID means by manually introducing an ID code/number etc. either via the mobile application (MA) in the mobile device 1108.1 (e.g. Smartphone), or via the beverage station interface (BSI) 1107.

Furthermore, a nearby beverage station (BS) 1104 may be specified either remotely or directly/manually by the user. Also, the desired beverage can be specified, for example, manually by the user via the mobile application (MA) in the mobile device 1108.1.

As a result, PMC 1106.1 may control the beverage station (BS) 1104 so as to allow the user 1102 to directly dispense the selected beverage into a suitable receptacle (e.g. receptacle 190 of Fig. 2D).

In this specific exemplary embodiment, the control system 1100.1 comprises the following components capable of establishing control and data communication with one another: a mobile computer application (MA) installed in a mobile device 1108.1 of the user, capable of providing the ID data and the control data from the user (wherein said control data may be related to specifying a beverage station (BS) 1104 and selecting a beverage at the specified station), a beverage station interface (BSI) 1107 provided at the beverage station specified by the user, configured to provide some operative data on its beverage station (BS) 1104 (for example, data on availability of specific beverages) and to receive control instructions, a PMC 1106 (for example, a remote server S) configured to collect the control and the ID data from the mobile application (MA), to collect the operative data from the beverage station interface (BSI) 1107 of the beverage station (BS) 1104 specified by the user, to process all the collected data (ID data, control data and operative data) and to issue control instructions to the interface of the beverage station interface (BSI) 1107 specified by the user. The control instructions may comprise, for example, authorization of the user and instructions to allow dispensing of the selected beverage by the specified/recognized user. At the controlled beverage station (BS) 1104, the control instructions may be implemented by activating a specific actuator for opening the control valve in the duct supplying the selected beverage to the suitable tap.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example of the control system for an interactive device 1110 implemented in a beverage station. The device 1110 may be a standalone device or may be integrally connected with the beverage station (BS) (not shown) so as to provide beverages to a user via the tap (e.g. tap 126 in Figs. 1 A-8).

In some embodiments the interactive device 1110 is implemented in the form of an add-on to a conventional beverage station. In some embodiments, the interactive device 1110 is integrated in any beverage station. The interactive device may be defined as an auxiliary system (e.g. as described hereinabove), which is operative for retrofitting a preexisting beverage station for enabling self pouring of a beverage by a consumer from the preexisting beverage station.

The device 1110 may be provided with a block marked 1106.2, which comprises at least an interface of the device 1110. It may be further provided with a touch screen 1107 adapted for interaction with a user. The block 1106.2 may also comprise a local PMC, for example in the form of a controller, and thus the device 1110 may become a standalone add-on for providing self-service at a specific beverage station. The device 1110 may be provided with a power supply. For example, Fig. 11 schematically shows a solar battery 1109 for independent power supply. In some embodiments the power supply may be from the grid.

However, alternatively or in addition, the block 1106.2 may be in telecommunication with a remote PMC such as a central PMC, so the device 1110 may become controllable from the remote PMC.

Fig. 12 schematically shows functions (operations) which may be provided by the proposed control system. In this exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, the system comprises a central PMC 1106.3 located on a remote server (S) or at any other location.

Initially, the system provides authorization and access of the authorized user (customer) to self-service at a specified beverage station. To do that, the PMC 1106.3 collects ID data and control data from a customer (for example, via a mobile application MA-1 marked 1108.1), processes it using operative data received from a beverage station ((BS), for example, BS-1 marked 1104, approached by the user) and responds with notifications. This functionality is performed in the PMC by software schematically indicated by box 1112 and operative for at least one of: preliminary collecting user data (ID data) and registration of the users (1114), authorizing users based on the previously collected user data and the ID data currently provided by each specific user (1116), beverage station (BS) control based on the authorization result (1118), providing notifications between users and PMC (1119).

To collect operative data, the PMC 1106.3 communicates with one or more beverage stations schematically illustrated as BS-1, BS-2, BS-3. In turn, the beverage stations receive control instructions from the PMC.

PMC may be operative for monitoring and maintenance of such beverage stations (BS) (software means indicated in box 1120). These means may comprise programs operative for monitoring and maintenance of: each specific beverage station (BS) ( box 1122), barrels of beverages at the beverage stations (BS) (box 1124) issuing alarms and notifications concerning management of the stations and barrels (box 1126) issuing various orders for maintenance of the stations and barrels (box 1128).

To the above purposes, the PMC 1106.3 is in communication with at least one beverage station BS-1 1104, for example via its interface BSI-1 1107. BSI-1 is operable to collect data updates from sensors, switches, valves, flow meter(s) (e.g using a control unit 150 in Figs. 1A - 1C) of the beverage station (BS) and process the collected data by its software means. In turn the BSI-1 receives control instructions from the PMC 1106.3. The BSI-1 is operative to support: communication with the PMC/Server (block 1123) monitoring of beverage station (BS) sensors, switches, valves, flow meters and alarms/alerts/notifications (e.g of the control unit 150 in Figs. 1A - 8) for BS management (block 1125) recognition between users and the beverage station ( 1127, may work in cooperation with block 1117); PMC may store and process data on various aspects of the business for further use (for example, statistics and advertisement), box 1130. In particular, it may be at least one of : data about users (customers) - box 1132; data about beverage stations (BS) - box 1134 data about beverages - 1136 data about providers of service, equipment, products - 1138 data about statistics, advertisement, discounts etc. - 1139.

Additionally, the control system may be further configured to enable charging of the authorized user for the dispensed beverage.

PMC of the system may be configured to establish data communication with one or more relevant Billing authorities (BA) (user's bank account, service providers, service operators, other interfaces) for charging the authorized user for the dispensed beverage and performing associated payments to various service providers ( box 1140), which generally accumulates software for charging the users (box 1142) and software for payment to various providers (box 1144).

Other, service authorities (SA) may be in communication with PMC 1106.3 for fixing various technical problems and alarms reported by beverage stations of the system (for example, via box 1126). Issuing and monitoring of respective orders may be provided by software means schematically marked by box 1128.

For communication with the PMC 1106.3, a specific user (for example, Customer 1) may use a mobile application MA-1 (e.g., 1108.1 similar to that in Fig. 10). The MA -1 may have software means for the customer to: provide details for registration and further recognition, such as ID, age, payment details, membership in a club, etc. (box 1113), create and issue commands for selecting beverages ( box 1115) initiate and perform recognition between a user and a beverage station (box 1117); support notifications between MA and PMC (symmetric to 1119 of the box 1112) Similar communication may be established between PMC and other users via their ID means (MA-2, ID-3, etc.).

Non-limiting Examples of operation:

For example, to perform registration of a new user and then to communicate with a beverage station (BS) via the PMC, a mobile computer application (MA) can be used.

When installing the aforementioned mobile computer application (MA) and performing registration by introducing required ID and other details, the user becomes a registered user. When providing payment details for using the mobile application (MA), the user potentially becomes an authorized user which will receive service from a specified beverage station whenever the user approaches the station and orders a selected beverage therefrom.

It can be performed , for example, as follows:

In one example, for authorizing the user to receive beverages from a specific beverage station, the server S may process all the ID and control data received from the MA and compare it with the operative data received at least from a specific (or specified) beverage station. If the compared data corresponds, authorization may be provided.

In another example, the authorization may comprise a step of recognition between a MA and beverage station interface (BSI) (or BS). The computer application installed in the user's mobile device may be provided with an RFID or NFC tag/QR code for recognizing the user and specifying the beverage station to which the user has approached.

In other words, at least partially, the authorization can be handled by using a wireless NFC (RFID) circuit comprising an NFC ( RFID) tag and a corresponding reader, the circuit being formed between the user's mobile device and the beverage station, when the device is brought close to the beverage station. The corresponding reader for forming the wireless circuit may be installed at the beverage station. However, the placement of the reader and the tag is interchangeable.

Alternatively, the mobile application MA may be configured to activate a QR code provided in advance to a user.

The authorization process (upon which beverage pouring to a specific user is approved) may take place after the reader of the wireless circuit recognizes a suitable tag (QR code). In yet another embodiment, selection of a beverage station and/or recognition between a customer and a beverage station may be performed using a temporary code received from a PMC. For example, such a temporary code may be sent by SMS, as a one-time option.

The ID data provided by a user (e.g, via the mobile computer application (MA), via a card or directly may comprise one or more of the following: the ID number, the user's age, membership in a club, payment details

The control data may comprise specifying / detection of a beverage station.

The control data may comprise selection of a specific beverage, optionally - selecting volume of that beverage, etc.

It should be noted that the user is not obliged to select the beverage and the desired volume of the beverage in advance; he/she may make that decision while manually dispensing the beverage for himself/herself. However, the PMC may be adapted to be predetermined and to utilize a threshold value of the beverage volume, to prevent spillage of the beverage.

The operative data produced by the specified beverage station to PMC may comprise data related to one or more of the following: availability of said one or more beverages, availability of the beverage selected by the user, quantity (volume) of the beverage dispensed to the authorized user.

The operative data may also comprise internal data produced within any specific beverage station for maintaining the station. Examples of the internal data which may be sent via the beverage station interface (BSI) to the PMC for maintenance include: remaining volume of the one or more beverages in their corresponding barrels, quality of the one or more beverages (say, based on data of the expiry dates) temperature of said beverages, alarms or alerts in order to replace a beverage container which is empty or close to empty, or to replace a container with a beverage having a critical expiry date, alarms in order to fix any other equipment of the beverage station. Such data may be turned into orders and processed at the service authorities (SA) and may be handled to fix necessary problems with one or more service providers ( e.g. service authorities SA).

The control data (instructions) issued by the server PMC to a beverage station (BS) (say, via beverage station interface, BSI) may comprise authorizing the user and commanding the beverage station (BS) to allow manual dispensing of the selected beverage by the authorized user.

As mentioned, the control system and in particular PMC may be further configured to store at least the collected and/or the processed data for further purposes. For example, such data may include data on all the registered users, data on all the beverage stations, data on the dispensed beverages, data on specific service providers, data on specific manufacturers of the beverages, etc. Such data may be stored, for example, in a data base DB of the server S where the PMC is located.

Optionally, the PMC may be configured to provide the stored data to a third party. Such data may be used for purposes of statistics, market research, etc. (box 1139).

For example, said third party may be any one or more of: suppliers/manufacturers of the beverages manufacturers/service providers of the beverage stations, other companies/organizations, for example marketing companies interested in statistics.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates the process taking place in the exemplary control system illustrated in Fig. 12. Stages of the process are presented at the left column of Fig. 13. Functionality is presented by a schematic flow chart in the middle of Fig. 13. Entities involved in the process are schematically marked in the right column of Fig. 13.

Registration:

Box 1200 of the flow chart is operative for registration of the users' ID;

In this example, ID data is obtained in communication between entities including the MA and PCM (wherein PCM is at server S in this example).

Box 1202 indicates storing the users' data at the server S.

Recognition: In this example, the beverage station (BS) to which the specific customer has approached, can be recognized (box 1204) by using MA of the customer, for example by virtue of an RFID circuit formed between the beverage station interface (BSI) and the customer's smartphone ( MA).

Box 1206 is responsible for updating the PMC (server S) about the customer/user (U) and the beverage station (BS) which recognized one another. It can be done by the beverage station interface (BSI).

Issuing and Handling of Order:

Receiving a control command from a customer (namely the user) concerning a desired beverage ( box 1208) and obtaining operative data concerning availability of the selected beverage ( box 1210). For the function of 1208 the communication takes place between MA and S, for the function of 1210 the communication takes place between the beverage station interface (BSI) and S.

PMC (which in this example is within the server S) checks whether the customer/user is authorized to obtain the self service and sends the outcome to the beverage station interface (BSI) of the recognized beverage station (BS) (box 1212). PMC/S allows dispensing to the customer (user U) and sends him/her a notification (From S to U via MA) ( box 1214).

S controls a suitable beverage valve at the BS via its beverage station interface (BSI) ( S/BSI -> BS) (Box 1216).

Beverage station interface (BSI) switches on the flow meter for measuring the beverage to be dispensed (Box 1217) Beverage dispensing:

Box 1218: Customer (User U) manually opens the tap (spout) of the selected beverage, gets any volume of the selected beverage dispensed by himself/herself and stops the dispensing by closing the tap;

Box 1220 : beverage station interface (BSI) sends operative data to PMC (Server S) about volume of the dispensed beverage, according to an update obtained from the suitable flow meter.

Billing:

Box 1222: the PMC (S) processes the collected operative data on the specific purchase, and arranges suitable billing. Namely, PMC may create an invoice to a specific user and send the invoice via the user's mobile application MA. PMC may handle invoices received from various providers. PMC may monitor communication with a bank, for example between a bank account of the controlled beverage station(s) at one side and users/ service providers at the other side.

Box 1224: S stores data on the specific purchase for further use.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means, materials, or structure for performing the function, obtaining the results, or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be for example only and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims, equivalents thereto, and any claims supported by the present disclosure, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, composition, kit, method, and step, described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, compositions, kits, methods, and steps, if such features, systems, articles, materials, compositions, kits, methods, and steps, are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Embodiments disclosed herein may also be combined with one or more features, functionality, or materials, as well as complete systems, devices or methods, to yield yet other embodiments and inventions. Moreover, some embodiments, may be distinguishable from the prior art by specifically lacking one and/or another feature disclosed in the particular prior art reference(s); i.e., claims to some embodiments may be distinguishable from the prior art by including one or more negative limitations. Also, as noted, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

Any and all references to publications or other documents, including but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, webpages, books, etc., presented anywhere in the present application, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Moreover, all definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.