Beverage dispensing machine including cartridge ejector assembly
First Claim
1. A beverage dispensing apparatus for extracting beverage from a cartridge, the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
- a slide assembly including a cartridge holder for receiving the cartridge, the slide assembly for moving the cartridge holder from a loading position to a loaded position;
an injection assembly coupled to the slide assembly, the injection assembly including an injector movable relative to the slide assembly, into and out of an injection position, for piercing the cartridge to inject a liquid into the cartridge;
a driving assembly coupled to the injection assembly for moving the injection assembly into and out of the injection position;
an extraction mechanism cooperating with the cartridge holder and including an extractor movable between an extraction position and a non-use position, the extraction position for piercing the cartridge and extracting the beverage, wherein when said injector moves into said injection position, said injector is located to pierce a top cover of the cartridge and when said extractor moves to said extraction position, said extractor is located for piercing the cartridge on a side wall thereof, between a filter and a bottom wall of the cartridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A beverage dispensing apparatus for extracting beverage from a cartridge includes a slide assembly including a cartridge holder for receiving the cartridge. The slide assembly is used for moving the cartridge holder from a loading position to a loaded position. An injection assembly is coupled to the slide assembly, and includes an injector movable relative to the slide assembly. The injector is movable into and out of an injection position, for piercing the cartridge to inject a liquid into the cartridge. A driving assembly is coupled to the injection assembly for moving the injection assembly into and out of the injection position. An extraction mechanism cooperates with the cartridge holder and includes an extractor that is movable between an extraction position for piercing the cartridge and extracting the beverage, and a non-use position.
118 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A beverage dispensing apparatus for extracting beverage from a cartridge, the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a slide assembly including a cartridge holder for receiving the cartridge, the slide assembly for moving the cartridge holder from a loading position to a loaded position;
an injection assembly coupled to the slide assembly, the injection assembly including an injector movable relative to the slide assembly, into and out of an injection position, for piercing the cartridge to inject a liquid into the cartridge;
a driving assembly coupled to the injection assembly for moving the injection assembly into and out of the injection position;
an extraction mechanism cooperating with the cartridge holder and including an extractor movable between an extraction position and a non-use position, the extraction position for piercing the cartridge and extracting the beverage, wherein when said injector moves into said injection position, said injector is located to pierce a top cover of the cartridge and when said extractor moves to said extraction position, said extractor is located for piercing the cartridge on a side wall thereof, between a filter and a bottom wall of the cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A beverage dispensing apparatus for extracting beverage from a cartridge, the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a slide assembly including a cartridge holder for receiving the cartridge, the slide assembly for moving the cartridge holder from a loading position to a loaded position, the cartridge holder including an arch-shaped cavity for receiving the cartridge therein;
an injection assembly coupled to the slide assembly, the injection assembly including an injector movable relative to the slide assembly, into and out of an injection position, for piercing the cartridge to inject a liquid into the cartridge;
a driving assembly coupled to the injection assembly for moving the injection assembly into and out of the injection position;
an extraction mechanism cooperating with the cartridge holder and including an extractor movable between an extraction position and a non-use position, the extraction position for piercing the cartridge and extracting the beverage; and
a cartridge ejector mechanism, including an ejector biased downwardly for contacting said cartridge when said slide assembly is moved from said loaded position to said loading position. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A beverage dispensing apparatus for extracting beverage from a cartridge, the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a slide assembly including a cartridge holder for receiving the cartridge, the slide assembly for moving the cartridge holder from a loading position to a loaded position;
an injection assembly coupled to the slide assembly, the injection assembly including an injector movable relative to the slide assembly, into and out of an injection position, for piercing the cartridge to inject a liquid into the cartridge;
a driving assembly coupled to the injection assembly for moving the injection assembly into and out of the injection position;
an extraction mechanism cooperating with the cartridge holder and including an extractor movable between an extraction position and a non-use position, the extraction position for piercing the cartridge and extracting the beverage, wherein said extraction mechanism is coupled to said cartridge holder and said extractor moves between a non-use position and an extraction position for piercing the cartridge on a side wall thereof, by moving through an aperture in a side of the cartridge holder proximal a base of the cartridge holder.
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11. A beverage dispensing apparatus for extracting beverage from a cartridge, the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a slide assembly including a cartridge holder for receiving the cartridge, the slide assembly for moving the cartridge holder from a loading position to a loaded position;
an injection assembly coupled to the slide assembly, the injection assembly including an injector movable relative to the slide assembly, into and out of an injection position, for piercing the cartridge to inject a liquid into the cartridge;
a driving assembly coupled to the injection assembly for moving the injection assembly into and out of the injection position;
an extraction mechanism cooperating with the cartridge holder and including an extractor movable between an extraction position and a non-use position, the extraction position for piercing the cartridge and extracting the beverage, the direction of movement of the extractor being substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement of the injector, wherein said slide assembly includes a pair of rails with corresponding tracks for sliding therein. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A beverage dispensing apparatus for extracting beverage from a cartridge, the beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
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a slide assembly including a cartridge holder for receiving the cartridge, the slide assembly for moving the cartridge holder from a loading position to a loaded position;
an injection assembly coupled to the slide assembly, the injection assembly including an injector movable relative to the slide assembly, into and out of an injection position, for piercing the cartridge to inject a liquid into the cartridge;
a driving assembly coupled to the injection assembly for moving the injection assembly into and out of the injection position;
an extraction mechanism cooperating with the cartridge holder and including an extractor movable between an extraction position and a non-use position, the extraction position for piercing the cartridge and extracting the beverage, said injector being movable into and out of an injection position for piercing a top cover of said beverage cartridge and said injector comprising a tube with a closed end, the tube having a passage therein and outlets in the form of angled slots cut into the side of the tube and in fluid communication with the passage, the outlets for expelling water therefrom, wherein said angled slots diffuse water in a dispersed spray, towards said top cover of said beverage cartridge when said injector is disposed in said cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification