A product preparation system and method wherein a single-use product container assembly and a multiple motion intelligent driving device are employed to process contents of the container assembly.

An apparatus for making mixed beverages may include a housing, a first hopper for receiving a first beverage ingredient, and a shaving mechanism. The shaving mechanism may include a first body that receives the first beverage ingredient from the first hopper. The first body may include a sidewall, at least one shaving blade and at least one respective opening extending through the sidewall. In use, the shaving blade shaves the first beverage ingredient, the first beverage ingredient is delivered through the opening in the sidewall, and the first beverage ingredient is conveyed within the first body. The apparatus may further include a mixing mechanism including a second body for receiving the first beverage ingredient from the first body.

An apparatus for making mixed beverages may include a housing, a first hopper for receiving a first beverage ingredient, and a shaving mechanism. The shaving mechanism may include a first body that receives the first beverage ingredient from the first hopper. The first body may include a sidewall, at least one shaving blade and at least one respective opening extending through the sidewall. In use, the shaving blade shaves the first beverage ingredient, the first beverage ingredient is delivered through the opening in the sidewall, and the first beverage ingredient is conveyed within the first body. The apparatus may further include a mixing mechanism including a second body for receiving the first beverage ingredient from the first body.

A blender system includes a blender and container. The blender includes a bottle including a blending chamber with a bottle opening and a shoulder about the bottle opening, and a lid configured to couple with the bottle and that includes a container receiver. The container includes a nutrient receptacle to receive contents with a closed end and a receptacle opening opposite the closed end, a lip about the receptacle opening, and at least two flaps coupled to the lip via a lip hinge and positioned to cover a portion of the opening. Coupling the lid to the bottle with the container in the container receiver presses the lip towards the closed end so that the at least two flaps are pushed open to discharge the contents into the blending chamber.

A blender system includes a blender and container. The blender includes a bottle including a blending chamber with a bottle opening and a shoulder about the bottle opening, and a lid configured to couple with the bottle and that includes a container receiver. The container includes a nutrient receptacle to receive contents with a closed end and a receptacle opening opposite the closed end, a lip about the receptacle opening, and at least two flaps coupled to the lip via a lip hinge and positioned to cover a portion of the opening. Coupling the lid to the bottle with the container in the container receiver presses the lip towards the closed end so that the at least two flaps are pushed open to discharge the contents into the blending chamber.

Blending devices can be used to blend material directly in a container such as a disposable container, such as a paper or plastic cup. In some instances, a disposable container can be coupled to an adapter that includes a blade assembly to blend a food product. The food product can be blended directly within the container when the container is coupled to the adapter and supported with a support sleeve that at least partially surrounds an exterior of the disposable container. In further instances, a stand can selectively couple with multiple different sizes of sleeves and disposable containers to the adapter. The food product can be blended directly within the disposable container without causing damage or flex to the disposable container.

The present invention relates to a device for the automatic preparation of a food product, comprising a mixture receptacle (5), in which solid ingredients are mixed, and a drive device (1-6, 16-19) to automatically tilt the mixture receptacle (5) in order to pour out the mixed ingredients into a refreshment receptacle (8) and to make them available to a user therein. The invention also relates to a method of offering a refreshment to a consumer which has been prepared in situ at a sales point and which comprises mixed solid ingredients, wherein the consumer himself introduces ingredients in solid form into a device according to the present invention, and allows the refreshment to be automatically prepared in the device.

The present invention relates to a device for the automatic preparation of a food product, comprising a mixture receptacle (5), in which solid ingredients are mixed, and a drive device (1-6, 16-19) to automatically tilt the mixture receptacle (5) in order to pour out the mixed ingredients into a refreshment receptacle (8) and to make them available to a user therein. The invention also relates to a method of offering a refreshment to a consumer which has been prepared in situ at a sales point and which comprises mixed solid ingredients, wherein the consumer himself introduces ingredients in solid form into a device according to the present invention, and allows the refreshment to be automatically prepared in the device.

A cold brew coffee maker has a water cleaning system connected to a water source; a water pump connected to the water cleaning system, and connected to the pressurized-water storage tank for storing a filtered water in the tank; and a coffee brewing module connected to the pressurized-water storage tank and including: a detachable brewing cup detachably secured to a fixing bracket, a solenoid valve formed between the brewing cup and the pressurized-water storage tank, and a switch panel formed in the main body; whereby upon starting of the pump to suck and filter a feed water, a filtered pressurized water less than 30 degrees centigrade will be delivered into the tank and upon actuation of the switch panel to open the solenoid valve, the pressurized water will be ejected into the cup for brewing coffee.

A cold brew coffee maker has a water cleaning system connected to a water source; a water pump connected to the water cleaning system, and connected to the pressurized-water storage tank for storing a filtered water in the tank; and a coffee brewing module connected to the pressurized-water storage tank and including: a detachable brewing cup detachably secured to a fixing bracket, a solenoid valve formed between the brewing cup and the pressurized-water storage tank, and a switch panel formed in the main body; whereby upon starting of the pump to suck and filter a feed water, a filtered pressurized water less than 30 degrees centigrade will be delivered into the tank and upon actuation of the switch panel to open the solenoid valve, the pressurized water will be ejected into the cup for brewing coffee.