# US 10,870,530 B2 · Dispensing apparatus and capsule for use therewith > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,530 B2 - Document ID: US10870530B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/029,757 - Filed: 2014-10-16 - Published: 2016-08-25 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2013-10-16 - Assignees: Sabmiller Limited - Applicants: Sabmiller PLC - Inventors: Richard Corker; Wolfgang Tosch; Andrew Chapman; Daniel Longman; Duncan Shea-Simonds; David Mason - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870530B2 ## CPC - B65D 85/8043: {Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents (B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06)} - A47J 31/0673: {Means to perforate the cartridge for creating the beverage outlet} - A47J 31/407: {with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract According to the invention there is provided a capsule (1) for delivering flavouring to a beverage, the capsule (1) defining a closed internal volume (20) containing a flavouring for a beverage, the capsule comprising at least two frangible regions (30, 40), and a piercing member (50) housed within the internal volume (20), the piercing member (50) adapted to pierce at least one of said frangible regions (30, 40) of the capsule (1). Also according to the invention, there is provided a dispensing apparatus (100) for dispensing flavouring to a beverage, the apparatus comprising a mount (110) for receiving a capsule (1) containing flavouring to be added to the beverage, and an engaging portion (80) configured to engage with a piercing member (50) within a capsule (1) and pierce a frangible region of the capsule (1), wherein the apparatus (100) is configured to provide relative movement of the mount (110) and engaging portion (80) between a retracted position and an engaged position in which the engaging portion (80) is configured to engage with the piercing member (50) in the capsule (1). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A capsule for delivering flavoring to a beverage, the capsule defining a closed internal volume containing a flavoring for the beverage, the capsule comprising: a piercing member housed within the closed internal volume of the capsule, wherein opposing ends of the piercing member are pointed; a body defining a blind recess and comprising a first frangible region; a lid comprising a second frangible region, the body and the lid together defining the closed internal volume containing flavoring for the beverage; and wherein the piercing member is configured to pierce the first frangible region of the body, and wherein the piercing member is configured to pierce the second frangible region of the lid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the piercing member is elongate and the opposing ends are configured to pierce the lid and the body respectively. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the piercing member, in cross section, defines regions of relatively larger and reduced radial extent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the piercing member comprises a central elongate core, and a plurality of ribs extending therefrom along at least part of the length of the central elongate core. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The capsule according to claim 4, wherein the ribs extend substantially radially away from the central elongate core. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the piercing member has a substantially x-shaped cross section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the piercing member comprises a plurality of locating braces, and wherein at least some of the locating braces extend laterally from the elongate direction of the piercing member, and retain the piercing member in position inside the capsule with the opposing ends adjacent the first and the second frangible regions of the capsule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein an end of the piercing member comprises one or more flanges for enlarging a hole formed by the piercing member on piercing of the frangible region of the capsule. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the piercing member is formed as a separate part, and is not attached to the remainder of the capsule. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A dispensing apparatus comprising: a mount for receiving the capsule according to claim 1, containing the flavoring to be added to the beverage; and an engaging portion configured to engage with the piercing member positioned within the capsule and pierce the first and/or the second frangible region of the capsule, wherein the dispensing apparatus is configured to provide relative movement of the mount and the engaging portion between a retracted position and an engaged position in which the engaging portion is configured to engage with the piercing member in the capsule. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The dispensing apparatus according to claim 10, the dispensing apparatus being configured to be retrofittable to an existing beverage dispensing unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the engaging portion is a beverage dispensing nozzle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the engaging portion is movable relative to the dispensing apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the dispensing apparatus comprises a tap operable to both open a valve and move the engaging portion to engage with the piercing member in the capsule mounted in the mount. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mount is removable from the dispensing apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mount comprises a through hole, which is restricted at one end to retain the capsule within the through hole, while allowing beverage to flow there through.