Extraction module for a capsule-based beverage production device

• US 8,272,319 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2006
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Jarisch, Christian, Denisart, Jean-Luc, Ryser, Antoine, Kern, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US11/534,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20070068394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,196 Days
• Field of Search: 99452-455, 99275-323, 994/95, 995/16, 995/36, 992/89.R, 992/95, 993/02.R
• US Class Current: 99/289.R
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3633 Means to perform transfer from a loading position to an infusing position
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/3638 Means to eject the cartridge after brewing

Abstract

A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising a motor-driven extraction module which comprises a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, wherein in an opened state of the extraction module the jaw members are distanced from each other while in the closed state the jaw members tightly enclose a capsule space, a motor for controlling the transfer of the extraction module between the closed and opened state, and a knee lever arrangement, being functionally connected to the motor and to at least one of the jaw members and being designed to convert the motor drive action into a closure force, i.e. a force with which the first and second jaw member are approaching each other, which is increasing during the course of the closure movement.

Claims

1. A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising:

an extraction module comprising a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, in an opened state of the extraction module the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member are separated from each other while in the closed state the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member are in contact;

a motor for controlling a movement of the extraction module between the closed and opened state; and

a mechanical conversion means for transmitting a drive action of the motor into a relative displacement of the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member, the mechanical conversion means having a variable transmission ratio which varies during the movement of the extraction module between the opened and the closed state, wherein the mechanical conversion means is designed to convert the drive action of the motor into a closure force that increases during the movement to the closed state, wherein the mechanical conversion means comprises a lever arrangement connected to a spindle driven by the motor, wherein a rotational drive of the motor is converted into a translational drive through the spindle interacting with a thread of a drive shaft, and wherein the lever arrangement comprises two co-parallel pairs of levers, the levers of each pair of levers being respectively connected to each other by a knee joint, the motor actuating directly or indirectly on the knee joint.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein in the opened state of the extraction module each pair of levers forms an acute angle extending from the knee joint, while in the closed state of the extraction module each pair of levers forms an obtuse angle of up to 180°

extending from the knee joint.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein an end of one lever of each pair of levers opposite to the knee joint is respectively connected to one of the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member, while the other end is respectively fixed in translation.

4. A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising:

an extraction module comprising a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, in an opened state of the extraction module the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member are separated from each other while in the closed state the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member are in contact;

a motor for controlling a movement of the extraction module between the closed and opened state; and

a mechanical conversion means for transmitting a drive action of the motor into a relative displacement of the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member, the mechanical conversion means having a variable transmission ratio which varies during the movement of the extraction module between the opened and the closed state, wherein the mechanical conversion means is designed to convert the drive action of the motor into a closure force that increases during the movement to the closed state, wherein the mechanical conversion means comprises a lever arrangement connected to a spindle driven by the motor, and wherein a rotational drive of the motor is converted into a translational drive through the spindle interacting with a thread of a drive shaft.

5. A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising:

an extraction module comprising a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, in an opened state of the extraction module the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member are separated from each other while in the closed state the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member are in contact;

a motor for controlling a movement of the extraction module between the closed and opened state;

a mechanical conversion means for transmitting a drive action of the motor into a relative displacement of the first jaw member and the cooperating second jaw member, the mechanical conversion means having a variable transmission ratio which varies during the movement of the extraction module between the opened and the closed state, wherein the mechanical conversion means is designed to convert the drive action of the motor into a closure force that increases during the movement to the closed state, and wherein the mechanical conversion means comprises a lever arrangement connected to a spindle driven by the motor; and

a frame for mounting the extraction module and the motor to a main part of the device, wherein a front part of the frame is elevated at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal rear part of the frame.