IP Library Granted Patent US 12,469,355
Granted Patent B2
US 12,469,355 · App. 18/228,887 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Automated kiosk and associated method to dispense a filled container

Inventor: Scott Paul Edwards (Menlo Park, CA)
Assignee: Drop Water Corporation
G07F13/065B65B3/00B65B3/02B65B3/045B65B7/16B65B7/2835B67B7/182G07F9/105G07F13/10C02F1/283C02F1/32C02F1/441C02F2209/008C02F2307/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,469,355
App. No.
18/228,887
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment, a method for dispensing a filled container comprises removing a single container from a stack of containers within a chassis, filling the single container with filtered water within the chassis, sealing the single container within the chassis, and dispensing the single container from the chassis. In another embodiment, a system for dispensing a filled container comprises a chassis, a stack of containers within the chassis, and an automated mechanism within the chassis to remove a single container from the stack of containers, fill the single container with filtered water, seal the single container, and dispense the single container from the chassis.

Claims (35)

1 . A method for dispensing a filled container, comprising:

removing a single container from a stack of containers within a chassis, the single container and the containers in the stack of containers each comprising a shell surrounding a bag, wherein the shells of the containers in the stack of containers are nested;

filling the bag with filtered water within the chassis;

sealing the bag within the chassis; and

dispensing the single container from the chassis.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealing comprises securing a cap on the single container.

3 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

filtering water from a source external to the chassis to generate the filtered water.

4 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

facilitating payment before the dispensing.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the containers in the stack of containers are formed of compostable materials.

6 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

chilling the filtered water.

7 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

adding an additive to the filtered water in the bag.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the additive comprises caffeine.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the additive comprises a flavor.

10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the additive comprises a health supplement.

11 . A system for dispensing a filled container, comprising:

a chassis;

a stack of containers within the chassis, each container in the stack of containers comprising a shell surrounding a bag, wherein the shells of the containers in the stack of containers are nested; and

an automated mechanism within the chassis to remove a single container comprising a shell surrounding a bag from the stack of containers, fill the bag with filtered water, seal the bag, and dispense the single container from the chassis.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the automated mechanism performs the seal operation by securing a cap on the single container.

13 . The system of claim 11 , comprising:

a filtration system to filter water from a source external to the chassis to generate the filtered water.

14 . The system of claim 11 , comprising:

a payment system to facilitate payment from a user before dispensing the single container from the chassis.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the containers in the stack of containers are formed of compostable materials.

16 . The system of claim 11 , comprising:

a chilling unit to chill the filtered water.

17 . The system of claim 11 , comprising:

a mechanism to add an additive to the filtered water in the single container.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the additive comprises caffeine.

19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the additive comprises a flavor.

20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the additive comprises a health supplement.

Continuity (5)
Continuation 16731903 · Dec 31, 2019
Continuation 15812431 · Nov 14, 2017
Continuation In Part 14242295 · Apr 1, 2014
Provisional Application 61807191 · Apr 1, 2013
Related Publication 20230377406A1 · Nov 23, 2023
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