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 method of dispensing a beverage from a machine comprising:
 accepting a beverage capsule into said machine, the beverage capsule having a capsule body, rim and lid, and containing a beverage mix;   reading a code on said capsule or lid;   the machine partially opening said capsule by tearing the capsule body along a crease immediately below the rim by rotating the capsule body away from the rim;   injecting a mixing liquid stream into the capsule;   determining a correct quantity of mixing liquid based on said code;   forcing the beverage mix out of the capsule and into a dispensing orifice with the mixing liquid stream;   injecting a finishing liquid stream into the dispensing orifice producing a finished beverage that exits the dispensing orifice.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said code is a bar code. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the bar code is a 2-dimensional bar code. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said code is a 2-dimensional code. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the code is a QR code. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixing liquid stream is at ambient temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the finishing liquid stream is chilled. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixing liquid stream is water. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the finishing liquid stream is water. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixing stream is water at ambient temperature and the finishing stream is chilled water. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the mixing stream or the finishing stream is filtered. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the capsule body is rotated approximately 45 degrees with respect to the rim. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of determining is performed by a processor in said machine. 
     
     
         14 . A method of dispensing a beverage with a machine comprising:
 providing a user with instructions to place a beverage container under a beverage exit orifice in the machine;   sensing if the beverage container is present;   providing the user with instructions to place a beverage capsule in the machine, the beverage capsule having a capsule body, capsule rim and capsule lid, the capsule lid sealed to the capsule rim;   sensing if a capsule has been placed in the machine;   reading a code on the capsule lid or capsule body;   providing the user with instructions to close a compartment lid over the capsule;   pivoting a portion of the capsule body away from the capsule rim along a crease in the capsule body immediately below the rim as the user closes the compartment lid;   determining a quantity of mixing liquid to inject into the capsule from said code;   injecting a flow of mixing liquid into the capsule;   further injecting mixing liquid into the capsule flushing contents into a dispensing port;   determining a quantity of finishing liquid to inject into the dispensing port from said code;   injecting finishing liquid into the dispensing port;   providing the user with instructions to remove the beverage container from the machine;   sensing when the beverage container has been removed from the machine;   opening a recycle bin;   crushing the capsule and forcing it into the recycle bin;   closing the recycle bin.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the mixing liquid is water. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the mixing liquid is at ambient temperature. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the finishing liquid is water. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the finishing liquid is chilled. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of determining is performed by a processor in said machine. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein either the mixing liquid or the finishing liquid is carbonated.