Automated dispenser and method for dispensing

Abstract

An automated dispenser for dispensing spices, condiments, herbs, teas, ground coffees, or powdered beverages, comprising a plurality of cartridges mounted on a carrier respectively containing said items, having a dispending means with relative movement capable between said dispensing means and said cartridges. A look-up table, containing a plurality of separate, discrete dispensing programs is provided for operation of the dispensing means to dispense a particular variety of mixtures and quantities from said cartridges. When a spice blend and associated dispensing program is selected by a user, the dispensing program aligns the dispensing means relative to the cartridge carrier and cartridge, to dispense a particular quantity and, in the case of a mix, to subsequently align with other selected cartridges to provide, from said cartridges, the mix of spices, herbs, condiments, powdered beverages or ground coffees. A specialized cartridge adapted for use in said automated dispenser is also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cartridge adapted for use in an automated dispenser, for containing items selected from the group of items comprising spices, herbs, teas, condiments, powdered beverages and ground coffees, said cartridge comprising:
 two compartments, namely an upper storage chamber and a lower dispensing chamber; and   a slidable member, having a hollow portion of known fixed volume, situated at a base of said dispensing chamber, which when slidably actuated allows dispensation of a known volume of said item contained in said cartridge from the hollow portion of said cartridge.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising transparent viewing means for viewing quantities of said item remaining in said cartridge. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising unique identification means, to allow said automatic dispenser to individually uniquely identify said cartridge and its contents. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said unique identification means comprises a unique bar code or radio frequency identification chip. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said unique identification means comprises a unique structural configuration unique for a particular contents of said cartridge. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an angled interior member adapted to cause said item contained in said cartridge, when said cartridge is in a vertically-upright position, to drain downwardly and outwardly toward the hollow portion of said cartridge.