Patent Description:
There are various existing drink making devices. It is desired to provide a drink making device with improved features.

<CIT> discloses a food dispensing system, comprising a suction tube, a product bag, a pump, a self-closing dispensing tap, and a cleaning hose.

<CIT> discloses a drink making device according to the preamble of Claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

The present invention provides a drink making device according to Claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

Preferred, and other optional, features of the invention are described and defined in the dependent claims.

The hood may be substantially rectangular shaped.

The base may be substantially rectangular shaped.

The base may include at least one LED for illuminating at least one bottle.

According to an embodiment the drink maker may further include a controller for controlling operation of the drink maker.

According to an embodiment the drink maker may be powered by a battery pack or through a wall outlet.

According to an embodiment the tower may include a compartment for receiving the battery pack.

According to an embodiment the maker may also include a flavor capsule.

Liquid from at least one of the bottles may be mixed with contents of the flavor capsule to create a beverage.

The hood may be substantially square-shaped and the base is substantially square-shaped.

The coupler may be rotatable from an open position and a closed position.

The coupler may be configured such that it can receive different lengths of the rigid tube to operatively connect the bottle to the hood.

According to an embodiment the drink making device may include a bottle sealing grommet which seals the bottle. The rigid tube may project into the bottle sealing grommet.

According to an embodiment the drink making device may further include a liquid detector to determine if there is liquid in the bottle.

According to an embodiment the liquid detector may include a current sensor.

According to an embodiment the liquid detector may include a flow sensor.

Embodiments and aspects of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures.

The present disclosure relates to a device for making drinks. <FIG> illustrate a first non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of a drink maker <NUM>. The drink maker <NUM> is shown in a perspective view in <FIG> and a front view in <FIG>. A flavor pod capsule <NUM> is illustrated in a perspective view in <FIG>.

The drink maker <NUM> of the exemplary embodiments is capable of using standard, off-the-shelf liquor bottles <NUM> and the flavor pod capsule <NUM> to produce a mixed cocktail. In the exemplary embodiment, the drink maker <NUM> is designed to receive bottles of gin, vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey and water. In other embodiments, there may be more or fewer bottles and the drink maker <NUM> may be configured to receive different alcoholic or non-alcoholic liquids. The drink maker <NUM> is configured to draw appropriate amounts of liquids from the various bottles <NUM>. The liquids and flavoring from the capsule <NUM> are dispensed into a glass <NUM> to form a finished cocktail. The touchscreen <NUM> allows a user to operate the machine. This may include turning the machine on and off, starting the process of making a drink, choosing a drink strength or size or performing another operation. In the exemplary embodiment, the capsule <NUM> includes a barcode that is scanned by a barcode reader on the drink maker <NUM>. The drink maker <NUM> provides the appropriate liquids for the cocktail based on the read barcode.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the drink maker <NUM> includes a hood <NUM>. The hood <NUM> serves as a housing for various components of the drink maker <NUM>, such as valves, hoses, a printed circuit board and a controller, such as a micro-processor. The touch screen <NUM> is disposed on the hood <NUM>. In other embodiments, different input devices may be utilized instead of a touch screen. The hood <NUM> also includes a bottle attachment cap <NUM> (i.e. a coupler) which helps facilitate attachments of the bottles <NUM> to the drink maker <NUM>. The bottles <NUM> sit on a base <NUM>. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be housed in the base <NUM> to illuminate the bottles <NUM>. There may be an LED or plurality of LEDs placed under each bottle <NUM> or the LEDs may be spread around the entire base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may include one or more transparent or translucent portions to allow light from the LEDs to project through the base <NUM>.

A tower <NUM> connects the base <NUM> and the hood <NUM>. The tower <NUM> may include various components as shown and described in further detail below.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bottles are attached to the hood <NUM> of the drink maker <NUM> through a rigid tube <NUM>. The rigid tube <NUM> of the exemplary embodiment is made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum. In other embodiments, the rigid tube <NUM> may be made of other materials. A bottle sealing grommet <NUM> connects with the bottles <NUM>. The rigid tube <NUM> extends through the grommet <NUM> into the bottles and up to the attachment caps <NUM>. Liquid from the bottles <NUM> flow through the rigid tubes <NUM> to provide liquid to the dispenser <NUM>. The connection system will be described in more detail below with respect to <FIG>.

Basic operation of the drink maker <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional side view of the drink maker <NUM>. The side view of <FIG> helps to illustrate internals of the tower <NUM>, hood <NUM> and dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional top view that illustrates internal components housed in the hood <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic illustration of drink maker components.

As shown in <FIG>, there are six bottles <NUM>. Five of the bottles <NUM> are liquor bottles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. A sixth bottle <NUM> is a water bottle containing water. In the exemplary embodiment of the drink maker <NUM>, the drink maker <NUM> is configured to operate with particular liquors disposed in specific bottles <NUM>. For example, the first liquor bottle <NUM> may be designated to contain rum. A user may place a bottle of rum at the location for the first liquor bottle <NUM>. The drink maker <NUM> assumes that the first liquor bottle <NUM> correctly contains rum and draws liquid from the first liquor bottle <NUM> when a drink calls for rum. Similarly, the second liquor bottle <NUM> may be designated as a bottle of vodka and the drink maker <NUM> may draw from the second liquor bottle <NUM> when vodka is called for in a particular drink. In other embodiments, the drink maker <NUM> may be programmable so that a user may enter the type of liquor in each position. For example, a user may be able to input through the touch screen <NUM> the type of liquor in each bottle <NUM> and the drink maker may operate accordingly.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, there are valves <NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for each of the bottles <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>). The valves <NUM> may be opened to allow liquid from the bottles <NUM> to flow out of the bottles. When closed, the valves <NUM> prevent the flow of air or liquid to or from the particular bottles <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, there is an air valve <NUM> to control a supply of air <NUM>. The air <NUM> may be ambient air, a fan, an air pump or a supply of compressed air. The air <NUM> may be used to clear and dry out any hoses, valves, connectors and other components. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, there is additionally a pump <NUM>, a flow rate sensor <NUM> and an output <NUM>. The output <NUM> outputs liquids from the bottles <NUM> through the capsule <NUM> and out of the dispenser <NUM>.

In order to operate the drink maker <NUM>, a user inserts a capsule <NUM> into the dispenser <NUM>. The dispenser <NUM> may open to receive the capsule <NUM> and then close. The dispenser <NUM> may include a projection that pierces the capsule <NUM>.

The drink maker <NUM> includes a bar code reader and the capsule <NUM> includes a bar code. The bar code on the capsule <NUM> provides information about the capsule <NUM> so that an appropriate drink is made. The capsule <NUM> itself includes flavoring. The flavoring may be liquid, powder, gel other flavorings or a combination of the same. The controller in the drink maker <NUM> operates the pump <NUM> and valves <NUM> to provide an appropriate drink to the glass <NUM>. The flow rate sensor <NUM> measures the amount of the liquids.

For example, the first liquor bottle <NUM> may include rum and the second liquor bottle <NUM> may include whiskey. The capsule <NUM> may include a flavoring for a drink that is intended to include <NUM>,<NUM> (four ounces) of rum and <NUM>,<NUM> (four ounces) of whiskey at normal strength. The bar code reader in the drink maker <NUM> reads the bar code on the capsule <NUM> determines the type of capsule <NUM>. As discussed above, the drink maker <NUM> may also allow a user to input preferences for the particular drink, such as a strength, size or other preference or modification. The drink maker <NUM> takes the information from the capsule <NUM> and produces an appropriate drink. In particular, the controller of the drink maker <NUM> controls the valves <NUM> and pump <NUM> to create the appropriate drink.

In the present example of a normal strength drink requiring <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> ounces) of rum and <NUM>,<NUM> (four ounces) of whiskey, the controller turns on the pump <NUM> and opens the first valve <NUM>. The pump <NUM> draws rum from the first liquor bottle <NUM>, through the first valve <NUM>, through the first four-way connector <NUM>, through the third four-way connector <NUM> and through the output <NUM>. The flow rate sensor <NUM> measures the amount of rum so that approximately <NUM>,<NUM> (four ounces) is delivered through the output <NUM>. When an appropriate amount of rum is provided, the first valve <NUM> is closed and the pump <NUM> may be turned off. While the first valve <NUM> is open, the other valves <NUM> are closed. In particular, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh valves <NUM>-<NUM> are closed. This ensures that only liquid from the first liquor bottle <NUM> is drawn by the pump <NUM>.

Information from the flow rate sensor <NUM> may be used by the controller in various ways. For example, the controller may control the pump <NUM> primarily through the measurement of time and the flow rate sensor <NUM> may be used as a confirmation. As an example, the pump <NUM> may be designed to draw <NUM>,<NUM> (one ounce) of liquid each second. In order to provide <NUM>,<NUM> ml (four ounces) of liquid, the pump <NUM> may be operated for four seconds. The flow rate sensor <NUM> could be used to monitor the amount of liquid being drawn to confirm that the designed rate is accurate. In that instance, the controller could check that one second of pump <NUM> operation draws <NUM>,<NUM> (one ounce) of liquid.

In some instances, the flow rate sensor <NUM> could be used to modify the timing of the pump <NUM>. For example, the pump <NUM> could be originally designed to draw <NUM>,<NUM> (one ounce) of liquid per second, but over time, the pump <NUM> could begin to draw less liquid, such as <NUM>,<NUM> (one ounce) of liquid every one and a half seconds. In that instance, the controller could modify operation of the pump <NUM> to account for the difference.

In some embodiments, the flow rate sensor <NUM> may be the primary or only factor for determining the amount of liquid delivered. In that instance, the controller may close the first valve <NUM> after the flow rate sensor <NUM> determines an appropriate amount of liquid has been drawn from the first bottle <NUM>. The controller may close the first valve <NUM> before the flow rate sensor <NUM> measures the full amount of liquid in order to account for factors such as the amount of liquid in tubes. For example, the controller may close the first valve <NUM> when the flow rate sensor <NUM> measures <NUM>,<NUM> (three ounces) of liquid so as to deliver a full <NUM>,<NUM> (four ounces) of liquid when the remaining liquid flows through the connectors and any tubing. The pump <NUM> may continue to operate after the first valve <NUM> is closed. Another valve may open, such as the seventh valve <NUM> may open to draw air <NUM> through.

After a sufficient amount of rum from the first bottle <NUM> is output through the output <NUM> as discussed above, a similar operation may take place for the whiskey in the second bottle <NUM>. In other drinks, other liquids may be drawn in a similar manner. The seventh valve <NUM> may be used to draw air <NUM> to drive any remaining liquid through the system and dry or clean out the system.

The drink may be mixed in the capsule <NUM>, the dispenser <NUM>, the glass <NUM> or a combination of the above.

<FIG> illustrate attachment of the bottles <NUM> into the drink maker <NUM>. A user of the drink maker <NUM> attaches the six bottles <NUM> to the drink maker <NUM>. As discussed above, in the exemplary embodiment, five of the bottles <NUM> contain liquor and a sixth bottle <NUM> contains water. In other embodiments, other liquids may be included. For example, four bottles may include liquor, one include a juice or non-alcoholic mixer and one contain water. Other combinations are possible.

As shown in <FIG>, in order to attach the bottles <NUM> to the drink maker, the user inserts the rigsid tube <NUM> into the bottle <NUM> and slide the grommet into the top of the bottle. The bottle attachment cap <NUM> can be flipped up to the position shown in <FIG>, <FIG> to allow for the bottle <NUM> to be slid into place on the stand <NUM> with the rigid tube <NUM> being able to slide into place at the hood <NUM>. The bottle attachment cap <NUM> rotates up relative to the hood <NUM> and leaves a space <NUM> for the rigid tube <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the bottle <NUM> in place with the tube <NUM> situated in the hood <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cap <NUM> is rotatable downward to engage the tube <NUM>. This operatively engages the bottle <NUM> to the drink maker <NUM> and allows liquids to be drawn from the bottle <NUM>. Each of the six bottles <NUM> may be engaged to the drink maker <NUM> in a similar manner.

<FIG> is a close up of the cap <NUM> and an end of the tube <NUM> in the space <NUM>. <FIG> is a top perspective view of the cap <NUM> and a portion of the hood <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the cap <NUM> in a raised position. In the raised position, the bottles <NUM> with rigid tubes <NUM> can be placed so that the tubes <NUM> extend into the hood. The cap <NUM> can then be rotated downward into engagement with the tube <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cap <NUM> includes a seal <NUM> that provides a tight seal with the tube <NUM>. The seal <NUM> may be an O-ring. The cap <NUM> also includes an engagement portion <NUM> and a transfer portion <NUM>. The engagement portion overlaps at least a portion with the tube <NUM> and can also serve as a conduit for liquid. The transfer portion <NUM> is a further conduit through which the liquids flow. The caps <NUM> may be connected together by a bar or other connector so that they move together allowing a user to raise or lower all of the caps <NUM> at once.

Some bottles <NUM> may have a flat bottom as shown in <FIG>, while other bottles <NUM> may have a curved bottom <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. When a bottle <NUM> has a curved bottom <NUM>, the bottom surface raises the tube <NUM> because the curved bottom <NUM> is closer to the cap <NUM> than a flat bottom would be. As shown in <FIG>, the engagement portion <NUM> and tube <NUM> can be sized to accommodate different bottom surfaces for the bottle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the tube <NUM> may project different amounts into the engagement portion <NUM>. <FIG> shows a situation where there is a bottle <NUM> with a large, curved bottom <NUM>. In that case, the curved bottom <NUM> pushes the tube <NUM> fully into the engagement portion <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a situation where there is a smaller curved bottom <NUM> and so the tube <NUM> projects slightly less into the engagement portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a situation where the bottle <NUM> includes a flat bottom. The tube <NUM> then projects a bit less into the engagement portion <NUM> than in the situation of <FIG>. In each of <FIG>, the tube <NUM> projects to or past the seal <NUM> and so effectively engages with the cap <NUM>. If the tube <NUM> projects at least far enough to fully engage the seal <NUM>, an effective engagement is made.

Another exemplary embodiment of a drink maker <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The drink maker <NUM> operates in the same general manner as the drink maker <NUM> and parts should be assumed to be the same unless otherwise described. It is also contemplated that the features of the various embodiments can be combined or substituted where possible.

As shown in <FIG>, the shape of the drink maker <NUM> is slightly different than the shape of the drink maker <NUM> so that the bottles <NUM> are arranged in a different configuration. The base <NUM> and the hood <NUM> are substantially square shaped rather than the rectangular shape of the hood <NUM> and base <NUM>. As before, the base <NUM> serves as a base for the bottles <NUM> and glass <NUM> and may contain lighting, such as LED lights. The hood <NUM> includes valves, hoses, pumps, a controller, circuit board, and other electronics or components, similar to the hood <NUM>. The drink maker <NUM> configuration of <FIG> may be used or combined with the various other embodiments.

<FIG> illustrate another connection of the bottles <NUM> to the rest of the machine. This may be utilized in a drink maker with the configuration of drink maker <NUM> of <FIG> or drink maker <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded view and <FIG> illustrates the bottle assembly. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, there is a bottle <NUM>. The rigid tube <NUM> is inserted into the bottle <NUM> at one end and the bottle sealing grommet <NUM> at the other end. A nozzle <NUM> fits into the bottle sealing grommet <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, the nozzle is a <NUM> degree nozzle that allows liquid to flow at <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> illustrates the receiving structure that receives the nozzle <NUM> and has a portion of the hood <NUM> removed. As shown in <FIG>, there is a coupler <NUM>. The coupler <NUM> has a receiving end <NUM> that receives the nozzle <NUM> and an outlet end <NUM> that outlets to a hose or valve to transport liquid from the bottles <NUM> as previously discussed. As shown in <FIG>, there is a cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> rotates around an axis provided by pegs <NUM> and includes a user tab <NUM> to allow a user to rotate the cap <NUM> open and closed. As shown in <FIG>, the cap <NUM> can be rotated to an open position to allow for the nozzle <NUM> to be connected to the coupler <NUM>. The cap <NUM> can be rotated to a closed position to secure the nozzle <NUM> to the coupler <NUM>. The caps <NUM> may be connected together by a bar or other structure so that a user may open and close the caps <NUM> all together. The connective structure may be a simple bar between the caps <NUM> near the user engagement portions or may be a more complicated structure. The connective structure may connect all of the caps <NUM> together or a subset. A similar connection may be used in other embodiments to operatively connect caps, levers or other rotating structures that are opened and closed to allow the insertion of the bottles or bottle assemblies.

<FIG> illustrate perspective views of the attachment of a bottle <NUM> to the hood <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view with the cap <NUM> in an open or unlocked position and the bottle <NUM> having the nozzle <NUM> attached. The bottle <NUM> is not connected to the hood <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the bottle <NUM> in the coupled position with the cap <NUM> rotated to the closed or locked position. In this position, the bottle <NUM> is engaged with the hood <NUM> and liquid can be supplied from the bottle <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross sectional view of <FIG> showing the connection.

<FIG> illustrate side views of the nozzle <NUM> and cap <NUM> connection area. As shown in <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM> includes tabs <NUM> and the cap <NUM> includes slots <NUM> which receives the tabs <NUM>. <FIG> are side views in which one tab <NUM> and slot <NUM> are shown, but there are corresponding tabs <NUM> and slots <NUM> on the opposite sides. For example, <FIG> shows a pair of tabs <NUM>, one on each side. There are a pair of corresponding slots <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the cap <NUM> in an open position and the nozzle <NUM> disconnected from the coupler <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> is slid into the coupler in <FIG> and then the cap <NUM> can be rotated to a closed position, as shown by arrow A. Finally, <FIG> illustrates the nozzle <NUM> in the engaged position with the cap <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the tab <NUM> is engaged in the slot <NUM> so that the nozzle <NUM> is secured to the cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may include a detent <NUM> to hold it in place.

<FIG> illustrate various views of the cap <NUM> in an open position and <FIG> illustrate various view of the cap <NUM> in the closed position. <FIG> is a perspective view of the cap <NUM> in an open position with part of the hood <NUM> partially removed. <FIG> is a perspective view of the cap <NUM> in the open position. <FIG> is a cut-away perspective view of the cap <NUM> in the open position.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the cap <NUM> in a closed position with part of the hood <NUM> partially removed. <FIG> is a perspective view of the cap <NUM> in the closed position. <FIG> is a cut-away perspective view of the cap <NUM> in the closed position.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the cap alone. <FIG> is a perspective view of the hood <NUM> with the cap <NUM> removed.

<FIG> illustrates an adjustable drip tray <NUM>. The adjustable drip tray <NUM> can accommodate glasses of different sizes. For example, the drip tray <NUM> can be moved up if there is a smaller glass <NUM> as shown in <FIG> rather than the larger glass <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The drip tray <NUM> may have projections that fit into grooves to adjust the height. Other configurations for making the drip tray <NUM> at different heights may also be used.

<FIG> illustrates an LED area. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be disposed in the base <NUM> in order to illuminate the bottles <NUM>. The LEDs may be a single LED per bottle or multiple LEDs like a ring of LEDs. The LEDs may also communicate information to the user such as error codes when the bottles are empty.

<FIG> illustrates a dial controller <NUM> that may be used instead of the touch screen <NUM>. The dial controller <NUM> allows a user to select the strength of the drink. For example, no alcohol, light, regular or strong. The amount of alcohol used in the drink can be varied based upon the selection. Instead of a dial <NUM>, there may be other button inputs.

<FIG> illustrates a front flavor pod holder <NUM> and lever <NUM>. The holder <NUM> holds a capsule <NUM>. The user inserts the capsule <NUM>, closes the lever <NUM> to pierce the capsule <NUM>. A spring loaded latch holds the lever <NUM> down when closed and a push button releases the latch to open the lever <NUM>. The embodiment may include a metal detent system to hold the lever <NUM> in the open position in order to load the capsule <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an exemplary water detection method. <FIG> illustrates the water bottle <NUM>. It is connected through a nozzle <NUM> to tubing. The water bottle <NUM> may be connected by any method shown or described in this application. There is a water valve <NUM>, a pump <NUM> and an outlet <NUM>, as previously described with reference to <FIG>.

Operation of the water detection is shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the air valve <NUM> and water valve <NUM> are opened in step S1. Then, the pump <NUM> is turned on in step S2. The pump runs dry due to the open air valve <NUM> in step S3. In step S4, the current is measured at the pump <NUM>. This may be done by a current sensor. The current sensor may be connected to the controller. In step S5, S6 and S7, the air valve <NUM> is closed while the water valve <NUM> remains open and the pump <NUM> remains on. Steps S5, S6 and S7 may happen simultaneously, nearly simultaneously or sequentially in in any order. The combination of steps S5-S7 causes the pump <NUM> to begin to pump water S8. In step S9, current is measured at the pump <NUM>. The current may be compared to a threshold or otherwise evaluated. A relatively higher current means that water is pumping through the pump <NUM>, indicating that there is water in the water bottle <NUM> (S11). A relatively lower current means that water is not pumping through the pump <NUM> (S10) and the water bottle <NUM> is empty and needs to be refilled. A user can be alerted to the situation by the display <NUM> or the previously described LED lights. There may be a single threshold for comparing the current or there may be low current threshold indicating no water pumping through the pump <NUM> and a high current threshold meaning water is pumping through the pump <NUM>. A measurement in between the high and low current thresholds may indicate the need to do further measurements or that the measurement is indefinite.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of a water detection. In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> a flow meter <NUM> is disposed downstream of the pump <NUM> and near the outlet <NUM>. The flow meter <NUM> directly measures the flow of water and can determine if water is flowing. The flow meter <NUM> is operatively connected to the controller.

Operation of the second exemplary embodiment of water detection is shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, in ST1, the air valve <NUM> is closed. In step ST2, the water valve <NUM> is opened. In step ST3, the pump <NUM> is turned on and so in step ST4, the pump <NUM> begins to pump water. If the flow meter <NUM> does not detect water (ST5), then it is determined that the pump <NUM> is not pumping water (ST6) and the water bottle <NUM> may be empty. If the flow meter <NUM> does detect water (ST7), then it is determined that the pump <NUM> is pumping water (ST8).

<FIG> illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a connection system for connecting the bottles to the drink maker. The connection system may be used with the configuration of the drink maker <NUM> of the configuration of the drink maker <NUM>. The connection system of <FIG> utilizes a spring-loaded lever, as will be described.

<FIG> illustrates a bottle <NUM> with a bottle sealing grommet or rubber plug <NUM> and a rigid tube <NUM> as previously described. In this instance a nozzle <NUM> with an O-ring <NUM> is attached to a top end of the rigid tube <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the grommet <NUM> includes a small air vent <NUM> so that a vacuum is not created inside the bottle when the liquid is pumped out.

<FIG> illustrate side view of the spring-loaded lever <NUM> in the hood <NUM>. The hood <NUM> may include a depressed area <NUM> for a user's finger. The lever <NUM> is shown in the closed or locked position in <FIG> and in the open or unlocked position in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate a side view of the spring-loaded lever <NUM> with the bottle <NUM> and nozzle <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the nozzle <NUM> in the opening <NUM> and <FIG> illustrates the nozzle <NUM> with the lever <NUM> in the closed position to secure the nozzle <NUM>.

Details of the spring loaded lever assembly are shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the spring loaded lever assembly includes the spring loaded lever <NUM>. A lever pivot clamp <NUM> secures the lever in place. A sealing member <NUM> (i.e. a coupler) is disposed in the hood <NUM> and provides a connection to the nozzle <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is connected to a hose <NUM> which connects to the various plumbing components housed in the hood <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. A spring <NUM> biases the assembly.

<FIG> illustrates the spring-loaded assembly in the hood <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the hose <NUM> attaches to the back of the sealing member <NUM> to connect to the plumbing system. The lever <NUM> rotates about a pivot point that is created by the lever pivot <NUM>. In the position shown in <FIG>, the spring <NUM> is fully compressed so that is pushes down on the sealing member <NUM>, which in turn pushes down on the lever <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> rides on rails and can translate linearly up and down in the hood <NUM>. The lever <NUM> has holes <NUM> and the sealing member <NUM> has nubs <NUM> which engage with the holes <NUM> so that the sealing member <NUM> and the lever <NUM> are engaged with one another and move together. In the position of <FIG>, the lever <NUM> is moved to the open position by the user so that the nozzle <NUM> can be slid into the opening <NUM>. The user can release the lever and the spring <NUM> will then push the sealing member <NUM> into engagement with the nozzle <NUM> to secure the bottle <NUM> to the drink maker.

<FIG> illustrate operation of the spring lever attachment. <FIG> illustrates the lever <NUM> in the closed position. In this position, the nozzle <NUM> is secured in the hood <NUM> and liquid from the bottle <NUM> can be pumped out of the bottle <NUM>, through the rigid tube <NUM> into the sealing member <NUM> and through to the tube <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lever <NUM> pivots around an axis secured by the pivot clamp <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate two more cross-sectional views of the attachment. <FIG> illustrates the lever <NUM> in the open position in which the nozzle <NUM> can be inserted or removed and <FIG> illustrates the closed position in which the nozzle <NUM> is secured. <FIG> further illustrate the rails <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the rails <NUM> accept a projection <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM> to provide for smooth translation. The opening in the hood <NUM> limit how far the lever <NUM> moves.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a drink maker <NUM> that may be powered by a battery pack <NUM> with an adapter <NUM>. The battery pack <NUM> may be a power tool battery pack with a nominal voltage of <NUM> volts. The battery pack <NUM> may be compatible with various tools such as a drill or a saw or other products compatible with a power tool system.

<FIG> is an illustration of the battery pack <NUM> and <FIG> illustrates the adapter <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the adapter <NUM> slides onto and electrically connects with the battery pack <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> and adapter <NUM> can fit into a cavity <NUM> in the tower <NUM>. The battery pack adapter <NUM> includes a DC power down converter to convert the 20V power from the battery pack <NUM> to a 12V input for the drink maker <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a power cable can be plugged into the pack adapter <NUM> at one end and the drink maker <NUM> power input <NUM> at the other end to provide power to the drink maker <NUM>. If an outlet is available or a battery is not available, a power cable block and cord <NUM> may instead be plugged into a power outlet and into the power input <NUM> to provide power to the drink maker <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The power block <NUM> can convert AC power from a wall outlet to the desired 12V DC input power.

Other power conversions are also possible. For example, the drink maker <NUM> may run on AC power. In that case, the pack adapter <NUM> may include an inverter for converting the DC power of the battery pack <NUM> to an AC input for the drink maker <NUM>. Similarly, different input voltages may be used and the input power converted accordingly.

<FIG> illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a system for powering a drink maker by a battery pack or through a power outlet. In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> is directly engaged with the drink maker. As shown in <FIG>, there is a compartment <NUM> with rails <NUM> for engaging the battery pack <NUM>. There is also an electrical connector <NUM> to electrically connect to the battery pack <NUM>. The battery pack can be slid into the compartment <NUM> and the door <NUM> can then be shut to enclose the battery pack <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the battery when it is in the compartment <NUM> with the door <NUM> shut. There is a state of charge indicator <NUM> to indicate a state of charge of the battery pack <NUM>. Additionally, there is a wall plug cord <NUM> for charging the battery pack <NUM>, which can be charged while it is in the compartment <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A drink making device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), comprising: a base (<NUM>) configured to support a bottle (<NUM>) arranged to contain a liquid; a hood (<NUM>); a tower (<NUM>) connecting the base (<NUM>) and the hood (<NUM>); a connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the hood (<NUM>) and configured to receive liquid from the bottle (<NUM>); a pump (<NUM>) for drawing liquid out of the bottle (<NUM>); and a dispenser (<NUM>) for dispensing a beverage which comprises liquid from the bottle (<NUM>); characterized by further comprising: a rigid tube (<NUM>) configured to project into the bottle (<NUM>); and a coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the hood (<NUM>) and selectively connectable to an end of the rigid tube (<NUM>) to engage the bottle (<NUM>) with the drink making device; wherein the drink making device is configured such that, in use, liquid may be drawn out of the bottle (<NUM>) by the pump (<NUM>) through the rigid tube (<NUM>), through the coupler (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the connector (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and dispensed through the dispenser (<NUM>).