Abstract:
The present application provides a product dispensing system for dispensing one of a number of predetermined products. The product dispensing system may include a product dispenser with a number of micro-ingredients to create the predetermined product, a reading device configured to read or receive data, a container for receiving the predetermined product, and a data storage medium with the data thereon.
Abstract:
A blow molded plastic hot-fill container (10) includes at least one vacuum panel (30) for inward flexure under vacuum after the container is hot-filled and capped. The vacuum panel (30) is externally concave as viewed in cross section from a first direction and externally convex as viewed in cross section from a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The at least one vacuum panel (30) preferably is disposed in a sidewall of the container (10), which preferably is of generally uniform wall thickness, and preferably includes an array of vacuum panels angularly spaced around an axis of the container.
Abstract:
A thermally insulated double-walled disposable plastic container includes a container body having an inner cup and outer cup fixedly separated by an insulating space. The thermally insulated double-walled disposable plastic container is open at the top and enclosed at the bottom. The insulating space includes a gas for providing thermal insulation. A preferred gas is air. Preferred methods for making the insulated disposable double-walled plastic container includes blow-molding, thermo forming or injecting molding an inner cup and outer cup then fixedly connecting the inner cup and outer cup to define an insulation space there between.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for making a polylactic acid article. The methods may include the steps of providing an article comprising polylactic acid; supporting the article using a carrier support system; and curing the article with heat. The step of curing the article is effective to improve one or more properties of the article. Articles comprising polylactic acid also are provided having improved properties. Methods also are provided for preparing a beverage including the steps of providing a pod comprising polylactic acid, wherein the pod has been cured with heat while being supported by a carrier support system; placing a beverage material in the pod; placing a hot liquid into the pod; brewing the beverage material and hot liquid in the pod to create a beverage; and removing the beverage from the pod.
Abstract:
A method for managing orders and dispensing products into a container. The method may include the steps of prompting a user selection of a product type at an order entry station, printing indicia on the container indicating at least the product type selected, reading the indicia at a product dispensing station, and dispensing the product type selected into the container.
Abstract:
A product dispenser for use with a container. The product dispenser may include a container motion detector to detect the container in motion, a graphical user interface, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives a plurality of data associated with the container in motion from the container motion detector and implements instructions that perform the steps of determining the motion of the container, enabling a user to interact with the graphical user interface, and allowing the user to rotate or move the container to select a product type from the graphical user interface.
Abstract:
A method of printing indicia on a container to control a product dispenser. The method may include the steps of printing indicia on the container, the indicia controlling access to dispense from the product dispenser, reading the indicia about the product dispenser, determining if the container is authorized to use the product dispenser, and allowing a user to dispense a selected product type into the container.
Abstract:
An air pocket insulated double -walled disposable plastic container having an inner sheet and an outer sheet. The inner sheet is formed having inwardly protruding indentations that create a plurality of uniformly spaced air pockets when the inner sheet is attached to an inner surface of the outer sheet in a manner whereby the indentation contacts the inner surface of the outer sheet 104. The air pockets act as insulating layer. The container may be formed in any suitable shape that includes an opening at the top, an interior space for containing food or beverages, and a base enclosing the bottom.
Abstract:
Methods are provided for making a polylactic acid article. The methods may include the steps of providing an article comprising polylactic acid; supporting the article using a carrier support system; and curing the article with heat. The step of curing the article is effective to improve one or more properties of the article. Articles comprising polylactic acid also are provided having improved properties. Methods also are provided for preparing a beverage including the steps of providing a pod comprising polylactic acid, wherein the pod has been cured with heat while being supported by a carrier support system; placing a beverage material in the pod; placing a hot liquid into the pod; brewing the beverage material and hot liquid in the pod to create a beverage; and removing the beverage from the pod.
Abstract:
A container (12) includes a hollow body (16) having a finish extending from the body. The finish has an open end, at least one external thread (52) for securement of a closure, and a pair of spaced external circumferential flanges (56, 58) on a side of the thread remote from the open end of the finish. A bale handle (14) includes a ring (60) having resilient internal tabs (62) captured beneath the lower of the flanges (56, 58) remote from the open end of the finish, and a handle (64) extending from the ring (66) for carrying the container (12). The upper flange (56), which preferably has a greater outside diameter than the lower flange (58), has an undersurface that is free of obstruction from the bale handle (14) and therefore is adapted to perform support functions for the container (12) after attachment of the bale handle (14) to the container finish.