Fluid mixing apparatus and methods

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for making a beverage or providing a liquid. First and second liquids may be mixed to form a mixed liquid. The mixed liquid may be passed through a frothing head and/or may be combined with a coffee product and optionally dispensed into a cup. Examples of first and second liquids can include, but are not limited to various dairy products, enzymes and flavoring liquids. According to one example implementation, a first liquid is a reduced fat milk, such as skim milk, and a second liquid is whole milk, thereby enabling the creation of dairy product varieties including one percent and two percent milk to be created by the appropriate mixture combination of the skim milk and whole milk.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of making a beverage, the method comprising:
 obtaining a first liquid dairy product;   obtaining a second liquid dairy product;   receiving an instruction to specify a mixture of the first liquid dairy product and the second liquid dairy product;   automatically mixing the first liquid dairy product and the second liquid dairy product to form a mixed dairy product;   dispensing the mixed diary product into a cup; and   dispensing a coffee product into the cup.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising heating the mixed diary product prior to the act of dispensing the mixed dairy product. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising injecting steam into the mixed diary product prior to the act of dispensing the mixed dairy product. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein, in the act of obtaining a first liquid dairy product, the first liquid dairy product is skim milk; and in the act of obtaining a second liquid dairy product, the second liquid dairy product is whole milk. 
     
     
         28 . A method of making a beverage, the method comprising:
 receiving an instruction to specify a mixture of a first liquid dairy product and an enzyme;   mixing the first liquid dairy product and the enzyme according to the instruction;   dispensing the mixed first liquid diary product and the enzyme into a cup; and   dispensing a coffee product into the cup.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 mixing a second liquid dairy product with at least one of the group of the first liquid dairy product and the enzyme; and   wherein the act of dispensing the mixed first liquid diary product and the enzyme into a cup also includes dispensing the mixed second liquid dairy product.   
     
     
         30 . A method of making a beverage, the method comprising:
 receiving an instruction to specify a mixture of a first liquid dairy product and a flavoring liquid;   mixing the first liquid dairy product and the flavoring liquid according to the instruction;   dispensing the mixed first liquid diary product and the flavoring liquid into a cup; and   dispensing a coffee product into the cup.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 mixing a second liquid dairy product with at least one of the group of the first liquid dairy product and the flavoring liquid; and   wherein the act of dispensing the mixed first liquid diary product and the flavoring liquid into a cup also includes dispensing the mixed second liquid dairy product.