Container for Improved Beverage Identification System and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

A system and method for dispensing a beverage into a container are provided. The system includes a liquid dispensing machine having a dispensing area capable of receiving a container, and a scanner adjacent to the dispensing area for use with the container. The container is capable of being placed in the dispensing area and includes an annular barcode indicia extending around an exterior surface of the container and centered around a generally vertical axis of the container. The scanner can read the annular barcode indicia when the container is placed in the dispensing area at any rotational orientation relative to the scanner.

1 . A container for collecting liquid dispensed from a dispensing machine comprising:
 a receptacle defined by interiors of a base and an annular wall, the receptacle having an open end and a closed end; and   annular barcode indicia extending around an exterior surface of the annular wall and centered around a generally vertical axis of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the annular barcode extends around at least one of a top, middle, or bottom portion of the annular wall. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the annular barcode extends around substantially the entire vertical length of the annular wall. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , where in the annular barcode indicia contain information related to at least one of container size, appropriate container contents, or pricing information. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the annular barcode indicia are printed on the exterior surface of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the annular barcode indicia are removably affixed to the exterior surface of the container. 
     
     
         7 . A method for using the container of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 placing the container in a dispensing area of a dispensing machine, the container having annular barcode indicia extending around an exterior surface of the container and centered around a generally vertical axis of the container;   having the annular barcode indicia scanned and evaluated by the dispensing machine, the barcode indicia being scanned regardless of the rotational orientation of the container; and   receiving liquid in the container from the dispensing machine if and only if the container is determined to be appropriate for use with the dispensing machine based on an evaluation of the scanned annular barcode indicia.   
     
     
         8 . The method for using a container described in  claim 7 , wherein the evaluation of the scanned annular barcode indicia further comprises determining whether any barcode indicia are detected. 
     
     
         9 . The method for using a container described in  claim 7 , wherein the evaluation of the scanned annular barcode indicia further comprises determining whether the container is appropriate for holding a particular type and amount of liquid. 
     
     
         10 . The method for using a container described in  claim 7 , wherein the step of having the annular barcode indicia scanned and evaluated further comprises having the annular barcode indicia located before scanning. 
     
     
         11 . The method for using a container described in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of having the annular barcode indicia scanned at a register to generate the price corresponding to the beverage in the container. 
     
     
         12 . A container for collecting liquid dispensed from a dispensing machine comprising:
 a receptacle defined by interiors of a base and an annular wall, the receptacle having an open end and a closed end; and   annular barcode indicia circumferentially placed around the middle portion of the container, wherein the annular barcode indicia are substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis.   
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the annular barcode indicia extend around substantially the entire vertical length of the annular wall. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , where in the annular barcode indicia contain information related to at least one of container size, appropriate container contents, or pricing information. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the annular barcode indicia are printed on the exterior surface of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the annular barcode indicia are removably affixed to the exterior surface of the container.