Self-contained vending machine for beverages
First Claim
1. A self-contained, standalone apparatus for automatically preparing and vending beverages based on selections input by consumers, comprising:
- (a) one or more sources of roasted coffee beans;
(b) one or more sources of tea;
(c) one or more sources of cocoa;
(d) at least one grinder for preparing ground coffee from said roasted coffee beans;
(e) one or more sources of flavoring ingredients;
(f) a source of water;
(g) one or more sources of fresh dairy products; and
(h) a mechanism for preparing the beverage.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for preparing and vending beverages based on selections input by consumers is provided, including one or more sources of roasted coffee beans; one or more sources of teas; one or more sources of cocoa; at least one grinder for preparing ground coffee from said roasted coffee beans; one or more sources of flavoring ingredients; a source of water; one or more sources of fresh dairy products; and a mechanism for preparing the beverage. Also provided is a method for preparing a beverage according to selections entered by a consumer, including receiving beverage selections entered by a consumer; collecting payment for the beverage based on the beverage selections entered; retrieving preset standards for proper preparation of the beverage based on the beverage selections; displaying the beverage preparation process and the freshness of ingredients used to prepare the beverage; preparing the beverage in accordance with the preset standards; monitoring the preparation of the beverage for compliance with the preset standards; and providing the beverage to the consumer.
94 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A self-contained, standalone apparatus for automatically preparing and vending beverages based on selections input by consumers, comprising:
-
(a) one or more sources of roasted coffee beans;
(b) one or more sources of tea;
(c) one or more sources of cocoa;
(d) at least one grinder for preparing ground coffee from said roasted coffee beans;
(e) one or more sources of flavoring ingredients;
(f) a source of water;
(g) one or more sources of fresh dairy products; and
(h) a mechanism for preparing the beverage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A self-contained espresso beverage vending device, said vending device comprising a mechanism for preparing the espresso beverage, said mechanism comprising:
-
(a) means for monitoring the preparation of the selected beverage;
(b) means for storing preset standards for proper preparation of the selected beverage; and
(c) means for comparing the monitored preparation of the beverage with the stored standards for preparation of the beverage, and adjusting the preparation of the beverage so that said beverage is prepared in compliance with the standards.
-
-
14. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said mechanism for preparing the beverage further comprises means for indicating that the apparatus is not capable of adjusting the preparation of the beverage in compliance with the standards, and that service to the apparatus is required.
-
15. A feedback system for monitoring a standalone beverage vending apparatus, said system comprising:
-
(a) means for requesting that information be input to indicate a degree of satisfaction with one or more aspects of the apparatus selected from the group consisting of quality of beverage, quality of ingredients, and satisfaction with value received;
(b) means for inputting the requested information regarding consumer satisfaction; and
(c) means for preparing a summary of information input by consumer.
-
-
16. A method for automatically preparing a beverage according to beverage selections entered by a consumer, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) receiving the beverage selections entered by a consumer;
(b) retrieving preset standards for proper preparation of the beverage based on the beverage selections input by the consumer;
(c) displaying to the consumer the beverage preparation process and the freshness of ingredients being used to prepare the beverage;
(d) preparing the beverage in accordance with the preset standards;
(e) monitoring the preparation of the beverage to ensure that said beverage is prepared in compliance with the preset standards; and
(f) providing said beverage to the consumer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A computer system for monitoring and adjusting the production of beverages, comprising:
-
(a) sensors for detecting actual status of all sources of ingredients used in preparing a selected beverage;
(b) sensors for monitoring actual functioning and actual status of mechanisms during preparation of the selected beverage;
(c) memory comprising stored software including preset status and preset functioning information corresponding to the selected beverage; and
(d) a processor for comparing the actual status and actual functioning of the ingredients and mechanisms involved in beverage production to the preset status and preset functioning of the ingredients and mechanisms stored in memory, wherein when the actual functioning and the actual status of the mechanisms used to prepare the beverage are not substantially identical to the preset functioning and preset status, a message is delivered to the mechanisms indicating adjustments to be made for the preparation of the beverage.
-
-
25. A cleaning system for use in an automatic, self-contained beverage vending machine that prepares beverages using fresh dairy products, said system comprising:
-
a sterilization flusher for providing a cleaning flush of beverage preparation components contained in said vending machine; and
a receptacle for storing waste generated during the cleaning flush, as well as fluids leaked from the beverage preparation components during preparation of the beverage. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification