This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/AU2016/050988 filed Oct. 20, 2016 which designated the U.S., the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensing a beverage and in particular to an apparatus adapted for selection and mixing of a dry mix beverage formulation and a fluid and dispensing a mixed beverage according to the selected dry mix formulation.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in methods and systems for an apparatus adapted for selection of a dry mix beverage formulation, mixing the selected formulation and dispensing a mixed beverage according to the selected dry mix formulation and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

BACKGROUND

Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in Australia or worldwide.

Known beverage dispensing apparatus or vending machines can be one of several types. They can include those that only provide pre-mixed beverages in sealed beverage containers such as bottles (typically plastic) or cans. Such vending machines are limited in the beverages they can dispense by the storage space within the apparatus for such pre-mixed, sealed beverages. Beverage selection can become problematic if a particular beverage is extremely popular at a particular site location of the apparatus, for example, post-workout beverages in a vending machine located at a gymnasium or fitness centre. The vending machine is generally required to provide a range of options of beverages for selection by a customer which disadvantageously limits the storage capacity of the vending machine for the popular beverages thus requiring multiple vending machines to be provided.

Other types of beverage dispensing apparatus include the hot beverage type vending machines. Typically they dispense a cup directly into a dispensing zone and into which are delivered fixed quantities of selected ingredients such as coffee, sugar and powdered milk. The hot water is then dispensed directly into the cup in the dispensing zone. The ingredients having been chosen using a selection means and typically simple buttons that designate the beverage and other ingredients. These types of machines do not mix the combination of ingredients and they are not provided with a sealed lid. This of course pose problems with the actual beverage which can in some situations be watery at the top of the beverage due to inadequate mixing further resulting in beverage that is very strong in the bottom of the cup. Additionally as these types of vending machines do not seal the beverage the user in attempting to collect it from the dispensing station frequently spills the contents, also pose injury risks where excess hot water can scald the user when retrieving the beverage from the dispensing zone. Other problems also arise with these types of vending machines which have limited storage capacity for cups and beverage mixtures, and limited ability to select a more complex beverage with multiple ingredients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for dispensing individual servings of a beverage. The system may comprise a beverage receptacle holder adapted for retaining a beverage receptacle (cup). The system may further comprise a plurality of dry formulation beverage mixtures. The system may further comprise selection means for selecting one or more of the beverage mixtures for the beverage. The selection means may comprise a user interface adapted to display to the user the beverage selections available from the system. The selection means may alternatively comprise a plurality of user controls adapted for selection of a particular one of the beverage selections available from the system. The system may further comprise dispensing means for measuring an individual serving quantity of said beverage mixture and for depositing said individual serving quantity into said individual beverage receptacle. The dispensing means may comprise a carousel adapted to retain a plurality of dry mix beverage formulations. The dispensing means may further comprise a dry mixing chamber for mixing a plurality of selected beverage formulations. The dispensing means may comprise a mixing agitator disposed in the dry mixing chamber for agitating and thus mixing the selected dry mix beverage formulations within the dry mixing chamber to provide an individual serving quantity of the selected beverage formulations. The dispensing means may be thermally controlled such that the selected dry mix beverage formulations are prevented from adhering to the surface of the dry mix chamber and/or the agitator. The mixing agitator may be a propeller. The system may further comprise a fluid dispensing module for depositing an individual serving quantity of a selected fluid into said beverage receptacle. The fluid may be water. The fluid may be purified water. The system may further comprise means for sealing the beverage receptacle. The system may further comprise means for mixing the individual serving quantity of said beverage mixture with the fluid to provide a mixed beverage.

According to a particular arrangement of the first aspect, there is provided a system for dispensing individual servings of a beverage, said system comprising: a beverage receptacle holder adapted for retaining a beverage receptacle; a plurality of dry formulation beverage mixtures; selection means for selecting one or more of the beverage mixtures for the beverage; dispensing means for measuring an individual serving quantity of the selected beverage mixtures and for depositing said individual serving quantity into said individual beverage receptacle; fluid dispensing module for depositing an individual serving quantity of a selected fluid into the beverage receptacle; means for sealing the beverage receptacle; and means for mixing the individual serving quantity of the beverage mixture and the fluid to provide a mixed beverage.

Preferably the selection means comprises a user interface. Preferably the user interface provides means for a user to select one or more beverage mixtures from a plurality of available beverage mixtures. If a plurality of beverage fluids are available, the selection means may further comprise means for selecting a beverage fluid from the plurality of available fluids. Preferably the user interface further provides for selecting a payment option to pay for their beverage from the group of payment options selected from the group consisting of pre-paid cards, membership cards, debit cards, credit cards, pay wave cards and software application payment (apps) installed on a smart device. Preferably the payment option can further include user beverage preferences for selecting a pre-set beverage option and recorded on the payment option.

Preferably the beverage mixture can be selected from the group comprising one or more of: a pre-workout beverage formulation; a post-workout beverage formulation; a flavouring, or powdered milk product.

Preferably the beverage fluid may comprise water and preferably purified water.

Preferably the dispensing means for measuring and dispensing an individual serving quantity of said selected beverage mixtures can include dispensing canisters. Preferably the dispensing canisters are adapted to dispense pre-determined quantities of beverage mixtures to the beverage receptacle.

Preferably the beverage receptacle holder comprises a recess adapted to receive a beverage receptacle. Preferably the beverage receptacle holder comprises an inner wall spaced from an outer wall. Preferably the inner wall comprises a plurality of apertures adapted for airflow through the inner wall into the space between the inner and outer walls. Preferably the beverage receptacle holder is fluidly connected to a vacuum air pump adapted to draw air through the plurality of apertures in the inner wall of the beverage receptacle holder. In use, the vacuum pump is preferably adapted to retain a beverage receptacle in the recess under vacuum pressure. Preferably in use, a beverage receptacle within the recess is retained therein via vacuum pressure due to operation of the air pump.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage receptacle adapted for automated mixing of a serving quantity of a dry formulation beverage mixture with a serving quantity of a fluid, the beverage receptacle comprising: a base; a substantially cylindrical body defining an inner space adapted to retain a fluid beverage therein; a plurality of mixing formations disposed within the cylindrical body and fixedly attached to an inner wall of the body and to an inner surface of the base such that, upon deposition of a serving quantity of a dry formulated beverage mixture and a serving quantity of a fluid within the body and rotation of the beverage receptacle about a central, vertically disposed axis thereof, the plurality of mixing formations provide a mixing agitation within the body thereby to mix the dry formulated beverage mixture with the fluid to obtain a mixed beverage.

Preferably the mixing formations comprise fins disposed within the body of the beverage receptacle. Alternatively the mixing formations comprise projections extending into the inner space from the inner wall of the body. Preferably the mixing formation being adapted to provide mixing agitation to a dry formulation mixture and fluid disposed within the inner space of the beverage receptacle.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage mixing arrangement comprising: a primary shaft, vertically disposed and adapted for high speed rotation or agitation about a central axis; a secondary shaft adapted to be selectively coupled to the primary shaft and adapted for high speed rotation or agitation about a central axis wherein the secondary shaft is concentrically disposed with respect to the primary shaft; a beverage receptacle holder according to the second aspect mounted to the primary shaft; wherein, in use, the beverage receptacle holder may be adapted to retain a beverage receptacle under vacuum suction, and the secondary shaft may be adapted to rotate or agitate said beverage receptacle holder thereby to mix dry and fluid phase ingredients retained in the beverage receptacle to provide a mixed beverage.

Preferably the secondary shaft is selectively magnetically coupled to the primary shaft. Preferably the secondary shaft is adapted to be coupled to the primary shaft with a selectable gearing ratio thereby to select the speed of rotation or agitation of the secondary shaft.

Preferably the mixing device is located on one or more guiding tracks such that the mixing device can be selectively moved into alignment with a dry phase ingredient dispensing apparatus and a fluid phase ingredient dispensing apparatus thereby to facilitate deposition of the dry and fluid phase ingredients into a beverage receptacle retained in the beverage receptacle holder.

Preferably the secondary shaft is adapted to move into a sealing position whereby a beverage receptacle retained in the beverage receptacle holder is able to be placed into sealing engagement with a sealing apparatus. In preferred arrangements, the sealing apparatus is adapted to descend from its rest position thereby to seal the cup prior to mixing

Preferably the secondary shaft may be adapted to move vertically into the sealing position whereby a beverage receptacle retained in the beverage receptacle holder is placed into sealing engagement with a sealing apparatus.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there provided a system for dispensing individual servings of a beverage the system comprising:(a) a rotating beverage receptacle carousal adapted to receive and hold at least one beverage receptacle;(b) a receptacle nesting arrangement adapted to store a plurality of beverage receptacles for use in the system;(c) a selection means for selecting one or more fluids for said beverage and one or more beverage mixtures for said beverage;(d) a fluid dispensing apparatus adapted to deliver at least one fluid into said beverage receptacle;(e) a beverage mixture dispensing arrangement comprising a plurality of dispensing cartridges for dispensing an individual serving quantity of at least one beverage mixture into said beverage receptacle;(f) a heat sealing arrangement for sealing said beverage receptacle after said beverage receptacle has received both the beverage mixture and fluid;(g) a beverage receptacle holding arrangement;(h) a beverage mixing arrangement for mixing the dispensed beverage mixture and fluid to provide a mixed beverage;(i) a dispensing arrangement for dispensing the mixed beverage to a user.

Preferably the beverage receptacle is adapted for automated mixing of a serving quantity of a dry formulation beverage mixture with a serving quantity of a fluid, the beverage receptacle comprising: a base; a substantially cylindrical body defining an inner space adapted to retain a fluid beverage therein; a plurality of mixing formations disposed within the cylindrical body and fixedly attached to an inner wall of the body and to an inner surface of the base such that, upon deposition of a serving quantity of a dry formulated beverage mixture and a serving quantity of a fluid within the body and rotation of the beverage receptacle about a central, vertically disposed axis thereof, the plurality of mixing formations provide a mixing agitation within the body thereby to mix the dry formulated beverage mixture with the fluid to obtain a mixed beverage.

Preferably the mixing formations comprise fins dispose within the body of the receptacle. In an alternative embodiment the mixing formations comprise projections extending into the inner space from the inner wall of the body of the receptacle and are adapted to provide mixing agitation to a fluid and dry formulation mixture disposed within the inner space.

Preferably the beverage receptacle carousal is adapted to move the at least one beverage receptacle between the receptacle nesting arrangement, fluid dispensing apparatus, beverage mixture dispensing arrangement, heat sealing arrangement and beverage receptacle holding in that order.

Preferably the receptacle nesting arrangement comprises a plurality of receptacle storage holders adapted to deliver a single cup at a time to the receptacle beverage carousal.

Preferably the beverage mixture dispensing arrangement comprises a plurality of dispensing cartridges, preferably between 10 and 15 but not limited to this range.

Preferably the heat sealing arrangement for sealing said beverage receptacle, after said beverage receptacle has received both the beverage mixture and fluid, comprises heat sealing film and a combined heat sealing and cutting apparatus, whereby when the beverage receptacle containing the mixture of beverage ingredients and fluid is located to the heat sealing arrangement by the rotating beverage receptacle carousal, the heating sealing film is applied to the beverage receptacle on its upper rim and is sealed and cut by said combined heat sealing and cutting apparatus.

Preferably the selection means comprises a user interface. Preferably the user interface provides means for a user to select one or more beverage mixtures from a plurality of available beverage mixtures. If a plurality of beverage fluids are available, the selection means may further comprise means for selecting a beverage fluid from the plurality of available fluids.

The selection means preferably comprises a user interface, for example a touchscreen interface or the like, adapted to display to the user the beverages available from the vending machine system. The selection means may alternatively comprise a plurality of user-operable controls, such as, for example, selection buttons adapted for selection of a particular one of the beverage selections available from the system.

Preferably the user interface further provide for selecting a payment option to pay for their beverage from the group of payment options selected from the group consisting of pre-paid cards, membership cards, debit cards, credit cards, pay wave cards and software application payment (apps) installed on a smart device. Preferably the payment option can further include user beverage preferences for selecting a pre-set beverage option and recorded on the payment option.

Preferably the fluid delivered by the fluid dispensing apparatus is water, more preferably purified water.

Preferably the beverage receptacle holding arrangement comprises a recess adapted to receive a beverage receptacle. Preferably the beverage receptacle holder comprises an inner wall spaced from an outer wall. Preferably the inner wall comprises a plurality of apertures adapted for airflow through the inner wall into the space between the inner and outer walls. Preferably the beverage receptacle holder is fluidly connected to a vacuum air pump adapted to draw air through the plurality of apertures in the inner wall of the beverage receptacle holder. In use, the vacuum pump is preferably adapted to retain a beverage receptacle in the recess under vacuum pressure. Preferably in use, a beverage receptacle within the recess is retained therein via vacuum pressure due to operation of the air pump.

Preferably the beverage mixing arrangement for mixing the dispensed beverage mixture and fluid to provide a mixed beverage comprises: a primary shaft, vertically disposed and adapted for high speed rotation or agitation about a central axis; a secondary shaft adapted to be selectively coupled to the primary shaft and adapted for high speed rotation or agitation about a central axis wherein the secondary shaft is concentrically disposed with respect to the primary shaft; a beverage receptacle holder according to the second aspect mounted to the primary shaft; wherein, in use, the beverage receptacle holder may be adapted to retain a beverage receptacle under vacuum suction, and the secondary shaft may be adapted to rotate or agitate said beverage receptacle holder thereby to mix dry and fluid phase ingredients retained in the beverage receptacle to provide a mixed beverage.

Preferably the secondary shaft is selectively magnetically coupled to the primary shaft. Preferably the secondary shaft is adapted to be coupled to the primary shaft with a selectable gearing ratio thereby to select the speed of rotation or agitation of the secondary shaft. Preferably the primary and/or secondary shafts are adapted singularly or in cooperation with one another to move upwardly to deliver the sealed beverage receptacle to the dispensing cavity.

In use, once the beverage management system has mixed an individual serving quantity of one or more selected dry phase beverage formulations with a selected fluid phase ingredient, the system is adapted to dispense the mixed beverage to a user.

