Holder and housing devices for containing and releasing capsules for drink preparation

• US 6,026,732 A
• Filed: 07/13/1998
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Kollep, Alexandre, Masek, Petr
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, Reginald L.
• Application Number:
  US09/114,606
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 99/295, 99/302 R, 99/302 P
• US Class Current: 99/295
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0668 specially adapted for cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0678 Means to separate the cartridge from the bottom of the brewing chamber, e.g. grooves or protrusions
• 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 31/4464 by means of bayonet-type engagement

Abstract

Devices for holding and positioning capsules which have a cup, cover and lid structure and which contain a substance for preparation of a drink by extraction under pressure include a hollowed housing device, a hollowed holder device and an extraction plate for flow of the extracted drink from the capsule. The holder device includes an element member which extends from a holder wall into the interior at a position so that upon placement of a capsule in the holder device hollowed interior so that the cover and lip are adjacent the extraction plate, the lip passes by the retention element member and is retained between the member and extraction plate, and the housing and holder devices also are configured so that for pressure extraction, the housing has a periphery edge positionable for contacting the capsule lip so that a seal is formed.

Claims

1. In devices comprising an assembly for holding and positioning capsules containing a substance to be extracted for preparation of a drink, wherein the capsules comprise a cup, a cover and a lip and wherein the cup sidewall extends to the cover and lip, wherein the devices comprise a hollowed housing device and a hollowed holder device and wherein the housing device is configured for containing a capsule during extraction under pressure and so that it is connectable with and comprises means for receiving water from a pressure extraction machine and comprises a member for injecting water into the capsule for extraction of the substance in the capsule under pressure and wherein a holder device comprises an annular casing wall which defines a hollowed holder device interior configured for circumscribing the cup lip and at least a portion of the cup sidewall, the improvements comprising:

an extraction plate wherein the extraction plate is configured with hole portion openings and is positioned so that the plate extends transversely with respect to the casing wall and so that the holder device has a base which encloses the hollowed interior for flow of extracted drink obtained from the substance contained by the capsule, and wherein the holder device further comprises means which extends from the casing wall into the hollowed interior at a position for retaining a capsule lip so that upon placement of a capsule in the holder device hollowed interior so that the cover and lip are adjacent the extraction plate, the lip passes by the retention means and is retained between the retention means and the extraction plate and wherein the housing device is configured for engagement in the holder device so that a housing device wall extends to an annular periphery edge positionable adjacent the casing wall and for contacting the capsule lip so that a seal is formed during pressure extraction.

2. Devices according to claim 1 wherein the housing device wall has a portion perimeter which extends from the periphery edge and which is configured to accommodate positioning of the retention means.

3. Devices according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the retention means is elastic so that upon placement of a capsule in the holder, the retention means deforms for placing a capsule lip adjacent the extraction plate and so that the lip becomes positioned between the extraction plate and the retention means.

4. Devices according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the retention means comprises two lugs and wherein each lug has a length which forms an arc of a circle.

5. Devices according to claim 4 wherein the lug arc extends for less than 30°

.

6. Devices according to claim 4 wherein the lug arc extends for less than 10°

.

7. Devices according to claim 3 wherein the retention means comprises two lugs and wherein each lug has a length which forms an arc of a circle and wherein the lug arc extends for less than 30°

.

8. Devices according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the retention means comprises a rim which has a length which forms an arc of a circle and extends for less than 180°

.

9. Devices according to claim 3 wherein the retention means comprises a rim which has a length which forms an arc of a circle and extends for less than 180°

.

10. Devices according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the extraction plate further comprises raised elements for tearing holes in the cover of a capsule under extraction pressure.

11. Devices according to claim 1 further comprising a plate support connected with the holder device.

12. Devices according to claim 1 wherein the holder device is made of a plastic material.

13. Devices according to claim 1 wherein the housing device is made of a plastic material.

14. Devices according to claim 1 wherein the housing means for receiving water comprises a bayonet system.