System and apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption

• US 6,186,051 B1
• Filed: 07/31/1997
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sara Lee / De N.V. (Sara Lee Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sara Lee / De N.V. (Sara Lee Corporation)
• Inventors: Aarts, Mathias Leonardus Cornelis
• Primary Examiner(s): WEINSTEIN, STEVEN L
• Application Number:
  US08/903,895
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 426/433, 426/435, 426/77, 426/78, 426/79, 426/84, 426/112, 992/95, 993/02.R, 993/02.P, 993/04, 993/06, 992/87
• US Class Current: 99/295
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/002 following a specific operational sequence, e.g. for improving the taste of the extraction product
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/0668 specially adapted for cartridges
• 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 system for preparing a consumable beverage, wherein a liquid and a granular material are brought together to produce the beverage. The system includes at least one vacuum pack enclosing a beverage making granular material therein. The free end of the pack defines a longitudinal narrow gap, and a closing seam adjacent the free end that retains the granular material within the vacuum pack. A holder is configured to receive and fully enclose the vacuum pack therein. A liquid dispensing mechanism is provided for dispensing a liquid. A needle-shaped tube connects to the liquid dispensing mechanism and includes a free end for piercing the vacuum pack and introducing the liquid into the vacuum pack. The holder includes an opening at one end to allow the end of the vacuum pack to extend below the holder when the vacuum pack is placed within the holder, and the holder further includes a movable sidewall positioned to engage the opposite end of the vacuum pack. A drive mechanism connected to the movable sidewall forcibly presses the movable sidewall against the opposite end whereby the vacuum pack is tightly pressed against the holder. Clamping plates are positioned to press against the portion of the vacuum pack that extends below the holder to maintain the narrow gap once the closing seam is opened by the internal pressure.

Claims

1. A system for preparing a consumable beverage, wherein a liquid and a granular material are brought together to produce the beverage, comprising:

at least one vacuum pack formed from a thin-walled and flexible packing sheet enclosing a beverage making granular material therein, the at least one vacuum pack having a free end and an opposite end, the free end defining a longitudinal narrow gap between opposite parts of the packing sheet, and a closing seam adjacent said free end interconnecting the opposite parts of the packing sheet to retain the granular material within the at least one vacuum pack, said closing seam being releasable due to liquid pressure injection into the pack to open the pack, and the distance between the opposite parts of the packaging sheet in the gap being sufficient to form a filter which blocks the granular material from leaving the vacuum pack when the closing seams is opened;

an apparatus including a holder configured to receive and fully enclose the at least one vacuum pack therein, liquid dispensing means for dispensing a liquid, and a needle-shaped tube connected to the liquid dispensing means, the needle-shaped tube including a free end for piercing the opposite end of the at least one vacuum pack and introducing the liquid into the at least one vacuum pack;

said holder including an opening at one end to allow the free end of the vacuum pack to extend below the holder when the vacuum pack is placed within the holder, and said holder further including a movable sidewall positioned to engage the opposite end of the at least one vacuum pack, and a drive mechanism connected to the movable sidewall for forcibly pressing the movable sidewall against the opposite end whereby the vacuum pack is tightly pressed against the holder; and

the apparatus further including clamping plates positioned to press against the portion of the free end of the vacuum pack that extends below the holder to maintain said narrow gap between the opposite parts of the packing sheet once the closing seam is opened by the internal pressure caused by the injection of said liquid, the gap maintained by the clamping plates being sufficient to form a filter that permits the prepared beverage to pass but blocks passage of said granular material.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the needle-shaped tube is movable relative to the movable sidewall.