Machine for the preparation of beverages

• US 20040191372A1
• Filed: 01/23/2004
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts BV (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kraft Foods Incorporated (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Carter, Steve, Hansen, Nick, Halliday, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,316,178 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/112
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0673 Means to perforate the cartridge for creating the beverage outlet
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3695 Cartridge perforating means for creating the hot water inlet cartridge perforating means of the filter holder for creating the beverage outlet A47J31/0673
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4407 Lids, covers or knobs
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/446 Filter holding means; Attachment of filters to beverage-making apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4492 Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/56 having water-level controls; having temperature controls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8043 Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06

Abstract

A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit.

Claims

1. A beverage preparation machine for preparing a beverage from a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients comprising a first piercing element for forming an inlet, in use, in a cartridge received in the beverage preparation machine and a second piercing element for forming an outlet, in use, in said cartridge, characterised in that the first and second piercing elements are formed as a single removable unit.

2. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a fixed lower part and an upper part rotatable relative to the lower part, the upper part being moveable from an open position, in which the upper part is disengaged from the lower part for receiving a cartridge, and a closed position, in which the upper part is engaged with the lower part, wherein the removable unit is mounted, in use, in the fixed lower part.

3. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inlet piercer and outlet piercer are orientated vertically and parallel to one another.

4. A beverage preparation machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inlet piercer and outlet piercer are made of plastics materials.