# US 8,740,020 B2 · Post-mix beverage system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,020 B2 - Document ID: US8740020B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/550,101 - Filed: 2009-08-28 - Published: 2010-03-04 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2008-08-29 - Assignees: PepsiCo, Inc. - Applicants: Carlos Hernan Marina; Ricardo Ruiz de Gopegui; Agnete Enga; Vincent Faivre d'Arcier; Tim Connelly; Jonathan Cedar; Tucker Fort - Inventors: Carlos Hernan Marina; Ricardo Ruiz de Gopegui; Agnete Enga; Vincent Faivre d'Arcier; Tim Connelly; Jonathan Cedar; Tucker Fort - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740020B2 ## CPC - B67D 3/0019: {using ingredient cartridges} - A47J 31/407: {with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means} - B65D 51/2821: {said element being a blister, a capsule or like sealed container} - B65D 81/3211: {coaxially and provided with means facilitating admixture} - B65D 81/3222: {with additional means facilitating admixture} - B65D 85/8058: {Coding means for the contents} - B67D 3/0058: {Details} - B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F) - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES - 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 ## 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 attachment mechanism may comprise an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, and a valve assembly. The engagement assembly may generally receive the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. The piercing portion may generally pierce the cartridge, thereby releasing the contents of the cartridge into the container. The valve assembly may generally open upon engagement of the cartridge with the attachment mechanism. 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A beverage dispensing system comprising: a container; an attachment mechanism coupled to the container, the attachment mechanism comprising an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, a valve, and an elevator cooperatively engaged with the valve; and a cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mechanism at the engagement assembly, the cartridge comprising a chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, the cover being cuttable and foldable during engagement of the cartridge and the attachment mechanism, the cartridge further comprising a cap attached to the top of the chamber, wherein the cap includes a foil retainer wherein when the cartridge engages the engagement assembly, the piercing portion pushes against the foil retainer, thereby piercing the cover with the foil retainer; wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the engagement assembly holds the cartridge within the attachment mechanism, the piercing portion pierces through the cover, and the valve extends into the container; and further wherein the valve is hinged at one end such that, when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the elevator pushes the valve and swings the valve to an open position, leaving the cartridge cover cut and folded open. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cap includes a locating feature, wherein the locating feature engages with the engagement assembly to properly position the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the foil retainer holds the cover open without allowing the cover to close over the opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the foil retainer has a cut-out in the shape of a cross. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is generally a circular-shaped structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a foil cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge holds one or more beverage ingredients. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients are selected from the list comprising: syrup, paste, powder, or granules. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein the container holds a liquid. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 9, wherein the liquid is non-carbonated water. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 9, wherein when the valve extends into the container, the cartridge is opened into the container thereby allowing the one or more beverage ingredients to mix with the mixing solution. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a first chamber and a second chamber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein the first chamber holds a first beverage ingredient and the second chamber holds a second beverage ingredient. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes a vitamin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes an energy boost. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a cartridge sealing portion between the cartridge and the engagement assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes an internal sealing portion between the piercing portion and the engagement assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a base sealing portion between the engagement assembly and the valve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a release mechanism that releases the cartridge from the attachment mechanism. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container, such that the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism at the top of the container. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container at an angle. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a drinking spout. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container has a hinged portion located in the middle of the container and a top portion that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism when the top portion is in the open position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container has a hinged portion located at the top of the container and a lid that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism located in the lid. ### Claim 25 A beverage dispensing system comprising: a container; an attachment mechanism coupled to the container, the attachment mechanism comprising an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, a valve, and an elevator cooperatively engaged with the valve; and a cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mechanism at the engagement assembly, the cartridge being a generally circular shaped structure and comprising a chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, the cover being cuttable and foldable during engagement of the cartridge and the attachment mechanism, the cartridge further comprising a cap attached to the top of the chamber, wherein the cap includes a foil retainer wherein when the cartridge engages the engagement assembly, the piercing portion pushes against the foil retainer, thereby piercing the cover with the foil retainer, and further wherein the cartridge is configured to hold one or more beverage ingredients; wherein when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the engagement assembly holds the cartridge within the attachment mechanism, the piercing portion pierces through the cover, and the valve extends into the container, and further wherein the valve is directly connected to the elevator such that when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the elevator pushes the valve to an open position, leaving the cartridge cover cut and folded open. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the cap includes a locating feature wherein the locating feature engages with the engagement assembly to properly position the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the foil retainer holds the cover open without allowing the cover to close over the opening. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the foil retainer has a cut-out in the shape of a cross. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the cover is a foil cover. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients are selected from the list comprising: syrup, paste, powder, or granules. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container holds a liquid. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 31, wherein the liquid is non-carbonated water. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 31, wherein when the valve extends into the container, the cartridge is opened into the container thereby allowing the one or more beverage ingredients to mix with the mixing solution. ### Claim 34 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the cartridge includes a first chamber and a second chamber. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 34, wherein the first chamber holds a first beverage ingredient and the second chamber holds a second beverage ingredient. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 35, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes a vitamin. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 35, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes an energy boost. ### Claim 38 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a cartridge sealing portion between the cartridge and the engagement assembly. ### Claim 39 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism includes an internal sealing portion between the piercing portion and the engagement assembly. ### Claim 40 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a base sealing portion between the engagement assembly and the valve. ### Claim 41 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container includes a release mechanism that releases the cartridge from the attachment mechanism. ### Claim 42 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container, such that the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism at the top of the container. ### Claim 43 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container at an angle. ### Claim 44 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container includes a drinking spout. ### Claim 45 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container has a hinged portion located in the middle of the container and a top portion that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism when the top portion is in the open position. ### Claim 46 (depends on 25) The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container has a hinged portion located at the top of the container and a lid that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism located in the lid.