Cartridge ejector for a beverage dispensing machine
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cartridge ejector mechanism for a beverage dispensing machine, the cartridge ejector mechanism comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A beverage extraction mechanism for a beverage dispensing machine, the beverage extraction mechanism comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A cartridge ejector mechanism for a beverage dispensing machine, the cartridge ejector mechanism comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification