Coffee and tea dispenser

• US 6,786,134 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Green, Charles Bradley
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US10/071,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20030145736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 992/89.P, 992/89.R, 992/95, 992/91, 992/90, 993/02.R, 993/16
• US Class Current: 99/289.00P
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3633 Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3642 Cartridge magazines therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/8043 Packages adapted to allow liquid to pass through the contents B65D85/808 takes precedence; filters or reusable cartridges for coffee or tea makers, not used as packages A47J31/06

Abstract

A beverage system for brewing a beverage from a beverage material and a source of hot, pressurized water. The beverage system may include a cartridge with the beverage material therein. The cartridge may include a seal positioned about the beverage material. The beverage system also may include an injection system for injecting the hot, pressurized water into the cartridge so as to brew the beverage from the beverage material.

Claims

1. A beverage system for brewing a beverage from a beverage material and a source of hot, pressurized water, comprising:

a cartridge with the beverage material therein;

said cartridge comprising a sealing layer positioned about the beverage material; and

an injection nozzle for injecting the hot, pressurized water into said cartridge so as to brew the beverage from the beverage material;

said cartridge comprises a first end and wherein said first end comprises an insert positioned a predetermined distance under said sealing layer such that said injection nozzle may penetrate said sealing layer but not said insert.

2. The beverage system of claim 1, wherein said cartridge comprises a second end and a second sealing layer and wherein said second sealing layer comprises a scored area such that said scored area may release from said second sealing layer under the application of pressure.

3. The beverage system of claim 2, wherein said sealing layer comprises a foil.

4. A beverage system for producing a beverage from a source of hot water and a number of beverage material containers, comprising:

a plate;

said plate comprising a plurality of apertures, said plurality of apertures sized to accommodate directly to beverage material containers;

said aperture extending from a first side of said plate to a second side of said plate; and

an injection station positioned about said plate;

said injection station comprising means for injecting the beverage material containers with hot water from the hot water source so as to produce the beverage.

5. The beverage system of claim 4, further comprising a drive motor so as to drive said plate.

6. The beverage system of claim 5, further comprising a limit switch positioned adjacent to said plate, said limit switch being in communication with said drive motor.

7. The beverage system of claim 6, wherein said plate comprises one or more detents positioned therein such that said detents may align with said limit switch so as to stop the movement of the plate.

8. The beverage system of claim 4, wherein said injecting means comprises an injection nozzle for penetrating the beverage material container.

9. The beverage system of claim 8, wherein said injecting means comprises an injection bead positioned about said injection nozzle.

10. The beverage system of claim 9, wherein said injecting means comprises a sealing ring positioned about said injection nozzle so as to create a seal between said injection head and the beverage material containers.

11. The beverage system of claim 9, wherein said injecting means comprises an injection drive system so as to maneuver said injection head about the beverage material containers.

12. The beverage system of claim 11, wherein said injection drive system comprises an eccentric cam for maneuvering said injection head about the beverage material containers.

13. The beverage system of claim 11, wherein said injection drive system maneuvers said injection head into contact with the beverage material containers with about 135 to about 160 kilograms of force.

14. The beverage system of claim 4, further comprising a loading assembly positioned about said plate.

15. The beverage system of claim 14, wherein said loading assembly comprises a container carousel for storing the beverage material containers.

16. The beverage system of claim 15, wherein said loading assembly comprises a loading mechanism so as to place the beverage material containers within one of said plurality of apertures of said plate.

17. The beverage system of claim 16, wherein said loading mechanism comprises an escapement ratchet operated by a solenoid.

18. The beverage system of claim 4, further comprising an ejector assembly positioned about said plate.

19. The beverage system of claim 18, wherein said ejector system comprises a lift mechanism positioned about said plate so as to remove the beverage material containers from one of said plurality of apertures of said plate.

20. The beverage system of claim 19, wherein said lift mechanism comprises a plunger operated by a solenoid.

21. The beverage system of claim 18, wherein said ejector system comprises a sweep mechanism so as to push the beverage material containers off of said plate.

22. The beverage system of claim 21, wherein said sweep mechanism comprises a rotating arm operated by a solenoid.

23. A beverage system for producing a beverage from a source of hot water and a number of beverage material containers, comprising:

a transport assembly for maneuvering the beverage material containers;

a loading assembly positioned adjacent to said transport assembly for loading the beverage material containers onto said transport assembly;

an injection station positioned adjacent to said transport assembly for injecting the beverage material containers with hot water from the hot water source;

said injection station comprising an eccentric cam; and

an ejection station positioned adjacent to said transport assembly for removing the beverage material container from said transport assembly.