Capsule based system for preparing and dispensing a beverage

Abstract

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 capsule stamped from a single piece of material for use in a beverage dispenser comprising:
 a concave receptacle part for containing a drink mix, the concave receptacle part having a receptacle wall with a longitudinal axis and longitudinal dimension, a lateral axis and lateral dimension and a vertical axis and vertical dimension, the longitudinal dimension being greater than the lateral dimension;   the receptacle part having a substantially flat rim part with upper and lower surfaces surrounding an opening in the concave receptacle, the rim part having an abrupt junction with the receptacle wall and extending outward away from the opening, the rim part having longitudinal and lateral dimensions greater than the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the receptacle part;   the rim part configured to receive a flat cover disposed on the upper surface of the rim;   wherein, the lower surface of the rim part has a weakened section located at the junction between the rim part and the receptacle wall extending around the receptacle on both sides up to points located approximately one third the longitudinal dimension of the receptacle; and   wherein, the capsule is adapted to be opened by forcing the capsule downward against a protruding member or beak that engages only the bottom surface of the rim part at approximately the longitudinal centerline and continuing to mechanically force the receptacle part to pivot downward causing the rim part to tear away from the receptacle part along the weakened section.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein the weakened section is scored. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein the weakened section is a crease or groove. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein said opening approximately is oval-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein said opening is axi-symmetric. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein the concave receptacle part contains a powder. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein the concave receptacle part contains a liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein the concave receptacle part is cup-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule of  claim 1  wherein the rim part has a curled outer lip. 
     
     
         10 . A capsule stamped from a single piece of materiel for use in mixing a beverage comprising:
 a cup-shaped container part with a container wall, the container part having an opening with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the opening having a longitudinal dimension defined by a first and second longitudinal endpoints on the longitudinal axis, and having a lateral dimension defined by first and second lateral ends on the lateral axis, the longitudinal dimension being greater than a lateral dimension;   the capsule also having a flat annular rim part with a top and bottom surface extending around the opening, the bottom surface located on the plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral axes; the rim part extending outward, but not inward, from the opening; the top surface of the rim part adapted to receive a flat lid;   a weakened section in the bottom surface of the rim part where the rim part meets the container wall, the weakened section extending from either the first or second longitudinal end to approximately one third the longitudinal dimension on each side of the longitudinal axis;   the capsule adapted to be opened by engaging the bottom surface of the rim part against a fixed protruding member or beak and applying force against the capsule causing the capsule to move downward or to pivot tearing the rim part from the container part along the weakened section so that the rim part and container wall separate, whereby a stream of liquid can be delivered into the capsule causing contents to flow out of the capsule.   
     
     
         11 . The capsule of  claim 10  further comprising two weakened sections extending from both the first and second longitudinal end. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein the weakened section is scored. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein the weakened section is a crease or groove. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein said opening approximately is oval-shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein the opening is axi-symmetric. 
     
     
         16 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein the cup-shaped container contains a powder. 
     
     
         17 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein the cup-shaped container contains a liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein the cup-shaped container is cup-shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The capsule of  claim 10  wherein the flat rim has a curled outer lip. 
     
     
         20 . A capsule stamped from a single piece of material for use in mixing a beverage comprising:
 a cup-shaped container part with a container wall, the container part having an opening with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the opening having a longitudinal dimension defined by a first and second longitudinal ends on the longitudinal axis, and having a lateral dimension defined by first and second lateral ends on the lateral axis, the longitudinal dimension being greater than a lateral dimension;   the container part also having a flat annular rim part with a top and bottom surface extending around the opening, the bottom surface located on the plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral axes; the rim part extending outward, but not inward from the opening; the top surface of the flat annular rim adapted to receive a flat lid;   a weakened section in the container wall, but not in the rim part, where the container wall meets the rim part, the weakened section extending from either the first or second longitudinal end to approximately one third the longitudinal dimension on each side of the longitudinal axis;   the capsule adapted to be opened by engaging the bottom surface of the rim part against a fixed protruding member and applying force against the capsule causing the capsule to move downward or to pivot tearing the container wall along the weakened section so that the rim part and container wall separate, whereby a stream of liquid can be delivered into the capsule causing contents to flow out of the capsule.   
     
     
         21 . A capsule stamped from a single piece of materiel for use in mixing a beverage comprising:
 a cup-shaped container part with a container wall, the container part having an opening with a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the opening having a longitudinal dimension defined by a first and second longitudinal endpoints on the longitudinal axis, and having a lateral dimension defined by first and second lateral ends on the lateral axis, the longitudinal dimension being greater than a lateral dimension;   the capsule also having a flat annular rim part with a top and bottom surface extending around the opening, the bottom surface located on the plane defined by the longitudinal and lateral axes; the rim part extending outward, but not inward, from the opening; the top surface of the rim part adapted to receive a flat lid;   a weakened section in the bottom surface of the rim part where the rim part meets the container wall, the weakened section extending from either the first or second longitudinal end to approximately one third the longitudinal dimension on each side of the longitudinal axis;   the capsule adapted to be opened by clamping the rim part and applying force against the container wall causing the capsule to move downward or to pivot tearing the rim part from the container part along the weakened section so that the rim part and container wall separate, whereby a stream of liquid can be delivered into the capsule causing contents to flow out of the capsule.