BREWING APPARATUS FOR A MACHINE FOR PREPARING BEVERAGES

• US 20130068110A1
• Filed: 05/31/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Luigi Lavazza SPA (Finlav SPA)
• Original Assignee: Luigi Lavazza SPA (Finlav SPA)
• Inventors: Pagano, Gaetano
• Granted Patent: US 9,119,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/295
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3623 Cartridges being employed with tape of cartridges A47J31/3652
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3633 Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3638 Means to eject the cartridge after brewing

Abstract

The brewing apparatus (1) comprises a guide and support structure (2), and bears a movable receiving assembly (7) provided with a receptacle (9) capable of receiving a capsule (10) or similar, containing a quantity or measure of a substance for the preparation of a beverage, and a substantially stationary cooperating assembly (6); the movable assembly (7) being able to assume a closed position in which it is coupled with the cooperating assembly (6) to define a brewing chamber able to contain a capsule (10), and a separated open position. The cooperating assembly (6) is able to inject water and/or steam into the brewing chamber. An ejection device (20) is provided to eject a used capsule (10) from the region between said assemblies (6, 7) when, after the beverage has been prepared, the movable assembly (7) returns from the closed position to the open position.

The ejection device includes an ejecting member (20) mounted pivotingly on the movable assembly close to the receptacle (9) along a path intersecting that region, between an idle position in which it allows a capsule (10) to be inserted into said region, and a working position in which it is able to push a used capsule (10) downwards to eject it from said region, a control mechanism (24; 26-34) on the structure (2) cooperating with the movable assembly (7) to cause the ejecting member (20) to move from the idle position to the working position each time the movable assembly (7) is in a predetermined position when returning to the open position.

Claims

1. Brewing apparatus (1) for a machine for preparing beverages, particularly coffee, comprising an operationally stationary guide and support structure (2), and which bears a movable receiving assembly (7) provided with a receptacle (9) capable of receiving a capsule (10) or similar, containing a quantity or measure of a substance for the preparation of a beverage, and a substantially stationary cooperating assembly (6);

the movable assembly (7) being able to assume a closed position in which it is coupled with the cooperating assembly (6) to define a brewing chamber able to contain a capsule (10), and a separated open position;

the cooperating assembly (6) being able to inject water and/or steam into the brewing chamber;

ejecting means (20) being provided for ejecting a used capsule (10) from the region between said assemblies (6, 7) when, after the beverage has been prepared, the movable assembly (7) returns from the closed position to the open position;

the brewing apparatus (1) being characterized in that said ejecting means comprise

an ejecting member (20) mounted pivotingly on the movable assembly close to said receptacle (9) along a path intersecting said region, between an idle position in which it allows a capsule (10) to be inserted into said region, and a working position in which it is able to push a used capsule (10) downwards to eject it from said region; and

a control mechanism (24;

26-34) on said structure (2) cooperating with the movable assembly (7) to cause the ejecting member (20) to move from the idle position to the working position each time the movable assembly (7) is in a predetermined position on a return path to the open position.

2. Brewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned receptacle (9) of the movable assembly (7) has a substantially circular aperture, and the ejecting member (20) has an essentially semi-circular shape, and is mounted pivotingly close to the aperture of said receptacle (9).

3. Brewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ejecting member (20) has at least one control arm (23) and the control mechanism (24;

26-34) is capable of interacting with said at least one arm (23) to cause the ejecting member to move to the working position when the movable assembly (7) is in said predetermined position on a return path to the open position.

4. Brewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism (24;

26-34) comprises at least one pushing member (30) pivotable in said support structure (2) about a fixed axis (32) which is essentially orthogonal to the direction of movement of the movable assembly (7);

said pushing member (30) having a cam-like profile (34a, 34b) able to cooperate with said movable assembly (7) such that the pushing member (30) is capable of

assuming an inactive angular position in which it is not aligned with the path of said at least one control arm (23) of the ejecting member (20), when the movable assembly (7) is in the open position, and as long as said assembly is moving towards the closed position;

assuming an active angular position in which said pushing member (30) is aligned with and separated from said at least one arm (23) of the ejecting member (20), when the movable assembly (7) reaches or is close to reaching the closed position; and

maintaining the active angular position and interacting with said at least one arm (23) to cause the ejecting member (20) to move to the working position, when the movable assembly (7) passes through said predetermined position on a return path to the open position; and

returning to an inactive angular position when the movable assembly (7) reaches or is close to reaching the open position.

5. Brewing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one pushing member (30) is pivotingly joined to one end of a stationary stud (28) which extends through a longitudinal passage (29) of the movable assembly (7);

said pushing member (30) having a shaped longitudinal guide (31) which can be engaged by a corresponding protruding formation (40) of the movable assembly (7) when this latter is in the final phase of a return path to the closed position;

said guide (31) having a control-cam profile (34a, 34b) shaped such that said protruding formation (40) of the movable assembly (7) can control the return of the pushing member (30) from the active position to an inactive position in a final phase of the return path to the open position.