APPARATUS AND METHODS RELATING TO DISPENSATION FROM BEVERAGE MACHINES
The present invention provides a device ( 1 ), suitable for use with a beverage machine of the type comprising a code reader, the device ( 1 ) comprising: an inlet ( 40 ) for receiving, in use, heated water from a water supply of the beverage machine; and an outlet ( 43 ) through which said heated water can be dispensed; the device ( 1 ) further comprising a plurality of codes ( 19 ), each other plurality of codes ( 19 ) containing information relating to one or more dispensation parameters of the beverage machine; the device ( 1 ) being configurable by a user such that the user can choose one of the plurality of codes ( 19 ) to be read by the code reader of the beverage machine during a dispensation operation in order to set one or more dispensation parameters o the beverage machine.
1 . A device, suitable for use with a beverage machine of the type comprising a code reader, the device comprising:
an inlet for receiving, in use, heated water from a water supply of the beverage machine; and
an outlet through which said heated water can be dispensed;
the device further comprising a plurality of codes, each of the plurality of codes containing information relating to one or more dispensation parameters of the beverage machine;
the device being configurable by a user such that the user can choose one of the plurality of codes to be read by the code reader of the beverage machine during a dispensation operation in order to set one or more dispensation parameters of the beverage machine.
2 . A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is empty of beverage ingredients prior to use.
3 . A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of codes are spatially distributed on the device.
4 . A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a part of, or the whole of, the device can be disposed in a plurality of dispositions relative to the beverage machine in order to choose the one of the plurality of codes to be read by the code reader.
5 . A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device comprises a first part and a second part;
the second part comprising the plurality of codes and being movable relative to the first part to allow the user to configure the device.
6 . A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the second part is rotatable relative to the first part and the plurality of codes are circumferentially distributed on the second part.
7 . A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first part comprises a window through which the code reader of the beverage machine is enabled to read one of the plurality of codes during the dispensation operation.
8 . A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first part comprises the inlet and the outlet.
9 . A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first part further comprises a passage for conveying heated water from the inlet to the outlet.
10 . A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more dispensation parameters includes one or more of:
the volume of heated water to be dispensed;
the temperature of the heated water to be dispensed; and
the timing of dispensation of the heated water.
11 . A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of codes are a plurality of barcodes.
12 . The combination of a device as claimed in claim 1 and a beverage machine which comprises a code reader.
13 . The combination of claim 12 wherein the outlet of the device defines a discharge outlet of the beverage machine.
14 . The combination of claim 12 wherein the device is interchangeable with a cartridge piercing unit and/or a discharge spout of the beverage machine.
15 . A method of dispensing heated water from a beverage machine of the type comprising a code reader, comprising utilising a device comprising a plurality of codes in combination with the beverage machine to set one or more dispensation parameters of the beverage machine; the method comprising the steps of:
a) configuration of the device by a user to thereby select one of the plurality of codes to be read by the code reader of the beverage machine;
b) operating the beverage machine such that the code reader reads the selected code of the device to thereby set one or more dispensation parameters of the beverage machine;
c) dispensing heated water in accordance with the one or more dispensation parameters via the device into a receptacle.
16 . A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the one or more dispensation parameters includes one or more of:
the volume of heated water to be dispensed;
the temperature of the heated water to be dispensed; and
the timing of dispensation of the heated water.
17 . A refillable device, suitable for use with a beverage machine, the device comprising:
an inlet for receiving, in use, water from a water supply of the beverage machine;
an outlet through which fluid can be dispensed; and
a plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers.
18 . A refillable device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein a plurality of fluid flow paths extend from the inlet to the outlet and the plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers are located such that a fluid flow path passes through each of the refillable beverage ingredient chambers.
19 . A refillable device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the inlet is located at or near a periphery of the device, the outlet is located at or near a centre of the device and the plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers are distributed circumferentially around the outlet.
20 . A refillable device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the upstream and downstream ends of each of the plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers are defined by a barrier with one or more apertures therein.
21 . A refillable device as claimed in claim 17 comprising a first part and a second part that can be separated from one another to allow filling of beverage ingredients into the plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers and subsequently coupled together.
22 . A refillable device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers comprises main beverage ingredient chamber and a plurality of ancillary beverage ingredient chambers.
23 . The combination of a refillable device as claimed in claim 17 and one or more portions of beverage ingredients.
24 . The combination of claim 23 wherein the one or more portions of beverage ingredients are individually contained in a bag, wrapper, capsule, film or similar.
25 . The combination of claim 24 wherein the bag, wrapper, capsule, film or similar is water soluble.
26 . The combination of a refillable device as claimed in claim 17 and a beverage machine.
27 . The combination of claim 26 wherein the outlet of the device defines a discharge outlet of the beverage machine.
28 . The combination of claim 26 wherein the device is interchangeable with a cartridge piercing unit and/or a discharge spout of the beverage machine.
29 . A method of dispensing a beverage from a beverage machine, comprising utilising a refillable device comprising an inlet for receiving, in use, water from a water supply of the beverage machine; an outlet through which fluid can be dispensed; and a plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers; the method comprising the steps of:
a) opening the device;
b) filling one or more of the plurality of refillable beverage ingredients with one or more beverage ingredient portions;
c) closing the device;
d) inserting the device in the beverage machine;
e) operating the beverage machine to thereby dispense water via the plurality of refillable beverage ingredient chambers and out of the outlet of the device into a receptacle.