Insert, a machine and a system for the preparation of beverages
First Claim
1. An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge, the brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, and a closure mechanism moveable between open and closed configurations, the insert comprising a receptacle and sealing means, the receptacle having an opening through which, in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the receptacle, a lower portion of the insert comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein, in use, on insertion of the insert into the brew head of the beverage preparation machine and movement of the closure mechanism into the closed position the sealing means is contactable with, and sealable against, the brew head to thereby close the opening of the receptacle to define a brewing volume containing the quantity of beverage ingredients, and on inserting the insert into the brew head the inlet and outlet of the insert are arranged to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet of the brew head such that, in use, water from the inlet of the brew head passes upwardly through the inlet of the insert into the brewing volume and such that beverage produced from the water and the quantity of beverage ingredients passes downwardly through the outlet of the insert to flow out of the outlet of the brew head.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge. The brew head comprises an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, and a closure mechanism moveable between open and closed configurations. The insert comprises a receptacle and sealing means, the receptacle having an opening through which, in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the receptacle, a lower portion of the insert comprising an inlet and an outlet. In use, on insertion of the insert into the brew head of the beverage preparation machine and movement of the closure mechanism into the closed position the sealing means is contactable with, and sealable against, the brew head to thereby close the opening of the receptacle to define a I brewing volume containing the quantity of beverage ingredients, and on inserting the insert into the brew head the inlet and outlet of the insert are arranged to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet of the brew head such that, in use, water from the inlet of the brew head passes upwardly through the inlet of the insert into the brewing volume and such that beverage produced from the water and the quantity of beverage ingredients passes downwardly through the outlet of the insert to flow out of the outlet of the brew head.
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Citations
56 Claims
- 1. An insert for use in a beverage preparation machine of a type comprising a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge, the brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head, a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, and a closure mechanism moveable between open and closed configurations, the insert comprising a receptacle and sealing means, the receptacle having an opening through which, in use, a quantity of beverage ingredients may be loaded into the receptacle, a lower portion of the insert comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein, in use, on insertion of the insert into the brew head of the beverage preparation machine and movement of the closure mechanism into the closed position the sealing means is contactable with, and sealable against, the brew head to thereby close the opening of the receptacle to define a brewing volume containing the quantity of beverage ingredients, and on inserting the insert into the brew head the inlet and outlet of the insert are arranged to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet of the brew head such that, in use, water from the inlet of the brew head passes upwardly through the inlet of the insert into the brewing volume and such that beverage produced from the water and the quantity of beverage ingredients passes downwardly through the outlet of the insert to flow out of the outlet of the brew head.
- 41. A beverage preparation system comprising a beverage preparation machine and an insert for use in said machine, said insert comprising a receptacle with an opening for loading a quantity of beverage ingredients, sealing means, and an inlet and an outlet in the lower portion of the insert.
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56. A method of dispensing a beverage comprising the steps of:
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providing a beverage preparation machine comprising a closure mechanism and a brew head suitable for receiving a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge, the brew head comprising an upwardly directed inlet for supplying water to the brew head and a downwardly directed outlet for outflow of beverage produced by the machine, opening the closure mechanism of the beverage preparation machine;
inserting an insert into the brew head, wherein the insert comprises a receptacle with an opening, a sealing means, and an inlet and an outlet in the lower portion of the insert;
loading a quantity of beverage ingredients through the opening into the receptacle of the insert;
closing the closure mechanism to squeeze the insert with sufficient force such that the sealing means of the insert seals against the brew head to close the opening of the receptacle and to define a brewing volume containing the quantity of beverage ingredients;
operating the beverage preparation machine to pass water upwardly from the inlet of the brew head through the inlet of the insert into the brew volume of the insert;
dispensing a beverage formed in the brew volume from the water and the beverage ingredients downwardly through the outlet of the insert and the outlet of the brew head.
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Specification