Capsule based system for preparing and dispensing a beverage
First Claim
1. A beverage dispensing device adapted to dispense both hot and cold beverages comprising:
- a housing;
a control panel mounted on the housing, the control panel configured to permit selection of a beverage;
a controller in said housing, the controller in communication with the control panel;
a motor-driven hot/cold drink dispensing module mounted in the housing under control of the controller, the hot/cold drink dispensing mechanism comprising;
a chassis containing a carrier adapted to receive and hold either a cold capsule containing a cold beverage mix and a hot capsule containing a hot beverage mix;
a cover mounted on the chassis, the cover pivotable between an open position and a closed position;
at least one beverage exit orifice on a bottom surface of the chassis;
a cold beverage preparation mechanism cooperating with the cover, the mechanism adapted to open an inserted cold beverage capsule as the cover is closed;
the cold beverage preparation mechanism also adapted to rotate the opened cold beverage capsule from a horizontal position to a rotated position allowing an injected stream of cold liquid to mix and force its contents out through the exit orifice;
a hot beverage preparation mechanism also cooperating with the cover, the hot beverage preparation mechanism including a capsule carrier configured receive and hold a capsule containing a hot beverage mix, the capsule having a capsule top and a capsule bottom, the capsule carrier configured to move downward against a spring as the cover is closed;
the mechanism also including an outlet needle attached to the chassis below the capsule bottom;
an inlet injection needle attached to a motor-driven arm adapted to puncture the capsule'"'"'s top when the arm is rotated, wherein after the capsule top is punctured, the motor-driven arm forces the capsule further downward against the spring causing the outlet needle to puncture the capsule bottom;
the mechanism then injecting hot liquid into the capsule through the inlet injection needle and withdrawing hot beverage through the outlet needle and conveying it to the exit orifice.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A beverage dispensing system that can dispense both cold and hot drinks from either cold drink capsules or hot drink capsules. The cold or hot drink capsule is inserted into the system, and the lid is manually closed. if a cold drink capsule has been inserted, a mechanism cracks the capsule along a predetermined seam, injects cold mixing fluid into the capsule, and then rotates the capsule to pour out or further flush out the cold drink into a cup. If a hot drink capsule has been inserted, the lid is closed, and a rotating needle pierces the top of the capsule. The capsule is then punctured from the bottom. Hot water can then be injected into the top of the capsule, and the hot drink can be removed from the bottom into a cup.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A beverage dispensing device adapted to dispense both hot and cold beverages comprising:
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a housing; a control panel mounted on the housing, the control panel configured to permit selection of a beverage; a controller in said housing, the controller in communication with the control panel; a motor-driven hot/cold drink dispensing module mounted in the housing under control of the controller, the hot/cold drink dispensing mechanism comprising; a chassis containing a carrier adapted to receive and hold either a cold capsule containing a cold beverage mix and a hot capsule containing a hot beverage mix; a cover mounted on the chassis, the cover pivotable between an open position and a closed position; at least one beverage exit orifice on a bottom surface of the chassis; a cold beverage preparation mechanism cooperating with the cover, the mechanism adapted to open an inserted cold beverage capsule as the cover is closed;
the cold beverage preparation mechanism also adapted to rotate the opened cold beverage capsule from a horizontal position to a rotated position allowing an injected stream of cold liquid to mix and force its contents out through the exit orifice;a hot beverage preparation mechanism also cooperating with the cover, the hot beverage preparation mechanism including a capsule carrier configured receive and hold a capsule containing a hot beverage mix, the capsule having a capsule top and a capsule bottom, the capsule carrier configured to move downward against a spring as the cover is closed;
the mechanism also including an outlet needle attached to the chassis below the capsule bottom;
an inlet injection needle attached to a motor-driven arm adapted to puncture the capsule'"'"'s top when the arm is rotated, wherein after the capsule top is punctured, the motor-driven arm forces the capsule further downward against the spring causing the outlet needle to puncture the capsule bottom;
the mechanism then injecting hot liquid into the capsule through the inlet injection needle and withdrawing hot beverage through the outlet needle and conveying it to the exit orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification