Capsule based system for preparing and dispensing a beverage
The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.
1. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a housing with a housing lid covering a capsule insertion port; a frame mounted in the housing adapted to receive a beverage capsule through the capsule insertion port,
the beverage capsule having a capsule body, rim and capsule lid and containing a beverage mix, the frame configured to engage the rim of the capsule;
a hinge attached to the frame configured to rotate the capsule body downward when the housing lid is closed causing the capsule body to crack and open along a crease located immediately below the rim;
a mixing stream nozzle positioned to inject a predetermined amount of mixing liquid into the capsule after the capsule is open;
the mixing stream nozzle positioned to then inject an additional amount of mixing liquid sufficient to force the beverage mix out of the capsule and into a beverage exit orifice;
a finishing stream nozzle positioned to inject a predetermined amount of finishing liquid into the beverage exit orifice as the beverage mix exits the capsule.
2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 wherein the mixing liquid is water.
3. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 wherein the finishing liquid is water.
4. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 wherein the mixing liquid is warmer than the finishing liquid.
5. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 wherein the mixing liquid is water of ambient temperature, and the finishing liquid is chilled water.
6. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a code reader positioned to read a code on the capsule body or capsule lid.
7. The beverage dispenser of claim 6 wherein the code is a bar code.
8. The beverage dispenser of claim 6 wherein the code is a 2-dimensional code.
9. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism in the housing adapted to dispose of the capsule after use.
10. The beverage dispenser of claim 9 wherein the mechanism crushed the capsule for disposal.
11. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 wherein the hinge rotates the capsule a maximum of 45 degrees from horizontal.
12. The beverage dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a touch screen configured to provide information to a user and receive instructions from a user.