Post-mix beverage system

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage. The cartridge may include a unique identifier to track a set of beverage characteristics associated with the contents of the cartridge and the beverage. The container may capture the unique identifier of the cartridge associated with the set of beverage characteristics and transfer the set of beverage characteristics over a wireless network to a computing device or network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage system comprising:
 a cup; and   a piercing apparatus detachably attachable to a top of the cup, the piercing apparatus having a piercer composed of a rigid material, wherein the piercer protrudes upwardly from a bottom of the piercing apparatus,   wherein the piercing apparatus defines an outer support that engages with a top surface of the cup to attach the piercing apparatus to the cup.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cartridge that is openable through engagement with the piercer,
 wherein the cartridge comprises a chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, and   wherein the cartridge contains one or more beverage ingredients.   
     
     
         3 . The beverage system of  claim 1 , wherein the piercing apparatus defines an engagement assembly configured to receive a cartridge containing a mixing solution. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage system of  claim 3 , wherein a rib disposed in the engagement assembly engages and secures the cartridge to the piercing apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage system of  claim 3 , wherein the engagement assembly seals the cartridge to the piercing apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage system of  claim 3 , wherein a top edge of the engagement portion is configured to engage a side of the cartridge. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer support is composed of a flexible material, and
 wherein when a cartridge is pushed against the piercer, the outer support creates a seal against the top of the cup.   
     
     
         8 . The beverage system of  claim 2 , wherein when the cover of the cartridge is pushed against the piercer, the piercer breaks the cover allowing the one or more beverage ingredients to mix with the contents of the cup. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage system of  claim 2 , wherein when the cartridge is pushed against the piercer, agitation of the beverage system enables mixing between the contents of the cup and the one or more beverage ingredients of the cartridge, and the contents of the cup are configured to enter into the cartridge during agitation. 
     
     
         10 . An attachment apparatus configured to detachably attach to a drinking glass, the attachment apparatus comprising:
 an engagement assembly that slopes downward from a top of the attachment apparatus and is configured to receive a cartridge containing a mixing solution;   a piercer that is concentric with the attachment apparatus and defines an opening, wherein the piercer is configured to pierce the cartridge and release the mixing solution from the cartridge through the opening and into the drinking glass; and   a rib disposed in the engagement assembly that engages the cartridge and secures the cartridge to the attachment apparatus when the cartridge is received in the engagement assembly,   wherein the attachment apparatus is configured to seal the cartridge around the opening when the cartridge is received in the engagement assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment apparatus further comprises a grip that projects outward from the attachment apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the rib circumferentially projects from an inner surface of the engagement assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the rib is composed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the opening of the piercer is circular. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the shape of the piercer corresponds to flaps on the cartridge to enable the piercer to pierce the flaps of the cartridge to release the mixing solution in the cartridge through the opening into the drinking glass. 
     
     
         16 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the piercer projects upward from a bottom of the attachment apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising an outer support that engages with a top surface of the drinking glass to attach the attachment apparatus to the drinking glass. 
     
     
         18 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the outer support is composed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         19 . The attachment apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a top edge of the engagement portion is configured to engage a side of the cartridge.