Cartridge ejector for a beverage dispensing machine

• US 7,063,238 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1693778 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: Robert Hale
• Inventors: Hale, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US10/185,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20030071056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 222/129.1, 222/83, 222/129.2, 222/81, 222/129.3, 222/82, 222/129.4, 222/85, 222/146.2, 222/80, 222/145.5, 222/86, 222/145.6, 222/325, 222/83.5, 222/92, 222 95- 96, 222105-107, 992/95, 993/00, 993/02.R, 993/04, 993/07, 992/79
• US Class Current: 222/325
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3638 Means to eject the cartridge after brewing
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3676 Cartridges being employed
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/4467 by means of linear guides, e.g. drawer-type engagement

Abstract

A cartridge ejector mechanism for a beverage dispensing machine comprises a cartridge holder sized to receive a beverage cartridge. The cartridge holder is coupled to the beverage dispensing machine and the cartridge holder is movable between a cartridge loading position and a beverage dispensing position. A cartridge ejector is coupled to the beverage dispensing machine. The cartridge ejector is responsive to movement of the cartridge holder from the beverage dispensing position to the cartridge loading position. Interaction between the cartridge ejector and the beverage cartridge when the cartridge holder is being moved from the beverage dispensing position towards the cartridge loading position causes the beverage cartridge to be removed from the cartridge holder.

Claims

1. A cartridge ejector mechanism for a beverage dispensing machine, the cartridge ejector mechanism comprising:

a pivotable cartridge holder sized to receive a beverage cartridge, said cartridge holder being coupled to said beverage dispensing machine, said cartridge holder being movable between a cartridge loading position and a beverage dispensing position; and

a cartridge ejector coupled to said beverage dispensing machine, said cartridge ejector being responsive to movement of said cartridge holder between said beverage dispensing position and said cartridge loading position;

wherein interaction between said cartridge ejector and said beverage cartridge when said cartridge holder is being moved from said beverage dispensing position towards said cartridge loading position causes said cartridge holder to pivot to allow said beverage cartridge to be removed from said cartridge holder.

2. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cartridge ejector is resiliently coupled to a forward inner wall of said beverage dispensing machine.

3. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cartridge holder is slidable past said forward inner wall of said beverage dispensing machine when said cartridge holder is moved between said beverage dispensing position and said cartridge loading position.

4. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cartridge ejector is generally fork shaped having at least one prong, said at least one prong extending generally downwardly and away from said forward inner wall of said beverage dispensing machine.

5. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cartridge holder includes at least one groove located adjacent a cartridge receiving aperture, said at least one groove for receiving said at least one prong of said cartridge ejector, said at least one prong for lifting an upper lip of the beverage cartridge located above said at least one groove.

6. A beverage extraction mechanism for a beverage dispensing machine, the beverage extraction mechanism comprising:

a cartridge holder sized to receive a beverage cartridge, said cartridge holder being coupled to said beverage dispensing machine;

a base coupled to said beverage dispensing machine, said base being movable relative to said cartridge holder into a beverage dispensing position;

an injector coupled to said base, said injector for piercing said beverage cartridge when said base is in said beverage dispensing position to deliver hot water to said beverage cartridge from a water source;

an extractor coupled to said base, said extractor for piercing said beverage cartridge when said base is in said beverage dispensing position to retrieve prepared beverage from said beverage cartridge; and

a drive assembly mechanically coupled to one of said base and said cat tridge holder to move said extractor relative to said cartridge holder, wherein said base is vertically movable to bring said injector and said extractor into and out of engagement with said beverage cartridge.

7. A beverage extraction mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein said base is located below said cartridge holder.

8. A beverage extraction mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein said injector communicates with a powdered beverage stored in said beverage cartridge above a filter and said extractor communicates with said beverage cartridge below said filter.

9. A cartridge ejector mechanism for a beverage dispensing machine, the cartridge ejector mechanism comprising:

a cartridge holder sized to receive a beverage cartridge, said cartridge holder being coupled to said beverage dispensing machine and being moveable along a generally horizontal path between a cartridge loading position and a beverage dispensing position; and

a cartridge ejector coupled to said beverage dispensing machine, said cartridge ejector forming a ramp to lift said beverage cartridge from said cartridge holder as said cartridge holder moves along said path from said beverage dispensing position to said cartridge loading position thereby to remove said beverage cartridge from said cartridge holder.

10. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cartridge ejector is resiliently coupled to said beverage dispensing machine.

11. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 10, wherein said cartridge ejector is generally fork shaped having at least one curved prong, said at least one prong being shaped to define said ramp.

12. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said cartridge holder includes at least one groove located adjacent a cartridge receiving aperture therein, said at least one groove for receiving said at least one prong, said at least one prong engaging an upper lip of said beverage cartridge when said cartridge holder moves along said path from said beverage dispensing position to said cartridge loading position.

13. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein said cartridge ejector has a pair of spaced curved prongs.

14. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cartridge holder and said cartridge ejector pivot when said at least one curved prong engages said beverage cartridge.

15. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 14, wherein said cartridge ejector has a pair of spaced curved prongs.

16. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 9 wherein said cartridge holder is coupled to a glide assembly, said glide assembly including a pair of rails slidable horizontally along a pair of tracks.

17. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cartridge holder is pivotally mounted on said rails, said cartridge holder pivoting when said cartridge ejector lifts the beverage cartridge from said cartridge holder.

18. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 17, wherein said cartridge ejector is generally fork shaped having at least one curved prong, said at least one prong being shaped to define said ramp.

19. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 18, wherein said cartridge ejector has a pair of spaced curved prongs.

20. A cartridge ejector mechanism as claimed in claim 19, wherein said cartridge holder includes grooves located adjacent a cartridge receiving aperture therein, said grooves for receiving said prongs, said prongs engaging an upper lip of said beverage cartridge when said cartridge holder moves along said path from said beverage dispensing position to said cartridge loading position.