Post-mix beverage system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9260284-B2
Application number	US-201414256735-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 18, 2014
Priority date	Aug 29, 2008
Publication date	Feb 16, 2016
Grant date	Feb 16, 2016

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The attachment mechanism may comprise an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, and a valve assembly. The engagement assembly may generally receive the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. The piercing portion may generally pierce the cartridge, thereby releasing the contents of the cartridge into the container. The valve assembly may generally open upon engagement of the cartridge with the attachment mechanism. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage.

First claim

We claim:

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising:
a container configured to hold a liquid;
an attachment mechanism coupled to the container, the attachment mechanism comprising an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, a valve, and an elevator cooperatively engaged with the valve; and
a cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mechanism at the engagement assembly, the cartridge comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, the cover being cuttable during engagement of the cartridge and the attachment mechanism, the cartridge further comprising a cap attached to the top of the first chamber;
wherein, when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the engagement assembly holds the cartridge within the attachment mechanism, the piercing portion pierces through the cover, and the valve extends into the container; and
further wherein the first chamber holds a first beverage ingredient and the second chamber holds a second beverage ingredient different than the first beverage ingredient.

2. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the cap includes a foil retainer wherein when the cartridge engages the engagement assembly, the piercing portion pushes against the foil retainer, thereby piercing the cover with the foil retainer.

3. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the valve is hinged such that, when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the elevator pushes the valve and swings the valve to an open position, leaving the cartridge cover cut and folded open.

4. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is generally a circular-shaped structure.

5. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is a foil cover.

6. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient are selected from the list comprising: syrup, paste, powder, or granules.

7. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first beverage ingredient includes a syrup and the second beverage ingredient includes a powder.

8. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the first beverage ingredient includes a syrup and the second beverage ingredient includes granules.

9. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid is non-carbonated water.

10. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 9 , wherein when the valve extends into the container, the cartridge is opened into the container thereby allowing the syrup and the powder to mix with the non-carbonated water.

11. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein when the valve extends into the container, the cartridge is opened into the container thereby allowing the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient to mix with the liquid.

12. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 7 , wherein the second beverage ingredient includes a vitamin.

13. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 7 , wherein the second beverage ingredient includes an energy boost.

14. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the container includes a release mechanism that releases the cartridge from the attachment mechanism.

15. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1 , wherein the container includes a drinking spout.

16. A beverage dispensing system comprising:
a container configured to hold a liquid;
an attachment mechanism coupled to the container, the attachment mechanism comprising an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, a valve, and an elevator cooperatively engaged with the valve; and
a cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mechanism at the engagement assembly, the cartridge comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, the cover being opened during engagement of the cartridge and the attachment mechanism, the cartridge further comprising a cap attached to the top of the first chamber, wherein the second chamber is located between the cap and the cover,
wherein when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the engagement assembly holds the cartridge within the attachment mechanism, the piercing portion pierces through the cap and the cover, and the valve extends into the container, and
further wherein the first chamber includes a first beverage ingredient and the second chamber includes a second beverage ingredient different than the first beverage ingredient, wherein when the valve extends into the container, the cartridge is opened into the container thereby allowing the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient to mix with the liquid.

17. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 16 , wherein the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient are selected from the list comprising: syrup, paste, powder, or granules.

18. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 16 , wherein the first beverage ingredient includes a syrup.

19. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 16 , wherein the second beverage ingredient includes a powder.

20. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 19 , wherein the second beverage ingredient includes a vitamin.

21. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 19 , wherein the second beverage ingredient includes an energy boost.

22. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 16 , wherein the container includes a release mechanism that releases the cartridge from the attachment mechanism.

23. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 16 , wherein the container includes a drinking spout.

24. A beverage dispensing system comprising:
a container configured to hold a liquid;
an attachment mechanism coupled to the container, the attachment mechanism comprising an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, and a valve; and
a cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mechanism at the engagement assembly, the cartridge generally circular-shaped and comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, the cover being opened during engagement of the cartridge and the attachment mechanism, the cartridge further comprising a cap attached to the top of the first chamber,
wherein when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the engagement assembly holds the cartridge within the attachment mechanism, the piercing portion pierces through the cap and the cover, and the valve extends into the container, and
further wherein the first chamber includes a syrup and the second chamber includes a powder, wherein when the valve extends into the container, the cartridge is opened into the container thereby allowing the syrup and the powder to mix with the liquid.

Assignees

• Pepsico Inc

Inventors

• Marina Carlos Hernan
• Ruiz De Gopegui Ricardo
• Enga Agnete
• Faivre D Arcier Vincent
• Connelly Tim
• Cedar Jonathan
• Fort Tucker

Classifications

• B65D81/3222

  with additional means facilitating admixture · CPC title

• B65D51/2821

  said element being a blister, a capsule or like sealed container · CPC title

• A47J31/407

  with ingredient-containing cartridges; Cartridge-perforating means · CPC title

• B67D3/0019 Primary

  using ingredient cartridges · CPC title

• B65D81/3211

  coaxially and provided with means facilitating admixture · CPC title