Patent Description:
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage vending machine as set out in claim <NUM> and a method of vending a beverage with a beverage vending machine as set out in claim <NUM>.

The invention may be directed to a beverage vending machine and a method of vending a beverage. The beverage vending machines includes a carousel having a plurality of cup dispensing stations supporting a stack of cups and dispensing a lowermost cup from the stack, a drum positioned below the carousel that receives the dispensed cup during a beverage vend. A first nozzle is coupled to the carousel so that the first nozzle moves during rotation of the carousel. The first nozzle is configured to dispense a beverage into the dispensed cup during a beverage dispensing step. During the beverage dispensing step, at least one of: (<NUM>) the carousel rotates about a first rotational axis; and (<NUM>) the drum rotates about a second rotational axis, such that a position of the first nozzle relative to the dispensed cup changes to create an artistic pattern with the beverage being dispensed from the first nozzle into the dispensed cup.

In one aspect, the invention may be a beverage vending machine comprising: a carousel comprising a plurality of cup dispensing stations, each of the plurality of cup dispensing stations configured to support a stack of cups and, during a beverage vend, to dispense a lowermost cup from the stack as a dispensed cup, wherein the carousel is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis; a drum positioned below the carousel and comprising a cup receiving portion that receives the dispensed cup during the beverage vend, wherein the drum is configured to rotate about a second rotational axis that is parallel to and offset from the first rotational axis of the carousel; a first nozzle coupled to the carousel so that the first nozzle moves during rotation of the carousel about the first rotational axis, the first nozzle configured to dispense a beverage into the dispensed cup during a beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend; and wherein during the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, at least one of: (<NUM>) the carousel rotates about the first rotational axis; and (<NUM>) the drum rotates about the second rotational axis, such that a position of the first nozzle relative to the dispensed cup changes to create an artistic pattern with the beverage being dispensed from the first nozzle into the dispensed cup.

At least one of the stacks of cups may comprise a plurality of cups containing a milk powder. There may be a second nozzle configured to dispense water into the dispensed cup prior to the beverage dispensing step. Upon dispensing one of the plurality of cups containing the milk powder into the cup receiving portion of the drum, the drum may rotate about the second rotational axis to align the one of the plurality of cups with the second nozzle to dispense the water into the dispensed cup and generate a milk foam. Afterwards, the drum may rotate about the second rotational axis to align the one of the plurality of cups with the first nozzle to dispense the beverage into the milk foam in the one of the plurality of cup while the at least one of the carousel and the drum rotates to create the artistic pattern.

The beverage may be coffee. The dispensed cup may contain milk foam prior to the beverage dispensing step so that a colour of the coffee contrasts with a colour of the milk foam to create the artistic pattern.

The beverage may be dispensed continuously from the first nozzle during the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend or the beverage may be dispensed intermittently from the first nozzle during the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend.

The first nozzle may be aligned with a top opening of the dispensed cup during an entirety of the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend.

The beverage machine may include a housing defining an interior cavity within which the carousel, the drum, and the first nozzle are located. A beverage brewing apparatus may be located within the interior cavity of the housing and operably coupled to the first nozzle. The beverage brewing apparatus may brew the beverage that is dispensed from the first nozzle. The machine may include a supply of beverage ingredient cartridges located within the interior cavity of the housing. The beverage ingredient cartridges may be fed to the beverage brewing apparatus one at a time to facilitate the brewing of the beverage with the beverage brewing apparatus.

The machine may include a user interface comprising a plurality of user selectable beverage options and a processor operably coupled to the user interface. Upon a user selecting a first beverage option from the plurality of user selectable beverage options on the user interface, the processor may initiate the beverage vend. The user interface may include a plurality of user selectable artistic patterns. Upon a user selecting one of the plurality of user selectable artistic patterns, the processor may rotate the at least one of the carousel and the drum in a particular manner to create the artistic pattern associated with the one of the plurality of user selectable artistic patterns during the beverage vend. Upon the user selecting a second beverage option from the plurality of user selectable beverage options on the user interface, the processor may be configured to initiate a second type of beverage vend wherein the dispensed cup contains a beverage ingredient and a second nozzle dispenses water into the dispensed cup that mixes with the beverage ingredient in the dispensed cup to generate a drink without introducing the beverage into the dispensed cup from the first nozzle.

During the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, the carousel may rotate about the first rotational axis and the drum may rotate about the second rotational axis to modify the position of the first nozzle relative to the dispensed cup.

During the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, the position of the first nozzle relative to the dispensed cup may change due to the rotation of the at least one of the carousel and the drum while ensuring that any of the beverage dispensed by the first nozzle is introduced into the dispensed cup.

In another aspect, the invention may be a beverage vending machine comprising: a carousel comprising a plurality of cup dispensing stations, each of the plurality of cup dispensing stations configured to support a stack of cups and to dispense a lowermost cup from the stack as a dispensed cup; a drum positioned below the carousel and comprising a cup receiving portion that receives the from the carousel and holds the dispensed cup during a beverage vend; a beverage brewing apparatus configured to brew a beverage; and a first nozzle fluidly coupled to the beverage brewing apparatus to dispense the beverage brewed by the beverage brewing apparatus into the dispensed cup during a beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend.

The machine may include a housing defining an interior cavity within which the carousel, the drum, the beverage brewing apparatus, and the first nozzle are located. The beverage brewing apparatus may be coupled to the carousel. The carousel may be configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. The first nozzle may be coupled to the carousel so that the first nozzle moves during rotation of the carousel about the first rotational axis. The drum may be configured to rotate about a second rotational axis that is parallel to and offset from the first rotational axis of the carousel.

During the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, at least one of: (<NUM>) the carousel may rotate about the first rotational axis; and (<NUM>) the drum may rotate about the second rotational axis, such that a position of the first nozzle relative to the dispensed cup changes to create an artistic pattern with the beverage being dispensed from the first nozzle into the dispensed cup.

The beverage brewing apparatus may be a coffee brewing machine or an espresso brewing machine.

The plurality of cup dispensing stations may comprise a first cup dispensing station that supports a first stack of cups. Each of the cups of the first stack of cups may contain a milk powder. The machine may include a second nozzle. When the dispensed cup is one of the cups from the first stack of cups, the second nozzle may be configured to dispense water into the dispensed cup to create a milk froth from the milk powder prior to the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend. The beverage may be coffee having a colour that contrasts with the milk powder. During the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, the carousel may rotate about the first rotational axis; and the drum may rotate about the second rotational axis, such that a position of the first nozzle relative to the dispensed cup changes to create an artistic pattern with the beverage being dispensed from the first nozzle into the milk froth in the dispensed cup. The plurality of cup dispensing stations may comprise a second cup dispensing station that supports a second stack of cups. Each of the cups of the second stack of cups may contain a beverage ingredient. When the dispensed cup is one of the cups from the second stack of cups, the second nozzle may be configured to dispense water into the dispensed cup and then present the dispensed cup to a consumer without performing the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend.

In still another aspect, the invention may be a method of vending a beverage with a beverage vending machine, the method comprising: dispensing a cup from a carousel to a drum positioned below the carousel, the cup containing a milk powder; dispensing a first liquid into the cup to create a milk froth from the milk powder; dispensing a second liquid into the cup from a first nozzle that is coupled to the carousel while rotating at least one of the drum and the carousel to modify a position of the first nozzle relative to the cup to create an artistic pattern with the second liquid that is visible on the milk froth.

The second liquid may be a coffee product having a contrasting colour to the milk froth. The first liquid may be water that combines with the milk powder to form the milk froth. The drum and the carousel may both be configured to rotate clockwise and counteer-clockwise during the dispensing of the second liquid into the cup to create the artistic pattern. The second liquid may be dispensed into the cup continuously so that the artistic pattern is a continuous unbroken pattern. The second liquid may be dispensed into the cup intermittently so that the artistic pattern is a discontinuous pattern.

Prior to dispensing the cup from the stack of cups, a beverage type may be selected from a plurality of selectable beverage types and the artistic pattern may be selected from a plurality of selectable artistic patterns. The carousel may rotate about a first rotational axis and the drum may rotate about a second rotational axis that is parallel to and offset from the first rotational axis. The second liquid dispensed from the first nozzle may be introduced into the cup regardless of the position of the first nozzle relative to the cup due to the rotation of the at least one of the drum and the carousel. The first nozzle may be maintained in alignment with a top opening of the cup as the at least one of the drum and the carousel rotate during the dispensing of the second liquid into the cup. The cup may be positioned in the cup receiving portion of the drum during the dispensing of the second liquid into the cup from the first nozzle such that rotation of the drum causes the cup to move and rotation of the carousel causes the first nozzle to move.

The method may include rotating the carousel about a first rotational axis until the cup dispensing station of the carousel is aligned with an actuation mechanism. The method may include actuating a cup dispensing mechanism of the cup dispensing station with the actuation mechanism to dispense the cup from the stack of cups. The method may include rotating the drum about a second longitudinal axis to align the cup with a second nozzle. The method may include dispensing the first liquid from the second nozzle into the cup to create the milk froth. The method may include rotating the drum about the second longitudinal axis to align the cup with the first nozzle. The method may include dispensing the second liquid into the cup from the first nozzle.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be a beverage vending machine comprising: a carousel comprising a cup dispensing station supporting a stack of cups containing a milk powder, wherein during a beverage vend the cup dispensing station is configured to dispense a lowermost cup from the stack of cups; a drum positioned below the carousel and comprising a cup receiving portion that receives the lowermost cup during the beverage vend; a water dispensing nozzle configured to dispense water, wherein the drum is configured to rotate about a rotational axis to position the dispensed cup so that the water dispensing nozzle dispenses the water into the dispensed cup to create a milk froth from the milk powder; a beverage dispensing nozzle coupled to the carousel so that the beverage dispensing nozzle moves during rotation of the carousel about the first rotational axis, the beverage dispensing nozzle configured to dispense a beverage into the dispensed cup during a beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend; and wherein during the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, at least one of: (<NUM>) the carousel rotates about a first rotational axis; and (<NUM>) the drum rotates about a second rotational axis, such that a position of the beverage dispensing nozzle relative to the dispensed cup changes to create an artistic pattern with the beverage that is visible on the milk froth in the cup.

The second rotational axis may be parallel to and offset from the first rotational axis.

In yet another aspect, the invention can be a method of vending a beverage with a beverage vending machine, the method comprising: dispensing a cup from a carousel to a drum positioned below the carousel; dispensing a first liquid into the cup, the first liquid having a first colour; and dispensing a second liquid into the cup from a first nozzle that is coupled to the carousel while rotating at least one of the drum and the carousel to modify a position of the first nozzle relative to the cup to create an artistic pattern with the second liquid that has a second colour that is different than the first colour.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a beverage vending machine <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage vending machine <NUM> comprises a carousel <NUM> that is configured to support a plurality of stacks of cups (the cups are not depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, but are shown in <FIG>). Operation of the beverage vending machine <NUM> includes automatic dispensing of one cup from the carousel <NUM>, filling the cup (which may pre-filled with a beverage ingredient) with hot or cold water to form a beverage from the mixture of the beverage ingredient and the water, and presenting the cup with the beverage therein to a consumer. All of these actions may be achieved by the beverage vending machine <NUM> automatically upon a user putting money into the machine (if required) and pressing a button associated with a particular beverage. Thus, a user need not use his or her own cup with the beverage vending machine <NUM>, but rather the beverage vending machine <NUM> vends a drink in a cup stored within the beverage vending machine <NUM> and then provides the cup and drink to the user. Beverage vending machines of this type are often called in-cup vending machines.

The beverage vending machine <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM> that includes a body portion <NUM> and a door <NUM> that can be altered between a closed state (<FIG>) and an open state (<FIG>). The door <NUM> is closed during normal use of the beverage vending machine <NUM> and open during maintenance, cleaning, and/or when additional cups need to be loaded into the beverage vending machine <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the beverage vending machine <NUM> comprises a user interface <NUM> which comprises a plurality of buttons <NUM> each associated with a beverage option. The user interface <NUM> may be located on the door <NUM>. The buttons <NUM> may each include indicia, graphics, or labelling associated with a different type of beverage. For example, one of the buttons <NUM> may include a graphic image of a particular type of coffee and another one of the buttons <NUM> may include a graphic image of hot chocolate, iced or hot tea, plain or flavoured water, a type of soup, or the like. Basically, each of the buttons <NUM> is associated with one of the types of beverages that the beverage vending machine <NUM> is configured to create. The buttons <NUM> may be dynamic such that they can be changed by a caretaker of the beverage vending machine <NUM> either by physically replacing an indicia card or electronically changing a display on a screen. A user can select a particular beverage to be made by the beverage vending machine <NUM> by pressing the associated one of the buttons <NUM>. In other embodiments, the user interface <NUM> may be omitted and a user may make beverage selections via an electronic device such as a smart phone, laptop, computer, or the like which may be connected (wirelessly or wired) to the beverage vending machine <NUM>. Thus, a user may utilize a software application to make drink selections on the beverage vending machine <NUM>.

The beverage vending machine <NUM> may comprise a payment receiving section <NUM> for receiving payment in coins, cash, or electronic payment which may include payment via a credit or debit card or payment via an electronic key that has money associated therewith. The beverage vending machine <NUM> may comprise a coin return area <NUM> where the change associated with a particular product purchase may be provided to a consumer. The beverage vending machine <NUM> may be pre-set to operate without requiring payment in some instances, such as if the beverage vending machine <NUM> is located in a place of employment and the employer desires to provide free beverages from the beverage vending machine <NUM> as a perk. Furthermore, the beverage vending machine <NUM> includes a beverage pick-up zone <NUM> where the user/consumer can pick up the beverage after it is made by the beverage vending machine <NUM>. The beverage pick-up zone <NUM> may be formed as an opening in the door <NUM> so that a user can reach into the opening to grab the beverage after it is made and presented to the user at the pick-up zone <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the door <NUM> can be opened to expose an interior cavity <NUM> of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. Typically the door <NUM> is only opened during maintenance or when the stacks of cups are being restocked. The carousel <NUM> is located within the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. As noted above, the carousel <NUM> is configured to support a plurality of stacks of cups. The carousel <NUM> is also configured to dispense a lowermost cup from a particular stack of the cups that is associated with a drink type selected by a user on the user interface <NUM>. The beverage vending machine <NUM> comprises a drum <NUM> that is located within the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The drum <NUM> is positioned below the carousel <NUM>. The purpose of the drum <NUM> is to receive the cups that are dispensed from the carousel <NUM> and to carry the dispensed cup to various nozzles where liquids are introduced into the cup to form the user's selected drink. Thus, the drum <NUM> may also be referred to herein as a conveyor in that it carries the dispensed cup from place to place during the creation of a drink therein. Once the drink is formed, the drum <NUM> may be rotated so that the cup is aligned with the pick-up zone <NUM> and a user can grab the cup from the drum <NUM>. Additional details about the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> will be provided below.

The beverage vending machine <NUM> may also include a processor and/or circuitry <NUM> that includes all of the electronic components required for proper operation of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may be configured to receive, from the user interface <NUM>, signals indicative of a choice of beverage selected by a consumer (i.e., user input) and initiate operation of the carousel <NUM>, the drum <NUM>, and other components of the beverage vending machine <NUM> so that the correct drink is generated and provided to the consumer. The beverage vending machine <NUM> may include other components, such as a slop bucket <NUM> for collecting excess liquids, conduits/tubing for carrying liquids from a source to a nozzle, and other components that facilitate the proper operation of the machine. However, such components are not described herein in detail as they are generally conventional and understood by persons skilled in the art. The beverage vending machine <NUM> may include a power cord for plugging into a mains power supply to supply power to the beverage vending machine <NUM> and its electronic components. Alternatively, the beverage vending machine <NUM> may comprise its own power source (e.g., batteries) for powering the electronic components. The beverage vending machine <NUM> may include a switch for powering on and off.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic is provided illustrating at least some of the functional components of the beverage vending machine <NUM> which operate together to create the drink selected by the user during a beverage vend. As used herein, the term "beverage vend" refers to the entire process of vending a beverage, from the dispensing of the lowermost cup from one of the stacks of cups supported by the carousel <NUM> to the introduction of various liquids into the cup to form the beverage to the presentation of the cup to the consumer. Furthermore, the term drink is used herein to refer to the final drink product that is provided to the consumer. The term beverage is used herein to refer to a liquid other than water that is introduced into the cup during the beverage vend. The beverage may form the final drink product that is provided to the consumer, or the beverage may mix with other ingredients to form the drink that is provided to the consumer.

With reference to <FIG>, in the exemplified embodiment the beverage vending machine <NUM> comprises the carousel <NUM>, the drum <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the user interface <NUM>, a first nozzle <NUM>, a second nozzle <NUM>, a beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>, and a supply of beverage ingredient cartridges <NUM> that are used to supply the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the carousel <NUM>, the drum <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, the first nozzle <NUM>, the second nozzle <NUM>, the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>, and the supply of beverage ingredient cartridges <NUM> is located within the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. The user interface <NUM> may be located on the door <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> and/or the supply of beverage ingredient cartridges <NUM> may be located external to the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> may be fluidly coupled to the first nozzle <NUM>, such as by a tube or conduit <NUM>.

The second nozzle <NUM> may be operably coupled to a water source <NUM> by a tube or conduit <NUM>. The water source <NUM> may be a mains water supply. Thus, in <FIG> the water source <NUM> is depicted external to the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, there may be a water source or tank located within the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> which is operably coupled to the second nozzle <NUM>. The water source <NUM> may also be fluidly coupled to the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> to supply the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> with the water necessary to brew beverages (i.e., coffee and espresso), such as via the tube or conduit <NUM> depicted in <FIG>.

The processor <NUM> may be operably coupled to the user interface <NUM>, the carousel <NUM>, the drum <NUM>, the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>, the supply of beverage ingredient cartridges <NUM>, the first nozzle <NUM> and the second nozzle <NUM> to receive signals/instructions from the user interface <NUM> and utilize those instructions to control the operation of the remaining components for drink creation. While the processor <NUM> is illustrated as being operably coupled to the first and second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM>, in some embodiments the processor <NUM> may be operably coupled to a valve or a pump that is positioned between the first and second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM> and the source of the liquid being supplied to and dispensed through the first and second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM>. In either case, the processor <NUM> may control the flow of a particular liquid to the first and second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM> either by controlling the first and second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM> directly or by controlling a pump or valve positioned between the liquid source and the first and second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., a valve or pump may be located along each of the tubes/conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).

The beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> may be a coffee machine or an espresso machine that generates a coffee beverage using beverage ingredient cartridges that are stored in the supply of beverage ingredient cartridges <NUM>. The beverage ingredient cartridges may be sachets, containers, capsules, or any other type of package that contains a beverage ingredient, such as for example without limitation coffee grounds, tea leaves, cocoa powder, milk powder, or the like, therein. For example the beverage ingredient cartridges may be Lavazza Blue coffee capsules in some embodiments, Lavazza coffee sachets, or capsules, packages, or sachets sold by other companies that are compatible with the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>.

The beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> may be coupled to the water supply <NUM> by a tube or conduit <NUM> or to any other water supply whether it be a tank of water located within the interior cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> or a mains water supply. When a user selects a beverage product that requires coffee or espresso from the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>, the processor <NUM> will send signals to the supply of beverage ingredient cartridges <NUM> and to the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> (and to any transfer mechanism used to transfer the beverage cartridges from the supply <NUM> to the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>) to accomplish the task of transferring one of the beverage cartridges <NUM> from the supply of beverage ingredient cartridges <NUM> to the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may then instruct the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> to brew a beverage by introducing liquid, likely hot water, from the water supply <NUM> into the beverage cartridge. There may be an in-line heater positioned along the conduit <NUM> between the water supply <NUM> and the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> for heating the water prior to introduction into the beverage cartridge. Alternatively, the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> may comprise a heater within a housing of the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> for heating the water prior to introduction into the beverage cartridge. The liquid introduced into the beverage cartridge will pass through the beverage ingredient (i.e., coffee grounds, espresso grounds, or the like) of the beverage ingredient cartridge to form a beverage (i.e., coffee or espresso), which then flows through the conduit <NUM> to the first nozzle <NUM>. The beverage may then be dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM> into the cup held by the drum <NUM>. Thus, the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> is fluidly coupled to the first nozzle <NUM> for purposes of dispensing the beverage brewed by the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> into the cup that is later provided to the consumer.

The first nozzle <NUM> may be coupled to the carousel <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the first nozzle <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the carousel <NUM> so that as the carousel <NUM> rotates, the first nozzle <NUM> moves along with the carousel <NUM>. The first nozzle <NUM> may move along an arcuate path as the carousel <NUM> rotates. By having the first nozzle <NUM> coupled to the carousel <NUM>, artistic patterns can be created in the final drink product by moving the first nozzle <NUM> while the beverage is being dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM> into the cup held by the drum <NUM>, as described in greater detail below.

With reference to <FIG>, the general operation of the beverage vending machine <NUM> will be briefly described. As noted above, the carousel <NUM> holds a plurality of stacks of cups. In particular, the carousel <NUM> comprises a plurality of cup dispensing stations <NUM>, each of which is configured to support a stack of cups. Within each stack, the cups may contain a particular beverage ingredient. That is, each cup within a given stack main contain the same beverage ingredient. However, the cups of the different stacks may contain different beverage ingredients. For example, the cups of one or more of the stacks of cups may contain a soluble coffee powder, the cups of one or more of the stacks of cups may contain a milk powder, the cups of one or more of the stacks of cups may contain a mixture of coffee powder and milk powder, the cups of one or more of the stacks of cups may contain different flavours of juice or sports drink powder, the cups of one or more of the stacks of cups may contain tea leaves, and the cups of one or more of the stacks of cups may contain cocoa powder (for hot chocolate). The cups of one or more of the stacks of cups may be left empty so that they can be filled with plain water as the final beverage product which is delivered to the consumer.

A user first selects a drink type on the user interface <NUM> by pressing one of the buttons <NUM> on the user interface <NUM>. Next, the processor <NUM> sends instructions to the carousel <NUM> to rotate until a cup dispensing station <NUM> supporting the stack of cups containing the beverage ingredient associated with the selected drink type is aligned with an actuation mechanism <NUM>. For example, if the user selected a coffee beverage, the cup dispensing station <NUM> supporting the stack of cups containing coffee powder may be aligned with the actuation mechanism <NUM> whereas if the user selected a sports drink, the cup dispensing station <NUM> supporting the stack of cups containing a sports drink powder may be aligned with the actuation mechanism <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may then send instructions to the actuation mechanism <NUM> to actuate a cup dispensing mechanism of the cup dispensing station <NUM> so that the cup dispensing station dispenses a lowermost cup from the stack of cups containing the beverage ingredient associated with the selected drink. The lowermost cup that is dispensed from the cup dispensing station <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> is received by the drum <NUM> which holds the dispensed cup until it is provided to the consumer with their desired beverage therein.

The processor <NUM> may then instruct the drum <NUM> to rotate to hold the dispensed cup beneath at least one, or perhaps both in succession, of the first nozzle <NUM> and the second nozzle <NUM>. The particular nozzle or nozzles that the drum <NUM> holds the dispensed cup beneath is dependent on the drink type selected by the user. Various liquids and/or beverages, which may include water, coffee, and espresso, may be dispensed from the first and/or second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM> (via instructions received from the processor <NUM>) into the cup which may mix with the beverage ingredient contained therein to form the user's selected beverage. The processor <NUM> may then instruct the drum <NUM> to rotate until the dispensed cup containing the user's selected drink is aligned with the beverage pick-up zone <NUM>. Thus, if the selected drink is a sports drink, the drum <NUM> may hold the dispensed cup only under the second nozzle <NUM> which dispenses water into the cup to mix with the sports drink powder, and then the drum <NUM> may present the dispensed cup to the user. If the selected drink is a latte or cappuccino, the drum <NUM> may first hold the dispensed cup under the second nozzle <NUM> to generate a milk foam from a milk powder in the dispensed cup, then the drum <NUM> may hold the dispensed cup under the first nozzle to dispense a coffee beverage into the dispensed cup, and then the drum <NUM> may present the drink to the user.

In one particular embodiment which is relevant to the invention described herein and will be described in more detail below, a user may select a latte, cappuccino, or similar drink. In such an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may instruct the carousel <NUM> to dispense a cup containing milk powder only to the drum <NUM>. The drum <NUM> may then carry the cup to be positioned beneath the second nozzle <NUM> where water is dispensed into the cup as a jet stream of water so that as the water mixes with the milk powder in the cup a milk foam or milk froth is formed in the cup. Next, the drum <NUM> may carry the cup with the milk froth therein to be positioned beneath the first nozzle <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may instruct the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> to brew a beverage. Then, with the cup positioned beneath the first nozzle <NUM>, the beverage brewed by the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> may be dispensed into the cup, and more specifically into the milk froth in the cup. The stage of the beverage vend during which the beverage is dispensed into the cup from the first nozzle <NUM> may be referred to herein as a beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend. During the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, the drum <NUM> and/or the carousel <NUM> may move and/or rotate, in some cases while the beverage is being dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM>, to alter the position of the first nozzle <NUM> relative to the cup in order to create an artistic pattern with the beverage on the milk foam in the cup. This will be described in greater detail below.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> are illustrated partially, with some components and features thereof omitted for purposes of easily recognizing and describing the relative positions of the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM>. The carousel <NUM> may comprise a rotating plate <NUM> comprising a plurality of openings <NUM>, each associated with one of the cup dispensing stations <NUM>. The carousel <NUM> may further comprise a plurality of cup support tubes <NUM> that extend vertically from the rotating plate <NUM> at each of the openings <NUM>. The cup support tubes <NUM> may help with supporting a stack of the cups <NUM> (only one stack of cups is shown in <FIG>) at each of the cup dispensing stations <NUM>. There may also be a cup dispensing mechanism coupled to the rotating plate <NUM> for purposes of dispensing a lowermost cup from the stacks of cups as needed. The cup dispensing mechanism may comprise a plurality of cup dispensing scrolls <NUM>, which are described in greater detail below.

The drum <NUM> is positioned below or beneath the carousel <NUM> so that a cup dispensed from the carousel <NUM> will drop into a cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. The dispensed cup may fall by gravity along from the carousel <NUM> into the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> In the exemplified embodiment, the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM> formed into an outer periphery <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may be defined by an inner wall <NUM> that is concave. Furthermore, the cup receiving portion <NUM> may comprise support protrusions <NUM> that extend from the inner wall <NUM> into the empty space of the recess <NUM>. When a cup is dispensed into the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>, the rim of the cup may rest atop of the support protrusions <NUM> of the cup receiving portion <NUM> until a user removes the cup from the drum <NUM> after being presented with the drink. The cup receiving portion <NUM> may take on other structures or configuration in other embodiments, including being a platform upon which the cup is held and a clamp device or the like for holding the cup in place as the drum <NUM> rotates during drink preparation, a hole formed through the drum <NUM> without extending to the outer periphery of the drum <NUM>, or various other structures that can achieve the purpose of holding the cup as it is carried to the nozzles and ultimately to the beverage pick-up zone <NUM>.

The carousel <NUM> is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis A-A. The drum <NUM>, which is positioned below the carousel <NUM>, is configured to rotate about a second rotational axis B-B. The second rotational axis B-B may be parallel to the first rotational axis A-A while being offset from the first rotational axis A-A. That is, the second rotational axis B-B may be spaced apart from the first rotational axis A-A. The second rotational axis B-B may be intersected by an outer peripheral edge <NUM> of the carousel <NUM>. Rotation of the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> may be accomplished by various motors, gears, and the like as would be commonly understood by persons skilled in the art. The carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> may be configured to rotate independently of one another such that the carousel <NUM> may rotate without the drum <NUM> also rotating and/or the drum <NUM> may rotate without the carousel <NUM> also rotating. Despite the independent nature of the rotation of the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM>, the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> may be made to rotate simultaneously about their respective rotational axes A-A, B-B. The carousel <NUM> may have a greater diameter than the drum <NUM>, although this is not required in all embodiments.

The drum <NUM> is positioned beneath the carousel <NUM> so that a first portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> is aligned with the carousel <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> is not aligned with the carousel <NUM>. This is best seen in <FIG>, whereby the first portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> is partially covered by the carousel <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> is positioned beyond the outer periphery of the carousel <NUM>. As noted, the drum <NUM> is configured to rotate about the rotational axis B-B, and thus the exact circumferential part of the drum <NUM> which forms the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> thereof will change as the drum <NUM> rotates. In <FIG>, the cup receiving region <NUM> is not aligned with the carousel <NUM>. Rotating the drum <NUM> clockwise will align the cup receiving section <NUM> with one of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> so that a cup can be dispensed from the carousel <NUM> into the cup receiving section <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. In <FIG>, the cup dispensing station <NUM> labelled "<NUM>" is supporting a stack of cups <NUM>. The drum <NUM> may be rotated clockwise until the cup receiving portion <NUM> is aligned with the cup dispensing station <NUM> labelled "<NUM>" so that one of the cups from the stack of cups <NUM> may be dispensed into the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. The drum <NUM> can then be further rotated to move the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> out of alignment with the carousel <NUM> and to bring the cup into alignment with the first and/or second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM> as may be necessary during a particular beverage vend.

Referring to <FIG>, a top plan view of the carousel <NUM> is illustrated (with only one stack of cups <NUM> shown in the view provided). The carousel <NUM> comprises the plurality of cup dispensing stations <NUM>, each of which is configured to hold one of the stacks of cups <NUM> and to dispense cups from that stack one at a time upon user selection of a drink on the beverage vending machine <NUM>. The carousel <NUM> is configured to rotate about the rotational axis A-A during operation of the beverage vending system <NUM> to align a desired one of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> with the actuation mechanism <NUM> to dispense a desired cup in accordance with a drink selection made by a consumer.

In <FIG>, one of the stacks of cups <NUM> is depicted in one of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> and in that cup dispensing station <NUM> a top plate has been removed to expose the internal components that facilitate the dispensing of an individual cup. Each of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> may support one of the stacks of cups <NUM>. Furthermore, for each stack <NUM>, each cup within that stack <NUM> holds the same beverage ingredient. With that in mind, each stack of cups <NUM> may include cups holding the same beverage ingredient, with the beverage ingredient varying from one stack to another. Thus, the stack of cups <NUM> held by a first one of the cup dispensing stations 201a may contain a black coffee ingredient (e.g., coffee grounds), the stack of cups <NUM> held by a second one of the cup dispensing stations 201b may contain coffee grounds, sugar, and whitener, the stack of cups <NUM> held by a third one of the cup dispensing stations 201c may contain tea, the stack of cups <NUM> held by a fourth one of the cup dispensing stations 201d may contain milk powder. Of course, two of the stacks of cups <NUM> may contain the same beverage ingredient in some embodiments so that there are more cups available with the most popular beverage ingredient selections. However, in the exemplified embodiment there are sixteen different cup dispensing stations <NUM> and therefore it is possible for the beverage vending machine <NUM> to vend sixteen different beverages if each cup dispensing assembly <NUM> supports a stack of cups <NUM> holding a different beverage ingredient. As noted above and described further below, when the cups are inserted into the beverage vending machine <NUM>, at least some of the cups may be pre-filled with a beverage ingredient (e.g., coffee grounds, hot chocolate powder, tea, flavoured water powder, soup base ingredients, etc.). Thus, when a beverage is selected by a consumer, a cup having the desired beverage ingredient is dispensed from the carousel <NUM> and then either hot or cold water is added to create the drink that is then provided to the consumer. As further noted above, it may also be possible to add brewed coffee or espresso from the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> into the dispensed cups during the drink formation process.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> concurrently, each of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> comprises one of the openings <NUM> through which a cup is dispensed, four scrolls <NUM> that support the stack of cups <NUM> and dispense the lowermost cup in the stack when desired (i.e., when a user pushes the button to vend a drink that is associated with a particular stack of cups), and a ring gear <NUM> that interacts with the four scrolls <NUM> as described further below to facilitate the dispensing of the lowermost cup from the stack <NUM>. The four scrolls <NUM> and the ring gear <NUM> may be collectively referred to herein as a cup dispensing mechanism of the cup dispensing station <NUM>. The four scrolls <NUM> are identical in structure in this embodiment, and the particular structure of the scrolls <NUM> will be described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>. In the exemplified embodiment, there are two outer scrolls <NUM> that are spaced apart by a first distance and two inner scrolls <NUM> that are spaced apart by a second distance that is less than the first distance (the inner scrolls are the ones closest to the rotational axis A-A and the outer scrolls are the ones furthest from the rotational axis A-A). Of course, there could be more or less than four scrolls <NUM> in other embodiments and the spacing between the scrolls <NUM> could be modified to be different than that which is shown in the exemplified embodiment in some alternative embodiments. In <FIG>, there is a cup or a stack of cups <NUM> positioned within the opening <NUM> of the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> that is shown in that figure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, one of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> will be described in greater detail. As noted above, the cup dispensing assembly mechanism of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> comprises the ring gear <NUM> and four of the scrolls <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the ring gear <NUM> has an inner surface <NUM> that faces the opening <NUM> and an opposite outer surface <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the inner surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> is smooth and the outer surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> comprises one or more sets of gear teeth <NUM> that are configured to interact with gear teeth <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>, as described further below. In other embodiments, the gear teeth <NUM> may be located on the inner surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> rather than the outer surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>.

Briefly, the scrolls <NUM> comprise a body portion <NUM> and a gear portion <NUM> extending from a bottom end of the body portion <NUM>. The gear portion <NUM> comprises gear teeth <NUM> that are configured to interact with the gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> as described in more detail below. In the exemplified embodiment, the four scrolls <NUM> are positioned so as to surround the outer surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> so that the gear portions <NUM> of the four scrolls <NUM> are adjacent to the outer surface <NUM> of the gear ring <NUM>. In other embodiments, the ring gear <NUM> may surround the scrolls <NUM> such that the scrolls <NUM> are positioned within the interior of the ring gear <NUM> and adjacent to the inner surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>. In such an embodiment, the gear teeth <NUM> on the ring gear <NUM> would be located on the inner surface <NUM> rather than the outer surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, there are four sets of the gear teeth <NUM> arranged in a spaced apart manner along the outer surface <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> so that each set of gear teeth <NUM> is located in the vicinity of the gear portion <NUM> of one of the scrolls <NUM>. During operation, the actuation mechanism <NUM> is coupled to the ring gear <NUM> and causes the ring gear <NUM> to rotate about a rotational axis (when a drink associated with the beverage ingredient in the cups being supported by the scrolls <NUM> of a particular cup dispensing assembly <NUM> is actuated/selected by a user/consumer). As the ring gear <NUM> rotates, the gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> engage the gear teeth <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>, thereby causing the scrolls <NUM> to rotate about a rotational axis. The rotation of the scrolls <NUM> causes a lowermost cup of the stack of cups <NUM> to be separated from the remainder of the stack <NUM> and thereby dispensed into the cup receiving region <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. The manner in which the scrolls <NUM> cause the lowermost cup to be separated from the remainder of the stack <NUM> will be better understood following a detailed description of the structure of the scrolls <NUM> provided below with reference to <FIG>.

Once a particular drink is selected by a consumer, the carousel <NUM> rotates such that all of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> rotate about the rotational axis A-A (see <FIG>). The carousel <NUM> rotates until the cup dispensing assembly <NUM> containing a stack of cups having the beverage ingredient that is associated with the particular drink selected by the consumer is aligned with the actuation mechanism <NUM> of the carousel <NUM>. Next, the actuation mechanism <NUM> may actuate the ring gear <NUM> of that cup dispensing assembly <NUM> so that it rotates, which then causes the scrolls <NUM> of that cup dispensing assembly <NUM> to rotate, which causes dispensing of one of the cups held within that cup dispensing assembly <NUM> of the carousel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the scrolls <NUM> will be described in detail in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, each of the scrolls <NUM> may include the body portion <NUM> and the gear portion <NUM> having gear teeth <NUM> thereon. The body portion <NUM> may extend from a bottom end <NUM> to a top end <NUM>, and the gear portion <NUM> may extend downwardly from the bottom end <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>. As described above, the gear teeth <NUM> of the gear portions <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> may interact with the gear teeth <NUM> of the ring gear <NUM> during operation to dispense a cup. Thus, each of the scrolls <NUM> may be rotatable about a rotational axis C-C during this operation, the rotational axes C-C being parallel to a rotational axis of the ring gear <NUM> and to the rotational axis A-A of the carousel <NUM>.

The body portion <NUM> of the scroll <NUM> may comprise a main body <NUM> having a generally cylindrical shape and having an outer surface <NUM>. Furthermore, the body portion <NUM> of the scroll <NUM> may comprise a support ledge <NUM> extending from the outer surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The support ledge <NUM> may comprise an upper surface <NUM>, a lower surface <NUM>, and a distal surface <NUM> which is the terminal end surface of the support ledge <NUM> located furthest from the main body <NUM>. The support ledge <NUM> may be configured to support a rim of a lowermost cup of one of the stacks of cups <NUM> on its upper surface <NUM>, thereby supporting the entire stack of cups. The support ledge <NUM> may be level or planar to facilitate the support of the rim of the cup as described herein. Stated another way, the upper surface <NUM> of the support ledge <NUM> may in a plane Y-Y. Referring briefly to <FIG> and <FIG>, the support ledges <NUM> of the four scrolls <NUM> may collectively support the stack of cups <NUM> by the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack of cups <NUM> resting atop of the support ledges <NUM> of each of the four scrolls <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the support ledge <NUM> is located closer to the top end <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> than to the bottom end <NUM> of the body portion <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM> may comprise an upstanding wall <NUM> that extends from the upper surface <NUM> of the support ledge <NUM> to the top end <NUM> of the scroll <NUM>. The upstanding wall <NUM> may be in contact with an outer surface of the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack <NUM> in some embodiments, as will be described in greater detail below with particular reference to <FIG>.

Each of the scrolls <NUM> may also comprises a cup splitter <NUM> protruding from the outer surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> of the scroll <NUM>. The cup splitter <NUM> may be configured to force two adjacent cups in a stack of the cups (i.e., the lowermost cup and the second lowermost cup) to separate from one another so that the lowermost cup can be dispensed. The cup splitter <NUM> may comprise a bottom surface <NUM> and a top surface <NUM>. The bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM> may also be referred to herein as a cam surface. In the exemplified embodiment, the top surface <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM> may be flat and the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM> may be inclined and/or arranged helically around the outer surface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> of the body portion <NUM> of the scroll <NUM>. Due to the varying orientations (flat and helical) of the top and bottom surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM>, the cup splitter <NUM> may have a tip portion <NUM>, and a height of the cup splitter <NUM> measured between the bottom and top surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM> may increase as the cup splitter <NUM> extends circumferentially away from the tip portion <NUM>. This is because the top surface <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM> is flat and level (and perpendicular to the axis A-A) whereas the bottom surface <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM> is inclined or angled or helical. Thus, as the scroll <NUM> rotates about the rotational axis A-A as has been described herein, the cup splitter <NUM> creates a separation between the lowermost cup and the second lowermost cup to force the lowermost cup to become detached from the remainder of the stack <NUM> and thereby dispensed from the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the operation of dispensing a lowermost cup <NUM> from the stack of cups <NUM> will be described. <FIG> illustrates the stack of cups <NUM> with a rim <NUM> of the lowermost cup <NUM> resting atop of the support ledges <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>. The second lowermost cup <NUM> nests within the cavity of the lowermost cup <NUM>, and additional cups (not shown) will nest within the cup directly below to form the stack <NUM>. A bottom portion of the lowermost cup <NUM> (and some of the other cups in the stack of cups <NUM>) extends through the opening <NUM> in the cup dispensing assembly <NUM>. As the ring gear <NUM> is actuated and made to rotate, the scrolls <NUM> rotate so that the cam surface <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM> drives the lowermost cup <NUM> downwardly through the opening <NUM> while the second lowermost cup <NUM> rests atop of the top surface <NUM> of the cup splitter <NUM>. The ring gear <NUM> and the scrolls <NUM> then rotate in the opposite direction to reset the scrolls <NUM> to the starting position and the second lowermost cup <NUM>, which is now the lowermost cup, rests atop of the ledges <NUM> of the scrolls <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, as discussed above, the drum <NUM> is positioned below/beneath the carousel <NUM>. During the dispensing of the lowermost cup <NUM> form the stack of cups <NUM>, the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM> is aligned with the opening <NUM> of the associated cup dispensing station <NUM>. Then, when the lowermost cup <NUM> is dispensed from the stack <NUM> as described above, the lowermost cup <NUM> drops into the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. In particular, the lowermost cup <NUM> drops until the rim <NUM> of the lowermost cup <NUM> is supported by the support protrusions <NUM> (<FIG>) and the remainder of the lowermost cup <NUM> hangs therefrom. The drum <NUM> is then rotated into alignment with one, or both in succession, of the first and second nozzles <NUM>, <NUM> to dispense liquids (water, coffee, espresso) into the cup <NUM> to create the final drink product that is then provided to the consumer via the beverage pick-up zone <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the user may select to have the beverage vending machine <NUM> create a drink that requires milk froth, such as a latte or a cappuccino. With such a selection, it is possible for the beverage vending machine <NUM> to create an artistic pattern on the beverage, which is known in the art as latte art. Latte art may be achieved by dispensing milk or milk froth into a darker liquid such as a coffee or espresso or by dispensing a darker liquid such as coffee or espresso into a milk froth. As the second liquid is dispensed into the cup, either the nozzle from which the liquid is being dispensed and/or the cup is moved to create an artistic pattern. In some embodiments, upon the user selecting a beverage on the user interface <NUM> which requires milk froth/foam, the user may be presented with an option to select a specific artistic design or pattern for the latte art. That is, the user interface <NUM> may present the user with several design options to choose from, and the user interface <NUM> may permit the user to make no design selection and to skip the latte art function of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. The user may select the artistic design simultaneously with the selection of a drink which allows for latte art. The user may also be permitted to create a custom design that will be created in the cup by the beverage vending machine <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in accordance with one or more embodiments, when the user selects a drink that allows for the creation of latte art, the lowermost cup <NUM> (also referred to herein as the dispensed cup) may contain a beverage ingredient <NUM> comprising milk powder. In some embodiments, the beverage ingredient <NUM> may consist only of milk powder. In other embodiments, the beverage ingredient <NUM> may comprise milk powder and other ingredients. Upon the drum <NUM> receiving the dispensed cup <NUM> in the cup receiving portion <NUM> thereof, the drum <NUM> may rotate about its rotational axis B-B until the dispensed cup <NUM> is aligned with the second nozzle <NUM>. Once so positioned, the processor <NUM> may instruct the second nozzle <NUM> to dispense a liquid into the dispensed cup <NUM> to mix with the beverage ingredient <NUM>. The liquid may be water. The liquid may be dispensed from the second nozzle <NUM> as a jet stream or high pressure stream. This may facilitate the creation of a milk froth or a milk foam from the mixture of the jetted water with the milk powder in the dispensed cup <NUM>.

After the milk froth or the milk foam has been created in the dispensed cup <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may instruct the drum <NUM> and/or the carousel to rotate to place the dispensed cup <NUM> into alignment with the first nozzle <NUM>. As discussed above, the first nozzle <NUM> is fluidly coupled to the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> and thus the beverage brewed by the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> is dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM>. The beverage brewed by the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> is preferably coffee, espresso, or the like.

Referring to <FIG>, the first nozzle <NUM> may be coupled to the carousel <NUM> so that as the carousel <NUM> rotates about the first rotational axis A-A, the first nozzle <NUM> moves along an arcuate path. The first nozzle <NUM> may be located along one of the openings <NUM> of one of the cup dispensing stations <NUM> of the carousel <NUM> so that the beverage may be dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM>, through the opening <NUM>, and into the dispensed cup <NUM> below. In such an embodiment, the nozzle <NUM> should be positioned so that it does not block or impede the ability of the opening <NUM> to contain one of the stacks of cups as described herein. In other embodiments, the nozzle <NUM> may be located within an additional aperture formed through the carousel <NUM>, such as an aperture located between two adjacent ones of the holes <NUM>.

As depicted with arrows in <FIG>, the carousel <NUM> is capable of rotating clockwise or counteer-clockwise about the first rotational axis A-A and the drum <NUM> is capable of rotating clockwise or counteer-clockwise about the second rotational axis B-B. From the position of the dispensed cup <NUM> and the first nozzle <NUM> in <FIG>, it would be required for the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> to rotate in order to align the dispensed cup <NUM> with the first nozzle <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the carousel <NUM> being rotated counteer-clockwise about the first rotational axis A-A and the drum <NUM> being simultaneously rotated clockwise about the second rotational axis B-B until the first nozzle <NUM> is aligned exactly over the centre of the dispensed cup <NUM> held in the cup receiving portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. The first nozzle <NUM> need not be aligned over the centre of the dispensed cup <NUM>, but may need to be aligned with the top opening in the dispensed cup <NUM> to ensure that the beverage dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM> flows into the cup <NUM>. Depending on the angle at which the first nozzle <NUM> is oriented relative to the cup <NUM>, the first nozzle <NUM> may not need to be aligned with the cup <NUM> to dispense the beverage into the cup <NUM>. However, the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> should be rotated to ensure that the beverage dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM> passes into the dispensed cup <NUM>. Moreover, as used herein, reference to aligning the first nozzle <NUM> with the dispensed cup <NUM> means that the beverage dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM> is introduced into the dispensed cup <NUM>.

The beverage that is brewed by the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> is dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM> into the dispensed cup <NUM> during a beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend (see <FIG>, for example). In the embodiment described herein, the beverage is dispensed into the dispensed cup <NUM> which already contains a milk froth. The colour of the beverage (e.g., coffee or espresso) may contrast with the colour of the milk froth so that latte art or an artistic pattern may be formed by the beverage as it contrasts with the colour of the milk froth.

Referring to <FIG>, during the beverage dispensing step, at least one of the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> may rotate to modify the position of the first nozzle <NUM> relative to the dispensed cup <NUM>. <FIG> depicts the first nozzle <NUM> aligned with a lower region of the dispensed cup <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the first nozzle <NUM> aligned with a left side region of the dispensed cup <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the first nozzle <NUM> aligned with a top region of the dispensed cup <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the first nozzle <NUM> aligned with a right side region of the dispensed cup <NUM>. The carousel <NUM> and/or the drum <NUM> may be rotated varying degrees in either of the clockwise or counteer-clockwise direction during the beverage dispensing step to position the first nozzle <NUM> at different locations along the dispensed cup <NUM>. Thus, while five positions are shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, this is merely exemplary and the first nozzle <NUM> may be aligned with virtually any part of the dispensed cup <NUM> by controlling the rotation of the carousel <NUM> and/or the drum <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the beverage may flow continuously from the first nozzle <NUM> into the dispensed cup <NUM> during the beverage dispensing step. In such an embodiment, the beverage may generate a continuous artistic pattern that is visible on the milk froth in the dispensed cup <NUM>. <FIG> depict some non-limiting exemplary continuous artistic patterns that may be formed by the contrasting appearance of the beverage <NUM> on the milk froth <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the beverage may flow intermittently from the first nozzle <NUM> into the dispensed cup <NUM> during the beverage dispensing step. That is, the beverage may intermittently flow and not flow during the beverage dispensing step. In such an embodiment, the beverage may generate a discontinuous artistic pattern that is visible on the milk froth in the dispensed cup <NUM>. <FIG> depict some non-limiting exemplary discontinuous artistic patterns that may be formed by the contrasting appearance of the beverage <NUM> on the milk froth <NUM>. The intermittent flow may be controlled by the processor <NUM> opening and closing a valve located along the conduit that extends from the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>, activating and deactivating a pump located along the conduit that extends from the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> to the nozzle <NUM>, or using similar techniques.

As noted above, the artistic pattern, whether they are continuous or discontinuous patterns, may be random, may be specifically selected by a user based on provided options, or may be customized by the user interacting with the user interface <NUM>.

The formation of the various artistic patterns is possible, at least in part, because the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> are independently rotatable about the first and second rotational axes A-A, B-B, because the first nozzle <NUM> is coupled to the carousel <NUM> and therefore rotates or moves along with the rotation of the carousel <NUM>, and because the drum <NUM> supports the dispensed cup <NUM> which therefore rotates or moves along with the rotation of the drum <NUM>. Thus, by rotating the drum <NUM> (and hence also the )dispensed cup <NUM> and the carousel <NUM> (and hence also the first nozzle <NUM>), the position of the first nozzle <NUM> relative to the dispensed cup <NUM> may be readily modified to create art with the beverage dispensed from the first nozzle <NUM> into the milk froth held in the dispensed cup <NUM>. Because the rotational movement of the carousel <NUM> and the drum <NUM> may be dynamically controlled while the beverage is flowing through the first nozzle <NUM>, the artistic patterns are created due to the darker beverage (brown colour of coffee or espresso, for example) flowing through the light milk foam (white or off-white, for example). Thus, by rotating the carousel <NUM> and/or the drum <NUM> while dispensing the beverage into the milk froth already located within the dispensed cup <NUM>, various artistic patterns may be created.

In an alternative embodiment, the dispensed cup <NUM> may first be filled with coffee and then milk rather than the other way around. For example, the dispensed cup <NUM> may contain a coffee powder, and the dispensed cup <NUM> may first be carried to a nozzle which dispenses water into the dispensed cup <NUM> to form coffee from the coffee powder mixed with the water. Alternatively, the dispensed cup <NUM> may not contain any beverage ingredient, and the dispensed cup <NUM> may be filled with coffee via the first nozzle <NUM> and the beverage brewing apparatus <NUM> in a first step. Next, after the dispensed cup <NUM> contains coffee, the dispensed cup <NUM> may be carried to another nozzle that dispenses a milk product (dairy or non-dairy) into the coffee in the dispensed cup <NUM>. The another nozzle may be coupled to the carousel <NUM> so that the another nozzle and/or the dispensed cup <NUM> may be moved relative to one another as the milk product is dispensed into the dispensed cup <NUM> to form the artistic pattern by the contrast in colour of the milk dispensed onto the coffee. In such an embodiment, there may be one or more sources of milk products, including multiple sources of different milk products (cow's milk, cream, oat milk, almond milk, or the like), located within the housing <NUM> of the beverage vending machine <NUM>. Thus, the latte art may be formed with the milk added to the cup already containing a coffee product or with the coffee product added to a cup already containing milk or milk froth.

Claim 1:
A beverage vending machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a carousel (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of cup dispensing stations (<NUM>), each of the plurality of cup dispensing stations (<NUM>) configured to support a stack of cups (<NUM>) and, during a beverage vend, to dispense a lowermost cup (<NUM>) from the stack (<NUM>) as a dispensed cup, wherein the carousel (<NUM>) is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis (A-A);
a drum (<NUM>) positioned below the carousel (<NUM>) and comprising a cup receiving portion (<NUM>) that receives the dispensed cup during the beverage vend, wherein the drum (<NUM>) is configured to rotate about a second rotational axis (B-B) that is parallel to and offset from the first rotational axis (A-A) of the carousel (<NUM>);
a first nozzle (<NUM>) configured to dispense a beverage into the dispensed cup during a beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend; and
characterised in that the first nozzle (<NUM>) is coupled to the carousel (<NUM>) so that the first nozzle (<NUM>) moves during rotation of the carousel (<NUM>) about the first rotational axis (A-A) and in that during the beverage dispensing step of the beverage vend, at least one of: (<NUM>) the carousel (<NUM>) rotates about the first rotational axis (A-A); and (<NUM>) the drum (<NUM>) rotates about the second rotational axis (B-B), to change a position of the first nozzle (<NUM>) relative to the dispensed cup to create an artistic pattern with the beverage being dispensed from the first nozzle (<NUM>) into the dispensed cup.