Patent Description:
The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to capsule, and method for mixing multiple substances and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a selecting, mixing and preparing substances by consumers.

In recent years, consumers of toiletries, personal care, food additives, nutritional supplements and pharma, are expressing a growing need for custom-made, personalized, modular and/or do-it-yourself preparations of ingredients.

Existing solutions provide some devices and/or services for selecting, mixing and/or preparing ingredients into a preparation, mostly for use by specialists. <CIT> discloses a capsule according to the preamble of claim <NUM> and a method mixing multiple substances in a capsule. It teaches a dental mixer apparatus including an upright mixing chamber having an upper open end for receiving dental impression materials and a plunger member suspended coaxially upon an elongated rotary driven mixer shaft for vertical reciprocable movement between a lower operative position in which the plunger is received within the mixing chamber and an upper inoperative position above the mixing chamber. A rotary mixer head is driven by the mixer shaft below the mixing chamber for mixing the materials within the mixing chamber. A suction conduit is provided to suck air from the mixing chamber in order to minimize voids and bubbles within the mixed ingredients. The mixer shaft is supported by a support bracket which is pivotally mounted to permit the mixer shaft and plunger to swing away from their normal vertical position above the mixing chamber to provide more working space above the mixing chamber. Optionally, the mixing chamber may be supported in a receptacle hinged to a base member to permit swinging movement of the mixing chamber away from its position beneath the mixer head. The plunger may also be depressed to discharge the mixed ingredients from an opening in the bottom of the mixing chamber.

According to the invention, a capsule according to claim <NUM> and a method according to claim <NUM> is provided. According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a capsule for mixing multiple substances, comprising: a main chamber having a main chamber bottom and a main chamber top opening; at least two repository tubular chambers, each: (<NUM>) adapted to contain substance, (<NUM>) mechanically connected to the main chamber and (<NUM>) having a repository tubular chamber top opening; at least two passages, each fluidly connecting one of the at least two repository tubular chambers to the main chamber; a main piston fitted in the main chamber; and a mixer rod having a mixer element disposed at a distal end and a torque adapter disposed at a proximal end for transferring a torque to the mixer element, the mixer rod is fitted to pass along the main piston such that the mixer element is mounted in the main chamber between the main chamber bottom and a distal end of the main piston when the main piston is in the outward position.

The main piston is sealing the at least two passages in an inward position and opens the at least two passages when being moved along the main chamber to an outward position.

Optionally, the at least two repository tubular chambers are peripheral to the main chamber.

Optionally, the main chamber bottom includes a main chamber bottom opening sealed by a membrane, and the mixer rod includes a sharp tip at the distal end to puncture the membrane.

Optionally, the main chamber bottom includes a main chamber bottom opening sealed by a bottom piston, and the distal end of the mixer rod is adapted to push the bottom piston downward and partially open the main chamber bottom opening.

More optionally, the bottom piston is pushed downward to create a plurality of bottom channels of the main chamber bottom opening around the bottom piston.

Optionally, each of the at least two repository tubular outer openings is sealed by a repository tubular piston.

More optionally, each of the at least two repository tubular pistons is having a top surface which is pushed downward by one of at least two pushing rods, to extract a substance from a respective one of the at least two repository tubular chambers via a respective one of the at least two passages into the main chamber.

More optionally, each one of the at least two repository tubular chambers is comprising a spring which pushes a respective one of the at least two repository tubular pistons downward to extract a substance from the one of the at least two repository tubular chambers via a respective one of the at least two passages into the main chamber.

More optionally, the spring holds the respective one of the at least two repository tubular pistons at a downward position to prevent substance from entering into the one of the at least two repository tubular chambers from the main chamber.

More optionally, each one of the at least two repository tubular pistons is comprising at least one locking tooth which is inserted into a notch of a respective one of the at least two repository tubular chambers when the one of the at least two repository tubular pistons is at a downward position, to prevent substance from entering into the respective one of the at least two repository tubular chambers from the main chamber.

More optionally, at least one of the at least two repository tubular pistons is rotatable.

More optionally, the at least one of the at least two repository tubular pistons includes a propeller part for pushing powder through a respective of the at least two passages and a hollow disk part to prevent the powder from moving upward.

More optionally, at least one of the at least two repository tubular pistons includes at least one sharp tip to penetrate a substance bag located inside a respective at least one of the at least two repository tubular chambers.

Optionally, at least one of the at least two repository tubular chambers includes at least one sharp tip to penetrate a substance bag located inside the at least one of the at least two repository tubular chambers.

Optionally, the torque adapter is connected to an actuator which is pulling the mixer rod upward, so the mixer element is pushing the main piston upward to open the at least two passages.

Optionally, blades of the mixer element include heating surfaces, which are heating the substances in the main chamber.

Optionally, the main chamber bottom includes at least one bottom slot for locking the mixer element to release the torque adapter from a device.

According to an aspect of some embodiments there is provided a device for mixing multiple substances in a capsule, comprising: a fixture for a single capsule; at least two pushing rods, each adapted to push a repository tubular piston into a repository tubular chamber of the single capsule to extract a substance into a main camber of the capsule; a torque element for holding a mixer rod of the capsule and adapted to rotate, pull and push the mixer rod along an axis of the mixer rod; and a controller adapted to identify a capsule in the fixture and control movements of the pushing rods and the torque arm sequentially during one mixing and delivering session.

Optionally, the device further comprises at least one motor operating the pushing rods and the torque element.

Optionally, the torque element is a torque arm having a clamp for holding the mixer rod.

More optionally, the clamp is adapted for grabbing and releasing a torque adapter disposed at a proximal end of the mixer rod.

Optionally, the torque element includes a torque piston which is inserted into a tube part of the mixer rod and locking the mixer rod by at least one pin included in the torque piston that are inserted into slots of the mixer rod.

Optionally, the plurality of pushing rods are separately controlled by the controller.

Optionally, the device further comprises at least one main pushing rod for pushing the main piston towards the main chamber bottom.

Optionally, the fixture is a tray having an open position wherein the capsule may be inserted and a closed position wherein the capsule is fixed.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method mixing multiple substances in a capsule, comprising: fixing a capsule to a mixer device, the capsule comprising a main chamber, at least two repository tubular chambers and at least two passages, each of the at least two passages is fluidly connecting one of the at least two repository tubular chambers to the main chamber; pulling a mixer rod of the capsule, the mixer rod is fitted to pass along a main piston fitted in the main chamber to seal the at least two passages in an inward position, thus moving the main piston along the main chamber to an outward position to open the at least two passages; and rotating the mixer rod to operate a mixer element mounted at a distal end of the mixer rod and located inside the inner chamber.

Optionally, the method further comprises, after the pulling: pushing at least two repository tubular pistons fitted in the at least two repository tubular chambers to extract substances from the at least two repository tubular chambers via a respective one of the at least two passages into an inner chamber of the main chamber sealed by the main piston.

Optionally, a substance from each of the at least two repository tubular chambers is pulled into the main chamber by movement of the main piston via the at least two passages.

Optionally, the method further comprises: while rotating the mixer rod, pulling and pushing the mixer rod to move the mixer element inside the inner chamber.

Optionally, the method further comprises: puncturing a membrane sealing a main chamber bottom opening in the main chamber bottom via a sharp tip disposed at the distal end of the mixer rod.

Optionally, the method further comprises: pushing a bottom piston sealing a main chamber bottom opening in the main chamber bottom via the distal end of the mixer rod to partially open the main chamber bottom opening.

Optionally, the method further comprises: pushing the main piston towards the main chamber bottom to extract mixed substances from a main chamber bottom opening in the main chamber bottom.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a capsule for mixing multiple substances. The capsule includes a main chamber and repository tubular chambers (tubes), each containing a substance and sealed by a repository tubular piston. Passages are fluidly connecting each repository tubular chambers to the main chamber. These passages are optionally sealed by a main piston fitted in the main chamber. The capsule also includes a mixer rod having a mixer element disposed at a distal end and a torque adapter disposed at a proximal end. The torque adapter is transferring a torque to the mixer element. The mixer rod is fitted to pass along the main piston such that the mixer element is mounted in an inner chamber of the main chamber sealed by the main piston.

The capsule is fixed to a mixing device. A torque arm of the device, having a clamp for holding a mixer rod, is pulling the mixer rod thus moving the main piston along the main chamber to an outward position to open the passages. Substances may then be extracted from the repository tubular chambers into the main camber, which may be done by pushing the repository tubular pistons using pushing rods of the device and/or by lower pressure created in the main chamber by moving the main piston upward.

The torque arm then rotates the mixer rod to operate the mixer element and mix the substances in the main chamber. When mixing is done, the mixture may be extracted from the capsule, for example via a bottom opening of the main chamber.

The operation of the device is controlled by a controller, controls movements of the pushing rods and the torque arm sequentially during one mixing and delivering session. The operation of the pushing rods and the torque arm may be determined according to the capsule type, selected ingredients and amounts, user instructions and/or any other parameter. Optionally, an application that is operated by the user (for example installed on the phone of the user) provides instructions for the controller of the device.

Personalization of any type of preparation and/or customized mixture may be set-up by user preferences (manually or automatically by diagnosis) or may be set-up by an integrated diagnostic tool recommendation. For example, a capsule may contain <NUM> different raw substances that are stored separately and hermetically (for example <NUM> substances are stored in the repository tubular chambers and one substance is stored in the main chamber that may contain large volume of sealed basic ingredient). The final product that is produced may be any one of thousands of different final compositions of formulation, made from the same capsule.

Since the capsule provides hermetic storage and full separation between the ingredients with sealed tubes (prevention of exposure to oxygen nor light before use and between uses), many kinds of ingredients that are unstable and regularly may not be used in such preparations (since they are not functional and practically do not give any value), may be used effectively with capsule's fresh preparation. Users may personalize and determine mixture-ratios of any supportable mixable raw-materials (powder, liquid and gas).

Unlike pre-prepared mixtures, e.g. blocked ingredients, in which the exact ratios are undisclosed, formulation is transparent to customers and may be viewed (when applicable) on the capsule or by platform-application.

The capsule design supports a wide range of raw materials and ingredients, liquids, semisolids (gels), gases and solids (powders), some of which are potentially unstable or incompatible. For example, these ingredients are sensitive to oxidation (air), to light (photosensitive) or may react and/or alter solubility of each other.

The capsule design supports changeable quantities of raw materials inside each tube by the same capsule's mechanical structure and interface. It is also possible to partially fill in advance tubes with smaller quantities of ingredients. Capsule and device design supports flexible and changeable feed-tube dimensions (even without scale-up or scale-down considerations). The device allows preparation of small fresh batches (continuously) by mixing each time only part of each ingredient according to user's definition, and/or creation of different preparation types by selectively using only some of the ingredients. The device allows one-time preparation or multiple preparations per capsule. The design supports very accurate metered amount of dispensed preparation output as result of the capsule's main chamber and main piston that controls the precise quantity that is injected. Dispensing of preparation may be set in advance and may be stopped in the middle of the injection by the user.

Since the capsule contains all ingredients inside the tubes and not separately, there's no need for the user to manage ingredients separately and to level his supplies for specific optional formulas. Since the capsule contains an integral mixer inside and since the capsule is external to machine, there's no need of maintenance or cleaning of the device. The device may not require any setup by the user. The device may provide ready preparations within a very short time. Most of the mixture types may be ready within <NUM> to <NUM> seconds from turning on the device.

The preparations that may be made using the device include, for example, Toiletries - personal hygiene for washing and preventing unpleasant smells such as soap, shampoo, deodorants and perfumes, Personal care - for beautification use (skin care, hair care, cosmetics) and/or preparations for dermatology (derma-cosmetics), Food additives - such as substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste, appearance, or other qualities, Nutritional supplements - for example taken orally, and usually contains one or more dietary ingredients (vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes), Pharma - such as medications or drugs, homeopathy, oral care, or dental preparations and Drinks - such as a cocktail made from different alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic liquids.

For example, the device may be used to create hair dyes that are made in specifically selected colors and/or shades. A hair dye capsule may include ingredients in different colors that are sealed inside the repository tubular chambers of the capsule. According to the selected color, a specific amount of each ingredient is inserted into the main chamber to create the desired color. The device may be used at home by the end user to create a different color of hair dye according to the user's choice, or may be used for example at a hair salon, to provide a different color of hair dye for each costumer.

For another example, the device may be used to create personalized medication for a patient. A medication capsule may contain several active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and/or supplements, each stored inside one of the repository tubular chambers of the capsule. A medication and/or a mix of medications mix may be prepared for a patient, based for example on specific physician prescription and/or real-time measurements of a patient's medical data. A mix with the right doses and combination of drugs may be prepared for a specific patient at a specific time, and may be optimized and/or modified accordingly, by adjusting the quantity extracted from each repository tubular chamber into the main chamber. This provides personalized, precise, on-demand medications, and/or a medication mix which is easier to take than multiple separate medications and may also improve adherence of patients.

For another example, the device may be used to create a preparation (such as a cream) from pre-formulation ingredients. Each of the repository tubular chambers of a capsule may contain one pure ingredient or a mix of ingredients and/or additives, which are only row materials and not formulations by themselves. When combined and mixed in the main chamber, the ingredients are turned into a formulation. For example, a water based ingredient and an oil based ingredient may be mixed to create a cream. In addition to modularity and personalization, this may reduce the required regulatory requirements, as the ingredients are not considered a formulation, such as cosmetic products, and potentially reduce cost.

Use of the device may provide solution to several needs of consumers. Users may want to have products that are self-prepared in real time, for example for reasons of freshness of preparations by mixing their ingredients just before use, minimizing the use of preservations and/or sensitive active raw materials that must be stored in sealed tubes with no contact with air/light for preventing oxidation or other instability reaction (for example antioxidants and/or vitamins). The capsule preserves chemical freshness by preventing instability on molecular level (molecular change), physical freshness by preventing phase separation (such as with oil & water), biological freshness by preventing active ingredient loss of activity, and microbiological freshness (vegan ingredients and/or saving preservatives) by preventing product contamination and microorganisms growth. Users may want to choose ingredients having specific characteristics, for example, vegan (doesn't contain any animal products and/or doesn't contain products that were tested on animals) and/or organic (certified by an authorized certification organization). Users may want to use products that have a "green" product life-cycle (no disposables). Users may want to have products that are custom made and/or personalized specifically for them. Users may want to control color, odor level, active ingredients ratios, sunscreens addition (and other personal care products) and/or any self-determined desired ratio of raw ingredients. Users may want to choose between available preparations formulas, define new formula for own use, use social network or the Internet to download a formula, use diagnostic tools with interface that support recommended formulas according to user's special needs (such as skin analysis by camera scan) and/or use artificial intelligence (AI) which may provide deeper level of formulas recommendations and deeper insights about the user's needs.

The application may provide the user with the ability to use other users' data, insights and recommendations of formulas and treatments' results that are shared in large scale through social media and web-based communities and/or to connect and exchange data, creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world to other users, resulting in efficiency improvements and economic benefits.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> is an illustration of a capsule for mixing multiple substances, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Reference is also made to <FIG>, which is a cross section view of the capsule of <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Capsule <NUM> comprises a main chamber <NUM> having a main chamber bottom <NUM> and a main chamber top opening <NUM>.

Capsule <NUM> also comprises at least two repository tubular chambers <NUM>, which are mechanically connected to main chamber <NUM>, and each having a repository tubular chamber top opening <NUM>. Optionally, repository tubular chambers <NUM> are peripheral to main chamber <NUM>.

Each of the repository tubular chambers <NUM> is adapted to contain a substance.

The substance may be any kind of material used for preparation. The substance may be liquid such as cream, gel or syrup, may be oil based or water based, may be a stabilizer or concentrated fluids, and may include flavors and/or pigments. The substance may be powder, for example solid ingredients that need a dry-storage before mixing them with liquids preparations or gas inhalers mixtures. The substance may also be gas. The substance may be a biological substance such as botanical or herbal (for example cannabis derived substances) or non-biological chemical substance.

Optionally, each of the repository tubular outer openings <NUM> is sealed by a repository tubular piston <NUM>. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are drawings of a cross section view and a side view, respectively, of the capsule of <FIG> with repository tubular pistons, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Repository tubular pistons are pulled out in <FIG>. Repository tubular pistons <NUM>, for example, may be used when the substance inside the repository tubular chamber is liquid or gas. Liquids and gases are easy to inject, so repository tubular piston <NUM> are simple and similar to syringe regular piston with high sealing-performances.

Optionally, when the substance inside the repository tubular chamber is powder, a rotatable powder repository tubular piston <NUM> may be used. Powders are not easy to inject through narrow holes, such as passages <NUM>. A propeller-based mechanism may be needed to deliver metered dose of powder from repository tubular piston <NUM> to main chamber <NUM>. Powder repository tubular piston <NUM> may be rotated by a pushing rod <NUM> which is also rotating. Powder repository tubular piston <NUM> includes a main rotating propeller part <NUM> in the shape of a plus (+), pushing the powder through the passage aside, and a hollow disk part <NUM> that rotates with the propeller freely and functions as a piston that prevents powder from leaking upwards.

Each of the repository tubular chambers <NUM> is fluidly connected to main chamber <NUM> by a passage <NUM>, from which substance may flow from the repository tubular chambers <NUM> to main chamber <NUM>.

A main piston <NUM> is fitted in main chamber <NUM> and optionally sealing main chamber <NUM>. Optionally, in an inward position, main piston <NUM> is sealing passages <NUM>. When main piston <NUM> is moved along main chamber <NUM> to an outward position, passages <NUM> are open and substance may flow from the repository tubular chambers <NUM> to main chamber <NUM>.

A mixer rod <NUM> is fitted to pass along main piston <NUM>. Mixer rod <NUM> comprises a mixer element <NUM> disposed at a distal end, and a torque adapter <NUM> disposed at a proximal end. Torque adapter <NUM> is used for transferring a torque to mixer element <NUM>. Mixer element <NUM> is mounted in main chamber <NUM> between main chamber bottom <NUM> and a distal end of main piston <NUM>.

Capsule <NUM> may be made of any material, for example, acrylic glass (methyl methacrylate), polyethylene terephthalate glycol, polypropylene, acrylonitrile styrene (acrylate), polystyrene, aluminum, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyethylene, terephthalate, glass and/or any other material. Different preparations and different raw-ingredients require different storage materials, such as chemical resistant materials to acids or bases, bio-safe materials especially for medical and/or nutritional supplements preparations and/or antioxidants or vitamin that need an oxygen barrier to preserve stability. The mixing and preparing process may also require specific material characteristics, for example thermal resistance. The internal part of capsule <NUM> (which is not exposed to users - internal parts of main chamber <NUM> and repository tubular chambers <NUM>) may be produced from various materials according to ingredients' specifications and storage and/or mixing requirements. The structure of capsule <NUM> (and specifically of comprises a main chamber <NUM> and/or repository tubular chambers <NUM>) may be designed to withstand internal forces without deformation, for example when viscosity of the substances is high or increased, for example during refrigeration.

Capsule <NUM> is adapted to fit into a device <NUM>, which holds capsule <NUM> and facilitates the mixing of substances.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are drawings of a front view and a cross section view, respectively, of a device for mixing multiple substances in a capsule, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Reference is also made to <FIG>, which are drawings of the device of <FIG> with the capsule of <FIG>, from different views, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Device <NUM> includes a fixture <NUM> for a single capsule <NUM>. Device <NUM> and/or capsule <NUM> may be of any size, for example according to the required quantities of substances and/or final mixed product.

Device <NUM> also includes a torque arm <NUM> having a clamp <NUM> for holding mixer rod <NUM>. Torque arm <NUM> is adapted to rotate, pull and push mixer rod <NUM> along an axis of mixer rod <NUM>, by holding torque adapter <NUM>. Optionally, clamp <NUM> is adapted for grabbing and releasing torque adapter <NUM>. Optionally, torque arm <NUM> includes an actuator for pulling and pushing mixer rod <NUM>, and/or a rotor for rotating mixer rod <NUM>.

Optionally, device <NUM> includes at least two pushing rods <NUM>, each adapted to push a repository tubular piston <NUM> into a repository tubular chamber <NUM> to extract substance into main camber <NUM>.

Optionally, device <NUM> includes at least one motor <NUM> operating pushing rods <NUM> and torque arm <NUM>. Optionally, pushing rods <NUM> and torque arm <NUM> are operated by separate motors, for example separate motors are operating each of pushing rods <NUM> and another motor is operating torque arm <NUM>.

Device <NUM> also includes a controller <NUM> adapted to identify a capsule <NUM> in fixture <NUM> and control movements of torque arm <NUM> and optionally pushing rods <NUM> sequentially during one mixing and delivering session. Optionally, pushing rods <NUM> are separately controlled by controller <NUM> so pushing rods <NUM> are not moved simultaneously. This way, substances stored in repository tubular chambers <NUM> may be moved into main chamber <NUM> at different stages of the preparation process, and/or only selected substances and/or quantities of the substances stored in repository tubular chambers <NUM> may be moved into main chamber <NUM>.

Controller <NUM> may include a processor which executes software that includes instructions for performing a method according to some embodiments of the present invention. The processor may include one or more processors arranged for parallel processing, such as clusters and/or as one or more multi core processor(s), and/or any other processing hardware. Controller <NUM> may also include a communication module, which may connect via a network to a computing device operated by the user, such as a mobile phone. The user may provide instructions to controller <NUM> via a user interface of the computing device, for example by software application installed on the mobile phone. The user may select the properties of the desired mixture, the application and/or controller <NUM> calculate the correct movements of torque arm <NUM> and/or pushing rods <NUM> to create the desired mixture.

Reference is also made to <FIG> and <FIG>, which are drawings of a device <NUM> with a capsule <NUM> and a tray at an open position and at a closed position, respectively, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Device <NUM> includes a tray <NUM>, for holding capsule <NUM>, capsule <NUM> and/or other capsules. Tray <NUM> has an open position wherein a capsule <NUM> may be inserted, and a closed position wherein the capsule is fixed inside device <NUM>. Tray <NUM> may be opened and/or closed electronically or manually by the user. Tray <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> though which capsule <NUM> is inserted. Opening <NUM> is large enough to accommodate the body of capsule <NUM>, but not large enough to accommodate a rim <NUM> of capsule <NUM>, therefore the capsule <NUM> is held by tray <NUM> via rim <NUM>. Optionally, opening <NUM> is sized and shaped to accommodate one or more types of capsules, with different sizes and/or shapes. Optionally, tray <NUM> includes a top recess which is shaped and sized to accommodate rim <NUM> and/or different sizes and shapes of rims, to direct the orientation of inserting capsule <NUM> into opening <NUM>. Tray <NUM> may be closed, as shown at <FIG> to position capsule <NUM> inside device <NUM>. Tray <NUM> may be closed, for example, using rails <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a flowchart schematically representing a method for mixing multiple substances in a capsule, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Reference is also made to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, which are cross section drawings of device <NUM> with capsule <NUM>, at different stages of the method of <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

First, as shown at <NUM> and <FIG>, a capsule <NUM> is fixed to device <NUM>, by tray <NUM>. Other capsule fixtures may include, for example, rails of the device on which a rim of the capsule is sliding, a threaded opening for attaching a capsule in a screwing motion and/or a quick release mechanism which locks the capsule for example by clips.

Optionally, the capsule fixed in tray <NUM> is identified by controller <NUM>, for example by scanning a barcode printed on the capsule, such as a quick response (QR) code. This may be done, for example, by an imaging sensor included in device <NUM>. Optionally or alternatively, the capsule fixed in tray <NUM> is identified by device <NUM> using radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip included in the capsule, and an RFID reader included in device <NUM>.

Optionally, device <NUM> is adapted to fix capsules which are different from each other for example by length, physical structure, material, mixer element shape and/or other characteristics.

Optionally, device <NUM> is adapted to fix capsules of different sizes. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are cross section drawings of exemplary sizes of capsules, according to some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> shows a capsule having a small main chamber and small repository tubular chambers. <FIG> shows a capsule having a larger main chamber, and <FIG> shows a capsule having larger repository tubular chambers. Longer (or shorter) length of repository tubular chambers and longer (or shorter) length of main chamber determines the general volume of the capsule, for example between volume of <NUM> milliliters (ml) to volume of <NUM>.

Optionally, device <NUM> (and/or device <NUM>) is adapted to fix capsules having different number of repository tubular chambers and/or different diameters of openings. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are top view drawings of exemplary capsules having different number of repository tubular chambers and/or different diameters of openings, according to some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> shows a capsule having six repository tubular chambers, <FIG> shows a capsule having <NUM> repository tubular chambers, and <FIG> shows a capsule having smaller diameter of main chamber top opening and larger diameter of repository tubular chamber top openings. Larger diameter of repository tubular chambers may result in smaller main chamber diameter.

Optionally, the capsule may have different initial filling states. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are cross section drawings of exemplary capsules having different initial filling states, according to some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> shows a capsule with repository tubular chambers filled with substances. Optionally, each repository tubular chamber is filled with a different substance. In this case, ingredients are located inside the repository tubular chambers only, with no ingredients storage inside the main chamber (liquid nor powder) before capsule's first usage. <FIG> shows a capsule with repository tubular chambers filled with substances and a main chamber partially filled with a different substance. In this case, the main chamber is for example full of liquid or base cream in advance. For example, the main chamber may be filled with substance which is crystalized when refrigerated (for example Vaseline based substance) and cannot move through the passages, but the crystallization is overturned when substance(s) from the repository tubular chamber(s) are added to the main chamber. For another example, the main chamber is filled with powder and optionally air in advance (for example active material or food-additive). When only part of the main chamber is filled with powder and the rest of it is free-space (air) there is no clamp caused by sub-pressure resistance, as described below. <FIG> shows a capsule with one or more repository tubular chamber(s) filled with substance and a main chamber partially filled with the same substance, and other one or more repository tubular chamber(s) filled with substance. Optionally, one or more of the passages are not sealed by the main piston, for example to prevent clamps caused by sub-pressure resistance.

Optionally, the capsule includes windows <NUM>. Windows <NUM> may be located on repository tubular chambers <NUM> for external view of the ingredients before preparation, and/or located on main chamber <NUM> for external view of the mixing process. Windows <NUM> may be made of transparent or light-guided internal-part material. Some raw materials and vitamins which are sensitive to light-exposure or direct sun-light presence, repository tubular chambers <NUM> are made of sealed-to-light material (cheaper) and capsule cover has no window in this case.

Optionally, the capsule includes a lighting element which is operating according to the status of the mixing process, to provide indication for the user. For user experience, lighting of the capsule with different colors and blinking-types is a strong indication feature for users and it demonstrates the operational-state of the machine or the preparation process. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are drawing of a capsule and lighting elements of device <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The lighting elements may be light-emitting diodes (LEDs) <NUM>. LEDs <NUM> may each be positioned on a separate circuit board <NUM>, or may be positioned on one board lighting interface. Optionally, the internal capsule body is made of light-guide materials that let light spread inside and be seen through windows <NUM>.

Then, optionally, after capsule <NUM> is fixed to device <NUM>, a torque element <NUM> (equivalent to torque arm <NUM>) moves down so a torque piston <NUM> is attach to mixer rod <NUM>. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a drawing of an enlarged cross section view of torque piston <NUM> of the device <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a drawing of torque piston <NUM> inserted into mixer rod <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Mixer rod <NUM> includes a tube part, so when torque element <NUM> moves down, torque piston <NUM> is inserted into mixer rod <NUM>. Torque piston <NUM> includes one or more pins <NUM> which are inserted into the torque adapter that includes slots <NUM> of mixer rod <NUM>. The pins <NUM> are locked when torque piston <NUM> is rotated by torque element <NUM>.

Optionally or alternatively, for device <NUM>, torque arm <NUM> is moved down so clamp <NUM> is being attached to torque adapter <NUM>. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a cross section drawing of an enlarged view of a cross section of clamp <NUM> of the device <NUM>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In this example, clamp <NUM> includes grooves in which are fitted for the pins of torque adapter <NUM> (for example <NUM> or <NUM> pins in a plus-shaped arrangement). When torque arm <NUM> is moved down, the pins of torque adapter <NUM> are inserted into the grooves of clamp <NUM> and are fitted inside when clamp <NUM> is rotated (for example <NUM>/<NUM> of a turn), so torque adapter <NUM> is engaged inside clamp <NUM>. Since the rotation of mixer rod <NUM> by torque adapter <NUM> is in the same direction, torque adapter <NUM> is engaged inside clamp <NUM> until the capsule is to be released. This is done by rotating clamp <NUM> in the opposite direction (for example <NUM>/<NUM> of a turn), so the pins of torque adapter <NUM> are moved out of the grooves of clamp <NUM> and torque adapter <NUM> is disengaged from clamp <NUM>.

Then, as shown at <NUM> and <FIG>, mixer rod <NUM> is pulled so main piston <NUM> is moved along main chamber <NUM> from inward position to outward position. This movement opens passages <NUM>, when they are sealed by main piston <NUM>. Optionally, when mixer rod <NUM> is pulled, mixer element <NUM> is pushing main piston <NUM> upward.

Then, optionally, as shown at <NUM>, <FIG> and <FIG>, repository tubular pistons <NUM> are pushed downward to extract substances from repository tubular chambers <NUM> via passages <NUM> into an inner chamber <NUM> of main chamber <NUM> sealed by main piston <NUM>. Optionally, repository tubular pistons <NUM> each include a top surface <NUM> which are pushed downward by pushing rods <NUM>. Repository tubular pistons <NUM> may be pushed simultaneously, or may be pushed individually according to desired substances for example as defined by the user.

Optionally and alternatively, substance from each of the repository tubular chambers <NUM> is pulled into main chamber <NUM> via passages <NUM> by movement of main piston <NUM>. Lower pressure is created inside main chamber <NUM>, which causes substance from each of the repository tubular chambers <NUM> to be pulled into main chamber <NUM>.

Optionally, repository tubular chambers <NUM> and/or repository tubular pistons <NUM> include sharp tip(s) for penetrating a substance bag located inside repository tubular chambers <NUM>. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a cross section drawing of a capsule having sharp tips inside the repository tubular chambers, according to some embodiments of the present invention. When repository tubular pistons <NUM> are pushed, sharp tips <NUM> of repository tubular chambers <NUM> and sharp tip <NUM> of repository tubular pistons <NUM> are creating holes in substance bag <NUM> located inside repository tubular chambers <NUM>. The substance bag <NUM> allows better isolation of active materials, for example to prevent them from interacting with the material of the capsule during storage. The substance bag <NUM> may be of tubular shape to fit inside repository tubular chambers <NUM>, and may be made, for example, from foil, plastic, nylon and/or any other material which is not interacting with the substance stored inside the substance bag <NUM>.

Optionally, repository tubular pistons <NUM> are held in position inside the repository tubular chambers <NUM>, to prevent substance from main chamber <NUM> to return to the repository tubular chambers <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are cross section drawing and an enlarged view of the cross section drawing, respectively, of a capsule having repository tubular pistons held in position by friction, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are cross section drawing and an enlarged view of the cross section drawing, respectively, of a capsule having repository tubular pistons held in position by a spring, according to some embodiments of the present invention. This mechanism may be included in one or more of the repository tubular chambers <NUM>. Optionally, a spring <NUM> pushes the repository tubular piston <NUM> downward to extract a substance from the repository tubular chamber <NUM>. Optionally, a spring <NUM> also pushes the repository tubular piston <NUM> downward to hold the repository tubular piston <NUM> in position, and optionally seal passage <NUM> to prevent the substance from returning to the repository tubular chamber <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are cross section drawing and an enlarged view of the cross section drawing, respectively, of a capsule having repository tubular pistons held in position by locking teeth, according to some embodiments of the present invention. This mechanism may be included in one or more of the repository tubular cambers <NUM>. Optionally, repository tubular pistons <NUM> includes one or more locking teeth <NUM>, and repository tubular chambers <NUM> include one or more matching notches <NUM>. Teeth <NUM> are inserted into notches <NUM> when the repository tubular piston <NUM> is at a downward position, to hold the repository tubular piston <NUM> in position. Optionally, repository tubular chambers <NUM> include multiple notches <NUM> at different locations along repository tubular chambers <NUM>, to allow locking teeth <NUM> to hold the repository tubular piston <NUM> in different positions along repository tubular chambers <NUM>, for example when only some of the substance from a repository tubular chamber <NUM> is extracted into main chamber <NUM>.

Then, as shown at <NUM> and <FIG>, (when the main piston is in outward position) mixer rod <NUM> is rotated to operate mixer element <NUM>. Mixer rod <NUM> is rotated by torque element <NUM> via piston <NUM>. Torque element <NUM> is rotated by torque rod <NUM>, which is operated by an engine <NUM> (shown at <FIG>). Torque rod <NUM> is inserted into torque element <NUM> (and optionally into piston <NUM>), so torque element <NUM> (and optionally into piston <NUM>) may be moved upwards and downwards.

Optionally, as shown at <NUM> and <FIG>, while mixer rod <NUM> is rotated, mixer rod <NUM> is pulled and pushed to move mixer element <NUM> inside inner chamber <NUM>.

Mixer element <NUM> may be of any shape or type. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are drawings of different shapes of mixer elements, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Different preparation types (made of liquids or liquids and powder) that are mixed inside the main chamber have different viscosity behavior and stickiness level. For example, hair color preparation is much easier to be mixed effectively than many kinds of creams, which their ingredients have higher viscosity level. The same is true for syrups of nutritional supplements and/or food additives that some of their ingredients are relatively sticky due to use of more adhesive ingredients types. The choice of mixer elements type and blades width is influenced by the type of preparation ingredients to achieve effective process (homogeneous preparation and quick mixing).

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are drawings of a mixer element in different views and orientations, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Optionally, the blades of mixer element <NUM> include heating surfaces <NUM>, which are heating the preparation mixture in main chamber <NUM> while mixing. Some preparations (for example special creams made of raw materials) are better prepared when the mixture is at a high temperature. The heating may be, for example, for up to <NUM>° -<NUM>° Celsius, depending on mixture type and requirements. Optionally, heating surfaces <NUM> are powered by electricity provided from device <NUM> via torque adapter <NUM> and through mixer rod <NUM>.

Then, optionally, as shown at <NUM>, a main chamber bottom opening <NUM> in main chamber bottom <NUM> is opened to allow the mixture to exit from inner chamber <NUM>.

Optionally, main chamber bottom <NUM> includes a membrane which seals main chamber bottom opening <NUM>. Optionally, mixer rod <NUM> includes a sharp tip <NUM> at the distal end. Optionally, as shown at <FIG>, mixer rod <NUM> is pushed downwards so the membrane is punctured by sharp tip <NUM>.

Optionally, mixer element <NUM> includes flexible blades which include a flexible part <NUM>. Since main chamber bottom <NUM> may be penetrated by sharp tip <NUM> by a pressing force before mixture dispensing, the flexible blades may prevent the "dead-zones" inside main chamber <NUM> around sharp tip <NUM> where unmixed raw-materials may stick together. Flexible part <NUM> has a foldable mechanical connection that is connecting flexible part <NUM> to the rigid part of the blade. When pressing mixer rod <NUM> from top down, both of two parts are merging to same surface-level. Optionally and alternatively, main chamber bottom opening <NUM> is sealed by a bottom piston. Optionally, mixer rod <NUM> is pushed downwards to push the bottom piston downward by the distal end of mixer rod <NUM>, and partially open main chamber bottom opening <NUM>.

Optionally, mixer element <NUM> includes a top sharp tip <NUM>, for penetrating a substance bag located inside main chamber <NUM>. Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a drawing of a mixer element having a top sharp tip, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The substance bag allows better isolation of active materials, as described above. The substance bag may be located between main piston <NUM> and mixer element <NUM>, and may have a donut shape around mixer rod <NUM> (or <NUM>). The top sharp tip <NUM> may penetrate the substance bag when mixer rod <NUM><NUM> is pulled, so mixer element <NUM> is pushing the substance bag and then main piston <NUM> upward.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which are schematic drawings of a bottom view, a side view and a cross section view, respectively, of a frame for a bottom piston, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The frame is made of two parts of the body of a capsule, top part <NUM> and bottom part <NUM>, creating a circular space for the bottom piston. The frame includes bottom openings <NUM> in bottom part <NUM> arranged around the circular opening.

Reference is also made to <FIG>, which are schematic drawings of a cross section view of a frame for a bottom piston and a bottom piston in two positions, according to some embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> shows bottom piston <NUM> at a sealed position, adjacent to top part <NUM>. At this state, bottom piston <NUM> is sealing main chamber <NUM>. When bottom piston <NUM> is pushed downward by the mixer rod of the capsule, as shown at <FIG>, bottom piston <NUM> is adjacent to bottom part <NUM>. At this state, bottom channels are created around bottom piston <NUM> by bottom openings <NUM>, through which substance may be extracted from the main chamber of the capsule.

Reference is also made to <FIG> and <FIG>, which are cross section drawings of a lower part of a capsule having a bottom piston mechanism, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Reference is also made to <FIG>, which is a drawing of the bottom piston of <FIG>, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A bottom piston <NUM> is sealing main chamber bottom opening <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Optionally, main chamber bottom opening <NUM> is sealed with a membrane, which is punctured by sharp tip <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Then, as shown in <FIG>, bottom piston <NUM> is pushed by the distal end of mixer rod <NUM>. Optionally, bottom piston <NUM> is pushed downward against a spring <NUM>. At this state, bottom channels <NUM> of bottom piston <NUM> are opened, through which substance may be extracted from main chamber <NUM>. The substance passes through bottom channels <NUM> and then through a middle bottom channel <NUM> of bottom piston <NUM>.

Then, optionally, as shown at <NUM> and at <FIG> and <FIG>, main piston <NUM> is pushed towards main chamber bottom <NUM> to extract the mixture (the mixed substances) from inner chamber <NUM> via main chamber bottom opening <NUM> to be used by a user. Optionally, main piston <NUM> is pushed by one or more main pushing rods <NUM> (or main pushing rod <NUM> of device <NUM>).

Finally, optionally, as shown at <NUM>, main piston <NUM> returns to its initial position and seals passages <NUM> so ingredients remain clean and unexposed to air and other ingredients. This allows another mixing process to begin using the ingredients left in repository tubular chambers <NUM>.

Optionally, when main chamber bottom opening <NUM> is initially sealed by a bottom piston <NUM>, the user may re-seal chamber bottom opening <NUM> by pushing bottom piston <NUM> upward. Optionally, when mixer rod <NUM> (or <NUM>) is moved upward, spring <NUM> is pushing bottom piston <NUM> upward to re-seal chamber bottom opening <NUM>.

Optionally, mixer rod <NUM> is released from torque element <NUM> by a reversed turn of torque element <NUM> (compared to the direction of turn for mixing) by the motor, thus moving pins <NUM> out of slots <NUM> of mixer rod <NUM>.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which is a cross section drawing of a capsule having bottom slots for forced reverse release, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Reference is also made to <FIG> and <FIG>, which are cross section drawings of a device with capsule at different stages of a forced reverse release, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In case of a malfunction or obstruction in the device that prevents the pins <NUM> from moving out of slots <NUM>, a mechanism is suggested that releases mixer rod <NUM> from torque element <NUM> by force, so the capsule may be removed. The capsule <NUM> includes one or more bottom slots <NUM> located at the main chamber bottom <NUM> (also shown in <FIG>). When needed, mixer rod <NUM> is moved downward and mixer element <NUM> are turned in a reversed direction (compared to the direction of turn for mixing), so that flexible part <NUM> (blades, and/or any other part of mixer element <NUM>) is locked inside the bottom slots <NUM> (as shown at <FIG>). Then, when mixer rod <NUM> continues to turn in the reversed direction, a force is applied on pins <NUM> and pulls them out of slots <NUM>. Mixer rod <NUM> is then released from torque element <NUM>, as shown at <FIG>.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment.

Claim 1:
A capsule for mixing multiple substances, comprising:
a main chamber (<NUM>) having a main chamber bottom (<NUM>) and a main chamber top opening (<NUM>);
at least two repository tubular chambers (<NUM>), each: (<NUM>) adapted to contain substance, (<NUM>) mechanically connected to the main chamber (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) having a repository tubular chamber top opening (<NUM>);
at least two passages (<NUM>), each fluidly connecting one of the at least two repository tubular chambers (<NUM>) to the main chamber (<NUM>);
a main piston (<NUM>) fitted in the main chamber (<NUM>); and
a mixer rod (<NUM>) having a mixer element (<NUM>) disposed at a distal end and a torque adapter (<NUM>) disposed at a proximal end for transferring a torque to the mixer element (<NUM>), the mixer rod (<NUM>) is fitted to pass along the main piston (<NUM>) such that the mixer element (<NUM>) is mounted in the main chamber (<NUM>) between the main chamber bottom (<NUM>) and a distal end of the main piston (<NUM>) when the main piston (<NUM>) is in an outward position;
characterized in that
the main piston (<NUM>) is sealing the at least two passages (<NUM>) in an inward position and opens the at least two passages (<NUM>) when being moved along the main chamber (<NUM>) to the outward position.