Capsule Based System for Preparing and Dispensing a Beverage

Abstract

The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

1 . A dispenser for mixing a beverage from a cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a frame to accommodate the cartridge so that the cartridge is securely located within the frame, a mechanism to peel open the cover of the capsule, the frame positioning the capsule so that when the capsule is peeled open, a mixing stream can be directed into the capsule and allowed to flow out a top edge of the capsule. 
     
     
         2 . The dispenser recited in  claim 1 , the frame comprising a hinge so that the mechanism can swing on the hinge to effect peeling of the capsule. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser recited in  claim 2 , wherein the capsule includes a thin material on the top of the capsule and the mechanism further includes a means to secure an edge of the thin material so that the material stays fixed while the mechanism swings the frame on the hinge to effect peeling of the capsule. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser recited in  claim 3 , wherein the frame is adapted to position the capsule so that a mixing stream can mix the beverage in the capsule. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a finishing stream that is not oriented to go into the capsule and is directed toward a beverage container. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser recited in  claim 5  wherein the beverage is able to be mixed by an amount of warmer water going into the mixing stream and a cooler water going into the finishing stream. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser recited in  claim 2  further comprising a bar code reader on the dispenser to read a bar code on a capsule and a computer on the dispenser to make the drink according to a set of instructions based on the information on the capsule. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser recited in  claim 2  further comprising at least one sensor on the machine to determine the presence of a beverage container. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser recited in  claim 8  wherein the there includes a plurality of sensors to determine both the presence and the volume of a beverage container. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser recited in  claim 1  further comprising a frame which includes two ends that pivot on hinges with respect to a central portion, the mechanism further including a portion of the device immobilizing the capsule with respect to the frame, the mechanism opening the capsule by pivoting the ends with respect to the central portion to open the capsule. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser recited in  claim 10  further comprising a mixing stream nozzle adapted to provide a mixing stream of water into the capsule when the capsule is opened by the two ends pivoting. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser recited in  claim 11  further comprising a second nozzle adapted to provide a finishing stream of water in addition to the mixing stream, wherein the finishing stream is directed toward the beverage container without going through the capsule. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser recited in  claim 12  further comprising an device to vibrate the capsule during the mixing process to facilitate mixing. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser recited in  claim 13  wherein a computer program determines which of vibration, the mixing stream and the finishing stream are used with a particular capsule based on information provided on the capsule. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser recited in  claim 11  wherein the mixing stream nozzle is disposed on the frame and is oriented into the capsule when the capsule is opened. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser recited in  claim 11  wherein the frame is adapted to position the capsule so that a mixing stream can mix the beverage in the capsule. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser recited in  claim 16 , further comprising an outlet for a finishing stream that is not oriented to go into the capsule and is directed toward the beverage container. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser recited in  claim 17  wherein the beverage is able to be mixed by an amount of warmer going into the mixing stream and a cooler water going into the finishing stream. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser recited in  claim 11  further comprising a bar code reader on the dispenser to read a bar code on a capsule and a computer on the dispenser to make the drink according to a set of instructions based on the information on the capsule. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser recited in  claim 11  further comprising at least one sensor on the machine to determine the presence of a beverage container. 
     
     
         21 . A dispenser for mixing a beverage from a cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a frame to accommodate the cartridge so that the cartridge is securely located within the frame, a mechanism to peel open the cover of the capsule, the frame positioning the capsule so that when the capsule is peeled open, a mixing stream can be directed into the capsule and allowed to flow out a top edge of the capsule, the frame further comprises an end that pivots on a hinge with respect to a central portion, the mechanism further including a portion of the device immobilizing the capsule with respect to the frame, and wherein the mechanism opens the capsule by pivoting the end of the capsule with respect to the central portion to open the capsule. 
     
     
         22 . The dispenser recited in  claim 20  wherein the capsule includes a lip onto which a cover is affixed, further comprising a crease on the lip which opens when the mechanism pivots the end with respect to the central portion. 
     
     
         23 . The dispenser recited in  claim 22  further comprising a raised section on the end of the mechanism that is elevated with respect to the surface of the mechanism so that when the capsule is opened, the portion of the capsule adjacent the raised section is opened first and the capsule is opened along the crease. 
     
     
         24 . The dispenser recited in  claim 23  wherein the raised section is aligned with the axis of the capsule. 
     
     
         25 . The dispenser recited in  claim 23  wherein the raised section is off set from the axis of the capsule. 
     
     
         26 . The dispenser recited in  claim 22 , wherein dispenser is adapted to open a capsule on the underside of the lip of the capsule. 
     
     
         27 . The dispenser recited in  claim 22  wherein the dispenser is adapted to open the capsule at the lip so that only the cover is pealed away. 
     
     
         28 . A capsule for use in a beverage dispenser comprising: a concave receptacle for containing a mix, a rim forming an opening in an outer receptacle, the rim having a flat section, a cover which is adapted to be disposed on the flat section of the rim, wherein the capsule is adapted to be opened by peeling the cover from the flat section and the capsule is adapted to enable a beverage to be mixed within the receptacle of the capsule. 
     
     
         29 . The capsule recited in  claim 28  further comprising glue that fixes the cover to the flat section. 
     
     
         30 . A capsule for use in a beverage dispenser comprising: a concave receptacle for containing mix, a rim forming an opening to be disposed on the flat section of the rim, wherein the capsule is adapted to be opened along a crease along an edge of the capsule adjacent the rim. 
     
     
         31 . The capsule recited in  claim 30  further comprising a second crease along an opposite side of the capsule whereby the capsule can be opened by one or both the creases in the capsule. 
     
     
         32 . The capsule recited in  claim 31  wherein the receptacle of the capsule is adapted to receive water from one opening and pours the mixed beverage out of the other opening. 
     
     
         33 . The capsule recited in  claim 32  wherein the capsule includes an oval shaped top. 
     
     
         34 . The capsule recited in  claim 32  wherein the capsule has an axi-symmetric top. 
     
     
         35 . A dispenser for mixing a beverage from a cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a frame to accommodate the cartridge so that the cartridge is securely located within the frame, a mechanism to open the cover of the capsule, the frame positioning the capsule so that when the capsule is opened, a mixing stream can be directed into the capsule and allowed to flow out the edge of the capsule, the frame further comprises an end that pivots on a hinge with respect to a central portion, the mechanism further including a portion of the device immobilizing the capsule with respect to the frame, and wherein the mechanism disposes of a used capsule by crushing the capsule on the frame and disposing the capsule in the machine. 
     
     
         36 . A dispenser for mixing a beverage from a cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a frame to accommodate the cartridge so that the cartridge is securely located within the frame, a mechanism to open the cover of the capsule, the frame positioning the capsule so that when the capsule is opened, a mixing stream can be directed into the capsule and allowed to flow out the edge of the capsule, the frame further comprises an end that pivots on a hinge with respect to a central portion, the mechanism further including a portion of the device immobilizing the capsule with respect to the frame, and wherein the capsule during beverage mixing is oriented so that the side of the capsule is less than 10 degrees inclination from horizontal. 
     
     
         37 . A method of mixing a beverage where the beverage is mixed from a capsule which has a top, and edge and a bottom, wherein the capsule is opened by using force against the edge of capsule to break a seal so that water can be delivered into the capsule to mix the beverage. 
     
     
         38 . A capsule for use in mixing a beverage, the capsule comprising: a top and bottom and an edge wherein the capsule can be opened by using force against the edge of capsule to break a seal so that water can be delivered into the capsule.