초록 ▼

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 mechanis

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising: a container;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; anda cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mec

1. A beverage dispensing system comprising: a container;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; anda cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mechanism at the engagement assembly, the cartridge comprising a chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, the cover being cuttable and foldable during engagement of the cartridge and the attachment mechanism, the cartridge further comprising a cap attached to the top of the chamber, 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;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; andfurther wherein the valve is hinged at one end 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. 2. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cap includes a locating feature, wherein the locating feature engages with the engagement assembly to properly position the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. 3. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the foil retainer holds the cover open without allowing the cover to close over the opening. 4. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the foil retainer has a cut-out in the shape of a cross. 5. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge is generally a circular-shaped structure. 6. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a foil cover. 7. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge holds one or more beverage ingredients. 8. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients are selected from the list comprising: syrup, paste, powder, or granules. 9. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 7, wherein the container holds a liquid. 10. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 9, wherein the liquid is non-carbonated water. 11. 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 one or more beverage ingredients to mix with the mixing solution. 12. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a first chamber and a second chamber. 13. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein the first chamber holds a first beverage ingredient and the second chamber holds a second beverage ingredient. 14. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes a vitamin. 15. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes an energy boost. 16. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a cartridge sealing portion between the cartridge and the engagement assembly. 17. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes an internal sealing portion between the piercing portion and the engagement assembly. 18. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a base sealing portion between the engagement assembly and the valve. 19. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a release mechanism that releases the cartridge from the attachment mechanism. 20. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container, such that the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism at the top of the container. 21. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container at an angle. 22. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a drinking spout. 23. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container has a hinged portion located in the middle of the container and a top portion that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism when the top portion is in the open position. 24. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the container has a hinged portion located at the top of the container and a lid that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism located in the lid. 25. A beverage dispensing system comprising: a container;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; anda cartridge adapted to engage the attachment mechanism at the engagement assembly, the cartridge being a generally circular shaped structure and comprising a chamber, an opening, and a cover located over the opening, the cover being cuttable and foldable during engagement of the cartridge and the attachment mechanism, the cartridge further comprising a cap attached to the top of the chamber, 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, and further wherein the cartridge is configured to hold one or more beverage ingredients;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 furtherwherein the valve is directly connected to the elevator such that when the cartridge is engaged with the attachment mechanism, the elevator pushes the valve to an open position, leaving the cartridge cover cut and folded open. 26. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the cap includes a locating feature wherein the locating feature engages with the engagement assembly to properly position the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. 27. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the foil retainer holds the cover open without allowing the cover to close over the opening. 28. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the foil retainer has a cut-out in the shape of a cross. 29. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the cover is a foil cover. 30. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients are selected from the list comprising: syrup, paste, powder, or granules. 31. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container holds a liquid. 32. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 31, wherein the liquid is non-carbonated water. 33. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 31, wherein when the valve extends into the container, the cartridge is opened into the container thereby allowing the one or more beverage ingredients to mix with the mixing solution. 34. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the cartridge includes a first chamber and a second chamber. 35. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 34, wherein the first chamber holds a first beverage ingredient and the second chamber holds a second beverage ingredient. 36. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 35, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes a vitamin. 37. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 35, wherein the second beverage ingredient includes an energy boost. 38. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a cartridge sealing portion between the cartridge and the engagement assembly. 39. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism includes an internal sealing portion between the piercing portion and the engagement assembly. 40. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism includes a base sealing portion between the engagement assembly and the valve. 41. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container includes a release mechanism that releases the cartridge from the attachment mechanism. 42. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container, such that the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism at the top of the container. 43. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism is located at the top of the container at an angle. 44. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container includes a drinking spout. 45. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container has a hinged portion located in the middle of the container and a top portion that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism when the top portion is in the open position. 46. The beverage dispensing system according to claim 25, wherein the container has a hinged portion located at the top of the container and a lid that swings to an open position, wherein the cartridge is inserted into the attachment mechanism located in the lid.