HK1262704B - Beverage machine and capsule for use with the beverage machine - Google Patents

Description

Beverage machine and capsule for use with beverage machine

This application is a divisional application of the following application: Application date: March 1, 2017; Application number: 201780014373.6; Name of invention: Beverage machine and capsule for use with beverage machine.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to beverage machines and capsules. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to beverage machines for preparing single-serving mixed beverages and capsules for use with the beverage machines.

Background Art

In recent years, various machines have been developed that allow consumers to quickly prepare single servings of hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, soup, or hot chocolate. These machines use capsules that typically comprise two chambers: a first chamber containing a filter and dry, crystalline ingredients, and a second chamber for receiving the beverage to be prepared. To prepare a single serving of beverage, these machines provide a stream of heated liquid to the first chamber of the capsule. The dry, crystalline ingredients within the capsule in the first chamber dissolve in the liquid, and as the liquid flows into the second chamber, it is filtered.

Conventional beverage machines and capsules are generally not suitable for preparing single-serving mixed drinks (e.g., single-serving mixed drinks containing alcohol or juice and water) because conventional machines and capsules generally produce beverages that lack the quality, flavor, aesthetics, and consistency required for mixed drinks.

Summary of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a beverage machine for preparing a single serving of mixed beverage and a capsule for use with the beverage machine.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, a capsule for use in a beverage machine, the capsule comprising: a capsule for use in a beverage machine, the capsule comprising: an open shell defining a reservoir for containing a liquid, the liquid containing one or more ingredients; a lid for sealing the open shell; and a guide member disposed in the reservoir of the open shell, the reservoir being configured to receive a liquid flow injected by the injection needle when the lid is pierced by an injection needle of the beverage machine and to guide the liquid flow to a mixing zone in the reservoir so as to mix the liquid flow with the liquid contained in the reservoir, thereby preparing a single portion of mixed beverage to be dispensed from the reservoir via the dispensing needle when the dispensing needle of the beverage machine pierces the open shell.

The guide may further comprise one or more vanes disposed at the bottom of the open housing for directing the fluid flow towards a mixing zone within the reservoir.

The channel may be a closed channel.

The open housing may include a sidewall, and the channel follows a slope of the sidewall, wherein the channel includes an inlet for receiving the liquid flow when the injection needle injects the liquid flow; and an outlet for directing the fluid flow toward the mixing zone.

The inlet and outlet of the channel may be radially offset.

The inlet of the channel may have a first width, and the outlet has a second width that is smaller than the second width, to increase the flow rate of the liquid through the channel.

The inlet of the channel may have a first width, and the outlet may have a second width greater than the second width.

The channel may include a vent proximate an inlet to the channel.

The bottom of the open housing may comprise positioning members for positioning the inlet of the channel relative to the injection needle when the capsule is inserted into the beverage capsule receptacle of the beverage machine.

The positioning member may comprise a pair of diametrically opposed fins for positioning the inlet relative to the injection needle when the capsule is inserted into the beverage capsule receptacle of the beverage machine.

The open housing may have a generally concave geometry for nesting the capsule within another capsule.

The open shell may be made of recyclable material.

The recyclable material may be selected from a member of the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and aluminum.

The bottom of the housing may include a weakened portion located in the mixing zone, the weakened portion being pierceable by a dispensing needle of the beverage machine.

The weakened portion may be scored to facilitate piercing by a dispensing needle of the beverage machine.

The thickness of the weakened portion may be less than the thickness of the bottom of the open housing to facilitate piercing by the dispensing needle of the beverage machine.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, a beverage machine for preparing a single serving of mixed beverages includes: one or more containers, each configured to hold a liquid; a water container configured to hold water; a piping system configured to provide a liquid flow to an injection needle, the liquid flow comprising liquid from at least one of the one or more containers and water from the water container; a beverage capsule container configured to receive and hold the beverage capsule; an injection needle configured to pierce a cap of the capsule and inject the liquid flow into the beverage capsule to prepare a single serving of mixed beverages; and a dispensing needle configured to pierce a bottom of the capsule to dispense the mixed beverage from the beverage capsule.

The beverage machine may further include a flow sensor configured to measure an amount of liquid flow provided by the pipe system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following description, in which:

FIG1 is a perspective view of a beverage machine according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG2 is a top view of the beverage machine of FIG1 ;

FIG3 is a schematic block diagram of internal components of the beverage machine of FIG1 ;

FIG4 is a partially cutaway elevational view depicting a portion of the beverage machine of FIG1 ;

FIG5 is a schematic block diagram of a piping system of the beverage machine of FIG1 ;

FIG6 is a perspective view of a beverage capsule container of the beverage machine of FIG1 alone;

7 is a perspective view of a capsule for use with the beverage machine of FIG. 1 , according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG8 is a top perspective view of the beverage capsule of FIG7 with the cover of the capsule of FIG7 removed;

FIG9 is a bottom perspective view of the beverage capsule of FIG7 ;

FIG10 is a partially cut-away side view of the beverage box of FIG7;

11 is a partially cut-away side view of the beverage capsule of FIG. 7 , showing the injection needle and the dispensing needle of the beverage machine of FIG. 1 ;

12 is a flow chart depicting a method of operating the beverage machine of FIG. 1 according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

13 is a top view of a capsule for use with the beverage machine of FIG. 1 according to another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the capsule of FIG. 13 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To simplify and clarify the illustrations, reference numerals may be repeated in the figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments described herein. These embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments. This description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

In this disclosure, elements may be described as being "configured to" perform one or more functions or "configured for" such functions. Generally, an element configured to perform or configured for performing a function is capable of performing the function, is suitable for performing the function, is adapted to perform the function, is operable to perform the function, or is otherwise capable of performing the function.

It should be understood that for the purposes of this disclosure, the language of "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "one or more of X, Y, and Z" can be interpreted as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items of X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XY, YZ, ZZ, etc.). Similar logic can be applied to any occurrence of the language of "at least one of..." and "one or more of..." for two or more items.

The present disclosure generally relates to a beverage machine for preparing a single serving of a mixed drink and a capsule for use with the beverage machine. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "mixed drink" refers to a beverage prepared by mixing together a liquid stream, water, and a liquid containing one or more ingredients. The liquid stream can include any suitable liquid required to prepare a single serving of a mixed drink, including alcohol in the case of a single serving of a mixed alcoholic beverage (e.g., a mixed drink), or juice in the case of a single serving of a mixed drink.

Attention is directed to Figures 1 to 6, which depict a beverage machine 100 (hereinafter referred to as machine 100) for preparing a single serving of mixed beverages according to a non-limiting embodiment. The machine 100 includes: a base 102; four containers 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4 (hereinafter referred to as containers 104, respectively, and collectively referred to as containers 104) disposed on the base 102; a beverage capsule container 106 having a shape and size suitable for receiving capsule 10 (see Figures 7 to 11) or capsule 210 (see Figures 13 and 14); a machine cover 107, which is configured to open to provide access to the beverage capsule container 106 so as to insert the capsule 10 (see Figures 7 to 11) or capsule 210 (see Figures 13 and 14); and a machine cover 107, which is configured to open to provide access to the beverage capsule container 106 so as to insert the capsule 10 (see Figures 7 to 11). 0 and closed to begin operating the machine 100; a water container 108 configured to contain water; a detachable water container cover 110 configured to cover the water container 108; an injection needle 112 (see FIG. 4 ) configured to inject a liquid stream comprising liquid from the one or more containers 104 and water from the water container 108 into the capsule 10 to prepare a single serving of mixed beverage; and a dispensing needle 114 (see FIG. 4 ) configured to dispense a single serving of mixed beverage from the capsule 10.

The machine 100 also includes various internal components, such as a processor 116 that controls the overall operation of the machine 100. The processor 116 is coupled to and interacts with other internal components of the machine 100, including a memory 118, a barcode reader 120, a display 122, a piping system 124, a flow sensor 126, a pump 128, and a power source 130.

The processor 116 may be implemented as a plurality of processors, including, but not limited to, one or more central processing units (CPUs). The processor 116 is configured to communicate with a memory 118 that includes non-volatile storage units (e.g., erasable electronically programmable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), flash memory) and volatile storage units (e.g., random access memory (“RAM”)). Programming instructions that implement the functional teachings of the machine 100 as described herein are typically persistently maintained in the memory 118 and used by the processor 116, which appropriately utilizes the volatile storage devices during the execution of such programming instructions. Those skilled in the art will now recognize that the memory 118 is an example of a computer-readable medium that can store programming instructions that can be executed on the processor 116. Furthermore, the memory 118 is also an example of a memory unit and/or a memory device.

The machine 100 also includes a software program, application, or firmware 132 that controls the operation of the machine 100 to prepare a single serving of mixed beverages. The software program, application, or firmware 132 is executed by the processor 116. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that portions of the software program, application, or firmware 132 may be temporarily loaded into a volatile storage unit of the memory 118.

The processor 116 is configured to interact with a barcode reader 120. The barcode reader 120 is configured to read a barcode printed on the capsule 10. The processor 116 is configured to receive barcode data representing the barcode read by the barcode reader 120 and decode the barcode data to obtain a recipe for preparing a mixed drink, as described in further detail below.

The processor 116 is further configured to interact with a display 122, which may include any suitable individual or combination of the following: a flat panel display (e.g., an LCD (liquid crystal display)), a plasma display, an LED (light emitting diode) display, an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display, a touch-sensitive display (e.g., a capacitive, resistive, infrared, or surface acoustic wave (SAW) display), an optical touchscreen display, etc. The processor 116 interacts with the display 122 to present a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display 122 that includes selectable options, each of which is associated with an amount of alcohol to be included in the mixed drink. In some embodiments, the display 122 presents four selectable options in the GUI that are labeled "Original," "Light," "Normal," and "Strong." An optional option labeled "Original" is associated with a mixed drink containing no alcohol (e.g., a mixed drink prepared using only water and a liquid containing one or more ingredients); an optional option labeled "Light" is associated with a mixed drink containing one ounce of alcohol; an optional option labeled "Regular" is associated with a mixed drink containing 1.5 ounces of alcohol; and an optional option labeled "Strong" is associated with a mixed drink containing two ounces of alcohol. It should be understood that although the labels described herein refer to the amount of alcohol contained in a mixed drink, in other embodiments, the labels "Light," "Regular," and "Strong" can be associated with different amounts of alcohol. Furthermore, in some other embodiments, the labels can be associated with the amount of some other type of liquid to be included in the mixed drink. For example, when the machine 100 is used to prepare a drink containing different types of juices to be mixed together to prepare a single mixed drink, each label can be associated with the amount of juice contained in a "regular" amount of the mixed drink.

The processor 116 is further configured to interact with the tubing system 124 for providing a liquid flow comprising one or more liquids (eg, alcohol) from the container 104 and water from the water container 108 to the injection needle 112 , as described in further detail below.

The processor 116 is further configured to interact with a flow sensor 126. The flow sensor 126 is configured to measure the flow rate and volume of the liquid as the liquid provided by the tubing system 124 passes through the flow sensor 126 into the pump 128 and the injection needle 112.

The processor 116 is also configured to interact with a pump 128. The pump 128 is any suitable pump configured to force a flow of liquid provided by the tubing system 124 into the injection needle 112.

The processor 116 is further configured to interact with a power source 130. The power source 130 provides power to components of the machine 100, including but not limited to the processor 116, the memory 118, the barcode reader 120, the display 122, the tubing system 124, the flow sensor 126, and the pump 128. The power source 130 may include a connection to a mains power source and/or a power adapter (e.g., an AC to DC (alternating current to direct current) adapter). Alternatively, the power source 130 may include batteries, a power pack, and the like.

1-6 , the base 102 of the machine 100 includes a platform 134 on which a beverage container (not shown) can be placed to receive a mixed beverage prepared by the machine 100 and dispensed from the machine 100 via the dispensing needle 114, as described in further detail below. The platform 134 can be configured to collect liquid dispensed from the dispensing needle 114 as the machine 100 prepares the mixed beverage. The platform 134 can be removed from the base 102 to dispose of the liquid collected within the platform 134.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, the machine 100 also includes four containers 104. Each container 104 is configured to hold a different liquid, such as a different alcohol. Examples of alcohol include, but are not limited to, vodka, rum, gin, tequila, whiskey, vermouth, and the like. It should be understood that although the machine 100 in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 includes four containers 104, the machine 100 may include any number of containers 104. For example, in some embodiments, the machine 100 includes a single container 104 for holding a single type of alcohol. In other embodiments, the machine 100 includes two containers 104 for holding two different types of alcohol. In other embodiments, the machine 100 includes more than four containers 104, and each container 104 holds a different type of alcohol. In each of these embodiments, the machine 100 is configured to prepare a single mixed drink, as described in further detail below.

It should also be understood that although the base 102 of the machine 100 in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 includes a platform 134, in alternative embodiments, the platform 134 can be omitted from the machine 100 and a beverage container (not shown) can be placed directly on a surface, such as a table, counter, etc., in a position below the dispensing needle 114 to receive a single serving of mixed beverage dispensed from the dispensing needle 114.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 5 , which depicts a non-limiting embodiment of the piping system 124 of the machine 100. The piping system 124 includes four valves 136, 138, 140, and 142, two four-way connectors 144 and 146, a three-way connector 148, an air inlet valve 150, and a water valve 152. The container 104-1 is connected to the four-way connector 144 via a tube 135, a valve 136, and a tube 137. The container 104-2 is connected to the four-way connector 144 via a tube 139, a valve 138, and a tube 141. The air inlet valve 150 is also connected to the four-way connector 144 via an air tube 143. The air inlet valve 150 is configured to allow air to flow into the four-way connector 144 when opened. The container 104-3 is connected to the four-way connector 146 via a tube 143, a valve 140, and a tube 145. Container 104-4 is connected to a four-way connector 146 via tube 147, valve 142, and tube 149. Water container 108 is connected to four-way connector 146 via tube 151, water valve 152, and tube 153. Four-way connector 144 is connected to three-way connector 148 via tube 155, and four-way connector 148 is connected to three-way connector 148 via tube 157. Three-way connector 148 is connected to injection needle 112 via tube 159, flow sensor 126, tube 161, pump 128, and tube 163. Tubes 135, 137, 139, 141, 143, 145, 147, 149, 151, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, and 163 each have a diameter that facilitates the flow of liquid containing liquid from one or more containers 104 into injection needle 112.

When the machine 100 prepares a single serving of mixed beverage, the processor 116 communicates with the tubing system 124 to open and close each valve 136 , 138 , 140 , 142 , the air inlet valve 150 , and the water 152 as needed.

Although the tubing system 124 includes two four-way connectors 144 , 146 and one three-way connector 148 , in some embodiments, a six-way connector may be used instead of the two four-way connectors 144 , 146 and the three-way connector 148 .

Turning our attention now to Figures 7 to 11, a capsule 10 for use with a machine 100 according to a non-limiting embodiment is shown. The capsule 10 is shaped and sized for use with the machine 100. The housing 12 has an open top, a bottom 18, and sidewalls 20 extending from the bottom 18 to a peripheral edge 22 surrounding the open top of the housing 12. The bottom 18, the sidewalls 20, and the peripheral edge 22 of the housing 12 define a reservoir 24 that contains a liquid containing one or more ingredients (not shown) for preparing a single serving of mixed drinks. Examples of ingredients include, but are not limited to, liquid juice concentrates (e.g., lemon, lime, pink grapefruit, strawberry, pineapple), cane sugar, natural flavors, tonic water, soda water, bitters, mixed mint and other leaves, cream, eggs, spices, syrups, sugar, salt, extracts, liqueurs, and the like. For the purposes of this disclosure, the liquid containing one or more ingredients contained in the reservoir 24 of the capsule 10 is hereinafter referred to as the "liquid ingredient."

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 11, the housing 12 has a generally concave shape to facilitate nesting or stacking of multiple capsules 10 during manufacturing before the capsules are filled with ingredients and sealed (or alternatively when the cap 14 is removed and the capsules 10 have been used to prepare a single serving of mixed beverage). Also, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 11, the capsules 10 are made of any suitable recyclable material, such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and aluminum.

The peripheral edge 22 includes a flange 23 (shown in Figures 7 and 8) integrally formed with a portion of the peripheral edge 22 and extending radially away from the sidewall 20 of the housing 12, and a tab 26 (shown in Figures 7 and 8). The tab 26 facilitates a user's gripping and holding of the capsule 10 when placing the capsule 10 into the beverage capsule receptacle 106 of the machine 100. The tab 26 also facilitates insertion of the capsule 10 into the beverage capsule receptacle 106 by orienting the capsule 10 so that, upon insertion, the tab 26 is positioned within a complementary notch 154 (see Figure 6) of the beverage capsule receptacle 106. It should be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the capsule 10 may not include the flange 23 and/or the tab 26.

Attention is now directed to FIG7 , which shows a perspective view of capsule 10. Capsule 10 includes a lid 14 configured to seal the open top of housing 12. To seal the open top of housing 12, a liquid containing one or more ingredients is placed in reservoir 24, and lid 14 is placed over peripheral edge 22 and flange 23 of housing 12. The bottom surface of lid 14 is secured to peripheral edge 22 and flange 23, and any suitable adhesive is used, for example, to seal the liquid ingredients (not shown) within reservoir 24 of capsule 10 and inhibit the liquid in reservoir 24 from escaping from reservoir 24 of capsule 10. A barcode (not shown) containing the recipe for a mixed drink prepared by machine 100 using capsule 10 may be printed on lid 14 of capsule 10.

Attention is now directed to FIG8 , which depicts the capsule 10 without the cap 14. The housing 12 includes a guide configured to receive a stream of liquid injected by the injection needle 112 and direct or guide the stream of liquid toward a mixing zone within the reservoir 24 so that the stream of liquid mixes with a liquid containing one or more ingredients contained in the reservoir to prepare a single serving of a mixed beverage for dispensing from the reservoir via the dispensing needle 114 of the machine 100 when the open housing 12 is pierced by the dispensing needle 114, as described in further detail below. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG7 to FIG11 , the guide includes a channel 30 disposed within the reservoir 24. The channel 30 includes an inlet 32 (see FIG4 ) shaped and sized to receive the stream of liquid from the injection needle 112 of the machine 100. The channel 30 also includes an outlet 34 for directing or guiding the stream of liquid received from the injection needle 112 toward a mixing zone 35 within the reservoir 24 (see FIG4 ). In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 11, the channel 30 extends from near the peripheral edge 22 to the inner surface of the bottom 18 of the housing 12. The inlet 32 of the channel 30 can be radially offset from the outlet 34 of the channel 30. The channel 30 can follow the slope of the sidewall 20 of the housing 12. The inlet 32 of the channel 30 can be wider than the outlet 34 of the channel 30 (see Figure 10) to increase the flow rate of the liquid flowing from the inlet 32 through the channel 30 to the outlet 34 of the channel 30. In other embodiments, the inlet 32 of the channel 30 can be narrower than the outlet 34 of the channel 30. In other embodiments, the inlet 32 of the channel 30 and the outlet 34 of the channel 30 can have the same width. The channel 30 can also be a closed channel to increase the flow of liquid through the channel 30. The guide also includes a pair of spaced-apart blades 38 disposed adjacent the outlet 34 of the passage 30 to improve mixing of the liquid flow in the reservoir 24 with the liquid containing one or more ingredients (e.g., "liquid ingredients") to provide a single serving of mixed beverage, as described in further detail below.

It should be understood that although the guide member shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 11 includes a channel 30 and a blade 38, in other embodiments, the guide member can be any suitable structure that guides or directs the flow of liquid received from the injection needle 112 to the mixing zone 35 in the reservoir 24.

Attention is now directed to FIG9 , which depicts a perspective view of the capsule 10 as seen from below. As shown in FIG9 , the bottom 18 of the housing 12 includes a weakened portion 36 to facilitate piercing of the bottom 18 by the dispensing needle 114 of the machine 100. The weakened portion 36 is located near the mixing zone 35. The weakened portion 36 can be weakened by reducing the thickness of the bottom 18 at the weakened portion 36 to be less than the thickness of the rest of the bottom 18 or by scoring the weakened portion 36. The outlet 34 of the channel 30 is located near the weakened portion 36 (see FIG8 ). In some alternative embodiments, the weakened portion 36 can be omitted, and the bottom 18 of the housing 12 and the bottom 18 of the housing 12 can be made of a material that can be pierced by the dispensing needle 114 of the machine 100, allowing liquid from the reservoir 24 to flow into the hole 160 of the dispensing needle 114 (see FIG6 ).

Turning our attention now to Figures 6 and 9 , which illustrate the beverage capsule container 106 and the bottom 18 of the capsule 10. The bottom 18 of the capsule includes a locating member that is used to properly position the inlet 32 relative to the injection needle 112 when the capsule 10 is inserted or placed into the beverage capsule container 106. The locating member is also configured to prevent the capsule 10 from tilting within the beverage capsule container 106 when the beverage capsule container 106 is positioned therein and pierced by the injection needle 112. In the embodiment of the capsule 10 shown in Figures 7 to 11 , the locating member includes a pair of diametrically opposed fins 40 (see Figure 9 ). Each fin 40 engages with a corresponding peg 156 of the beverage capsule container 106 (see Figure 6 ). The outer surface of the passage 30 also includes a peg 42. The peg 42 is configured to engage with a corresponding member 158 of the beverage capsule container 106. The tabs 26, fins 40 and plug 42 of the capsule 10 ensure that the capsule 10 is correctly oriented within the beverage capsule container 106 when the capsule 10 is disposed within the beverage capsule container 106, and that the entrance 32 of the passage is aligned with the injection needle 112. The plug 42 is also configured to facilitate nesting of multiple capsules 10 when the lid 14 of the capsule 10 is removed.

It should be understood that although the capsule 10 shown in Figures 7 to 11 includes a pair of diametrically opposed fins 40, in alternative embodiments, the bottom 18 may include any suitable number of fins 40 that can be received within a corresponding number of slots (see Figure 6) in the beverage capsule container 106. For example, the bottom 18 may include three fins 40 or two pairs of diametrically opposed fins 40. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the plug 42 may be omitted from the capsule 10.

Attention will now be directed to FIG. 11 to describe the preparation of a single serving of mixed beverage using capsule 10. In FIG. 11 , liquid flow is depicted using solid lines, and liquid ingredients (e.g., the liquid of one or more ingredients contained within reservoir 24) are depicted using dashed lines. In FIG. 11 , the lid 14 of capsule 10 has been pierced by an injection needle 112, which is positioned using inlet 32 of channel 30. Dispensing needle 114 also pierces a weakened portion 36 of base 18 of capsule 10. To prepare a single serving of mixed beverage, a guide (e.g., inlet 32 of channel 30) receives the liquid flow injected by injection needle 112. The liquid flow flows through the channel and exits outlet 34 of channel 30. Outlet 34 and vanes 38 direct or guide the liquid flow into mixing zone 35 of reservoir 24. When the liquid stream is directed or guided into the mixing zone 35, a portion of the liquid stream is dispensed directly through the aperture 160 (see FIG. 6 ) of the dispensing needle 114 and dispensed into a beverage container (not shown) placed on the platform 134 of the base 102 of the machine 100 directly below the beverage capsule container 106. The remaining portion of the liquid stream is mixed back into the reservoir 24 in a vortex-like flow pattern to further mix with the liquid ingredients within the reservoir 24, as shown in FIG. 11 , before being dispensed through the aperture 160 (see FIG. 6 ) of the dispensing needle 114. When the machine 100 prepares a single serving of a mixed beverage, the blades 38 of the capsule 10 improve mixing of the liquid stream with the liquid containing one or more ingredients (e.g., liquid ingredients) in the reservoir 24. The blades 38 are also configured to direct or guide the liquid stream so that the vortex or flow pattern generated in the reservoir cleans the liquid from the corners of the housing 12.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 12 , which depicts a method 1200 for operating the machine 100 to prepare a single mixed beverage (e.g., a mixed alcoholic beverage). The method 1200 is performed by, for example, a software program, application, or firmware 132 executed by the processor 116 of the machine 100. Coding of the software program, application, or firmware 132 for performing the method 1200 is within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art given the present disclosure. The computer-readable code executable by the processor 116 of the machine 100 to perform the method 1200 may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, device, or apparatus (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium).

It should be emphasized that, unless otherwise indicated, method 1200 need not be executed in the exact order shown; likewise, different blocks may be executed in parallel rather than sequentially; therefore, elements of method 1200 are referred to herein as “blocks” rather than “steps.”

In the present disclosure, the machine 100 uses a recipe encoded in a barcode to make mixed drinks. Each barcode includes or encodes a unique recipe corresponding to the mixed drink. In some embodiments, the barcode includes a recipe for a mixed alcoholic beverage. Examples of mixed alcoholic beverages include, but are not limited to, a Cosmopolitan, a Manhattan, a Martini, an Old Fashioned, and the like. Each capsule 10 contains a liquid containing one or more ingredients in a reservoir 24, which are required for preparing a single mixed drink using the recipe included in the barcode. The recipe in the barcode indicates to the processor 116 which liquid to use to prepare the mixed drink, the amount of each liquid used to prepare the mixed drink (e.g., the volume of liquid used to prepare the mixed drink), and the amount of water used to prepare the mixed drink (e.g., the volume of water used to prepare the mixed drink). Optionally, the recipe also indicates which beverage container (e.g., a glass) should be placed below the beverage capsule container 106 to receive the mixed drink and whether ice should be added to the beverage container (e.g., the glass). The recipe may also include the name of the mixed drink being prepared and a cleaning cycle to be used by the machine 100 to clean or purge the tubing system 124 once a single serving of the mixed drink has been prepared using the capsule 10 .

For the purpose of illustrating the operation of machine 100, assume that machine 100 is used to prepare mixed alcoholic beverages. Container 104-1 contains gin, container 104-2 contains vodka, container 104-3 contains tequila, and container 104-4 contains rum. It is also assumed that capsule 10 includes a barcode that includes a recipe for preparing a single serving of Cosmopolitan (e.g., a mixed alcoholic beverage).

Method 1200 begins at block 1202 when a capsule 10 is placed in a beverage capsule container 106 and the processor 116 of the machine 100 detects that the machine lid 107 is closed. At block 1202, the barcode reader 120 of the machine 100 reads a barcode printed on the lid 14 of the capsule 10 and sends the barcode data read from the barcode to the processor 116 for decoding. Method 1200 then proceeds to block 1204.

At block 1204, processor 116 receives barcode data from barcode reader 120 and decodes the barcode data to obtain a recipe for preparing a single serving of mixed beverage by machine 100. In this example, the barcode includes a recipe for preparing a single serving of Cosmopolitan. Method 1200 then proceeds to block 1206.

At block 1206, the processor 116 detects a selection of one of the four selectable options presented on the display 122 of the machine 100. In response to the processor 116 detecting the selection of one of the selectable options, the method 1200 proceeds to block 1208, where the machine 100 prepares a single mixed drink containing the selected amount of alcohol according to the recipe. In this example, it is assumed that the selectable option labeled "Normal" is selected.

To prepare a single serving of Metropolitan, the injection needle 112 of the machine 100 pierces the cap 14 of the capsule 10 and aligns with the guide of the capsule 10, such that the guide receives the liquid stream injected by the injection needle 112 and directs or guides the liquid stream toward the mixing zone 35 in the capsule 10. In some embodiments, the injection needle 112 enters the inlet 32 of the channel 30, such that the inlet 32 of the channel 30 receives the liquid stream injected by the injection needle 112 and directs or guides the liquid stream toward the mixing zone 35 in the capsule 10. The dispensing needle 114 of the machine 100 also pierces the weakened portion 36 of the capsule 10 and enters the reservoir 24 of the capsule 10 near the mixing zone 35.

After injection needle 112 pierces cap 14 of capsule 10 and dispensing needle 114 pierces weakened portion 36 of capsule 10, processor 116 communicates with tubing system 124 to open valve 136, close valve 138, close valve 140, close valve 142, close air inlet valve 150, and close water valve 152. Processor 116 then turns on pump 128, which causes tubing system 124 to provide a flow of liquid containing vodka from container 104-2 via four-way connectors 144, 146, and three-way connector 148 through flow sensor 126 and pump 128 to injection needle 112. Flow sensor 126 obtains a measurement of the flow of liquid containing vodka injected into injection needle 112 and transmits the measurement to processor 116. When processor 116 determines that the measurement received from flow sensor 126 is equal to 1.5 ounces, processor 116 communicates with tubing system 124 to close valve 136 and open water valve 152. A liquid stream comprising water is then pumped from the water container 108, through the pump 128, via the four-way connectors 144, 146, and the three-way connector 148, through the flow sensor 126 and the pump 128, to the injection needle 112. The flow sensor 126 obtains a measurement of the amount of liquid stream comprising water injected into the injection needle 112 and sends the measurement to the processor 116. When the processor 116 determines that the measurement received from the flow sensor 126 is equal to the amount of water specified in the recipe read from the barcode printed on the capsule 10, the processor 116 communicates with the tubing system 124 to open the water valve 152.

Optionally, processor 116 communicates with tubing 124 to open air intake valve 150 to draw air from four-way connector 144 and three-way connector 148 and the lines connecting these connectors to minimize alcohol cross contamination when machine 100 prepares another single mixed drink.

In some embodiments, a liquid stream containing alcohol and water is introduced into the inlet 32 of the channel 30 via the injection needle 112, causing the liquid stream to flow through the channel 30. The liquid stream exits the channel 30 via the outlet 34 of the channel 30 and is guided by the blade 38 around the dispensing needle 114, which has pierced the weakened portion 36. As the liquid stream flows through the channel 30, a portion of the liquid stream is dispensed directly through the hole 160 (see FIG. 6 ) of the dispensing needle 114 and dispensed into a beverage container (not shown) placed on the platform 134 of the base 102 of the machine 100 directly below the beverage capsule container 106. The remainder of the liquid stream is directed into the mixing zone 35 to mix with the liquid containing one or more ingredients in the reservoir 24. The remainder of the liquid stream is mixed back into the reservoir 24 in a vortex pattern to further mix with the liquid ingredients within the reservoir 24 before being dispensed through the hole 160 (see FIG. 6 ) of the dispensing needle 114. When the machine 100 prepares a single serving of a mixed beverage, the blades 38 of the capsule 10 improve mixing of the liquid flow in the reservoir 24 with the liquid containing one or more ingredients (eg, liquid ingredients).

It should be understood that although the injection needle 112 and the dispensing needle 114 pierce the cap 14 and the weakened portion 36 at different times in the method 1200, in alternative embodiments of the method 1200, the injection needle 112 may pierce the cap 14 and the dispensing needle 114 may pierce the weakened portion 36 in the bottom 18 of the housing 12 at the same time. For example, the injection needle 112 may first pierce the cap 14, and after the injection needle 112 pierces the cap 14, the dispensing needle 114 may pierce the weakened portion 36. Alternatively, the dispensing needle 114 may first pierce the weakened portion 36, and after the dispensing needle 114 pierces the weakened portion 36, the injection needle 112 may pierce the cap 14.

It will also be appreciated that the shape and diameter of the passageway 30 and the rate of liquid flow injected by the injection needle 112 affect the amount of liquid flow dispensed directly into the beverage container via the aperture 160 of the dispensing needle 114 (see FIG. 6 ).

Attention is now directed to Figures 13 and 14, which depict a capsule 210 for use with machine 100, according to another non-limiting embodiment. Capsule 210 is similar to capsule 10, with similar elements being numbered likewise, but in the "200" series rather than the "10" series unless otherwise noted; this convention will be used throughout this disclosure.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, the guide member of the capsule 210 includes a vane 238 disposed proximate to the outlet 234 of the channel 300. The vane 238 is V-shaped to direct or deflect the flow of liquid exiting the outlet 234 of the channel 230 and entering the mixing zone 235 so that the liquid flows around the dispensing needle 114, through the dispensing needle 114, and back into the orifice 160 (see Figure 6) of the dispensing needle 114 for dispensing the mixed beverage from the reservoir 24. In addition to directing or deflecting the liquid flow to the mixing zone 235 to flow through the dispensing needle 114, the shape and size of the vane 238 also serve to create a vortex or flow pattern in the liquid flow that clears the liquid from the corners of the housing 212.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, a portion 202 of the bottom 218 of the reservoir 224 includes support ribs 204, which are configured to reinforce the portion 202 of the bottom 218 of the capsule 210 to inhibit bending of the capsule 10 when the capsule 210 is placed in the beverage capsule container 106 of the machine 100 and pierced by the dispensing needle 114.

Optionally, the passage 230 of the capsule 200 includes a small hole disposed near the inlet 232 of the passage 230. When the air inlet valve 150 of the machine 100 is opened to clear the lines and connectors (e.g., the four-way connector 144 and the three-way connector 148) of the machine 100, the hole acts as a deflation valve. Air, which has a relatively low viscosity and compressibility, escapes through the small hole (e.g., the deflation opening), while inhibiting the mixed beverage from escaping through the small hole. The deflation opening inhibits air from traveling down the passage 230 and bubbling back up to the top of the reservoir 224 (which would cause the liquid ingredients within the reservoir 224 to foam and result in unpleasant beverage aesthetics).

The machine 100 and capsules 10, 210 of the present disclosure are used to prepare a single serving of a mixed beverage, which is uniformly dispensed from the machine 100 into a beverage container (not shown) via the dispensing needle 114, such that the mixed beverage prepared using the machine 100 and the capsule 10 does not include any stratification of liquids in the mixed beverage (e.g., there is no color difference between different liquids in the mixed beverage).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the functionality of the machine 100 may be implemented using pre-programmed hardware or firmware elements (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.) or other related components. In other embodiments, the functionality of the machine 100 may be implemented using a computing device that has access to a code memory (not shown) storing computer-readable program code for the operation of the computing device. The computer-readable program code may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium that is fixed, tangible, and directly readable by these components (e.g., a removable disk, CD-ROM, ROM, fixed disk, USB drive). In addition, the computer-readable program may be stored as a computer program product that includes a computer-usable medium. Furthermore, a persistent storage device may include the computer-readable program code. The computer-readable program code and/or the computer-usable medium may include non-transitory computer-readable program code and/or non-transitory computer-usable medium. Alternatively, the computer-readable program code may be stored remotely but may be transmitted to these components via a modem or other interface device connected to a network (including but not limited to the Internet) via a transmission medium. The transmission medium can be a non-mobile medium (eg, optical and/or digital and/or analog communications lines) or a mobile medium (eg, microwave, infrared, free space optics or other transmission schemes), or a combination thereof.

The terms “top”, “bottom” and “horizontal” are used herein to provide reference to the orientation of the capsule when the capsule is positioned in the beverage capsule container 106 , as shown in FIG. 1 .

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many more alternative embodiments and modifications are possible, and that the above examples are merely illustrative of one or more implementations. Accordingly, the scope is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A capsule for use in a beverage machine, the capsule comprising: An open shell defines a reservoir for containing a liquid comprising one or more ingredients, the reservoir including a mixing zone adjacent to the inner surface of the closed bottom of the open shell; A cover for sealing the top of the opening of the open housing; and, A guide is disposed within a reservoir of the open housing, the reservoir being configured to receive a liquid flow injected by the injection needle of the beverage machine when the lid is pierced by the injection needle of the beverage machine and to guide the liquid flow to a mixing zone within the reservoir so that the liquid flow is mixed with the liquid contained in the reservoir, thereby preparing a single serving of mixed beverage to be dispensed from the reservoir via the dispensing needle when the dispensing needle of the beverage machine pierces the open housing; The guide includes a channel comprising: an inlet adjacent to the top of the opening for receiving the liquid flow when the injection needle injects the liquid flow; and an outlet adjacent to the mixing zone for guiding the liquid flow toward the mixing zone and returning it to the reservoir in a vortex flow pattern, wherein the inlet of the channel has a first width and the outlet has a second width less than the first width to increase the flow rate of the liquid through the channel. 2. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the guide further comprises one or more blades disposed at the bottom of the open housing for guiding the liquid flow toward the mixing zone within the reservoir. 3. The capsule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel is a closed channel. 4. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the open shell includes a sidewall, and the passage runs along the slope of the sidewall. 5. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the inlet and outlet of the channel are offset radially. 6. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the channel includes a vent near the inlet of the channel. 7. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the open shell includes positioning elements for positioning the entrance of the channel relative to the injection needle when the capsule is inserted into the beverage capsule container of the beverage machine. 8. The capsule of claim 7, wherein the positioning elements comprise a pair of radially opposing fins for positioning the entrance of the channel relative to the injection needle when the capsule is inserted into the beverage capsule container of the beverage machine. 9. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the open shell has a concave geometry for nesting the capsule within another capsule. 10. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the open shell is made of recyclable material. 11. The capsule of claim 10, wherein the recyclable material is selected from any one of the following materials: polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and aluminum. 12. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the shell includes a weak portion located in the mixing zone, the weak portion being pierced by the dispensing needle of the beverage machine. 13. The capsule of claim 12, wherein the weak portion is scored to facilitate puncture by the dispensing needle of the beverage machine. 14. The capsule of claim 12, wherein the thickness of the weak portion is less than the thickness of the bottom of the open shell to facilitate puncture by the dispensing needle of the beverage machine. 15. A beverage machine for preparing single-serving mixed beverages, the beverage machine comprising: One or more containers, each configured to contain liquid; A water container configured to hold water; A piping system configured to provide a liquid flow to an injection needle, the liquid flow comprising liquid from at least one of the one or more containers and water from the water container; A beverage capsule container configured to receive and hold a capsule as described in any one of claims 1 to 14; an injection needle for piercing the cap of the capsule and injecting the liquid flow into the capsule to prepare a single serving of mixed beverage; and, A dispensing needle is used to pierce the bottom of the capsule to dispense the mixed beverage from the capsule. 16. The beverage machine of claim 15, further comprising: A flow sensor configured to measure the amount of liquid flow provided by the piping system.