HK1192425B - Positioning and extraction assembly for a machine for the preparation of a beverage using capsules - Google Patents

Description

Positioning and extraction assembly for a machine for preparing a beverage using a capsule

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a positioning and extraction assembly for a machine for preparing a beverage, in particular espresso coffee, using a capsule (capsule) having a body provided with a protruding flange.

More specifically, the invention relates to a positioning and extraction assembly of the type comprising:

a first portion and a second portion, at least one of which is movable relative to the other along a predetermined direction of movement, between an open position, in which a capsule can be introduced between the first portion and the second portion, and a closed position, in which the capsule is enclosed in the infusion chamber for preparing the beverage;

the assembly comprises, between the first and second portions, means for positioning the capsule, comprising two opposite rotatable gates with which respective elastic opposing means (resilientopposition means) are associated, which tend to keep the gates in the working position, wherein the gates can form guides or seats for receiving a capsule introduced into the assembly and keeping it in an intermediate waiting position, the capsule being able to open the gates and pass them when the portion of the assembly travels from the open position into the closed position, the gates preventing the capsule from returning to the intermediate position when the portion of the assembly returns to the open position.

Background

Patent application WO2005/058111a1 describes and describes a positioning and extraction assembly comprising means for positioning an introduced capsule, which comprise two opposite gates translatable in respective transversal seats and associated with respective opposite coil springs. This solution has a large overall dimension in the transverse direction.

Patent application WO2008/142663 describes and describes a positioning and extraction assembly of the above-mentioned specific type, wherein the door has an L-shaped cross section and is associated with a corresponding torsion spring.

This solution has the advantage of a small overall dimension in the transverse direction. This solution also provides the use of a torsion spring formed by a coil of wire wound on the rotation pin of the door. One end of each spring is screwed into a retaining opening provided in a portion of the assembly, while the other end is applied to a branch (branch) or wing (wing) of the associated door.

Overall, this solution is rather expensive to apply and requires relatively complex assembly work.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a positioning and extraction assembly for a machine for preparing a beverage using capsules, which assembly can be used in a simpler and more economical manner, and in which the capsule positioning device has a simplified structure and is easy to assemble.

According to the invention, said and other objects are achieved by a positioning and extraction device of the type defined above, wherein the elastic means associated with each of the aforementioned doors comprise a flexural spring (flexural spring) comprising an elastic band, substantially L-shaped or V-shaped, having an outer anchoring portion fixed to one of said portions of the assembly in a direction at least substantially parallel to the movement direction, and an inner opposite portion extending towards the movement direction and resting on the associated door on the side opposite to the corresponding guide or seat for the capsule.

Elastic bands of this type can be made in an extremely convenient and economical manner by simple cutting and bending means. The elastic band can also be conveniently fixed to a portion of the positioning and extraction assembly, manually or automatically, by using, for example, one or more screws.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial view in axial cross-section of a positioning and extraction assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;

fig. 4-6 are views similar to those of fig. 1 and 3 and showing the same components in different positions;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 4 and showing the same assembly in another position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

fig. 9 to 11 are views similar to those of fig. 2 and 5 and show the same assembly in three other positions;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second positioning and extraction assembly in accordance with the present invention;

fig. 13 to 14 are views similar to that of fig. 12 and show the same assembly in two other positions;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by XV in FIG. 12; and

fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a door and associated opposing springs for a positioning and extraction assembly according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 11 show a first embodiment of a positioning and extraction assembly 1 of a machine for preparing a beverage, in particular but not exclusively espresso coffee, using a capsule, for example of the type described in fig. 1 and denoted by C.

Capsule C may be of the type described and illustrated, for example, in patent EP1886942B1 in the name of the applicant, and comprises a cup-shaped body 2, made for example of plastic material, having an integral flange 3 projecting radially outwards, to which a breakable sealing lid 4 is coupled.

However, the invention may also be used with other known types of capsules or containers (pod).

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 11, the assembly 1 comprises a support structure 10, which is stationary in use, comprising two opposite ends 11 and 12 connected to each other by a pair of parallel horizontal guide rods 13.

The stationary support structure 10 further comprises an upper plate 14 (fig. 1, 4 and 7) in which an aperture 15 is formed, through which a shaped duct 16 extends, the cross-section of which substantially matches the contour of the capsule C (see also fig. 3 and 6).

In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 16 extends in a substantially vertical direction, and the capsule C can be introduced through an upper opening of the tube so as to fall by gravity towards the positioning means below, which are described more fully below.

In the support structure 10, the assembly 1 comprises two parts, indicated with 17 and 18, which interact in use. In the embodiment shown, portion 18 is fixed and in particular integral with end 12 of support structure 10, while portion 17 is translatable along guide bar 13 in the direction of movement indicated by a-a in fig. 2.

The fixed portion 18 of the assembly 1 is also provided, in a known manner, with one or more perforating elements adapted to perforate the lid 4 of the capsule C.

In the embodiment shown, the movable part 17 of the assembly 1 is substantially cup-shaped, the cavity 19 of which faces the fixed part 18. A perforation means 20 intended to perforate the base of the cup-shaped body 2 of the capsule C is housed in the cavity 19, as shown in detail in fig. 10.

The opening of the mobile portion 17 has an annular front edge 21 intended to interact with the projecting flange 3 of the capsule C, as described more fully hereinafter.

The movable portion 17 is movable between an open position and a closed position.

In the open position as shown in fig. 1 to 3, the capsule C can be introduced into the duct 16 so as to fall and be received and retained in the intermediate waiting position as shown in fig. 4 to 5.

In the closed position as shown in fig. 10, the capsule C is enclosed in a liquid-tight manner in the infusion chamber formed between the portions 17 and 18 for preparing the beverage.

With reference to fig. 1 to 3, two transverse stop walls 22 (see in particular fig. 2) integral with fixed support structure 10 are provided on horizontally opposite sides of direction a-a between portions 17 and 18 of the infusion assembly. These walls 22 are laterally spaced apart by a distance greater than the outer diameter of the portion of the mobile portion 17 facing the fixed portion 18.

In the fixed supporting structure 10, near the wall 22, are mounted respective rotatable doors 23 associated with respective opposite springs 24 operating by bending.

In the embodiment shown, the door 23 is positioned between the walls 22 of the fixed portion 18 of the assembly 1 and is rotatable about a corresponding pin 25 whose axis is substantially vertical. This arrangement is such that the counter-spring 24 tends to hold the corresponding door 23 against the associated transverse wall 22.

The door 23 and the associated stop wall 22 are shaped so that, when the mobile portion 17 is in the open position (fig. 1 to 3), between their laterally inner ends guide slots 26 are formed, which are adapted to receive and axially retain the flange 3 of a capsule C introduced into the tube 16. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 11, the guide groove 26 is formed between a flat surface of the wall 22 facing the fixed portion 18 and a corresponding recess provided in the door 23.

As more fully shown in fig. 3-6, the door 23 has a corresponding transverse inner contour 23a that is preferably curved. The distance between these opposing profiles 23a is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 3 of the capsule C.

In the embodiment according to fig. 1 to 11, the above-mentioned door 23 is associated with parallel horizontal stop bars 27 (see in particular fig. 1, 2, 3 and 6) arranged underneath it, these bars being integral with the fixed supporting structure 10.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a rod 27 extends below the tube 16 and the stop wall 22. In particular, the ends of these rods 27 facing the fixed portion 18 extend to a point below a guide groove 26 formed between the door 23 and the associated stop wall 22.

The arrangement is thus such that, when the mobile portion 17 of the assembly is in the open position, the capsule C introduced into the tube 16 can fall by gravity and the laterally outer portion of the flange 3 of the capsule is introduced into the groove 26 and is guided further downwards by it until the flange 3 of the capsule rests on the rod 27, as shown in fig. 4 to 6. In this case, the capsule C is in an intermediate waiting position, in which it is substantially coaxial with the mobile portion 17 and with the associated fixed portion 18. As the capsule C is arranged in the waiting position, the movable portion 17 can move towards the fixed portion 18, as shown in the sequence of fig. 7, 8, 9 and 10, until the movable portion reaches the closed position of fig. 10.

The mobile portion 17 is movable by manual operation transmitted by a mechanism 28 of a substantially known type, which can be operated by a lever 29. Alternatively, the movable portion 17 may be moved by motorized means.

Due to the movement towards the fixed portion 18, the movable portion 17 is progressively coupled to the capsule C held in the waiting position shown in fig. 4 to 6.

In the illustrated system, the body 2 of the capsule C has a substantially truncated-cone-shaped lateral wall, and an annular surface 29 (fig. 1 and 2) is formed in the cavity 19 of the mobile portion 17 of the assembly 1, which surface is able to engage with a corresponding portion of the lateral wall of the capsule C before the leading edge 21 of the mobile portion 17 engages with the projecting flange 3 of the capsule, as substantially illustrated in fig. 8.

As the mobile portion continues to move, the mobile portion 17 drives the capsule C with it towards the fixed portion 18 (moving) and the flange 3 of the capsule engages the gate 23 causing them to rotate against the action of the associated counter-spring 24, as shown in fig. 9.

Further advancement of the movable portion 17 causes the capsule C to pass over the door 23, which is then returned to its initial operating position by the associated counter-spring 24, as shown in fig. 10.

As shown in fig. 10, upon reaching the closed position, the flange 3 of the capsule C is clamped in a sealed manner between the fixed portion 18 and the front edge 21 of the movable portion 17. In this case, the base of the body 2 of the capsule C is pierced by the perforation means 20 provided in the cavity of the mobile portion 17.

In this case, lid 4 of capsule C is pierced by at least one piercing means, also conveniently provided on fixed portion 18, in a manner not shown.

The invention can also be applied in machines using capsules with a perforated lid as described above, for example of the type described in patent EP0584314B1 in the name of the applicant.

In the situation shown in fig. 10, a cavity is formed between the movable part 17 and the fixed part 18, in which cavity the desired beverage can be prepared by pouring. The beverage can be dispensed towards a collecting container (for example a cup) through a dispensing duct associated with the active portion 17.

When the beverage has been dispensed, the movable portion 17 is returned towards the open position, either manually or by motorized means.

In this initial step of movement, the capsule C may tend to follow the movable portion 17, since the perforating means 20, having penetrated into the base of the capsule body, drag the capsule with them (move).

However, as shown in fig. 11, once the flange 3 of the used (dose) capsule C abuts against the door 23, the capsule C is axially arrested (arrest) and separated from the movable portion 17 which continues to move towards the open position.

In this way, the capsule C is detached from the mobile portion 17.

In the case of fig. 11, the flange 3 of the used capsule C extends beyond the end of the above-mentioned stop rod 27 and can therefore fall by gravity towards a collection container (not shown) below.

In the embodiment described above with reference to fig. 1 to 11, the stop wall 22, as well as the rotatable door 23 and the associated spring 24, are integral with the fixed portion 18 of the positioning and extraction assembly 1.

Fig. 12 to 15 show another embodiment in which these members 22-24 are instead integrally formed with the active portion 17 of the assembly 1.

In fig. 12 to 15, the previously described components and elements are given the same reference numerals as previously used.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 12 to 15, having a cavity 19 intended to receive the capsule C therein is a stationary portion 18.

As shown more fully in fig. 15, the stop wall 22, the door 23 and the associated opposing spring 24 are carried by the movable portion 17 of the assembly 1. Also in this case, a guide groove 26 is formed between the stop wall 22 and the door 23 for diametrically opposite portions of the flange 3 of the capsule C.

In this embodiment, the capsule C is vertically held in the intermediate waiting position of fig. 15, below the stop wall 22 and the guide groove 26, by a holding appendage 30 (fig. 15) fixed to the mobile portion 17 of the assembly 1. However, these retention accessories 30 do not extend axially beyond the door 23.

In the variant shown in fig. 12 to 15, the capsule C is introduced into a guide channel 26 formed between the door 23 and the associated stop wall 22 and falls therein by gravity.

The movable part 17 is then moved towards the fixed part 18.

During this movement, which takes place along the direction a-a, the body 2 of the capsule C gradually penetrates into the cavity 19 of the fixed portion 18, as shown for example in fig. 13.

The leading edge 18a of the stationary part, which extends around the opening of the cavity 19, engages the flange 3 of the capsule C at a certain point.

Further movement of the movable portion 17 towards the fixed portion 18 causes the doors 23 to open due to the diametrically opposed portions of the flange 3 of the capsule C and then causes the flange to pass over these doors 23.

When the flange 3 of the capsule has crossed the gates 23 (fig. 14), these gates are moved back against the associated stop wall 22 under the action of the respective counter-springs 24.

The movable part 17 continues to move until the pouring chamber is closed, after which the beverage is poured and dispensed towards the collecting container.

When the beverage has been dispensed, the movable portion 17 returns towards the open position and the door 23 of the movable portion is separated from the used capsule C, so that the capsule is extracted from the chamber 19 of the fixed portion 18. The flange 3 of the used capsule C is then translated into a position in which the flange 3 of the capsule is no longer resting on the retaining appendix 30, and the used capsule C is free to fall by gravity towards the receiving container.

In addition to the above-described embodiments in which only one of the two portions 17 and 18 is movable relative to the other, other embodiments may be provided in which both portions are movable relative to a fixed support structure.

Conveniently, the counter-spring 24 associated with the door 23 is a spring of the bending type as described above.

An advantageous embodiment of this type of spring will now be described with reference to fig. 16. This solution can be used in both types of embodiments described above with reference to fig. 1 to 11 and 12 to 15, respectively, and in embodiments in which both parts 17 and 18 are movable.

In the embodiment according to fig. 16, the counter spring 24 comprises a curved elastic band which, when viewed from above, is substantially L-shaped or V-shaped with rounded corners (see also e.g. fig. 15).

The strap 24 has an external anchoring portion 24a, which is generally fixed to one of the two portions 17, 18 of the assembly 1 in a direction at least substantially parallel to the direction of movement a-a.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 15 and 16, the anchoring portion 24a of the elastic band 24 has: a pair of holes 24b for the passage of corresponding set screws 31 (fig. 15); and two further apertures 24c for engagement of corresponding centering projections 32 of the parts of the assembly 1 that anchor the spring 24.

Each belt spring 24 also has an inner counter-portion, indicated by 24d in fig. 15 and 16, which extends towards the aforesaid movement direction a-a and rests on the associated door 23 on the opposite side to the corresponding guide or seat 26 for the capsule C. In the embodiment shown in fig. 16, the inner counter-portion 24d of the band spring 24 comprises two substantially parallel branches or arms 24e, the distal ends of which bear against vertically spaced portions of the associated door 23, preferably in the vicinity of the rotation axis defined by the pin 25.

The spring 24 made in the above-described manner allows the overall transverse dimensions of the assembly 1 to be greatly limited and can be made in an extremely simple and economical manner. These springs can also be mounted in a very convenient manner on the movable or fixed part of said assembly, by means of manual or automatic assemblies.

Clearly, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of application and the details of the embodiments may vary widely from what has been described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims (4)

1. Positioning and extraction assembly (1) for a machine for preparing a beverage using a capsule (C) having a body (2) provided with a protruding flange (3), the positioning and extraction assembly (1) comprising:

a first portion (17) and a second portion (18), at least one of which is movable with respect to the other between an open position, in which a capsule (C) can be introduced between the first and second portions, and a closed position, in which the capsule (C) is enclosed in an infusion chamber (19) for preparing a beverage;

the positioning and extraction assembly (1) comprising, interposed between the first portion (17) and the second portion (18), positioning means for positioning the capsule (C), comprising two opposite rotatable gates (23) with which respective elastic contrast means are associated, which tend to keep them in a working position in which they can at least partially form a guide or seat (26) for receiving a capsule (C) introduced into the positioning and extraction assembly (1) and keeping it in an intermediate waiting position, the capsule (C) being able to open the gate (23) and pass beyond it when the first portion (17) of the positioning and extraction assembly (1) travels from the open position to the closed position, said door being able to prevent the capsule (C) from returning to said intermediate waiting position when said first portion (17) of the positioning and extraction assembly (1) returns to said open position;

characterized in that the elastic means associated with each of said doors (23) comprise a bending spring comprising an elastic band substantially L-shaped or V-shaped, having an outer anchoring portion (24a) fixed to one of said first portion (17) and said second portion (18) of the positioning and extraction assembly (1) in a direction at least substantially parallel to the movement direction (a-a), and an inner opposite portion (24d) extending towards the movement direction (a-a) and resting on the associated door (23) on the side opposite to the corresponding guide or seat (26) for the capsule (C).

2. Positioning and extraction assembly according to claim 1, wherein the door (23) and the associated counter-spring (24) are carried by the first portion (17) of the positioning and extraction assembly (1).

3. Positioning and extraction assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning means for positioning the capsule (C) comprise at least one stop (27, 30) fixed with respect to the first portion (17) of the positioning and extraction assembly (1) connected to the door (23) and to the associated counter-spring (24), the stop (27, 30) being suitable for supporting the capsule (C) introduced into the positioning and extraction assembly (1) until the door (23) is open and for allowing the used capsule (C) to fall when the first portion (17) of the positioning and extraction assembly (1) returns to the open position.

4. The positioning and extraction assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner opposite portion (24d) of each elastic band comprises a pair of branches or arms (24e) which are at least substantially parallel and whose distal ends rest on vertically spaced portions of the associated door (23).