Capsule Based System for Preparing and Dispensing a Beverage
AssigneeLa Vit Technology LLC
InventorsGian Matteo Lo Foro, John R. Laverack, Yuanli Shentu, Kurt R. Weseman, George E. Riehm, Greg G. Weaver
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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.
Claims34
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;
- 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;
- 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.
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;
- injecting a flow of mixing liquid into the capsule;
- further injecting mixing liquid into the capsule flushing contents into a dispensing port;
- injecting finishing liquid into the dispensing port;
- providing the user with instructions to remove the beverage container from the machine.
A method of dispensing a beverage from a machine comprising:
- allowing a user to place a beverage capsule in the machine, the beverage capsule having a capsule body, capsule rim and capsule lid;
- allowing the user to close a compartment lid above the capsule causing a hinge in a frame to rotate a portion of the capsule body away from the capsule rim along a crease immediately below the capsule rim partially opening the capsule;
- injecting a stream of mixing liquid into the capsule;
- receiving beverage contents from the capsule in the mixing liquid through a dispensing orifice;
- injecting a stream of finishing liquid into the dispensing orifice producing a finished beverage drink in a container below the dispensing orifice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.