COFFEE AND TEA DISPENSER WITH REMOVABLE POD TURRET WHEEL

• US 20050095158A1
• Filed: 09/07/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Green, Charles Bradley, Saunders, Neil, Kirschner, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US10/711,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20050095158A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/572
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3633 Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3642 Cartridge magazines therefor
• 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 removable turret for a pod-based beverage dispenser system. The turret may include a turret frame, a turret plate, and a turret shaft connecting the turret plate to the turret frame for rotation therewith. The turret shaft may include a pair of first connectors attached to the turret frame and a pair of second connectors attached to the turret wheel. The first and the second connectors may releaseably mate with each other.

Claims

1. A removable turret for a pod-based beverage dispenser system, comprising:

a turret frame;

a turret plate; and

a turret shaft connecting said turret plate to said turret frame for rotation therewith;

said turret shaft comprising a pair of first connectors attached to said turret frame and a pair of second connectors attached to said turret wheel, said first and said second connectors releaseably mating therewith.

2. The removable turret wheel of claim 1, wherein said turret plate comprises a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures sized to accommodate a beverage pod.

3. The removable turret wheel of claim 1, wherein said pair of first connectors comprises a male member.

4. The removable turret plate of claim 3, wherein said pair of second connectors comprises a female member.

5. The removable turret wheel of claim 1, wherein said pair of first connectors comprises a female member.

6. The removable turret plate of claim 5, wherein said pair of second connectors comprises a male member.

7. The removable turret plate of claim 1, wherein said pair of first connectors comprises a dovetail-like shaft.

8. The removable turret plate of claim 7, wherein said pair of second connectors comprises a dovetail-like groove.

9. The removable turret plate of claim 1, wherein said pair of first connectors comprises a dovetail-like groove.

10. The removable turret plate of claim 9, wherein said pair of second connectors comprises a dovetail-like shaft.

11. The removable turret plate of claim 1, wherein said pair of second connectors comprises a pair of protrusions thereon.

12. The removable turret plate of claim 11, wherein said pair of first connectors comprises a pair of apertures therein sized for said pair of protrusions.

13. The removable turret plate of claim 12, wherein said pair of first connectors comprises a pair of springs positioned about said pair of apertures.

14. A turret system for a pod-based beverage dispenser, comprising:

a turret plate;

said turret plate comprising an inner section and an outer section and with said inner section and said outer section defining a gap therebetween; and

an ejection ramp positioned about said gap.

15. The turret system of claim 14, further comprising a sweep arm positioned about said turret plate.

16. The turret system of claim 14, wherein said turret plate comprises a top plate positioned on said inner section and said outer section.

17. The turret system of claim 14, wherein said turret plate comprises a plurality of pod apertures positioned therein, said pod apertures sized to accommodate a beverage pod.

18. The turret system of claim 17, wherein said ejection ramp comprises a first end and a second end and wherein said ejection ramp expands in dimension from said first end to said second end.

19. The turret system of claim 18, wherein said first end of said ejection ramp is positioned below said plurality of pod apertures.

20. The turret system of claim 18, wherein said second end of said ejection ramp is positioned within one of said plurality of pod apertures or said gap.

21. A method of removing a number of pods from a turret wheel of a beverage dispenser with an ejection ramp and a sweep arm, comprising:

positioning one of the number of pods within an aperture on the turret wheel;

rotating the turret wheel such that the one of the number of pods rides up the ejection ramp; and

knocking the one of the number of pods off of the turret wheel with the sweep arm.