Select serving and flavored sparkling beverage maker system

• US 9,161,654 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 10/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DS Services of America, Inc. (Primo Water Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Primo Products, LLC (Primo Water Corporation)
• Inventors: Belmont, Richard Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US13/790,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20130233180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 993/232, 993/233
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/407 with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/2361 within small containers, e.g. within bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/2362 for aerating or carbonating within receptacles or tanks, e.g. distribution machines B01F23/2361 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0057 Carbonators

Abstract

A system with a beverage maker for making single serving customized beverages is provided herein. An example beverage maker includes a carbonation chamber for mixing a selected volume of fluid with carbon dioxide. The beverage maker also includes a pressurized carbon dioxide source in fluid communication with the carbonation chamber. The beverage maker is configured to receive an individually packed, single use disposable flavor cup containing a flavor and having a sealed cover that covers and seals the flavor cup. Additionally, the beverage maker includes a piercing mechanism for piercing the flavor cup and mixing the selected volume of fluid therein, and for discharging a blended fluid. The carbonation chamber comprises a pressure vessel assembly of a fixed volume such that carbon dioxide absorption can be performed and controlled. The system may also include a water dispenser fluidly connected to the beverage maker.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a carbonated beverage maker capable of making and dispensing customized carbonated beverages in a single-serving, said beverage maker comprising;

a carbonation chamber for mixing a selected volume of fluid with carbon dioxide;

a pressurized carbon dioxide source in fluid communication with the carbonation chamber, wherein the carbonation chamber comprises a pressure vessel assembly of a fixed volume such that carbon dioxide absorption can be performed and controlled;

an individually packed, single use disposable flavor cup containing a flavor and having a sealed cover that covers and seals the flavor cup; and

a piercing mechanism for piercing the flavor cup and mixing the selected volume of fluid therein, and for discharging a blended fluid, and

a water dispenser comprising a water bottle and capable of dispensing water, the water dispenser being fluidly connected to the carbonated beverage maker and configured to provide water to the carbonated beverage maker for use in making the customized carbonated beverages, wherein the water dispenser is also configured to directly dispense water separately from providing water to the carbonated beverage maker.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the carbonated beverage maker comprises a reservoir fluidly connected to the carbonation chamber, and wherein the water dispenser is fluidly connected to the reservoir.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the carbonated beverage maker and the water dispenser define a single unit.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hot beverage maker capable of making and dispensing customized hot beverages in a single-serving, wherein the water dispenser is fluidly connected to the hot beverage maker and configured to provide water to the hot beverage maker, wherein the water dispenser is also configured to directly dispense water separately from providing water to the hot beverage maker.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the carbonated beverage maker, the water dispenser, and the hot beverage maker define a single unit.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the water dispenser is fluidly connected to an outlet to dispense the water, and wherein the carbonated beverage maker is fluidly connected to the outlet to dispense the customized carbonated beverages.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the carbonated beverage maker is fluidly connected to a first outlet to dispense the customized carbonated beverages, wherein the water dispenser is fluidly connected to a second outlet to dispense the water, and wherein the first outlet is distinct from the second outlet.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the water dispenser is capable of dispensing hot water, cold water, and filtered water.