Pods for blender system

Abstract

A container includes a nutrient receptacle to receive contents with a closed end and an opening opposite the closed end, a lip about the opening, and at least two flaps coupled to the lip via respective flap hinges and positioned in a closed position to cover a portion of the opening. When a portion of the lip is pressed towards the closed end, the at least two flaps are configured to rotate on the respective flap hinges to an open position when engaged by another portion of the lip.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a nutrient receptacle to receive contents with a closed end and an opening opposite the closed end;   a lip about the opening; and   at least two flaps coupled to the lip via respective flap hinges and positioned in a closed position to cover a portion of the opening, wherein, when a portion of the lip is pressed towards the closed end, the at least two flaps are configured to rotate on the respective flap hinges to an open position when engaged by another portion of the lip.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lip comprises an inner lip about the opening and an outer lip about the inner lip, and wherein, when the outer lip is pressed towards the closed end, the at least two flaps rotate when engaged by the inner lip. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the outer lip is coupled to the nutrient receptacle at the inner lip via a lip hinge, such that a slot is formed between the outer lip and the inner lip. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , further comprising a rim, wherein the rim comprises an apron, wherein the apron extends orthogonally from the rim and is configured to engage the slot to couple the rim to the outer lip, and wherein the at least two flaps are coupled to the rim via the flap hinges. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the apron engages the slot with a snap-fit. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the apron comprises a ridge configured to complement a groove in the outer lip. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the lip hinge is configured such that, when the outer lip is pressed toward the closed end, the lip hinge bends to allow the outer lip to move towards the closed end. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the outer lip comprises a ledge extending away from the opening and configured to receive a force pressing the outer lip towards the closed end. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flaps are coupled to each other via a membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a removeable seal covering the at least two flaps and configured to seal the contents within the container until the seal is removed. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the seal comprises foil. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising a cover configured to cover the seal and couple to the container with a snap-fit about the lip. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flaps are four flaps. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the nutrient container has a truncated conical shape. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising container identification information. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the container identification information includes a barcode. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the container identification information comprises a near-field communication tag. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the container identification information comprises authentication information. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises bioplastic. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises of compostable materials. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flaps are two flaps.