Device for extracting a substance for the preparation of a drink

• US 20020121198A1
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Kollep, Alexandre, Fischer, Daniel, Stieger, Mischa
• Granted Patent: US 6,698,332 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/279
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3676 Cartridges being employed
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4407 Lids, covers or knobs

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for extracting a substance for the preparation of a drink. This device includes a first, fixed piece and a second piece that is movable relative to the first about an axis of rotation lying at the rear of the two pieces, with the front of each piece providing a cavity for the substance to be extracted. The device also includes a system for closing and opening the two pieces. This system possesses a two-armed closing lever and two traction rods. The two arms of the closing lever are arranged to rotate about a first pivot on each side of the second piece. The traction rods are arranged to rotate about a second pivot on each side of the first piece. The ends of the two arms of the closing lever and the traction rods are fixed by means of a third, movable pivot so as to interact mutually in order to cause the closing and opening of the device.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing device for extracting a substance for preparing a beverage, comprising:

first and second support members pivotally connected together at a support pivot axis and comprising an open position for receiving the substance between the support members and a closed position in which the support members cooperatively define an extraction cavity therebetween;

a liquid intake associated with the extraction cavity for feeding a liquid into the cavity for mixing with the substance to form a beverage mixture;

a fluid exit associated with the extraction cavity for extracting the mixture; and

a linkage operatively associated with the support members for moving the members relative to each other between the open and closed positions, the linkage comprising;

an operation lever pivotally connected to the second support member at a lever pivot axis, and

a traction arm pivotally connected to the first support member at a traction pivot axis, the traction arm being connected to the operation lever at a connection pivot axis for controlling opening and closing movement of the support members between the open and closed positions upon movement of the operation lever;

wherein the lever is disposed on the same side of the support pivot as the extraction cavity such that both are accessible to a user from the same side.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the extraction cavity is configured for receiving a package containing the substance and for opening the package for introducing the liquid and extracting the mixture therefrom.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the linkage is configured and the pivot axes disposed such that the traction, lever, and connection pivots axes are aligned with each other at an aligned position during the opening and closing movement.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein with the support members in the closed position, the connection pivot axis is disposed further from the support pivot axis than a plane defined between the traction and lever pivot axes.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a handle disposed at an angle about the lever pivot axis from the connection pivot axis.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection pivot axis is movable towards and away from the support pivot axis.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the support members have a front oriented in a direction extending from the support pivot axis toward the extraction cavity, and a rear oriented in an opposite direction from the front; and

the operation lever comprises a handle configured for operation and manipulation by a user for opening and closing the support members, the handle being disposed in front of the extraction cavity with the support members in the closed position.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the handle is disposed above the extraction cavity in with the support members in the open position.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the linkage is configured such that the handle rotates around the extraction cavity during movement of the support members between the open and closed positions.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the handle is disposed in a plane extending between the extraction cavity and the support pivot with the support members in the open position.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the extraction cavity has a center, and the traction and lever pivot axes are disposed behind the center of the extraction cavity.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the support members comprises:

a linkage portion that is connected to the linkage,

a cavity portion defining part of the cavity in the closed position, and

a spherical joint rotationally connecting the cavity portion to the linkage portion for enabling the cavity portion to rotate for receiving the substance and aligning against the other of the support members in the closed position.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the support members is fixed against rotation.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid exit is disposed for extracting the mixture from below the extraction cavity.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a heater upstream of the liquid intake and configured for heating the liquid, wherein the liquid comprises water.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the lever comprises first and second levers pivotably connected to the second support portion at the lever pivot axis; and

the traction arm comprises first and second traction arms pivotally connected to the first support member at a traction pivot axis and to the first and second levers, respectively, at the traction pivot axis.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for making individual cups of coffee.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the extraction cavity is configured for receiving a capsule containing the substance;

the liquid intake is configured for injecting the liquid into the capsule in the extraction cavity; and

the fluid exit is configured for opening the capsule for extracting the beverage mixture.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein:

the extraction cavity is configured for receiving a capsule containing the substance;

the liquid intake is configured for injecting the liquid into the capsule in the extraction cavity; and

the fluid exit is configured for opening the capsule for extracting the beverage mixture.

19. A beverage dispensing device for extracting a substance for preparing a beverage, comprising:

first and second members movably associated with each other for moving between a open and closed positions;

a cavity portion cooperating with the first support member to define an extraction cavity therebetween with the support members in the closed position, the cavity being configured for receiving the substance with the support members in the open position;

a spherical joint rotationally connecting the cavity portion to second support member for enabling the cavity portion to rotate for receiving the substance and aligning against the other of the support members in the closed position;

a liquid intake associated with the extraction cavity for feeding a liquid into the cavity for mixing with the substance to form a beverage mixture; and

a fluid exit associated with the extraction cavity for extracting the mixture.