Extraction device for preparation of a beverage

• US 5,398,596 A
• Filed: 05/05/1993
• Issued: 03/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Fond, Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Randall E.
• Application Number:
  US08/059,456
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 99/279, 99/295, 99/300, 99/302 R, 99/306, 99/307, 99/316, 99/317
• US Class Current: 99/295
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/369 Impermeable cartridges being employed
• 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

Abstract

A device for the extraction of a beverage material contained in a cartridge has a surface member of which at least a portion has a flat surface and a size at least sufficient to overlay and cover at least a peripheral surface of a cartridge, which contains a beverage to be extracted and which is positioned adjacent the member, to effect imperviousness between the flat surface of the surface member and the cartridge during extraction of the beverage material contained in the cartridge. The device also has an injector which extends through the surface member for piercing into the cartridge. The injector extends longitudinally perpendicular to the flat surface of the surface member and has outlets disposed for directing water ejected from the injector for extraction of the beverage material at an angle of from 90° to 65° with reference to a longitudinally extending portion of the injector at the outlets.

Claims

1. In a device for extraction of a material contained in a cartridge for preparation of a beverage having a housing member which has a base, having an injector member which extends longitudinally about a longitudinal axis from the housing member base for piercing a cartridge and which has outlets displaced at a position away from the base and disposed for directing water from the injector member into a cartridge for extraction of a material in a cartridge and having a seal member which has a first seal surface and a second seal surface which opposes the first seal surface and wherein the seal member is positioned at the base of the housing member so that the first and second seal surfaces extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the injector member and so that the first seal surface is positioned adjacent the base and wherein the seal member has a centrally disposed bore therethrough from the first surface to the second surface to provide an opening for sealably surrounding a periphery of the injector member, wherein the improvements comprise:

the seal member second surface having a first centrally disposed flat surface portion, a second flat surface portion and a third surface portion, wherein the bore is centrally disposed in the first portion and wherein the third portion extends between and connects the first and second portions and is concave with respect to the first and second portions and forms a cavity between the first and second portions;

the injector member having outlets disposed for directing water ejected from the injector member at an angle of from 90°

to 65°

with reference to the longitudinal axis; and

a cartridge holder and a tightening ring wherein

the cartridge holder has a base and has a wall having inner and outer surfaces which extends transversely from the base to a wall edge disposed between the inner and outer surfaces and displaced from the base and has lugs which extend transversely from the outer surface, and

the tightening ring extends from the housing member and has a surface which extends from the housing member transversely with respect to the first and second surface portions and from a position about the seal member second surface portion and has ramps which extend transversely from the tightening ring surface for engaging the cartridge holder lugs for supporting the cartridge holder, and

wherein the seal member second surface portion has a size sufficient so that upon engagement of the ramps and lugs for supporting the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder wall edge is aligned with and adjacent to the seal member second surface portion for effecting compression of a cartridge against the second surface portion.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the seal member second surface portion extends to a seal member peripheral edge which is circular in shape.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the injector member outlets are positioned at a distance of from 3 mm to 8 mm from the first surface portion.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the injector member has between one and ten outlets.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the injector member outlets have a size of from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm in diameter.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the seal member is comprised of a rubber material.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the seal member is comprised of steel coated with PTFE.

8. In a device for extraction of a material contained in a cartridge for preparation of a beverage having a housing member which has a base, having an injector member which extends longitudinally about a longitudinal axis from the housing member base for piercing a cartridge and which has outlets displaced at a position away from the base and disposed for directing water from the injector member into a cartridge for extraction of a material in a cartridge and having a seal member which has a first seal surface and a second seal surface which opposes the first seal surface and wherein the seal member is positioned at the base of the housing member so that the first and second seal surfaces extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the injector member and so that the first seal surface is positioned adjacent the base and wherein the seal member has a centrally disposed bore therethrough from the first surface to the second surface to provide an opening for sealably surrounding a periphery of the injector member, where the improvements comprise:

the seal member second surface consisting of a first centrally disposed flat surface portion, a second flat surface portion and a third surface portion, wherein the bore is centrally disposed in the first portion, wherein the second portion extends to a seal member peripheral edge and wherein the third portion extends between and connects the first and second portions and is concave with respect to the first and second portions and forms a cavity between the first and second portions; and

the injector member having outlets disposed for directing water ejected from the injector member at an angle of from 90°

to 65°

with reference to the longitudinal axis of the injector member.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the seal member peripheral edge is circular in shape.

10. A device according to claim 8 wherein the injector member outlets are positioned at a distance of from 3 mm to 8 mm from the first surface portion.

11. A device according to claim 8 wherein the injector member has between one and ten outlets.

12. A device according to claim 8 wherein the injector member outlets have a size of from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm in diameter.

13. A device according to claim 8 wherein the seal member is comprised of a rubber material.

14. A device according to claim 8 wherein the seal member is comprised of steel coated with PTFE.