VENDING APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DRINKS THAT CONTAIN FRUITS OR VEGETABLES
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) from US provisional application 60/771,857 filed on February 10th, 2006, and US provisional application 60/811,166 filed on June 7th, 2006, the disclosure of which are included herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing drinks, and in particular drinks that contain a fresh fruits and/or a vegetable.
BACKGROUD AND PRIOR ART
There are many types of vending machines in the market, but vending machines designated for dispensing drinks that includes small fruit or vegetable particles and that are based on selected drink such as milk based, orange juice based or any other liquid drinks, are not yet available.
U.S patent 4,759,471 given to Takahashi suggested a process for preparing fruit juice beverages containing solid matter such as pulp materials whereas this process includes a deaeration treatment to remove air bubbles occluded in the fruit juice. This process is not needed on the one hand and the invention does not offer any embodiments for carrying out said process. Prior art vending machines provide automatic dispensers for juice extracted from a single kind of fruit or vegetable, for example, vending machines that provide citrus fruit juices which squash or grind a desired number of citrus fruits at the moment of serving. But prior art vending machines are designated for a single produce only, mostly citrus fruits, from which they extract the natural juice. Such machines are described in U.S patent 4,974,505 given to Torrisi, U.S patent 5,544,572 given to Garmendia, U.S patent 5,743,176 given to Anderson et al, U.S patent 6,234,071 given to Catarain Arregui and others.
There are non-vending machines that provide that can extract juice from just about any kind of fruit or vegetable: carrots, grenades, apples, grapes, citrus, papers, tomatoes, pears and so
on and so forth just about any fruit or vegetable or leaves or grass. These machines can separate the juice from the solid part of the fruit or vegetable. Such non- vending machines are described in U.S patent 6,968,777 given to Lin, U.S patent 6,862,982 given to Wang, U.S patent 6,397,736 given to Tseng et al, U.S patent 6,609,455 given to Fouquet and others. Thus, there is a need for and it would be advantageous to have a vending machine that can provide a user with a drink which contains fruits, vegetables, a mixture of fruits and/or vegetables, or a shake drink which contains small produce particles in measured portions mixed with a selected drinkable liquid such as milk, orange juice and so on, as well as other ingredients such as ice cream, crushed ice, sugar, etc. Making drinks/shakes that are freshly produced from multiple produce products, provides drinks/shakes enriched with multiple dietary ingredient, such as vitamins, that cannot be provided from a single fruit or vegetable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The term "produce" is used herein to refer to fruits, vegetable, fruits pieces and/or vegetable pieces. The fruits and/or vegetables can be peeled or unpeeled.
The terms "cut", "grind", "blend" and "crush" are used herein interchangeably.
The term "small particles" is used herein to refer to size of produce particles after being cut, grinded and/or crushed, the size being small enough to be drunk by a person after being mixed with any drinkable liquid. The term "blender" is used herein to refer to a mechanism for cutting, grinding and/or crushing produce items or produce pieces into small particles, as well as a mechanism for squashing and squeezing produce items or produce pieces to extract juice from the produce items or produce pieces.
According to the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles having an enclosed housing, the housing including: a) a mechanism for dispensing a cup. b) at least one produce container, which can hold one or more produce items or produce pieces. The produce can be any kind of fruit and/or vegetable. The produce container may hold a mixture of produce items and/or produce pieces. c) at least one liquid container, which can hold one or more kinds of drinkable liquids, which are selected from the group of liquids including milk, ice cream, yogurt, orange
juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks, liquid protein, any kind of juice, any kind of dairy product. d) at least one mechanism for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce or produce pieces. The cutting mechanism is selected from the group including a blender, a mixer, a grinder, and is referred to as a blender. Each produce container may be coupled with a blender. e) a mechanism for transferring the produce or produce pieces from the produce container to the at least one blender, such as a door that opens up for a preset period of time. The door can be coupled with a pipe that leads the produce from the lower end of the produce container to upper end of the blender. f) a-mechanism for transferring the small produce particles and juice from the at least one blender to the dispensed cup, such as a pipe. g) a compartment where the dispensed cup is filled with the drink produced can picked up. h) a controller for automatically initiate the drink preparation in response to a customer's selection.
The liquid container may contain a food ingredient selected from the group including sugar, powder protein, chocolate, candies. The liquid container may contain a mixture of a drinkable liquid and a food ingredient. The produce container may contain a mixture of produce items and at least one food ingredient.
According to the teachings of embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing drinks from a vending apparatus, the dispensed drink containing small produce particles. A drink selecting procedure precedes the drink production.
In a drink selecting procedure, according to the teachings of embodiments of the present invention, available drinks menu is displayed to the user. If the user selected a drink that is not available, a message is displayed to the user, who in turn can make a new selection. After a selection is made the cost is displayed to the user, who can make the payment. The vending apparatus accepts the payment and initiates the drink production. The initiation includes, but not limited to, identifying and selecting the containers containing selected produce and selected base drink, and selecting at least one blender to be used.
Once the drink selecting procedure is complete, the automatic process for producing the selected drink is ready to commence, according to the teachings of embodiments of the present invention. A cup is dispensed and place in a collecting location, such as the compartment where
the dispensed cup will be filled and picked up by the user. Selected produce or produce pieces are transferred to at least one blender. At least one selected base drink can be transferred to at least one blender or transferred to the dispensed cup. The transferred produce and or produce pieces and/or base drink and/or other food ingredients are cut, crashed and blended into juice and small particles, which are transferred to the dispensed cup. The produced drink is delivered to the user. It should be noted, that if the base drink(s) is to be transferred directly to the dispensed cup, the base drink can be transferred either before or after transferring the produce juice and small particles to the dispensed cup.
According to the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles having an enclosed housing, the housing including: a) a mechanism for dispensing a cup. b) at least two produce container, which can hold one or more produce items or produce pieces. The produce can be any kind of fruit and/or vegetable. The produce container may hold a mixture of produce items and/or produce pieces. c) at least one mechanism for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce or produce pieces. The cutting mechanism is selected from the group including a blender, a mixer, a grinder, and is referred to as a blender. Each produce container may be coupled with a blender. d) a mechanism for transferring the produce or produce pieces from the produce container to the at least one blender, such as a door that opens up for a preset period of time. The door can be coupled with a pipe that leads the produce from the lower end of the produce container to upper end of the blender. e) a mechanism for transferring the small produce particles and juice from the at least one blender to the dispensed cup, such as a pipe. f) a compartment where the dispensed cup is filled with the drink produced can picked up. g) a controller for automatically initiate the drink preparation in response to a customer's selection.
The vending apparatus may further include at least one liquid container, which can hold one or more kinds of drinkable liquids, which are selected from the group of liquids including milk, ice cream, yogurt, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks, liquid protein, any kind
of juice, any kind of dairy product. The at least one drinkable liquid is transferred to the dispensed cup by a transfer mechanism such as a pipe.
According to the teachings of an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles having an enclosed housing, the housing including: a) a mechanism for dispensing a cup. b) a mechanism for moving said dispensed cup, such as a moving belt. c) at least one produce container, said produce container comprising compartment, each of which can hold one or more produce items or produce pieces. The produce can be any kind of fruit and/or vegetable. A produce compartment may hold a mixture of produce items and/or produce pieces. d) at least one liquid container that includes compartment, each of which can hold one or more kinds of drinkable liquids, which are selected from the group of liquids including milk, ice cream, yogurt, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks, liquid protein, any kind of juice, any kind of dairy product. e) at least one blender. f) a mechanism for transferring the produce or produce pieces from a compartment of the produce container to the dispensed cup, such as a door that opens up for a preset period of time. The door can be coupled with a pipe that leads the produce from the lower end of a produce compartment to the dispensed cup. g) a compartment where said dispensed cup is filled with the drink produced can picked up. h) a controller for automatically initiate the drink preparation in response to a customer's selection.
A liquid compartment may contain a food ingredient selected from the group including sugar, powder protein, chocolate, candies. The liquid compartment may contain a mixture of a drinkable liquid and a food ingredient. A produce compartment may contain a mixture of produce items and at least one food ingredient.
In embodiments of the present invention, a liquid container or a liquid compartment may contain water or other cleaning liquids to clean at least one blender. A blender may also include
mechanism to remove and collect waist, such as peelings, seeds and other solid waist and pulp, from the blender.
In embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the vending apparatus housing is refrigerated and other portions of the housing can be served as freezers to preserve various food ingredients. At least a portion the housing walls is made of clear materials, such as glass, and thereby transmitting substantially all wave length of light through the clear housing walls portions.
In embodiments of the present invention, the mechanism for transferring the produce or produce pieces from the produce container or produce compartment to the blender or to the dispensed cup can be a picker, such as a moving arm including a grabbing mechanism.
In embodiments of the present invention, the mechanism for transferring the produce or produce pieces from the produce container or produce compartment to the blender can be a pushing mechanism, wherein the pushing mechanism pushes the produce upwards by some pushing mechanism, such as a piston, into the blender or the dispensed cup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, whereas each produce container is coupled with a blender.
FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus as in Figure 1, according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, whereas one blender serves all ingredients.
FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus as in Figure 3, according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, whereas multiple blenders serve multiple containers.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, the drink being mixed in the serving cup.
FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus as in Figure 6, according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles, according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus as in Figure 8, according to embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a vending apparatus for selectively dispensing drinks that contain a mixture of fresh produce, containing ingredients from multiple produce products. The dispensing drink or shake-drink contains small produce particles in measured portions that can be mixed with a selected drinkable liquid such as milk, orange juice and so on, as well as other ingredients such as yogurt, ice cream, crushed ice, sugar, etc.
It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment of the present invention drinks are produced from fresh produce products, but the present invention is not limited to fresh produce products and preserved produce products cat also be used and are within the scope of the present invention.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided ,so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The methods and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
A first embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1 which is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus 100 for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, the drink being mixed in a blender.
Vending apparatus 100 includes a housing 102 which contains: a) a compartment 10 for holding dispensable cups 11; b) at least one container 120 which holds a fresh produce product or produce pieces. Relevant produce products will be peeled off before filling the containers. A produce container may also be mixed with ice. The number of containers 120 is limited only by the space in housing 102; c) at least one container 120 which holds a base drink such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks or any other liquid drink; d) optionally, one or more containers 120 may hold other ingredients such as sugar, powder or liquid protein or any other ingredient for mixing purposes; e) optionally, one or more containers 120 can hold water for cleaning purposes; f) each produce container 120 is coupled with a blender (30, 40, 50) for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce into small particles; g) mechanism 140 for transferring the juices and small produce particles from blenders 30, 40 and/or 50 into cup 11; h) optionally, a cleaning mechanism to clean each blender (30, 40, 50); i) a mechanism for moving the fresh produce/produce-pieces into a selected blender;
j) optionally, a mechanism 170 for collecting from a blender produce waist such as peelings, seeds and other solid waist and pulp; k) a dispensing compartment 180 for the customer to pick cup 11 with the drink he selected, when ready; and 1) a control panel 190 for the customer to operate the apparatus, which can be activated from the outside, normally by a customer who pays for the drink by coins, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash.
Internal space 105 of vending apparatus 100 is at least partially refrigerated to preserve the freshness of the various ingredients, and some of internal space 105 can be a freezer. The front and other portions of housing 102 walls can optionally be made of clear material, such as glass, to allow the customer and passers-by to watch the drink being prepared.
The process of operating a vending apparatus 100 for dispensing drinks that contains fresh produce products will now be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus 100 as in Figure 1, according to embodiments of the present invention.
To operate vending apparatus 100, available drinks or drink-shakes containing mixtures of produce products are displayed on massage screen payment control box 190, in steps 720 and 722. A user starts process 700 of making a drink of his selection when the user goes through the preprocess steps of making the drink selection, the preprocess steps are finalized when the user makes a payment in step 740. Process 700 then proceeds automatically to produce the selected drink. Process 700 includes the following steps:
Preprocess steps: Step 710 - The user selects a juice or a shake from available mixtures of produce products via payment control box 190, which are displayed in steps 720 and 722. Steps 721/723 - If the user selection is not in stock, an appropriate message is displayed in step
730 and the user can make a new drink selection in step 710. Step 740 - the user makes the payment via control box 190 or pushes a start button or any other mechanism a like.
Process steps:
Once payment is accepted by vending apparatus 100, an automatic cycle of producing the selected drink begins.
Step 750 - a single cup 11 drops into dispensing compartment 180.
Step 760 - each produce-product/produce-pieces selected in step 710 is transferred from produce containers 125, 126 and/or 127 into a coupling blender 30, 40 and/or 50, respectively.
Each container 120 includes an opening mechanism (131, 132, 135, 136 and 137) which operates to transfer the selected produce from the produce container 120 into the container coupled blender. For example, the opening mechanism may include a door that opens and the produce drops into the blender just below the container 120. Step 770 — a measured amount of liquid, such as milk or orange juice and the like, is transferred to at least one blender. The liquid can be added a few seconds before the transfer of the produce, along with the produce or a few seconds after the produce has been transferred.
Step 780 - each blender 30, 40 and/or 50 containing at least one produce. The blender grinds the produce into small particles, while mixing the small particles with the liquid, if added to the blender.
Step 785 - each blender 30, 40 and/or 50 optionally contains a waist removal mechanism operatively attached to a waist disposal 170, to remove any produce waist from each blender, as needed. Step 790 - the blended juice from each blender 30, 40 and/or 50 is transferred to cup 11 in dispensing compartment 180 by a transfer mechanism 140. The client may need to open a door 182 in order to reach into compartment 180 and pick up cup 11 with the produced drink or shake.
Step 795 - each blender 30, 40 and/or 50 is optionally cleaned by some cleaning mechanism, as needed. The cleaning mechanism may include a container 120 which is filled with cleaning liquid such as water, which washes the blenders and the waist is collected by waist removal mechanism 170.
Step 799 - the vending apparatus 100 enters a wait state, ready for the next drink producing cycle.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 120 may contain a mixture of produce products, for example, a mixture of bananas and strawberries, a mixture of bananas,
melons and strawberries, a mixture of melons and strawberries, a mixture of pineapple and melon pieces, a mixture of orange pieces and kiwi, and so on and so forth.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 120 may contain a mixture of ingredients, for example, milk and sugar, orange juice and sugar, sugar and protein and so on and so forth.
Example 1 ;
A client selects a Banana Strawberry shake based on milk and sugar. Container 125 contains strawberries and container 126 contains banana pieces. Container 121 contains milk and container 122 contains sugar. Opening mechanisms 131, 132, 135 and 136 of containers 121, 122, 125 and 126 respectively, open-up for a preset period of time. Banana pieces are transferred to blender 40, strawberries are transferred to blender 30, a pre measured amount of milk is transferred to blenders 30 and 40, and a pre measured amount of sugar is transferred to blender 40. Blenders 30 and 40 are operated to grind and blend the mixtures blenders 30 and 40 contain. After a preset period of time the blended mixtures from blenders 30 and 40 are transferred to cup 11 in dispensing compartment 180 by a transfer mechanism 140. The banana strawberry shake is ready inside cup 11.
Example 2;
A client selects a Banana Strawberry shake based on milk and sugar. Container 126 contains a mixture of banana pieces and strawberries. Container 122 contains a mixture of milk and sugar. Opening mechanisms 132 and 136 of containers 122 and 126 respectively, open up for a preset period of time, and banana pieces, strawberries and a mixture of milk and sugar are transferred to blender 40. Blender 40 is operated to grind and blend the mixture of banana pieces, strawberries, milk and sugar. After a preset period of time the banana strawberry shake is ready in blender 40 and is transferred to cup 11 in dispensing compartment 180 by a transfer mechanism 140.
A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 3 which is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus 200 for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, the drink being mixed in a blender.
Vending apparatus 200 includes a housing 202 which contains:
a) a compartment 10 for holding dispensable cups 11; b) at least one container 220 which holds a fresh produce product or produce pieces. Relevant produce products will be peeled off before filling the containers. A produce container may also be mixed with ice. The number of containers 220 is limited only by the space in housing 202; c) at least one container 220 which holds a base drink such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks or any other liquid drink; d) optionally, one or more containers 220 may hold other ingredients such as sugar, powder or liquid protein or any other ingredient for mixing purposes; e) optionally, one or more containers 220 can hold water for cleaning purposes; f) a blender 30 for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce into small particles, thereby producing a drinkable drink or shake; g) mechanism 240 for transferring the mixed drink from blender 30 into cup 11; h) optionally, a cleaning mechanism blender 30; i) optionally, a mechanism for moving the fresh produce/produce-pieces into blender 30; j) optionally, a mechanism 270 for collecting from blender 30 produce waist such as peelings, seeds and other solid waist and pulp; k) a dispensing compartment 280 for the customer to pick cup 11 with the drink he selected, when ready; and 1) a control panel 290 for the customer to operate the apparatus, which can be activated from the outside, normally by a customer who pays for the drink by coins, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash.
Internal space 205 of vending apparatus 200 is at least partially refrigerated to preserve the freshness of the various ingredients, and some of internal space 205 can be a freezer. The front and other portions of housing 202 walls can optionally be made of clear material, such as glass, to allow the customer and passers-by to watch the drink being prepared.
The process of operating a vending apparatus 200 for dispensing drinks that contains fresh produce products will now be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus 200 as in Figure 3, according to embodiments of the present invention.
To operate vending apparatus 200, available drinks or drink-shakes containing mixtures of produce products are displayed on massage screen payment control box 290, in steps 725 and 727. A user starts process 701 of making a drink of his selection when the user goes through the preprocess steps of making the drink selection, the preprocess steps are finalized when the user makes a payment in step 741. Process 701 then proceeds automatically to produce the selected drink. Process 701 includes the following steps:
Preprocess steps:
Step 711 - The user selects a juice from available mixtures of produce products via payment control box 290, which are displayed in steps 725 and 727.
Steps 726/728 - If the user selection is not in stock, an appropriate message is displayed in step
731 and the user can make a new drink selection in step 711.
Step 741 - the user makes the payment via control box 290 or pushes a start button or any other mechanism a like.
Process steps:
Once payment is accepted by vending apparatus 200, an automatic cycle of producing the selected drink begins. Step 751 - a single cup 11 drops into dispensing compartment 280. Step 761 - each produce-product/produce-pieces selected in step 711 is transferred from the produce container 225, 226 and/or 227 into a blender 30. Each container 220 includes an opening mechanism (231, 232, 235, 236 and 237) which operates to transfer the selected produce from the produce container 220 into blender 30. For example, the opening mechanism may include a door that opens and the produce drops into a pipe or tunnel that leads to blender 30.
Step 771 - if selected, a measured amount of liquid, such as orange juice, beverage and the like, is transferred to blender 30. The liquid can be added a few seconds before the transfer of the produce, along with the produce or a few seconds after the produce has been transferred. Step 781 - blender 30 grinds the produce into small particles, while mixing it with the liquid if added to blender 30.
Step 786 - blender 30 optionally contains a waist removal mechanism operatively attached to a waist disposal 270, to remove any produce waist from blender 30, as needed.
Step 791 - the blended juice from blender 30 is transferred to cup 11 in dispensing compartment
280 by a transfer mechanism 240. The client may need to open a door 282 in order to reach into compartment 280 and pick up cup 11 with the produced drink.
Step 796 — blender 30 is optionally cleaned by some cleaning mechanism, as needed. The cleaning mechanism may include a container 220 which is filled with cleaning liquid such as water, which washes blender 30 and the waist is collected by waist removal mechanism 270.
Step 798 - the vending apparatus 200 enters a wait state, ready for the next drink producing cycle.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 220 may contain a mixture of produce products, for example, a mixture of bananas and strawberries, a mixture of bananas, melons and strawberries, a mixture of melons and strawberries, a mixture of pineapple and melon pieces, a mixture of orange pieces and kiwi, and so on and so forth.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 220 may contain a mixture of ingredients, for example, orange juice and sugar, sugar and protein and so on and so forth.
Example 3;
A client selects a Banana Strawberry shake based on milk and sugar. Container 225 contains strawberries and container 226 contains banana pieces. Container 221 contains milk and container 222 contains sugar. Opening mechanisms 231, 232, 235 and 236 of containers 221, 222, 225 and 226 respectively, open-up for a preset period of time. Banana pieces and strawberries are transferred to blender 30. A pre measured amount of milk and a pre measured amount of sugar is transferred to blender 30. Blender 30 is operated to grind and blend the mixtures blender 30 contains. After a preset period of time the blended mixtures from blender 30 is transferred to cup 11 in dispensing compartment 280 by a transfer mechanism 240. The banana strawberry shake is ready inside cup 11.
Example 4;
A client selects a Banana Strawberry shake based on milk and sugar. Container 226 contains a mixture of bananas and strawberries. Container 222 contains a mixture of milk and sugar. Opening mechanisms 232 and 236 of containers 222 and 226 respectively, open up for a preset period of time, and banana pieces, strawberries and a mixture of milk and sugar are
transferred to blender 30. Blender 30 is operated to grind and blend the mixture of banana pieces, strawberries, milk and sugar. After a preset period of time the banana strawberry shake is ready in blender 30 and is transferred to cup 11 in dispensing compartment 280 by a transfer mechanism 240.
Another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 5 which is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus 300 for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, whereas multiple blenders can serve multiple containers.
Vending apparatus 300 includes a housing 302 which contains: a) a compartment 10 for holding dispensable cups 11; b) K containers 320 which hold fresh produce product or produce pieces. Relevant produce products will be peeled off before inserting into the containers. A produce container may also be mixed with ice. The number of containers 320 is limited only by the space in housing 302; c) N-K containers 320 which hold base drinks such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks or any other liquid drink; d) optionally, one or more containers 320 may hold other ingredients such as sugar, powder or liquid protein or any other ingredient for mixing purposes; e) optionally, one or more containers 320 can hold water for cleaning purposes; f) M blenders (30, 40, 50) for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce into small particles; g) mechanisms 340 and optionally 341 for transferring the juices and small produce particles from blenders 30, 40 and/or 50 and optionally from containers 320 which hold selected base liquids and/or ingredients into cup 11; h) optionally, a cleaning mechanism to clean each blender (30, 40, 50); i) optionally, a mechanism for moving the fresh produce/produce-pieces into a selected blender; j) optionally, a mechanism 370 for collecting from a blender produce waist such as peelings, seeds and other solid waist and pulp; k) a dispensing compartment 380 for the customer to pick cup 11 with the drink he selected, when ready; and
1) a control panel 390 for the customer to operate the apparatus, which can be activated from the outside, normally by a customer who pays for the drink by coins, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash.
Internal space 305 of vending apparatus 300 is at least partially refrigerated to preserve the freshness of the various ingredients, and some of internal space 305 can be a freezer. The front and other portions of housing 302 walls can optionally be made of clear material, such as glass, to allow the customer and passers-by to watch the drink being prepared. A user selects a drink of his choice similarly to the pre process selection as described in processes 700 and 701. Containers 320 may contain non-mixed or mixed ingredients. In vending apparatus 300, some or all N containers 320 are connected to all M blenders. Hence, ingredients can be transferred to any blender.
Another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 6 which is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus 400 for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, the drinks being mixed in the serving cup.
Vending apparatus 400 includes a housing 402 which contains: a) a compartment 10 for holding dispensable cups 11; b) at least two containers 420, each holding fresh produce product or produce pieces. Relevant produce products will be peeled off before filling the containers. A produce container may also be mixed with ice; c) optionally, one or more containers 420 may hold a drink such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks or any other liquid drink; d) optionally, one or more containers 420 may hold other ingredients such as sugar, powder or liquid protein or any other ingredient for mixing purposes; e) optionally, one or more containers 420 can hold water for cleaning purposes; f) each produce container 420 is coupled with a blender (30, 40, 50) for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce into small particles. The blender includes a mechanism for pushing in the produce pieces; g) mechanisms 445, 446, 447 and 441 for transferring the juices and small produce particles from blenders 30, 40 and/or 50 and from liquid containers 321 into cup 11; h) optionally, a cleaning mechanism to clean each blender (30, 40, 50); i) optionally, a pressing mechanism (455, 456, 457) for pushing produce items against the cutting mechanism; j) optionally, a mechanism 470 for collecting from blender 30 produce waist such as peelings, seeds and other solid waist and pulp;
k) a dispensing compartment 480 for the customer to pick cup 11 with the drink he selected, when ready; and
1) a control panel 490 for the customer to operate the apparatus, which can be activated from the outside, normally by a customer who pays for the drink by coins, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash.
Internal space 405 of vending apparatus 400 is at least partially refrigerated to preserve the freshness of the various ingredients, and some of internal space 405 can be a freezer. The front and other portions of housing 402 walls can optionally be made of clear material, such as glass, to allow the customer and passers-by to watch the drink being prepared.
The process of operating a vending apparatus 400 for dispensing drinks that contains fresh produce products will now be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus 400 as in Figure 6, according to embodiments of the present invention.
To operate vending apparatus 400, available drinks or drink-shakes containing mixtures of produce products are displayed on massage screen payment control box 490, in steps 820 and 822. A user starts process 800 of making a drink of his selection when the user goes through the preprocess steps of making the drink selection, the preprocess steps are finalized when the user makes a payment in step 840. Process 800 then proceeds automatically to produce the selected drink. Process 800 includes the following steps:
Preprocess steps:
Step 810 - The user selects a juice or a shake from available mixtures of produce products via payment control box 490, which are displayed in steps 820 and 822.
Steps 821/823 - If the user selection is not in stock, an appropriate message is displayed in step
830 and the user can make a new drink selection in step 810. Step 840 - the user makes the payment via control box 490 or pushes a start button or any other mechanism a like.
Process steps:
Once payment is accepted by vending apparatus 400, an automatic cycle of producing the selected drink begins.
Step 850 - a single cup 11 drops into dispensing compartment 480.
Step 860 - each produce-product/produce-pieces selected in step 810 is transferred from the produce container 425, 426 and/or 427 into a coupling blender 30, 40 and/or 50, respectively. Each container 420 includes an opening mechanism (435, 436 and 437) which operates to transfer the selected produce from the produce container 420 into the container coupled blender. For example, the opening mechanism may include a door that opens and the produce drops into the blender just below the container 420.
Step 870 - each blender containing at least one produce. The blender grinds the produce into small particles, while mixing it with the liquid if added to the blender. Step 875 - each blender optionally contains a waist removal mechanism operatively attached to a waist disposal 470, to remove any produce waist from each blender, as needed. Step 880 - the blended juice from each blender is transferred to serving cup 11 in dispensing compartment 480 by a transfer mechanism (445, 446 and 447).
Step 890 - if selected, a measured amount of liquid, such as orange juice or beverage and the like is transferred from container 421 by transfer mechanism 441 to cup 11. The liquid can be added a few seconds before the transfer of the juice from the blenders, along with the juice from the blenders or a few seconds after the juice from the blenders has been transferred. The client may need to open a door 482 in order to reach into compartment 480 and pick up cup 11 with the produced drink. Step 895 - each blender is optionally cleaned by some cleaning mechanism, as needed. The cleaning mechanism may include a container 420 which is filled with cleaning liquid such as water, which washes the blenders and the waist is collected by waist removal mechanism 470.
Step 899 - the vending apparatus 400 enters a wait state, ready for the next drink producing cycle.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 420 may contain a mixture of produce products, for example, a mixture of bananas and strawberries, a mixture of bananas, melons and strawberries, a mixture of carrot pieces and apple pieces, a mixture of pineapple and melon pieces, a mixture of orange pieces and kiwi, and so on and so forth.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 120 may contain a mixture of ingredients, for example, milk and sugar, orange juice and sugar, sugar and protein and so on and so forth.
Example 5:
A client selects a carrot, apple and orange juice drink. Container 425 contains carrot pieces and container 426 contains apples. Container 421 contains orange juice. Opening mechanisms 435 and 436 of containers 425 and 426 respectively, open-up for a preset period of time. Carrot pieces are transferred to blender 30 and apple(s) are transferred to blender 40. Blender 30 is operated to grind carrot pieces and blender 40 is operated to grind apple pieces. After a preset period of time the juices from blenders 30 and 40 are transferred by corresponding transfer mechanism 445 and 446 to serving cup 11 in dispensing compartment 480. Opening mechanism 431 opens up for a preset period of time and a pre measured amount of orange juice is also transferred by transfer mechanism 441 to serving cup 11. The carrot, apple and orange juice is ready inside cup 11.
Example 6:
A client selects a carrot and orange juice drink. Container 426 contains a mixture of carrot pieces and apple pieces. Container 421 contains orange juice. Opening mechanism 436 of container 426 respectively, opens up for a preset period of time, and a pre measured of apple pieces and carrot pieces are transferred to blender 30. Blender 30 is operated to grind carrot pieces. After a preset period of time the carrot juice is transferred by a transfer mechanism 446 to serving cup 11 in dispensing compartment 480. Opening mechanism 431 of container 421 opens up for a preset period of time and a pre measured amount of orange juice is also transferred by transfer mechanism 441 to serving cup 11. The carrot and orange juice is ready inside cup 11.
Another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 8 which is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus 500 for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, the drink being mixed by a blender 540.
Vending apparatus 500 includes a housing 102 which contains: a) a compartment 10 for holding dispensable cups 11; b) a cup moving mechanism to move cup 11 to different service stations of vending apparatus 500, for example, a moving belt 570. c) at least one container assembly 520 with multiple containers for holding a produce or produce pieces or a mix of produce products. Relevant produce products will be peeled
off before filling the containers. A produce container may also be mixed with ice.
Container assembly 520 can turn about its axis in direction 525, such that a container with selected produce is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11; d) at least one container assembly 530 with multiple containers for holding liquids such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks or any other liquid drink.
Container assembly 530 can turn about its axis in direction 535, such that a container with selected liquid or ingredient is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11; e) optionally, one or more containers of container assembly 530 may hold other ingredients such as sugar, powder or liquid protein, raisins or any other ingredient for mixing purposes; f) optionally, one or more containers of container assembly 530 can hold water for cleaning purposes; g) a blender 540 for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce into small particles, thereby producing a drinkable drink or shake. Blender 540 is operated by motor 542; h) optionally, a cleaning mechanism 550 for cleaning blender 540; i) optionally, a mechanism for moving the produce/produce-pieces into cup 11; j) a dispensing compartment 580 for the customer to pick cup 11 with the drink he selected, when ready. The compartment 580 may include a door 560 for cup 11 to enter compartment 580; and k) a control panel 590 for the customer to operate the apparatus, which can be activated from the outside, normally by a customer who pays for the drink by coins, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash.
Internal space 505 of vending apparatus 500 is at least partially refrigerated to preserve the freshness of the various ingredients, and some of internal space 505 can be a freezer. The front and other portions of housing 502 walls can optionally be made of clear material, such as glass, to allow the customer and passers-by to watch the drink being prepared.
The process of operating a vending apparatus 500 for dispensing drinks that contains fresh produce products will now be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is also a schematic flow diagram showing the successive steps taken, from purchasing till the delivery of a drink, performed on vending apparatus 500 as in Figure 8, according to embodiments of the present invention.
To operate vending apparatus 500, available drinks or drink-shakes containing mixtures of produce products are displayed on massage screen payment control box 590, in steps 920 and 922. A user starts process 900 of making a drink of his selection when the user goes through the preprocess steps of making the drink selection, the preprocess steps are finalized when the user makes a payment in step 940. Process 900 then proceeds automatically to produce the selected drink. Process 900 includes the following steps:
Preprocess steps;
Step 910 - The user selects a juice or a shake from available mixtures of produce products via payment control box 590, which are displayed in steps 920 and 922.
Steps 921/923 - If the user selection is not in stock, an appropriate message is displayed in step 930 and the user can make a new drink selection in step 910.
Step 940 - the user makes the payment via control box 590 or pushes a start button or any other mechanism a like.
Process steps:
Once payment is accepted by vending apparatus 500, an automatic cycle of producing the selected drink begins. Step 950 - a single cup 11 drops onto moving belt 570 (station 571). Cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to next station, station 572.
Step 960 - each produce-product/produce-pieces selected in step 910 is transferred from the produce container 520a, 520b, 520c, etc. into cup 11. Container assembly 520 turns in direction 525 such that each container with selected produce is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Each container (520a, 520b, 520c, etc.) includes an opening mechanism 521, which operates to transfer the selected produce from the selected produce container into cup 11. For example, the opening mechanism 521 may include a door that opens and a pre measured quantity of the selected produce drops into cup 11. Once all selected produce are in cup 11, cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to next station, station 573. Step 970 - a measured amount of liquid, such as milk or orange juice and the like, is transferred from the liquid/ingredient container (530a, 530b, 530c, etc.) to cup 11. Container assembly 530 turns in direction 535 such that each container with selected liquid/ingredient is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above
serving cup 11. Each container (530a, 530b, 530c, etc.) includes an opening mechanism 531, which operates to transfer the selected liquid/ingredient from the selected liquid/ingredient container into cup 11. For example, the opening mechanism
531 may include a door that opens and a pre measured amount of the selected liquid/ingredient drops into cup 11. Once all selected liquid/ingredients are in cup 11, cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to next station, station 574.
Step 980 - blender 540 grinds the produce into small particles, while mixing the small particles with the liquid, if added to cup 11. After a preset amount of time, cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to next station, station 575, which is in dispensing compartment 580. Step 990 - the client may need to open a door 582 in order to reach into compartment 580 and pick up cup 11 with the-produced drink or shake.
Step 995 - each blender is optionally cleaned by some cleaning mechanism, as needed. The cleaning mechanism may include a container in container assembly 530 or 520, which is filled with cleaning liquid such as water, which enables washing blender 540.
Step 999 - the vending apparatus 500 enters a wait state, ready for the next drink producing cycle.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 520 may contain a mixture of produce products, for example, a mixture of bananas and strawberries, a mixture of bananas, melons and strawberries, a mixture of melons and strawberries, a mixture of carrot and apple, a mixture of pineapple and melon pieces, a mixture of orange pieces and kiwi, and so on and so forth.
In embodiments of the present invention, a container 520 may contain a mixture of ingredients, for example, milk and sugar, orange juice and sugar, sugar and protein and so on and so forth.
Example 7:
A client selects a Banana Strawberry shake based on milk and sugar. Container 520a contains strawberries and container 520b contains banana pieces. Container 530a contains milk and container 530b contains sugar. Once cup 11 is in station 572, container assembly 520 turns such that the container holding strawberries is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Opening mechanism 521 opens up for a preset period of time and
strawberries are transferred into cup 11. Container assembly 520 turns such that the container holding banana pieces is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Opening mechanism 521 opens up for a preset period of time and banana pieces are transferred into cup 11. Cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to station 573.
Container assembly 530 turns such that the container holding milk is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Opening mechanism 531 opens up for a preset period of time and milk is transferred into cup 11. Container assembly 530 turns such that the container holding sugar is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Opening mechanism 531 opens up for a preset period of time and sugar is transferred into cup 11. Cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to station 574.
Blender 540 is operated to move (in direction 545) into cup 11, grind-and blend the mixtures in cup 11. After a preset period of time, cup 11 is moved into dispensing compartment 580 by moving belt 570. The banana strawberry shake is ready inside cup 11.
Example 8:
A client selects a Banana Strawberry shake based on milk and sugar. Container 520a contains a mixture of banana pieces and strawberries. Container 530a contains milk and sugar. Once cup 11 is in station 572, container assembly 520 turns such that container 520a is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Opening mechanism 521 opens up for a preset period of time and the mixture of banana pieces and strawberries is transferred into cup 11. Cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to station 573.
Container assembly 530 turns such that the container holding milk and sugar is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Opening mechanism 531 opens up for a preset period of time and the mixture of milk and sugar is transferred into cup 11. Cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to station 574.
Blender 540 is operated to move (in direction 545) into cup 11, grind and blend the mixtures in cup 11. After a preset period of time, cup 11 is moved into dispensing compartment 580 by moving belt 570. The banana strawberry shake is ready inside cup 11.
In another embodiment of the present invention, station 574 precedes station 573. Hence lender 540 is operated to move (in direction 545) into cup 11, grind and blend the mixture of produce only that is in cup 11. Cup 11 is then moved by moving belt 570 to station 573. Container assembly 530 turns such that the container holding milk and sugar is positioned in
alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. Opening mechanism 531 opens up for a preset period of time and the mixture of milk and sugar is transferred into cup 11. Cup 11 is moved by moving belt 570 to a station where the juice mixture in cup 11 is mixed. Cup 11 is then moved into dispensing compartment 580 by moving belt 570. The banana strawberry shake is ready inside cup 11.
In another embodiment of the present invention, containers 520 and 530 of vending apparatus 500 are merged into a single container that includes compartments for all types of ingredients.
In another embodiment of the present invention, container 10 and container assemblies 520 and 530 of vending apparatus 500 are merged into a single container assembly that includes compartments for all types of ingredients, as well as a special compartment for cups 11.
Another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 10 which is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus 501 for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention, the drink being mixed by a blender 541.
Vending apparatus 501 includes a housing 503 which contains: a) a compartment for holding dispensable cups 11; b) at least one container assembly 523 with multiple containers for holding a produce or produce pieces or a mix of produce products. Relevant produce products will be peeled off before filling the containers. A produce container may also be mixed with ice. Container assembly 523 can turn about its axis in direction 526, such that a container with selected produce is positioned in alignment with blender 541, for example, just above blender 541; c) optionally, one or more containers of container assembly 523 may hold liquids such as milk, yogurt, ice cream, orange juice, beverage, coffee, alcoholic drinks or any other liquid drink. d) optionally, one or more containers of container assembly 523 may hold other ingredients such as sugar, powder or liquid protein, raisins or any other ingredient for mixing purposes; e) optionally, one or more containers of container assembly 523 can hold water for cleaning purposes; f) a blender 541 for cutting, grinding and/or crushing the produce into small particles, thereby producing a drinkable drink or shake; g) optionally, a cleaning mechanism for cleaning blender 541;
h) optionally, a mechanism for moving the produce/produce-pieces from a selected container of container assembly 523 into blender 541; i) a mechanism for moving the blended juice from blender 541 into cup 11. For example, blender 541 turns over in direction 546 and the drink/shake is pored into cup 11; j) a cup moving mechanism to move cup 11 from a mixing station to the dispensing compartment 580, for example, a moving belt 570. k) a dispensing compartment 580 for the customer to pick cup 11 with the drink he selected, when ready. The compartment 580 may include a door 560 for cup 11 to enter compartment
580; and 1) a control panel 590 for the customer to operate the apparatus, which can be activated from the outside, normally by a customer who pays for the drink by coins, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash.
Yet another embodiment of vending apparatus 500, according to embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 11. The containers of container assemble 527, which hold produce products, include at the bottom the container a blender 549. Container assembly 527 can turn about its axis such that a selected container with selected produce is positioned in alignment with cup 11, for example, just above serving cup 11. The blender 549 of the selected container grinds the produce into small particles, which can be small enough to be drinkable or may need more crushing or cutting by a blender 547. The blended produce is dropped into cup 11. The next container is selected, the produce in the selected container is grinded and the blended produce is dropped into cup 11. Liquid is added to cup 11 and the mixture is mixed by mixer 547 into a drink/shake.
In still another embodiment of vending apparatus 500, according to embodiments of the present invention, the ingredients will not drop into cup 11 but rather be picked by a picker, such as an arm with a grabbing mechanism, from a selected compartment into the cup 11 or blender compartment.
Ih yet another embodiment of vending apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400, and 501, according to embodiments of the present invention, instead of cup 11 a bottle is filled with the juice produced. Optionally, the bottle can be plugged by a plugging mechanism.
In another embodiment of vending apparatus 501, according to embodiments of the present invention, the ingredients will not drop into blender 541 but rather be picked by a picker, such as an arm with a grabbing mechanism, from a selected compartment into blender 541.
Another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 12 which is a schematic side view of a vending apparatus for dispensing drinks containing small produce particles according to embodiments of the present invention. Containers 620 of the vending apparatus contain produce/produce-pieces, which are pushed upwards by some pushing mechanism 640, for example a piston, into the cup 11. Container 620 has some slope towards cup 11. Each container can turn in direction 612 towards cup 11 or the cup 11 can move towards the selected container 620, in a carousel mechanism, for example. Each container 620 can hold one or more ingredients.
In embodiments of the present invention the dispensed cup can be replaced by a bottle, which can be optionally plugged when filled with the produced drink.
The invention being thus described in terms of the embodiments and examples, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope' of the following claims.